Vice President

1. The AIA and the United States Conference of Mayors are working together to encourage city leaders to take a strong stance in favor of promoting integrated and high-performance building design with a goal of reaching a 50 percent fossil fuel reduction by 2010 and carbon neutral buildings by 2030. What are your plans to support this initiative and to implement the AIA's positions on the environment? More specifically, what role do you see the Associate AIA members playing now and in the future in furthering these objectives?

As a group leader for the Board Advocacy Committee on Sustainability, I am focused on supporting and articulating the evolving dialogue with my colleagues on SDIG. This will facilitate how the AIA is viewed by legislators and the public, thereby enabling architects to be seen as leaders on a national level. At the state and local levels, the participation of architects within their local communities can be accomplished through SDATs, SGN, and other existing mechanisms. The development of increased public relations efforts on issues of sustainability will reinforce how architects are viewed as leaders. Interaction with local officials at every level ensures the education and ultimate implementation on sustainability goals. The larger outreach with mechanisms such as the Mayor’s Toolkit is essential in expanding the role of architects in achieving this mission. Associate AIA members are an integral part of the future of the profession and should participate in this important mission. An increase in the awareness on how to implement sustainability in our everyday life will elevate the actions and major initiatives on building design.

2. Where do you see opportunities for architecture students, emerging professionals, and recently licensed professionals to make the greatest contribution to our profession?

Opportunities afford themselves in unique ways that span a broad spectrum of roles within the profession. This range can clearly encourage younger members to seek their comfort level in the profession, but many are motivated by nurturing a passion for architecture and the part it can play in people’s lives. Of paramount importance for the built environment is sustainability and greening. As this evolves as a key societal objective, intern architects, emerging professionals, and students must comprehend the importance of this mission. While licensure is an important milestone, it is the passion to make more significant contribution that can reinvigorate those who may believe that they cannot be prime movers. As a motivator, it is incumbent upon this segment of the profession to seize the opportunity and embrace the mandate of creating a better world. The creation of a better world with a responsible social agenda combined with a healthier and more sustainable planet is clearly a motivator for those who are uncertain about why being an architect is very important.

3. Some statistics have suggested the rate of attrition among architects is steadily increasing. What initiatives do you suggest/support that will encourage younger members to remain in the field and also to become registered?

Beyond fostering supportive educational and work environments that motivate architects, it is essential that licensure not be seen as an end goal. It can be achieved early in one’s career, and licensure affords individuals the privilege of a special title. However, licensure must be viewed in the more comprehensive picture of the architecture practice. Patience is a hard attribute to master at any point in life, but trying when one is young is key. Encouraging emerging professionals to appreciate the role that they can play in their communities as a leader is paramount. Those who get involved in the AIA, at any level, clearly appreciate the benefits. Just to name a few, the Institute’s Center for Communities by Design and the Blueprint for America Initiatives represent expanded participation beyond registration that demonstrates how architects can be leaders. On issues such as sustainability, the public views the contributions that architects can make and the value of an architect. It is this vision of an expanded role for emerging professionals that will continue to maintain the vitality of our profession. Mentoring that enables both old and young to share the benefits of their experience will empower both groups.

4. As technology advances and new software is developed, at least some members of the public (including potential clients) seem to believe that it is becoming easier for any “Average Joe” to “design” a building. How do you propose we, leaders of the architecture profession, promote an architect’s value to society? Additionally, how do you see the role of the architect changing as technology advances?

Technology, the speed of communication and its advancements are not unique to architecture. As a profession, our mandate is to lead by example as we are often viewed as the orchestrator and/or facilitator. Since the beginning of time, many have tried to emulate the results that we routinely produce. However, few, who may use these current day tools, are able to emulate the process of creating architecture. Our challenge is to demonstrate to those who may be intrigued with the use of the tools of technology, that the essential ingredient is the creative process that achieves the end result known as architecture. It may be difficult to appreciate, but one knows it when it happens. In so doing, we will demonstrate the value of architects. But perhaps of more profound importance to our society and clearly an opportunity where architects can demonstrate the value of their contributions is the focus on sustainability. While the use of technology and computers is still a relatively recent phenomenon, it is essential that we see this as a tool for architects. Utilizing Building Industry Modeling will enable us to create tools to illustrate our visions for the built environment. The imagination of architects is limitless and it is our challenge to use technology as a tool to assist in this endeavor.

5. How is the Intern process handled in your firm/office? Would you consider it to be "Intern Friendly"? What would you propose to help make the profession more "Intern Friendly"?

As an architecture firm that stresses the importance of design, we are dedicated to creating urban buildings that are context rich. As such, all staff, including interns, are thought of as an integral part of the delivery of architecture from the earliest concepts to construction administration oversight. The intern experience in our firm is seen as an open and interactive process. We create an environment that is supportive in the same manner that seasoned architects approach practice every day. An open dialogue and free access to resources helps to transcend the boundaries of age and experience. A healthy respect for the contributions of each staff member is essential in any design process. An environment where questions of any type are asked is essential. The profession can raise the profile of interns and the corresponding implementation of intern friendly firms by nurturing an environment of respect. The AIA is the vehicle to facilitate the dissemination of this goal.