Service, fairness and professionalism.

Over the weekend I dug out a brochure for Eberlin + Partners from 1970. A line on the history of the partnership resonated.

“In the 47 years since he set up the practice, Edgar Eberlin established a tradition of service, fairness and professionalism.”

Eberlin + Partners brochure, 1970.
Architectural practice founded in 1923 by my grandfather in Nottingham and continued by my father.

I saw a thread running through three generations of my family.

Three words which summed up my grandfather and father’s approach to business. An approach which I hope I have inherited.

Edgar Eberlin set up the architectural practice in 1923. 47 years later, in 1970, my father confirmed these same values again. And in 2022 I am doing the same.

The sentiments are perhaps a bit old-fashioned; a little staid when compared to the visionary promises business make up today.

They lack the buzz words of our times. No mention of “passion”, “purpose” or “sustainability”.

But my grandfather's three unfussy words stand the test of time.

Succinct. To the point. Easy to understand and follow. Distilled to the essence of what good business is about.

Describing what I believe in, but have never quite articulated.

So here I am 99 years later, in 2022, continuing the tradition. Buzz words may change but principles are timeless.

Service, fairness and professionalism. What does it mean in practice?

Service

I could write words about how I value customer service. But they would just be words. The proof is the number of clients who I am still working with after a decade together (18), and the number who have found me via personal recommendation (an estimated 97).

Fairness

All jobs are treated equally no matter the budget. Every person and every project merits quality time, respect and the best work I can give.

Professionalism

Taking pride in my work, being attentive to detail and continually improving. After all, to stop being curious will lead to creative stagnation. I enjoy learning new skills, collaborating with clever people and experimenting with new ideas so that I can share the best ones with you.

HAPPY TO TALK

Asides:

In recent years I have taken an increasing interest in post-war architecture. Prompted by the careless demolition of much of it (most notably Birmingham Library in 2015). When I look at this brochure, I am reminded that I grew up with it. I lived in it.
In the profiles of the Partners I was interested to see references to National Service given equal prominence as further education.
Eberlin + Partners designed a lot of public houses. Many are dotted around the 20th century ring roads of Nottingham. This line made me smile: "... the breweries are encouraging small-scale catering. This has given rise to the increasing development of the licensed restaurant where the accent is on good high quality grills and speedy service." The forerunner to gastro-pubs was a quality grill.
I also wrote about how the previous three generations of Eberlins have inspired me here.