Stories in Practice

2005-12-30T11:01:00.000-06:00

"Programming Blog Offers Information-sharing Loop in Pre-design Stage and Beyond."
This story was recently posted in the 1/2-1/8/06 AIArchitect e-newsletter. The Blog as research and communication tool is coming into its own as evidenced by this story.

2005-12-09T12:45:00.000-06:00

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG?
After a semester of the class blogging on a number of issues affecting the practice of architecture, please use this post as a forum for comments, evaluations and suggestions regarding using the Blog as a medium for investigation, communication, and learning. Feel free to comment anonymously if you choose. Thank you for participating in this experiment, check back often to Stories in Practice, and I ask that you keep on Blogging and not delete your class Blog.
Good luck to all of you,
Bridger

2005-12-06T21:17:00.000-06:00

InformeDesign; Where Research Informs Design
InformeDesign is a research and communication tool for designers sponsored by ASID and created by the University of Minnesota. Research Summaries are added weekly and information can be searched and accessed by Building Type, Design Topics such as Building Materials, Finishes and Systems, Codes and Safety, Design and Aesthetics, Design Business and Process, Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment, Personal/Individual Needs and Factors, Social Needs and Factors, and various Occupant/User Types.

2005-11-26T20:20:00.000-06:00

The BIM train is coming!

BIM (Building Information Modeling) represents an opportunity for the convergence of design, construction, manufacturing, cost and scheduling information on a single accessible real time platform for all parties in a construction project. Visit the AIA Technology in Practice Knowledge Community to learn more.

Also see how BIM had changed the way ASG Architects practices in a new article in the 12/12 AIArchitect newsletter.

Look for symposiums, studios, and more offerings from CALA as it embraces this all important development.

Visit the BIM Blog developed by the presenters at the 2005 AIA MN Convention.

2005-11-22T09:41:00.000-06:00

"Hypomania" or "Goal Free"? Elixirs of the creative?
Once you've checked this out, see if you know anyone that behaves with all the symptoms? I'm sure you do, whether it's your boss, co-worker, spouse, friend or just an acquaintance you can't get too close to. Author, John D. Gartner writes in "The Hypomanic Edge, The Link Between Craziness and Success in America" about a genetic condition he calls "hypomania" and how historically our economy, its entrepreneurs, immigration, Homeland Security and creativity and innovation in America are all linked and affected.

You can also read an interview with Gartner on Tom Peter's website.

On the other hand, here's quite a different approach to goal setting that might lead you to a worthwhile life. "Goal-free Living" by Stephen M Shapiro who shares his discovery of , "eight secrets to living life free from the constant pressure of goals".

What a rich world we live in!

2005-11-17T15:47:00.000-06:00

Blog Comic
I just couldn't help myself
by MIKE PETERS

2005-11-14T15:23:00.000-06:00

Moral Capitalism and Professional Stewardship
The instructor has completed a 30 hour workshop sponsored by the Caux Round Table and The Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership whose purpose is to train a group of "professional" Directors of for-profit corporate boards. The main text for the course is, "Moral Capitalism; Reconciling Private Interest with the Public Good" by Stephen Young, Global Executive Director of the Caux Round Table. What significant is the uncanny parallels discovered between the notions of stewardship, ethical behavior and duty architects carry in their role as licensed professionals and the seven CRT Principals for Business which form the basis for ethical and moral business conduct and practices possible within "moral capitalism". A Director's duty of care, loyalty and good faith to all the stakeholders in that market system bear a remarkable similarity to an ethical architect's "duty" to all stakeholders of a built project including the community and environmental sustainability.

Architects can bring significant value to the world by acting through this lens of "Professional Stewardship".

2005-11-11T22:45:00.000-06:00

Professional Journals as Resource
Architectural Record and Architecture magazines are primary professional journal resources for information and articles on design, practice issues, technology, criticism and current events. Every issue is likely to have articles relating to blog topics with links and bibliographies.

2005-11-07T23:23:00.000-06:00

Masters of Design and the "Creative Class"

"No matter what you do in life, design matters." Sound familiar, like something from Daniel Pink's thesis on the Conceptual Age? This Fast Company magazine article from 2004 highlights 20 "masters". Heard of any of them? Visit the magazine for ideas about innovation, technology and business in the 21st century.

Read the interview with Richard Florida author of "The Rise of the Creative Class" and the recently published "The Flight of the Creative Class", whose basic thesis is, "...that the Creative Class is a distinct segment that drives innovation, creates urban success, and is critical to American competitiveness." THAT'S YOU!

2005-10-30T12:20:00.000-06:00

Expanding Architectural Practice
Here's another AIArchitect newsletter article, "Integrated Practice and the New Architect: Keeper of Knowledge and Rules" by Jonathan Cohen FAIA relevant to expanding professional services through the integration of technology and knowledge. It also relates to the ideas we have been hearing from practitioners about providing value through expanded "upstream" services to clients.

2005-10-27T23:26:00.000-05:00

"Private Jokes, Public Places"
A play by Oren Safdie, Columbia M-Arch graduate

For those curious about alternate careers, here's a graduate that found another passion. I have the transcript of this if anyone is interested. It's revealing about studio culture and architectural education.

Another article about Oren and his comments on architects from the Eye Weekly

2005-10-27T21:32:00.000-05:00

AIA 2005 Convention Panel Discussion

"Convention Panel Defines Client Demand for Interoperable 3D Documents"
Many challenging ideas for the future of practice. This is a great time to become an architect. Incredible challenges, numerous opportunities; technology, materials, delivery, leadership, community development, design value, new words and acronyms!

2005-10-25T13:47:00.000-05:00

Blog Progress Update and Suggestions
Visit the activist architect and marketects inc class blogs to see examples of the most successful progress to date.

Suggestions: In the "Comments" section under your blog's "Settings" which can be accessed through www.blogger.com, select "anyone" under "Who can comment" to see if this makes it easier for the interested public to make comments on your blog. To prevent comment spam, select "yes" under "Show word verification for comments". This should block electronic trolling comment spammers. Delete any spam that has gotten through immediately.

I would also suggest providing an email address for one member of your group in order to be notified that a comment has been posted on your blog. This setting is at the bottom of the "Comments" section in your blog Settings.

Remember, your curiosity is your greatest asset.

2005-10-18T23:07:00.000-05:00

Wired Magazine Articles - by Kevin Kelly

"We Are the Web"

Check out these articles from Wired Magazine pertinent to this project.
Here are some gems from the writer which underscore the validity of this Blog Project. Think about how this reality is affecting professional practice today and in the next decade. What value and service can we provide in this hyperlinked global participatory world?

"...a link - which, it turns out, is the most powerful invention of the decade."

"Linking unleashes involvement and interactivity....It transforms reading into navigating and enlarges small actions into powerful forces."

"This impulse for participation has upended the economy and is steadily turning the sphere of social networking - smart mobs, hive minds, and collaborative action.."

"People who take advantage of these capabilities are no longer customers; they're the company's developers, vendors......" It assumes participation, not mere coonsumption."

Here's the other article of interest:
"New Rules for the New Economy"

2005-10-18T17:26:00.000-05:00

We all have our reasons!

Peter Kohlsaat

2005-10-13T23:57:00.000-05:00

Katrina Relief Work.
Your instructor at work with Nechama, Jewish Response to Disaster. Recovery work in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, October 2005

One house in one neighborhood in one city in one area of the hurricane disaster zone. A daunting task, yet one experiences the goodness of people.

Log after log after log. Hot, humid, yet joyful.

Tree meets house. Tree wins. Thankfully, no one injured
See Archinect's emergency relief related links

2005-09-29T14:21:00.000-05:00

Blog Project Objectives and Assessment Tools

Ability to define research topic and to describe/clarify the numerous practice related issues the topic triggers. Why is this topic important, who is involved, how does it impact architects and their personal and professional lives? How will researching and presenting this topic benefit the public, educational and professional community?
Ability to solicit, present and analyze the multiple perspectives the all stakeholders bring to an issue or circumstance. Competing and collaborative positions should be explored and evaluated.
Evidence that the group engaged the broad professional community and the business, public and governmental representatives their topic requires.
Ability to use this medium to its fullest capacity. Engagement of the participants and viewers of the Blog will determine quality and success. The medium demands interaction and linkages with the research subjects and therefore it is expected that the Blog will reflect this. Multi-media exposure including text, photo, video, audio, links and other capabilities of the medium will be evaluated. You should be responding directly to the comments posted by participants in order to maintain the dialogue.
Draft and final "presentations" of the group Blogs will be evaluated for subject matter content, presentation quality, creativity, engagement of the class and other as yet undermined factors. This is an experiment in motion and more direction will be available after the first presentations.
Peer Review of each group member will be expected at the end of the project.

2005-09-26T13:18:00.000-05:00

Develop 1st Work Plan Draft

The first task is to expand your investigation to better understand the broader practice oriented framework your topic involves. Brainstorm as a group as many possible issues affecting architects that revolve around your topic. This should generate a list of professional issues, project and firm oriented positions and challenges, philosophical and ethical considerations, as well as a picture of the wide spectrum of stakeholders affecting and affected by architects. Post this investigation on your blog in some format for feedback, and so others can participate in your research and blog. Remember, this is a communication vehicle for the entire interested community.

Develop a Work Plan for the next 4 weeks that focuses your topic and identify the major issues that the group will research. Identify whom you expect to contact making sure that you cover all the voices and perspectives impacted by your topic. Dig for the "stories" revealed and the knowledge gained from experience. Document this throughout your project. Invite all whom you contact to participate in your blog, emphasize that the more participation the richer the results will be. This Work Plan will serve as your guide toward the first presentation of your blog to the class in 4 weeks, as well as a way for me to assess your progress and accomplishments.

One caveat, there may be times when confidentiality is critical and anonymity is paramount. If there is any question about this please discuss it with me first.

2005-09-24T12:50:00.000-05:00

The Blog Project
Arch 5621-Professional Practice, Fall 2005
University of Minnesota College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Students form three to four person teams, determine a "practice related" issue they wish to research over the course of the semester, and set up their Blog on Blogger.com. The Blog forms the media base for the research, communication and presentation of their work. There is no set end game in mind for what will be produced by each team. The results will be as much a surprise to me as they will to the students. The notion of NO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS is encouraging.

There are model blogs that exist for how this medium can be used such as A Daily Dose of Architecture, and teams are expected to review, build off the best of these and experiment on their own with the technology. The questions are obvious, the options less so. Over the course of the semester the final "presentation" of each team Blog will develop and vary depending on the nature of their topic, the depth of their investigation and the ability to use the medium. Stay tuned!

See the sidebar LINKS for the project blogs