"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.

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

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.

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.

"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!

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

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".

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.

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!

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.