PAPAN 9

PAPAN 9
Original Artwork by Papa, Azhan and Nine (click image to link)
‘In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. By Time, indeed humanity is in a state of loss. Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of truth and in the mutual teaching of patience’ (Surah al-`Asr, 103:1-3)
"Professional Architect lives almost by faith. When called upon he can do the job without fear or favour. He possesses aspecialized skill and lives by a code of ethics cloaked in honour andintegrity. He is expected to speak his mind and give his views. Whenfaced with absolute wrong, he can resolutely disagree and walk away." quote from THE PROFESSIONAL MAN by Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun PRESIDENT PAM

Tuesday 1 May 2007

ARCHITECT vs PROPERTY DEVELOPER?


These are some conversations with friends that make me think of the path that we might choose in this short life.

Friday, April 06, 2007, 11:47:57 AM
akitek X: 200k
akitek X: pasnih wat id bungalow diaorg
paklan_rizan: pehh..kayo2
akitek X: kat bukit tunku
akitek X: 6million nyer projek
akitek X: aku rasa cam malas nak wat architecture
akitek X: its better be a developer
akitek X: u design n carried ur own brand
akitek X: n identity
paklan_rizan: ic
paklan_rizan: asalnya architect tu sebenarnya developer gak
akitek X: yep
akitek X: architect is creator
akitek X: haha
paklan_rizan: baguslah kalau ramai lagi akitek yg jadi developer jugak
paklan_rizan: cuma ko jgn jadi macam typicall developer dah la
akitek X: kalu ade pitih.. sure dah kureng jd architect
akitek X: no way dude.. mesti mau ade style!
paklan_rizan: cayalah
paklan_rizan: bolehlah aku beli umah yg ader style yg harga mampu milik sikit..
akitek X: terbaikk


At one point it seems pointless to be an architect. Some people said it’s like being a "prostitute" or a puppet.
But I believe the conflict only occurs in our mind when the objective of being an architect is not paralleled with the objective in our life. What do I really want in life? If I want to be rich, of course being an architect is not the best option. Do I want to be famous? I guess being artist like Mawi will provide the best platform to fame and glamour. Just be a contestant singing contest like akademi fantasia which will take weeks to graduate and make a fortune out of it.
However, most architects would likely choose to become property developers. It is an option that suits them best because it's like being your own boss with more money in your pocket. It is like taking out money from your right pocket and putting it back into your left pocket. But do we really understand the developer? Are we ready to make the business decisions as a major factor towards our architecture? Or would we have the final words when we become the developer instead of architects?
I ask a friend of mine who used to be one of my clients; a developer’s opinion. These are some of the vital issues that I need to thoroughly think of because if I'm planning to pursue my studies in architecture and I must be clear of what I want to achieve. He said:
Hi kawan,Khabar saya dan keluarga semuanya baik, tq. Business pun ok juga dan XXX pun dah dapat CF oledi.

On u punya intention nak join the property development sector ... I bagi u my 3sen worth of opinion la 4u to consider:
There are people who cannot bezakan the difference diantara seorang Developer dengan seorang Contractor dan ada ramai juga kawan yg I kenal yg berjaya dlm bidang construction as a contractor tapi bila dia 'naik taraf' jadi developer, gagal pula. Agak pelik to some people why this can happen.

Ok, actually to be a developer, yr main skill/ability should be yr ability to sell the houses that u develop. So expanding fr this point of view, u need to develop properties that people like, in terms of location, product & pricing. The skill to identify good location is a business judgement and in my opinion tak boleh study one la (must be fr experience);

Product development is a combination or technical skill as well as marketing skill cos u kena ada some technical background to conceptualise the design of the house and also to combine with the marketing skills to see how u want to present yr product/hse to the prospective buyers.

Pricing is a combination of marketing skill and financial skill as u need to price yr product at the optimum level to attract people to buy ad yet make money from it.

After habis jual, project management skill pula come into play as u need to monitor the contractor & consultants to make sure they deliver what u have promised to the purchasers.

Last but not least, u pun kena ada budi bicara punya skill cos this is of utmost importance when u deal with government authorities for approvals and such.

Overall, banyak juga skill yg kena ada. Tapi as a conclusion, to me having the marketing skill (ability to read the market and develop a competetive/in demand product) is of utmost importance, then follow by technical skill. As a developer, u don need in-dept technical skills as u will be supported by yr panel of consultants.In addition to the above, deliver what u promised, then u will have a strong branding and a smooth journey to success.

Harap harap my opinion is of help to you and all the best fren.

After giving much thought to it, I decided being a developer was not a continuous learning option-but rather a dream to channel my much gain knowledge. I'll continue the learning process and being expert on what I'm best at: DESIGN ARCHITECT.
Whatever you are from nature, keep to it; never desert your own line of talent...Be what Nature intended you for, and you will succeed; be anything else, and you will be ten thousand times worse than nothing.
-Sydney Smith, The Way To Succeed, W M Thayer, (Page 211), 1902



1 comment:

Wardina said...

useful and thoughtful opinion from ur friend. perhaps, someday the time will come for u to expand your line of expertise...