Small Project Design

I've read with interest the recent postings regarding the use of the word "Architect" by professions other than those who design buildings.  Apparently some of my architectural peers feel threatened when computer software designers, etc. use the term "architect" when describing what they do.  However, a quick look in my 1969 dictionary reveals that the second definition of the word "architect" defines the word as "Any planner or deviser."  

I've also been intriqued by the recent discussions surrounding the term "small time architects" used in an article in the magazine "Architect".  I looked up the article "Burn Notice" in the Dec. 2011 issue, and found the author was trying to explain that new software was now available to assist architects understand building code requirements, and that while this may be most helpful to firms which design large buildings, it would also be helpful to smaller firms who design smaller projects.  It was immediately apparent to me the author merely used a poor choice of words when he referred to small firms as "small time". Does this really merit all this outrage ?

Don Miguel Ruiz, in his book "The Four Agreements" teaches "Don't Take Anything Personally".  I have also learned in my 66 years on this earth that to be offended is a choice.

I know some may argue that just because we are paranoid doesn't mean there aren't people out there trying to "get" us.  But it seems to me some of my architectural peers are being entirely too thin skinned in their reactions to the words others use.

Peace and blessings to all.
 


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Robert Larsen AIA
Principal
Robert R. Larsen, AIA
Denver CO
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Thank you for posting the OBVIOUS Robert. I too very much agree this is WAY too much to do about relatively nothing. Although it does bother me as well the the term 'ARCHITECT' is brandished about perhaps a bit too much these days. I recently saw the term on a personal fitness trainers business near my home 'ARCHITECTONICS' or Body Architects. But it really is no BIG DEAL.

Ladies & Gentlemen I think we have much more pressing concerns right now; such as Architecture 2030.

Peace & Blessings to all !

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David Dell Conklin, LEED AP, NCARB
Owner & C.E.O.
ARCHONICS, pllc
Mint Hill, NC
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David,

I'm glad you mentioned Architecture 2030!

I have been interested in reporting our (mostly small residential) projects for the 2030 Challenge, but have not had much luck finding a simple analysis tool that will provide reasonable, consistent results without spending an inordiante amount of time. 

Fulfilling the reporting intent of A2030 requires submitting results of all eligible projects in design that year, but many of ours are small additions, with very modest fees, and owners that are reluctant to do much energy-conservation work, let alone paying additional fees for analysis. 

To date, I have chosen to spend our limited resources making projects as environmentally responsible as possible, rather than invest them on analysis.  Sure, I understand the 2030 argument that analysis during design makes projects better, but let's face it, on an existing house there aren't many variables: airsealing, insulation, equipment efficiency upgrades and the project scope and budget pretty much dictate what can be done.  None the less, I would like to do the analysis and eventually use it to convince clients to do more.

Perhaps you and others who may be doing this successfully could start a new thread.  In particular, I would be interested in hearing what best-practices small practitioners are using to:

-determine which projects get analyzed (interior alterations? small additions? are any getting excluded?)
-determine what gets analyzed (the original house, or just the new addition?)
-estimate non-envelope loads (heat gain/loss) such as electrical use for lighting, appliances, etc

Also
-what software tool is being used for the analysis?
-how much time is the analysis taking for small projects?

I have asked similar questions for the past two years on various forums and get the sense that very few small practitioners are doing this, and those that are specialize in energy conscious design.  I anxiously await the time when this becomes mainstream and does not require premium fees...are we there yet?

Thanks


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Scott Rappe LEED AP AIA
Kuklinski + Rappe Architects
Chicago IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-09-2012 00:41
From: David Conklin
Subject: Thin Skinned Architects

Thank you for posting the OBVIOUS Robert. I too very much agree this is WAY too much to do about relatively nothing. Although it does bother me as well the the term 'ARCHITECT' is brandished about perhaps a bit too much these days. I recently saw the term on a personal fitness trainers business near my home 'ARCHITECTONICS' or Body Architects. But it really is no BIG DEAL.

Ladies & Gentlemen I think we have much more pressing concerns right now; such as Architecture 2030.

Peace & Blessings to all !

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David Dell Conklin, LEED AP, NCARB
Owner & C.E.O.
ARCHONICS, pllc
Mint Hill, NC
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Mr. Larsen,

I respect your advice and in many cases we are too "thinned skinned" as architects. However in a major respected journal as this, the "voice of the AIA," these types of oversights and loosely used adjectives cannot be tolerated. As you can see from another post from Ms. Frederick, Mr. Cramer apologized for the error. That was an appropriate response. Good timing since AIA dues are due in less than a week.

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Lee Calisti AIA
Principal
lee CALISTI architecture+design
Greensburg PA
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Mr. Larsen,

I respect your advice and in many cases we are too "thin-skinned" as architects. However in a major respected journal as this, the "voice of the AIA," these types of oversights and loosely used adjectives cannot be tolerated.

As you can see from another post from Ms. Frederick, Mr. Cramer, the editor apologized for the error. That was an appropriate response. Good timing since AIA dues are due in less than a week.

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Lee Calisti AIA
Principal
lee CALISTI architecture+design
Greensburg PA
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My only real concern about this particular use of the term "architect" is how it affects searches for architectural positions in job posting databases. When I lost my job at the start of the recession, I looked for work in every online job board database I could find, locally and nationally, and even when filtered with additional terms like "building," "construction" and "engineering," over 99% of the search result postings were for computer database specialists, and not in architectural offices. As dispiriting as it is to wade through several hundred listings looking for the one or two that were actual architecture jobs, try doing it every few days for 18 months or more. I finally gave up.

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Craig E. Burgess AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
Indianapolis IN
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I agree with Mr. Larson. The choice of words in the article was indeed very poor. As a small time architect working on "insignificant" projects, I do not feel slighted. What may seem insignificant to many, are very significant to my "small time" clients. Their need and expectation for proper professional services is just as important to them as to the mega clients and megafirms working of so-called "significant" mega projects.

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Mitchel Abramowitz AIA
Mitchel Abramowitz, AIA
Roslyn PA
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Thin-skinned ? I think the larger issue is what counts here...many of us have some resonance with the suggestion that AIA is not focused on assistance to smaller firms because this is the reality of being an AIA member.  A poor choice of words seems meaningful and perhaps telling, in this context. 

For 30+ years, I have belonged and tried to support the AIA; I tried early on to participate in their national activities, but as a small practitioner (not "small time") I always felt overwhelmed by the flooding of these committees by partners, associates and mid-level architect-managers from the jumbo firms -- all good folks in my experience -- don't get me wrong - but still no chance for a small firm to really be a participant on an equal footing with them -- simply unaffordable in cost and time to be reviewing multi-page dissertations about policies and procedures and jetting around and staying at hotels at 2 or 3 points across the country in a year.  (Maybe it's different today -- I can't say -- I'm remembering my attempts from 20+ years ago, before I gave up trying to be involved.)  The big firms, (who are obviously the big dues-payers) have always driven the agendas, and I'm not saying that's all bad -- just not very helpful to the small ones who are the vast majority of members, if not dues-payers.  Even with a desire to participate on RUDAT teams, the same thing happened -- too many of the "big guys" all over these opportunities for a small firm principal to be involved.  Despite reasonable credentials and experience with urban design, I never got an invitation to participate with a visiting team, whether I could have afforded the travel and the time or not.

Beyond all that, to my knowledge AIA has never provided the kind of contract, insurance, business training support and guidance on these knotty topics, which challenge every small practitioner, at a scale that small firms could easily access and really use.  For years, I needed good advice on legal and business matters, but never saw any of it readily available at a scale I could use from AIA. 

Finally, we've never had the kind of national or state publicity and advertising support for smaller architecture firms and for showcasing the modest but livable and affordable (not "starchitecture") work of smaller firms from the AIA.  But the big and flashy and the very costly always gets the ink.  I've seen many examples of really useful, full-color, informational flyers and brochures at my chiropractors' offices and at realtors' offices over all these years -- explaining the practitioners' training and skills as well as useful definitions of commonly-used professional and regulatory terms, and descriptions of the key components of professional services the public can expect from them.  However, I have never felt I had anything I could hand out to an average client provided by the AIA, that simply explained what our skills are, what our education and licensing represents, or the kinds of services and results a prospective client can expect from an AIA Architect.  Perhaps I've missed all this, and I welcome corrections from those who have been paying more attention, but I haven't seen it, though it has been much needed.

It's not just offense at the choice of words that triggers this reaction, it's that such word choices tend to ring true with decades of experience with the Institute.  I sure wish it had been different, as I've always wanted to be supportive of AIA, but have never felt very much support from them.

 
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Eugene Aleci AIA
Architect / President
Community Heritage Partners
Lancaster PA
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Thank you Mr. Larsen for your perspective.   

I have a 4-person firm and collaborate with other larger "small" firms to "bulk up" to take on larger ($8 - $30 M) projects.  Currently, we are working as the Lead Firm and local representation with a local larger "small" firm and one of the world's largest firms on a fairly large local project. 

I too have read the chatter about these "issues" and have found myself wondering how I would "land" if I did not have a strategic alliance and collaborative view of architectural practise.  A local peer I collaboratively work with at times uses the theater cliche of "no small parts, only small actors" in describing what we do.  If we think small we will be small.  If we concentrate on the value we bring to our communities and clients no matter the size of the project; that is, and we will be HUGE!

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Gene Fennell AIA
Architect
Gene A. Fennell, Architect
Custer SD
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