Frank on Behavior, Bicycles, and the Best Intentions

Gotta leave that 3′ bubble around parked cars and stopped taxis. Getting doored is no laughing matter. Its time to redesign streets to better protect bikes and pedestrians from their number one predator-automobiles. See 8th and 9th avenues in NYC. Biking bliss!

Joe L on Architecture for the Other 99%

It also seems the wealthiest architects (re: the top 1% of them) would be the only ones with the capital reserve to actually float a practice through “public health design”, or fuzzy, feel-good concepts like “innovation” as you suggest.

Joe L on Architecture for the Other 99%

No offense Dr Fisher, but this article is written like a true academic who has never actually practiced architecture. It’s no wonder the profession is in the state it’s in given the fact we have people like you educating our young would-be architects. I agree with Kevin Daly’s post. How about teaching some practical skills so entry level staff can at least hit the ground running? Give them and senior level staff something useful to work with. That might also weed out many of the graduates Morpheus refers to, but I guess that doesn’t do anything to maintain your academic program.

Eric Thomas on Project Haiti II

It is refreshing to hear that Haiti is undergoing significant efforts to retain its historic character and to focus on sustainability in its rehabilitation process. So much you hear about the devastation and the struggles to rebuild in Haiti. It is interesting that the initial design process for this project was to analyze the existing conditions and to incorporate the opportunities of the region into the design. Haiti, as was stated in the article, has tremendous potential for its use of sustainable design principals (strong winds for natural ventilation, ample sunlight and rain for energy and water management). However, the balance in the reconstruction in Haiti, must also prepare for the possibility for the recurrence of natural disasters. I see the potential for design that incorporates sustainable green technologies and architecture that is designed in such a way to withstand these disasters as a perfect opportunity for the implementation and...

Morpheus on Architecture for the Other 99%

Fact Check Please: Dr. Fisher, please provide the back up data with how “over 50,000 architects are working on the Architecture for Humanity Project.”

Morpheus on Architecture for the Other 99%

Please excuse the long post, this is some data I put together for a discussion: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there were 110,990 employed licensed architects in the US in May 2008, (this figure does not include self employed practitioners). Again according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2010 there were 78,700 employed licensed architects, or a net loss of -23,290 architects from 2008 until 2010 which would equate to a 21% unemployment rate within the profession. This does not include 2011 numbers which I think is safe to assume there was further erosion in the job market for architects. According to NCARB (National Council Architectural Registration Boards) in 2010 14,737 people sat for the ARE (Architecture Licensing Exam). In 2009 13,326 people sat for the ARE exam. This is undoubtedly pushing the unemployment rate higher as more people become licensed in a contracting profession. According to the NAAB...

Kevin Daly on Architecture for the Other 99%

Well as an Architect the stars were always the only Architects recognized by the AIA during the time I was a working Architect. In the early years the alternative was the Model Cities Program and government employment, but there were regional design firms doing excellent work, now there is the NGO alternative. Its Time the schools & the AIA were revamped to actually educate what is needed by the the industry. Design is 15% of the fee, yet AE business experts in the 1970’s said that a firm could only spend 6-8% of the fee and stay in business. That means that 92% of the fee must be spent on production and construction administration. Teach the students production, specifications, etc. From what I have read the intern program does not meet the need. By the way I took the last national exam in 1972 and passed it the first time, not from what I learned in school but from studying Licensing Seminars from LA at home from 7pm to 11pm...

wally on Architecture for the Other 99%

I suppose if you make your living educating architecture students you have to talk up the program. However, as somebody who has practiced the profession since the 1970s, I will comment that it has not been particularly satisfying, not been particularly rewarding. It has been an unstable and frustrating career. I strongly disagree with a number of the Dean’s overoptimistic claims; Architecture is not a career I would advise.

Roger Alan on Architecture for the Other 99%

This all sounds very noble and worthwhile but how is someone supposed to make a living doing this. Architecture in the best of times was a lousy paying proposition for all but firm owners and upper management and now we’re supposed to relish the idea of making even less? Who, by the way, is going to see that architects have value in other fields? The AIA has spent decades promoting the idea that architects are some kind of elite, artsy, building designers that the public can’t see us any other way. Once again, the so-called profession has proven to be our own worst enemy.

Debra Pickrel on Architecture for the Other 99%

Bravo, Dr. Fisher. It is time to release old models and embrace the new. Perhaps this is the karmic rectification of ego-driven design in favor of what serves all people and the role architects can play in achieving this goal. As you state, I think this switch opens up a world of possibilities for the design industry based on collaboration, vision, and humanity. Architects now have the potential to change the world…quite literally.

Lee Schneider on Architecture for the Other 99%

Tom is a futurist and most others who see the industry that way see it moving in the public interest direction. What is new, and particularly exciting, is the way design principles are being applied to all sorts of social and systemic problems. Thanks – a great read.

Lawrence Doyle on Architecture for the Other 99%

It is a bit of outrageous optimism, it seems, to hope that architects will be considered for positions in other fields. The fact is that human resources departments have very much narrowed the description of acceptable candidates, not broadened them in such a way that would provide architects with an opening. Not that the architecture field is different. Like everywhere else, the mindset of the hr departments in architecture firms will immediately pass over anyone without experience in whatever specific building type they are working on at the moment. In a box within a box.

Onshay on Architecture for the Other 99%

I love the new shift in funding sources. I don’t know if design-NGO partnerships are really a new direction or not, but I appreciate the fact that it’ll have a positive impact for many people. You know, the image we have of serving the 1% is inaccurate and – as shown during the recession – can have devastating consequences. Design becomes classified as a luxury or, even worse, a commodity. Thankfully, we’re uncovering metrics that show that illusion to be false and thanks to work done like that of MASS, more and more people are realizing the necessity of true design and firms like IDEO show how beneficial (and profitable) it can be. Thanks for the great read Dean Fisher.

Anna Fairbank on Building as Business

I would also be keen to learn how many architects in US take control by also being joint owners in the development itself, as despite traditional separation as described here, this is far more beneficial to all parties as being witnessed in small – medium practices in Austral- Asia.

jon thogmartin on Black Locust: the Sustainable Hardwood of our Future?

fabulous wood-strong, very straight grain, nice yellow color, wonderful pinnately compound leaves, beautiful flowers and fast growing. grew up in a grove of black & honey locust, 60-80′ high-18″ to 24″ dia. nice to see it used in states.

David on Behavior, Bicycles, and the Best Intentions

Your intuitive response to go with the flow of movement in China while riding is very impressive. We are often taught in the US that there are strict laws, rules, and guidelines to follow for safety. But there is also a natural order of things as well that can be as the “flow” Unreal you got hit in San Fran and cycled china unscathed. Thank you for sharing and what an amazing journey and research project!! All my love.

Brooks Scarpa on Architecture for the Other 99%

We understand why the perception of architecture as luxe involved. But good design and its capacity to anticipate and alleviate the stress of environmental degradation, density, homelessness and other global crises is not a luxury. Good architecture will become more essential as, sadly, these problems grow. It’s one of the many reasons why we’re so committed to integrating these concerns into our designs today.

Bryan Bell on Architecture for the Other 99%

Thank you Dean Fisher. These words provide definition and clear direction for this future.

riverbed steelhead 1520 on Mapping Security

i agree and thought to add one thing. i think to truly respect the distance you have to experience the distance. we can all agree that 26 miles is far really far even in a car(look out dr. suess) but when you start to run it well then, that is another story. the knowledge in the knowingand a snowball effect at the same time. trying to run far, trying to run it faster having successes and failure that push you even harder to train more and more. then the enlightenment that perhaps you could do it all better.i mean take kids for example. im from a big family and there were always kids around babysat a lot so i had a healthy sense about kids and their needs. but to have a kid of my own?! that really blew to roof off on respect respect for my mom. i dont think i would have come to this degree of respect for my mom until having a kid(s). i think any mom would agree that you couldnt imagine how much work and how stinking hard it is to have kids...

Giorgio Pierce on Celebrating the class of 2012 Game Changers

Wow, I wish I could have been there! Congratulations to the winners.

Ryan Cunningham on Black Locust: the Sustainable Hardwood of our Future?

Angus, I’d recommend looking through the presentation on the ASLA website, they talk about how its well known that Black Locust grows in Appalachia, but that its also not nearly of the same quality of wood stock that exists due to the cultivation practices in Eastern Europe.

Vladimir Belogolovsky on Q&A: Guy Horton

There are books that inspire so why not having one that does the opposite, let’s say – cautions? Yet, it seems that architects, as many others these troubling days, need more assurance and a sense of purpose. Architects should shift priorities and redefine what it means to be an architect. Personally, I am sure it means more than just getting out of the profession or relocating to China. Schools should definitely help… But we live in such liquid time when students may know more than our professors…

angus on You Are So Wrong, Frank Gehry!

Susan’s view typifies the new puritanism afoot. There is no need, for instance, to “offset” “carbon”.This refers not to carbon but to one of the most precious resources for green growing things–carbon dioxide. As different from carbon as from water!…and no need to “offset” it….the need is to stop destroying the forests that need it and consume it! No,types such as Susan are re!igious…not scientific. They wi!! make a re!igion out of anything at hand. She demonstrates the fundamenta! weakness—human greed for the high ground of greater virtue. Somewhat ironic that it destroys everything it touches.

angus on Black Locust: the Sustainable Hardwood of our Future?

Great! What a dazzling demonstration of eco concern. Have they never heard of West Virginia…plenty of black locust to make their tiny fence! But of course, then there might be no expenses-paid trip to Europe! Academics–ain’t they just great!

balsamic vinaigrette dressing recipe online on Water and the Living City

What kind of noise annoys an oyster? A noisy noise annoys an oyster! (Try saying that fast! )

Craig Banholzer on The Met Finally Takes Some Old Advice

Over all, I’d say I trust the Met to do the right thing, unlike the Brooklyn Museum, which as recently and spectacularly botched its entrance facade. For example: Your photo shows the Met before its recent cleaning and the removal of the oversize advertising banners. It looks so much better today. If the plaza re-design continues this trend, it should be something to see.

Earthquake Virginia on The Pattern Technology of Christopher Alexander

Wow, it just goes to show that there is always so much more to everything than meets the eye.

Patrick McDonald on Building as Business

The question of design/build has a lot to do with intention. If your intention is to deliver a product which has the ability of being molded into the best result possible without being manipulated and changed in the process then it is important to have a handle on the entire show. In the design/build process it is often the case that the phrase “common sense” is brought into the conversation, both in the design and the building phase. As I believe Peter is referring to above, many times in history these two, supposedly hand and hand phases have been broken apart by misunderstandings, cost engineering or just shear ego. Having a design team who is not just working with the build team but actually is the build team allows for a holistic approach and symbiotic result. The great architects of the ages were the craftsmen and they were responsible for the final product. What could be better than providing a full level of accountability...

hank on Building as Business

any architect who has been involved in a traditional design-bid-build process would understand the benefit of what gluck & others are doing. however, i thought that the legal rationale for the separation of powers was to mitigate a perceived conflict of interest: if an architect doesn’t have doesn’t stand to profit by specifying the most expensive toilet out there, they’re more likely to specify one with the best cost/benefit ratio for the owner.

Peter Gluck on Building as Business

Historically design/build was frowned upon by the LEGAL community positing that architects would be the fox in the chicken house. Who would protect the owner from one thing being designed and another lesser thing being installed? The result was the legalistic preference for institutionalizing separate sets of responsibilities that could be adjudicated in courts, and WOULD be adjudicated in courts. Resulting costs of risk management, law suits and E and O insurance have proven far more costly than any chickens that might have been gobbled. Design/build as a method of project design and production is becoming common for projects of all scales. However design/build is usually driven by contractors. In other words, It is usually build/design. Are contractors smarter, more talented more professional than architects? Are they more capable of managing large projects? Can architects only handle small projects? Of course not. It is only the fact that...

Stacey B. Newberry on Q&A: Tom Darden

This concept should be incorporated for all national disaster areas with FEMA. We have flood plain communities all over this country that could benefit. This concept would be also be awesome in low income housing communities over the long run.

Susan Friedman on Q&A: Tom Darden

At Architecture plus Design Museum here in LA, we applaud you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Susan Friedman

free phone number lookup name on Accessibility Watch: Gorgeous Canes

Goods can be obtained practically new or perhaps gently used throughout good. Just like, you can still buy a brand new shirt with regard to $20 dollars once you are able to involving ordered exactly the same tank top pertaining to $10 nearly brand new.

Jose R Helena on Greening Landmark Buildings in NYC

Also in Grand Concourse Blvd in the Bronx – Part of NYC – We have a massive stock of landmark buildings, just waiting some improving!

Tammy on Knitting Philadelphia Together

Useful facts! I have been looking for something such as this for some time now. Cheers!

Kanisha on Bucky Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome Renewed

This can be an issue I must find more information about, i appreciate you for the article.

Leonarda on Frontiers of Design Science: Evidence-based Design

Hi and thanks for finding the time to describe the terminlogy for the rookies!

Gersil N. Kay, IESNA, AIA/HRC on Greening Landmark Buildings in NYC

Wonderful News! – practical education in how to extend the life, value and usefulness of well-located, user-friendly, favorite structures on time, on budget and sensitive to original design and fabric, is urgently needed. Since Lighting is the easiest and least expensive with which to conserve energy (and essential to see or do anything), it should be considered early on the planning. This will enhance design and increase productivity. There are over 30,000,000 commercial/institutional properties in this country erected prior to 1940 and still in use. There are even more residential units also needing maintenance and upgrading. Here is a huge, untapped market for unemployed craftsmen and physically suited high school students, beckoning a lifetime career. Start with learning how to unobtrusively insert modern mechanical/electrical systems expected to be present today in every structure, no matter what the age.

shtrum on Building as Business

Historically, design-build was frowned upon by the architectural community due to the perceived fear that architects would have an unfair advantage to bid their own projects. The actual result was a distancing of the construction process from the profession, and a widening gap with architects and contractors on opposing sides. A few years ago, this was officially recognized as wrong-headed and the results are firms like Peter Gluck, Onion Flats (Philadelphia) and El Dorado (Kansas City). Although not necessarily a model for firms doing large projects, for smaller to medium-size firms it’s a huge step forward.

Cara Schneider on Zagar

I’ve been to the Magic Gardens many times. I’ve seen it in sunlight, rain, twinkly night lights, crowded, empty, snowy, you name it. Part of the joy of the place is that feeling of discovery when you wander into a little nook or notice some delightful detail hanging above you. Thanks, Joe Brin, for revealing some of Mr. Zagar’s ideas behind his work.