Wednesday, April 15, 2015

March 2015 - Architectural Advocacy

After February’s session with Mr. Walt Humann reminded us of the role architects can play towards benefiting the community, March’s session was to show us the role architects can play towards the benefiting the profession as a whole.
                We met this month in the Design District at the ALA showroom and where joined by Michael Malone and Bob Borson for a spirited panel discussion. As current TxA President, Michael stressed the importance in the knowledge of the legislative workings in our State’s capital and how these directly impact the profession. And not just the architectural profession, he stressed the impact a current bill to diminish the interior-designer license could have on the license of architects. Michael showed us the direct connection to the capital’s discussions with the bill to preserve Texas’ historic state capitals and how that equals work for architectural offices. He also pointed out the role organizations, such as Texas Society of Architects and AIA Dallas, play in advocating for architects on the legislative level with organizing events such as Advocacy Day.
                As creator and primary contributor to the popular blog “Life of an Architect,” Bob stressed the importance in advocating architecture to the public. His underlying message was that the more informed the public is as to what architects do the more the role of architects are called upon. He encouraged us to each to start our own means of communicating our profession to the public.
                After the panel discussion and Q&A the class was joined by Pete DeLisle for another inspiring leadership counseling session. This month Pete covered the different levels of knowledge and experience we will encounter throughout our careers. This recognition of other’s (and ourselves’) level of capacity and understanding is a vital for communication will those that may be earlier in their career than yourself, or later in their career.
                We wrapped March’s session with the discussion on this year’s class project. In a nearly unanimous vote we decided to continue the Emerging Leaders Program’s history with the Bonton Farm-Works program. With the help of Habitat for Humanity this year’s class will help design and construct the caretakers’ unit so that the farm can have an on-sight caretaker, as well as space for education demonstration. It is going to be a quick and hectic schedule…should be fun.


-Ryan Thomason