Slow Architecture

A recent blog about various "slow" movement got me thinking about how this could be compared to architectural design.  You may have heard of the slow-food movement in which people seek to savor each instant of the eating expereince.  There is alrady a slow architecture wikipedia entry regarding this but I think there is a better definition. 

To me slow architecture should refer not to the pace of construction but to the pace of design.  As a designer, we frequently visit a site only a few times, if at all.  Even then the visits are fairly close together and may be at about the same time of day.  A slower design process would allow the designer to truly expereince the site over time.  A good example is my own back yard.  I'm constantly suprised by the changes that take place in the span of just a few months.  Various plants blum at different times, trees lose and gain leaves at different times, and of coarse the sun takes a different path through the sky. 

Changes in at a site over time are particularly important in urban design and urban architecture.  A good urban design is attractive to users at all times.  If achieved, this allows cities to be occupied at all times.  I'm not saying that the streets should be packed at 4 am, but there is something wrong with a city is the streets are empty at 10 am. 

Street cafe in Rome vs. the outskirts of downtown Detroit, just a few blocks from Comerica Park

IDP is Immoral

There I said it.  For those who don't know, the Intern Development Program is one of three elements needed to become a licensed architect.  The other two are an accredited degree and completed exams.   Of the three, IDP is the only requirement which I vehemently disagree with.  I hope that if enough people agree with me this requirement can be eventually removed. 

An accredited degree is a requirement no one should disagree with.  After all, we must be sure that all student are learning the correct material and meet a minimum standard.  Hopefully all American architects have a somewhat shared experience in their respective architecture programs.  This gives us all a shared language and ability to communicate with one another.

The ARE, architecture registration exams are likewise an uncontroversial requirement.  All professions require an exam.  Architecture is no different.  Some might say that the exams are too hard based on the historical pass/fail rates (mid 60% on average).  The general idea however is sound.

The Intern Development Program is administered by NCARB with the idea of ensuring that all architects have a verified amount of work experience in a number of different categories.  If completed with near maximum efficiency this program should take about 3 years to complete.  This program is supposed to make sure that all architects have spent at least a year drawing construction documents, two weeks negotiating contracts, etc.  The exact amounts are not important the point is that there are a variety of relatively arbitrary time periods which must be met.  Apparently the reason for this requirement is that our accredited degree is inadequate and we are not ready to work unsupervised without additional "seasoning."

The reason I consider with requirement to be immoral is that it is the one section which the intern does not control.  This requirement is based completely on the whims of the local economy, the ability of the intern to relocate for work, and the quality of the work experience.  Academic progress and the exams are based on the intelligence and fortitude of the inter.  In contrast, if the intern cannot find work, they are SHIT OUT OF LUCK!

Yes, interns can complete small amount of IDP on they own, but the process requires that at some point the intern be employed.  I agree that experience is very valuable in anyone's education and certainly makes for a better architect.  However, the program should be voluntary, an "over and above" not a minimum requirement.  Architectural Record articals such are this: (http://archrecord.construction.com/practice/firmculture/1104practice.asp) Are misleading because what intern in their right mind would go on record saying that the program blows?  

Additionally, Matt Arnold has published an interesting study showing that the average time to complete IDP is now approaching 12 years! (http://www.scribd.com/doc/51132717/Concerning-Licensure) Personally I believe that IDP is created to limit the number of architects and ensure a steady supply of serf labor who will stay at a firm just to complete IDP.  Perhaps there is no diabolical plot but this is certainly the result.
 

Many people complain about the state of the profession nowadays. Personally I believe that the profession will be really screwed in 10 years when all the baby boomer architects retire and there is not enough licensed architects to replace them. 

* I'm assuming that the baby boomer architects are able to retire and the economy will eventually recover.  In any case the baby boomer architects will certainly die at some point.

NCARB IDP Renewal Blues

Ugh,
Just received an email that it was time to renew my IDP.  This means that over the past three years I've not been able to accumulate the required amount of experience needed to satisfy NCARB's requirements and need to pony up another $75.  As it stands I'm about one year (2300 hours) short of completion.  Should be able to knock that out in under a year using the supplementary education that NCARB provides as well as using my LEED AP and BD+C certifications to get a few more hours. 

Since Michigan allows concurrent testing, I'll sign up for my first exam soon.  With any luck I can finish the exams and IDP at about the same time.

From Bauhaus to Our House

I recently finished reading this rather old book of architectural criticism, written by Tom Wolfe in 1981.  Architecture students will find this to be a revelation.  It provides much needed light reading and a new perspective to those students who have been bogged down under the weight of Peter Eisenman and other dense theorists.  The central thesis is that the world of architecture has been overtaken by a small group of elitists who enforce their dogma with religious fervor.  His brilliant one liners and wry wit make what can sometimes seem to be deadly serious business of theory into a game of relationships and one-up-manship.

Of great interest to architecture students will be the treatment of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, aka "Daddy Frank," by the intelligentsia after the arrival of Walter "Silver Prince" Gropius from Europe.  Later Wolfe discusses Robert Venturi and his supposedly radical ideas and how he was able to remain a part of the elite while seemingly attacking their most sacred tenets. 

Wolfe saves particular scorn for Philip Johnson.  Johnson is ubiquitous throughout the text and the history of modernism. Instrumental in bringing and securing position for Gropius in the beginnings of the international style, his long and varied career is an easy target for Wolfe. 

A secondary thesis throughout the book is Wolfe's assertion that the Client became subordinate to the Architect during the modern movement.  He goes into hilarious detail on this subject while also showing how despite the popularity of non-modern architecture by the general public, any architect who advocated a new style, or who did so while not kissing the correct shoes, could achieve commercial success yet critical failure.


Perhaps I have a dirty mind, but I could not help but chuckle to myself every time Wolfe mentions Philip Johnson, a homosexual man, and various sexual phrases such as "taking it like a man." 

My advice to any architecture student is to read this during the summer prior to your final semester. After all, it won't help your academic career to have subversive ideas in your head too early on.  The read is just over 100 pages and fun, so go get it!

Finding an internship in Architecture, not Computer Science

So, How does a newly graduated architect find a job or internship?  The process of finding a job is not easy.  The best course of action is to begin making yourself attractive to employers now, before graduation.  To separate yourself from the crowd of newly minted architects you want people to know you as more than just the fancy resume and portfolio on their desk.

1. Network
You have access to a ton of people at school.  Get to know your professors as well.  They can be the key to your future employment.  Make sure everyone thinks you are competent.  These people will be your professional peers for a long time.  They can be a great help long after graduation.

2.  Volunteer
Another great way to meet design and construction minded professionals.  Habitat for Humanity or design charettes are a great way to met the people you could someday be working for.  You AIAS chapter should be able to help with this.  If the chapter isn't organizing volunteer efforts, this is your chance to really make a name for yourself in the region.

3. Portfolio
Start early, like now, and take advantage of all resources.  Post images, sketches, etc. on linkedin and create your own website to broadcast your work.  There are many options for free web space.  The public nature of this will also provide great motivation.

4.  University Career Center
Yes, they can actually be helpful.  Many alumni prefer to hire from their own alma mater.

5. Headhunters
Avoid them!  Employers pay these people a fee of up to 30% of your salary for their assistance.  That was maybe worthwhile in 2006 when the economy was humming.  Today firms are swimming in resumes and don't want to spend more than they have to.

6. The Search
To weed out the ads for computer architects, look on AIA, archinect, and other architecture web sites. 

7. Interview
Be confident in your abilities!  If you’re unsure of yourself the interviewer will know and will assume that you just your lack of confidence is based on poor performance. 

There you go.  A few tips which I should do a better job of following myself.  Its rough out there so good luck everyone.

What's My Title?

What is my title?  For that matter what was Buckminster Fuller’s title? 

Bucky Fuller was certainly a great inventor, one of the geniuses of the 20^th century, most famous for the popularizing the geodesic dome.  Great as he was, he could never legally call himself an Architect.  I’d like to think that there are many people in a similar situation.  People who think they are smart enough, but just haven’t gotten around to completing all the requirements.  Requirements include at least a 5 year Bachelor’s degree, three year internship, and passing 7 exams.  A minimum of about 9 years and very likely longer!  No wonder architect's think they are underpaid.

I'm presently about 6 months from receiving a Masters of Architecture degree.  I've worked at several metro Detroit firms for about 5 years since receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in architecture from University of Detroit Mercy.

My job title is "Architect I," meaning I'm either a recently licensed architect or an unlicensed architect with 3-5 years of experience. Individual states are very careful to regulate the title of "Architect" to ensure that no one practices as an architect without being fully licensed.  This means that while I might call myself an architect while drinking at a bar or writing a blog, I cannot represent myself the same way for commercial purposes.  This is considered important to ensure that buildings don’t fall down or lack the required number of toilets. 

This same issue came to trial about 5 years ago during an Aspen Colorado political contest in which an unregistered architect, Jack Johnson was sent a cease and desist letter from the Colorado Board of Examiners.  Jack Johnson was later vindicated when a judge ruled that he had a First Amendment right to refer to himself as an architect so long as it was not for commercial purposes. 

For the purposes of my email signature, it would be misleading to list my job classification.  While it is accurate to say “Intern” I don’t want to be confused with a college junior or senior.  I could just list my degree.  This is common in England but I’ve never seen it done by an American.  I’ve found that the best title for me is either “Architectural Designer” or simply “Designer.”

Hopefully this is all moot in about 18 months.  That is the amount of time I should need to graduate in August and take the 7 ARE’s. (Architect Record Exams) 

“Registered Architect” here I come!

Graduation Watch Gift Guide - For architects and designers

Looking into the future a bit I've decided that I want to get myself a really nice watch as a graduation present.  I've spent a great deal of time reading about watches and visited quite a few stores to see them in person.  The elements most important to me are "glowing" hands, automatic movement, durability, suitability for dress wear, and an exhibition case back.  Why spend the big bucks on an automatic movement if you can't see it. Some of these are far beyond my current means, but someday.....

IWC Aquatimer
$4,500

With a hefty price and hefty specs the IWC Aquatimer is a diving watch which can go easily from boardroom to ocean.  The white and black version is probably the most "dressy."  A sapphire bezel over SuperLuminova enhances underwater legibility and is more scratch resistant than aluminum bezels found on most other dive watches.


Tag Heuer Monaco
$2,900

Iconic watch worn by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans and one of the very first automatics.  This is one of the coolest square watches around.  This watch might be the easiest to find of any on this list.  Give me the version with an exhibition case back please.


Stowa Flieger Automatic
$900

One of the five original pilot watch manufacture's. Stowa pilot's watches are made to be supremely legible.  Since I'm unlikely to receive an IWC Big Pilot at $10,000+ I'll settle for the Stowa which is supremely legible and has an unfinished "straight from WWII" look.

Xetum Tyndal
$1,000

Made by Xetum, a newly formed company in San Francisco, these watches have a unique watch which appeals to me.  I'm sure any  new architect would appreciate the purity of form evident here.  The cylindrical case is not actually all that tall at 11 mm, but provides a wrist presence which many watches only achieve through massive diameter.


Rolex Explorer
$3,000

The Rolex brand is considered the epitome of success and luxury.  If you care about name brands this is the one to get.  The Explorer is also availible in a GMT version, the Explorer II, which has just been re-released.

Oris BC4
$2,000

Oris is known for their good quality diving watches.  The BC4 is their basic pilot's watch.  It is a little unusual in that the day is displayed via pointer hand.  The Oris red rotor is maintained along with their typical price to value ratio.


Nomos Glashutte Tangente
$3,000

One of the least expensive in-house movement watches around, Nomos Glashutte is proud of their Bauhaus inspired designs.  The very thin and hand-wound Tangente is a watch any aficionado would respect.


Glasutte Original Sport Evolution

$9,000

Similar in appearance to the Rolex Submariner, this watch is superior in most every way. The in-house movement is well detailed and visible the the case back.  Bracelet is very comfortable and permits micro-adjustments. I'm not qualified to detail all aspects of this watch but it should suffice that this watch is considered a great value dispute its very high price.

I've left off some of the most common "graduation watches such as the Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, and Speedmaster.  While I have nothing against these watches, in fact they are well known, easily recognizable, and symbols of achievment.  With this list I've attempted to provide a range of high end watches which speak to those with a bit more of an appreciation for the finer things in life.  For example, everyone with a rich uncle and a degree has a Rolex, but not everyone even knows about Glasutte or Nomos.

If anyone is really interested in a watch with a great pedigree, look into the used market.  A 20 year old Vacheron Constantin or Patek Phillipe, can be a fantasic and timeless value. 

A special thanks to Ablogtoread for furthering my horological education and helping me waste time during work hours.