The architecture profession faces one practical obstacle in making the case that architects bring larger value to the public than simply providing design and construction services.
Pro bono clients like any other The McCall Design Group, a 35-person firm based in San Francisco, also pledged its time through The 1% program and integrated pro bono service into its business model. The firm specializes in retail interiors for corporate giants like Banana Republic, Williams-Sonoma, Gap, and Victoria’s Secret. This national commercial work is balanced by local pro bono design efforts, including an ongoing relationship with Goodwill Industries to design new Goodwill retail stores. “People say how good it feels to give back, but our primary motivations for doing this work go way beyond a kind of ‘feel-good’
Disputes happen; whether over assigning responsibility for mistakes or rectifying payment schedules, they’re a fact of life in the construction industry. But they need not lead to bitterness or lengthy and expensive court battles. Standard AIA contracts provide an easier means of solution, through mediation, which gives architects, clients, contractors, and their lawyers an opportunity to take a creative, cooperative approach to problem resolution.
What a ride it’s been. The total revenue of Architectural Record's Top 150 Architecture Firms surged in 2007, even as the AIA’s Architectural Billings Index (ABI) for March dropped to 39.7, its lowest level since the institute began tracking architects’ invoices in 1995.
Benefits To demonstrate financial dedication to staff, firms are coming up with novel twists to pay and benefits. Some degree of health insurance subsidy and 401K contributions are now commonplace. Employee stock options and profit-sharing are gaining popularity because a sense of ownership motivates employees to work harder toward profitability. Fully funded health insurance has a higher value, as do options for dental, vision, and life insurance. Roy, having observed much staff discontent with rigid benefit offerings, advises his clients to exercise more flexibility. Employees with working spouses may not need health insurance, for instance. Entry-level staff may have no
Cultivating an environment in which there is a swift and easy exchange of ideas is an important part of the design process in many firms, both large and small. What may not be so obvious are strategies to foster optimal functioning and creative thinking in such an environment. Photo courtesy IDEO The culture of the design firm IDEO does not discourage bad ideas, because they can trigger solutions. One of its credos is, “Fail often to succeed sooner.” Early in their indoctrination and training, architecture students learn about studio culture. It has been a hot topic for the American Institute
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