Why we call ourselves project architects, not consultants

The industry tends to label us project manager or architectural consultant. We would rather be called project architect — because we are fully trained architects, and that background is what lets us resolve a problem logically rather than escalate it.

The difference shows up under pressure

A project manager receiving a clash between a house-style detail and a local fire regulation has one move available: send it back to the design team and wait. That costs two weeks, and on a fit-out programme two weeks is the difference between opening with the campaign and opening after it.

An architect receiving the same clash can resolve it — draw the compliant alternative, test it against the house style, and put a decision in front of the maison rather than a problem.

What we own

A maison's design team owns the concept. We own everything between that concept and an open door: local compliance, landlord approval, tender, contractor selection and construction. That is the whole span, and it does not hand back.

Striving to deliver — from a concept owned in Paris to an open door in Chengdu.