The Practice of Architecture
MANY things give indications of changes in the making. Through conversation, correspondence or reading these signs are constantly recurring testimonies, and
a tabulation is unconsciously made of them until the ideas become insistent in their presence. To verify the general impression, a systematic collation of all the evidence is in order.
In arriving at a conclusion by this mental process, it will be found that among the diverse problems demanding attention at this time, one of manifest importance is that of the attitude of the public toward the architect and of the architect in his relations to himself and others.
The practice of architecture is probably today, more than ever before, a matter of barter and trade. The monies invested in building structures demand a return service which represents full value. This value is measured in the adaptability of the structure to its use, its durability and its appearance. These three factors are the fundamentals of correct planning and to render adequate service it appears to be essential that the architect should fully qualify himself to meet these basic requirements.
An analysis has been made of a great amount of data pertaining to this subject and the majority opinion has been condensed into the following five paragraphs which embrace the most common of the points developed. This brief consensus of opinion is not intended to cover the multitude of conditions that exist in such relations, but it is thought that possibly it comprises the basic factors.
1. The business of architecture is inseparable from the profession of architecture. Together they comprehend the originating, promoting, designing, planning, directing and controlling the construction of buildings and their appurtenances.
2. To develop a general demand for architectural service—without which only limited opportunities for practice will be presented—the architect must, as an individual and collectively, employ proper and effective means to create a universal appreciation of its intrinsic value.
3. To fully perform his function, the architect must organize, equip and operate his business so as to render complete service in the production of plans and specifications for everything embraced in the construction, equipment and furnishing of buildings.
4. He must furnish complete and detailed supervision of construction and be closely identified with it. He must be responsible financially, as well as morally, for all of his acts, including the correctness of design, the completeness and accuracy of plans, specifications and details, and the construction of the building in accordance therewith; his responsibility to be contingent only on his being accorded freedom in deciding all matters of structural design, mechanical equipment and the selection of materials and workmen.
(Reprinted from issue of November 27, 1918)
MANY things give indications of changes in the making. Through conversation, correspondence or reading these signs are constantly recurring testimonies, and
a tabulation is unconsciously made of them until the ideas become insistent in their presence. To verify the general impression, a systematic collation of all the evidence is in order.
In arriving at a conclusion by this mental process, it will be found that among the diverse problems demanding attention at this time, one of manifest importance is that of the attitude of the public toward the architect and of the architect in his relations to himself and others.
The practice of architecture is probably today, more than ever before, a matter of barter and trade. The monies invested in building structures demand a return service which represents full value. This value is measured in the adaptability of the structure to its use, its durability and its appearance. These three factors are the fundamentals of correct planning and to render adequate service it appears to be essential that the architect should fully qualify himself to meet these basic requirements.
An analysis has been made of a great amount of data pertaining to this subject and the majority opinion has been condensed into the following five paragraphs which embrace the most common of the points developed. This brief consensus of opinion is not intended to cover the multitude of conditions that exist in such relations, but it is thought that possibly it comprises the basic factors.
1. The business of architecture is inseparable from the profession of architecture. Together they comprehend the originating, promoting, designing, planning, directing and controlling the construction of buildings and their appurtenances.
2. To develop a general demand for architectural service—without which only limited opportunities for practice will be presented—the architect must, as an individual and collectively, employ proper and effective means to create a universal appreciation of its intrinsic value.
3. To fully perform his function, the architect must organize, equip and operate his business so as to render complete service in the production of plans and specifications for everything embraced in the construction, equipment and furnishing of buildings.
4. He must furnish complete and detailed supervision of construction and be closely identified with it. He must be responsible financially, as well as morally, for all of his acts, including the correctness of design, the completeness and accuracy of plans, specifications and details, and the construction of the building in accordance therewith; his responsibility to be contingent only on his being accorded freedom in deciding all matters of structural design, mechanical equipment and the selection of materials and workmen.
(Reprinted from issue of November 27, 1918)