But there will inevitably be a case where the client does not like your design despite it meeting their needs.

Then you revise it.

of course

I am currently working on a project where we were specifically hired to research multiple options. After we submitted the first draft of our report, the client's PM told us to take out all but the 2-3 blandest, cheapest options before the report goes to their Board. C'est la vie.

This does not answer my question, but to be fair it is a bit poorly written/unclear. I am referring to how you go about designing it.

tintt, I forget, do you do residential design? I do, and I put a lot of effort into understanding my clients' needs, wants and preferences, solve their problems creatively, present confidently, have the technical skills to support the design and often they still don't like it. Their program often changes after I present SDs.

I just started doing residential design recently. I agree they often change their minds once they see what they ask for. I pretty much count on it. I think that's part of the process, that they see their desires in drawings and then they can more clearly identify what they want. I don't take it as they don't like it, but that we need that back and forth.

I've been showing them what they ask for and another version of what they tell me their budget is. Once this week and once last week, the client increased their budget because they like it. Now, my problem is that the scope increased and my fee might not because they expect me to keep it the same. Oops.

My client who’s a psychologist told me I’m a great listener. I think if we listen and incorporate their wants/needs...or have good reasons for not incorporating them...they are usually happy so long as they feel we are paying attention.

*professional practice, not class practice

"Crushed" is a heavy word, I've never had to call my therapist over a client rejecting a design. Somewhat disappointed, sure.

I try to keep a file of rejected design ideas - maybe next client will have a similar enough program and like the idea the last client hated.

This is very a good idea.

Same here, atelier nobody. I'd like to think that someday I'll turn them into semi-custom house plans for sale.

So.... basically Inception. What is your totem?

the superpower every architect wants hahah

It isn’t a superpower, it is a personality trait. Perception and emotional value; That is how people make choices. I just learned how to introduce new thoughts and insights to start shifting that perception towards aligning with what I want. Stupid current event example, but a ‘closed door secretive meeting’ generally triggers a distrust emotional response if they care about it, so that becomes a narrative so when those hearings are complete, that information gathered feels a bit more sketchy. Manipulation of perception is nothing new to get people to think about things different than they normally would in any other circumstance; so what is normal now feels wrong. You just need to plant those seeds, water, and watch them grow until they believe they know a better way… which just happens to be those other seeds you planted that lead to your concept being how they now define ‘better way’.

Care to provide an example?

Not easily since it is complex. But earlier this week.. My boss is a structural engineer. I’m working on a re-roof (structure rotted) and the fireplaces are shit. Single wythe, 6’ high and corbelled; massive structural issue. The flue block isn’t even tied in; it’s a hazard and shitty construction. I know my boss. So I know the direction he’d be inclined to go (steel, cmu backer, chase down to the fdn) and I know the GC will have a fit, there would be huge CO, and I’d have an angry owner. So… I present the problem in passing with my boss to get his brain churning (start them thinking about it). Additionally, pop a joke about how it is surprising it hasn’t fallen down after 40+ years in this awful condition (seed planted – whatever we do will be better); joke maybe they should consider gas so we could use wood (torpedo - steer away from wood and material changes). Shoot the shit about old school fireplace complexity dropping terms like smoke chamber, ash pit, clay flue, etc. (establish my expertise). I shoot off a follow-up email with photos, and multiple options, one of which (my goal solution) I came up with stitching in masonry to the flue block, and the rest are really just overkill of what he’d want by default. Being sure to ask some complex question about how we’ll chase down to bearing, lintel attachment to non-grouted cmu, etc. (torpedo the complexity of ideas he’s probably mulling over, plant seed about the simplicity of my concept). I also know he’s getting ready to leave town for another project which means he’ll just want to say “ok” versus develop something (manipulation of circumstance to my advantage). I make another rough 3d sketch of this stitching and masonry header tie to lay on my desk knowing he’ll walk by to talk about this project. (manipulation since I know he’s visual) He’ll see it, ask questions, and I’ll walk him through… already addressing things I know he’ll be thinking like lateral, the tie in, etc. (manipulation because now I have him seriously contemplating ONLY this solution). Be sure to tap their ego, “My dumb architect brains wouldn’t know, but would this solve the lateral?” I know I’m right, but let him ‘teach me’ and he’ll emotional invest in the solution I led him too. (emotional manipulation) Then I got the sign-off I needed without having to even explore his stagnant engineering ways. He leaves happy… I get what I want and the project moves along happily...

so sociopathic tendencies with superpowers??

I was just kidding, but in all seriousness it sounds like you’re pretty experienced. That sounds like a very good technique that i’ll remember for later in life. I’m currently still in undergrad.

Well generally isn't this a trait normal for all group working relationship? I mean if you're going to just steam roll the conversation, you certainly won't win over the other side. The goal here is to solve the problem, not oppose people's emotion and opinion.

Hahah, that's exactly what I was thinking, but felt like I should be polite.

This is Archinect, its one of the few and rare platforms where architects can freely exercise their blunt honest opinions/ honesty without repercussion of losing their clients! Haha

Yes, some of that trait is in everyone dealing with group relationships. This is different though and at another level. So, like your school, it isn’t about talking to your professor/peers into just liking your concept. This is talking them into changing their perception of the project requirements to fit your concept you like (which you know violates their ideas of what they expect to see). An example; I am pushing through the City, with staff approval, a building constructed entirely in the right-of-way instead of on our parcel. It violates almost every zoning code. Summary, I didn’t like my client’s property, so I threw out the books and designed it across the street on a piece of property we don’t own and made everyone, including government agents, thrilled with the concept. I didn’t just get people with authority to agree, I got them to throw out the normal application of code and find another way to look at and process this legally.

That’s crazy, in a good way.