Small Project Design

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

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James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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James, I agree with you in principle. However, the largest number of buildings that are designed and built without an architect are single family residences that house six people or fewer. That sector of design is precisely the sector in which we want to be more involved.

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Sean Catherall AIA
Herriman UT
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

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James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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Ohio exempts 1,2 & 3-Family Dwellings from requiring a seal, but requires all "commercial" bldgs to be sealed.


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D. Cook AIA
Tipp City OH
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

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James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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Thomas Wagner AIA
Thomas B. Wagner, Architect
Haddonfield NJ
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I agree with the majority of the architect response.  If it requires a permit, it requires a seal.  As simple as that.  You need a perscription?  You need a doctor to write it, even if it is for a blood test, or a higher dose of over the counter pain medicine.  No matter how minor, you need to doctor to give you that prescription.  The health, safety and welfare of residents of a home, duplex, small office or anything are at risk if a non-professional takes it upon himself to draw a picture, get paid, and have it built with no educational requirements whatsoever.  I think it is absurd that any state would allow this to occur. 

Our motto should be, "if it needs a permit, it needs a seal"....





Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

-------------------------------------------
James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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Warms my heart!!!!

I've been preaching "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect" for over thirty years - that its catching on is terrific news indeed. 

When it needs a permit, "it" needs a licensed plumber and electrician - but not a licensed architect? Why did we allow that to happen????

Some communities say that a single family residence only needs an architect if over 5,000 s.f. So, do we as architects only care about those wealthy enough to build that size home or do we care about HSW for all we serve? How is it that we stood idly by all these years to allow such travesty? 

Then consider basic economics and supply and demand; when (not if) we establish "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect", demand for our services increases and there are only a finite number of us out here - two things happen; prices go up and more are attracted to this profession. 

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Now lets get AIA, ALA and ArCH all singing from the same sheet of music and make a difference!

John
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John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

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James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
-------------------------------------------

I couldn't agree with you more John.  I'm totally dumbfounded by the Architects waving the white flag of surrender, before we've begun to stand up for ourselves.  If we do nothing then we absolutely will lose a big portion of our market and livelihood.  If our numbers increase then our voice gets louder.  If a large percentage of my dues went to paying the salary of individuals lobbying on my behalf, that directly affected legislation and the practice of Architecture, I would not complain.  However, it will be a difficult challenge if we as Architects, not just AIA members, are not galvanized in protecting our profession.

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Gregory Holah AIA
Principal
Holah Design + Architecture LLC
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2013 17:40
From: John Hrivnak
Subject: When do you need an architect?


Warms my heart!!!!

I've been preaching "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect" for over thirty years - that its catching on is terrific news indeed. 

When it needs a permit, "it" needs a licensed plumber and electrician - but not a licensed architect? Why did we allow that to happen????

Some communities say that a single family residence only needs an architect if over 5,000 s.f. So, do we as architects only care about those wealthy enough to build that size home or do we care about HSW for all we serve? How is it that we stood idly by all these years to allow such travesty? 

Then consider basic economics and supply and demand; when (not if) we establish "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect", demand for our services increases and there are only a finite number of us out here - two things happen; prices go up and more are attracted to this profession. 

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Now lets get AIA, ALA and ArCH all singing from the same sheet of music and make a difference!

John
-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

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James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
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So, what happens when a typical homeowner wants to build a small, simple deck that is only 18" above the ground?  Most jurisdictions would require a permit for that.  Certainly an architect wouldn't be needed for each instance that such a deck is built, unless it is bigger and can justify the fee.  Homeowners would balk at the idea of hiring an architect to design such a minor item unless it was a bigger deck or their house was very high end.

I agree that we need to have the AIA advocate more for small practitioners, but there has to be reasonable limit to what is required.  Otherwise, there will be a tremendous outcrying from homeowners and contractors, and their resistance will far outweigh the voice of the AIA (thus undermining our well-intended effort).

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Emory Baldwin AIA
FabCab
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-22-2013 20:03
From: Gregory Holah
Subject: When do you need an architect?

I couldn't agree with you more John.  I'm totally dumbfounded by the Architects waving the white flag of surrender, before we've begun to stand up for ourselves.  If we do nothing then we absolutely will lose a big portion of our market and livelihood.  If our numbers increase then our voice gets louder.  If a large percentage of my dues went to paying the salary of individuals lobbying on my behalf, that directly affected legislation and the practice of Architecture, I would not complain.  However, it will be a difficult challenge if we as Architects, not just AIA members, are not galvanized in protecting our profession.

-------------------------------------------
Gregory Holah AIA
Principal
Holah Design + Architecture LLC
Portland OR
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2013 17:40
From: John Hrivnak
Subject: When do you need an architect?


Warms my heart!!!!

I've been preaching "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect" for over thirty years - that its catching on is terrific news indeed. 

When it needs a permit, "it" needs a licensed plumber and electrician - but not a licensed architect? Why did we allow that to happen????

Some communities say that a single family residence only needs an architect if over 5,000 s.f. So, do we as architects only care about those wealthy enough to build that size home or do we care about HSW for all we serve? How is it that we stood idly by all these years to allow such travesty? 

Then consider basic economics and supply and demand; when (not if) we establish "if it needs a permit, it needs a licensed architect", demand for our services increases and there are only a finite number of us out here - two things happen; prices go up and more are attracted to this profession. 

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Now lets get AIA, ALA and ArCH all singing from the same sheet of music and make a difference!

John
-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------






Original Message:
Sent: 04-16-2013 20:16
From: James Heroux
Subject: When do you need an architect?

Most States have laws requiring architects and engineers when buildings are large, or complex.  All State laws are different, but most select a specific square footage limit when professionals are required.  I've practiced for over forty years and it always seemed strange to me that the limits are linked to square footage rather than the number of people that use the facility.  It seems to me the better question is not how big the building is but, how many people would be at risk without design professionals.  The International Building Code clearly lists the occupancy based on building type. The question the AIA should be asking is how many people should be put at risk - 30, 50, 200?  It would be easy to develop a guideline based on the safety of the occupants.  That is what we are trained to do.  Let's push in that direction.

-------------------------------------------
James Heroux AIA
MSH Architects
Sioux Falls SD
-------------------------------------------