A few years ago the AIA had a color brochure for residential clients seeking architectural services. Unfortunately (true to AIA's perception of residential architecture) it featured mostly avante-guarde, Euro-boxes, with austere, minimalist, art museum-like interiors, that likely could not be built by a residential contractor. This is where I think the AIA just doesn't "get it" when it comes to residential design.
Look at the annual issue of Record Homes. I thought this publication was supposed to represent AIA members doing the finest residential design. This year, of the seven homes that were featured, four were by architects from other countries! Every home is a remote location. What do you think goes through the average suburanite contemplating an addition to their home when they see a magazine like this? Probably something like: "forget using an architect, I'm going straight to a builder". How many of you residential architects would show this rag to your clients? I certainly wouldn't. This is one place where the AIA could represent it's members engaged in residential design, but has failed to do so.
This is one of the many reasons why today may very well be the last day I have the letteres AIA after my name. Here are a few more reasons.
How about the AIA documents for small projects? On two occasions I attended legal seminars lead by architects who were also attorney's. In both instances the attorneys (who had never worked with residential clients or designed houses) said the AIA's small project family documents were worthless. Instead, they advised us to use the B141. That's right, the same contract used for hospitals and high-rises given to a residntial builder, who works from his pickup truck. I am confident that most residential builders would be advised to "run, don't walk away" from a 17 page document to have in use for a residential addition.
Furthermore, the AIA can't find a way to protect the title "Architect". That's right. As long as one is NOT engaged in providing design services, they are free to use the title architect in whatever way they wish. Anybody can call themselves an IT Architect, Data Architect, Network Architect, or just "Architect" for short. Instead of coming up with a solution to this dilemma, the AIA has shrugged their shoulders and said there is nothing the architecture profession can do. We might as well resort to calling ourselves "Building Designers", at leat then, people will know what we do.
Lastly, most state boards do not require an architect's seal for the design of single-family homes. They define the practice of architecture as it pertains to commercial structures. In many places there are unlicensed, residential designers competing directly with licensed architects. The AIA has the power to influence state licensing laws, but have they ever addressed this? I'd be willing to bet they have not.
To thos of you who say "you only get out of the AIA what you put into it". Please understand that I have twice served on the board of directors with my local AIA chapter. In addition, I have served on numerous committees. Most non-residential architects that I served with (including those who dabble in the occasional custom home for a client or friend) do not understand the issues that affect the sole practitioner trying to eek out a living designing homes for clients who: a) have never hired an architect before, b) think that they are getting raked over the coals with an 8% design fee (while they don't bat an eye at a 6% real estate sales commission) c) and in many cases think their own design solution is superior to the architect's as they just need the architect to draw the "blue prints". I can go on and on....
The fact is that the AIA is simply out of touch with residential practice and it will be futile for residential architects to try and steer this 7 ton gorilla in a new direction. It would be my hope that the residential architecture community band together, form it's own professional organization and secede from the AIA.
Because, when it comes to residential design, the AIA just doesn't get it!
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Edward Shannon AIA
Edward J. Shannon, AIA, Architect
Waterloo, IA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-30-2010 13:44
From: Haden Smith
Subject: Group Project: Brochure - "Why to hire a residential architect"
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Residential Knowledge Community .
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I would like to wish all a very happy and prosperous 2011!
As a way to get the ball rolling on making a positive contribution to the AIA that will benefit many of its members, I would like to propose that we develop (as a "group project" on this KnowledgeNet) a brochure (for print or pdf format) to distribute to the lay public on the benefits of hiring an architect to design single-family residential projects (new and renovation/addition projects).
I remember a brochure along these lines from around 2004, but I don't see this document anywhere on the AIA web at this point. I have found some individual contributions that would provide a great start to this discussion, including a document posted this month by Bernard Perkosky in the Residential Knowledge Community resources area. I would like to suggest more members add their thoughts along these lines so that we can somehow put together a finished, polished brochure that addresses the issues within our current economic, societal, technological, and professional context.
If anyone has some existing documents to share, I encourage you to post these along with Bernard's, and invite all to comment, keeping in mind the idea of positive contributions rather than getting too caught up in the all too easy lamentations that we all share about the lack of public understanding, the lack of AIA focus, and the lack of governmental/legislative/economic support that our profession receives.
Thank you all in advance.
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Haden D. Smith AIA
Architect, BIM Consultant and Educator
Haden D. Smith AIA, Architect, LLC
St. Louis, MO
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