Small Project Design

Original Message------

Hello All ---

After rooting-through some old files, I found some of my Pro-Bono projects, for assorted charitable groups and non-profits, and wondered how others have done with such work.

My experiences were, sad to say, high on service and low on appreciation.

Any good stories out there?

Thanks ---

Bill

william j. devlin aia, inc.,

ARCHITECT

Springfield, MA

A mixed bag, but mostly VERY POSITIVE!  The ones that stand out in my mind include:
(1) An addition on a vacation home originally designed and hand-built by a prominent and much respected architect in our community that had been acquired by a non-profit for use as a "retreat" after the original owner's death.  The new not-for-profit owner couldn't afford to pay us, but occasionally offered us a weekend stay -- very nice to spend a relaxing weekend in the woods in an especially architecturally interesting house!
(2) A barrier-free addition on the home of a high school classmate who had a paralyzing spinal injury in his 40's.  Our firm designed the addition, and the community built it with 100% donated materials and labor -- very gratifying!
(3) Remodeling design services for domestic violence shelters.  Typically these are grassroots, shoestring operations.  BUT that experience enabled us to have qualifications for the paying jobs when those came along, as well as great recommendations from organizations that really appreciated our help. 

In our firm we have always believed that "giving back to our community" is an important part of our professional obligation.  So I encourage all  firms to do pro bono work.  (We also some turned down requests that seemed a bit squirrely, but tried to do about one pro bono project a year. )


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Martha Peck Andrews FAIA
Portland, Oregon
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2017 17:31
From: John Feick
Subject: Anyone with Pro-Bono stories?

I have found it is a mixed bag.  Some of each. 

The ones that really appreciate my time make it worth-while. 

My only complaint is they all soon forget what you did for them. Then when there is a paying job you are lucky if you get invited to provide a proposal.

John A. Feick, AIA, CSI, LEED AP

224 East Water Street

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

419-625-2554 (w)

419-656-3017 (c)

feickja@aol.com

 

Original Message------

Hello All ---

After rooting-through some old files, I found some of my Pro-Bono projects, for assorted charitable groups and non-profits, and wondered how others have done with such work.

My experiences were, sad to say, high on service and low on appreciation.

Any good stories out there?

Thanks ---

Bill

william j. devlin aia, inc.,

ARCHITECT

Springfield, MA

Original Message------

I have found it is a mixed bag.  Some of each. 

The ones that really appreciate my time make it worth-while. 

My only complaint is they all soon forget what you did for them. Then when there is a paying job you are lucky if you get invited to provide a proposal.

John A. Feick, AIA, CSI, LEED AP

224 East Water Street

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

419-625-2554 (w)

419-656-3017 (c)

feickja@aol.com

 

Definitely! Been much appreciated working for non-profits and religious groups.

Ralph Mechur
Ralph Mechur Architects
3400 Airport Avenue, Suite 5
Santa Monica, CA 90405
t: 310-398-2940
c: 310-721-1254


Original Message------

Hello All ---

After rooting-through some old files, I found some of my Pro-Bono projects, for assorted charitable groups and non-profits, and wondered how others have done with such work.

My experiences were, sad to say, high on service and low on appreciation.

Any good stories out there?

Thanks ---

Bill

william j. devlin aia, inc.,

ARCHITECT

Springfield, MA

For years AIA Minnesota has run a weekend Charente  called Search for Shelter.  Teams members, students, landscape architects work on projects for local non profits who have an idea and need some graphic information to help sell the idea for a shelter, home or park to others.  It has worked.   If and when the non profit assembles money they eventually hire a firm to proceed.  I don't know as anyone has every tracked if those that did the volunteer work end up work, but that is not the intent.

Back in 1991 the local chapter AIA Saint Paul started giving awards for public awareness as much as anything.   The State wouldn't let us give awards for architecture or design.  One of the awards we devised was an award to an architect for his volunteer work.   We looked for someone who sat on planning commissions, neighborhood groups applying his knowledge on activities that wouldn't lead to architectural work.   We named the award the Lou Lundgren Award.  Lou Lundgren, FAIA interest in housing for everyone led to the Search for Shelter mentioned above.

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Peter Carlsen AIA
Carlsen & Frank Architects
Saint Paul MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2017 19:06
From: Ralph Mechur
Subject: Anyone with Pro-Bono stories?

Definitely! Been much appreciated working for non-profits and religious groups.

Ralph Mechur
Ralph Mechur Architects
3400 Airport Avenue, Suite 5
Santa Monica, CA 90405
t: 310-398-2940
c: 310-721-1254


Original Message------

Hello All ---

After rooting-through some old files, I found some of my Pro-Bono projects, for assorted charitable groups and non-profits, and wondered how others have done with such work.

My experiences were, sad to say, high on service and low on appreciation.

Any good stories out there?

Thanks ---

Bill

william j. devlin aia, inc.,

ARCHITECT

Springfield, MA