Citizen Architect (aka Mission: Impossible)
By
Lance Bird , FAIA
Principal
LCDG
With just five months to the New Hampshire
I first heard the phrase “Citizen Architect” from Chet
Widom, FAIA. Founder of a successful Santa Monica
- 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
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
2015 is AIA Year of
the Advocate. Sign up to the advocacy
network:
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.
Read about other
things the AIA Center for Civic Leadership is doing, and how you can get
involved:
