citizen architect

At the recent Vision session dedicated to the topic of advocacy the group was provided with multiple avenues to advocate for the profession at the local, state and national levels.  The conversation was enlightening to the lobbying efforts of ArchiPAC, and clearly laid out the goals and agenda for the upcoming year.  The red button topics at the state level were identified and the AIA Cincinnati advocacy group introduced itself.  All certainly eye opening and noted.

Still, I believe the strongest venue for advocacy for the profession is as citizen architect, grounded in the local issues through community groups, school boards and local and city planning groups. What better way to advertise the architect as problem solver, as ethical, as a facilitator, with the ability to think outside the box and to the see the big picture. (Note: Andrew Goldberg highlighted these qualities as the architects’ strengths as recognized by the broader public).

Unfortunately, it seems that the academic education of the architect is heavily dedicated to theory over practice and to designing unconceivable high rises rather than community centers (at least these were the trends in my school days).  While this offers a military like training in remolding the mind of the architect to think critically I believe it is important for students to dig themselves out of the studio, on occasion.  Lead by the success and publicity of the Rural Studio many architecture schools have added programs that address local and community issues.  So I do think that academia has evolved.

Anyways, local involvement and activity outside the office in my mind plays the strongest advocate for the profession.  This involvement promotes the strengths of the architect to the community and legitimizes the necessity of the profession.