An NCARB Lesson from Chicago: It’s Time to Think Growth

Let’s face it, the economy is not going to improve dramatically anytime soon. Architects and designers have been in an economic bubble that has proven to be unsustainable from several viewpoints: the developing world, macro and micro economics, real estate credit markets, and green and sustainable design.

Nevertheless, it is time to look at a new growth attitude. Here I’m talking about growth in quality, growth in green, growth in regenerative systems, and growth in our personal human relationships. At last week’s National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) annual meeting in Chicago, there was a good deal of chatter about systematic, stratetic processes that are being put in place that will result in sustainable delivery systems. SOM’s presentation on the Chicago 2016 Olympic proposition was a case in point. With the marketplace changes, architects and designers can create not just incremental gains but exponential leaps by recognizing how professional practices are adding value to future opportunities. New and higher mental set points need to be established that focus on the changing marketplace. You will discover a richness of opportunities just below the surface.

Indeed, there can be growth in your value proposition — in your relevance to the clients of tomorrow. It’s time to create clarity about all the factors that affect your professional practice and understand that the problems and issues you have today are not insurmountable. In fact, they will give rise to new growth.

The unexpected lesson from NCARB in Chicago: It’s time to dislodge your professional practice from the rut and into the tango that is integrated project delivery. This is where the NCARB annual meeting had more than average relevance — apply some or all of these tactics and you’ll not only make the design professions more efficient, the planet greener and safer, but you’ll also get on track for superior success.

Authenticity Trumps Cynicism

Jim Cramer and Denise L. Lawrence at Cal Poly Pomona's Center for Regenerative Studies.

I recently found myself on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona, and it was there I had an opportunity to visit the ambitious John T. Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies. It is an interesting unit of the College of Environmental Design, which includes architecture, urban studies, landscape architecture, and art.

Here is a picture of me with Denise L. Lawrence, Ph.D., an anthropology professor who splits her time teaching architecture and regenerative studies. It’s a curious picture, and you may be wondering what it is we are doing out in the sun. In fact, we are admiring the harvest of the elephant garlic grown on campus. Quite the specimens!

But most important, Lawrence has a fascinating read on the future of the design professions, one that is worth heeding. She says we need to have positive expectations about the future — not just avoid the negative ones. She sees hope for the future because of the interest and actions taken by the students on campus and by the professional practices employing their graduates (firms like HMC located close by in Ontario, Calif).

Lawrence is not naive. Like most American universities, Cal Poly has had its share of setbacks. But she has a vision that has the capacity to change the course of events for the better. The Center for Regenerative Studies at Cal Poly Pomona is a highlight of the College of Environmental Design. (Watch  for an announcement regarding this and other highly admired programs in the July/August issue of DesignIntelligence, which focuses on sustainable design.)

Cal Poly Pomona an imperfect model, which is an authentic example of sorts because of how they have handled adversity. Success has not come easily. And while they are small, they can measure the benefits of the school in sophisticated ways — world-class ways. And this addresses the all-too-common cynicism on our college campuses today.