tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11908276873239561782024-03-20T03:07:10.904-04:00OverARCHing ThoughtsOften overlooked perspectives on architecture.D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-59482108049760957862019-07-24T21:52:00.000-04:002019-07-24T21:52:42.687-04:00The Sons of God Saw that the Daughters of Men Were Beautiful: An Introduction<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have five daughters. Together with the loveliness of my wife, I am surrounded by beauty. I frequently have suggested to me the idea that my work in child-rearing - as opposed to raising boys - is less burdensome while the girls are young but attended with additional challenges as they begin to change into their adulthood. Perhaps that is because the inner person has developed sufficiently to show through the budding woman, whereas, before, the remaining innocence of the disposition allows us to believe that the pristine loveliness of little girls really does evince a pristine heart.<br /><br />The Word of God tells us a different story.<br /><br />So we go to the Scriptures, helpless, because we know we who are ourselves sinners cannot prevent the piling up of the iniquity of the flesh by fleshly means.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">And what is it we read there?</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The LORD God took the </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: top; white-space: pre-wrap;"><sup>1</sup></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the woman was deceived, not only on account of the fact that the serpent who spoke to her was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made, but because her heart believed what her eyes saw more than she believed God:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate.</i><sup>2</sup></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The beauty she saw became elevated in her heart, surpassing her devotion to the Word of God and becoming an object of devotion in its own right. And so, in Adam, all die.<br /><br /><b>This is the first difficulty</b>: <i>The beauty of creation, even in its unspoiled state, while certainly given for the benefit of man by his God, could not lead them on its own to the knowledge of God. In fact, even in its unspoiled state, the beauty of the produce of the Garden could be perverted into a dreadful weapon against that very knowledge of God.</i><br /><br />Having, then, started afresh at the beginning of the Scriptures with my family, I have been struck anew with a sense of bewilderment at why many who profess themselves to be my brothers in the Lord insist that such things as the following should necessarily pertain to the worship of our God:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Culture. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Redeeming culture. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Creating culture. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Creating space. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Creativity in worship. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aesthetics in worship. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Theology of aesthetics. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arts. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Patronizing the arts. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Arts in worship.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take the following quotation for an instance:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>I’ve always dreamed that we could have doors that are more aesthetically pleasing and let you know that you are actually going into a place of worship, a sanctuary where you are going to meet with the Lord.</i><sup>3</sup></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This statement was made by a local pastor in a recorded address to his congregation. It unashamedly teaches that the beauty of the place of worship can lead one to a deeper knowledge of God. Yet it is plain from barely the beginning of the Scriptures how upside-down such sentiments are. The fact that my daughters are aesthetically pleasing does not let me know that all is right with their hearts; how much less does the beauty of God's Church correspond to the aesthetics of the building in which they meet?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A final note about Adam and Eve: It was only after the fall that they paid any attention to their own outward beauty. So, to those who are burdened by their own outward appearance to the world, whether individual or corporate, I ask,</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-style: italic;">Who told you that you were naked?</b><sup>4</sup></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Above All:</b></span></h3>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do not </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><sup>5</sup></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - John, the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><h3>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Footnotes:</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(1) Genesis 2:15-17 ESV</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(2) Genesis 3:6 ESV</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(3) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUc_j8ZklHE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUc_j8ZklHE</a>, time index 01:35.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(4) Genesis 3:11 ESV...<i>He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(5) 1 John 2:15-17 ESV</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-28738887615694682172013-07-11T14:34:00.000-04:002015-05-17T21:46:53.639-04:00Why Can't We All Just Get Along?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.aiagreenville.org/" target="_blank">AIA Greenville</a> hosted <a href="http://www.reeltimecle.com/" target="_blank">Chris Osborn</a>, Assistant Professor of Law at the Charlotte
School of Law, at its luncheon this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His presentation was entitled, <em>Why Can't We All Just Get Along - A
New Way of Thinking about Construction Disputes (and Keeping Them out of
Court)</em>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The aim of
the presentation was stated as follows in the July AIA Greenville luncheon
invitation:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"Drawing
on his extensive experience in litigating and mediating construction disputes,
Professor Osborn's lively, interactive presentation is designed to equip
architects to: (1) identify and understand the relational dynamics that
underlie most construction disputes, (2) avoid unwittingly 'adding fuel to the
fire,' and (3) where possible, help navigate the opposing parties in the right
direction."<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>1</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Professor
Osborn was certainly lively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stated
up front that he intended on his presentation being as much of a dialog as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that he did not
elicit more feedback from those gathered than he did was in no way due to a
failure on his part to make the subject matter engaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the contrary, he drew out much more dialog
than is common at similar AIA functions, the physical arrangement of which can
tend to stifle audience participation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He first
sought to explain the common relational dynamics that are behind all
construction disputes by comparing the agreement to design and build with a
marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While being an analogy that
drew unanimous initial chuckling from those gathered, it had the added virtue
of being surprisingly accurate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Both a
successful marriage and a successful business relationship must involve
commitment, flexibility, respect, honesty, humility, and healthy communication
on the part of all its participants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover,
everyone ultimately wants the relationship to be a success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On the other
hand, construction fallout comes by way of the same sort of naive courtship,
followed by promises - and sometimes actual ceremonies - and inevitable
friction that occurs once a marriage is underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disputes can be traced to a similar lack
of cooperation, failure to be aware of the inevitability of problems, and lack
of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Given the
fact that disputes are highly likely, how does an architect make the best use
of his power and expertise in solving such problems without making things
worse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Professor
Osborn ultimately suggested that the architect view his role as that of
counselor, a facilitator - and perhaps restorer - of the kind of communication
that could have avoided the dispute in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since a counselor's focus is on root causes,
this understanding of the architect's role has the benefit of serving both
projects currently in dispute and avoiding disputes in future projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The four most
common causes of construction-related disputes, in his experience, are as
follows:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Failure to keep complete and orderly records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Poor communication or a lack of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Divergent expectations.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Differing approaches to conflict.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In
elaborating on these four root causes, Professor Osborn encouraged architects
to focus at all times on the positive goals that all parties to both the design
and construction agreements have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone involved in the project desires a successful completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone also wishes to make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, and perhaps often ignored, all
parties want to build relationships that lead to future work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Professor
Osborn's claim was that his law experience makes him an excellent resource in
thinking through construction disputes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He made good on that claim, while delivering an engaging presentation
that interacted positively with his audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Based on what I heard and saw, I would highly recommend him as such a
resource and as a lawyer in general.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And he would
probably make a halfway decent marriage counselor as well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Above All:<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em>"Do
nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
than yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let each of you look
not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>2</sup><o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Paul, formerly Saul, of Tarsus, ancient Jewish scholar and expert in
the Law<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Did You
Know...?<o:p></o:p></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">According to <a href="http://www.aia.org/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aias076835.pdf" target="_blank">A201 - General Conditions of the Contract for Construction</a>, unless another
individual is specifically designated, the architect serves in the role of
"Initial Decision Maker" in most construction claims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A decision is required by the architect
before further legal action can be pursued by owner or contractor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, the architect, as counselor,
has the first opportunity to resolve the dispute early and avoid a lawsuit!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Footnotes:<o:p></o:p></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(1) Taken
from the homepage of </span><a href="http://www.aiagreenville.org/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.aiagreenville.org</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> as of July 11, 2013.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(2) Philippians
2:3-4 ESV<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(3) A201-2007
Section 15.2.1.<o:p></o:p></span></span>D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-16895262299430311402013-07-05T12:30:00.001-04:002013-07-05T12:42:03.020-04:00How We Are Perceived<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since no one ever feels like working on a Friday that is sandwiched between a Thursday holiday and the weekend, I thought to post something more in that spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Whereas I am passionate about people knowing why architects are important to society, I would be remiss if I did not recognize how funny it is that architects tend to bring the quirks of the profession home with them. Bob Borson, over at <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/" target="_blank">Life of an Architect</a>, posted an article nine months ago called "<a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/dating-an-architect/" target="_blank">Dating an Architect.</a>" He lists some of the things anyone should know about architects if they wish to have a lasting relationship with one. I found it shockingly accurate, and therefore hilarious. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of his eighteen different character traits/quirks, my favorites were...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you need something glued? Architects can tell you when to use white glue vs. hot glue vs. rubber cement vs. epoxy. It’s not complicated but everybody gets it wrong.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do you think you have an opinion? If you can’t “articulate” why you have said opinion it will be considered inferior. It will probably be considered inferior anyway but you have no chance if you can’t explain exactly why you have the opinion that you have.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Architects don’t seem to love anything that actually exists. They might say that they really like something … but even then they will systematically point out all of its flaws.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My wife, <a href="http://bluedoorbygabrielle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gabrielle</a>, would have to tell you for sure how many apply to me. I counted fourteen out of eighteen.</span>
<br />
<br />D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-51087589626999816842013-07-02T12:12:00.002-04:002013-07-02T12:12:53.380-04:00Practice Makes Perfect?<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On my way out the door this morning, I happened to pass a neighbor I had not previously met coming back in from walking his dog. We talked briefly, and, among other things, he quite naturally asked me what kind of work I do.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told him, "I am in architecture."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He said, "So do you...actually build stuff?..."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>How ironic</em>, I thought to myself. <em>I just wrote an <a href="http://overarchingthoughts.blogspot.com/2013/06/who-we-are.html" target="_blank">article dealing with this very thing</a>.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I actually thought about telling him, "I design buildings," mostly because I did not feel I could sum up who an architect is before his eyes started to glaze over. But I quickly realized that the only way to become skilled at answering these kinds of questions is not to descend into what would be, for me, rank hypocrisy, but to practice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I ended up telling him was, "An architect guides the owner through the process of designing the building, bidding it out to builders or negotiating with a builder the owner wants to use, and constructing the building. So during construction, an architect's job is to make sure the building is being built according to plan."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not too bad. A little long, perhaps. Maybe next time I will be able to touch on the "<strong>Protect</strong>" part of the "<strong>Guide and Protect</strong>" equation before my time expires.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think my rambling summary achieved a part of its purpose, though, because my neighbor said, I believe genuinely, "That sounds really interesting. It sounds like you have to know a lot."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Yeah</em>, I thought,<em> including how to describe our own purpose.</em></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Above All:</h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"He who observes the wind will not sow,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em> and he who regards the clouds will not reap."</em>
<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1<o:p></o:p></span></sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - "The Preacher," ancient king of Israel, who, although his identity is disputed, clearly tried everything.</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Did You Know...?</h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The architect's responsibilities to the owner are laid out in the standard <a href="http://www.aia.org/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aias076840.pdf" target="_blank">Owner-Architect Agreement form (B101)</a>, published by the <a href="http://www.aia.org/" target="_blank">American Institute of Architects (AIA)</a>? In other words, using the AIA standard agreement helps the owner understand exactly what he is paying the architect to do, from beginning to end, thereby avoiding unnecessary disputes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Footnotes:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">(1) Ecclesiastes 11:4 ESV</span><br />
D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-22623874882140244162013-06-24T10:13:00.003-04:002013-06-24T10:21:49.611-04:00Who We Are<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not everything at <em>weknowmemes.com</em> is either accurate or
helpful, but the image below nails it when it comes to architecture:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/what-people-think-i-do-architect.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRB0WZJY3IScYOC514FerDhf2gsRwb4QWbSJg6FoimsRTZRZnHwb7gE7MpFC0UdwixBWCZ4VX0OBvIw_yeZkkZS1y9KzMcE25CicTjipqASloa8ek642X-nK0l5KNI4qybTOihkHWJZZw/s400/what-people-think-i-do-architect.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not only is it funny - and yes, I do wish I could play with
Legos for a living - but it accurately captures a real problem that architects
have:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one seems to know exactly why architects are important.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could spend time writing about the long list of skills in
which an architect must be proficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
could also discuss the job descriptions of the various positions that must be
filled in order to round out the practice of architecture (such a discussion is
available at <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/what-does-an-architect-do/" target="_blank">Life of an Architect</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
that would be only to describe an architect's function, not his purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One or more job descriptions simply tells you
what architects do, not who they are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consider the following
hypothetical conversations:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"So,
tell me about yourself."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lawyer:
<em>"I'm a lawyer."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"Oh,
so you argue..."</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"So,
tell me about yourself."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soldier:<em>
"I'm an officer in the US Army."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"Oh,
so you kill people..."</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"So,
tell me about yourself."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Architect:
<em>"I'm an architect."</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You: <em>"Oh,
so you design buildings..."</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first two conversations are ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lawyer may certainly argue as a part of his
job, but that does not describe who he is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A soldier may be called upon to kill another person, but that is not why
he considers it a high calling to be an officer in the armed forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not, in general, consider professionals
to be merely the sum of their duties.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The third conversation, however, happens all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Architects wear a lot of hats, arguably more than most
professionals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a lot of skills
with many corresponding duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, all
of the things an architect does serve who an architect is, which is, in fact,
quite simple:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">n architect <strong>guides</strong> and <strong>protects</strong>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An architect <strong>guides</strong> the owner, for whom he acts as agent,
through the process of creating the kind of space they require in a safe and
legal manner, whether it be for residence or for business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so doing, an architect also <strong>guides</strong> the
physical development of a community by balancing the owner's needs and desires
with the context and direction of the owner's community.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An architect <strong>protects </strong>the owner from the consequences of
poor decisions, incomplete knowledge, and financial overrun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so doing, an architect also <strong>protects</strong> the
public by balancing the owner's interests with the safety and well-being of the
owner's community.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lawyer is not a hired arguer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He argues to obtain justice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A soldier is not a hired killer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fights<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>to defend the helpless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An architect is not a hired designer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He designs so as to facilitate a beautiful, functional, and safe community.</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Above All:</h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it
very well."</em><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- David, ancient king
of Israel and accomplished guide and protector</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Did You Know...?</h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All architects are held accountable to a set of rules of
conduct published by the <a href="http://www.ncarb.org/" target="_blank">National Council of Architectural Registration Boards(NCARB)</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These rules establish
guidelines for architects' competence, compliance with laws, and professional
conduct.<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words,
architects are held publically accountable for the way they do their job!</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<h3>
Footnotes:</h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(1) Psalm 139:14 ESV</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(2) National Council of Architectural Registration
Boards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em>2012-2013 Rules of Conduct.</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://ncarb.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Special-Paper/Rules_of_Conduct.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://ncarb.org/~/media/Files/PDF/Special-Paper/Rules_of_Conduct.pdf</span></a>D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-70367046402247050392013-06-13T17:29:00.000-04:002013-06-13T17:29:34.547-04:00I'm Not the Only OneIn case you thought I was the only <strike>nerd</strike> person that is concerned about things like contracts, I offer an article for your consideration.<br />
<br />
Bob Borson, over at his blog, <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/" target="_blank">Life of an Architect</a>, has written an article outlining the many approaches to agreements between design professionals and their clients. He concisely describes them and makes a case for their comparative strengths and weaknesses.<br />
Here is part of what he has to say about the importance of solid agreements:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<em>A properly prepared legal agreement between owner and architect will clearly communicate a project’s terms and conditions, determine responsibilities of each party and set expectations for schedule and payment for services. The most successful architectural projects are those where open lines of communication are established, and trust and respect are mutually granted.</em>"</blockquote>
I wholeheartedly agree.<br />
<br />
You can read the entirety of the article <a href="http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/architectural-contracts-101/" target="_blank">here</a>. In spite of the blog's title, the article is written for lay readership; nothing too technical. I would recommend that anyone seeking to undertake a building project read through some of his resources first.D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190827687323956178.post-86937695879343543612013-06-12T15:46:00.000-04:002013-06-24T09:48:27.003-04:00First Things First<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been in the architectural profession long enough now
to realize that, for most people - including the building owners for whom we
work - a building project is a complete mystery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can three different entities - the owner,
the architect, and the contractor (the builder) - each with their own
assumptions, interests, ways of working, and means of income, come together to
produce a functional and beautiful building?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong>bad news</strong> is that there is no perfect process, chiseled
in stone and kept in a vault for eyes-only access, of designing, bidding, and
constructing a building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every building project is different, which is
why anyone initiating a building project needs the knowledge and experience
that a licensed architect brings to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But is the building owner at the mercy of the limited experience of that
one architect who acts as his agent?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Actually, no.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <strong>good news</strong> is that the American Institute of Architects has worked with
building owners and general contractors nationwide to produce a document called
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.aia.org/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aias076835.pdf" target="_blank">A201 - General Conditions of the Contract for Construction</a></i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was first
produced in 1911 as a revision to the highly successful <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Uniform Contract</i> published in 1888.<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><sup>1</sup></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It has been revised approximately every ten years since then.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the surface, it might seem like one more stack of paper,
filled with legalese, meant to keep lawyers in business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Practically, however, it provides the
construction industry - and the unsuspecting owners who walk into it - with
clearly defined standards for how the owner, the architect, and the contractor
are to cooperate in the common pursuit of that functional and beautiful
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It contains time-tested
guidelines for...</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<!--[endif]-->...how to divide responsibility in the most sensible and equitable way possible.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">...what to do if something goes wrong, whether someone is at fault or not.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">...how to protect the financial interests of everyone involved.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are an owner - our lingo for anyone who initiates a
building project - or a potential owner, you should know that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A201</i> is nowhere near as simple as I am
attempting to make it, to say nothing of the complexity of the contracts you
will hold, the drawings, the specifications, bidding documents, change orders,
and permits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you would take
a word from me, you will be sure to see that <em>A201</em> is incorporated into the
contract documents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is over one
hundred twenty years worth of wisdom and experience that you should not do
without.</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Above all:</h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<em>Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.</em>"<sup>2</sup>..."<em>How
much better to get wisdom than gold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.</em>"<sup>3</sup></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Solomon, ancient
king of Israel and experienced building owner</span><br />
<br />
<h3>
Did you know:</h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Architects are licensed in the state in which they
practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>State law requires that
drawings and specifications be prepared and sealed by a licensed architect for
most new construction and renovation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
other words, state law recognizes how important architects are!</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<strong>Footnotes:</strong><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(1) The American Institute of Architects. <em>Official Guide to the 2007 AIA Contract Documents</em>. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009; pp. 21-32.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(2) Proverbs 4:7b ESV</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(3) Proverbs 16:16 ESV</span>D. Aaron Wellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18427437899897116728noreply@blogger.com0