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The Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC) identifies and develops information on the business of architecture for use by the profession to maintain and improve the quality of the professional and business environment.  The PMKC initiates programs, provides content and serves as a resource to other knowledge communities, and acts as experts on AIA Institute programs and policies that pertain to a wide variety of business practices and trends.

    

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Hybrid Practice Policies

  • 1.  Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-24-2021 04:43 PM
    Has your firm decided to adopt hybrid or all virtual practice moving forward? I'm just wondering about how many firms have actually decided to make permanent policies regarding a combination of working in the office and WFH or have even decided to remain all remote. Are those new policies becoming written statements as part of the entire firm culture? Will employees leave firms that require work in the office every day for those with hybrid (in office some days; work from home other days) work schedules?

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Kretschmer AIA
    Principal Architect
    J. Kretschmer Architect
    Los Gatos CA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-25-2021 05:50 PM
    Last year we discussed the option of working remotely with the staff.  We are 11 people currently and one felt the need to work remotely as a result of a family member who is immune compromised.  The rest elected to stay in office with an upgraded policy for working.  This involved a temperature check upon arrival, masks unless in you work space.  We have plenty of space so it was easy to stay away from each other in separate offices and cubicles.  The rest in the end, did not want distractions while working at home, have to set up a work space, and preferred the separation of work and personal that the office offers.   The person working remotely provided some challenges but we made it work.  He came back but has returned to home for a while until his family member can get a booster brought on as a result of the Delta variant.  All in all it is a way but most of the office prefers being in office for the ease of communications and collaboration.

    ------------------------------
    Joe Williams, AIA
    Principal
    A/R/C Associates, Incorporated
    Orlando, Florida
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-26-2021 08:54 AM

    We had a 2 day a week work from home policy before the pandemic and since bringing everyone back full time on May 3rd we have just kept that same policy in place.

     

     

     

     

     

    CHIP DESMONE

     

    CEO

    AIA, NCARB, LEED-AP

    O: 412.683.3230 | C: 412.889.3374

    cdesmone@desmone.com

    3400 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201

    desmone.com

     

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-27-2021 06:24 PM
    I sat in on a recent roundtable about this topic where interesting ideas were discussed. I too am recently semi-retired and the last firm I worked with did alternating weeks where half the staff would be alternating 3 days in / 2 days out while the other half did 2-days in/3-days out.  The weeks would alternate as well  

    Additional discussion in the roundtable included not only the topic of what the studio staff needed to be successful at doing their work, but also the topic of what supervisors/managers need in order to be successful for what they do. Such as supervisor/manager expectations to manage projects and the project team, plus being able to measure the advancement of project work quality/budget/schedule.  

    One other discussion was on expectations by the supervisors/managers on what they need to be successful at managing and mentoring individuals assigned to them. One other topic that we agreed needs more vetting is how supervisors/managers will mentor junior staff to advance in the firm and the profession and the studio in regards to advancing their skill and knowledge in practice, design, technology, marketing and management.

    --
    Michael Katzin, AIA, NCARB
    Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC
    Johns Creek, GA



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-26-2021 04:10 PM
    I am now retired (a bit over 1-1/2 years), but recently talked to current employees of the firm from which I retired.  It is a firm of over 100 employees in Minneapolis, MN.  Recently it was announced that all employees will be required to work a minimum of 24 hours per week in the office, but can work the remainder from home.  I'm not sure of the specific start date of this policy, but it is sometime early this Fall.

    ------------------------------
    Craig Hess AIA
    Woodbury MN
    [Minneapolis]
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-27-2021 02:28 PM

    This is a timely post Jennifer,

    Our firm falls into the totally virtual category.  For ten years now, I have had no employees and the COVID shutdown did nothing to disrupt the work of my firm. Its contracted collaborators continue to enjoy the benefits of owning and managing their own companies with the work-life balance that allows them to raise young children and/or travel while meeting project deadlines...they would never even consider working as employees for someone else again.

     

    After the Great Recession I formed Macrae ARCHitecture, a national virtual firm where all collaborators are independent contractors. The Virtual Architectural Practice Model has been called "An Incubator of Solopreneurs". After the COVID-19 shutdown...I now call the Model, "Resiliency for Architecture Firms".

     

    I'm anxious to hear of other alternative practice models that have arisen as an outgrowth of the pandemic and the WFH mandate.

     

    The age of the Entrepreneurial Architect has arrived.

     

     

     

    Peter
     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-30-2021 05:59 PM

    Peter:

     

    Very impressive feedback on Jenifer's query.

     

    Can you please outline some of my questions at your convenience?

    • How do you maintain consistency of design documents and contract documents using contracted workforce?
    • Do they remain available to you all the time?
    • How does team collaboration and knowledge transfer occur? – for project to project as well as senior to emerging professionals
    • Do you personally have to remain a pivot point for all projects, tasks and collaboration?
    • How are the solopreneurs compensated? If they are on task bases then how do you manage change?

     

    It will be very helpful for the group if you publish a white paper on running a virtual practice.

     

    Regards,

     

    Fenil Patel

    Ambik Developers, LLC

    Design-Build Construction Management

     

    377 ½ Valley Road, Clifton, NJ 07013

    fenil@ambikgroup.com | 201.743.8855

     




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-31-2021 02:08 PM

    Fenil...Thanks for your interest in the Virtual Architectural Practice Model.  To make this simple, please see my answers to your bullet point questions below in BOLD:

     

    Can you please outline some of my questions at your convenience?

    • How do you maintain consistency of design documents and contract documents using contracted workforce?  This really has not been an issue...Because project teams are assembled unique to the requirements of each project, clients benefit with a project corps whose members are uniquely skilled for their individual project roles. They are engaged as specialists and not assigned, just because they are on the payroll. Clients benefit from skilled talent working flexible hours who possess abilities required for the task at hand and thus are, Role-Fulfillment Experts.  Therefore, my senior collaborators act as quality control managers for the office product.
    • Do they remain available to you all the time?  Yes...I am copied on all project correspondence and if I need to intervene, I will always go to my Project Manager...I do not undercut their project relationship with the Client's project rep.
    • How does team collaboration and knowledge transfer occur? – for project to project as well as senior to emerging professionals.  The development of emerging professionals leading them to a varied professional experience is the one item that I have not yet developed effectively within the Model.  Because even though I use recent architectural graduates  for the skills they already possess (like their utilization of the latest "gee-wiz" modeling software) I do not place them in roles with which they are unfamiliar.  I would welcome ideas from others on how this could be handled effectively in a virtual model without adding redundant overhead or diminishing the expertise of the Client's custom selected project team.
    • Do you personally have to remain a pivot point for all projects, tasks and collaboration?  I do not.  I have learned to delegate with confidence understanding that the roles undertaken in the project delivery process by those most qualified to perform them make them the experts for their portion of the work...just as I am the expert for my role in the firm...unlike the traditional Architect who "hangs out his shingle" I am not tempted to "do it all" to keep overhead as low as possible...I have little or no fixed overhead in the Virtual Architectural; Practice Model so I get do both what I like best and do the best.
    • How are the solopreneurs compensated? If they are on task bases then how do you manage change?  Collaborators fees are separately negotiated for their portion of the delivery process before the project commences...these are 1099 contractors just like the engineering consultants.  Design changes are billed and thus compensated hourly.

     

    Really glad you reached out... if you would like more detail as to how the Virtual Architectural Practice Model works, please see the two links below one to the AIA YAF 2020 Q4 Journal  and the other a link to a global podcast where I was the interviewee.

     

    Hopefully you can see why a new generation of entrepreneurial, emerging professionals seeking an early entre into firm ownership, might find my practice model intriguing.

     

     

    page 38 below

    https://issuu.com/youngarchitectsforum/docs/q4_2020_practice_innovation

     

    also this global Podcast:

     

    https://actionsprove.com/podcast/episode-030-the-virtual-practice-model-for-architects-and-engineers-its-already-here/

     

     

    Thanks,

     

     

     

    Peter

     

    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC

     

    Peter S. Macrae, AIA

    Principal

    "MARCHing with a different perspective"

     

    74 Orchard Drive

    Worthington, OH 43085

     

    614-205-6805 phone

    614-848-8113 fax

     

    www.macraearchitecture.com



    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-31-2021 05:48 PM
    also (somewhat a point for discussion) would this conflict with standard architectural licensing laws - where when you seal drawings and they are "under substantial  control" - but then, per federal employment law, for them to be contractors, they are to be independent and operate on their own schedule, initiative and judgement per FLSA... https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/13-flsa-employment-relationship 

    There have been a few cases, generally at the employees initiation, that challenge these, typically for the "contractor" not providing overtime for the "contractee"






    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-31-2021 06:07 PM
    I'm glad you raised the "employment" question, Paul.
    Yes, if my contracted collaborators were only engaged in my company's projects and their working lives were totally under my direction and supervision, they would be employees.  But, I have mentored all collaborators on how to start and maintain their own companies.  I give them a scope of work seeking a formal proposal upon which their services agreement with my company is based...per project.  I have never asked them what else or whose other projects they may be working on...why?...because it is none of my business...they are truly consultants.

    In 2015 NCARB called my Virtual Architectural Practice Model, "An Incubator of Solopreneurs".  While that was not my intent when I started my company ten years ago, I am very proud that the first of those collaborating companies are now celebrating their tenth anniversaries with me...pretty cool.

    Thanks,



    Peter
     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-31-2021 07:14 PM
    Please change the beginning of my second paragraph below to read, "In 2015 my Virtual Architectural Practice model was called,"

    Taking NCARB out of the response.

    Thanks,



    Peter 


    On Tue, Aug 31, 2021, 6:06 PM Peter Macrae <pmacrae@macraearchitecture.com> wrote:
    I'm glad you raised the "employment" question, Paul.
    Yes, if my contracted collaborators were only engaged in my company's projects and their working lives were totally under my direction and supervision, they would be employees.  But, I have mentored all collaborators on how to start and maintain their own companies.  I give them a scope of work seeking a formal proposal upon which their services agreement with my company is based...per project.  I have never asked them what else or whose other projects they may be working on...why?...because it is none of my business...they are truly consultants.

    In 2015 NCARB called my Virtual Architectural Practice Model, "An Incubator of Solopreneurs".  While that was not my intent when I started my company ten years ago, I am very proud that the first of those collaborating companies are now celebrating their tenth anniversaries with me...pretty cool.

    Thanks,



    Peter
     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-01-2021 10:39 AM
    Paul's point about conflict with standard architectural licensing laws, is interesting in regard to sealing drawings and that the staff is "under substantial  control," by the architect of record. 

    Due to the pandemic and desires of junior staff and recent grads -  I am curious about the future of practice if our virtual tools advance even further than they have in the last 18 months.  

    1) Will virtual tools allow for documents to be created "under substantial control?"  

    2) If the current remote and virtual approaches become standard should the AIA be the leader in developing new standards and work with the state licensing boards and NCARB to develop a new category of minimum practice standards for firms as well as proprietorships that will continue to work remote and virtual?
    --------------------------------------------------------
    Michael Katzin, AIA | NCARB
    City of Johns Creek Planning Commission
    Johns Creek, GA
    --------------------------------------------------------




    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-02-2021 05:56 PM
    Tools such as Bluebeam, or even e-mailing pdf plots for markup and back-checking, afford the same amount of control as in the old days of getting a marked-up blueline diazo print from "the boss" to rework and complete the hand drafting.

    I'm currently working on a constructability review using Bluebeam and the ability to call up all of one's comments in order by drawing is useful.

    ------------------------------
    Joel Niemi AIA
    Joel Niemi Architect
    Snohomish, WA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-30-2021 06:18 PM
    While  i would  have  no interest  in your  particular  business model, it  would  be  very  interesting to hear more about the  nature  of  your work, your interactions with clients , contractors, consultants, permitting  organizations.  How much freedom do your  independent  contractor  architects  have  to operate as  they see  fit, if  they are  anything  more than production staff.



    Original Message


  • 15.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-31-2021 02:35 PM
    Eugene,
    Our firm does nearly all commercial projects in the private sector.  We have grown to 6 Teams...four of whom serve national restaurant accounts, one Team does high end corporate interiors and the sixth Team does one-of-a-kind projects.  The first five Teams are managed by mid-career professionals who live in four different states and five different cities.  I manage the sixth Team...why?...because it's the fun stuff and I can...LOL

    The project delivery process and the contracts with the Clients are the same as the traditional practice model.  All I did was to "shotgun" the Architectural delivery portion of the work into its component roles (principal, project manager, CADD tech, interior designer, graphic designer, etc) depending upon the specific requirements of the Client's project.  Then I seek a proposal from a collaborator qualified to perform each role and contract with them separately utilizing similar contracts to those used for the engineering consultants...1099 at tax time.

    Clients benefit from skilled talent working flexible hours who possess abilities required for the task at hand and thus are, Role-Fulfillment Experts for each of the Client's projects.

    If you would like more detail as to how the Virtual Architectural Practice Model works, please see the two links below one to the AIA YAF 2020 Q4 Journal  and the other a link to a global podcast where I was the interviewee.

     

    Hopefully you can see why a new generation of entrepreneurial, emerging professionals seeking an early entre into firm ownership, might find my practice model intriguing.

     

     

    page 38 below

    https://issuu.com/youngarchitectsforum/docs/q4_2020_practice_innovation

     

    also this global Podcast:

     

    https://actionsprove.com/podcast/episode-030-the-virtual-practice-model-for-architects-and-engineers-its-already-here/

     

     

    Thanks,

     

     


     

    Peter

     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-01-2021 10:47 PM
    It's certainly  understandable how this  works  for  you.  I'm curious  about  the  experience  from the  client  perspective.  How  do you maintain a  consistent client  relationship if  you are  contracting  with independent  practices to provide  service. Having  independent  contractors  responsible  for  your  relationships with clients sounds  iffy, and  maintaining  all of  those  relationships  on your  own sounds like  too much on your  plate.   





    Original Message


  • 17.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-02-2021 11:00 AM

    Eugene,

    Similar to larger firms with Clients who provide ongoing projects to those firms, my relationship is with the leadership of the Client's organization.  My firm's Contracted Collaborating, project managers' relationships are with the Client's project managers...assigned by both the Client and my firm on a project by basis.  I monitor the course of all projects by requiring that I be copied on all project email correspondence but I do not undercut my project managers...I convey any project concerns I may have to them to relay to their Client contacts. 

    This management system for the ongoing accounts is definitely not "too much on my plate", on the contrary, I started my entirely virtual practice when I was 58...and now approaching 70, I feel I have been semi-retired for over ten years now.

    Jennifer has initiated a very important discussion about potential changes to the manner in which the business of Architecture is practiced in the future...especially after the WFH lessons learned post pandemic.  I have offered the following to Architects who have reached out to me the past year with an interest in my particular Virtual Architectural Practice Model:

    "Your Practice is a Design Problem. So, remember... out of Crisis comes Opportunity"

    "Study the projected social and market changes likely to result once the post COVID-19 new normal arrives...then Create Your Response...and Jump!"

    I'm really looking forward to hearing about the creative models they create!!!

    Thanks for the dialogue,



    Peter
     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 18.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-02-2021 09:05 PM
    I'll answer both Michael's and Eugene's questions.....

    MIchael;
    1)  If the demand is there, a tool will come forth to address the question of virtual "substantial control" - may take a couple of iterations, but it will come, and probably sooner than we expect.
    2)  Yes, AIA should lead in developing new standards for practice, in concert with those architects who are already doing it successfully. If AIA doesn't lead, someone else will and weaken our status even more.

    Eugene:
    I suggest you talk to Peter Macrae directly about his 12+ years of experience with virtual practice as to how he manages the relationships among individual "solopreneurs" - it's not impossible.  In your area, there are other models of practice evolving - check them out.  If they're not for you, that's fine - but the model of practice is changing rapidly.

    ------------------------------
    Edmond Gauvreau, FAIA
    Washington, DC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 19.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-14-2021 08:50 AM
    I am curious how this model takes into account training staff and developing less experienced personnel - or perhaps it does not?

    ------------------------------
    Christina Amey AIA
    AIA South Jersey
    Ocean City NJ
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 20.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-14-2021 10:02 AM
    Very astute of you to point that out Christina,

    The development of emerging professionals and leading them through a varied professional experience is the one part of practice that I have not yet developed effectively within my Model.  Because even though I contract with recent architectural graduates frequently for the skills they already possess (like their utilization of the latest "gee-wiz" modeling software) I do not place them in roles with which they are unfamiliar.

    I would welcome ideas from others on how this could be handled effectively in a virtual model without adding redundant overhead or diminishing the expertise of the Client's custom selected project team.

    Thanks,



    Peter
     
    Macrae ARCHitecture, LLC
     
    Peter S. Macrae, AIA
    Principal
    "MARCHing with a different perspective"
     
    74 Orchard Drive
    Worthington, OH 43085
     
    614-205-6805 phone
    614-848-8113 fax
     



    Original Message


  • 21.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-15-2021 08:57 PM
    This conversation thread is becoming more and more intriguing to me. Seems like Peter has individuals, some maybe licensed and some maybe not licensed, that just simply like what they do and Peter gives them a platform to do it in a unique architectural practice format. 

    There is a simplicity in this for sure and simple can be great. Over the decades in traditional architectural 'firm' practice mentality and in various leadership positions it took a while for me to finally understand that not all individuals that enter the profession want to advance no matter how much they are encouraged. I came to realize that some individuals just find a zone of work and responsibility they like in architectural design and stay in that zone because that is what they love to do and want to do. The software design platforms and virtual tools we have at our fingertips and that continue to advance make this practice format really attractive to a lot of architectural design individuals.

    Michael L. Katzin, AIA | NCARB | City of Johns Creek Planning Commissioner








    Original Message


  • 22.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-16-2021 05:33 PM

    It's also true that not all firms value the mentoring of young professionals. An in-office, traditional firm setting does inherently mean growth and mentorship occurs.

     

    Regards,

    Pamela

     

    Pamela Leonard

    District Architect 

    U. S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi 

    c 662-202-6867

     

    For urgent issues please call my cell 

     




    Original Message


  • 23.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-16-2021 06:10 PM
    Pamela,
    That is not always the case - know a number of folks who changed firms because they either were not mentored, or simply not supported in their career goals.  I agree that the virtual model may not necessarily be the best for new practitioners, but I am sure there are models out there - you might contact Jason Winters, AIA, principal for the Kezlo Group LLC and former National AIA Secretary.  His firm is entirely virtual, and their web site shows employees who are definitely younger practitioners.
    In any event, mentoring has to be a conscious activity by the firm and baked into their DNA.
    Best,
    Ed

    ------------------------------
    Edmond Gauvreau, FAIA
    Washington, DC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 24.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 08-30-2021 06:14 PM
    Jennifer, 
    We are a firm of 35 in Dallas Tx area, and have several that work remotely FT prior to Covid.  Thus we had setup the ability for all employees to work remote prior to being shut down in march of 2020 (thankfully).  We were able to "work" but collaboration was difficult for design discussions, etc. Since September of 2020, we have been back to FT in office.   We have discussed a hybrid version of working remote, but there is difficulty in knowing who is productive, and how to manage teams effectively while remote.  We are still discussing, but we are also noticing other larger A/E offices now offering a 2-3 day remote week which may be the new normal!

    ------------------------------
    Mitchell Harding AIA
    HH Architects
    Garland TX
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 25.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-02-2021 04:43 PM
    Edited by Jennifer C. Kretschmer AIA 09-02-2021 06:27 PM
    All great points here and I really enjoyed reading all the responses.
    I asked this particular question for a few reasons. 1. I have run my practice as a virtual office since 2008. I currently have 6 licensed architects as independent contractors located all over the US working on my projects with me. They all seem to enjoy the flexibility of our work culture where they are working on their own projects and filling in their schedule working on mine. I'm curious about how unique is my business model 2. I belong to several architectural forums like this one where I see emerging professionals in the field of architecture discuss issues that pertain to them. Often, I hear complaints from many that their office is "forcing" them to return to in person work and that they prefer to stay at home. Some state that they will no longer work for any firm that won't let them also work from home. I wonder how firms are coping with this issue.

    As I read the replies here, I saw that there were some questions about whether independent contractors meet the definition "responsible control" or even whether remote staff meet that. Well, there's no where in the definition that states that someone needs to be in an office or that they need to be an employee. (from California: The phrase "responsible control" means that amount of control over the content of all architectural instruments of service during their preparation that is ordinarily exercised by architects applying the required professional standard of care.) 
    My independent contractors use my BIM template and follow my written production standards. I review and red mark their work for revisions. I control what is expected to be seen in the output of the instruments of service. And when they meet my standard of care, I stamp them. Thus I control the instruments.
    But I do not control when they work, where they work, how they work, what they use to work, and who else they work with. I have an HR attorney that helps me to properly classify my independent contractors so that I meet the requirements of law.
    Utilizing technology to its fullest to aid in project and task management is now easier than ever. Platforms like Monday and Podio give supervisors access to let staff know what they need to work on and when it needs to be done. Communication platforms like Slack and Basecamp can be instantaneous and be more fluid than texting or emails. Whiteboards/Pin up boards for design collaboration and charettes can be held in real time using Miro. These are very few of the many, many options out there.
    From what I see, the entire culture of work is changing. I noticed that since this pandemic started, my business model is no longer perceived as odd to my clients. Prior, I wouldn't specifically say that all my workers are remote. But now, I tell every potential client that we've been working this way for 13 years and that the pandemic didn't change anything for us. We are completely capable of working with clients remotely and that my team is well practiced in this structure and all experienced and licensed.

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Kretschmer AIA
    Principal Architect
    J. Kretschmer Architect
    Los Gatos CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 26.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-02-2021 06:18 PM
    Great points Jennifer - I love the studio atmosphere of the office, the mentoring and camaraderie that takes place there, and have missed it the 18 months we have been out.  We pivoted a 6,000 person office to virtual overnight, so no doubt it can be done, and there are definite benefits to having work from home.  

    Once we are over this pandemic (whenever the hell that is!)  I think that our brains have changed permanently - and while initially I had intended to return to the office full time, I am now thinking at best part time.  

    It is a new world and I think it may be the end of offices for small and mid size firms, and force large firms to consider their office footprint too.  Then you have to ask, why does any firm have a workforce, if we are all contractors like Uber, overhead and payroll taxes can be shed the owners profit and salaries greatly increased!  A major societal change is afoot.

             



    Original Message


  • 27.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-07-2021 03:42 PM
    Peter,

    While I've thought about a similar model of practice that you describe, what's stopped me from moving this idea forward is the thought of hiring non-licensed individuals as consultants to perform architectural services. It's not clear if the "soloprenuers" in your practice are licensed individuals. If not, it seems they may be running afoul of their state's practice act. The scope of services that you would need them to perform seems to easily fall within the realm of "Architectural Services" and "the practice of Architecture", regardless of any service descriptions like "collaborator" or "role fulfillment experts". It's different with employees. Non-licensed employees don't offer products or services. Business owners have to offer a product or service or why would they be in business? It seems that  the firm leader would need the soloprenuers to offer many of the services listed below as they directly engage with the client's counterparts and the other professional consultants. The firm leader could not from a practical perspective, be the only entity providing the architectural services on a project.

    Since I'm in California, our Practice Act defines an Architect and performing professional services as follows:

    Architects Practice Act
    Business and Professions Code
    Chapter 3, Division 3
    Article 1. General Provisions
    § 5500 Architect Defined
    As used in this chapter, architect means a person who is licensed to practice
    architecture in this state under the authority of this chapter.
    § 5500.1 Practice of Architecture Defined
    (a) The practice of architecture within the meaning and intent of this chapter is
    defined as offering or performing, or being in responsible control of,
    professional services which require the skills of an architect in the planning of
    sites, and the design, in whole or in part, of buildings, or groups of buildings
    and structures.
    (b) Architects' professional services may include any or all of the following:
    (1) Investigation, evaluation, consultation, and advice.
    (2) Planning, schematic and preliminary studies, designs, working drawings,
    and specifications.
    (3) Coordination of the work of technical and special consultants.
    (4) Compliance with generally applicable codes and regulations, and
    assistance in the governmental review process.
    (5) Technical assistance in the preparation of bid documents and agreements
    between clients and contractors.
    (6) Contract administration.
    (7) Construction observation.
    (c) As a condition for licensure, architects shall demonstrate a basic level of
    competence in the professional services listed in subdivision (b) in
    examinations administered under this chapter.



    ------------------------------
    Daniel Eriksson AIA
    Principal
    Comstock Johnson Architects, Inc.
    Mather CA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 28.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-08-2021 05:37 PM
    Here is an excerpt from Washington's law - i believe that many other states have similar "employee" related text:

    Application of chapter.

    This chapter shall not affect or prevent:
    (1) The practice of naval architecture, landscape architecture as authorized in chapter 18.96 RCW, engineering as authorized in chapter 18.43 RCW, or the provision of space planning or interior design services not affecting public health or safety;
    (2) Drafters, clerks, project managers, superintendents, and other employees of architects from acting under the instructions, control, or supervision of an architect;
    (3) The construction, alteration, or supervision of construction of buildings or structures by contractors registered under chapter 18.27 RCW or superintendents employed by contractors or the preparation of shop drawings in connection therewith;

    I think that "acting under the instructions, control, or supervision" part is key.  It can come down to "just who is accepting responsibility".  Granted, the electronic delivery process agreement probably says several times that the collaborator is NOT AN EMPLOYEE. 
    --
    best regards,
    Joel Niemi     - Architect
    425.422.4276
    jniemiarchitect@gmail.com
    http://www.linkedin.com/in/jniemiarchitect



    Original Message


  • 29.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-09-2021 06:47 PM

    Independent contractor, collaborator, solopreneur...wondering what a shrewd construction attorney representing a dissatisfied Owner (or Contractor) might conjure from terms like these.  At face value, don't all imply a certain distance between those producing content and the POR who's to provide the responsible control?  Perhaps a discussion with one's liability insurance company might be in order?

    Steven T. Graves, AIA, NCARB




    Original Message


  • 30.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-10-2021 01:13 PM
    Interesting email I received in light of this discussion string.  NCARB is seeking through surveys from some of its members, information about the overlap and collaboration of licensed architects and skilled, non-licensed "contributors" and how the roles depend on each other during projects. Maybe efforts like these by NCARB and possibly AIA can begin evolving the new alternatives in architectural practice and the workplace and evolve standards, rules, regulation to take the architectural practice to recognize the currents of change and take the practice of architecture into the future.  And, ultimately do this to work with state licensing boards to make adjustments to the minimum requirements of architectural practice.  Maybe NCARB can move it along fast compared to the snail pace of change in AIA due to bureaucracy of all of it's boards and committees to make a single institutional decision on most any topic.
    --
    Michael L. Katzin, AIA | NCARB | City of Johns Creek Planning Commissioner

    Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC 

    Johns Creek, GA 




    Original Message


  • 31.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-11-2021 10:00 AM
    I went  on record  from the  start  of  this  conversation (one  of the  better  ones  lately BTW) that the model of  "solopreneurship" (I like that one!) was not  my  cup of  tea.  So I had to chuckle  just a  bit  at  the  suggestion of Mr. Katzin that NCARB and the  AIA might collectively  evolve  standards and  rules  for  this evolving  model of  architecture  practice.  However  well intentioned I'm afraid Mr Katzin misses  the  point.  The people  involved  in solopreneurship don't want  to play  by  the  rules.  They want  to be  "disruptors", the  watchword (paradigm?) of our times. We're  in an age, for  better  or  worse,  that  values the individual and  personal freedom above  all else, and ignores  the  communal  consequences of everyone  choosing to go their  own way. 
    I completely  understand how  this  works  for  the  Macraes and  Kretschmers of  this  world.  I've  been waiting  to hear from  the  gig  economists in  their practice  model about  how  great a  system it is  for  them.  Maybe  this  diatribe will do  the  trick?  But so far I haven't because I suspect they're  all too busy  chasing  their  next little  piece  of the  pie to pay  attention to the  world  around them.  Maybe  this  does  work personally for  all the  little  cogs in  the  Macrae machine, but  I'm convinced that  the  world  is not  a better  place  for  it.



    Original Message


  • 32.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-11-2021 11:42 AM
    No point missed whatsoever but thanks for sharing your perspective about architectural practice and regulations. It takes disruptors to make change and change is hopefully on the way with the architectural profession regulators. Being a profession that involves health welfare and safety as well as environmental and social impact, change does need to happen to embrace the way we engage some older and the new range of practice. Also, I understand disruption, I have been 'disrupting' since 1969 in a variety of ways on a variety of architectural practice and other social topics. My perspective on disruption is to do it to make change.

    ------------------------------
    Michael Katzin, AIA | NCARB | City of Johns Creek Planning Commissioner
    Michael Katzin Project Services, LLC
    Johns Creek, GA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 33.  RE: Hybrid Practice Policies

    Posted 09-11-2021 12:27 PM
    I wanted to reply  to you privately  but the AIA keeps thwarting me, so if  you know  how to reply to me  privately I hope  you do.  Perhaps as a planner  in Georgia you are being a positive disruptor, but that  is not  the  nature  of  disruption I'm referring to.  



    Original Message