By: Fresnel Hernandez
Back in architecture school at Florida International University, we spent a lot of time focused on design—concepts, aesthetics, sustainability, creativity. All of it was important. But there was one thing I didn’t fully grasp until I got out into the real world: how much the success of a design depends on strong collaboration with the people actually building it.
Like many of you, I’ve been on both sides of the table—presenting a sleek design to a GC, and then watching it evolve (or sometimes get value-engineered into something else entirely) during construction. I’ve seen what happens when designers and builders don’t fully understand each other. Delays. Frustration. Missed potential. It doesn’t have to be that way.
So, here’s the big question: why aren’t we doing more, earlier, to close that gap?
It starts with education. And I don’t just mean college. I mean real, ongoing professional development that brings architects, contractors, engineers, and tradespeople into the same room. Joint training sessions. Cross-discipline workshops. Certifications that give each side a better understanding of the other’s world.
That said, I’ve got to give credit to some of the most valuable classes I took in school—Materials and Methods and Structures. At the time, I didn’t realize just how relevant they’d be. These weren’t just check-the-box technical courses. They were foundational. Understanding how a steel beam spans a space, or how different materials behave under stress, or how things are actually assembled on site—that knowledge gives you a whole new level of respect for the construction side of things. And when you can speak that language, you become a more effective architect and collaborator.
I’ve been in rooms where a project manager explains lead times and phasing to a group of designers—and you can see the light bulbs go off. And I’ve watched builders sit in on a design charrette and offer insights that actually improve the design. That’s the magic of collaboration. It’s not just about being polite or checking a box. It’s about getting better results for everyone—clients included.
There’s a real cultural shift happening in our industry. More firms are investing in this kind of training. More professionals are realizing that learning from each other isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary. And I’m here for it.
Because here’s the thing: the more we learn about each other’s work, the better we can support it. The better we can innovate together. And the fewer RFIs, change orders, and headaches we’ll all have to deal with.
So, if you’re in architecture, construction, or anywhere in between, ask yourself: how are we learning together? What’s one way we can build more trust across disciplines?
Let’s keep this conversation going. If you’re working on cross-disciplinary education or have ideas for how to bring our fields closer, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and keep building better—together.