Perry and others, I just received this e-mail from John Henry, an architects of custom homes in Orlando. He cannot seem to get on the AiA website, so I have copied and pasted HIS comments here, so that he will have a voice on this subject:
Rand, I really cannot figure out how to post in the AIA blog but in your defense of this subject, I offer the following:
While Palladio had his Quattro Libre, and was able to instruct a banal world how to revive classical architecture, his book started a revolution in printing various designs for buildings through the last few centuries that has gone beyond the original concept.
Palladio wanted to leave a legacy in print, which included much theory, as Vitruvius did. And he offered schematic plan layouts of his projects with a front elevation. He did NOT offer to sell any detailed plans to interested parties though. He hoped they would contact him directly to create new variations of the classical ideal.
Today's marketing mess NO DOUBT has contributed to the deflation of an Architect's work and value.
These plan hacks are hawking basic permit plans at ridiculously low prices. They cross advertise on each other's web sites and in plan books everywhere.
The bottom line is that the consumer is led to believe that a $600 set of drawings is the 'norm'.
No wonder people migrate to drafting monkeys demanding a rediculously low fee.
And the 'semi' and 'custom' builders employ the same to create the mish mash of housing littering our suburbs and rural areas.
I have been tempted to do this as many 'competitors' have derived huge profits from this scheme.
But for several reasons, I have not given in to this.
A. It contributes to the notion that home design services are a low value proposition and that architect's fees therefore are insanely high.
B. I do not want my designs copied without authorization by either the network of plan hacks that distribute this stuff and their minions who will appropriate the work without conscience.
C. You then throw yourselves all into the snake pit of plan hackery and demean your own practice.
D. You are part of 'them' and will never shake off the fact that you can be bought off for very little.
If the AIA buys into this nonsense and self defeating scheme I will permanently stay away from this inept organization.
--
John Henry Design International, Inc.
7491 Conroy Rd. Orlando Fl. 32835
TEL: 407 421-6647
FAX: 305 425-5855
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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2012 13:41
From: Perry Cofield
Subject: Submissions for New Book
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Perry Cofield AIA
Design Ways & Means Architects
Arlington VA
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SINCE WHEN ARE ARCHITECTS FAVORING THE SUPRESSION OF FREE SPEECH? Rand, this is no way to win friends and influence people. The writing of design guides with examples is a time-honored tradition in our field. Ask Corbu, Chas Moore, Venturi, Duo Dickinson, and any number of other current writers. I have had dinner with Mr. Hirsch at two Reinventions, he is a fine gentleman. The AIA bookstore would not carry his first book, possibly because there was nothing "rad" being advocated. But he sells the books he writes as part of his living. He is an architect as much Steven Holl. Loosen up, Randy baby!
Original Message:
Sent: 12-14-2012 10:23
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Submissions for New Book
Folks, I don't know if any of you have actually had anyone contact you after seeing your work in a plan book. I hope that works for you. Unfortunately, what it appears to do, in my opinion, is to cheapen the perceived value of what architects do and turn it into a commodity, or worse: for free. I can't tell you how many clients and potential clients have come to me with a page torn out of one of those books, saying: "I'd like something like this, but change this here and there."
I have to explain to them that such an act is illegal, that the creator of that design owns it; it is at the very least common law copyrighted. And usually, we can then proceed to do what should be done, which is to program what they really want, then design something that is tailor-made for them.
Any of us that would consent to using another's work, even with a few changes is guilty of copyright infringement, which applies to derivative works as well. Just check out: Section 102 of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.
I believe that the Public has no understanding of this, and perceives that once they see something in a book that they have seen or bought, that THEY now own it and can use it. Such plan book floor plans and images end up in people's scrapbook, labled: "Ideas for our house." Which they then take to their builder, drafter, or possibly an architect. The little cost of such books, I believe, gives people the erroneous assumption that ALL other architectural "plans" from any of us should cost about the same as what they have spent to acquire such materials. Beware. This is not a good thing, in my opinion. Okay: now let the zombies among us rain down on me about how we should be working for minimum wage..
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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-13-2012 08:58
From: David Andreozzi
Subject: Submissions for New Book
Hi Kathleen,
Are you looking for someone to organize a new book of architect's designs to be sold as stock plans or are you looking for the architects and their designs so you can do it yourself?
Dave
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David Andreozzi AIA
Owner
Andreozzi Architects
Barrington RI
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-12-2012 12:25
From: Kathleen Dorgan
Subject: Submissions for New Book
All - You might find it interesting to know that for a time the AIA endorsed The Architects' Small House Service Bureau for modest homes. Complete working drawings could be ordered from the Small Homes of Architectural Distinction: A Book of Suggested Plans. The original 1929 plan compendium (which includes an endorsement by then Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover along with that of the AIA Board of Directors) was re-published in 1987 by Dover as Authentic Small Houses of the Twenties. I use it frequently as a reference.
I think the idea of the Housing KC reaching out to home improvement shows is excellent. Anyone interested in volunteering for such an initiative should contact me.
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Kathleen Dorgan AIA
Principal/Chair
Dorgan Architecture & Planning
Storrs CT
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-11-2012 09:13
From: Thad Broom
Subject: Submissions for New Book
I wish I had the time to put together a plan book as that appears to be one sure way to penetrate the housing market. My gripes with plan book homes are that all tend to look alike, usually use way too many different materials, especially on the front facades, and the documentation needs major overhaul to meet today's codes.
Btw, this thread was started by William Hirsch looking for material for his new book. I have attended one of his CE classes and I can attest that he is one of us. His designs are first rate, the detailing in his homes is fantastic and he firmly believes in a architect led design apprach. His last book put forth his philosophy in a manner that can be understood by the layman and I applaud hime for that.
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Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-10-2012 13:23
From: Peter Carlsen
Subject: Submissions for New Book
A ways down Thad says that architects have never played a major role in home design. In a talk by Jerry Messman, AIA at our Lake Superior Design Retreat stated that his firm then located in Des Moines was responsible for the design of some 30 percent of the constructed residences in the US. His firm turned out plans for the plan books and developers for every imaginable type of user. Maybe the claim is exaggerated but I bet their influence has been significant if not noticed by the "design" profession.
The success of the firm led to the principals starting a challenge to build one house in one day for $100 in africa. They never quite achieved the goal, but the attempt led to an intriguing development they called Abode. The efforts on the project waned with the plunge of the economy.
Peter
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Peter Carlsen AIA
Carlsen & Frank Architects
Saint Paul MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-07-2012 08:31
From: Rand Soellner
Subject: Submissions for New Book
Yep. You get it, Thad. I share your frustrations. Also, there appears to hardly ever be any licensed anyones involved in those shows. It makes me wonder if there is some agenda there? Hopefully not.
I might add that those shows are also a disservice to the public's Health, Safety & Welfare. As if a major restaurant renovation would be allowed to happen start to finish in 48 hours! And with no architects, engineers or legitimate contractors or building permits or inspections. Or that a "designer person" could properly handle major structural revisions to aging homes of 4 stories, along with plumbing, electrical, flashing and waterproofing details (Details? We don't need no stinking details!) and completely renovate those within a week or so on a $10k budget. They never mention that the show staff's labor is free, along with many other things that most clients would have to pay for.
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Rand Soellner AIA
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-06-2012 09:26
From: Thad Broom
Subject: Submissions for New Book
As a minimum, the HGTV shows should educate their audience as to what it really takes to design and document their projects in order to price out and get through the code review process let alone build the project.. It's a real disservice to the design profession to see the host pull out an artsy rendering of the project and everyone goes to work like that is all that is needed.
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Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-05-2012 09:19
From: Anthony Chinn
Subject: Submissions for New Book
Perhaps another way to promote the benefits of architectural services to the public is for the AIA (or the Housing Knowledge Community) to have dialogue with the mass media providers, including HGTV and the producers of "designer" programs, with the goal of incorporating more architects, and fewer designers and builders, in television programs.
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Anthony Chinn AIA
President
AAC Architects, Ltd.
St. Charles IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-04-2012 09:15
From: Thad Broom
Subject: Submissions for New Book
Have to weigh in with Eric on this. Architects have never been the leader when it comes to housing and no amount of ranting and wishing will make will make us so. Even many of the old "period" houses that we admire today were designed by the builders using pattern books. The only way to have a major voice in the market is to team up with the builders and provide a service that both they and the public need and appreciate. I don't find it hard and I haven't had to compromise my standards of design or documentation.
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Thad Broom AIA
Architect
Thad A. Broom AIA, P.C.
Virginia Beach VA
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