Housing and Community Development

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Housing Knowledge Community and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
Sunday Morning I saw a commercial from the National Association of Realtors.  It acknowledged the costly investment of building a new home, and urged that paople call a realtor first.  How does AIA/CRAN feel about this?  I have dealt with realors before.  Their main motive is to "get the sale".  I have upset a few of them when touring older properties and telling their prospective buyer the truth about what it will cost to renovate - or in one case the realtor had no idea that a property was non-conforming and the buyer wanted to do a second floor addition. My due dilligence killed the sale, and upset the realtor!  Do we really think it is the public's best interest to call a sale's person?  Will AIA/CRAN ever be able to compete with this? 

I other news, there are some folks at NAHB looking at establishing a Residential Designer certification for their associaition.  If they do - and it isn't too hard to obtain, there will be a whole new class of "qualified" residential designers competing with architects!

Is the AIA aware of our competitors?  Is the AIA doing anything to work with these bodies? 

Is the AIA going to continue to portray the architect as the designer who will design an avant-garde Euro-box and let those who have mainstream tastes continue to seek a builder or realtor first?

In the past twenty years, home design has become far more complex (i.e. more stingent codes, longer spans, complex moisture issues)  yet Residential design is still not regulated.  Will AIA acknowledge the need for residetial design to be regulated, or will residential design be a gray area - something that anyone can do - relegating residential architects to the socially elite?


-------------------------------------------
Edward Shannon
Waterloo IA
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Hello Edward,

Okay: there you have it: the power of having your professional organization use public awareness programs and commercials and ads to enlighten and inform the public that what your organization's members do is good and you should contact them to engage their services.  Yes sir. 

And that is Exactly what the CRAN-AIA is headed toward: creating methods of funding so that we can also have public awareness programs to enlighten the public so that they might really want to first contact an ARCHITECT.  There you go; now that's what I'm talking about! 

Yes, the NAR does a much better job of promoting its membership's services than the AIA presently does, in particular, for us residential architects.  That is why the CRAN is developing ideas and systems to generate good and useful things to help its membership and the home-owning public to create cashflow to help us fund public awareness programs.  It will take some time.  And the AIA has already had 157 years to do this and has not.  Shame on them. Okay, now let's do something about it and kick'em in the rear and fix this.

David Andreozzi has developed CRAN symposium events to generate revenue for this effort.  I, along with others (David & Debra), am developing the CRAN Plaque Database System to help the public, architects and CRAN to have a good and useful new beneficial product out there that will also create an income stream for CRAN, to help us fund public awareness programs. 

It will be a long haul, but please help us think of some more good and useful inventions so that we can get there faster!  All my best,

-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------

Rand, 

AARGH!!!

Our marketing needs not only to counter "call the builder", we need to counter "call the realtor", both of which are out of sequence and are abundant with potential wallet pain for clients. 

Worst case is when client calls realtor first and leads them to buy a builder-owned lot. The builder now has them by the short hairs and they get to pay more than retail, don't get input on negotiating the site from an architect (which can save more than the total fee), don't get a custom design (or engineering, or "green" or an opportunity for the home to adapt to them rather than the other way around). 

A.B.C.

Architect Before Contractor

The other thing I've written on repeatedly is "if it needs a permit, it needs a stamp"!

We accomplish the latter (which aligns HSW for both, only logical) and we improve the built environment and our profession. 

Lets discuss strategies. Our clients deserve better advise than call the realtor or the builder first. You're right, AIA has flunked the course and seems to serve only the 5% of firms that are large. They can't do the math, either. 95% of architects are in firms of 5 or less... and we have little voice through the AIA. 

Welcome you to contact me that we might help one another accomplish something here. 

-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-16-2012 08:12
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Hello Edward,

Okay: there you have it: the power of having your professional organization use public awareness programs and commercials and ads to enlighten and inform the public that what your organization's members do is good and you should contact them to engage their services.  Yes sir. 

And that is Exactly what the CRAN-AIA is headed toward: creating methods of funding so that we can also have public awareness programs to enlighten the public so that they might really want to first contact an ARCHITECT.  There you go; now that's what I'm talking about! 

Yes, the NAR does a much better job of promoting its membership's services than the AIA presently does, in particular, for us residential architects.  That is why the CRAN is developing ideas and systems to generate good and useful things to help its membership and the home-owning public to create cashflow to help us fund public awareness programs.  It will take some time.  And the AIA has already had 157 years to do this and has not.  Shame on them. Okay, now let's do something about it and kick'em in the rear and fix this.

David Andreozzi has developed CRAN symposium events to generate revenue for this effort.  I, along with others (David & Debra), am developing the CRAN Plaque Database System to help the public, architects and CRAN to have a good and useful new beneficial product out there that will also create an income stream for CRAN, to help us fund public awareness programs. 

It will be a long haul, but please help us think of some more good and useful inventions so that we can get there faster!  All my best,

-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------

Hi John,
I agree completely.
I'll be on specs all day on a project, but should be available from 9AM-9PM.  828-269-9046.
Constructive thoughts and planning are an architect's forte and that's we all of us on the CRAN forum should do: DO something about what antagonizes us.  Not just gripe.  WE are the AIA.  Let's band together in focus groups about what we are passionate about and bring about change. 

-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2012 14:00
From: John Hrivnak
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Rand, 

AARGH!!!

Our marketing needs not only to counter "call the builder", we need to counter "call the realtor", both of which are out of sequence and are abundant with potential wallet pain for clients. 

Worst case is when client calls realtor first and leads them to buy a builder-owned lot. The builder now has them by the short hairs and they get to pay more than retail, don't get input on negotiating the site from an architect (which can save more than the total fee), don't get a custom design (or engineering, or "green" or an opportunity for the home to adapt to them rather than the other way around). 

A.B.C.

Architect Before Contractor

The other thing I've written on repeatedly is "if it needs a permit, it needs a stamp"!

We accomplish the latter (which aligns HSW for both, only logical) and we improve the built environment and our profession. 

Lets discuss strategies. Our clients deserve better advise than call the realtor or the builder first. You're right, AIA has flunked the course and seems to serve only the 5% of firms that are large. They can't do the math, either. 95% of architects are in firms of 5 or less... and we have little voice through the AIA. 

Welcome you to contact me that we might help one another accomplish something here. 

-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------- Allen Neyman AIA Allen E Neyman Associates Concept Architecture LLC Rockville MD ------------------------------------------- Not sure that AIA can help. The status of insurance coverage for everyone is up in political air. Even the results of the coming elections will bring into focus only how many paths there are to take in the meantime for the forseeable future stay well and keep a healthy attitude and reserve some cash, if you any, to pay the way. The situation is critical for all others.
Original Message: Sent: 10-19-2012 08:16 From: Rand Soellner Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First! Hi John, I agree completely. I'll be on specs all day on a project, but should be available from 9AM-9PM. 828-269-9046. Constructive thoughts and planning are an architect's forte and that's we all of us on the CRAN forum should do: DO something about what antagonizes us. Not just gripe. WE are the AIA. Let's band together in focus groups about what we are passionate about and bring about change. ------------------------------------------- Rand Soellner AIA Architect/Owner/Principal Home Architects Cashiers NC -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 10-18-2012 14:00 From: John Hrivnak Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First! Rand, AARGH!!! Our marketing needs not only to counter "call the builder", we need to counter "call the realtor", both of which are out of sequence and are abundant with potential wallet pain for clients. Worst case is when client calls realtor first and leads them to buy a builder-owned lot. The builder now has them by the short hairs and they get to pay more than retail, don't get input on negotiating the site from an architect (which can save more than the total fee), don't get a custom design (or engineering, or "green" or an opportunity for the home to adapt to them rather than the other way around). A.B.C. Architect Before Contractor The other thing I've written on repeatedly is "if it needs a permit, it needs a stamp"! We accomplish the latter (which aligns HSW for both, only logical) and we improve the built environment and our profession. Lets discuss strategies. Our clients deserve better advise than call the realtor or the builder first. You're right, AIA has flunked the course and seems to serve only the 5% of firms that are large. They can't do the math, either. 95% of architects are in firms of 5 or less... and we have little voice through the AIA. Welcome you to contact me that we might help one another accomplish something here. ------------------------------------------- John Hrivnak AIA Principal Hrivnak Associates, Ltd. Saint Charles IL -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 10-16-2012 08:12 From: Rand Soellner Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First! Hello Edward, Okay: there you have it: the power of having your professional organization use public awareness programs and commercials and ads to enlighten and inform the public that what your organization's members do is good and you should contact them to engage their services. Yes sir. And that is Exactly what the CRAN-AIA is headed toward: creating methods of funding so that we can also have public awareness programs to enlighten the public so that they might really want to first contact an ARCHITECT. There you go; now that's what I'm talking about! Yes, the NAR does a much better job of promoting its membership's services than the AIA presently does, in particular, for us residential architects. That is why the CRAN is developing ideas and systems to generate good and useful things to help its membership and the home-owning public to create cashflow to help us fund public awareness programs. It will take some time. And the AIA has already had 157 years to do this and has not. Shame on them. Okay, now let's do something about it and kick'em in the rear and fix this. David Andreozzi has developed CRAN symposium events to generate revenue for this effort. I, along with others (David & Debra), am developing the CRAN Plaque Database System to help the public, architects and CRAN to have a good and useful new beneficial product out there that will also create an income stream for CRAN, to help us fund public awareness programs. It will be a long haul, but please help us think of some more good and useful inventions so that we can get there faster! All my best, ------------------------------------------- Rand Soellner AIA Architect/Owner/Principal Home Architects Cashiers NC -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 10-15-2012 10:31 From: Edward Shannon Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First! This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Housing Knowledge Community and Custom Residential Architects Network . ------------------------------------------- Sunday Morning I saw a commercial from the National Association of Realtors. It acknowledged the costly investment of building a new home, and urged that paople call a realtor first. How does AIA/CRAN feel about this? I have dealt with realors before. Their main motive is to "get the sale". I have upset a few of them when touring older properties and telling their prospective buyer the truth about what it will cost to renovate - or in one case the realtor had no idea that a property was non-conforming and the buyer wanted to do a second floor addition. My due dilligence killed the sale, and upset the realtor! Do we really think it is the public's best interest to call a sale's person? Will AIA/CRAN ever be able to compete with this? I other news, there are some folks at NAHB looking at establishing a Residential Designer certification for their associaition. If they do - and it isn't too hard to obtain, there will be a whole new class of "qualified" residential designers competing with architects! Is the AIA aware of our competitors? Is the AIA doing anything to work with these bodies? Is the AIA going to continue to portray the architect as the designer who will design an avant-garde Euro-box and let those who have mainstream tastes continue to seek a builder or realtor first? In the past twenty years, home design has become far more complex (i.e. more stingent codes, longer spans, complex moisture issues) yet Residential design is still not regulated. Will AIA acknowledge the need for residetial design to be regulated, or will residential design be a gray area - something that anyone can do - relegating residential architects to the socially elite? ------------------------------------------- Edward Shannon Waterloo IA -------------------------------------------

I always have felt that I would make a great Realtor-instant feedback on concerns of the house and options for improvement.
Call an Architor to sell your house!

-------------------------------------------
Craig Isaac AIA
Architect
Craig W. Isaac Architecture
Charlotte NC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2012 08:16
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Hi John,
I agree completely.
I'll be on specs all day on a project, but should be available from 9AM-9PM.  828-269-9046.
Constructive thoughts and planning are an architect's forte and that's we all of us on the CRAN forum should do: DO something about what antagonizes us.  Not just gripe.  WE are the AIA.  Let's band together in focus groups about what we are passionate about and bring about change. 

-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2012 14:00
From: John Hrivnak
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Rand, 

AARGH!!!

Our marketing needs not only to counter "call the builder", we need to counter "call the realtor", both of which are out of sequence and are abundant with potential wallet pain for clients. 

Worst case is when client calls realtor first and leads them to buy a builder-owned lot. The builder now has them by the short hairs and they get to pay more than retail, don't get input on negotiating the site from an architect (which can save more than the total fee), don't get a custom design (or engineering, or "green" or an opportunity for the home to adapt to them rather than the other way around). 

A.B.C.

Architect Before Contractor

The other thing I've written on repeatedly is "if it needs a permit, it needs a stamp"!

We accomplish the latter (which aligns HSW for both, only logical) and we improve the built environment and our profession. 

Lets discuss strategies. Our clients deserve better advise than call the realtor or the builder first. You're right, AIA has flunked the course and seems to serve only the 5% of firms that are large. They can't do the math, either. 95% of architects are in firms of 5 or less... and we have little voice through the AIA. 

Welcome you to contact me that we might help one another accomplish something here. 

-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------

Craig - I love it.  An Architor !! Could even be a superhero.

The problem is that we would fail miserably at selling homes because we, as Architects, generally speaking, are well educated, have a conscience, are moral beings, follow rigid ethic rules, and sincerely want the best for our clients. 

So, with that stated, the Architor will need to do something else to save the civilized world.  Hmmm, let me think ......

-------------------------------------------
Andrew Fethes AIA
President
Andrew Fethes Architects PA
Oradell NJ
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2012 09:30
From: Craig Isaac
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

I always have felt that I would make a great Realtor-instant feedback on concerns of the house and options for improvement.
Call an Architor to sell your house!

-------------------------------------------
Craig Isaac AIA
Architect
Craig W. Isaac Architecture
Charlotte NC
-------------------------------------------

The main reason the AIA caters to large firms (which is a fact) is that it is the large firms that have the resources to be involved. They have the time=money.

Some ideas to counter this:

- some kind of "scholarship" program available to small firm practitioners so they can be involved
- lower dues for members in small firms

-------------------------------------------
Arthur Balourdas AIA
Principal
Arcadia Group Inc.
San Diego, CA
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-19-2012 08:16
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Hi John,
I agree completely.
I'll be on specs all day on a project, but should be available from 9AM-9PM.  828-269-9046.
Constructive thoughts and planning are an architect's forte and that's we all of us on the CRAN forum should do: DO something about what antagonizes us.  Not just gripe.  WE are the AIA.  Let's band together in focus groups about what we are passionate about and bring about change. 

-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------







Original Message:
Sent: 10-18-2012 14:00
From: John Hrivnak
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

Rand, 

AARGH!!!

Our marketing needs not only to counter "call the builder", we need to counter "call the realtor", both of which are out of sequence and are abundant with potential wallet pain for clients. 

Worst case is when client calls realtor first and leads them to buy a builder-owned lot. The builder now has them by the short hairs and they get to pay more than retail, don't get input on negotiating the site from an architect (which can save more than the total fee), don't get a custom design (or engineering, or "green" or an opportunity for the home to adapt to them rather than the other way around). 

A.B.C.

Architect Before Contractor

The other thing I've written on repeatedly is "if it needs a permit, it needs a stamp"!

We accomplish the latter (which aligns HSW for both, only logical) and we improve the built environment and our profession. 

Lets discuss strategies. Our clients deserve better advise than call the realtor or the builder first. You're right, AIA has flunked the course and seems to serve only the 5% of firms that are large. They can't do the math, either. 95% of architects are in firms of 5 or less... and we have little voice through the AIA. 

Welcome you to contact me that we might help one another accomplish something here. 

-------------------------------------------
John Hrivnak AIA
Principal
Hrivnak Associates, Ltd.
Saint Charles IL
-------------------------------------------

The AIA is only going to do those things that it can make money on in order to support its large bureaucracy and toney office buildings. They collect your dues and use them to prepare professional documents and conduct studies to sell back to you. They have converted continuing education into a revenue stream, run a store to sell you pricey goods and their financial and insurance "trust" products are way over priced. They do advertise on PBS, probably because its cheap and they can say that they do advertise in our behalf. Why am I still in the AIA? Beats me. Do not expect the AIA to get involved in any thing that it can't make money on.
-------------------------------------------
Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
-------------------------------------------

Good points Edward, 
Its all about sales- as a Realtor making a commission, or as an Architect marketing one's service. There are aspects of ethics and disclosure in any case. As Architect's we have professional capital that could be more broadly deployed. We can argue that we are the best managers of the process of home design & building. And we need to make that pitch across the board- from production building to custom homes. I can design a home for <$5K or >$50K, my services are scalable to the needs and aspirations of the customer. I believe we should be specifically driving home the SCALABLE value we can provide. So why don't we market our services in a spot like the NAR? Does the NAR have more money for advertising than the AIA?

Yes, regulations are constantly increasing and becoming more complex. At the same time there is greater access to information and access to methods, tools and pattern examples of home design. It does take a certain level of knowledge to steer through the regulatory channels, but its not outside the realm of an intelligent and attentive builder or lay person. Neither is the creation of a decent floor plan, massing, and detailing for a home. But not every lay person has the time or eye to do it well. We need to market ourselves to homeowners and builders as the best managers of the process, to create the best results for dollar spent, and for the widest possible audience. I'd rather see that approach than an attempt to force our services onto the field by regulation. We can't control what NAHB will do, only continue to make the argument we do it better - as well-trained and highly-skilled in all aspects of design, construction methods, energy-use, and creating value for our customers.

-------------------------------------------
Christopher Vlcek AIA
Architect
Littlewolf Architecture
Great Barrington MA
-------------------------------------------

I think it is awful that the realtors have resorted to these kinds of ads.  They must be desperate!

Realtors should be your friends....not the enemy..  I get a fair amout of work from realtors who call and have me look at a house with a client, so I can help them with ideas and concepts of what the house CAN be.  As architects, we should have more vision and if you can translate that vision into an exciting idea, that can help sell the house, and get you a job as well.  

And you need to raise awareness with your state, not the AIA regarding regulating residential design.  Residential construction is regulated in some states, but not in others.  In NJ, unless you can draw your own house by yourself, it must be done by a licenced architect.  That includes additions and remodel projects.  Contact your state licencing board about requiring them to regulate ALL construction of habitable structures.  It is a health, safety and welfare issue.  

-------------------------------------------
Thomas Wagner AIA
Thomas B. Wagner, Architect
Haddonfield NJ
-------------------------------------------

I agree that we should be working with realtors more in terms of letting them know how we as architects can help improve home sales with our ideas although it may require some creative financing if you only were paid after you helped a home sell. 

I did not see the ad, but with existing homes prices so low, I don't blame them for apparently stating to consult a realtor first to avoid high construction costs of a new home. I have also questioned clients who have come to us in the past few years with existing home prices so low : "Are you sure you can't find something existing to fit your needs?"  It is enlightening to hear how much people will not let go of their dream home ideas and accompanying land even with costs so low of current homes.

If NAHB is working on certified designers, I see that as one more opportunity where AIA could chime in and possibly get automatic certification for those already licensed and a member of AIA so long as you also had some minimum level of experience with residential - and to be fair, AIBD does a good job too so maybe they could also be included as exempt from additional testing, etc.
-------------------------------------------
Debra Rucker Coleman, AIA
Architect
Sun Plans Inc.
Mobile, AL
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 10-15-2012 10:31
From: Edward Shannon
Subject: Building a House? Call a Realtor First!

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Housing Knowledge Community and Custom Residential Architects Network .
-------------------------------------------
Sunday Morning I saw a commercial from the National Association of Realtors.  It acknowledged the costly investment of building a new home, and urged that paople call a realtor first.  How does AIA/CRAN feel about this?  I have dealt with realors before.  Their main motive is to "get the sale".  I have upset a few of them when touring older properties and telling their prospective buyer the truth about what it will cost to renovate - or in one case the realtor had no idea that a property was non-conforming and the buyer wanted to do a second floor addition. My due dilligence killed the sale, and upset the realtor!  Do we really think it is the public's best interest to call a sale's person?  Will AIA/CRAN ever be able to compete with this? 

I other news, there are some folks at NAHB looking at establishing a Residential Designer certification for their associaition.  If they do - and it isn't too hard to obtain, there will be a whole new class of "qualified" residential designers competing with architects!

Is the AIA aware of our competitors?  Is the AIA doing anything to work with these bodies? 

Is the AIA going to continue to portray the architect as the designer who will design an avant-garde Euro-box and let those who have mainstream tastes continue to seek a builder or realtor first?

In the past twenty years, home design has become far more complex (i.e. more stingent codes, longer spans, complex moisture issues)  yet Residential design is still not regulated.  Will AIA acknowledge the need for residetial design to be regulated, or will residential design be a gray area - something that anyone can do - relegating residential architects to the socially elite?


-------------------------------------------
Edward Shannon
Waterloo IA
-------------------------------------------