WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT

What is being an architect all about? That question could illicit a myriad of responses but an appointment of mine today brought it home to a very simple answer.

This afternoon I had an appointment with a prospective client at his home in a suburb of New Haven. They have lived for five years in a nondescript ranch built in 1963 with 1,400 square feet in a lovely quiet neighborhood of similar homes. Nothing very exciting or sexy you might think and you would be right.

Here’s the good part. They need more room. The bedrooms are small for their family and they share one bath. They simply want to get a larger master bedroom and master bath along with another bath for the kids and some additional living space. The constructed project probably won’t cost more than $200,000. What did they do? They didn’t call builders or remodeling contractors. They didn’t call an unlicensed residential designer. They call an architect!

Why did they call an architect? Because they felt they had the best shot of getting comprehensive advice from an architect. Which way to expand- up or out? What range of construction cost could they expect? What implications might there be with zoning regulations and their old septic system? Is their house structurally sound enough to carry a second floor? Could an appealing exterior design be devised?

Now this is not a project that I am going to get rich on. I don’t believe every project has to be a home run. If I can get to first or second base on every time at bat do I win the game? You bet I do! I usually do much larger projects, but frankly my profit margin on the small ones is often better. Very often when I meet with prospects like this one they tell me they called other architects before me and the architects would hang up when they find out the size or budget of the project. Too bad for them. Good for me!

But it doesn’t help dispell the notion that architects are elitest snobs who can only be bothered designing for the rich and famous or when they can rack up a big fee on a big budget. Why are more architects not happy with the notion of ordinary mid-middle class folks calling on them for help? More architecture is seen in ordinary middle class working neighborhoods and some of that is bad architecture simply because architects hung up the phone on the homeowners and so they called contractors who hashed something together or remuddled.

This is what it’s all about. Not masterpieces or monuments. Simply good design for ordinary folks who appreciate it and know it will enhance their family life. There’s a lot that being an architect means but this is actually as good as it gets. What do you think?

LOSS OF HONESTY - EVEN WITH ARCHITECTS

What does the latest discovery of cheating say about our profession or the state of ethics in general?

Recently it was discovered that some candidates for the national Architectural Registration Examination had improperly shared information on the content of exams and basically cheated on the test. This is the exam that qualifies an architect to be licensed to practice in the states. The announcement regarding the action taken by the national board is found here:

http://www.ncarb.org/newsclips/2009/apr09_5.html

Now one might say this is an isolated event and we should not draw broad conclusions. But hearing about this got me thinking about the continuing erosion of honesty and ethics in our profession, all professions and society in general. Notice an interesting observation made in AWAKE! magazine:

Older persons can remember a time when, in many places, people did not lock their doors. They did not think of stealing from others or of cheating them. If they borrowed money, they felt honor-bound to repay it. And their word was ‘as good as gold.’ True, there was dishonesty, but it was not all-pervasive. Today, however, stealing, lying, and cheating are commonplace throughout the world. And many dishonest acts originate with so-called respectable people who live and work in nice neighborhoods, dress well, may have a religion, and consider themselves good citizens. Indeed, dishonesty has become notorious among officials of government and business. (Nov. 15, 1986)

The Apostle Paul wrote: "We trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things". (Hebrews 13:18)

It seems everywhere one turns today we must navigate through a dishonest world. Owners that don't want to tell the truth on permit applications about the construction cost. Clients who want to pay cash or use other means to bury money so they don't have to pay taxes on it. Clients who offer us cash if we keep accounts off the books thinking we would likewise not report the income for taxes. Owners and contractors who don't want to take out permits for the construction. Employment candidates who inflate their credentials. I could go on and on.

Architecture is a noble profession but it does not appear that it is any more noble than others when it comes to ethics. How many architects have read the AIA Code of Ethics or the rules of ethics written into their state's practice regulations? What meaningful education on ethics, honesty and honorable practice is really given to architecture students? I just make a random check of the listing of courses for a prominent university's school of architecture. Not one class on ethics in practice or honesty in life. That says plenty.

Why has honesty and ethics in society and our profession become so unimportant? We create environments to promote the well being of humans, to lift their spirits, and bring them comfort combined with guarding their health, safety and welfare. How could we cheat on anything having to do with our profession?

COMMENTS:

Name: Phillip Andrew Jessup, RA Email: dbahomeplans@mindspring.com URL: www.drawingboardatlanta.net IP-address: 66.32.226.45 Date: 2009-06-13-04-56

It's refreshing to see this note in your blog. I've taught professional practice courses at an accredited design school for just over a dozen years. In the early years, I included some specific modules on morals, codes of ethics, and similar topics but distributed that info out among other topics. Recently, after some observations similar to yours in this post, I added emphasis, but this renews my resolve to add a specific discussion on professional ethics again into this course. On reflection, it may have been a dilution to have spread it across other topics, though we have generated some lively discussions on occasion.

Name: Jensen Email: admin@iagd-interior.com URL: www.iagd-interior.com IP-address: 115.135.226.49 Date: 2009-12-24-05-16

THanks for this article. Time has change and human practically changed alot. You read the bible, seems like ur a religious man. Well... I can say that, times are not what as it used to be. We just have to make changes and be watchful.

TITLE LAW IN CT FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS IS BEING CHALLENGED

Will interior designers continue to be viewed as design professionals?

Here is a news article in the New Haven Independent regarding a current lawsuit in Connecticut that challenges the title law for interior designers.

http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2009/06/designing_lawye.php

There is history of this case at this news site:

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/courts/fighting_for_the_right_to_call.php