McDonald Architecture

"Can I have an office building to go please?" or "Special Value deal retail complex?" That is what we are hearing these days in the architectural world. Not so much burgers and fries but certainly give a building design and give it to me fast and efficient. Due to the economic environment we have had to do more with less and faster than ever before. The market has started to make its recovery and those that have tried to "get their money" have finally done so after putting their projects on hold for months or even years. The money is more difficult to get, the tenants are harder to sign up and that means they don't need new construction until all of the key ingredients are in place.

So what happens when they are in place? Run! When they ask, "Can you do this for me." Sure, Can I have two weeks for your concept rendering? "No, you can have a week". How quickly can we have the construction documents?.......3 weeks! What are you supposed to say...No thank you, take a number and wait in line? If we want to recover, we need to be responsive to the client in today's climate and right now they are trying to make a move and that means we move with them. We have seen some of the bigger firms baulk at this idea and they still tell their clients, This isn't the way we do things......WHAT? You have to reinvent yourself. If you don't you will be left behind. If you are going to stick around in this business, you have to have the ability to reinvent yourself, either consciously or unconsciously.

McDonald's game plan has pretty much stayed the constant, even through this economy. Now I don't like to even compare our architecture to McDonald's or any fast food for that matter but what I do appreciate is the ability to accomplish a task at a speed that the client is demanding. They are masters of the invention and right now that is what we need to accomplish as well. I would like to think we have a bit of a happy meal inside us as we create our designs and the client finds a surprise in every box. That surprise? Great value, great design, great communication and accomplish all of these things at Great-neck speeds!

Seriously, this is why we have been successful all these years. We understand and listen to our client's needs. As always, the quicker we accomplish the tasks at hand, the quicker the developer begins to make money. That is what we find at the bottom of the golden arch's rainbow. A pot of gold......or at least next week's payroll.

"If you work for money, you will never make it, if you love what you are doing and always put the customer first, success will be yours." Ray Kroc.

Take care my friends and remember to supersize me!