This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Custom Residential Architects Network and Housing Knowledge Community .
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Perry Cofield AIA
Design Ways & Means Architects
Arlington VA
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Unless state laws remain on the books to require an architect's seal on commercial work- lets face it- the AIA has no fiscal basis for existence at all. Residential architects, mostly free of this statutory device, are on their own. I enjoy AIA for the collegiality among practitoners, but have not found membership to be much of a sway for potential clients. Nor is their a practical way for AIA to reduce the dues for lower income sole practitoners- short of us suubmitting a tax return to prove that we make less money than a principal of SOM. Unless someone comes up with a great new idea it must remain: You pays your money and makes your choice.