Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Senior Member
Username: rliebing
Post Number: 1325
Registered: 02-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 06, 2012 - 09:07 am: |    |
120606
THE TIME IS NOW !
By Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT
Cincinnati, OH
YES, the time for action-- mutual, forward thinking action for new programs and resolution.
Quote Robert Ivy, CEO, of the AIA: [http://www.architectureweek.com/2012/0516/culture_1-1.html] ”We can always use more. There never is enough. And when I say that, I mean that in a variety of ways. We all want to know more about projects and how they're put together. Architects seek information on what projects consist of. And they want to know the building materials and construction systems and they want to know the process, if it is relevant to the particular project.
And that requires more effort, space, and time than we're ever able to devote in any medium. We'll never have the perfect model. But that relates just to the projects that we cover. Architects always want a critical perspective. We find it difficult to bring — let's call it "consistent courage" — to the critical analysis of our work. And so we want more of that.”
Quote Robert Johnson, Distinguished. Member and FCSI: “One must remember that our current architectural education system is based on a combination of schooling and internship. This traditional system relies mainly on the internship side to teach the professional and technical areas while the schools concentrate mainly on the design side. Most architectural schools do not spend much time with professional and technical issues. Traditionally, it was assumed that “architects to be” would learn this part of the profession during internship. Years ago, the technical aspects of building construction were much less complex in comparison to today, so that the “office mentoring” of this subject area was not such a complex task. There is a strong question of whether the traditional system of building technology education during internship is still a viable method.
The situation has changed considerably over the years. The technology of how we research and prepare documents has and is changing radically. The technology of how we build buildings has also changed radically – there are many more options and it is much more complicated than years ago. The available information and knowledge is much greater. I would seriously question whether the internship served in most offices is capable of meeting its educational responsibilities under our traditional system in today’s world.
CSI has some programs to meet the needs of emerging professionals on the professional side to understand the basics of how the design/construction industry operates and the basics of contract documents (CDT).”
AND it is ours not to forget our other gaggle or trove of information and expertise-- our project reps. These folk can directly contribute to or take a full part in the program by adding basic information, literature, etc. This serves to thoroughly upgrade the other information from the professionals. Besides much of their work is really “education”, just a different context.
At once—NOW-- we have two highly credentialed authorities, gentlemen who both note, with stunning clarity, that architectural education is seriously flawed and inadequate-- in need of repair, expansion and revitalization. HOOOO-RAY!!!! On this testimony alone, more groups need to be involved and more voices heard, as a revised basic education program is developed. It may take some time, understanding, revised perspectives, new directions, and systems. But mostly a program that recognizes the problem [on the part of several] and implementation of a sound, simplified [not complicated, and overregulated, but valued and mandatory] program with enthusiastic pursuit, enthusiastic execution and mutual interest at all levels.
We have several groups but no one has the singular out-and-out authority for education. Some meekly sniff at these, and assign tasks to others, so in the new program, EVERYONE [of the agencies including product reps] has an important role. They understand it, and their part—and the reason for and need for the program!!
NOW is the time to get together, talk, brain-storm and begin a process of mutually solving some ills. Seems we are agree that action is needed and really needed. NOW, the beginning of really making it better!
And rest assured that this new direction will in NO way diminish or change the major effort, contribution or operations of CSI!! |
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