Complexities of communication and practice in architect-client relationships

This research examined architect-client relationships in the context of residential projects in Jordan at different scales of inquiry—from single house design generation, to architectural practice and education, analysing seven case studies that shed light on the varying aspects of this relationships, as well as how it develops and evolves. Indeed, the importance of constructive relationships between architects and clients is well-documented within the literature, a variety of approaches to research within architectural practice having developed in complexity, reflecting changes in the nature of contemporary practice. In the context on Jordan, the profession undergoes many changes (increasing professionalism, client knowledge and expectations change, and high competition within the profession), whilst the housing sector goes through a radical change as a result of the economic, demographic, and social change. This research investigates the architectural design process from the perspective of the architectclient relationships, as well as how the design evolves through their interactions, shaping both the process and the result. Furthermore, the social dimension of the design process is investigated, showcasing where the interactions of different actors play a significant role in (re)producing the design. As a whole, this research bridges a breadth of research topics (including practice management, architectural design, housing studies, marketing, and relationships), attempting to make connections between these different layers of architectural research through studying the politics of architect-client relationships. Indeed, this research emphasised the importance of architect-client relationships as a pillar of the contemporary architectural practice, highlighting the role of cultural aspects in the practice, as well as the fact that the relationship is complex and involves a variety of actors. This research additionally calls for efforts to be paid toward educating the clients and the architects through enforcing the role of official bodies concerned with the housing sector in Jordan, as well as through the development of the pedagogies within the schools of architecture whilst maintaining core cultural values specific to the Jordanian context.