The Most Important Question to Ask Before Embarking on Any Project.
Mindful Design #06
Architect Jorn Utzorn with his model of the Sydney Opera House
Image source: Guardian Australia, image altered by @thethinking_hand
Welcome to the Mindful Design Newsletter # 06.
I just listened to an amazing podcast about the backstory to the Sydney Opera House and it made me think about:
The most important question to ask before embarking on any project.
"Why are we doing this?"
Most people tend to consider this a straightforward question with an obvious answer, but it's not always so clear-cut. Determining the "why" behind a project and being able to articulate and share it can make the difference between success and embarking on a self-inflicted journey into hell.
The story of the Sydney Opera House serves as a heartbreaking example of the latter. Despite being one of the world's most iconic and celebrated buildings, the process of bringing it to life was a disaster. The budget ballooned tenfold, construction extended a decade longer than expected, and the project generated massive controversy, tarnishing careers and reputations, including that of its brilliant, young architect, Jorn Utzon.
This story is compellingly narrated in one of my favorite podcasts, "Cautionary Tales." In the podcast, mega-project expert Bent Flyvbjerg identifies the primary reason behind the Opera House tragedy: the seemingly simple question, "Why are we doing this?" was never asked.
You might wonder, "What does this have to do with my project? I'm not constructing an Opera House..." Well, every building project brings together vastly different realities, and without a clearly defined answer to the question of "why are we doing this," there is no unifying vision. Without a clear vision, a building project becomes a battleground of conflicting realities and agendas. This dramatically increases the likelihood of disagreements which can spell disaster for any building project, regardless of its size. In fact, small projects with modest budgets are the most vulnerable, but they don't make podcasts about those.
The completed Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
Image source: ka-perseus-images
The podcast about the Sydney Opera House concludes with another famous building project: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. This equally spectacular project reversed the fortunes of a struggling regional town in Spain that few had ever heard of. But, unlike the Sydney Opera House, the Guggenheim Museum was completed on time and under budget.
According to the podcast, Frank Gehry, the project’s battle-hardened architect who was well into his sixties, began by asking the same crucial question: "Why are we doing this?" This led him to suggest a more suitable site on the waterfront and to design a building that met the goal of rebranding and revitalizing the town of Bilbao. Gehry also determined the exact costs of the new building before commencing construction and ensured that artists, who understood how a museum should function, were involved throughout the decision-making process, with minimal interference from political and business interests.
The result is a spectacular landmark and a highly functional building that seamlessly integrates with its context and, along with the revitalized waterfront, attracts 1.2 million visitors annually. And, just to say it again: it was done on time and under budget.
With 85% of building projects exceeding their budgets, it's clear that starting with your "why" is a no-brainer. Yet many people still rush into design without contemplating why exactly they want to build. So, I hope this story motivates you to discover the "why" behind your projects. It is likely the smartest thing you can do to preserve your sanity and mitigate the typical risks of building – and perhaps you’ll even have some fun.
Spoiler: As humans, we are guided by emotions, using logic to justify or conceal these emotions even from ourselves. Because emotions reside in the subconscious, we are not really aware of them. However, tapping into them is critical to understanding why we do things. When challenges inevitably arise, our "why" serves as a lighthouse that helps us navigate the choppy sea of life – and building.
Need assistance in defining your project's "why"?
The Mindful Design Approach is a six-step process designed to help you ask the right questions when it comes to building.
The first step is a free 30-minute Expert Call, which aids in determining your needs and whether we are a good fit.
Not quite ready for a call? Download our Project Planning Packs, designed to set you on the right track.
Hey there, I'm Thorsten Deckler, a South African architect with over 25 years in the game. The name might sound Nordic, which is thanks to my German dad who helped me build my very first structure when I was still a student. It was a lot of hard physical labour, but we had a clear "why": "to make people happy (to pay rent) for a tiny space."
The tiny studio with its big opening
Image: Kim Morgado
One way to achieve this, was to connect the main live-work area to the beautiful, lush garden – and to do it in a way that would make our future tenant’s heart sing, every day. So, we made sliding doors that practically disappear when opened. Plus, we made sure there is no clunky threshold or door frame to interrupt the view. The result? It’s like stepping into a tranquil movie scene or a living painting.
Over the past 25 years, that little building has paid for itself several times over.
In closing, I’ve sketched a little something for you – it's me and my dad, reminiscing, looking at the rain coming down during one of those classic Highveld thunderstorms. He said something I'll never forget: "I'm glad we built this."
Why did I write this?
I want you to be able to say the same.
Sketchbook page
Image: Thorsten Deckler
