The architects' blog

Who are the players in a real estate project? And what is their share of the “pie” of cost and revenue? This is the “pie” – which contains all the project’s costs and the entrepreneurial profit (what is left of the income minus the costs). The total “pie” is equal to the revenues of the project. The percentages are estimated according to the national average.   Costs The largest portion of project costs typically is the land, which can range from a third to approximately 45% of the total. The cost of the land for each housing unit and its relative share of the price of…

If you’re looking for a short and simple definition, then you can say that the architect is an “artist with his head in the clouds who draws pictures, focusing on aesthetics and visual representation”. And the project manager is a “secretary who ensures tasks are completed in time and within budget, who only knows how to ask when it’s going to be ready and how much it costs”. Division of Responsibilities In practice, the division of duties is that the architect plans the project, analyzes the building regulations and develops the program with the client. He is responsible for coordinating his design with the team of consultants (constructor, plumbing, air conditioning, electricity,…

(updated 2024) There are several possible career paths for architects in the market. Whether in large or small architectural firms, as employees, or as self-employed with an own office. Additionally, architects can work in the public sector for local or national authorities and committees, in academia, or in the media. This does not include architects who have chosen parallel fields such as project management, architects employed in developer companies, or those who have moved to product design or graphics. This list refers to the average salary in the Israeli market for architects in various tracks. Employees Architects employed in offices typically start after completing their bachelor’s…

Architects, like other professionals such as engineers, doctors, and lawyers, are responsible for their work, which has a significant impact on others. Architectural project, from the concept stage to the construction documents, is complex work that requires compliance with numerous laws, regulations, and standards, while also paying attention to details. The project influences the quality of life, the comfort and safety of users, the proper operation of building systems, the aesthetics of the building and its spaces, and its economic value. Architects’ professional liability insurance is designed to protect the architect and reduce the risk of lawsuits brought against them due to professional negligence or inadvertent errors. The insurance provides coverage for…

A Price Proposal is one of the most important documents regulating the relationship between the client and the architect. The proposal outlines the nature and scope of the project, defines the services to be provided by the architect throughout the project stages, and specifies the payoff, including the payment schedule. After summarizing the price offer at the initial stage, there are two scenarios: either a full legal agreement is signed, or the signed offer stands as the only document. The latter is often preferable, involving a simple and relatively short document, rather than a complex agreement drafted by lawyers. Given the importance of The Proposal and its impact over the long term, throughout the entire project, it is…

“In commercial or industrial areas, buildings cannot exceed 1.25 times the average distance between their outer walls and the opposite building line. For non-commercial or non-industrial buildings, any part above the average ground height behind the building cannot be more than twice the distance from that part to the rear lot border. Additionally, industrial buildings’ height cannot exceed 2.5 times that distance, and buildings for public assemblies cannot exceed three times.” This is an excerpt from Plan B for the Jaffa area of the British Mandate in 1933. “The scope of the construction areas for additional uses can be determined to the extent of up to 25% of the total construction areas for marketable uses, above the determining entry…

The largest architectural firm Gensler, the largest architectural firm in the world, is based in the USA with 50 branches in 15 countries and employs thousands of architects. The firm engages in planning and design in a wide variety of fields: urban planning, hospitals, airports, stadiums, retail, offices, hotels, residences and more. Art Gensler, his wife Drew and another partner founded the company in 1965. They started their journey in interior design for commercial companies in office towers. Expanded in the USA, and later all over the world – from San Francisco to Shanghai, Tokyo and Sydney. In the book “Art’s Principles” from 2015, Art writes advices and…

In Israel the Copyright law relates to numerous forms of creative art works, like architecture, which may include structures, models, or drawings. The work must be original. Copyright exists for the lifetime of the creator and for 70 years after his death. The law provides protection to both the creator and the creation (intellectual property), allowing only the copyright owner to perform actions such as copying (in 2D or 3D) and publication. Those who undertake these actions without the permission of the copyright holder violate the law. They may be required to pay compensation even without proving damage. Ownership and Moral Rights in Architecture Architectural…

Exhibitions abroad present an excellent opportunity to stay informed about current events and draw inspiration from the world’s leading architects and designers. In other words you get to travel, to absorb design exhibitions, and even enjoy tax refund. Here’s a short list of top exhibitions and events worldwide. Have a nice flight. BAU Munich January, every two years – in an odd year (2023, 2025…) bau-muenchen.com/en Type: construction industry The world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems for the construction industry. In the large exhibition spaces, BAU features materials, technology and systems for commercial and residential construction and interior work for both…

What animal can jump higher than a house? Any animal — a house can’t jump. Did you hear the joke about the roof? Never mind, it’s over your head! What area of a room is the warmest? The corner — it’s always about 90 degrees! How do architects pay for coffee? With a charge per square meter.          …

 1. A light suitcase The best way to ‘travel light’ is not to take a bag. It’s better to pack a few clothes; it’s easier to find a laundromat once a week than to carry extra luggage for the entire trip. When aiming to establish a business, there’s often a desire to have premium infrastructure: wide space in great location, skilled personnel, and powerful tools. Quality infrastructure, both in terms of its quality and size, often signifies that a business is ready to provide service to large clients. However, current expenses can weigh heavily on the business, turning it into a ‘monster machine’ that constantly demands “feeding”. Over time, this may push us into accepting projects at…

Do the following phrases sound familiar to you? “Check development rights for us (at no cost), and you will get the project if it starts.” “We are in good contact with one of the owners of the lot. You will analyze the various planning options (for free) to facilitate our progression.” “We’ve decided to meet with multiple architects. Please prepare materials for the meeting including concepts, plans, and renders (cost-free), to help us choose the most suitable architect for the project’s design.” “My partners and I only need a preliminary sketch for an investor presentation so that we can raise money for the project.” I also felt like getting rich (and for free!) I went down to…

“I like beer, so I decided to try making it myself. I bought special tools for home brewing, found a recipe, and purchased the necessary ingredients: hops, yeast, and grain. Sounds simple, but the whole process was not like that at all. Questions piled up: how long to grind the grains? At what temperature? Is the tank sealed enough? And on and on. Everything had to be prepared with a lot of work, and after 3 weeks, the beer was fresh and ready to drink. In the end, it was fine, neither great nor bad. If I had continued, it would have gotten much better. I learned that just because I like…

Competitions are an opportunity for architects, especially young firms, to design significant public buildings. Many architects have broken through by winning competitions, such as Zvi Hecker and Avraham Yaski in Israel, as well as Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, and Bjarke Ingels abroad. Preparing a proposal for a competition also allows architects to break away from their daily planning routine, free their minds, and develop more innovative concepts. Why do we need architectural competitions? Competitions create a situation where the client, the general public, and the architects all benefit. The client benefits from a wide range of ideas and creative solutions to choose from, which doesn’t typically occur when a…

The pencil, the paper, and the free hand are still with us, joined by technological tools for the architect’s work in the fields of measurement, photography, drawing, 3D, and presentation. This post briefly presents the hardware, and software discussed in a separate article. These are tools that change the way we study and analyze reality, create, and present architecture. Measurement At first, there was a tape measure, then the simple laser meter that indicated the distance to a single point. Today, it is possible to perform a 3D scan that can be translated into a file at various scales: from scanning urban spaces, buildings, and interiors to objects. There are several methods for 3D scanning: modeling using images…

A number of professionals shape the environment we live in. These professions have developed as subspecialties over the years. Today, design and construction is not the responsibility of one person, but of a team of designers and builders. This post reviews the types of planners, their roles, training, and licensing in israel. In short, the architect designs the exterior and interior or collaborates with an interior designer. The architect coordinates the project with the engineer, who calculates the loads and designs the building structure. Engineering Technician studies are shorter.  (An Engineer usually has a bachelor’s degree in a specific field of engineering, while an Engineering Technician typically completes a certificate program)…

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