Masonry Magazine August 1998 Page. 15
Architects Discover Self and Return
by Fred L. Bemheim
In a recent discussion with an old friend who has been active in both architectural societies (SARA and AIA), he told me he felt the organizations are finally committed to returning to what they never should have abandoned the practice of construction. On-site supervision in lieu of observation and liability in lieu of abstinence are back on the table. The risk/reward ratio is being confronted head-on. This is as it should occur.
Having depicted the architectural profession in a dinosaurian mode, perhaps it is not too late. Certainly the responses from the previous two commentaries can attest to that. Is an awakening taking place? Are the sub-cultures, such as construction management, space planning and interior design leaving the planet Earth? Are they again coming under the guidance of the architect? Is the architect, licensed to protect the public health and safety, finally climbing down from the ivory tower and taking a rightful place in the physical world landscape? Has the profession decided to attend to its responsibilities? Are educational institutions focusing more on practical application as opposed to theoretical presentation? Finally, will Webster's definition of the "architect as the master builder" become a reality?
It is without question the time to harness the steeds to the chariot and drive to new horizons. Architects have always been technically prepared, computer ready and emotionally charged to carry out their defined tasks. Recent indications point to architects raising their fists in defiance, opening their minds, grasping with problems, and seeking "real" solutions.
In Illinois, would you believe for the very first time, the deans of the three major architectural schools met in a public forum to discuss their programs, ideas and perhaps the realities of their teachings. As one of them noted, "architects must be agencies to social change, working to improve the built environment". Where has this distinguished member of academia been hiding since World War II? This statement is indicative of the chasm that exists on college campuses within the study of architecture.
Another awakened educator stated, "that architecture is becoming more and more distant from the minds of the people who are not architects". There is more to the thought process of this professor. He also stated it was staggering that the discipline of architecture which touches everyday lives has a public with little awareness of the built environment. Whose fault is this? Do we blame academia for not preparing students for the "real" world of architecture? Do we blame the national associations for not verbalizing a positive and enlightened image to the public? Do we blame ourselves for not becoming more involved in the dialogue to design functional and pleasing structures within the environment? The answers to these questions lie within each group. No one entity has a monopoly on blame although application of equal shares is a good place start.
How can architects create a more enlightened body of clients who can understand architecture in the everyday world? Perhaps the answer to this question can be derived from those who have had varied degrees of success. They have been doing this all along. Making clients aware is the key to all projects. It is a non-taught communicative skill. A respondee to one of my earlier commentaries noted in writing from the west coast that the architectural profession is losing its influence because "many in the profession, increasingly, refuse to take responsibility for the accuracy of construction documents, the project budget/schedule, and/or other concerns relating to the total project. Little time is spent recording existing
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MASONRY-JULY/AUGUST, 1998 15