So often when folks ask, “What do I do?” I respond, “I’m an architect.” There is definitely an “oh-ah” response. Then they ask, “Ok, what firm do you work at?” When I say that “I have my own small practice and I work on laboratories, animal facilities, fraternity houses (yes, pun’s intended) and commercial work,” their response is somewhat tempered, perhaps to say "Oh, you don’t work on skyscrapers." I think this is an opportunity for “educating the public,” I’ll engage them in a quick discussion of what architects can do for the built environment, assisting with strategic planning (and facts for sound business decisions), and I get their attention.
I am pleased to report on the AIA Small Project Practitioners Awards, which has recently posted the award winners from its fifth-year competition. I am especially pleased that the Architectural Record has included the award winners in its online magazine, http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/
Featuring these types of awards (small projects only) in a prominent publication has the ability to elevate the awareness of how wonderful “small” can be.
—Lisa Stacholy, AIA