Point break—a wave's reaction to landforms—is the image the Young Architects Forum is evoking for its symposium on the changing context of the profession. The two-day forum in San Francisco, which, aptly enough, begins on Columbus Day, will focus on three forces that are blurring the borders between "traditional" practice and "alternative" careers: marketplace, value, and knowledge.

The program is sponsored by The American Institute of Architects Educator/Practitioner Net (EPN), Young Architects Forum (YAF), and National Associates Committee (NAC); the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS); CMD Group; and Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., with special assistance from AIA San Francisco, AIA California Council, and contributor ArchVoices.

Conference attendees have the three concurrent tracks from which to choose—marketplace, value, and knowledge—to set some definitions of the profession as it will be recognized in the future. Questions to ponder include:
• If you're not producing built architecture, are you still an architect?
• Do those individuals in "alternative careers" embody the vision of what architecture could be?
• What new approaches are necessary to sustain the profession?

Context and perspective
The conference will open with AIA First Vice President Gordon H. Chong, FAIA, setting the context of the two days' exploration October 12 and 13. Following up to provide overall perspective—how the context of architecture fits into the professional and societal mainstream—will be Richard Farson of the Western Behavioral Science Institute in La Jolla, Calif. Richard W. Hobbs, FAIA, will moderate the plenary sessions. Michael Benedikt, director of the Center for American Architecture and Design, University of Texas at Austin, will present the keynote address.

Marketplace—visionary versus reactionary
Supply and demand in the marketplace drives professional methodology and purpose. To understand the direction of the marketplace is to understand the landscape within which the profession in the future will develop. Robin Ellerthorpe, FAIA, senior vice president, OWP&P, Chicago, will facilitate the marketplace sessions.

Value—delivering answers sought by the marketplace
Capitalizing on the unique values inherent in the architectural problem-solving approach is crucial to success in a knowledge-based economy. Discussion of value will focus on output, purpose, and implementation effects and the values that affect market demands. Steve Polo, Organizational Strategist, OPX, Washington, D.C., will moderate.

Knowledge—intrinsic and learned
A varied set of applicable competencies and talents are crucial to interacting in new and diverse professional capacities. Teaming, collaboration, diverse professional roles, and lifelong learning all play a role in the fluidity of the future. This discussion will look to the knowledge and skills that are important now, and will be 10, 50, or 100 years from now. Tom Fisher, Dean, University of Minnesota College of Architecture, will moderate.

Continuing education
Participants may earn up to 10 AIA Continuing Education System (CES) learning units (LUs) if they attend all sessions.

Registration
To register for the conference, complete the attached form. Confirmations will be mailed within two weeks of receipt.

Additional information
For more information about registration or the program, contact Ellen Cathey, 202-626-7417.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.