Housing and Community Development

Lately I'm reminded that being an architect isn't so much about all that 'stuff' that architecture school crams into your head or that which 'tests' always seem to focus on trying to prove or disprove.  It is about imagination and invention and believing that human beings can reach achievements commensurate with their aspirations.  It is about putting those capacities into play in the world...  especially when it seems aspirations wane.   

The world is an amazing and unpredictable place and architecture is at least as relevant now as it ever was, believe it or not.  As a profession in some ways it could be a little different going forward, couldn't it?

So, what could be?  What could life be like when better times return?  This isn't the first time for hard times nor the last.  Why not take some time, embrace life where it lives, see how it flows?

Hmm.  I have this sudden urge to take another look at Frank Gehry's work.  But then again...

I don't know.  What do you think?

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Randall Anway AIA
Principal
New Tapestry, LLC
Old Lyme CT
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I think that it is important that as architects we love what we do.  That is what gives us the heart to persevere even in the darkest days.  You are correct, Randall, what we were taught to do as architects and the reason we all became architects has nothing to do with what is preoccupying much of our time these days, which is: obtaining enough work to survive. 

For me, I count my blessings at having a few brave clients in these challenging economic times, who allow me the luxury of practicing some architecture and thinking about the soul of my projects and how this detail turns the corner and interfaces with that detail, and how wind pressures react from this tall wall of windows and are braced with these beams and posts over there.

I guess what I envision and hope for as times improve is the ability to simply practice architecture and to hopefullly feel comfortable with the nation's and world's economies that there will always be more clients that want something special.

and I like Frank G's work, too.
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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Rand Soellner Architect
Cashiers NC
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Just read your post this morning, Mr Anway, and I find it an inspiration.  I have seen several posts here and on similar boards lamenting the state of the profession.  Work is indeed slow, but the bigger issue is that the role or profession as a traditional archtitect is changing.  Change is the only constant, as one stated, and at present architects are seeing more need to change than at any time in my own thirty plus years of work. 

I'm not being smug here -- writing about change is easier than implementing it.  At my age I'm in no mood for a career change. 

The most positive actions all point to diversification or adding non-architectural services, and that's fine, just different.  Don't worry so much about being called an architect with a capital "A".   Use those skills of "imaginination and invention" to see beyond the norm.  I would love to hear of anyone's experience along this line.

"The world is an amazing and unpredictable place and architecture is at least as relevant now as it ever was, believe it or not."  I'll buy that.  It just may be provided in a different way in the future.


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Lowell Benson, AIA
Benson Architecture LLC
Fort Myers FL
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"The most positive actions all point to diversification or adding non-architectural services, and that's fine, just different.  Don't worry so much about being called an architect with a capital "A".   Use those skills of "imaginination and invention" to see beyond the norm.  I would love to hear of anyone's experience along this line."

Perhaps the hardest thing to do is imagine our own work differently.  Frank Lloyd Wright did this several times in his career, repeatedly reinventing his practice and to some extent the profession.  We aren't living in mid-twentieth century for sure, but perhaps there's something to learn there.  Undoubtably there are other individuals we could learn from.  I notice that a lot of CE is all about the latest gadgety gizmo stuff.  How about some history?  What would be most relevant?

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Randall Anway AIA
Principal
New Tapestry, LLC
Old Lyme CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-02-2010 10:40
From: Lowell E. Benson
Subject: Being an architect


Just read your post this morning, Mr Anway, and I find it an inspiration.  I have seen several posts here and on similar boards lamenting the state of the profession.  Work is indeed slow, but the bigger issue is that the role or profession as a traditional archtitect is changing.  Change is the only constant, as one stated, and at present architects are seeing more need to change than at any time in my own thirty plus years of work. 

I'm not being smug here -- writing about change is easier than implementing it.  At my age I'm in no mood for a career change. 

The most positive actions all point to diversification or adding non-architectural services, and that's fine, just different.  Don't worry so much about being called an architect with a capital "A".   Use those skills of "imaginination and invention" to see beyond the norm.  I would love to hear of anyone's experience along this line.

"The world is an amazing and unpredictable place and architecture is at least as relevant now as it ever was, believe it or not."  I'll buy that.  It just may be provided in a different way in the future.


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Lowell Benson, AIA
Benson Architecture LLC
Fort Myers FL
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