The perils of ‘pro bono’

It has finally quieted down now, the chatter surrounding the NAIA Terminal 1 renovation fiasco: the expressions of discontent, the explanations by the decision-makers, and the public’s endless (and sometimes mindless) rationalizing, bantering, cheering and insulting over the Internet. False expectations.  Deceit? Acceptance. The story remains ambiguous, and at this point, it’s probably best left at that. Goodwill may come recognized but may remain unrequited. For a design professional, it happens all too often.

The Latin word pro bono, in English literal terms, translates to “for the greater good.” Oftentimes, it is used when the intent is for the benefit of many, or for a charitable, religious, or nonprofit group. In the case of our NAIA 1 Terminal, the plan for an upgrade (the new architect is giving their services pro bono as well) is not only an improvement for the benefit of the Filipino traveler or the OFW [overseas Filipino worker], it is also an attempt at giving shine to the tarnished image of the Philippines’ main gateway for international air travel.

Very real issues

Even more so, it seeks to improve a foreigner’s perception of what the Philippines can offer beyond the terminal fee queues, dirty toilets and collapsing ceilings. What a disgraceful first stop! Then there are the very real issues of the functionality and efficiency of the operating systems. But that’s a different—and probably the bigger—issue all together.

In the world of private practice, hopes of work being done pro bono come all too often. Not from the end of the professional, but rather from that of the penny-pinching or overly cautious client. I find there is much unfairness at how people immediately pay for doctors or lawyers, but express aversion at paying for a floor plan and the intellectual efforts that come with it. Design is sometimes looked upon as trivial until one experiences the disadvantage—and the attached cost—of having no professional consultation for architecture or interior design.

Partly to blame are members of the profession themselves. Pro bono for private individuals or enterprises (this time clearly not for the “greater good”) will inevitably carry an invisible cost, later charged as a hidden expense. Design is an endeavor that demands effort and incurs costs. Some designers charge rock-bottom fees, only to make up for the financial losses by receiving prearranged commissions from suppliers or contractors, a practice that makes the profession look like a wheeler-dealer’s kickback paradise. It ruins the integrity and structure of the professional fee, and flags the uprightness of the craft itself.

Preliminary schemes

When exploring the engagement of your design professional, it may be all right to request for some initial or preliminary schemes just to ensure a meeting of minds as far as design concept or direction is concerned. But beyond this, it is only fair that the meter should start ticking, and that professional efforts are properly compensated.

When a client wants to delay a formal engagement because of concerns relating to the execution, a design professional’s past performance, references and previous project results can be the basis for judging the design professional’s ability to deliver the design intent. It would be best to check on this before making the design professional put in more work for something a client is not sure he/she will be happy to pay for.

Thorough process

Clients have to understand that before design drawings are laid down into a set of plans, there is a thorough process of conceptualizing, designing and “cleaning-up” the design so that it comes together as a whole. Only then can they be drawn into the “blueprints” that express how they can come into execution during construction. This is something to check as well with a design professional’s previous clients.

While there are stingy clients, there are also professionals who short-cut their service: not properly coordinating with engineers, specialty suppliers, or the contractor, such that complications arise during construction; incomplete drawings and specifications inevitably call for costly variations, and can also result in a badly executed design concept.

It takes two to tango. So while designers may bemoan a clients’ unwillingness to pay, a client may weep over a bloated budget and unforeseen expenses. Worse yet, a badly executed design.

The lesson here for the design professional: be true to your calling and charge accordingly; keep your fees pure and free from entanglement. One day, professional fees will be accepted even at the rates lawyers and doctors charge because you, the design professional, have delivered. And for a client: don’t expect pro-bono when it isn’t for the “greater good.” For private transactions, be wary, you’re bound to get what you pay for.