Mr. Mammen,
Thank you for pointing out the new AIA advertisement. I don't watch much TV so I hadn't seen it or even been aware that it had been produced.
As Vice Chair of the Advisory Group of the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN), I wanted to assure you that we have been working very hard with AIA National to make the staff aware that there are many different styles of architecture, and that our members do not all work on ultra-modern designs. We have adopted a style-neutral philosophy for our own efforts, and we work hard to be inclusive when we put together programs for the AIA convention and for our own symposium. Not only do we strive to have practitioners who design traditional homes represented alongside architects who design more contemporary structures, we also try very hard to have a good mix of speakers, including women and younger practitioners.
Speaking of the convention and symposium programs, if you haven't attended any CRAN events, you may not be aware of all that AIA offers residential practitioners. The CRAN Advisory Group consists of several hard-working volunteer architect members who produce events, videos, books, and other things that benefit residential practitioners and their clients. If you're going to the convention in Atlanta, please look for sessions sponsored by CRAN. I would highly recommend that you attend the CRAN Symposium, "Elevating the Art of Residential Design & Practice," in Minneapolis, from September 19 through 23. I think you'll be impressed with the quality of the sessions and the opportunities to get to know other residential practitioners.
Rest assured that we will address your concerns about the designs represented in the ad with AIA staff.
I hope to meet you in Minneapolis.
-------------------------------------------
Dawn Zuber AIA
Owner
Studio Z Architecture
Canton MI
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 03-23-2015 14:59
From: William Mammen
Subject: AIA TV Ad campaign
I recently saw the TV ad placed by the AIA. While the quality of the ad was visually good I couldn't help but feel that the homes featured would only further reinforce the common idea that architect's only design far out projects. I constantly have to convince potential clients that they can use an architect even though they want a "Normal" house.
Lately I am feeling that the AIA is not helping me be a better residential architect and they certainly are not helping my business. The profession seems to be enamored with big architecture and the exceptional as opposed to the common problems most architects face every day.
Am I alone in these thoughts? I would like to be wrong.
-------------------------------------------
William Mammen AIA
Mammen Associates Architecture
Park City UT
-------------------------------------------