Young Architects Forum http://blog.aia.org/yaf/ The discussion forum for topics of concern to young architects en Copyright 2009 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:03:51 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss New Look! The new AIA Web site is live!  
Take some time to navigate the new site then, when you have time, post your feedback. What do you like? What needs work? Any and all constructive feedback is welcome. ]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2009/02/new_look.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2009/02/new_look.html Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:03:51 -0500 How Far Have We Come? – Work/ Life Balance matriARCHitect Blog

2007 Convention Program

San Antonio, TX

Architects lead complex and interconnected personal and professional lives. This life and work balance is not easy to achieve, but like all healthy systems the ability to positively adapt to societal and environmental change is essential. Sustainability of the architecture profession is, in a very broad sense, the retention, encouragement, and development of a diverse (female and minority) professional base that will be able to better serve an ever-changing society and client group.

Have you had to “opt-out” because your firm can’t or won’t accommodate mother/father-hood? Have you been relegated to less desirable projects or even passed-over for promotion because of family obligations? Has a potential employer asked if you were married or have children during an interview? What have been some of the major stumbling blocks for you? What have you done to navigate around these obstacles?

1957
The AIA  is 100 years old  and 123 (1%) of the 10,634 members are women.
Four women have been named Fellows.

How far have we come?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2007/05/how_far_have_we_come_work_life.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2007/05/how_far_have_we_come_work_life.html matriARCHitect Blog Thu, 31 May 2007 09:11:12 -0500 Risky Business – Work/ Life Balance matriARCHitect Blog

2007 Convention Program

San Antonio, TX

What does it take to make architecture a sustainable profession, capable of serving a diverse and rapidly changing society? What happens when the skills and abilities, firm investment and productivity are lost to female and minority attrition? Family and personal life is universally understood as “priority”, but our profession requires more of us, within the office and the community. While these demands are common to all architectural professionals, they appear to take the largest toll on female architects as evidenced in attrition rates and firm leadership demographics. Learning how to deal with these conflicting priorities is critical for curbing current rates of burnout, attrition and decreased productivity.

What strategies and techniques have worked for you? What policies, benefits, perquisites or support structures does your firm have in place to reconcile family obligations and work load? How do you advocate for yourself and your concerns within the workplace? How should a firm leader manage disparate staff priorities and still maintain productivity and creativity within the office?

Additional Sources for Information and Discussion
]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2007/05/risky_business_work_life_balan.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2007/05/risky_business_work_life_balan.html matriARCHitect Blog Thu, 31 May 2007 09:09:02 -0500 Architects in the Movies In October, the Turner Classic Movies channel presented series of films about architects: 'The Fountainhead' starring Gary Cooper and 'The Towering Inferno' starring Steve McQueen, to name a few. Of course, there are more recent films such as 'Indecent Proposal' (Woody Harrelson) and 'Intersection' (Richard Gere). What do you think of the way films portray architects? Are the portrayals more or less interesting and glamorous than real life? Who's your favorite architect of the movies?]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/11/architects_in_the_movies.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/11/architects_in_the_movies.html Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Crazy Work Stories Where to even begin on this topic?! All of us have thousands of stories about the contractor who is five months late on a six month construction schedule (and somehow it's all the architect's fault); about the janitor who thought the bathroom tile was 'just dirty' and proceeded to bleach out the brand-new integrally-colored grout; about the time the owner just didn't understand why we couldn't produce construction documents on his new laboratory project in just two weeks. These stories don't describe the internal fun, like the Person In The Office Who Never Orders More Plotter Paper Even When They Use The Last Roll or the time someone 'accidentally' deleted the project directory from the server. It's enough to make you scream and quit; thank goodness, we love what we do. What happened to you this week that nearly drove you over the edge?]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/11/crazy_work_stories.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/11/crazy_work_stories.html Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Advice and Counsel One of the three parts of the YAF mission is Mentorship. For years, the profession has struggled with the understanding that mentoring is important, but how do we make good mentors, encourage seasoned practictioners to give their time, make matches that will sustain over time...the list goes on. Finding a counselor who can help to guide you through your professional and personal growth is an essential for any aspiring architect. Most people want to connect with someone local, but technology also enables us to have mentors in other states, even other countries. So, how can the YAF provide support for young architects who are seeking ADVICE and COUNSEL?]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/advice_and_counsel.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/advice_and_counsel.html YAF - 15 Years Later Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Professional Development and Specialties One of the most important areas of the YAF mission is providing leadership opportunities for young architects. There are many issues to consider as one transitions into the profession following licensure. How do you take on more responsibility in your firm? How do you let others know you are doing good work? How do you get into the promotion track? What about firm transition? Frequently, we see young architects who leave 'mainstream' practice to make a difference in government and NGOs. How do you take on leadership roles in your firm and/or community?]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/professional_development_and_s.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/professional_development_and_s.html YAF - 15 Years Later Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Work/Life Balance The YAF provides a support network of individuals who are sharing like experiences: fellowship. Work/life balance is one of the biggest common issues for this generation. Particularly for young architects, in transition to new phases of life which involve juggling a career, children, aging parents and a variety of responsbilities, how doesn't one do it all? Does the culture of your firm reflect the demands of your life? Generational differences in firms along can bring communication on project teams to a screaching halt and increase stress te-fold. Doctors and lawyers work hard, too, but don't they get paid more? How do you managing the young architect's balancing act?]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/worklife_balance.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/worklife_balance.html YAF - 15 Years Later Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500 What's the craziest thing you've done to get into a building? It goes without saying that architects love to look at buildings. We'll travel far and wide to do just that. But of course, just looking isn't enough--we must experience them, inside and out. So when a friend tells us that there is in fact a Frank Lloyd Wright house in a sleepy, unremarkable Tulsa, Oklahoma neighborhood, we will drive by it. We will get out of the car and admire it from the sidewalk. Before you know it, we will be inching up the driveway, peering through the windows. Then, as if lured by some mysterious force, we're in the back yard...until an angry homeowner comes out in his bathrobe and kindly asks us to leave. What's the craziest thing you've done to get into a building? Did it work??]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/whats_the_craziest_thing_youve.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/10/whats_the_craziest_thing_youve.html Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Advocating for Sustainability: Are Young Architects the Solution? In last week's AIArchitect, not only did we see a new fancy format, but there was also a new column on Emerging Professionals. Did you notice it? This month, the YAF contributed an article about sustainability and the influence that today's generation can have on our environment through green design. Mark Giessen, a project manager with Cubellis Ecoplan, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., says:

"I firmly believe that one day all design will be environmentally conscious design. The generations before us laid the foundations of sustainable design, and it is the responsibility of the young professionals to take charge and guarantee that our profession remains in the forefront of the environmental movement. When we look back, sustainable design may be what defines this generation of architects. I look forward to being a part of it."

Do you agree? Share your thoughts.

]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/09/advocating_for_sustainability.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/09/advocating_for_sustainability.html Sustainability Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0500 15 Years of YAF This year marks the 15th anniversary of the AIA Young Architects Forum. The YAF Advisory Committee (YAF AdCom) is proud to encourage professional growth and leadership development and, perhaps most importantly, to serve as a collective voice for young architects. In addition to its long standing goals of mentorship, fellowship, and leadership, YAF AdCom aims to engage in more of an advocacy role in the future.

The question is, of course, what types of things do we need to advocate for? What issues are Young Architects facing? Career advancement? Of course. Leadership transition within the office? Probably. Life/work balance? Without a doubt!

It's important to note that 'young architects' as defined by the AIA (those within 10 years of licensure) could be of any age and demographic. Thus, the YAF constituency is a diverse one and advocacy of any kind may not cover everyone. Is there some common ground?

Help us find it! Who are you? What issues are you facing? How can we help you?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/08/15_years_of_yaf.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/08/15_years_of_yaf.html YAF - 15 Years Later Fri, 04 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Welcome to Los Angeles! Architects from across the country (and internationally as well) have begun to arrive in Los Angeles for the 2006 AIA Convention and Design Expo. The week is overflowing with activities from tours to continuing education to social events. The Young Architects Forum has a number of events going on during the week including the YAF Preconvention Summit - A Day at the Getty, a day long event including a private tour with Michael Palladino, AIA, principal designer at Richard Meier and Partners and an afternoon discussion with some of the most notable young designers in the LA area. The YAF is also hosting the Young Architect Award Open Forum event on Saturday morning to showcase the work of the 2006 winners of that award and help aspiring young architects to understand better what the jury is looking for in a submission.

This blog will be updated daily with happenings of the convention from the young architects perspective, starting tomorrow with images and postings from the Getty museum event hosted by the YAF.

Why do young architects go to the AIA Convention?

]]> http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/06/welcome_to_los_angeles.html http://blog.aia.org/yaf/2006/06/welcome_to_los_angeles.html AIA Convention 2006 Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 -0500