|
|
|
|
Well said, Eric. At present, all my work is coming from builders. They have more skin in the game than we architects do and are very proactive in advertising and selling. Rather than consider them competition we need to realize that they own the residential market and that we would be better off to join with them to better exert influence on both the design and quality of homes. This is not "giving up" anything. Most of the builders I know want to provide their clients a home that is well built, sustainable, energy efficient, affordable and meets their needs. We architects have, or should have, the same goals but with aesthetics and architectural taste added to the mix. The typical builder thinks that architects charge too much, have no concern for construction costs, are ego driven and produce plans that are so detailed that they the builder have no flexibilty or freedom in the field. If we can change this perception with builders then the public will soon follow. So, I say join and become active in the local home builder's association. Find out where their concerns lie then volunteer to speak before them on topics that matter to them, become an expert in their eyes and they will soon turn to you for help. Finally, be realistic about fees. Find out what builders are currently paying for design services then charge a little bit more. You can raise your fees later when the builder finally realizes the value that an architect to the project. Thad Broom AIA Architect Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C. Virginia Beach VA -------------------------------------------
Show Original Message
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-09-2012 08:49
From: Eric Rawlings
Subject: Residential design awards
Not to beat this dead horse a few more times, but modern isn't really a style, it's a category of styles. Wright invented the first residential modernist style and it's inspiration came in part from the Arts & Crafts movement. Folks like Neutra & Shindler came to America to work for Wright and then went to CA to begin the modernist American version of the International Style. They dropped the detail synonymous with the Prairie Style and the Arts & Crafts movement, creating a distinction between them. Many Architects consider Prairie to be a traditionalist style now as the term modern seems to be associated with purism and the lack of heavy detail, yet there are plenty of average Americans that see Prairie as the most God awful modern thing they ever saw, especially here in the SE.
Style is all about perception. I think one thing is for sure, we're in a style rut. We wouldn't be hearing from so many on this subject if we were satisfied with the direction Architecture is heading in now. We couldn't be more disconnected from the average person, so we go in one direction, while they go in another with neither meeting in the middle. We are out of touch because we think it's our job to force a design ideology on the public and it's not resonating. At what point do you wake up and realize that maybe something isn't working? A new style, new forms will more likely emerge and survive if we evolve together with the public rather than fight them. In short, we need to be designing a whole lot more housing at all levels of income and most of our business models are designed around millionaire and billionaire clients.
How much faster can you get mass quantities of Architecture on the ground than to design houses? What better way to encourage the public to engage in better design than to design the buildings they use everyday and fall in love with. I don't know anyone who has fallen in love with their bank, grocery store, or Exxon station, but I have seen people fall in love with the most God awful houses because there's no place like home. BTW-the busiest Architects I know right now are busy designing houses for regular people and builders. Housing is coming back all around the country, but it's not all new starts. There are many renovations happening and these projects are never in the stat sheets. I've given old worn out house face lifts and even sex changes. Builders are looking for better design and can't find Architects that can provide the basic drawings they need for a fair price. Remember, builders can build from a napkin sketch if needed. Jurisdictions are requiring more sophisticated drawings and some require ResCheck reports now. We are best suited to provide these services if we can just come down to reality and understand that houses don't need commercial grade sets of drawings. If we don't step in to fill this gap, someone else will.
If you're out of work, then there's nothing to lose. All you need is a computer with a drafting program. You don't even need a large format printer or an office for that matter. Start with some moonlighting if you're sick of the Architorture firms. I was like many of you for over a decade. I couldn't give up the regular check, but the best thing that ever happened to me was losing my consulting job in Jan 2009, when almost a million Americans lost jobs. What I didn't realize is how many clients become interested in you once they know you're available full time. If they know you're serious about you're business and their project isn't going to sit on the sideline because your full time job is more important, then they're much more comfortable to hire you. The work is out there and it's not that hard to find. Start with the builders and those jobs will lead to better ones.
-------------------------------------------
Eric Rawlings AIA
Owner
Rawlings Design, Inc.
Decatur GA
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-08-2012 07:47
From: John Richert
Subject: Residential design awards
What I don't understand in these discussions is why we architects fight so much. I love all styles of architecture when they are done well. I see good and bad both ways. Yes, bad traditional architecture is very pervasive in our society. But ... why do die hard modernists not understand that Modern is just another style. It is not inherently better, more progressive or more "moral". How the hell do you apply morality to a style of architecture anyway? The only way you can is if you ignore the fact that Modern is a style in the same way that Shingle or Prairie is a style.
At its best all architecture pushes spacial envelopes, explores light and responds uniquely to a specific clients needs/desires. The application of traditional details or modern details (or lack thereof) is just style. No style being inherently better than the other. We all wear our own style of clothing to fit our personal tastes ... we don't all need to wear the same style of house.
If we could all just grasp this simple fact, it would end a lot of confusion both within the industry and without.
-------------------------------------------
John Richert AIA
Owner
Crossroads Design, Inc.
Lake Forest IL
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2012 07:19
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Residential design awards
Yes Perry, I couldn't agree more. In this regard, why doesn't the AIA allow those of us in the HKC and CRAN to select the yearly panel of judges who then in turn decide who deserves some acclaim for their accomplishments?
-------------------------------------------
Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Rand Soellner Architect
Cashiers NC
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2012 12:23
From: Perry Cofield
Subject: Residential design awards
-------------------------------------------
Perry Cofield AIA
Design Ways & Means Architects
Arlington VA
-------------------------------------------
Allen has hit the nail on the head about residential design awards- "for our enjoyment". Trouble is the awards do not remain private. The opinions of the jury (often modernist award winners or academics) get published in the local press. And the difference re the old days is that the public could relate more to Greek Revival or Prarie then than Modernism now (methinks). Modernism is a masculine skillset, so we cut our nose to spite our face in terms of outreach to the public. Remember, 50% of the deciders in residential are female. If the AIA and the academy could separate residential from commercial criteria, we would be far better off. This would also demonstrate a little common sense!
|
|
Be the first person to recommend this.
|