. Delicious snacks and libations will be on hand once again. See you at 300 Blair Blvd!
Back in March and then again just last month, I had the good fortune to travel to Washington DC as a representative of our local chapter of the AIA, the American Institute of Architects, Southwestern Oregon (SWO). Every year, AIA-SWO sends it’s Executive Director, President, and President-elect (me) to attend workshops, vote on behalf of our region, advocate for the AIA, and network with our peers. That’s me four over from the left, standing “on the hill” in March with my fellow representatives from Oregon.
March 7th – 10th was the annual AIA Grassroots; it was high energy and exciting for a newbie like myself, all about bringing the new leadership along and providing them with tools for success. We also got to go to Capitol Hill and meet with our elected officials to let them know of our stands on current issues that affect our membership. (Talk about stepping out of one’s comfort zone!) May 17th – 19th was the annual AIA National Convention and Design Expo; this had a slightly more formal feel to it, was much more business-like and further opened my eyes to all that goes on “behind the scenes” pertaining to politics and decision-making on a National level.
Note: DC is an amazing place these days if you haven’t been in awhile, and certainly one of the most happening and vibrant Cities in the Country right now. Construction is happening everywhere and real estate is booming. We had a wonderful time after hours and in-between workshops enjoying the night-life, amazing restaurants and taking in the sights. (This is a post borrowed from Kim Still and her Eugene Saturday Market Blogspot “Saturday Market Moments” – http://eugenesaturdaymarket.blogspot.com/; thank you Kim!)
…the stuff that Market is made of… Please note: this virtual Market experience is not meant to replace your actual Market experience!
Sorry for the delay on this post, I know you’ve all been anxiously anticipating the answers to my burning questions! This post required a bit of research, calling out to the Internets for an archival photo, and was interrupted by SLUG Queens. But all that’s over now and we can proceed…
As you will recall, in my last post I was puzzling over the coincidence and feasibility of 5¢ Architecture and 5¢ Web Design from these gentlemen:
On Saturday afternoon I set out from my home base next to the stage for the far side of the West Park Block to get some answers. The booths weren’t next to each other this time, but they were both there, ready to give answers. Since I wasn’t actually asking about architecture or web design, I got those answers for free!
First I asked “How does 5¢ Architecture work??” The nice gentleman in the booth, who is actually Will Dixon’s co-worker Travis, explained that the booth is there to empower people to engage with architecture and make it work for them. You can ask a question about a remodeling job, about how to go about starting a project, or anything architecture related. Obviously, you’re not going to get plans drawn up for 5¢, but you can approach with a problem or question and get advice on how to move towards a solution. Of course the 5¢ Architects will be happy to enter a client relationship with you, if you so desire.
I also found out where the idea came from. We all remember Lucy’s “Psychiatric Help 5¢” stand from the Peanuts cartoon. There was even a “Lucy Booth” at Saturday Market for many years, run by a local mental health group. This is where the archival photo comes in, it was taken by Michael Connelly and is actually from the Oregon Country Fair version of the booth in 1986.
Inspired by the same cartoon, an architect in Seattle, John Morefield, set up an “Architecture 5¢” booth at the Ballard Farmers Market back in 2009. His idea spread through the American Institute of Architects, and locally Willard Dixon decided to start dispensing 5¢ advice at our Market last year. You can find an NPR story about John Morefield’s original booth here, or check out architecture5cents.com to learn more.
Meanwhile, way off in Austin, Texas, Will Alkin’s wife heard that same NPR story and told her web designer husband about it. He decided to try the idea with Web Design in Austin last February, setting up at the Barton Creek Farmers Market. The venture was successful. When he and his wife decided to move to Eugene, Will looked forward to seeing if he would be able to set up at our Market. As he was exploring that option, Market Manager Beth told him about the Architecture 5¢ booth, already part of the Market scene. So, on the morning of July 30, Will showed up to sell for his first time, and just chose a space he thought would be good. Will and Travis showed up with Architecture 5¢ in the next space. It was cosmic coincidence indeed! You can stop by Will’s booth for some 5¢ web design advice, or have a look at webdesign5cents.com.
So now you know you can still get something valuable for 5¢, come and get it!
Posted by Kim Still
A New Hat Mrs. Carnegie, they say, wanted a new hat for Easter, so she sent for Paris’s most famous capelier to come to New York and fit her. “And where in the church will you be sitting, Madame,” he inquired, “and what will you be wearing, and what time of day and what impression would you like to leave?” Finally, he took a crimson ribbon from his bag, fussed it around a plain straw bonnet, tied the bow just so, and put the hat on her head, giving it a forward slant. He held a mirror to her face; Mrs. Carnegie beamed. “Oh, Monsieur, it is perfect! How much do I owe you?” “Five hundred dollars, Madame.” She eyed him coldly. “Five hundred dollars for a ribbon?” He tugged the ribbon out of the hat, laid it across her forearm and bowed. “Madame,” he said, beaming at her, “the ribbon is free.”
I came across this anecdote while re-reading one of last year’s issues of Oregon Architect (a publication of AIA Oregon); Michael Fifield, FAIA, had included it as part of his AIA-Southwestern Oregon’s (our local chapter’s) President’s message. His article was all about the value of design, and Mrs. Carnegie’s plight points to the challenge that arises when a knowledge-based profession is also a product-based profession.
It’s my humble opinion that the built environment around us – our homes, offices, community spaces, etc. – contributes in a profound way to our individual and collective happiness and well-being. So, how does one determine the basis for a design fee? If your new house fits your lifestyle, is an extension of who you are, and expresses the values that you hold dear, it’s worth is more than just the paper that the plans were drawn on; there’s value there, even on a subconscious level, that will carry on and nurture for years. But too often the positive impacts that design can offer are not even considered, or are not understood, and long-term benefits are over-looked for the rewards of short-term gains. I recently overheard a young architect saying that he thinks architecture actually belongs within the field of medicine (!) because of its effect on the human condition. Maybe he’s right; it would certainly change how the public perceives the role that architecture plays in our daily lives. Buildings shape who we are and have a tremendous impact on our quality of life.
Most construction projects being built today, it’s safe to say, are developer-driven; in other words, the bottom line of economics is the tail that is wagging the architecture dog. As architects, we provide a service for developers and owners to produce buildings; this service-for-fee structure forces the architect to relinquish control of design. Real estate developers are usually only concerned with the economic performance of a building, and focus solely on the immediate financial gains to be had at completion of project. It’s too bad, because also considering the impacts that ecology and social equity have on a project can allow for even greater economic viability, let alone a more pleasing environment. To regain design authority, perhaps architects should step-up and once again take on the risk of becoming developers as well – but perhaps this is another topic for another blog entry (!).
Well, as my yoga instructor always says, “May you all be blessed with radiant health and well-being!” And, I’d like to add, so may the buildings that shelter you!
Baking Practice To me, designing is a lot like baking. It starts with an idea, and ends with something you can sink your teeth into! I gather and mix, push and pull, listen and share. My hands are good friends, as is the wooden spoon and big bowl. There might be a recipe to help guide me, but more and more I’m learning to trust my instincts, have faith in the process. Tracking down the choicest ingredients is half the fun. Sometimes I just have to go with what’s in the ol’ cupboards and experiment a little. I know the more heart I put out, the more heart I put in. A clean kitchen, a sharp knife, flour and water…. where shall I go today? What will it look like?
Ooooh, an apple pie sounds good. If I want it to taste good (and look good!), I know I’ve got to spend a little time and effort; washing, cutting, cooking, cleaning – I’m exploring ways to give life to my life. Everyone and everything is on board. Why is presentation so important? Do we taste with our eyes too?
I’m starting to see it now; it’s taking shape right before me. How do I know what to do? How do any of us do what we don’t already know how to do? Sunlight through the window; warmth from the oven. My nose tells me that there’s something good cooking; the smell is almost enough just by itself. Keep the energy going! Don’t mess up! Let’s go by the fire while we wait, forget for a moment; dream….
DING! There it is. Another job well done. Gotta let it cool before the big presentation. I hope folks like it; more importantly, do I? Yes!
Perhaps it’s more about the process than the final product; but, yes, thank you, I think I will have a scoop of ice cream with mine!