Andrew and Fellow Architects,
I, as much as anyone, feel the pressure of costs with my small firm - it's been tight. I have more than justified the cost of my AIA membership becuase I work at getting quite a bit out of it.
Adopting a full Libertarian attitude only opens the door for untrained people to push us out and take over our jobs (contractors are trying all the time). Building codes help protect the public, and the consequence is that they also protect our profession's legal reason for being. Our society has gotten very litigious, so we now have to test and certify everything - it protects us and the product the client gets from "crap" being put onto the job. I wish there was an alternate route for true crafted items like the doors an windows you make Andrew. I don't like having that discouraged. AIA is taking a very hard look at the small firm - that was very evident at Grassroots last week. I'm expecting improvements coming soon. On another note - check ot the new video in the works for describing what an Architect is in what they call an "elevator speech"....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S4Nc6uf51G4 -------------------------------------------
Adam Trott AIA
Adam J. Trott Architect
Erie PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-26-2013 12:40
From: Andrew Peklo
Subject: Re:Frustrated
While we are discussing the AIA's value to the small practitioner and the industry in general. Where is the AIA when the code people extend the arm of regulation? The trend in codes, CE and every day life is to mandate a rule based on a special interest group and as a result create government sponsored (private) industry with a captive group. Where was the AIA when the over reaching new lead law was being discussed? Does the AIA ever get involved in something that would make a difference? The other day at an AIA seminar on the new residential code it was explained that a section indicated that all new doors and windows will have to be tested by an independent agency (mandated reg. based on a special interest who would be guaranteed a market). The only out was a "decretive" window or door. No longer even a site built one would be possible. That kind of thinking only benefits the large manufacturer. When questioned, the presenter responded, I guess you could make a lot of decretive doors and windows. I support part of my practice by making doors and windows because most store bought doors and windows are over priced or crap or both. So much for being GREEN. The greenest door or window is one someone doesn't want to or have to replace in 10 years. If the AIA does participate in the Code discussions they are part of the problem. At this point, as with the laws we live by, for every new law or regulation implemented, one should be taken off the books. It's all about control. The AIA should be in the business of promoting individual control and not their own or government control.
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Andrew Peklo AIA
Peklo Design & Joinery, P.C.
Woodbury CT
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