This is an architectural design, construction detailing, and industry discussion blog that will explore the role of the architect in the construction industry ranging from the historical “master builder” to whatever the future may hold.
Detailing in construction is one of the hallmark
differentiators between “Architecture” and “a building”, yet our modern
practice generally abdicates responsibility for this, amongst a host of other
responsibilities, to specialists or leaves it to the builders to handle. I plan to argue here that detailing is a core
competency for architects and that if we plan to maintain this practice as a
viable profession into the future we must take pains to reclaim this and other
responsibilities as our own.
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I am a registered architect in Dallas, TX in my 21st
year of practice. I have undertaken
design, construction, & management work ranging from speculative pop-up bus
stops in Better Blocks type projects to preservation and renovation of century
old cathedrals, from school district roof replacements to state of the art LEED
college buildings, and from integration plans for mass modular buildings at
elementary campuses to detailing period sensitive chair rail trim in a
craftsman bungalow.
Across the breadth of this experience I have seen that the
ability to identify and understand problems from all available angles paired
with the ability to develop and convey solutions to all concerned parties is a
key but generally neglected skill throughout the industry as it currently
operates.
I have seen the architectural profession change in this
period from one of broad and essential authorities and responsibilities to one
that developers resent even paying. Architects
farm out zoning compliance, permit procurement, code compliance, accessibility
compliance, field verification, life safety planning, engineering, drafting,
LEED compliance, bidding, negotiating, site observations, contract
administration, even printing to subcontractors & consultants. What’s left of our authority &
responsibility after that? Is it any
wonder that developers resent paying us?
Is it any wonder that contractors regard us as inessential? Is it any wonder that architecture is in
crisis?
Why bother then?
I bother because I believe that this is one of the most
noble of professions, one of the fundamental human endeavors. I believe that the profession stands at a
crossroads and that there is a generational opportunity to redefine this
profession in a way that is both long overdue and unlike the opportunities
available to other professions, or even in other industries.
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One source of inspiration for this blog comes from world
travel (thus the name). Seeing how
design problems are tackled in other cultures and time periods, what materials
are utilized, what the advantages are from those choices, and what the detriments
is a source of near endless fascination, and leads to questions about why we do
things the way we do in our culture, and what we could do differently or
better. One objective I have in this
blog is to explore ways to achieve the effect of certain world historical
details in authentic, modern, and buildable ways that are true to modern
materials and methods.
Another source of inspiration for this blog is my history
working with skilled professional builders and crafts persons in the
construction industry. I want to record
their experience and wisdom for future benefit, as well as to document and
articulate the most important lessons I’ve learned on job sites.
The first lesson: always trust the guy with the hammer to
know what you can do with a nail.
The second lesson: never trust the guy with the hammer to
know what that pipe connects to.
A third inspiration for this blog is the desire to explore
detailing of new materials in ways that are both appropriate to those materials
and true to good design principals. So
often we see built conditions that seek to mimic historical conditions, or
installations of new materials that are simply inept. Both of these examples stem from one source:
the poorly expressed, but correctly observed instinctual understanding that
there was something more substantial, more pleasing, and more humane about
buildings built using traditional methods and materials.
We can solve this conundrum.
It might take a minute, and it will definitely take some study, and some
effort. We won’t make it there through
my efforts alone, so I’ll be welcoming your comments and contributions as well.
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Thanks for joining me for the start of this. Lets get on our way.
-Keith
