My Day Job
If you didn’t learn to leave your ego at home before the design juries at architecture school, it might be something to work on.
Several years ago I read a glowing review of a new campus building in an alumni magazine. It extolled the features of the new classrooms and gathering spaces and described how much it would benefit the students. It complimented the Dean and the major Donor on their wisdom, foresight, and commitment to the University, but never once mentioned that an architect had been involved.
A couple of months ago I read an account in the local newspaper about a proposed addition to the city library. The article praised the original building and the 20 year old addition. The chief librarian was quoted about the features of the new addition and how it would help the library adapt to rapid changes in the function of a library. There was no mention of any architects, even though the 20 year old addition won a Maine AIA award.
Today, I read another article about an addition to a local civic building. Again the Chairman of the board and the Director of the facility were quoted and deservedly praised for their work. Next to the article was a picture of a SketchUp model showing the addition, courtesy of the owner. No mention of the architect in the article. This time it was a little more personal; The firm I work for (Eric A Chase Architecture) has worked on the project for several years, I designed the addition, and I created the SketchUp model, with help from Robert Kimball, a local landscape architect.
Later in the day I looked at the website of a design/build firm that hired me to design a house, because the client and builders had not come up with a plan they were all happy with. I worked with them for about 6 months to develop a plan they liked and which the builders thought fit the budget. Just as I was about to start working drawings they turned the project over to the builders. Since then there have been a number of changes, some are fine, some I would have resisted. All in all I think they have done a very nice job.
Their site had a link to a blog posted by the clients (the parents in law of one of the design/build partners). The blog describes the project from clearing the site through last week, with lots of pictures. I only skimmed the text, but I never saw any mention of an architect. The clients are happy, I think the house will suit them, work well and look nice. I’m sure they will let me take photographs. I got paid in full. My ego is somewhere in a file drawer in my office. What more could I want?
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