Sarah--

To add to the information below, RFQ responses by an architectural firm
are carefully prepared in response to the specific conditions of the
job. No two qualifications packets by a firm are the same. The firm
selects its proposed project team, presents documentation of past
relevant projects, and answers the RFQ questions set out by the hiring
committee.  For us, it takes one person about 40-60 hours to prepare a
RFQ response, often more people and more time if the committee has a lot
of specific questions.  You might not get a good idea of what a firm can
really do for you if you look at the response to someone else's RFQ. 

Also, an interpersonal "vibe" has a lot to do with a successful project.
Sometimes the RFQ packet and the feeling you get from an interview don't
match up.  Sometimes the RFQ packet is really slick and professional but
when you interview with the architect, you get the feeling they aren't
going to be there for you, or that this is not the most important job on
their plate.  And sometimes you meet an architect that you really click
with, but you are disappointed with their packet.  My feeling is that
you should trust the interpersonal vibe more than the RFQ packet,
although seeing the qualifications does help to narrow things down a
bit.  

It all comes down to people working with people.  All architects have
similar technical skills, but the combination of client and architect is
what makes a building project into Architecture.  


Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x219   
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Glenn A. Walsh
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 1:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Search for museum architect

Sarah,

I forwarded your question to an architect friend in
New York. He had an interesting reply, which follows:

--- Claudio Veliz CV A <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
...
> An organization should select a firm based on the
> firm's design 
> philosophy, approach, and emphasis. ...
> Architecture is a process. Think of it as varying
> quality of meat 
> grinders. A good firm will give good results no
> matter what you put 
> into it, because it knows how to research, interview
> their clients, 
> users and understands, intimately, the purposes of a
> project, and the 
> desires of the client. 


--- Sarah Damberger <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 14:09:43 -0700 
From:  "Sarah Damberger" <[log in to unmask]> 
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Search for museum architect 
To: [log in to unmask]

> Hello all,
> 
> Has anyone been involved in the search for/selection
> of a museum architect?  I'm interested in seeing
> what
> architecture and planning firms send in response to
> requests for qualifications (RFQs).  If you have
> examples of qualification submittals (either
> successful or not) that you would be willing to part
> with, please let me know.  I'd be happy to reimburse
> for postage.
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Sarah

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