This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Residential Knowledge Community .
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Dear Knowledge Community,
I am saddened to hear about David Ludwig's career ending on a sore note, although I fear this won't be the first or last of these stories. I wanted to express my respect to architects in this position, for I have also faced this a few years ago in my practice.
However, I want to portray a message of hope to all the residential and small project practicioners out there. The midwest, from where I practice took longer to be affected by the economy, but is still hanging in there. I feel they are recovering, due to the more conservative culture in the Midwest. I believe it is just as much the psychology of a recession that affects people than the economy.
We are doing well, in fact this year has been one of our best. This is not stated as bragging, but a reminder of the cycle of life and our creative process. I believe the midwestern conservative culture will rebuild this nation starting in the middle, and working its way to both of the coasts.
Although the nation looks for renewable energy, oil, coal and wind proove to be the strongest in our state. 30% or our local energy is already powered by wind. Oil prices have reopened the North Dakota oil fields, billions of dollars will be produced in the next decade alone. Our coal power plants have been updated to be the cleanest in the nation, but also sit right on top of the coal mining, so our energy is the cheapest around.
Our governor has declared a need for 4,000 to 6,000 housing units in the areas of oil; to date less than 2,000 have been created for all the oil workers. By the way, the oil people are making more than we do as architects.
Come on over to the western part of the state, or at least check it out.
People once went west, perhaps it's time to head back east.
A last note of hope. Believe in yourself! You are all creative people. One needn't stay in architecture to express oneself creatively. You are designers, so creatively design a new path for yourself. Take courage!
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Philip Stahl AIA
Stahl Architects
Fargo ND
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