10/25/15

Tough Questions

Member Spotlight:  Rita Saikali Carter, Assoc. AIA

By Lance Bird, FAIA

Principal LCDG 

I met Rita Carter at the September Chapter Board Meeting.  Energetic, well-read and focused, Rita recently reflected on the challenges our young members face. 

To get to know her, I asked…

            Favorite color – “used to be red, but it’s too aggressive.  I’ve changed to orange.”  

            Favorite ice cream?  Hmmm…put her in the chocolate family. 

            Favorite car – For Rita a car provides convenience and should be affordable.                                Money no object, it would be a Toyota Prius. 

From Lebanon, Rita got her undergraduate degree from Cal Poly Pomona, followed with a Masters from Columbia.  Married, no kids.  One exam to go and she’ll be licensed.  Senior Designer at Steinberg in Downtown L.A.  Small projects:  higher education, some multi-residential.  Formerly with HMC. 

Rita participated in Architecture for Humanity at AIA/Los Angeles.  She met Mark Gangi a couple of years ago and with his encouragement, joined the Pasadena & Foothill chapter.  She laments:  “There are so many skills architects are not taught.  For instance, most architects are clueless about the importance of relationships:  between colleagues, with clients.”  

Concerns of Young People in our Profession – “We often feel left out.”  Firm leaders need to be inclusive, and create opportunities for those on the license track.  As a thoughtful soon-to-be architect, she has many Big Questions.  We could devote chapters -- maybe a book to finding answers to any of these questions.  A diverse, collaborative team would be required.  And with the exponential growth of technology, our answers would be obsolete when we got there. 

#1 – “Why Architecture? (The purpose behind our services and products)” 

#2 – “Why is business acumen not taught in design school?”

#3 – “Does empathy belong in Architecture?”

#4 – “How will you survive? (Are you, your family, your firm, your business prepared to bounce back from disaster?)

Disaster Preparedness – Rita intends to lead the charge, crafting a plan for our chapter members.  When least expected, disaster can strike.  It could be the next earthquake or El Nino.  Contact Rita at rita.saikali.gmail.com, if you’d like to be a part of this effort.   

Why Architecture?  - I attended AIACC’s Healthcare Facilities Forum October 22^nd.  The kickoff speaker was Dr. John Mattison, MD, chief medical information officer at Kaiser-Permanente.  He points out the explosion of technology and the impact on society and healthcare.  Today the world’s largest transportation company is Uber; the largest hotel chain, Airbnb.  Big Data is reinventing healthcare delivery. 

• From 1983, cell phone ownership has grown to 10 billion.  In remote villages, access to the internet through cell phones may be more important than water!
• In five years, Kaiser expects to deliver 50% of their services at home. 
• Previously undreamed of cures are occurring through stem cell therapy.
• Through technologies like OpenNotes, patients will soon have access to their medical files.

The impact of technology and the corresponding societal changes should be similar in architectural practice.   

Architects synthesize information to solve problems.   To get ten steps ahead of the technology revolution (or even two steps ahead), we need to get beyond style, finishes, new materials and project delivery.  Using healthcare as an example, if healthcare delivery will be in the home, not in billion dollar medical centers, what should our response be?   

Read Michael Storper’s “How, and why, L.A. lost its economic mojo”, L.A. Times Op-Ed, page A27, 10/25/15.  In 1970, L.A. was ranked fourth in the nation for income per capita.  The Bay Area was ranked 1^st.  Today, the Bay Area is still number one.  The five-county Los Angeles region is ranked 25^th.  The Bay Area Council advocates for the economic future. 

            “It (Southern California) …must replace isolation and fragmentation with networking and   connectivity.  It has to turn away, once and for all, from low-cost, low wage             manufacturing.  It has to once again live up to its potential as anything but stodgy.” 

In the above statement, substitute “Architecture” for “Southern California”.  That’s where we can begin. 

7/28/15

AIA PF August 2015 Newsletter

Member Spotlight – Nazanin Zarkesh, AIA

If not now, never 

By Lance Bird, FAIA

Principal LCDG

July 1^st Nazanin and Lance met for lunch at Universal CityWalk to talk about her recent move to Universal Studios Hollywood-Creative. Nazanin was with LCDG for nearly 13 years. 

LB:  What inspired you to move from a traditional architectural practice to become a Corporate Architect?

NZ:  I always wanted to experience a larger firm with more opportunities for growth. I was at a point in my life that I needed a big change. If not now, never.  As we get older, it gets harder to make changes and who would say “no” to Universal Studios. I like the short commute.  I’m able to attend more of my son’s school activities.  His school is in the neighborhood.  I’m getting to know my own community. 

LB:  What are the notable differences in your day to day activities?

NZ: Walk in the Park and CityWalk.  More meetings.  More stakeholders.  Lots of new things to learn and to do for each projects (which I love).  It’s challenging not to know the players, rules and language.  I worry less about getting plan check approval as I hire A-E firms to do that part. But I review their drawings to make sure they are coordinated and meet the project’s intent. 

LB:  What are the challenges…and the fun aspects of Universal?

NZ:  The challenges have to do with so many unknowns (I’m a newcomer).  Politics.  I need to keep everyone informed and happy, yet I can’t always be the nice guy.  Every project has a specific goal, budget and schedule.  The most important one is the schedule.  There is a short period in the year when most construction happens. At Universal, it’s about keeping our “guests” happy.   

I like the social part.  They are laid back and fun.  They joke and laugh. There are more choices for friends.  This is the entertainment world.  They talk about movies, concerts and what’s new in the park.   By working here, we become a member of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and can attend events for free.  It’s fun to walk through the park and have our projects right here. 

LB:  Do you think working in the entertainment industry takes a certain personality/ aptitude?

NZ:  Absolutely.  You have to be flexible and sociable.  If criticized, you have to remain open and learn from it.  An older person might have a hard time. 

LB:  Would you suggest this kind of move to your colleagues?

NZ:  Yes.  You will learn from any change. The entertainment industry is different from the typical office and school projects I was doing. Working as the owner project manager, I need to know every little detail of the existing infrastructure to inform the A-E and the contractor. I have learned so much about electrical requirements, amps, watts, circuit breakers -- things I relied on my consultants for, but now need to know so I am on top of my game.

LB:  As a Corporate project manager, you are working with architects from the other side of the table – can you share any shortcomings you see AND/OR positive attributes of architects you are working with? 

NZ:  There are so many in house coordination needs to be done, so when it is time to hire/work with an architect, we need someone who is responsive, provides a complete proposal and is easy to work with. Our frustration is working with A-E teams that do poorly coordinated work.  We appreciate firms who are proactive not reactive.

 

8/19/15

 

Citizen Architect (aka Mission: Impossible)

 

By Lance Bird, FAIA

Principal LCDG

With just five months to the New Hampshire primary, Donald Trump has “fired up the crazies” in the G.O.P according to John McCain.  Trump is not afraid to be politically incorrect.  Fearless?  Stupid?  Stupid like a fox.   Does this bother you?  Will you get involved with the election process, supporting candidates that can stop the downward spiral of our country?   Our government is screwed up in so many ways, yet as a profession we remain mostly silent.  In the next 14 months, how many of us will speak up and make a difference?   

I first heard the phrase “Citizen Architect” from Chet Widom, FAIA.  Founder of a successful Santa Monica practice, former national AIA president, and now our State Architect, Chet is truly a “citizen architect”.  Our own past president, Mark Gangi, AIA, leads AIA’s national Citizen Architect committee, through AIA’s Center for Civic Leadership.  Mark and many other well-intentioned architects encourage our members to get involved with local government, serving on design committees, planning commissions, councils and more.  As a profession, we understand the big picture, are knowledgeable about urban planning, sustainability, and much more. We have that critical trait, passion.   

Mission:  Impossible.  99% of us will do nothing but complain.  What’s up? 

- We don’t make enough money to afford time for community work

- We’re too busy at work

- With both husband and wife working we share the load at home raising children and running the household

- We’ve given up on the political process (2016 is projected to be the lowest voter turnout for a presidential election in history)

- Many architects are more comfortable dealing with things then people

- Less than 10% of registered architects could be considered “leaders” 

“…provide factual information to those with courage….” 

As a body of local architects can we provide factual information to those with the courage and commitment to run for office, or serve as a volunteer for community commissions? Could we be a voice to local media like KPCC and the L.A. Times?  This could start with chapter members brainstorming; defining issues we know something about.  What are the most critical issues?  The priorities?  Determine one or two of the biggest issues we know something about, prepare facts, and share them with the public.   

Do all of this without taking a liberal or conservative approach.  State the facts.  Let the politicians reveal what they can support.  To volunteer or state your opinion contact:

·         Mark Gangi, AIA, AIA Nat’l Citizen Architect chair – mark@gangiarchitects.com

·         Mitchell Sawazy, AIA, AIA P&F president – msawasy@ssparch.com

·         Lance Bird, FAIA – lancebird@lcdg.com 

For more of Lance’s thoughts on architecture and technology, see ArchMeetsTech@blogspot.com. 

Mark Gangi’s comments:   A couple of other thoughts.  Architects often lament about the position that we held in our communities in the past as trusted advisors, and leaders.  Architects from that time period will point out that the reason they were at the center of activity is they got out of their office and positioned themselves as activists – they were engaged as citizen architects!  That’s why they held prominent positions in their communities.   

Architects are considered trustworthy and ethical by the public, which is a good trait to have in politics these days.  We are also good at it as we explore the facts to arrive at the best conclusion – often exploring multiple solutions simultaneously rather than linearly.  It is engrained in our training and is a great talent to have for creative problem solving.  ‘If you aren’t at the table you are on the menu’ 

Members should be aware of the Leadership Institute through AIAN, and our event on October 23rd.  Steve Lewis and I will be travelling to Phoenix to assist. 

http://www.aialeadershipinstitute.com/ 

2015 is AIA Year of the Advocate.  Sign up to the advocacy network: 

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab106636.pdf 

If you are currently a Citizen Architect, as an elected, appointed, or volunteer that uses their time to enhance the physical environment,  please register as a citizen architect at AIA and allow us to connect with you and recognize you for your work. 

http://info.aia.org/CallingAllCitizenArchitects.aspx 

Read about other things the AIA Center for Civic Leadership is doing, and how you can get involved:

 

http://network.aia.org/centerforcivicleadership/home/