I can't tell from theses recent posts if anyone has made a post that actually helps answer the original question posted by the "intern" but I woulod offer this to him or her.
There are a large number of drafting services out there in the market place. these services work for a wide variety of clients, including architects and engineers who outsource various amounts of the drafting required to produce a set of contract documents. I believe that in our current economy, even more A/E firms are/will be looking for "Contract" help when they pick up a large project, as they don't want to hire staff that they will not be able to maintain after the project. Sometimes these positions turn into full time, with benifits etc.. other times once the scope of the contract is complete they are not retained.
The other client pool available to "drafting services" is the contracting and construction supply industry. They are producing shop drawings, construction coordination drawings, and sequencing plans all the time and many do not have full time drafting help. many "interns" who are unable to find work with A/E firms could benifit from this type of work experience. it may or may not not help in completing IDP requirements, but would most definately help them to become more technically competent architects in the long term.
As a drafting service provider, you are within the law as long as you do not misrepresent yourself as an architect. many states allow owners or contractors to apply for and pull bulding permits for certain types of projects without an architect or engineers stamp on the drawings. these vary by state, so check your local requirements carefully before taking on that type of work.
-------------------------------------------
Mark Aylward AIA
Owner
Aylward Design, llc
Littleton CO
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-02-2011 09:01
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license
Mr Kawecki, Turn my back on my profession? I feel I'm defending my profession. Interns make up at least 1/2 of a typical Architect's office and it is very important for them to remain there for the sake of the cohesiveness of their upbringing. I think everyone's sympathy for those interns who lost jobs is blinding them from the consequences of creating yet another profession that removes more people from the Architect's office. If there were a huge need for drafting services, firms would be hiring. If we have all of these drafting houses diverting potential young Architects into a career of being a draftsman, as these folks will not be getting the experience of learning the trade from the licensed professional, then we degrade the profession. They will learn to be proficient on CAD, but they aren't at job sites, talking to clients, meeting with engineers, etc. How does this work with IDP? You get maybe 1 year without an Architect's supervision? Now what happens with BIM? How do you have a drafting service getting involved in a BIM model and not create 10x more confusion and management problems (I know it's possible smarties, but far from practical)?
What happens when firms have 12 Architects, 1 receptionist, and no interns? The whole office is outsourced and we splinter our profession even further, we degrade our worth even more. Before you know it draftsmen are making as much or more than Architects because we allowed everyone to leave the office and gave them their own profession. They got bigger as we got weaker as our bleeding hearts are so ready to give everything away. At what point can builders avoid licensed professionals by using the Pseudo-tect instead? Do I have to remind us of the Interior Designer and Facilities Manager? Designers are working on limited commercial projects without us now. This is the project type they most often get anyway, so that worked out great for them and not so great for us.
Why can't these people start residential practices like I did? There are babies being born, people getting married, and no one feels good about selling their house. Renovations are happening everywhere. Go out and find a builder who renovates and they'll bring you work. These guys need a talented designer to help them get a leg up on the competition. More young Architects and interns should be doing this type of work anyway. It gives you a great Alpha to Omega perspective of running a design business on a simple scale one can easily manage. Opening up a drafting service at a time like this sounds very risky at best, but there is a huge need out there for regular people to have small additions put on their houses. Most houses are laid out in the most dreadful way and fixing the flow, creative solutions, and an understanding of stick frame construction is something most residential designers don't understand, but a seasoned intern has a leg up. This is something you can do from home and it's far less risky than the overhead of opening an office and relying on the firms who laid you off to give you work.
-------------------------------------------
Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-01-2011 09:11
From: Michael Kawecki
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license
Eric - If it makes you feel any better, I feel sorry for you. I'm sorry that you have become so jaded that you turn your back on your own industry rather than support it and help build it up from the inside. And we wonder why the industry is in a downturn...
-------------------------------------------
Michael Kawecki
Owner
Axiom Sustainable Consulting, LLC
Allen TX
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-31-2011 07:37
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license
I was an intern faced with a disabled wife and little income. I started a residential business while working full time for an Architect and studying for exams. 80-90hr work weeks and then finding time to study. We all have our sob story, we're Architects. I suggested he start a residential practice, that's legal. What this guy has described is trying to walk the line of what is Architecture and what isn't. He's immediately pushing the definition so that he can provide the Architectural services he used to provide as an intern at a firm, while trying not to define it as Architectural, but maybe calling it something like Architectural so customers know what he's offering. I'm hearing, "I want to have my cake and eat it too." Where does it go from there? The clear intention is to provide Architecture without calling it Architecture. We invented interior design. We invented facilities management. Each of these turned into competing professions that take work that Architects used to perform. Where does it end? I'm sorry, but I'm tired of us giving everything away. We feel sorry for this one guy, then we have to for everyone. No one ever felt sorry for me, and I never asked them to. We take the cards we're dealt and we play the best hand we can.
-------------------------------------------
Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-30-2011 07:34
From: Roxanne Button
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license
Mr. Roslyn, I agree with you. I don't like the negative attitude that I'm seeing here towards an intern who is simply trying to make a living in this profession. I've been there several times in my 19 year career. It took me over 12 years from graduation to licensure because I graduated during a recession, couldn't find work in architecture, and had to take whatever work I could find to pay the bills. It wasn't always within an architectural firm and didn't always count towards the IDP. Hence, it took a lot longer to complete the IDP and finish the exams. Not everyone's career follows a linear path.
As long as the intern (I apologize, I cannot find the original post with his name) follows the rules in his state and does not violate the use of the terms "Architect" or "architectural services", then I wish him well in trying to stay in this profession at a time when many of us are struggling to get by. The guy asked for advice in how to make a living without breaking the rules, or the law, and what does he get? Slammed for asking the question. At least he asked! Focus your energies on those who don't ask, and who blatantly break the law.
What I'm seeing in this discussion is the same old "sink or swim" attitude that does not serve our profession well. We need to mentor interns, not chastise them. Thank you, Mr. Roslyn, for trying to bring the discussion back on topic.
-------------------------------------------
Roxanne Button AIA, MRAIC, LEED AP
Architect
Buffalo NY
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-29-2011 07:50
From: Burton Roslyn
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license
Eric:
While i can appreciate your passion for defense of our popsition, i also thjink we need to bring this conversation back inti perspective.
The original inquiry was a request for guidance from a young intern cocerned about his abiolity to remain within the nprofession & protect his IDP credits while being unable to find employment. he asked wahat he could & couldn't do, not how do a get around the licensing law.
i think he is someoine we should suppoprt with guidance rather than shun & turn him into anothert disgruntkled wanna be!
Burt
-------------------------------------------
Burton L. Roslyn, FAIA
President
Roslyn Consultants, LLC
Roslyn Heights, New York
-------------------------------------------