planner vs. architect

In this month’s Planning magazine (the magazine of the American Planning Association – and my last copy, since I refused to pay SPA dues for monthly pizza luncheons this year) the executive director wrote his traditional editor’s introduction. However, instead of talking up the latest and greatest TDRs or sustainable zoning codes, he took his precious page to bash architects who attempt act as planners, and in bold no less! Sure, traditionally there hasn’t been a great track record (Plan Voisin anyone?), but shouldn’t architects today be trained in all matters sustainable and have been introduced to the idea of context through their studios?? Apparently not.

The director goes on to explain that the systems of human settlement, from neighborhoods to cities to regions (there goes that idea of scales again) are far different from building systems. And he’s right. But where does that leave me? Little miss dual degree.

“We need to respect the core competencies of allied professions, just as we expect them to respect ours.”

Sounds like he’s drawing the proverbial line in the sand. But aren’t the planning, architecture, engineering, landscape professions becoming more interwoven these days? Aren’t we currently aiming for a hybrid system where careers, ideas, people, jobs, methodologies, technologies, and information overlap? Or by combining ‘core competencies’ are we merely diluting each of the respective profession’s level of expertise . . .

 

from libeskind

Current notes from Breaking Ground: Adventures in Life and Architecture.

• “I am struck by geology – the shifting of tectonic plates and the unholy forces they unleash.”
• ” . . . realize that the soul of the site is established not only in the skyline . . . but down in the bedrock as well.”
• ” . . . time flows like water . . . it zigs and zags, slams against rocks, gets dammed up and bursts down waterfalls.”
• “The moral, I take it, is that sometimes you have to leave home for a while in order to recognize the treasure that is there.”

 

last night of freedom

It’s the night before architecture school and all through the house, not a creature was stirring . . . . except for my stackable washer/dryer that is rattling a hole into the drywall. But seriously, if I want out, this is it. Otherwise, it’s two years to the right and straight on till morning. So what a better celebrity blurb to stumble upon tonight than Eisenmen’s recent quote in the New York Observer:

If you were a son of mine, I wouldn’t want you to be an architect,” the septuagenarian told this reporter, “because it’s a tough way to be in the world. Look, my son who graduated from law school three years ago makes more than I do after 40 years of working.”

Real estate development anyone? Seriously though, doesn’t he look like the fatherly type? Almost Cosby-ish with that button up and corded sweater? If one of the more famous architects of our time thinks the profession is not good enough for his kids, then why should I think its even close to a good idea for me?

The only thing I might could come up with quickly is flexibility. The ability to work in planning, law, construction, real estate, graphics, and all sorts of other unrelated disciplines in accordance with what your current client is interested in without having to amass all those degrees. And the opportunity to meet new groups of people with varying interests and life experiences with each project. What other type of firm can claim almost any topic under the sun as research?

Or at least I hope those are good enough reasons to keep me entertained for my next 40+, low paying years . . .