120210
ALL GONE !
By Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT; Cincinnati, OH
I am sure many of you do not see or read the monthly periodical, ARCHITECTURAL RECORD. Either there is no particular interest, no time, or other opinions about the effort to read it. But you should [!!!] read this, INCLUDING THE COMMENTS; it is flat-out striking;
Both interesting and quite frightening [both for current professionals and those looking at the profession]!
Then, too, read Sheldon Wolfes piece, HOW HAVE THE ARCHITECTS RESPONSIBILITIES CHANGED? http://swconstructivethoughts.blogspot.com
Both of these, to me, are baffling enigma, confounding when so much else around us is full of rules and requirements that mandate directly oppose thinking. Why the difference?
Part of the problem is that the profession itself and its academic support havent given much thought about the future. Not teaching a comprehensive curriculum in the first place, mischaracterizing the work of the profession in the second, and choosing to admire and support the weird bizarre few projects [among thousands done well] are we come to extinction?
In essence no one cares if the rules are followed, and indeed, it is easier to change the rules than to enforce those in existence now-- with well founded rationale behind them. We just seem to want to cheaply facilitate projects, during work in bizarre forms, at high costs and questionable processes procedures and construction [not the contractors fault, here].Contractors of good repute can build more any structure desired. The problem is the things, etc. that are missing.
What is missing? A passion for the work other than design. A drive for excellence in construction, in lieu of minimal, cheap, shortcut efforts. Constructive knowledge and product information. Abyss of correct academic professional training. Cohesive and proactive interfaces between ALL concerned agencies. Human capacity instead of standard, reusable and machine generated products. The on-going and increasing concept that construction technology is not necessary; neither is third party oversight of projects [for appropriate design, cost control and other project oversight]. What is missing? And it seems right to say, a good degree of creativity will be gone. Contractors spend too much time learning their trade and business. While some have design or architectural training it is not developed to the level of architects and designers. Too bad!
No architects? OK, now how do clients get the projects they require [in every aspects]with correct costs, appropriate construction and someone to advocate for the project as designed. From what the two articles indicate, n one cares==-- professionals or ownersreally cares. Somehow it will get, but..
The fundamental blame is in the architectural profession, which preferred to bally-hoo its design aplomb, and never stopped to think how their projects were documented or built. Sheer benign and thoughtless neglect! Too the impartial third-party has been removed from the construction project equation-- and that certainly does no one any good. Contractors appear gain the advantage in this, but I am not sure they are gleeful over the added effort theyll need to fill-in and address the design question for all phases of projects for all cients. Think here, for a moment, if the architect disappears, what else will become vague and mysterious things in the fading past.