Architecture as a profession is in a state of transition. As an example, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recently begun a repositioning effort with the goal to reach a wider, younger, and more diverse audience. This is timely, because what architects have become good at today is giving each other recognition and awards, and this is oftentimes done without the input of their clients. It is time for the profession to re-engage with their clients and the public at large if they are to remain a relevant participant in the design of tomorrow’s world.
Design, Planning + Research
Today it is possible for architecture practices to expand their service offerings beyond that of the traditional architect. We can service our clients in a variety of ways that support their overall mission with an emphasis on research. I do believe that there is an opportunity for us to leverage our design methods and processes for the betterment of our existing clients and to engage new clients that may be attracted to a rigorous research based approach. Research to me means engaging clients on their terms and digging deeper into their needs to uncover otherwise unfounded opportunities. There shouldn’t be a “one-size-fits-all” approach to our work if architects are to become leaders in their profession.
Currently we have lost ground to builders as many governmental agencies are looking to the build community to lead the design process. How do we as architects working today differentiate ourselves from the services that contractors offer? Architects have long lost the BIM (building information modeling) battle to the building trade. I would even suggest that some subcontractors know how to use Revit better than many architecture practices.
Encouraging signs that I see in the spectrum of design research include the resurgence in community based design efforts. Groups such as Public Architecture, the SEED Network, and Architecture for Humanity are inspiring the next generation of young people to enter the profession in service to others. The Museum of Modern Art showcased this work in their Small Scale Big Change exhibition, suggesting perhaps that an enhanced relationship was being forged between architects and underserved communities. Some practices (such as ours) are engaging in this kind of work, finding a way to integrate both pro-bono and fee for service projects.
Research of course is also happening in academia. The Design Studies program at the Boston Architectural College is allowing designers to focus their studies on such subjects as urban farming, public policy, technology related to architectural software, and ecological aspects of sustainability. The Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE), is an exciting partnership between an academic institution and one of the largest architectural practices in the world. CASE is investigating and realizing innovative new architectural applications all grounded in remarkably sustainable practices. MIT’s Digital Design Fabrication Group is looking at new ways to physically represent digital design information. The Rural Studio at Auburn University has established a relationship between their architecture program and the community of Hale County, Alabama. Students design and construct buildings for that community through a hands-on educational experience in service to an underserved population. There are many other programs focusing on the myriad issues of the architecture professions, however, practice needs to engage with this in a way that is relevant for our clients.
Sustainability
About 20 years ago I attended a conference where I learned about the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system sponsored by the United States Green Building Council. At the time, there were lots of architects in their overalls in attendance – spillovers from the 70’s that were talking about the fact that they remember the alternative energy conversations from the 70’s energy crisis. William McDonough delivered the keynote telling people that transparency was key – we should all share ideas if we are to save the planet from it’s eventual demise.
Much has changed in the last 20 years. Every building product and project now has some kind of sustainable story – although much of this is green-washing. Architects in their overalls have been replaced by a younger generation that believes that saving the planet is the responsible thing to do. William McDonough has turned out to be not-so-transparent. Sustainability has become a business market where the emphasis on “green” is as much about dollars as it is about the environment.
In a way, architects have dropped the ball on sustainability. If architects had led this discussion rather than followed the checklist, there would have been far fewer unhappy clients whose expectations weren’t met with their LEED buildings. Lawsuits ensued when energy and operations cost didn’t decline despite the plaque in the lobby stating it had achieved LEED status. In addition to LEED of course are other “green” building checklists, localized building codes such as that in Boston, and the upcoming International Green Construction Code that is largely based on LEED criteria.
My “green” story is that I’m a believer in people over markets. Buildings and neighborhoods need to be healthy. We need to think about the health and safety of people as a part of the sustainable story. The USGBC developed LEED with a focus more on buildings than people. The ResilienCity project that we did proposed healthier and more livable environments for Boston grounded in the needs of the community. This project used the Living Future Institute’s Living Building Challenge as a metric because they place value on people as much as they do buildings. Architects thinking about people again – now that’s game changing!
Next Steps
Now is an exciting time for the architecture profession. Architects are good at solving problems and, there is no shortage of those. We are experiencing a time of engagement and relationship building with our clients and with underserved communities. Architects are beginning to reconnect to the larger whole, creating opportunities for us – and of course for our clients. How can we serve you?
Thanks for reading,
David
