Ohio Valley Region Practice Innovation Lab
by Matt Toddy, AIA, NCARB
How do we envision a new future from the present we already know?
This was the challenge laid out by Matt Williams of Brand Federation to the room of students, AIA associate members, architects, and members of the College of Fellows at the recent Ohio Valley Region Practice Innovation Lab. In September, teams gathered from across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky to spend two days anticipating what this future could look like and planning how architects might lead the way in redefining the creative industry. The objective: present a business plan for the new future of architectural practice.
How do organizations thrive in the creative age?
One of the major themes to emerge from the workshop involved challenging basic assumptions about the services architects provide. Several teams looked at product – the role of physical drawings and the impact of the ever-shifting technological landscape. Other teams focused on practice – the architect’s how and why, and the ever-developing role of the architect in the creative process.
How does the role of the organization adapt to changing trends?
It’s worth noting that each team took care to address the role of the creative team in the design process. Teams challenged typical design-bid-build models, which limit project team members to their respective silos, in favor of fully integrated models featuring collaboration between owners, designers, engineers, contractors, fabricators, and artisans from the project onset.
What can we do that’s never been done?
Teams delivered their conceptual business plans to an audience of architects, engineers, contractors, and allied professionals as a keynote presentation of the biennial AIA Ohio Valley Regional Convention. Amidst the energy and momentum in the room it was clear the challenge is daunting. How will you join the conversation?
For more information on the Ohio Valley Region Practice Innovation Lab,
check out the recap video. The workshop was a joint effort of the Young Architects Forum and the National Associates Committee, and was sponsored in part by Victor, the CNA Insurance Companies, and the AIA Trust, providers of the AIA Trust Professional Liability Insurance Program.
In their own words | Highlights from the Practice Innovation Lab
Team CalamitasTeam Calamitas imagined an architectural firm with a “boots on the ground” and ready to work approach for when disaster strikes. Calamitas would work with cities which have experienced natural disasters or anticipate natural disasters by developing plans of response, recovery, and resilience. With a response effort championed by local architects and community members, a team of contractors, engineers, and volunteers could be rallied to respond quickly.
Partnerships with other relief efforts would be formed to save or rebuild elements of the built environment as quickly as possible. Focus would be on craftsmanship and re-use of existing materials. Following the damage response, a plan would be set in place to help the communities heal and prepare for any future disasters.
- Rebecca Hughes, Associate AIA, and Matt Zix, Associate AIA
Team MASHWith the typical delivery model of a building, external conflict is commonplace. Miscommunication and unneeded paperwork create roadblocks and therefore design quality suffers. We believe with the current way buildings are delivered, and the current way specialties are organized, these challenges are inherent to the process. MASH represents a new way of setting up a firm that is oriented toward delivering a building as a product, rather than drawings as a service. To do this, MASH integrates the two main types of minds that deliver architecture: the conceptualizers and the makers. Placing these types of people at equal standing becomes paramount. Architects and consultants sit in the same office as plumbers and electricians. To achieve this level of involvement and equality, a new delivery model must be established – one that at its conclusion will provide a complete building and all data acquired through the process.
With all players under one roof, changes are less detrimental and design quality is sustained. Because of this, the owner receives a building that is efficiently designed, and efficiently built. Our firm aims to strengthen the delivery of buildings and ultimately, deliver our client’s full vision.
- Michael Bednar, Associate AIA and Lauren Miller, AIA,
Author bio:
Matt Toddy, AIA, NCARBToddy is a graduate of The Ohio State University and architect at Columbus, Ohio’s Design Collective. He is the 2020-21 Strategic Vision Director for AIA National’s Young Architects Forum.