Small Firm Exchange

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Who We Are

The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:

1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.

2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.

3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.

Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (less than 10 employees), which equates to 14,459 small firms within the organization.

~26.8% = sole practitioners = 5,173

~33.5% = 1-5 employees = 6,459

~14.7% = 5-10 employees = 2,827

For context, small firms share of staff is 16.0% and share of billings is 12.0%

We need to find ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do.

   

  

Have a great permit process story to share?

  • 1.  Have a great permit process story to share?

    Posted 01-05-2015 09:32 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee on Design and Small Firm Round Table .
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    I'm gathering 'Best Practice' permit streamlining examples for a program at the Atlanta convention, and would appreciate hearing about any examples you have experienced. 

    I'm particularly interested in hearing about use of 'Permit in a Day' programs (such as Dallas' QTeam; Raleigh 'Express Review); "Prequalification" programs where plans prepared according to a 'plan check friendly template' get expedited review while the jurisdiction experiences quicker processing (one example uses the AIA Florida's "Guide to  Creating Code Compliant Documents"); and "Professional Certification" programs that are 'architect friendly' in how they are structured and implemented. 

    With staff reductions of up to 80% in some building jurisdictions during the recession, there is increasing interest in finding ways to operate more efficiently and effectively in permit processing, which can be a 'win win' - with benefits to community economic development, jobs, adding to the high performance building stock, and lowering costs for both public and private sector.

    Thanks for taking a moment to share, even if only a sentence or two.  If your story touches more on the 'dark side' of programs that are not so architect friendly - that's of interest as well.


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    Michael Malinowski AIA
    AIACC President Elect
    Applied Architecture, Inc.
    Sacramento CA
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