Small Project Design

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and CRAN Custom Residential Architects Network .
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We continue to ask what AIA is providing to its membership.  What does AIA do to educate the general public and our potential clients about the value of Architects? CRAN would like to bring to your attention a recent article featured in the Wall Street Journal blog on hiring an Architect.  We have been working with AIA's media team to promote stories about the value of working with a Residential Architect, demystify the architectural process and how architects should be considered for any type and size of residential project.  Follow the link below and forward it onto others (past clients, existing clients, potential clients, local media and your local AIA chapter) to help make others aware of the benefits of a Residential Architect and what they need to know about hiring one.

We can lobby at a local or governmental level the benefits and requirements of using an Architect, but it is actually individuals who are our clients and they need to know that Residential Architects are there to help them with their home.  These media articles are essential in accessing the general public and educating them how to hire an Architect.

 

AIA and people like Frank Paul in the media department, are the ones that provide us with these great opportunities.  Without AIA we wouldn't be able to do this ourselves.

Hiring an Architect?  Read this first

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/10/31/commentary-hiring-an-architect-read-this-first/

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John Isch AIA
RWA Architects, Inc.
Cincinnati OH
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Is this the best the AIA can do?  I'm sorry, but I read and re-read this article and I really don't think it says anything about the benefits of hiring an architect.

This article assumes the prospective client already values the services of an architect and is about to embark on hiring one.  This doesn't speak to the other 99.9% of people building homes that would never consider hiring an architect. 

How about an article the speaks of the value an architect can bring to a residential project - in terms of both design and professional services.  Perhaps an article chronicling people's good experiences with working with an architect.  Perhaps the PR department can hunt down people who have had both the experience of working without an architect and working with one - and can tell why it is money well spent!

I, too have doubts about renewing my AIA membership.  One of the reasons is because I feel the AIA just doesn't "get" residential architecture.  (Please spare me the preaching about CRAN as I think it is too little, too late)  

If this is the best the AIA can do with our dues money, I have to tell you, I am not impressed!

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Edward Shannon AIA
Waterloo IA
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