by Peter Macrae, AIA - AIA Columbus 2010 Chapter President

So now it’s official…my oldest daughter has announced to family and friends at this past weekend’s family reunion, that she is going to have a baby in February and her Mother and I are thrilled! Of course, Joanie and I knew of this month’s ago, but we were sworn to secrecy. This means that after the initial euphoria, I have had some time now to reflect on what this means in my life and in my career. What exactly is the “Grandpa Stage” in the life of an Architect?

I remember being told by my first employers that Architecture was an “Old Man’s Business”.  Presumably, this was because it took so long for designers to get through internship to registration and finally to the point of either owning their own businesses or advancing to a leadership positions in corporate firms. Happily, an awful lot has changed in the professional practice of architecture while my career years advanced. Technology and the connectedness of the internet have allowed young, talented architects to open their own businesses at a much earlier point in their careers. Architecture and design focused web sites are now full of projects (both built and un-built) featuring “Young Turks” with transformative new ideas about what constitutes Architecture and pushing the limits of form definition and programmable space. Not to mention the completely non-PC term itself. “Old Man’s Business”…I don’t think so…we are now about a half generation away from a female dominated profession if current trends continue. Just ask the educators!

 
Hamilton Parker hosts an AIA Continuing Education Day class at the Center for Architecture on the first Thursday of the month. Each class is worth 1 AIA Learning Unit and lunch is provided. 

August 5: "Desiging and Building with Cement Coated Extruded Polystyrene" presented by Wedi.

September 2: "Pre-mixed, Flexible Urethane Grout" with Hydroment.

October 7: " Dry Pressed Brick Pavers" with Whitacre Greer. 

November 4: " Permeable Paving using Clay Pavers" with a presentation by Pine Hall Brick.

All classes will be held on from 11am - 1pm.
Center for Architecture
380 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Classes are free to attend. Register here. 

The Annual AIA Columbus Golf Outing will be held on September 7, 2010 at The Lakes Golf and Country Club in Westerville. Proceeds from the event benefit AIA Columbus scholarship programs at The Ohio State University Knowlton School of Architecture and Columbus State Community College.

Spaces for Foursomes ($650), Twosomes ($375) and Single Golfers ($200) are available. Price is all inclusive and includes golf, golf-carts, lunch, dinner, practice range and raffle prizes. Complimentary beverages will be served throughout the day. You must reserve your space to play by August 30th.

Contact Kate Watts by phone at (614) 469-1973 to sign up for the 2010 AIA Columbus Golf Outing.

Sponsorship and Registration Information Available Here. 

July President's Blog
by Peter S. Macrae, AIA
2010 AIA Columbus Chapter President

In these challenging economic times, nothing is more important to an Architectural firm than retaining and nurturing our current clients. Long term relationships are the lifeblood of our industry…we depend on the loyalty of our existing client base to sustain us and therefore, we want to do whatever we can to increase our value quotient in their eyes. AIA firms must strive to understand their clients’ businesses so that the facilities that we design on their behalf serve to augment their business goals and objectives. We must focus on achieving results and demonstrating increased efficiency and profits on their behalf.

Your value to your clients increases with your increased knowledge and abilities. AIA Columbus offers its members a wide range of educational opportunities. We need to stop thinking of continuing education as a burdensome requirement for membership and state licensure, and start embracing life-long learning as a pathway enabling us to deliver added value. The more we know and the further we reach for the additional training required to increase our expertise, the greater will be our worth in the marketplace.

The same holds true for collaboration. We are stronger collectively than we are individually.  Membership in the AIA connects you with professionals around the world who have individual niche expertise that can augment your team. Also, forming unique project teams consisting of members who may not automatically be associated with traditional A/E services, but are recognized by our clients for their signature ability to understand and improve their bottom line, will be highly valued. The collective power of multiple minds focused upon a single task ensures our ability to offer even greater value to our clientele.

It takes so much time and expense to identify and secure work with new clients…and we all have to do it. Especially when times are tough, we must look at ways that we can become indispensable to our most sacred patrons…Up the Service and Up the Value!