HOW TO SELECT AN ARCHITECT
By Charles Chief Boyd

When you embark on the construction of major gaming facility (new or expansion), you are committing your tribe to what may be a multi-million-dollar investment. While you can probably define the size of your project in terms of the number of slot machines, number of card games, number of bingo players and certain other requirements, which together make up the functional program for your new expanded gaming facility, there are many unknowns.

How well will your project attract gamers? Will those who game at your facility want to come back again and again? Will your project design hinder or facilitate management? Will your project be an energy-efficient operation? Will your project be easy to secure? Will your gaming facility be one which your tribe can be proud of? Will you be able to expand your project in the future?

The architects you select to build your gaming facility will be the major determinant in answering these questions. Investing in a gaming facility is not like buying a car. Only a known need and a few ideas exist when you sit down to define the scope of your gaming facility. These ideas and requirements become the foundation for the architectural program and the conceptual design. Once the design is decided, your architect will prepare the documents for the construction. Your major advisor and coordinator during this design process is your architect. The decisions he makes during the design process will largely determine the functional, esthetic and to some extent the financial success of your gaming facility.

The selection of your architect should be a gratifying experience. The following guidelines are offered to assist you who are charged by your tribe with the responsibility of selecting an architect:

Experience with gaming facilities
Gaming facilities are complex and experience in designing gaming facilities is a critical requirement for your architect. Your tribes' investment will be large. Don't entrust it to an architect who lacks experience in gaming facilities. (30)

Experience with Native American clients
Working in Indian Country is not the same thing as doing business elsewhere. Architects who have worked with other tribes will know what questions to ask (they have to ask more questions) and listen with their hearts, not just their ears. You will not have time to teach your architect about Indians. (20)

Ability to keep projects within budget
You have probably read about the huge cost of some of the gaming facilities in Las Vegas. Most tribes are looking at much smaller budgets. Make sure you obtain an architect who has a track record of staying within the budget. (15)

Ability to complete projects on time
The gaming business generates a lot of cash on a daily basis. It can cost your tribe millions of dollars to complete your project a few months late. Make sure you contract with an architect who has a history of completing projects on time. (15)

What is each architect's design philosophy
Some architects have a specific design style. Some architects' projects are different for each client. You need to see what the architect has done through photos, or better still, by visiting some of his projects. Pick an architect who has done designs which you like. (10)

Who will you be dealing with during the project
You will be wrestling with budget, design and lots of details during the design of your gaming facility. It is important that you know the individuals with whom you will be working. Interview the potential architects and insist on meeting those you will be working with throughout the project. (10)

Contact the contractor's former clients
The best way to check out your prospective architect is to talk to some of his clients. Get a list of clients from the prospective architect. Contact them and ask about the architects' performance regarding budget, time management and the working relationship.

Your selection process needs to be objective. Use the seven items listed above as a check list for the selecting of your architect. It is best to have interviews with your top three prospective architects. The first six items above have a suggested weighted point system noted after them. Have your interview group individually rate each architect immediately after they are interviewed. The suggested rating system totals 100. After all the interviews, tally your group's ratings and choose the architect that your interview group rates the highest. The seventh item is one for checking out the other six items. The chosen architect's references should be checked by someone and the responses reviewed by the group. This approach will help make your decision more objective and lead you to the architect best qualified for your tribe.

The purpose of the above suggested selection process is for your tribe to have a gaming facility, which meets your economic goals, expresses your tribe's individuality and provides enjoyment for everyone who games there.

Barry Thalden and Chief Boyd are architects with over 30 years of experience and are partners in Thalden ? Boyd Architects. This Native American firm is a full service architectural firm with offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Phoenix, and currently has over $200 million worth of Native American projects under construction.

For further information please call Linda Roe, Vice President Business Development at 1-800-THALDEN or direct at (602) 923-8840.