Project Delivery

Thank you Mr. Rawlings for your comments defending the licensing in the profession.  Sadly and perhaps in an effort to grow members and income, many non-licensed individuals are now in the AIA, which perhaps is how Mr. Kawecki is in - I did not see a Texas Architecture license in his name on the
http://www.tbae.state.tx.us/PublicSearch/ website. 
Perhaps I did not look hard enough.  We are the author of our own misfortune letting non-licensed people into the "club", again to support and sustain Years ago many very good architects were not AIA, and at least 6 revered individuals now passed come to mind.  Reading about them and their practices confirms they had draftersmen and 'architects to be' in their offices over the years, while they themselves also worked on the 'drafting boards'.  Once CADD produced docs became the norm, and all the 3-D abilities that followed made the simple task of preparing constrution docs less the purview of licensed architects, but created by 'cadd staff'.  If the architects couldn't or wouldn't learn CADD back in the 1980's, they were left behind, held hostage by Cadd staff.  Now those 'cadd software companies' hold us hostage with new updates, etc. etc. making it more expensive to keep up while growing the chasm between us licensed people that take responsibility and liability, and those that get paid to produce the "product". 
The attrition as a result of the economy will weed out many, but likely will force AIA to further 'grow' membersip with non-licensed members. 
I went off topic to illustrate the bigger problem that has resulted in Mark Lawrence's original query.  I am interested in comments on this from others.
Thanks in advance.
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Mary Graham AIA

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The other side of the evolution of the Architect is that in the 90s, most didn't bother to learn CAD and just redlined drawings/ managed interns. In this decade, there are many Architects like myself that are very proficient on CAD or BIM. I think there will be more sole proprietors like myself that have the knowledge of the Architect and the skills of a far more experienced computer draftsman than the interns. After 14 years on BIM, I found that I can get more done by myself than I can with two interns "helping" me. I can build 3D models in my sleep. An amazing amount of time gets wasted redlining drawings, teaching CAD/BIM, and waiting on corrections. The more people you have to manage, the less YOU get done. In traditional firms, it is 100% necessary to spend your time "raising" your interns properly. In a sole proprietorship, a skilled Architect can accomplish more, quicker, and cheaper on projects under 10,000sf. Many skilled people lost jobs and may find it easier to start a small business than it is to find a job as a seasoned Architect. Let's face it, this will be much like the last recession ending in the mid 90s. I remember an interview in 97 when I was told they were looking for an intern with 3-5 years experience, but this person didn't exist because the hiring freeze was 3-5 years AND CAD became very popular by that time. The licensed Architects who lost jobs stand to get hurt the worst, as no one will want to pay them more when they can hire an intern. We may see more individuals competing with firms for work in the future, as many of us are skilled at CAD this time and some of us at BIM too. This will be interesting to see.

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Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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Mary Graham AIA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2011 07:50
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: How not to start an architectural business without a license

The other side of the evolution of the Architect is that in the 90s, most didn't bother to learn CAD and just redlined drawings/ managed interns. In this decade, there are many Architects like myself that are very proficient on CAD or BIM. I think there will be more sole proprietors like myself that have the knowledge of the Architect and the skills of a far more experienced computer draftsman than the interns. After 14 years on BIM, I found that I can get more done by myself than I can with two interns "helping" me. I can build 3D models in my sleep. An amazing amount of time gets wasted redlining drawings, teaching CAD/BIM, and waiting on corrections. The more people you have to manage, the less YOU get done. In traditional firms, it is 100% necessary to spend your time "raising" your interns properly. In a sole proprietorship, a skilled Architect can accomplish more, quicker, and cheaper on projects under 10,000sf. Many skilled people lost jobs and may find it easier to start a small business than it is to find a job as a seasoned Architect. Let's face it, this will be much like the last recession ending in the mid 90s. I remember an interview in 97 when I was told they were looking for an intern with 3-5 years experience, but this person didn't exist because the hiring freeze was 3-5 years AND CAD became very popular by that time. The licensed Architects who lost jobs stand to get hurt the worst, as no one will want to pay them more when they can hire an intern. We may see more individuals competing with firms for work in the future, as many of us are skilled at CAD this time and some of us at BIM too. This will be interesting to see.

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Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
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