Trends and Practice of Architecture

The economic crisis being experienced by the United States had a global impact, directly affecting many industries and businesses. Within the practice of architecture and other disciplines, has lowered the number of projects received, profits, and unfortunately the number of staff. In the article, Understanding Mega trends Helps Firms Plan for the Future, the author BJ Novitski, start questioning whether there are indeed ways that could have been prevented or at least mitigate the effect of this financial crisis, within architecture firms. Novitski presents an interpretation based on some statements that Keagan McLean Raymond made in which notes that the understanding of trends can prevent the effect of future events and also reveal new opportunities. In essence, these statements are true. Individual, company or industry being aware of the trends may be helpful into preparing to stay ahead of the times.

Another approach that the author is very constant within the world of work and architectural firms is the overcrowding of the generation of baby boomers as a factor by which the younger architects are the first fired in times of make staff cuts and get the lowest-paid positions. I agree that this is one reason why there are fewer young architects prepared to take control of the firms as the architects of the generation of baby boomers retire. This aggravates the situation by being denied the opportunity and poster gate junior architects to develop their technical and business skills.

Trends and Practice of Architecture

Trends and Practice of Architecture

 

The fact is evident when a recent graduate in need of employment and faces the classifieds only to realize that most of the available positions are aimed at senior architect with eight years experience or more. On the other hand, I do not agree that these architects should be encouraged junior necessarily a very experienced architect to develop their business skills and leadership, motivation must come primarily from its interest.

Finally, in times of crisis, it is important to have a clear vision of future trends. This allows us to be at the forefront and thus secure to avoid or at least mitigate the negative effects to strategically position ourselves. I think life can be measured on the basis of 90/10 principle, introduced by Steven Covey. [1] This principle says that life is determined by a 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent is determined by the how you react to those who happen to you.

What does this mean? Means that although we have not actually control 10 percent of what happens to us in life. For example, the economic crisis or not finding employment. The other 90 percent we determine ourselves with our reactions. While we have no control, we can be ready to react when things happen in a way where we can stay afloat while everything collapses around us. Then it is absolutely necessary, as stated by the author, change the focus of the practice to be in tune with the current demands of the world to be aware of trends not only allows you to protect you but let’s turn situations to your advantage.

The Role of Leadership in the Practice of Architecture

The Spanish Royal Academy defines leadership as a position of superiority which is a company, product or an industry, within its scope and the leader as a person who is recognized as a group leader or counselor. The role of leadership within the practice of architecture as well as any other profession is crucial to success in professional life and even transcends the personal level.

The Role of Leadership in the Practice of Architecture

The Role of Leadership in the Practice of Architecture

 

Ignoring the impact of  leadership to professional or personal level is simply thrown away years of work and effort without being able to positively influence their industry, community and family. Leaders seek to improve their environment, as Colin Powell, former Secretary of State for the United States are those reliable, that conveys a clear sense of mission and vision of the organization, explains what they are trying to achieve and down the information at all levels, including the lowest in the business. In essence, leaders are motivating and inspiring, reward their people not only in the economic sphere, but recognizing its value as human beings.

Often tends to confuse the quality of leadership with the master very well the technical issues of the profession. The truth is that it is itself a leader must master the technical area, but is not essential as this area will be improved with the passing of the years with the accumulation of experience. However, the quality of being a leader does not come with time , in fact there are many architects with extensive experience, dozens of projects constructed with a zero level of leadership in their professional practice. Any professional who thinks that is a leader and follow no one is fooling himself. How can we become a leader or a person of influence?

There really is no secret to this. It is a personal and intimate decision of each professional. Is a decision of add some true value to the industry, is about being the best and go the extra mile. Making the choice of being better than we are today. Always going beyond the technical and the academic.

I think we become leaders when we excel in a particular area and when we seek to have a healthy and balanced life; a life in which our actions are congruent with our beliefs. One thing is to make others do the work but another to do so with excellence to the best of them. That is the achievement of a leader or a professional appeal.

* Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net