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Public recognition of the architect's value to the built environment has seen a significant resurgence in the past decade. In contrast, previous decades of the '70s, '80s and '90s fell short in appreciation of or demand for consumer architecture.
This recent renewal of interest and appreciation for good design has extended to residential architecture as well. Good news, not only because it allows most of us to earn a reasonable living, but also because it allows us to positively influence the built environment, which for too long has been directed by lay people.
There is a caveat to this relatively new demand in residential design which is an obvious void in the availability of good architects to fill the positions to complete the projects. The low esteem afforded architects, characterized by bad pay and unappealing jobs in previous decades, has contributed to an extreme vacuum in today's employment market.
Fortunately, the resurgence in architecture's popularity has drawn many young people to architecture as a career path. This will have a long-term positive effect for established firms. Inherently, however, an extended lag time will prevail before architect interns are seasoned enough to add professional weight.
Notable author and speaker Dr. Stephen R. Covey writes in his latest book The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness of the "knowledge worker age" which is accessing our highest personal potential by enabling passion and intelligence. From an organizational perspective, what better environment to nurture creative genius than in a progressive and esteemed architectural firm employing talent at all levels?
As architects, we have to embrace the aspiring architect interns and grow their talents within the company today and for the future. To remain competitive, established firms need to grow their best assets from within. Invest time to connect with universities with outstanding architectural programs. Mentor interns and hire fledgling graduates who show particular promise.
Our greatest challenge is, and will continue to be, having enough good architects to produce good work. Most often, it's the single practitioner with fewer resources that dominates the market and is most accessible. It's difficult to find a sizable firm that is affordable and specializes in custom residential design. Whatever the case might be, most architectural firms currently are overbooked.
The AIA convention this past May offered little tailored to residential architect educational programs apart from green building topics. My hope is that the AIA will begin to provide more substantive programs and support to residential architects.
The Custom Residential Architect Network unfortunately did not have scheduled seminars at the convention, but there is a symposium coming Oct. 19-21 in Chicago that will focus on creating a business plan and marketing program for the residential design firm. Also covered will be sustainable design and digital home technology. This is a good way to earn LUs toward continuing education.
It is clear that this newly empowered industry of residential architecture is in demand by a more educated consumer (i.e. home buyer) who is willing to pay for excellence in design that includes functionality as well as form. I suggest to my builder peers that if you are working with a good architect, appreciate him and pay him well.
To my architect peers, I look forward to seeing you at CRAN in Chicago!
Luis Jauregui, AIA, is a registered architect and a member of the local and national chapters of the American Institute of Architects for more than 20 years. He has been an active leader within the Homebuilders Association of Austin, Texas, serving as president in 1999, and as director at the local, state and national homebuilders' association levels. Jauregui was appointed to the National Committee on Labor Shortages and was instrumental in the formation of Austin's Custom Builder Council and served as its chair in 1997 and 2001. He has served as chairman for HBA's Parade of Homes committee for several years, and is regularly solicited to judge residential award competitions throughout Texas and the United States.
author: By Luis Jauregui, AIA