Housing and Community Development

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Housing Knowledge Community and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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This is response Perry's original post HERE   It is clearly thread drift so I decided to start a new thread. I agree with much of what Greg said on his November 15, 2012 8:10 AM post.  I will go further off the deep end.

I feel strongly that the requirement that one graduates from an NAAB accredited institution is obnoxious, exclusive, and sets our entire self fulfilling image of high brow exclusivity in place. It is the incubation of the exact cancer in the architecture process and paradigm.  The resulting malignant tumors are the starchitect designed projects (irrespective of style including the modern (I don't give a rat's ass about codes and proven technology) to some of my over the top Disney (not exactly green) crap (there Greg, I said it) that are built as trophies for the owner and the ego of the architect themselves.  The true meaning of our profession is not about the architect or the architecture; it is about celebrating the process to create good and sound architecture for a client. If someone decided to take night school and work in my office for 10-15 years to learn what I learned in 6 years of full time college and 3 years of internship.... they are a better man or woman than me. 

NCARB ' In my opinion, NCARB and the cost of ARE testing as it exists is our version of the architect's black hand. Rather than encouraging new young professionals into our career, they burden youth with a myriad of regulations, requirements, and charge criminally high costs for any young underpaid intern trying to reach the goal of Architect.  We are eating our young for dues to support bureaucratic organizations.  Young professionals can't afford to go through the process quickly, lose direction when the realities of family and life hits in the late 20's and decide the effort simply isn't worth it.  Good candidates leave the profession, don't get registered, and become disconnected to organizations like the AIA , that need them the most.  Our own organization is getting older and losing membership (income), but our bow-ties stay crisp and the antique Mont Blanc pens stay filled! How is that working out for us?

We were diseased, dying, and whining to anyone that will listen about our deteriorated respect and worth.  The truth is that we are living in a profession of self destined squalor. 

That was until CRAN was born from CORA. Now we stand for something different... CHANGE. Please realize, this is not going to happen in my lifetime, but we can work together to build the foundation to change this profession from the rectum up. This is why many around me in CRAN have dedicated our lives to a new and slowly changing AIA.  In six small years this genesis has begun. You are all part of it.  Get involved. Thank you.

Peace.
 
David Andreozzi CRAN AIA

Incoming CoChair of CRAN (the message comes from me personally, not CRAN)

Indian Name ' "Sine Qua Non" meaning Status Quo : Not so much!

Amen, that was said as best as can be.  I was there in my late 20's then into 30's almost said screw it, glad I didn't give up the fight, but I know a lot who have.  

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Bruce Mohns AIA
Northwest Builders, Inc.
Cameron WI
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