Summary: This week, one reader offers congratulations to incoming President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, and heartily endorses one of his key ideas. Another reader sings praises for Jim Atkins, FAIA, and his series on Filippo Brunelleschi.

Re: Doer’s Profile: Marvin Malecha, FAIA

Marvin's optimism has always been contagious. This time, his focus on realistic connections between school and practice makes excellent sense.

The idea of encouraging AIA committees to hold their meetings in schools of architecture is a viable one. I would suggest that these might be open meetings in many cases so that students might either listen in or participate.

Such meetings could be quite depressing for students, given the dearth of imagination that seems to typify some meetings of practicing professionals, but that can be remedied by encouraging schools to invite the same professionals to sit in on student project juries and reviews, especially those involving open competition entries and thesis reviews. The schools might even be encouraged to hold key reviews at AIA chapter offices.

It is an old saw to say that we can learn much from students. The reason the saw exists is because there is much truth in it.

One particular issue can serve as common ground, i.e., the issue of sustainability. It is useful because so many imaginative approaches are appearing in all spheres of professional life. This is probably key to the ultimate success of the Profession-Education relationship that President-elect Malecha wishes to foster.

He has my heartiest good wishes for that success.

—Patrick J. Quinn FAIA, FAAR, FRSA
Professor Emeritus and former dean
School of Architecture, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Re: Il Duomo: Brunelleschi and the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore

Just wanted to commend AIArchitect and Jim Atkins for the wonderful series on Brunelleschi's Dome. My wife and I visited Florence in late September in celebration of our 50th anniversary, primarily to see the cathedral and to witness, in person, this great architectural achievement. Reading the articles about the work and Brunelleschi's remarkable response to an incredible challenge greatly enhanced our visit and the experience. Thanks!

—Gene Burr, AIA
Knoxville, Tenn.