A fun twist in this regular column. Not an architect speaking this time, but... a professional in the field who always makes the architect speak. Do you still understand? Well... we talked to Jim Wolters (32), the very enthusiastic Account Manager Façade at Trespa International in Weert. It was very interesting to exchange ideas about what - according to Jim - drives today's architect and what topics of conversation are important to him. However, Jim also has a wish: "I hope that architects do not forget that they must continue to have the courage to take the lead in the chain. In the trinity between contractor, client and architect, the architect must not let himself get snowed under!"
Every day he is on-the-road speaking to architects. "Of course, those conversations are often about upcoming projects," Jim says. "But I also think it's important to make inspiring side trips. Even if I say so myself, I'm pretty well-read. I have quite a few books on architecture on the shelf at home. Even when I'm on vacation, I look around, I think about what I see, and if there's an interesting museum nearby that interfaces with architecture, I step inside."
So Jim sees his conversations with the architects as mutual inspiration. What are the architects talking about most in the year 2023? "Well, of course sustainability is a theme. Other than that, it's about aesthetic design and the link to materialization. So then you are talking about technology. I think that in the current zeitgeist, the profession of architecture has become a profession that has an awful lot of dimensions."
Still, Jim sees a big difference between the young - the emerging - architects on the one hand and the somewhat older guard. "Exceptions aside, I think the younger ones are a little more open to new things. The slightly older experienced architects often boast about how they've done things throughout their lives. I also see a big difference between the sole proprietorships and the larger firms. The latter group definitely has more focus on a bit of a distinctive profile. And yes, there are also differences between men and women. Men ask their questions much more directly, linking that more directly to their end goal. Women are more sophisticated, a bit more nuanced, and generally they are also more open to something new." Jim does emphasize, however, that he is not making any value judgments about those differences.
But, at the same time, he does see a common thread that every architect deals with on a daily basis anyway. "I'm talking about the split that often arises when a project is underway. Particularly when the contractor has to keep a sharp eye on his budget, which (perhaps?) necessitates making concessions on design and aesthetics. I understand that architects are not always happy about this: they see that their ideas sometimes turn out differently in practice. That's exactly my point: the architect has an awful lot of knowledge and I think it's good if he shows that knowledge. Therefore, come to the table earlier. Talk into construction teams and put your stamp not only on a project but also on the process."
When Jim is asked what the role of the architect will look like in the future, he is clear. "More than ever, a good architect will need to have a vision of reusing materials, and always have something to say about a theme like multifunctionality. I am convinced that these aspects are going to become more a part of the thinking, doing and acting of the professional. But above all, the important thing remains: the architect has to keep talking!"