A new year brings fresh aspirations and hope... we sure need a little of both. To that end, we start with a new theme for 2010 Chapter Meeting programming under the comprehensive heading, "Architectural and Design Research". For those of you in attendance at the January 21st Chapter Meeting in the newly occupied, and thus officially launched, Center for Architecture, you participated in a compelling presentation by NBBJ on their ChangeDesign program. The three lecturers focused upon representative case studies demonstrating directly applied research to actual, domestic and international projects including an introduction to the firm's design process and methodologies for implementation. You can expect more on-message content in each of the upcoming chapter meetings. For February, we will have Denny Griffith, President of CCAD, preside over a panel composed of the Deans of CCAD's degreed programs with insight into how research finds its way into fine arts education. I urge you to attend and to experience the Center's energy for yourself.

by Timothy Hawk, AIA - 2009 AIA Columbus President

Stop by any coffee shop in the middle of the work day these days and you are likely to run into a friend surfing the net and browsing architecture magazines.  Many of our peers are out of work. This recession is wreaking havoc on our numbers....and I really worry.  It truly keeps me up at night. How many of us will survive this Great Recession and come out the other end still practicing architecture? And, of those who survive, which will maintain their membership in the AIA?
 
We are witnessing a monumental adjustment in the number of employed professional members; and, I am fearful that this shifting landscape will forever impact the quality and vitality of our profession. That’s why, at a time like this, our organization serves the most fundamental role in creating value. We have to recognize that many of our members will stop receiving mentorship, professional development, growth and experience through employment. And, we believe that the AIA will grow to be an even larger resource for emerging professionals, maintaining networks, and peer to peer knowledge sharing.
 

Congratulations to Lincoln Street Studio on their winning design!

by Timothy Hawk, AIA - 2009 AIA Columbus President

I am sitting at my desk again.  It’s the first really nice, sunny Saturday in April and it reminds me of the old days at the KSA when I would reject the numerous requests from suitemates to go play, and then walk across the oval, envious of the others frolicking in the nice weather.  I was headed to studio because I just had to finish that one last plan for the critique that I anticipated from Rob Livesey.  In all of my years, I don’t remember ever just stopping on the oval to relax and mill around.  Truly.  Never did.
 
Flash forward twenty years.  And her I sit.  Check that...here we all sit.  I’m guessing that most architects are working today.  If they aren’t at their desk, they are dreaming about how to initiate change, how to solve that detail, how to land the next project, how to get LEED accredited, etc.
 
Today is especially interesting, since our firm is hosting an Architect’s Registration Exam review session.  There are three architects from Lincoln Street Studio here....Ruth Gless, AIA; Frank Elmer, FAIA; and Joe Moss, Associate AIA.  Joe serves on the board as the director for the emerging architect.  Ruth is also a board member and Frank is the chair of the Columbus fellows committee.   Joe is signing in folks and coordinating and Ruth and Frank are teaching.  These people are giving up their Saturday of sunshine to coach our “youth” on how to best understand the issues at stake as they prepare for the exam to become an architect.  And all of us have chosen this endeavor at the expense of our families, the sunshine, video games, and television.  We even passed up a nice conversation with our spouse this morning.  My wife is at home, admiring my passion towards architecture and wondering what makes these crazy architects so dedicated to the cause.
 
It’s something that is in us all.  We thrive on architecture.  We want our society to improve.  We see opportunities for our citizenry.  And it just takes a lot of time and dedication.
 
So, the next time that you see Ruth, Frank and Joe...tell them thank you for their dedication to the profession.  They deserve it.