The Client Experience – Keep egos out of it!
Congratulations to R Architecture, who won the Client Choice Awards this year. R Architecture is a Melbourne-based small practice and an ACA member. Here, Director Gaurav Rajadhyax offers some sound advice on providing the best client experience.
R Architecture won Best Architecture Firm (less than $30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards and credits the win on the way it differentiates itself in a crowded market. That is, by focusing on the needs of clients first and foremost.
“Being recognised in the Client Choice Awards is testament to our work – providing designs tailored to the project needs rather than driven by creative ego,” said Gaurav Rajadhyax, Architect and Director at R Architecture.
“Since our inception in 2011, we have aimed to become an accountable, solution-focused practice, intentionally fostering a culture of strong and trusting relationships. I credit my team for being consistent at delivering this client experience, which I believe has given us the opportunity to win this award.”
The firm prides itself on working to a variety of client briefs – noting on its website that it has no signature style, the approach to design is flexible based on client preferences, and “we don’t pursue a particular style or aesthetic”.
“For over 10 years, we have delivered affordable contemporary architecture to a broad spectrum of clientele,” said Mr Rajadhyax.
Mr Rajadhyax said winning a Client Choice Award was a positive reinforcement from clients that the strategy was working. The annual awards are presented to the best professional services firms across Australia and New Zealand and winners are chosen not by judging panels or industry experts – but by the clients themselves via feedback submitted to beaton.
“To receive support from our clients and project partners and be able to succeed in the awards is reassuring – it tells us that we are doing something right. My team and I find this highly rewarding.”
In 2022, more than 250 firms entered from Australia and New Zealand, and more than 15,000 pieces of feedback were submitted to determine winners.
R Architecture emerged as a winner in the hotly contested field of built and natural environment consulting specialists because, Mr Rajadhyax says, the team takes time to genuinely understand client visions and needs.
“While creativity is a default requirement in the design industry, it is important to us that we first provide a professional service with a non-ego driven approach to our work,” he said.
“We place high value in earning the trust of our clients and building a genuine working relationship that in turn enables us to push our projects further.”
R Architecture was named the Best Architecture Firm (<$30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards. This award is presented in partnership with Deltek. The Client Choice Awards rewards firms for excellent client service, technical expertise, innovation and client experience. It is the only multi-profession and fully client-judged awards anywhere in the world.
Enter your practice for the 2023 Awards here. Entries close on 16 November.
This article was originally published on the Client Choice Awards website and has been republished here with permission.