Custom Residential Architects Network

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Mr Dick:

In response to your letter posted yesterday as to why I have come to the conclusion that the AIA has an "Avant Garde Agenda?  Allow me to give you a few of my reasons.  My conclusions come from being an architect in the residential sector , serving mostly middle class, suburban clients.

• Every residential awards program I have seen connected with the AIA, in the past 20 years, has only award houses that can be termed as "Neo-Modern"  or in some case what I call "Nouveau  Rustic"  Most of these homes are in remote locations.  While I agree many of these homes have tremendous merit, they do not represent the wide range of what many hard working, talented architects are achieving.  This sends   a message to the public that says "If you hire an architect to design your house, this is what you will get  - something that doesn't look like a house!"  It sends many people running from architects to the nearest builder.
• Years ago AIA had a publication geared toward residential clients called, I believe "Designing a House with an Architect"  It could have been a great publication to give to prospective clients, accept none of the house looked conventional - again No variety; No representation of the architecture profession.  I found it embarrassing to hand out to prospective clients , as I would end up defending my profession, saying, "don't worry, we're not going to deing you anything like that!

•  

• A few years ago, an elaborate DVD was produced to help residential clients understand the design process of working with an architect.  Once again, the case study was a Euro-Box - something 98% of prospective homebuilding families would be put off by! 

   

• Years of Record Homes and their insistence to not be Style Neutral, but only recognize those homes that are avant-garde.  Another huge missed opportunity as this publication was available to the public in many bookstore and newsstands.

   

• A new petition circulating ASKING the AIA to "AIA and its publication Architect to more accurately represent the diversity and breadth of work by the members of the AIA."  I believe over 175 architects have signed.  Tho I am confident it could get at least 10,000 signatures if properly circulated!  Here is a link to the petition: 

   

  https://www.change.org/p/american-institute-of-architects-we-the-undersigned-members-fellows-honorary-and-past-members-of-the-american-institute-of-architects-would-like-the-aia-and-its-publication-architect-to-more-accurately-represent-the-diversity-and-breadth-of-work-by-t?recruiter=216683451&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

   

• The efforts of groups like CORA (Congress or Residential Architects) and ArCH (Architects Creating Homes) .  These groups would never have had to be established if AIA was representing the profession accurately.

   

• The AIA's own CRAN - who vows to be Style Neutral.  While I applaud CRAN's "Style-Neutral" efforts,  I have seen little tangible evidence in both AIA publications and award programs. 

   

• Did you read the comments generated by readers of The Huffington Post?  The awards program got a lot of publicity.  There were over 100 comments.  I'm not going to repeat any here, but let's say they are overwhelmingly negative toward architects, "60's design" and the lack of variety represented! 

You state there were "Less than five" entered in production housing!  The AIA competition committee be asking: WHY?  I think I know why.  Why bother spending time and money entering good projects, when they will likely never be recognized!  The same goes for the lack of diversity in style!  Many talented architects who have diligently served their clients probably ask: "Why bother?"

Now, in case you think I am just a disgruntled architect who has sat on the sidelines most of my career, I will let you know that I was active in the AIA for over twenty years!  I served two terms on my chapter's board of directors.  I served on many committees.  IN fact, I chaired three of those committees:  Design Awards, Education, and Scholarship.  You see, I knew early on that architect's were fighting a battle.  And I thought EVERY architect should fight the fight!  But, I have come to realize that my hard efforts and money were really benefitting the bigger, more profitable firms, more so than the little guys, like me!

I have made the conclusion that the AIA just "doesn't get" residential design - or at least how it is practice by 85% of licensed architects out there.  So, I have ceased being a member.  As such, this will be my last post on this forum.  I really hope the AIA can come around.  I have given a lot to this organization, yet feel my efforts have been futile.  

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Mr Dick:

In response to your letter posted yesterday as to why I have come to the conclusion that the AIA has an "Avant Garde Agenda?  Allow me to give you a few of my reasons.  My conclusions come from being an architect in the residential sector , serving mostly middle class, suburban clients.

• Every residential awards program I have seen connected with the AIA, in the past 20 years, has only award houses that can be termed as "Neo-Modern"  or in some case what I call "Nouveau  Rustic"  Most of these homes are in remote locations.  While I agree many of these homes have tremendous merit, they do not represent the wide range of what many hard working, talented architects are achieving.  This sends   a message to the public that says "If you hire an architect to design your house, this is what you will get  - something that doesn't look like a house!"  It sends many people running from architects to the nearest builder.
• Years ago AIA had a publication geared toward residential clients called, I believe "Designing a House with an Architect"  It could have been a great publication to give to prospective clients, accept none of the house looked conventional - again No variety; No representation of the architecture profession.  I found it embarrassing to hand out to prospective clients , as I would end up defending my profession, saying, "don't worry, we're not going to deing you anything like that!

•  

• A few years ago, an elaborate DVD was produced to help residential clients understand the design process of working with an architect.  Once again, the case study was a Euro-Box - something 98% of prospective homebuilding families would be put off by! 

   

• Years of Record Homes and their insistence to not be Style Neutral, but only recognize those homes that are avant-garde.  Another huge missed opportunity as this publication was available to the public in many bookstore and newsstands.

   

• A new petition circulating ASKING the AIA to "AIA and its publication Architect to more accurately represent the diversity and breadth of work by the members of the AIA."  I believe over 175 architects have signed.  Tho I am confident it could get at least 10,000 signatures if properly circulated!  Here is a link to the petition: 

   

  https://www.change.org/p/american-institute-of-architects-we-the-undersigned-members-fellows-honorary-and-past-members-of-the-american-institute-of-architects-would-like-the-aia-and-its-publication-architect-to-more-accurately-represent-the-diversity-and-breadth-of-work-by-t?recruiter=216683451&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

   

• The efforts of groups like CORA (Congress or Residential Architects) and ArCH (Architects Creating Homes) .  These groups would never have had to be established if AIA was representing the profession accurately.

   

• The AIA's own CRAN - who vows to be Style Neutral.  While I applaud CRAN's "Style-Neutral" efforts,  I have seen little tangible evidence in both AIA publications and award programs. 

   

• Did you read the comments generated by readers of The Huffington Post?  The awards program got a lot of publicity.  There were over 100 comments.  I'm not going to repeat any here, but let's say they are overwhelmingly negative toward architects, "60's design" and the lack of variety represented! 

You state there were "Less than five" entered in production housing!  The AIA competition committee be asking: WHY?  I think I know why.  Why bother spending time and money entering good projects, when they will likely never be recognized!  The same goes for the lack of diversity in style!  Many talented architects who have diligently served their clients probably ask: "Why bother?"

Now, in case you think I am just a disgruntled architect who has sat on the sidelines most of my career, I will let you know that I was active in the AIA for over twenty years!  I served two terms on my chapter's board of directors.  I served on many committees.  IN fact, I chaired three of those committees:  Design Awards, Education, and Scholarship.  You see, I knew early on that architect's were fighting a battle.  And I thought EVERY architect should fight the fight!  But, I have come to realize that my hard efforts and money were really benefitting the bigger, more profitable firms, more so than the little guys, like me!

I have made the conclusion that the AIA just "doesn't get" residential design - or at least how it is practice by 85% of licensed architects out there.  So, I have ceased being a member.  As such, this will be my last post on this forum.  I really hope the AIA can come around.  I have given a lot to this organization, yet feel my efforts have been futile.  

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Mr Dick:

In response to your letter posted yesterday as to why I have come to the conclusion that the AIA has an "Avant Garde Agenda?  Allow me to give you a few of my reasons.  My conclusions come from being an architect in the residential sector , serving mostly middle class, suburban clients.

• Every residential awards program I have seen connected with the AIA, in the past 20 years, has only award houses that can be termed as "Neo-Modern"  or in some case what I call "Nouveau  Rustic"  Most of these homes are in remote locations.  While I agree many of these homes have tremendous merit, they do not represent the wide range of what many hard working, talented architects are achieving.  This sends   a message to the public that says "If you hire an architect to design your house, this is what you will get  - something that doesn't look like a house!"  It sends many people running from architects to the nearest builder.
• Years ago AIA had a publication geared toward residential clients called, I believe "Designing a House with an Architect"  It could have been a great publication to give to prospective clients, accept none of the house looked conventional - again No variety; No representation of the architecture profession.  I found it embarrassing to hand out to prospective clients , as I would end up defending my profession, saying, "don't worry, we're not going to deing you anything like that!

•  

• A few years ago, an elaborate DVD was produced to help residential clients understand the design process of working with an architect.  Once again, the case study was a Euro-Box - something 98% of prospective homebuilding families would be put off by! 

   

• Years of Record Homes and their insistence to not be Style Neutral, but only recognize those homes that are avant-garde.  Another huge missed opportunity as this publication was available to the public in many bookstore and newsstands.

   

• A new petition circulating ASKING the AIA to "AIA and its publication Architect to more accurately represent the diversity and breadth of work by the members of the AIA."  I believe over 175 architects have signed.  Tho I am confident it could get at least 10,000 signatures if properly circulated!  Here is a link to the petition: 

   

  https://www.change.org/p/american-institute-of-architects-we-the-undersigned-members-fellows-honorary-and-past-members-of-the-american-institute-of-architects-would-like-the-aia-and-its-publication-architect-to-more-accurately-represent-the-diversity-and-breadth-of-work-by-t?recruiter=216683451&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

   

• The efforts of groups like CORA (Congress or Residential Architects) and ArCH (Architects Creating Homes) .  These groups would never have had to be established if AIA was representing the profession accurately.

   

• The AIA's own CRAN - who vows to be Style Neutral.  While I applaud CRAN's "Style-Neutral" efforts,  I have seen little tangible evidence in both AIA publications and award programs. 

   

• Did you read the comments generated by readers of The Huffington Post?  The awards program got a lot of publicity.  There were over 100 comments.  I'm not going to repeat any here, but let's say they are overwhelmingly negative toward architects, "60's design" and the lack of variety represented! 

You state there were "Less than five" entered in production housing!  The AIA competition committee be asking: WHY?  I think I know why.  Why bother spending time and money entering good projects, when they will likely never be recognized!  The same goes for the lack of diversity in style!  Many talented architects who have diligently served their clients probably ask: "Why bother?"

Now, in case you think I am just a disgruntled architect who has sat on the sidelines most of my career, I will let you know that I was active in the AIA for over twenty years!  I served two terms on my chapter's board of directors.  I served on many committees.  IN fact, I chaired three of those committees:  Design Awards, Education, and Scholarship.  You see, I knew early on that architect's were fighting a battle.  And I thought EVERY architect should fight the fight!  But, I have come to realize that my hard efforts and money were really benefitting the bigger, more profitable firms, more so than the little guys, like me!

I have made the conclusion that the AIA just "doesn't get" residential design - or at least how it is practice by 85% of licensed architects out there.  So, I have ceased being a member.  As such, this will be my last post on this forum.  I really hope the AIA can come around.  I have given a lot to this organization, yet feel my efforts have been futile.  

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!

Mr Dick:

In response to your letter posted yesterday as to why I have come to the conclusion that the AIA has an "Avant Garde Agenda?  Allow me to give you a few of my reasons.  My conclusions come from being an architect in the residential sector , serving mostly middle class, suburban clients.

• Every residential awards program I have seen connected with the AIA, in the past 20 years, has only award houses that can be termed as "Neo-Modern"  or in some case what I call "Nouveau  Rustic"  Most of these homes are in remote locations.  While I agree many of these homes have tremendous merit, they do not represent the wide range of what many hard working, talented architects are achieving.  This sends   a message to the public that says "If you hire an architect to design your house, this is what you will get  - something that doesn't look like a house!"  It sends many people running from architects to the nearest builder.
• Years ago AIA had a publication geared toward residential clients called, I believe "Designing a House with an Architect"  It could have been a great publication to give to prospective clients, accept none of the house looked conventional - again No variety; No representation of the architecture profession.  I found it embarrassing to hand out to prospective clients , as I would end up defending my profession, saying, "don't worry, we're not going to deing you anything like that!

•  

• A few years ago, an elaborate DVD was produced to help residential clients understand the design process of working with an architect.  Once again, the case study was a Euro-Box - something 98% of prospective homebuilding families would be put off by! 

   

• Years of Record Homes and their insistence to not be Style Neutral, but only recognize those homes that are avant-garde.  Another huge missed opportunity as this publication was available to the public in many bookstore and newsstands.

   

• A new petition circulating ASKING the AIA to "AIA and its publication Architect to more accurately represent the diversity and breadth of work by the members of the AIA."  I believe over 175 architects have signed.  Tho I am confident it could get at least 10,000 signatures if properly circulated!  Here is a link to the petition: 

   

  https://www.change.org/p/american-institute-of-architects-we-the-undersigned-members-fellows-honorary-and-past-members-of-the-american-institute-of-architects-would-like-the-aia-and-its-publication-architect-to-more-accurately-represent-the-diversity-and-breadth-of-work-by-t?recruiter=216683451&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

   

• The efforts of groups like CORA (Congress or Residential Architects) and ArCH (Architects Creating Homes) .  These groups would never have had to be established if AIA was representing the profession accurately.

   

• The AIA's own CRAN - who vows to be Style Neutral.  While I applaud CRAN's "Style-Neutral" efforts,  I have seen little tangible evidence in both AIA publications and award programs. 

   

• Did you read the comments generated by readers of The Huffington Post?  The awards program got a lot of publicity.  There were over 100 comments.  I'm not going to repeat any here, but let's say they are overwhelmingly negative toward architects, "60's design" and the lack of variety represented! 

You state there were "Less than five" entered in production housing!  The AIA competition committee be asking: WHY?  I think I know why.  Why bother spending time and money entering good projects, when they will likely never be recognized!  The same goes for the lack of diversity in style!  Many talented architects who have diligently served their clients probably ask: "Why bother?"

Now, in case you think I am just a disgruntled architect who has sat on the sidelines most of my career, I will let you know that I was active in the AIA for over twenty years!  I served two terms on my chapter's board of directors.  I served on many committees.  IN fact, I chaired three of those committees:  Design Awards, Education, and Scholarship.  You see, I knew early on that architect's were fighting a battle.  And I thought EVERY architect should fight the fight!  But, I have come to realize that my hard efforts and money were really benefitting the bigger, more profitable firms, more so than the little guys, like me!

I have made the conclusion that the AIA just "doesn't get" residential design - or at least how it is practice by 85% of licensed architects out there.  So, I have ceased being a member.  As such, this will be my last post on this forum.  I really hope the AIA can come around.  I have given a lot to this organization, yet feel my efforts have been futile.  

Passing along the first-ever coverage of the Housing Awards that ran on the Huffington Post Home section:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/16/most-beautiful-homes-2015_n_7079048.html?utm_hp_ref=huffpost-home&ir=HuffPost+Home

Please share via social media channels and pass along to anyone that you think might have an interest.

thanks!