AIArchitect

by Thomas Bergan
Manager, AIA Federal Legislative Relations

In March 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would dramatically alter the method by which American workers form a union. This legislation, the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007 (H.R. 800), passed the House by a vote of 241- 185; shortly thereafter, the Senate failed to reach the 60 votes necessary to begin debate on the bill as the cloture vote failed, 51-48. Congress did not address this legislation in 2008, but it is probable that the bill will reemerge now that the new Congress has convened. The AIA Board Advocacy Committee, which oversees national AIA legislative initiatives, would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Please read on.

by C. Douglas Barnes

In the AIArchitect, January 9, 2009, article by Michael Strogoff, AIA, “Negotiating With a Client's Representative Requires Different Tactics,” he mentioned "government agencies." More and more I have been finding that there is no "negotiating" involved. The architect-owner agreements are part of the request for proposal (RFP) package. We are required to sign an affidavit with our proposal that says that we agreed to all the terms presented in the RFP including an attached contract and ridiculous insurance requirements.

You really don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows these days. Just look at the latest economic trends ... or your inquiries and billings ... or, and this hurts and scares us all, your employment status.

Remember in 1990 when the stupid joke was: "How do you call an architect in any city in the U.S.?"

"Taxi!"

Well, it's not a a very funny joke this time either. The AIA at all levels is trying to connect those persons with work to those without. One example is at the AIA Career Center.

And, so often times, it seems that the control is beyond one's own control. Take a look at the Associate Member blog and see what (few they are, but poignant nonetheless) viewpoints there are.

Anyone who has weathered five or more of these downturns knows that there is an upturn coming eventually, probably within a few hundred days. And, yet, this situation is unprecedented ... in so many ways.

Yikes (and, at the same time, as so many firm management consultants say: It is a cold cold wind indeed that blows no one any good).

Comments on both good wind and cold are much appreciated right now.

This is what the collective community of the AIA is all about. In fact, if you have a minute (or four) take a look at what President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, says about the extraordinary value of your professional education, knowledge, and wisdom during difficult times.

In what is perhaps best considered a measurement of the overheated pace of post-millennial development, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has released a report that says more tall buildings were constructed in 2008 than in any other year in history.

Yes. Despite the greatest global economic meltdown since the Great Depression, the brakes have yet to be fully applied.