Short Subjects: Team Collaboration through the Design Process, or What an Architect Says to a Friendly Archivist

The intent of this article is to remove the shroud of mystery behind what a design professional does and to help create a viable dialogue between the archivist and the architect. Archivists should be viewed as experts. The complexities of operating an archival library are best understood by the people who work dayto- day in and maintain their facility. Conversely, architects are trained problem-solvers who should be able to present creatively alternative solutions about how the building may work or how people may use it. Consideration of these different solutions can often lead to improvements of existing situations. A significant contribution from both parties throughout the design process is critical to a successful project