National Associates Committee http://blog.aia.org/nac/ The blog for the National Associates Committee en Copyright 2010 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:52:01 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Mine the Gap

The Chicago Architectural Club is pleased to announce the 2010 Chicago Prize Competition: MINE THE GAP, a single-stage international design ideas competition dedicated to examining one of the most visible scars left after the collapse of the real estate market in Chicago: the massive hole along the Lake Michigan shore that was to have been—and may yet be—the foundation for a singular 150-story condominium tower designed by an internationally renowned Spanish architect, a tower which was to have become a new icon for the city and region. What to do with the gap? Whether or not the project is resuscitated, what else can we do with this strategic and highly charged site? Once the motor of real-estate speculation has stalled, what can we use to propel ourselves, and the discipline, forward?

For more information on the competition, visit http://www.chicagoarchitecturalclub.org/competitions/competitions.aspx

— Bill Turner, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2010/02/mine_the_gap.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2010/02/mine_the_gap.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:52:01 -0500 What do you want to be called in 2010? We want to know what you think “non-licensed” architects should be called. What is in the name or titling for you? What does it get you, where does it get you or how does it make you feel? Those of us on the licensure track are working really hard to earn the title of “architect” and those of us who are architects treasure the right to the title. So, what can we non-licensed individuals call ourselves without being confused with architectural students? ]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2009/05/what_do_you_want_to_be_called.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2009/05/what_do_you_want_to_be_called.html Mon, 18 May 2009 08:25:13 -0500 Tested out the new e-EVR? http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek09/0123/0123rc_face.cfm]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2009/01/tested_out_the_new_eevr.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2009/01/tested_out_the_new_eevr.html Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:46:56 -0500 What Do You Think about the Economic Downturn The economic downturn not only sends shivers as we hear about friends’ firms laying off employees, but also impacts how those of us who have so-far remained unscathed spend our daily lives.  Many of the decisions we make are freighted with concerns about our friends, our families, and ourselves as the economy slows. 
What steps have you or your firm taken to prepare for the tough times ahead?  Do you feel ready for the slowdown?  Share your thoughts with other associates. 
]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/12/what_do_you_think_about_the_ec.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/12/what_do_you_think_about_the_ec.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:34:30 -0500 Transitions from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0 The Architect Registration Examination (ARE) was upgraded to a new format and structure when NCARB launched ARE 4.0 this past July.  The latest version of the exam combines the graphic vignettes and multiple-choice content, reducing the overall number of divisions from nine to seven.   Fill us in on your experience - What do you think about the change from ARE 3.1 to ARE 4.0? What has your method of study been for ARE 3.1/4.0?  Did the transition affect you in any way?  Share your tips, tricks, successes and frustrations.
]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/10/transitions_from_are_31_to_are.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/10/transitions_from_are_31_to_are.html Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:11:11 -0500 What’s in a name? The question is: What’s not in the name that should be? How many times have you seen the term “Intern Architect” used by employers, employees, AIA components, or NCARB? Did you know that this term is not legally defined or allowed in almost half of the states? Many articles have been written on the subject suggesting that it is time to institute an industry-wide title change.  What are your thoughts a title change? What title would you recommend?

Reference:  http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek08/0912/0912rc_face.cfm

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/09/whats_in_a_name_the_question_i.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/09/whats_in_a_name_the_question_i.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:35:21 -0500 Blurring Boundaries: Share Your Work-Life Balance Tips and Tricks Last winter AssociateNews conducted a reader employment survey. More than three-quarters of respondents indicated that it was either very important or important that a typical workweek remain around 40 hours and that a comp time policy be instituted so that when we do have a big push, the extra hours can be utilized as time-off later.  Flex time, or the ability to manipulate your own schedule based on personal or project needs, was even more appealing to associates – 82% of respondents indicated that flex time was either very important or important.  Additionally, The New York Times article “Still Searching for Equilibrium in the Work-Life Balancing Act” by Kelly Pate Dwyer references a study by the Society for Human Resource Management stating that “[Balance] is the No. 1 factor in job satisfaction for workers age 35 and younger.” This is especially interesting for associates, who are typically younger than our AIA counterparts.

Have you found a way to balance your work life and home life?  What struggles or triumphs have you experienced since entering the workforce?  Share your tips, tricks, successes and difficulties.

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/09/blurring_boundaries_share_your.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/09/blurring_boundaries_share_your.html Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:23:16 -0500 Are We "Walking The Walk" in the Right Direction? By Mark Schwamel, Assoc. AIA

As our industry continues moving towards a ‘greener’ tomorrow, the National Associates Committee (NAC) requests your personal opinions about your recent experiences at the American Institute of Architects national convention in Boston and whether or not you feel we are on the right path to a sustainable future.
Read more of Are We "Walking The Walk" in the Right Direction? in Forward

Describe how sustainable your overall convention experience was?

As we all work towards reaching the 2030 Challenge regarding carbon-neutrality, should we be doing more or is this already a big enough challenge for our profession? Should the AIA and architects in general be supporting or initiating other programs regarding sustainability and doing even more?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/07/are_we_walking_the_walk_in_the.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/07/are_we_walking_the_walk_in_the.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:59:48 -0500 Resolution 2008-07 aka "6 Month Rule" NCARB will vote on Resolution 2008-07, commonly known as the "6 Month Rule" on June 28, 2008.  If passed, this rule will require mandatory reporting of IDP Training Units every 6 months.  Under this new rule, training that is not reported within that time period, will begin to expire similar to the “Rolling Clock”.   Tell us what you think, should training experience become invalid?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/06/resolution_200807_aka_6_month.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/06/resolution_200807_aka_6_month.html Discussions by AIArchitect Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:53:08 -0500 The Trials and Sucesses of IDP Many of us have experienced the trials and successes of the Intern Development Program (IDP) process. What have your experiences been like?   Below are three incomplete statements. Please provide a short answer to each.

My IDP experience was…

My IDP experience would have been better if…

If I were in charge and could make any changes, I would…

Thanks so much for your input. We will try and put it to good use.   Now get back out there, finish your IDP, pass the ARE and start creating the world of tomorrow!

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/01/the_trials_and_sucesses_of_idp.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2008/01/the_trials_and_sucesses_of_idp.html AssociateNews Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:51:47 -0500 AIA and Social Networking An increasing number of associations are creating communities on familiar online social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Second Life. Before the AIA jumps on the bandwagon, we'd like to hear from our members about what they would like to see from the AIA in this area.

 Would you visit these sites regularly to learn more about AIA updates, etc.? 

Would you attend an info session or continuing ed session in a virtual world? What other information would you seek there?

Would you join an AIA Community online and connect with other members? Do you already highlight AIA service activities (e.g., AIA committees, activities) on your networking profiles?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/aia_and_social_networking.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/aia_and_social_networking.html Social Networking Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:22:30 -0500 What will the IDP look like for the next generation of architects? by Suzanna Wight, AIA
AIA Emerging Professionals Director

Now that National Council of Architectural Registration Board’s (NCARB) licensing guidelines have changed allowing interns to take the Architect Registration Exam (ARE) in the midst of their internship, will internship rules change too? It’s likely—especially if the same proponents of the ARE timing changes can rally their troops again.

The AIA National Associates Committee (NAC) has been a proponent of several ways to make the Internship Development Program more relevant and reactive to the needs of young professionals. Perhaps the most room for improvement lies in clearly delineating and documenting the responsibilities of IDP mentors and supervisors. The biggest roadblock here is a basic lack of communication and knowledge. The majority of people who are supervisors now never went through the IDP process, and a basic primer (covering the glossary of terms, the forms to fill out, what are the steps supervisors should take with their interns, etc.) could go a long way towards getting interns and their bosses on the same page. A big part of this communication gap is simple supervisor accountability. To make the IDP more effective, mentors and supervisors need to be made aware of the exact commitment make when they sign  an IDP form.

Another common criticism about the IDP is that it’s all numbers and no judgment. Its singular focus on 700 units of seat-time doesn’t take into account any qualitative analysis of an intern’s comprehension and competency. The goal is to ensure that interns understand the tasks involved in completing an IDP training area and are able to perform them independently following licensure. Measuring the amount of time spent on a particular task doesn’t do that. So far, two different programs are being considered to address competency in architectural internships. The Comprehensive Intern Development Program (CIDP) that California has adopted has interns submit a written narrative and graphic representation of the projects they are working on to their supervisor. The Emerging Professional’s Companion is a Web site tha presents interns with qualitative development tools, like open-ended problem-solving scenarios and case studies.

On the heels of the ARE changes, this push is another sign of the broad democratization of the practice of architecture and a new generation of architects that is committed to grassroots activism. Let’s embrace it. Interns are insisting that their voices be heard. Let’s listen.

What do you think?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/what_will_the_idp_look_like_fo.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/what_will_the_idp_look_like_fo.html Discussions by AIArchitect Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:31:41 -0500 ARE + IDP: How will it affect you? Now that NCARB has passed a resolution indicating their stance on taking the ARE's while enrolled in IDP, what does this mean for you? Granted a handful of states already allow interns to take the exams ahead of IDP and many other states boards' licensing regulations have not changed as of yet, how has this new standpoint at NCARB affected your plans for licensure?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/are_idp_how_will_it_affect_you.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/07/are_idp_how_will_it_affect_you.html AssociateNews Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:22:11 -0500 The ARE+IDP Concurrency Vote AssociateNews
Letter from the Editor

As most of you already know, right now in a majority of United States the path to architectural licensure includes a degree from an accredited architecture program + completion of the Intern Development Program + successful completion of the Architect Registration Exam. Many have questioned why a candidate for the ARE’s has to wait until they finish IDP to start taking test and many have presented this question in front of NCARB. A significant milestone occurred last June when the NCARB Board proposed a resolution at their 2006 Annual Meeting which would have changed the current Model Law recommendation that candidates only be made eligible to start taking the ARE after the candidate has completed IDP.  The implementation of this resolution is to be voted on this month at NCARB’s 2007 Annual Meeting.

Your Regional Associate Directors from the NAC have also been working with their respective state boards to lobby in support of IDP+ARE concurrency, and many have been vocal about benefits of concurrency. For some background on this issue, check out the article, “A Rallying Cry” by past NAC Advocacy Director Chris Reynolds as well as the AIArchitect article, “NCARB Votes to Allow Taking Portions of ARE Concurrent with IDP” from the last NCARB Annual meeting.

What do you think about IDP+ARE?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/06/the_areidp_concurrency_vote.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/06/the_areidp_concurrency_vote.html AssociateNews Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:55:28 -0500 What makes you go to work? Last month at AssociateNews we started a series called "Joe Architect" with the intention of highlighting local and regional architects that do exceptional work, but often get overlooked in national architectural publications. These local firms make up a majority of the AIA, which means that there is a high likelihood that you, the Associate member, work there. We have received a substantial amount of positive feedback about the potential of this series to truly give credit where it is due, and also to share the values that make these firms unique and desirable places to work. Clearly if you want to write about the strengths of your firm, you believe that they are making a positive impact on their community.

If you're not looking for fame and fortune as architects, what makes you go to work and give 100% to serving the public needs of the built environment? Also, what values do you look for in a model "Joe Architect"? What makes you proud to be one of these (intern) architects? ]]> http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/04/what_makes_you_go_to_work.html http://blog.aia.org/nac/2007/04/what_makes_you_go_to_work.html Joe Architect Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:18:07 -0500