A new survey shows that the architectural profession grew from 2013 to 2014 in tandem with the recovering US economy. The survey by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), found 107,581 architects in the United States, a 1.6 percent increase from 2013, while the number of architects has grown more than three percent since 2011. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 5,000 new architectural and engineering service jobs were added in September and 2,900 in October.
The 2014 AEP Award Recipients
Associate Award: Wesley Wong, AIA of San Francisco
Young Architect Award: Stephanie Silkwood, AIA
Firm Award: KTGY and Altoon Partners
Educator Award: Doug Noble, FAIA / Karen Kensek, Assoc. AIA
Chapter Award: AIA, Los Angeles
Not Shown: Student Award, Lauren Amador
Mentoring Survey
The AEP has created this survey to investigate the current state of mentoring and the barriers that may exist. This information will then be used to develop programs to change the existing culture. For example, would it be beneficial to set up an online network similar to Match.com for Emerging Professionals to find mentors? Would online tools to facilitate conversations between mentors and mentees help?
Anyone who plays a role in the mentoring process whether large or small, formal or informal, is encouraged to participate. This will assist us in identifying the issues and creating solutions. Let’s talk about mentoring in a deliberate manner and affect change!
Click here to participate in survey.
Academy of Emerging Professionals Award Recipients Announced
Sacramento, Calif.—Not only have the best and the brightest minds been recognized, but those who support architects in the early stages of their career. The 3rd Annual Academy of Emerging Professionals Awards Program jury met this week to deliberate all of the many extraordinary candidates who submitted.
The Chapter Award went to AIA Los Angeles. The jury noted how well this chapter manages programs and events and how their approaches and inclusions of the Emerging Professional in several programs is top notch.
The Associate Award went to Wesley Wong of AIA San Francisco. The jury voted unanimously to award this candidate for several reasons—such as his positive attitude as well as his ability to bring people together who might not otherwise collaborate. He has dedicated hours of time to the Emerging Professionals.
Two Educator Awards went to Doug Noble, FAIA and Karen Kensek, Assoc. AIA for their contributions to NotLY (Not Licensed Yet. A program designed to prepare the architecture student for licensure, FREE OF CHARGE.) This program has been offered at USC’s School of Architecture for more than seven years and the mission has always been simple: “We have no secret motive. We just want people to get licensed,” wrote Noble in a brief description regarding Architect Registration Exam (ARE) assistance.
When it comes to mentorship, firms play a key role in facilitating successful relationships. Bott KTGY and Altoon Partners received Firm Award. KTGY was recognized for their strong portfolio of resources available to Emerging Professionals. Altoon was noted as “having a very pervasive approach, and always looking for opportunities to engage EPs into all areas of practice.”
Lauren Amador, currently attending Woodbury University, received the Student Award. “Lauren’s tenure as the AIAS Chapter President for AIAS Woodbury University has made her an expert on the issues facing students and EPs.” Jurors noted she has a strong work ethic and dedication to AIAS.
The Young Architect Award was particularly difficult for this jury as so many strong candidates were among the submittals. Ian Merker, AIA, was noticed for his various advocacies not only within the EP group, but architecture at large. Matthew Geaman, AIA San Diego President, was among the finalists for his large portfolio of contributions as well. He was instrumental in making architecture a focus in the AIA San Diego Mayoral Debate, actively promoting “Archtoberfest”—a month-long program designed to elevate the value of design in public perception, and revitalized the local design community.
The award, however, went to Stephanie Silkwood, for her strong leadership, and influential presence in assisting young architects in the licensure process. Silkwood is working nationally to make the licensing process more comprehensive. She has been consistently and continually proactive in setting up EP events, ARE study groups, and Intern Development Program (IDP) seminars. In 2013 Silkwood received the AIACC Presidential Citation, and continues to be actively involved not only with her local architectural community, but the state and national as well.
All recipients will be recognized Oct. 17 in San Jose at AIACC Board of Directors Annual Meeting.
For more information, please contact Shannon Calder, scalder@aiacc.org, 916-642-1718.
Monthly Mentor: Paul Neel, FAIA
Paul Neel, FAIA
This knack for nurturing professionals has little to do with his position as the State Architect (1989-1991), or as Dean at California Polytechnic State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design (1991-1997). The curricula vitae of Neel is a prestigious and esteemed collection of seats and positions, but his philosophy on the mentorship process is humble and unassuming. It’s a relationship one will keep or remember throughout their entire life. And the philosophy and the nurturing and the connections Neel has made all started with the railroad supervisor who mentored him.
Imagine becoming the railroad’s newest employee. This could present a difficult terrain to navigate for a young man. As Neel fumbled and tripped along the path of learning the railroad ropes, his hand was held by someone showing him the way. There were issues to learn—the time card process, appropriate behavior, equipment management, etc. But Neel had a colleague willing to walk him through scenarios and situations and down off ledges if need be. He taught him how to do the job, how to think more critically, how to succeed in the relationships an employee has with his profession. “How can I ever repay you?” Neel asked one day. The wise railroad worker replied, “Someone in your life will need help in the same way. Make sure you do.” Neel has been paying it forward ever since.
From his students at the Cal Poly College of Architecture & Environmental Design, to his faculty, other architects, state workers, business persons, etc., Neel assisted and advised when needed. One former student, Stephan Castellanos, FAIA (who eventually became the State Architect himself) remembers fondly the help Neel provided him. “What I learned from him had a lot to do with compassion.” Castellanos learned early on that buildings were more than air conditioning units, lights and windows. Structures have the ability to do something to a person’s spirit and it’s not simply about the mechanics. “You must have a notion of compassion, and, as corny as it sounds, forgiveness,” he continued.
“If you have a question, go ask it.”
And yes, there may be an intimidation factor in seeking a mentor out, but Neel advises to get over it. “If you have a question, go ask it. The answer isn’t going to just simply float towards you. No one knows what you are thinking, or what you are struggling with if you don’t voice it.”
Neel has seen a lot of architects pass his way—from the classroom to the office and the state. He has been able to basically categorize those who learn from him as follows: 1. Leaders, 2. Followers, 3. Independent, and 4. Those who simply need a lot of help. He feels that any one in any of the above mentioned categories are worthy of his attention as long as they are eager to learn. He encourages asking questions. “Make the bosses problems yours,” he advises. “This advise is also sprinkled with various suggestions and case study examples in a book Neel co-authored with John E. Harrigan, Ph.D.
Published in 1996, “The Executive Architect: Transforming Designers into Leaders,” serves as a handbook to anyone interested in being a leader, architect or other. Pages are filled with strategy and methodology, but also with the value of the human experience, and how what one designs and plans is an experience more so than a concrete structure.
As with most things in life, the key to any design is about the relationship. It’s no different for the architect attempting to learn. “Be open. Search for more than whether or not your IDP form was signed off.” The mentor relationship is one that in theory, will last your entire lifetime, and both parties learn from one another. No form or signature creates that sort of support.
Luckily, he believes he has learned as much, if not more, from those he’s mentored. “As a teacher, your students always give you something.” The same goes for the mentor—a reward in itself.
And What Architect Doesn’t Want a Successful Life?
The Offices of BIG. Image Courtesy of BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group
http://www.archdaily.com/549436/21-rules-for-a-successful-life-in-architect…
Mentoring Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S6M6GXK
Now Next Future
The architectural profession has changed dramatically over the last decade, becoming more nimble and technologically savvy, but what will it look like in
the next 10 years? What will this future emerging architect look like? What will be the necessary skill set and role played in the built environment?
NNF will gather together architects, designers, emerging talent, interns and students to inspire new ways of thinking about the future of design and the built environment. As we operate in an ever increasing mobile world, how does that affect the way we do business? Are the traditional multi-city architectural offices still viable? How does this next generation of architects and entrepreneurs operate? Does the way we interact with clients change? What does real work-life balance look like? This conference will help emerging professional’s answer these questions with dynamic content delivered using a fast paced, pecha kucha presentation style.
Special pricing is available for Emerging Professionals – click here to register.
This year’s NCARB by the Numbers offers a compelling perspective on how the entry point to the architecture profession is changing, and how NCARB is adapting to meet shifting demands. Social
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Sponsors
The AEP is generously supported by Brightwood Architecture Education.
