Late in the Game

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Author Message Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1303 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 12:30 pm:    120321 LATE IN THE GAME by Ralph W. Liebing, RA, CDT Cincinnati, OH It’s much too far into the game-- that point where there is multiple realization that things don’t fit! The point where the architectural intern is graduated, mired in debt, at a loss as to what to do, and in all too many cases, HOW to do whatever! Practicing offices don’t see this until they try to find good productive hires who understand the system, profession and tasks involved the jargon, etc. [including specifications]. The academics see this only as “history” since they have completed what they see as their obligation-- although even they admit so much is left unapproached and unlearned. But that belongs to others!! Hmmmmm! CSI has much of the same attitude. In just the last few weeks, discussion has been taken up [by splendid sources] about “revitalizing” CSI-- other voices call for “reinvention”. Well obviously this will generate further discussion as to what is correct and certainly what is needed. Without accusation to any, revitalizing may be a little too close to a “fix-up-clean-up” campaign, where the status quo is merely “refreshed”. Some things of substance may be broached, but all in all generally little new is forthcoming. Of course to reinvent is to take what you have and reform or rebuild it more toward providing a new “whatever” to do the same tasks but in slightly different physical form. Again a strain of “as-is” is deeply seated in the program "Revisioning"-- yes, re-vision-ing!!!! A process which combines revitalization and visionary invention; to produce a result where the status quo is merely refreshed, renewed, etc. AND programs, information, education, printed material are added. These should come to mind each time you read "revitalization" discussion and run across the words, drawings, documents, standards, information, knowledge industry professional, technology and technical information! Also, see how this new effort ties into name change, better exposure, adding members, understanding, with the added benefit of providing information so vitally needed in the documents but for which no really viable program-effort-instruction is currently available. Isn’t that something like “revitalization” too—being a new brand ! Excellence of CSI is fine but somewhat singular and stagnant, but can be changed with a wider product line distributed over a wider area [entire industry]. Without new products, eventual the revitalization will -- the current situation will repeat! It is late in the game, as such efforts as BIM have far outstripped our work. But there many things ad areas of consideration that are available to us. We must overcome ourselves! CDT is fine as the “first” CSI program, but BEFORE that threshold is a mess that needs addresseing and change—soon. WE grouse about it but it perpetuates itself and makes the future prognosis even worst. WE need collegiate level construction instruction!!!! And CSI has the tools and the expert knowledge to do something. So let’s not just “fix-up-and-paint-up” in our revitalization. Let’s resolve to do something more, which in turn provides us with new opportunities and also allows us to truly become the “mouth” of the construction industry. We can help everybody involved-- and should—and now! Know-how, and the various input to that is crucial to proper construction. We know NOW that our system is basically deteriorating as our early education system to the technology of architecture and construction is failed. No design is being well served, and good design is being given a shorter life span since the faulty construction is the best we have right now [of course, there are exceptions]. It’s late; a warning light is flashing; a gong is clanging; a n alarm bell is ringing; the malaise if right in front of our eyes and most acknowledge the existence of it. THAT deserves needs much more than revitalization! It needs vision, determination and simple gut to remedy it, in any small way [or to the highest level possible] to the betterment of the industry.