I Get By with Help from my Friend: SDA as a Collaborative Design Partnership

by Theresa Dias

Gary and I, as the founding principals of Struthers Dias Architects, have a very unique and cooperative relationship.  Having worked together now for about 8 years, we know each other pretty well.  We have tremendous respect for one another’s talents – but we’re also good friends.  We would have to be, to have survived the process of getting this company off the ground in such a weak economy.  But survive we have.  In fact, all signs point to 2010 being a year of exciting growth for SDA.

Some people mistakenly assume we’re a married couple because of our excellent rapport.  Many folks have concerns about working with a husband-wife team: that there would be outside drama and distraction in the workplace.  Some clients have gone so far as to express relief upon learning that we DO in fact have our own spouses and families to return to at the end of each day.  (This article suggests that husband-and-wife teams are frequently unbalanced and one-sided.)  Actually, we offer our clients the best of both worlds – two equally talented and attentive principals focused on high levels of customer service. 

As members of a team, Gary brings fierce dedication to the table and I counter that with a practical, problem-solving approach.  I connect with people and groups on a personal level, and understand how the spaces need to function to fit their special dynamic.  Gary has a straightforward vision of how the materials and elements can fit together simply and cleanly.  We believe our clients deserve the best we both can offer, and so we choose to work in a collaborative fashion.  One of us may be the day-to-day project manager on a given project, but the other is the overseeing principal in charge, offering design input and quality enhancement throughout.  Being business associates means that we are able to be honest and uncompromised in making the best decisions possible.

Starting a business can be a lonely enterprise – making the switch from spending every day surrounded by a crew of compatriots, to eating that sandwich alone day after day.  It would not be as much fun without a partner – for bouncing ideas around, for motivation and cheerleading, and companionship.  But the bottom line of our partnership is this:  each project is simply better when we both have input.  As the Edge (from the band U2) puts it, we’re “greater than the sum of the parts.”  Gary and I have a synergy together, and our clients benefit from that – which is why we make it a policy to both be involved on every job.