Small Project Design

Rebecca - I completely agree with you.  What is the point of such a feature? - other than to reinforce people's perception of architects as being incompetent,  controlling snobs who put their clients through hell.  The media loves a scandal and if there was ever a campaign to damage the (already hurting) architecture profession in the residential sector, this is it. 

The custom residential sector can be one of the most challenging.  Most clients have never hired an architect and think we are taking them to the bank with our fees, so we have to educate them, time and time again.  Indeed, I remember meeting a recipient of the AIA's Kemper Medal, who said he wouldn't work with residential clients because of the low fees and high maintenance.  Yet, there are many, like myself who find this work to be the most rewarding.  Both extreme views of difficult residential clients and arrogant architects are unproductive.  There is a healthy middle ground and the AIA should do everything it can to promote and foster this.

Yes, a show focusing on how an architect can HELP a homeowner would be most beneficial to our profession, but don't look to the media to initiate it.  Is the NY Times reporter reaching out to architects because she wants to feature some "Satan Builds His Dream House" stories?   Writing about these episodes will do little to improve the public's perception of how an architect can be of benefit. 

I too found the AIA's solicitation for stories about clients terminating relationships with architects to be insulting.  Perhaps Mr. Tinder can explain to some of us why he feels this is in the best interest of the AIA, because I don't get it!

Rebecca - I completely agree with you.  What is the point of such a feature? - other than to reinforce people's perception of architects as being incompetent,  controlling snobs who put their clients through hell.  The media loves a scandal and if there was ever a campaign to damage the (already hurting) architecture profession in the residential sector, this is it. 

The custom residential sector can be one of the most challenging.  Most clients have never hired an architect and think we are taking them to the bank with our fees, so we have to educate them, time and time again.  Indeed, I remember meeting a recipient of the AIA's Kemper Medal, who said he wouldn't work with residential clients because of the low fees and high maintenance.  Yet, there are many, like myself who find this work to be the most rewarding.  Both extreme views of difficult residential clients and arrogant architects are unproductive.  There is a healthy middle ground and the AIA should do everything it can to promote and foster this.

Yes, a show focusing on how an architect can HELP a homeowner would be most beneficial to our profession, but don't look to the media to initiate it.  Is the NY Times reporter reaching out to architects because she wants to feature some "Satan Builds His Dream House" stories?   Writing about these episodes will do little to improve the public's perception of how an architect can be of benefit. 

I too found the AIA's solicitation for stories about clients terminating relationships with architects to be insulting.  Perhaps Mr. Tinder can explain to some of us why he feels this is in the best interest of the AIA, because I don't get it!

Rebecca - I completely agree with you.  What is the point of such a feature? - other than to reinforce people's perception of architects as being incompetent,  controlling snobs who put their clients through hell.  The media loves a scandal and if there was ever a campaign to damage the (already hurting) architecture profession in the residential sector, this is it. 

The custom residential sector can be one of the most challenging.  Most clients have never hired an architect and think we are taking them to the bank with our fees, so we have to educate them, time and time again.  Indeed, I remember meeting a recipient of the AIA's Kemper Medal, who said he wouldn't work with residential clients because of the low fees and high maintenance.  Yet, there are many, like myself who find this work to be the most rewarding.  Both extreme views of difficult residential clients and arrogant architects are unproductive.  There is a healthy middle ground and the AIA should do everything it can to promote and foster this.

Yes, a show focusing on how an architect can HELP a homeowner would be most beneficial to our profession, but don't look to the media to initiate it.  Is the NY Times reporter reaching out to architects because she wants to feature some "Satan Builds His Dream House" stories?   Writing about these episodes will do little to improve the public's perception of how an architect can be of benefit. 

I too found the AIA's solicitation for stories about clients terminating relationships with architects to be insulting.  Perhaps Mr. Tinder can explain to some of us why he feels this is in the best interest of the AIA, because I don't get it!

You have got to be kidding!!  I completely agree with Rebecca.

What "media relations" of Mather Tinder AIA are being fostered.  With Mr. Tinder's skills, perhaps he can persuade the NY Times writer to highlight how architects bring value to homeowners.  

 Richard Shugar AIA

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Richard Shugar AIA
Principal
2fORM Architecture PC
Eugene OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-21-2011 01:42
From: Donald Wardlaw
Subject: Media Opportunity - Bad Break ups with Clients

I am on the "what were they thinking. Wait, were they thinking" side of this issue.

This is reactive and a not very thoughtful effort by AIA.

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Donald Wardlaw AIA
More Than Construction, Inc.
Oakland CA
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Rebecca - I completely agree with you.  What is the point of such a feature? - other than to reinforce people's perception of architects as being incompetent,  controlling snobs who put their clients through hell.  The media loves a scandal and if there was ever a campaign to damage the (already hurting) architecture profession in the residential sector, this is it. 

The custom residential sector can be one of the most challenging.  Most clients have never hired an architect and think we are taking them to the bank with our fees, so we have to educate them, time and time again.  Indeed, I remember meeting a recipient of the AIA's Kemper Medal, who said he wouldn't work with residential clients because of the low fees and high maintenance.  Yet, there are many, like myself who find this work to be the most rewarding.  Both extreme views of difficult residential clients and arrogant architects are unproductive.  There is a healthy middle ground and the AIA should do everything it can to promote and foster this.

Yes, a show focusing on how an architect can HELP a homeowner would be most beneficial to our profession, but don't look to the media to initiate it.  Is the NY Times reporter reaching out to architects because she wants to feature some "Satan Builds His Dream House" stories?   Writing about these episodes will do little to improve the public's perception of how an architect can be of benefit. 

I too found the AIA's solicitation for stories about clients terminating relationships with architects to be insulting.  Perhaps Mr. Tinder can explain to some of us why he feels this is in the best interest of the AIA, because I don't get it!

Rebecca - I completely agree with you.  What is the point of such a feature? - other than to reinforce people's perception of architects as being incompetent,  controlling snobs who put their clients through hell.  The media loves a scandal and if there was ever a campaign to damage the (already hurting) architecture profession in the residential sector, this is it. 

The custom residential sector can be one of the most challenging.  Most clients have never hired an architect and think we are taking them to the bank with our fees, so we have to educate them, time and time again.  Indeed, I remember meeting a recipient of the AIA's Kemper Medal, who said he wouldn't work with residential clients because of the low fees and high maintenance.  Yet, there are many, like myself who find this work to be the most rewarding.  Both extreme views of difficult residential clients and arrogant architects are unproductive.  There is a healthy middle ground and the AIA should do everything it can to promote and foster this.

Yes, a show focusing on how an architect can HELP a homeowner would be most beneficial to our profession, but don't look to the media to initiate it.  Is the NY Times reporter reaching out to architects because she wants to feature some "Satan Builds His Dream House" stories?   Writing about these episodes will do little to improve the public's perception of how an architect can be of benefit. 

I too found the AIA's solicitation for stories about clients terminating relationships with architects to be insulting.  Perhaps Mr. Tinder can explain to some of us why he feels this is in the best interest of the AIA, because I don't get it!