03 Writing a Starting Statement
Human history is a sequence of amazing moments. This includes new building projects. Given that designing projects is complex, the realization that all buildings start with a new and unique moment of inspiration is especially important. It is easy to make assumptions and fall back on previous experiences. Forgetting that all architecture projects start from a fresh, new individual vision can cause costly mistakes, and amazing new ideas can be overlooked.
Everyone involved in the design and construction of a building needs to understand the big idea behind it. What is the end goal? What is the project aiming to achieve? The initial idea needs capturing somehow. The tool architects use to do this is often referred to as a concept, or starting statement. This ought to be a short, definitive statement that records a moment in time and grounds the project in tangible language.
![West loop 02](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=1440&h=896&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=35d532bfd1a23070d8faf97a3289a8c1 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=2880&h=1792&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=c8e8519839f27e444c79e712a9d8e993 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=992&h=617&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=36ce7e441b0f386d2892251bfb6a4f9a 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=1984&h=1235&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=9cd7cafea924e301fb4d56dc2dcbfcf7 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=768&h=478&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=165af4fcba99ff863ace76128caf557c 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=1536&h=956&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=4d74e193cd667ee3c297cab864c415e2 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=576&h=358&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=b5cf0ff7f212974d6289e564a6811951 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/west-loop-02.jpg?w=1152&h=717&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808119&s=2cc14eb5ced09a70461af031354a1eae 1152w)
![DSC 0017](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=1440&h=959&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=00fe93ee57e2d090ce6510525a819f99 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=2880&h=1919&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=8f91b261294779eb66e98966250505bb 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=992&h=661&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=184c00e9b48f9b07660892053d194b74 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=1984&h=1322&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=9f4b6feebefc85c24ff493a5177d695b 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=768&h=511&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=efd96cf0c57a8dcf67abb997651f9a39 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=1536&h=1023&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=14ae5e6189ad55843cc095b6290d2cdf 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=576&h=383&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=49c0046f3821324825627eca9f11462d 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/DSC_0017.jpg?w=1152&h=767&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808088&s=e34e20a45456d7a4a20303c99c5d802e 1152w)
It reminds everyone working on a project why the project exists, so they can realign their work at any point, if required.”
The value of being able to start a project by succinctly capturing and sharing the reasons a project exists cannot be stressed enough. It is important for many reasons. The first is that we are human – exceptional, but limited in our own ways. Construction projects are complex with a lot of moving parts with long timelines that require long-term focus from multiple participants. Human nature means we easily get distracted. Group thinking can, and often does, meander off course without discipline. A starting statement grounds the project firmly and gives the architect, the design team, and anyone related to the project, something to refer to. It reminds everyone working on a project why the project exists, so they can realign their work at any point, if required. Every project is constantly pulled off course. It’s the nature of working with collaborators over time to create something new, no matter how simple.
Society’s modern methods of working do not help. We are ever more connected in today’s transactional world and stimulated to a point of saturation. We can get dozens of emails, with differing opinions, before 10am. We can build 3D models that present alternative visions, prompt questions, and open up opportunities for change. We have, it seems, endless choices. At the end of the day, however, success comes from handling all the inputs and pressures that come our way during the design and construction of a project. A clear and concise Concept or Starting Statement gives everyone a shared reference point. This allows regular check-ins. Are we still all heading toward the same goal? Are we still on course? It is easier to get back on track during stressful periods by referring back to a Concept or Starting Statement. There will always be stressful periods. They are part and parcel of every construction project.
![IMG 0354](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=1440&h=1080&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=f79a500b1b67823ca87493f81b0553ad 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=2880&h=2160&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=760b8892107fa07b822f0df0dc523c2d 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=992&h=744&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=44d658154198c3bee249678e23980d5c 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=1984&h=1488&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=729d951c24289557065d4175cccf8bde 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=768&h=576&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=809fe6b72f7b2a257d0d9de293d18684 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=4166b34fdb7e395bcef2921f54f76815 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=576&h=432&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=73629d529d1986b499a831cff1317089 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/IMG_0354.jpg?w=1152&h=864&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808026&s=7025a9ae51b8fb090d7a8b5783078b33 1152w)
![Hallstar 3](https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=1440&h=1886&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=72852b4eab4a68b272ef1f130c4c8380 1440w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=2880&h=3773&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=9d2568adce2a105131deba332a14fd08 2880w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=992&h=1299&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=5466240869fe30af229101f78849c59c 992w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=1984&h=2599&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=0e816a7894ffa0caf1c15ed8e49cde2c 1984w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=768&h=1006&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=79ec8f8ff1e61cb0a8372ba9aba54576 768w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=1536&h=2012&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=934ec17405807ac00344910db2c5d004 1536w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=576&h=754&q=82&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=0ae02ecf49c5df9d7e2214908ac404b6 576w, https://collective-office.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/images/journal/from-concept-to-reality/hallstar-3.jpg?w=1152&h=1509&q=61&fm=webp&fit=crop&dm=1718808003&s=d88a26098060b957b0bebf4e0f12b7c0 1152w)
As a written narrative develops, you can begin to add visual examples to act as inspiration and provide illustrations for the narrative. Similarly, any examples of design drawings of features that produce the same qualities you desire in the project can be added. Without curation and commentary, however, it can be easy to misinterpret the intent of an image or diagram, so it is helpful to annotate these reference images with explanations that explain why they are relevant to the current project, and why they resonate. With only a small amount of direction, images and drawings can be essential communication tools whenever you are speaking the language of architecture.