Small Firm Exchange

  • 1.  Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-04-2012 09:34 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Small Firm Round Table .
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    I was utterly astounded to read Aaron Seward's comment in his article Burn Notice, " small-time architects working on minor buildings" in Architect: The Magazine of the American Institute of Architects.

    I wondered who these small-time, by definition - insignificant, unimportant, petty, no-account, piddling architects might be, because during my service on the AIA National Small Firm Round Table, president of my state chapter, and chair of my state licensing board I never encountered such a person.   

    Maybe Mr. Seward read the 2009 AIA Firm survey report and was referring to one of the majority of firms that are single discipline, with one office, with a local or regional client base or to one of the 79% of the AIA Member firms who are less than 10 people.

    Hopefully, it was sloppy editing. I expect more from the official publication of our professional organization. Because as architects and members of the American Institute of Architects we can and should agree, that there is no such person as a small-time, insignificant or unimportant architect.

    Jane Frederick, AIA
    2012 AIA National Small Firm Round Table Chair



  • 2.  RE:Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-05-2012 10:38 AM
    APPALLING! but not surprising...The ego-manical tone of the article?  seems par for the course with AIA all these many years.

    I guess you can count me as one of the 'small fry'... 70% of aia membership is with firms less than 10 people... and we're the small fry...

    SHAME ON YOU AIA!!!
    oops, you did it again...

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    Lisa Stacholy
    President
    LKS Architects, Inc.
    Dunwoody GA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE:Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-05-2012 01:52 PM
    I thought it was a fairly good article until he found it necessary to throw in the condescending "small time architect" comment. I believe I pay the same dues as the "star architects".

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    Robert Moore AIA
    Robert E. Moore Architect
    Monroe NC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE:Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-05-2012 04:04 PM
    Outstanding LTE! Well done!

    I wonder how much of those derogatory comments are protected as free speech. Not that I think that a complaint should be filed, but, I think some members need a refresher on the Code of Ehtics.

    Rule 5.301 Members shall recognize and respect the professional contributions of their employees, employers, professional colleagues, and business associates.

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    David Del Vecchio AIA
    Architect
    David Del Vecchio, Architect, LLC
    Cranford NJ
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-05-2012 09:51 PM

    Thanks for your comment Linna.  A discussion on this topic was launched at the AIA December board meeting, and will continue as we understand that alignment of the editorial tone in our official publications with our core mission values and positions is somewhat of a work in progress.
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    Michael Malinowski AIA
    California Regional Director
    Applied Architecture, Inc.
    Sacramento CA
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE:Response to "small-time architect" reference in December issue of Architect

    Posted 01-06-2012 10:20 AM
    That is unfortunate editing for sure and it certainly cannot reflect the Institute view. 

    On the positive side I can say proudly that I am a "small time" lawyer.  I don't know if I was ever a "big time" lawyer, but at one time I was certainly bigger time than I am now.  What does being "small time" mean to me?  A lot;

    I have low overhead

    I have little or no pressure to bill

    I can come and go as I please - I can take time to enjoy things I like to do without worrying I should be working to help the firm reach the monthly break even point

    I can take those cases and issues I want to work on and reject those I don't

    Most and best of all, in general I feel like I actually do some good for my clients independent of the profit motives.

    I don't see myself as "small time" even though I suppose in the "small time" minds of some I am.

    I would venture a guess that most, if not all of the "small time" Architects to whom that reference may apply would agree in my sentiments.   There are no "small time" Architects - there are only "small time" minds which unfortunately at times engage in "small time" thinking.





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    Frederick Butters FAIA, Esq.
    Attorney
    Southfield MI
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  • 7.  Response to "small-time architects" reference in Burn Notice article in December issue

    Posted 01-06-2012 09:36 AM
    The AIA has always been Large Firm and Starchitect - centric , so this type of snarky comment would naturally go unnoticed.
    During stints on the Board of my former local chapter (NYC) and having chaired or co-chaired Membership and Women-In-Architecture Committees, I was not alone in reminding my colleagues that small firms are NOT baby 
    big firms - apparently the prevailing view.
    The majority of us are small by design - with intent to define and provide unique, professional, personalized, architectural service.
    We know that all it takes is a small spark to start a big fire - and that no structure is minor in this regard.
     
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    Denise Hall AIA
    D. A. Hall, Architect, PC
    Philadelphia PA
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  • 8.  Ned Cramer's Response to Small Time comment

    Posted 01-06-2012 09:54 AM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Firm Round Table and Small Project Practitioners .
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    I wrote the same letter to Ned Cramer, Editor in Cheif of Architect that I posted here. He asked me to post his reply here.

    AIA National started the Small Firm Round Table two years ago. We have a representative from each of the regions. Check out the Small Firm Round Table page on AIA Knowledge Net. We are the voice for the small firms and we want to hear from each of you.

    Dear Jane:

    Thank you for sharing your concerns about Aaron Seward's article, "Burn Notice." The choice of words--"small-time architects working on minor buildings"--was indeed poor, and the fault lies with me. In editing the article, I understood Aaron to mean something perfectly straightforward: "small firms working on projects with tight budgets." I now appreciate how the turn of phrase left a negative impression.

    Please know that it was not our intent to slight the owners and employees of small firms. As you observe, small firms constitute the greater part of our readership and of AIA's membership, and meeting their information needs has been central to the mission of Architect since the publication's launch in 2006. We are great believers in small firms' tremendous value to the profession and exceptional contributions to the built environment.

    So I am mortified to find myself having inadvertently offended a member of that community. Please accept my heartfelt apology.

    Respectfully yours,

    Ned Cramer

    Editor-in-Chief

    Architect magazine




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    Linna Frederick AIA
    Principal
    Frederick & Frederick Architects
    Beaufort SC
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