Culture
Philosophy
At Arcanary, our work is guided by three core pillars: Clarity, Presence, and Iterations. These pillars form the foundation of how we operate, make decisions, and deliver excellence.
1. Clarity
Clarity defines our knowledge and certainty about who we are, where we are going, and what truly matters. It helps us distinguish between what is important and what is not, what is necessary and what is superfluous. Working on the wrong thing is the greatest source of wasted time and effort.
Clarity involves knowing:
- How we organize information.
- The standards we must uphold.
- What the client truly wants.
- What we don’t know and what we need to find out.
Clarity is not a one-time achievement; it is a constant pursuit. It ensures that every action is intentional and focused on the right objectives.
2. Presence
Presence means being engaged, attentive, and proactive. It involves forging relationships, maintaining active communication, and staying connected with the needs of our team and clients. Presence enables us to:
- Fully understand project requirements and stakeholder expectations.
- Keep information relevant and alive.
- Prevent loss of context and reduce errors.
Without presence, information becomes outdated, decisions lose their context, and projects risk veering off course. Presence keeps projects alive and aligned.
3. Iterations
Iterations represent the journey toward excellence through trial, error, and continuous improvement. Very few things are perfect on the first attempt; quality results come from refining and improving through feedback and testing.
Effective iteration requires:
- Working on the right thing (which requires clarity).
- Early and frequent feedback (which requires presence).
- Constantly refining to approach the best outcome.
Efficiency arises from iterating with purpose and focusing on meaningful adjustments rather than random changes.
Principles
Our production principles translate our philosophy into actionable rules that guide daily operations. These principles ensure that our processes remain effective, consistent, and aligned with our core pillars.
Principle 1: If I Don’t See It, It Doesn’t Exist
Visibility is essential. Information or tools that aren’t clearly accessible might as well not exist. Disorganized files, poorly named folders, hidden inventory, or deeply nested documents make it impossible for team members to find what they need.
Application:
- Keep digital files organized and properly named.
- Avoid unnecessary folder layers.
- Place physical tools and resources where they are visible at first glance.
- If information is important, make it easily accessible.
Principle 2: If I Don’t Know It, I Don’t Know It
We are not expected to know everything. What is expected is the pursuit of truth through research, investigation, and consultation. Making unchecked assumptions is dangerous, especially in architecture and design.
Application:
- Clearly mark information that is pending or uncertain.
- Never proceed based on guesses or unverified details.
- Be honest about what you don’t know and seek clarity.
- Use placeholders only when necessary, and make their status obvious.
Principle 3: If It’s on the Plans, It’s on the Plans
Anything placed on a drawing or document is assumed to be accurate and intentional. Clients, consultants, and contractors trust that what they see on plans reflects the project scope.
Risks:
- Detailed placeholder objects (e.g., a highly detailed shower block) can be mistaken for final selections.
- Misleading information causes confusion and costly rework.
Application:
- Ensure all elements placed on plans are either confirmed or clearly marked as placeholders.
- Avoid over-detailing temporary items.
- Be conscious of the information you publish—if it’s on the plans, it will be treated as correct.
Principle 4: If You Don’t Cry, I Won’t Hear You
Improvement and collaboration require open communication. No one can help if they don’t know help is needed.
Application:
- Raise concerns, doubts, or warnings early.
- Share work-in-progress documents for feedback.
- Don’t wait for perfection before showing your work.
- Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
Principle 5: If You Haven’t Tried, Don’t Bother Me
While collaboration is crucial, initiative comes first. Before interrupting someone else’s work, make a genuine effort to find the solution yourself.
Application:
- Consult internal standards and documentation.
- Use search tools, tutorials, or online resources.
- If the solution remains unclear, then seek assistance—but come prepared with what you’ve already tried.
This principle encourages self-sufficiency while respecting others’ time.
Source of Truth (S.O.T.)
The Source of Truth ensures that everyone in the organization works with the most current and accurate information. Without a reliable S.O.T., clarity is impossible, and mistakes become inevitable.
What S.O.T. Provides:
- Certainty over which documents are active versus superseded.
- Clear paths to access standards, tutorials, and guides.
- Up-to-date surveys, reports, and client requests.
Application in Projects:
- Always verify you are working from the latest version.
- Use designated folders or systems where the S.O.T. is maintained.
- Be skeptical of standalone files or documents shared outside controlled platforms.
S.O.T. is everyone’s responsibility. No task should begin without confirming the correct source of information.
Quality Control (QC)
Quality Control ensures that the information we deliver is accurate, complete, and aligned with standards. QC is about having visible and structured tools to verify correctness.
QC Tools Include:
- Overlays: Comparing drawings to identify changes or errors.
- Checklists: Confirming that all required elements are present.
- Visual Indicators: Using colors or markers to flag issues.
Why QC Matters:
- Prevents errors from reaching clients or construction teams.
- Ensures compliance with internal and external standards.
- Provides immediate visibility into the status of documents and information.
Key QC Practices:
- Run checks at every iteration.
- Ensure final documents have passed through the QC process.
- Make QC results visible—if there are departures from standards, they should be easily identifiable.