I was reading The Boston Globe this morning and was pleased to see a page one article by Casey Ross and Todd Wallack that addressed one of the most glaring deficiencies of the government’s stimulus package: the fact that very little of the $787B funding is directed at building construction.
They noted that in Massachusetts alone, the program has provided $437M for road construction, but limited funds for buildings. They also, quite correctly, pointed out that the construction {or renovation} of a building provides more jobs for more people for a longer period of time than a comparable road construction project. Oddly, while the authors lamented the 20% unemployment level in the construction industry, they failed to mention the catastrophic impact that the lack of building funding is having on the design industry’s employment levels. Simply put, there are now more architects and engineers out of work in the New England region than at any time in recent memory. Many estimate the figure at more than 30%. Recently the AIA told congress that all it wants for Christmas is for them to redirect stimulus funding toward vertical, rather than horizontal, construction.
I hope Santa is listening!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Mae West
Recently, the newspapers and the evening news have both reported extensively on the financial problems plaguing certain real estate developers in the Middle East. The extent of the credit problem may approach a figure that is eerily similar in scope to the Bernie Madoff scandal which was also fueled by the irrational exuberance of investors. The former crisis may yet be resolved by the timely intervention of the local banking system, while the latter is unlikely to ever be reconciled to anyone’s satisfaction.
Yesterday I was watching TV and happened to catch a few minutes of a classic Mae West movie – My Little Chickadee. I was reminded of one of Mae’s favorite lines: “too much of a good thing is never enough”! I wonder if that bird would be singing the same song today.
Yesterday I was watching TV and happened to catch a few minutes of a classic Mae West movie – My Little Chickadee. I was reminded of one of Mae’s favorite lines: “too much of a good thing is never enough”! I wonder if that bird would be singing the same song today.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgivings
I just wanted to take this opportunity to pass along my best wishes to our clients, our consultants, and our staff for a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We enjoy many blessings in this country and, like you, I am particularly grateful to the many men and women in our armed services who make personal sacrifices on our behalf every day.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Can We Talk?
I just returned from a Board meeting at the Boston Society of Architects {BSA} on the subject of communications. We are confident that the BSA can do a more effective job communicating with our diverse membership and the community at large, so we brought in a consulting firm to analyze our current approach and to make suitable recommendations for improvement to our website, print media, etc.
Sounds like a simple problem to solve, right? Well, it’s not so simple when you begin to appreciate that different people from different generations access and process information in very different ways. Take me, for instance. I get an average of two hundred emails, a dozen letters, a stack of print material, and a bunch of phone calls each day. The best I can do is sift through them as quickly as possible each morning, trashing the vast majority within an hour, and following up on the important ones throughout the day, checking my iPhone periodically for updates when I am out of the office. I own one computer and am usually trying to get away from it so I can spend some quality face time with staff, clients, friends, or family. If that sounds like your typical day, I’ll bet we belong to the same generation.
Now let’s compare that with a few other people in my family, like my thirty-something son, Alex, who is a Creative Director for an advertising company. Email is passé….he texts, or tweets, and is LinkedIn to everyone on Earth. He rarely uses the telephone and, in fact, no longer has a land line. He doesn’t buy a newspaper and gets virtually all of his information online. When he is not eating, sleeping, or exercising, he is accessing information through one of his many computers or his PDA. My 91 year old mother, by contrast, doesn’t own a computer, and told me the other day that she wants to cancel her cellphone account altogether. “I never use it”, she said. She’ll use the home telephone, of course, but prefers to write letters and send cards. She subscribes to several newspapers and reads them all thoroughly, but admits that she gets virtually all of her useful information at bridge parties. Finally, consider my godson, Hunter. He is four, and I think that he may already be on Facebook, but he won’t “friend” me so I don’t really know.
Our consultants think they can complete their report within two months. I’ll bet it takes longer.
Sounds like a simple problem to solve, right? Well, it’s not so simple when you begin to appreciate that different people from different generations access and process information in very different ways. Take me, for instance. I get an average of two hundred emails, a dozen letters, a stack of print material, and a bunch of phone calls each day. The best I can do is sift through them as quickly as possible each morning, trashing the vast majority within an hour, and following up on the important ones throughout the day, checking my iPhone periodically for updates when I am out of the office. I own one computer and am usually trying to get away from it so I can spend some quality face time with staff, clients, friends, or family. If that sounds like your typical day, I’ll bet we belong to the same generation.
Now let’s compare that with a few other people in my family, like my thirty-something son, Alex, who is a Creative Director for an advertising company. Email is passé….he texts, or tweets, and is LinkedIn to everyone on Earth. He rarely uses the telephone and, in fact, no longer has a land line. He doesn’t buy a newspaper and gets virtually all of his information online. When he is not eating, sleeping, or exercising, he is accessing information through one of his many computers or his PDA. My 91 year old mother, by contrast, doesn’t own a computer, and told me the other day that she wants to cancel her cellphone account altogether. “I never use it”, she said. She’ll use the home telephone, of course, but prefers to write letters and send cards. She subscribes to several newspapers and reads them all thoroughly, but admits that she gets virtually all of her useful information at bridge parties. Finally, consider my godson, Hunter. He is four, and I think that he may already be on Facebook, but he won’t “friend” me so I don’t really know.
Our consultants think they can complete their report within two months. I’ll bet it takes longer.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
American Ingenuity
I recently came across an article in the New York Times {http://arieff.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/not-new-but-improved/}. It was written by Allison Arieff, an author and editor at large for Sunset magazine.
She was writing specifically about Renuva, which is a soy-based alternative to conventional, oil-based polyurethane. The latter, of course, is fraught with all the associated toxic VOC complications as well as the geo-political overtones. The former is an environmentally friendly product, made by Dow Chemical, which is now exploring its potential applicability to products as diverse as sponges and children’s toys. Apparently, it is also more resistant to UV decomposition and more water repellant than oil-based polyurethane. And, if Dow can eventually market it for less cost, it seems to me that everybody wins.
However, what surprised me most was not the content of the article itself; it was the skepticism of the comments that followed. The article appears to have attracted a flood of nay-sayers and critics, including several who suggested that by redeploying soy Dow was contributing to world hunger. Is our society so contrarious that our first reaction to good ‘ole American Ingenuity is to sling mud? I say let’s pat ‘em on the back and ask for more!
She was writing specifically about Renuva, which is a soy-based alternative to conventional, oil-based polyurethane. The latter, of course, is fraught with all the associated toxic VOC complications as well as the geo-political overtones. The former is an environmentally friendly product, made by Dow Chemical, which is now exploring its potential applicability to products as diverse as sponges and children’s toys. Apparently, it is also more resistant to UV decomposition and more water repellant than oil-based polyurethane. And, if Dow can eventually market it for less cost, it seems to me that everybody wins.
However, what surprised me most was not the content of the article itself; it was the skepticism of the comments that followed. The article appears to have attracted a flood of nay-sayers and critics, including several who suggested that by redeploying soy Dow was contributing to world hunger. Is our society so contrarious that our first reaction to good ‘ole American Ingenuity is to sling mud? I say let’s pat ‘em on the back and ask for more!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Are you kidding me?
I just attended the CEO Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT) conference of the AIA which was held last week in Vancouver, Canada. One of the speakers was Edward Mazria, an activist for the AIA’s Architecture 2030 program, and one of the most compelling and erudite speakers in our profession on the subject of climate change.
I am proud that TRO Jung|Brannen is one of 38 LFRT member firms to underwrite the Architecture 2030 program, and I left Ed’s lecture with renewed energy to rededicate our firm’s resources to the daunting sustainable design challenges that lie ahead. However, the moment I returned to my office I was confronted with a copy of the October, 2009 issue of Architect magazine. In it are the results of a recent survey of 960 design professionals on the subject of climate change. As a well-known gameshow host once cried “THE SURVEY SAYS…… 13% of design professionals think global warming is a hoax!”
Who are these people? Is our profession really so woefully misinformed that a significant percentage actually believe the political spin rather than the scientific evidence?
I hope the magazine was just kidding.
I am proud that TRO Jung|Brannen is one of 38 LFRT member firms to underwrite the Architecture 2030 program, and I left Ed’s lecture with renewed energy to rededicate our firm’s resources to the daunting sustainable design challenges that lie ahead. However, the moment I returned to my office I was confronted with a copy of the October, 2009 issue of Architect magazine. In it are the results of a recent survey of 960 design professionals on the subject of climate change. As a well-known gameshow host once cried “THE SURVEY SAYS…… 13% of design professionals think global warming is a hoax!”
Who are these people? Is our profession really so woefully misinformed that a significant percentage actually believe the political spin rather than the scientific evidence?
I hope the magazine was just kidding.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Take Care
One of the frustrating things that I see going on in our profession during this recession is the draconian “standard of care” expected of architects by some program managers and clients.
The AIA B141 Owner-Architect Agreement speaks to the issue in Paragraph 1.2.3.2 of the 1997 edition, Part 1, as follows: “The Architect’s services shall be performed as expeditiously as is consistent with professional skill and care and the orderly progress of the work.” To further clarify the standard of care clause, I routinely recommend the following amendment: “The Architect’s services shall be performed consistent with the degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by practicing architects performing similar services in the same locality, at the same site and under the same or similar circumstances and conditions, and the orderly progress of the work.” Both versions are reasonable. They comply with our professional liability insurance, and are consistent with professional service case law. They make it clear to all parties that the architect shall not be held to a standard of perfection when performing his or her duties.
Designing and constructing buildings is a complex undertaking involving thousands of tasks completed over many years and mistakes are, unfortunately, made during the course of the process. For that reason, owners and contractors alike are advised to carry suitable contingencies in their budgeting. Most do, but many do not. For clients with inadequate contingencies, money gets tight at the project’s conclusion and some are increasingly inclined to blame the architect for change orders and cost overruns and to seek unreasonable financial redress in order to balance their budget.
Our firm is very proud of our service record and change orders within our control rarely exceed 2 – 3% of the construction cost. In short, although we may strive for perfection on every project, we are typically only 97.5 % perfect, not 100%. By comparison, a 5% change order rate is thought to be a reasonable standard of care benchmark.
As a profession, I would suggest that we do three things: First, strengthen the standard of care language in our contracts to remove any ambiguities or potential for misinterpretation; second, have a candid discussion with the client and program manager at the onset of the project to obviate unreasonable expectations of perfection regarding the design team’s performance; and, third, insist that suitable contingencies are incorporated in the project budget.
We all work hard to protect our clients. Let’s see that we take care to protect ourselves as well.
The AIA B141 Owner-Architect Agreement speaks to the issue in Paragraph 1.2.3.2 of the 1997 edition, Part 1, as follows: “The Architect’s services shall be performed as expeditiously as is consistent with professional skill and care and the orderly progress of the work.” To further clarify the standard of care clause, I routinely recommend the following amendment: “The Architect’s services shall be performed consistent with the degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by practicing architects performing similar services in the same locality, at the same site and under the same or similar circumstances and conditions, and the orderly progress of the work.” Both versions are reasonable. They comply with our professional liability insurance, and are consistent with professional service case law. They make it clear to all parties that the architect shall not be held to a standard of perfection when performing his or her duties.
Designing and constructing buildings is a complex undertaking involving thousands of tasks completed over many years and mistakes are, unfortunately, made during the course of the process. For that reason, owners and contractors alike are advised to carry suitable contingencies in their budgeting. Most do, but many do not. For clients with inadequate contingencies, money gets tight at the project’s conclusion and some are increasingly inclined to blame the architect for change orders and cost overruns and to seek unreasonable financial redress in order to balance their budget.
Our firm is very proud of our service record and change orders within our control rarely exceed 2 – 3% of the construction cost. In short, although we may strive for perfection on every project, we are typically only 97.5 % perfect, not 100%. By comparison, a 5% change order rate is thought to be a reasonable standard of care benchmark.
As a profession, I would suggest that we do three things: First, strengthen the standard of care language in our contracts to remove any ambiguities or potential for misinterpretation; second, have a candid discussion with the client and program manager at the onset of the project to obviate unreasonable expectations of perfection regarding the design team’s performance; and, third, insist that suitable contingencies are incorporated in the project budget.
We all work hard to protect our clients. Let’s see that we take care to protect ourselves as well.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Staying Connected
It seems to me that we are altogether too “wired” to one another.
Like most business men and women I carry my iPhone wherever I go and am always checking it for everything from emails to stock quotes. It keeps me connected to my business, my home, the internet and just about anything else that I want to access.
But, last week I took a much needed break from work and spent a week flyfishing in a remote area of New Hampshire where my iPhone had no reception. At first I was anxious and used a nearby landline periodically to call the office. But I soon realized that I needed to connect with nature more than the office and began instead to invest my time in appreciating the remarkable beauty of the mountains and the haunting call of the loons rather than obsessing about work. I returned to my job much refreshed as a result.
It seems to me that we would all do well to stay connected with nature a bit better, particularly our children and grandchildren who are too often transfixed by computer games or text messaging. As design professionals we hope the next generation embraces sustainability as we do and seeks to preserve our natural environment. But how will they do so if we do not see that each of them gets frequent opportunities to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer?
I called my Godson when I returned and we are going flyfishing in three weeks – just to stay connected!
Like most business men and women I carry my iPhone wherever I go and am always checking it for everything from emails to stock quotes. It keeps me connected to my business, my home, the internet and just about anything else that I want to access.
But, last week I took a much needed break from work and spent a week flyfishing in a remote area of New Hampshire where my iPhone had no reception. At first I was anxious and used a nearby landline periodically to call the office. But I soon realized that I needed to connect with nature more than the office and began instead to invest my time in appreciating the remarkable beauty of the mountains and the haunting call of the loons rather than obsessing about work. I returned to my job much refreshed as a result.
It seems to me that we would all do well to stay connected with nature a bit better, particularly our children and grandchildren who are too often transfixed by computer games or text messaging. As design professionals we hope the next generation embraces sustainability as we do and seeks to preserve our natural environment. But how will they do so if we do not see that each of them gets frequent opportunities to enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer?
I called my Godson when I returned and we are going flyfishing in three weeks – just to stay connected!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Just Listen
“Listen, my children, and you shall hear…”
This week I had the distinct privilege of speaking with some of the region’s leading oncologists while touring two newly completed cancers centers, designed by TRO Jung|Brannen, at both Newton-Wellesley Hospital and South Shore Hospital.
At the dedication of the former yesterday evening I met Dr. James Vernon, for whom the cancer center is named. He spoke to me of his tremendous pride in the new facility and the empathetic connection he felt throughout the design process with our team. “They really listened to our input,” he told me, “and helped us create something inspiring!”
The previous day I had toured the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital, scheduled to open on October 5. The center’s Director, Dr. David Rudolph, led a tour for business leaders from the south shore region and I tagged along. Stopping near the chemotherapy area, he remarked “this beautiful patient lounge was not in our original program, but our architect, Scott Mueller, told us of several conversations he’d had with our patient focus group. They convinced him that such a space would contribute significantly to their healing, both emotionally and physically. He urged me to include it, and here is the wonderful result!”
As designers, we should listen more and talk less. The results will speak for themselves.
This week I had the distinct privilege of speaking with some of the region’s leading oncologists while touring two newly completed cancers centers, designed by TRO Jung|Brannen, at both Newton-Wellesley Hospital and South Shore Hospital.
At the dedication of the former yesterday evening I met Dr. James Vernon, for whom the cancer center is named. He spoke to me of his tremendous pride in the new facility and the empathetic connection he felt throughout the design process with our team. “They really listened to our input,” he told me, “and helped us create something inspiring!”
The previous day I had toured the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital, scheduled to open on October 5. The center’s Director, Dr. David Rudolph, led a tour for business leaders from the south shore region and I tagged along. Stopping near the chemotherapy area, he remarked “this beautiful patient lounge was not in our original program, but our architect, Scott Mueller, told us of several conversations he’d had with our patient focus group. They convinced him that such a space would contribute significantly to their healing, both emotionally and physically. He urged me to include it, and here is the wonderful result!”
As designers, we should listen more and talk less. The results will speak for themselves.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Business as Usual
The Boston Globe is preparing a story about the urban blight caused by stalled developments in our city. Interested in engaging the Boston design community in exploring ideas to mitigate the eyesores, the Globe recently contacted the BSA, hoping it could assist by approaching architects who might be willing to participate in a “visioning” exercise, pro bono.
Some members of the BSA do not feel that our chapter should be cooperating in this effort, suggesting that the Globe is giving us the business, so to speak, by taking advantage of BSA members who are disproportionately suffering in a depressed economy. Like many of my colleagues on the BSA Board, I respectfully disagree.
First, I believe that if an architect chooses to participate in the Globe’s initiative, he or she is doing so voluntarily and in alignment with the guidelines for pro bono services published by the AIA, which encourages its members to contribute “to the highest aspirations of the architecture profession…in service to society…and in the eyes of the public.” Larry Chan, the BSA’s President-Elect, eloquently made this point to Tom Keane, the BSA’s new Executive Director, in a recent email on the subject. Second, I would argue that there is keen public interest in the project sites in question, and that our profession would be well served to be an integral part of the civic discussion by exploring design solutions to address the problem, rather than passively waiting for others to take the initiative. Finally, isn’t it time that our profession redefined itself? BSA Board member Peter Wiederspahn recently wrote that architects need “to engage the development and building communities in new, more aggressive ways.” I agree.
Business as usual isn’t working.
Some members of the BSA do not feel that our chapter should be cooperating in this effort, suggesting that the Globe is giving us the business, so to speak, by taking advantage of BSA members who are disproportionately suffering in a depressed economy. Like many of my colleagues on the BSA Board, I respectfully disagree.
First, I believe that if an architect chooses to participate in the Globe’s initiative, he or she is doing so voluntarily and in alignment with the guidelines for pro bono services published by the AIA, which encourages its members to contribute “to the highest aspirations of the architecture profession…in service to society…and in the eyes of the public.” Larry Chan, the BSA’s President-Elect, eloquently made this point to Tom Keane, the BSA’s new Executive Director, in a recent email on the subject. Second, I would argue that there is keen public interest in the project sites in question, and that our profession would be well served to be an integral part of the civic discussion by exploring design solutions to address the problem, rather than passively waiting for others to take the initiative. Finally, isn’t it time that our profession redefined itself? BSA Board member Peter Wiederspahn recently wrote that architects need “to engage the development and building communities in new, more aggressive ways.” I agree.
Business as usual isn’t working.
Monday, August 17, 2009
This Much is Certain
I’m not certain about much in the present economy, but this much I do know: fear mongering has no place in the health care reform debate.
The recent provocation by Sarah Palin and others that the health care reform legislation contains provisions that will establish governmental “death panels” to adjudicate end of life decisions is altogether inaccurate and inappropriate. I find it regrettable that, as a result of the inevitable and ensuing public outcry, the provision to reimburse patients for vital services such as hospice consultation was removed from the bill.
The one thing that our economy does not need more of is uncertainty, inflamed by unfounded fears. We deserve better from our elected officials.
The recent provocation by Sarah Palin and others that the health care reform legislation contains provisions that will establish governmental “death panels” to adjudicate end of life decisions is altogether inaccurate and inappropriate. I find it regrettable that, as a result of the inevitable and ensuing public outcry, the provision to reimburse patients for vital services such as hospice consultation was removed from the bill.
The one thing that our economy does not need more of is uncertainty, inflamed by unfounded fears. We deserve better from our elected officials.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Price is Right
Do you remember that goofy game show, The Price is Right? As I recall, the contestants had to guess the price of a household appliance, such as a washing machine, and whoever came the closest to the actual retail price, without going over, won.
Regrettably, the architectural profession during this current recession has begun to resemble The Price is Right. Many clients are now inclined to stress price before value and are “bidding” fees as if selecting a design firm was like buying a washing machine. Last week a prospective client called to tell me that a competitor’s “bid” was a full percentage point lower than ours (I had proposed a very competitive fee, by the way) and that unless we agreed to drop our fee accordingly, he’d award the project to the other firm even though he readily acknowledged that we were more qualified……price before value.
I decided that the cost of “winning” that project was too high, thanked the client for their interest, and declined.
In my experience, when the design fees are insufficient to cover the professional services required to properly do the work, bad things usually happen: the firm fails to adequately service the project; construction administration is short-changed; junior staff are substituted for more experienced professionals; the design process is rushed; consultants are underpaid, etc. Everybody, including the client, suffers. And what will the client gain by a fee savings of one percent of the construction cost? Nothing! That savings, and perhaps more, will probably be lost as the result of a compromised design and construction process.
My advice to clients is simple: Stress value before price and select a design firm based on their qualifications; then, negotiate a fair fee for the services you require. Most reputable firms, like TRO Jung|Brannen, are open to reasonable fee negotiation, once selected.
Don’t play games.
Regrettably, the architectural profession during this current recession has begun to resemble The Price is Right. Many clients are now inclined to stress price before value and are “bidding” fees as if selecting a design firm was like buying a washing machine. Last week a prospective client called to tell me that a competitor’s “bid” was a full percentage point lower than ours (I had proposed a very competitive fee, by the way) and that unless we agreed to drop our fee accordingly, he’d award the project to the other firm even though he readily acknowledged that we were more qualified……price before value.
I decided that the cost of “winning” that project was too high, thanked the client for their interest, and declined.
In my experience, when the design fees are insufficient to cover the professional services required to properly do the work, bad things usually happen: the firm fails to adequately service the project; construction administration is short-changed; junior staff are substituted for more experienced professionals; the design process is rushed; consultants are underpaid, etc. Everybody, including the client, suffers. And what will the client gain by a fee savings of one percent of the construction cost? Nothing! That savings, and perhaps more, will probably be lost as the result of a compromised design and construction process.
My advice to clients is simple: Stress value before price and select a design firm based on their qualifications; then, negotiate a fair fee for the services you require. Most reputable firms, like TRO Jung|Brannen, are open to reasonable fee negotiation, once selected.
Don’t play games.
Friday, July 17, 2009
LEEDing the Way
The July issue of Building Design and Construction magazine includes a new list of architects, engineers, and contractors, ranked in order of the total number of LEED accredited staff members. TRO JungBrannen is ranked #66, with 102 LEED accredited professionals (APs).
Like most such lists, this one requires some examination. First, the firms with the most personnel will obviously dominate the ranking, even though they may be only marginally committed to sustainable design and construction. Second, the list was based on data assembled several weeks ago, and reflected our staffing as of April 24. Today we have 119 LEED APs, with more expected shortly. Finally, this list compares apples, oranges, and pears in the sense that architects are mixed in with contractors and engineering firms. For example, I see little value in comparing ourselves to an engineering giant like AECOM Technology Corporation, ranked #7, with 413 LEED APs. As noted above, that sounds good until you realize that the figure of 413 represents less than 1% of their total staff of 43,000. Similarly, URS Corporation has over 51,000 employees, but less than ½ of 1% are LEED accredited. By comparison, TRO Jung|Brannen now has 50% of our total staff accredited, and nearly two-thirds of our professional staff – a distinction held by only six other firms on the list of two hundred!
While this list certainly has value and is well-intentioned, I believe that it would be more useful, for example, if architects were compared only to other architects; and, the ranking would have been more meaningful if it were based on the percentage of LEED APs to overall staff – a better reflection of a firm’s sustainable design commitment. Viewed from this perspective, It is noteworthy that TRO Jung|Brannen now appears to have the highest number of LEED APs of all New England architectural, interior design, and engineering firms who have their headquarters in Boston; and, we enjoy one of the highest ratios of LEED APs to total staff when compared to the other large design firms throughout the country.
I am enormously proud of our leadership position in sustainable design and look forward to fulfilling our internal goal of 100% LEED accreditation for all of our professional staff.
Like most such lists, this one requires some examination. First, the firms with the most personnel will obviously dominate the ranking, even though they may be only marginally committed to sustainable design and construction. Second, the list was based on data assembled several weeks ago, and reflected our staffing as of April 24. Today we have 119 LEED APs, with more expected shortly. Finally, this list compares apples, oranges, and pears in the sense that architects are mixed in with contractors and engineering firms. For example, I see little value in comparing ourselves to an engineering giant like AECOM Technology Corporation, ranked #7, with 413 LEED APs. As noted above, that sounds good until you realize that the figure of 413 represents less than 1% of their total staff of 43,000. Similarly, URS Corporation has over 51,000 employees, but less than ½ of 1% are LEED accredited. By comparison, TRO Jung|Brannen now has 50% of our total staff accredited, and nearly two-thirds of our professional staff – a distinction held by only six other firms on the list of two hundred!
While this list certainly has value and is well-intentioned, I believe that it would be more useful, for example, if architects were compared only to other architects; and, the ranking would have been more meaningful if it were based on the percentage of LEED APs to overall staff – a better reflection of a firm’s sustainable design commitment. Viewed from this perspective, It is noteworthy that TRO Jung|Brannen now appears to have the highest number of LEED APs of all New England architectural, interior design, and engineering firms who have their headquarters in Boston; and, we enjoy one of the highest ratios of LEED APs to total staff when compared to the other large design firms throughout the country.
I am enormously proud of our leadership position in sustainable design and look forward to fulfilling our internal goal of 100% LEED accreditation for all of our professional staff.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Healthcare and Tort Reform
For those of us who remember HillaryCare in 1993, it was a bitter pill for the design and construction industry to swallow.
To refresh your memory, shortly after Bill Clinton was sworn in as President in 1993, he asked his wife to lead a task force charged with overhauling the nation’s healthcare insurance system. The goal was to provide universal healthcare to all Americans. He recognized that the spiraling costs of healthcare were unsustainable and compromised our economic prosperity.
During the months of debate that followed, the healthcare industry held its collective breath, anticipating draconian legislative reforms. Institutions were hesitant to commit funds to upgrade their facilities and the healthcare design industry was “on hold” for more than a year and a half. In the end, despite the administration’s good intentions, the bipartisan compromise bill went down to defeat in September, 1994, and things largely returned to the status quo. Not surprisingly, healthcare costs for the average American have continued to rise ever since.
Fast forward to today. President Obama recently made a pledge eerily similar to President Clinton’s. This time around, two things concern me: First, I hope that the political debate is brief and that the bill is enacted promptly so our industry does not suffer unnecessarily. Second, I hope that Obama’s healthcare reform has at its core one essential ingredient that Clinton was unable, or perhaps unwilling, to deliver – tort reform. Now, I am not suggesting that tort reform alone will cure our healthcare ills. Rationing end of life care, controlling obesity, promoting wellness, and eliminating unnecessary paperwork and inefficiencies may all contribute more to healthcare’s bottom line than tort reform. But, I believe that tort reform will have a more beneficial ripple effect throughout our entire economy.
There are several components of tort reform that merit consideration: the elimination of contingent fees, capping damage awards, and my personal favorite – the “loser pays” system – from English law. I believe that if just these three reforms were adopted, malpractice insurance costs would drop, frivolous lawsuits would decline, and physicians would be less likely to insist on expensive diagnostics of questionable medical merit.
Healthcare reform without tort reform just won’t be easy for me to swallow!
To refresh your memory, shortly after Bill Clinton was sworn in as President in 1993, he asked his wife to lead a task force charged with overhauling the nation’s healthcare insurance system. The goal was to provide universal healthcare to all Americans. He recognized that the spiraling costs of healthcare were unsustainable and compromised our economic prosperity.
During the months of debate that followed, the healthcare industry held its collective breath, anticipating draconian legislative reforms. Institutions were hesitant to commit funds to upgrade their facilities and the healthcare design industry was “on hold” for more than a year and a half. In the end, despite the administration’s good intentions, the bipartisan compromise bill went down to defeat in September, 1994, and things largely returned to the status quo. Not surprisingly, healthcare costs for the average American have continued to rise ever since.
Fast forward to today. President Obama recently made a pledge eerily similar to President Clinton’s. This time around, two things concern me: First, I hope that the political debate is brief and that the bill is enacted promptly so our industry does not suffer unnecessarily. Second, I hope that Obama’s healthcare reform has at its core one essential ingredient that Clinton was unable, or perhaps unwilling, to deliver – tort reform. Now, I am not suggesting that tort reform alone will cure our healthcare ills. Rationing end of life care, controlling obesity, promoting wellness, and eliminating unnecessary paperwork and inefficiencies may all contribute more to healthcare’s bottom line than tort reform. But, I believe that tort reform will have a more beneficial ripple effect throughout our entire economy.
There are several components of tort reform that merit consideration: the elimination of contingent fees, capping damage awards, and my personal favorite – the “loser pays” system – from English law. I believe that if just these three reforms were adopted, malpractice insurance costs would drop, frivolous lawsuits would decline, and physicians would be less likely to insist on expensive diagnostics of questionable medical merit.
Healthcare reform without tort reform just won’t be easy for me to swallow!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Client Experience
What kind of an impression does each of us make on our clients when we work with them on daily basis? Do we leave them with an experience about which they feel good? Are they likely to want to rehire us for the next project, and to ask for the same team?
The other day I had a very unpleasant experience with the financing arm of a car lease company (which shall remain nameless). They called me repeatedly during the week claiming that I was behind in my payments by two weeks. My records showed that I had actually overpaid by one month, but they hadn’t cashed the check. The customer service representative was not helpful at all and, after fifteen fruitless minutes, I asked to be transferred to an account manager who could promptly reconcile my billing.
I was put on hold for ten more minutes and when the manager finally answered I was asked to give him all the same account information that I had previously recited to the service representative. I was back to square one. Fifteen minutes later he concluded that I would have to speak to a different department altogether and asked me to hold while he explained my situation to a “higher authority.” Ten more minutes passed, yet when the new “authority” came on line I had to recite the account information all over again. By now I was thoroughly frustrated and wondering why I was doing business with this company at all.
It actually took a fourth individual, and a total time investment of one and one-half hours, to finally resolve the matter to my satisfaction. With the exception of the fourth individual, the company’s representatives were ineffectual and uncaring. To say that I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth is an understatement. I resolved to seek a different financing company once this car lease had run its course. Nice car….bad company!
At TRO JungBrannen each of us is a customer service representative in some way - whether we are answering the phones, working with user groups, overseeing construction, or managing the invoicing process. It is not enough for us to design an inspired building; we must provide our client with an extraordinary and inspiring experience as well.
The other day I had a very unpleasant experience with the financing arm of a car lease company (which shall remain nameless). They called me repeatedly during the week claiming that I was behind in my payments by two weeks. My records showed that I had actually overpaid by one month, but they hadn’t cashed the check. The customer service representative was not helpful at all and, after fifteen fruitless minutes, I asked to be transferred to an account manager who could promptly reconcile my billing.
I was put on hold for ten more minutes and when the manager finally answered I was asked to give him all the same account information that I had previously recited to the service representative. I was back to square one. Fifteen minutes later he concluded that I would have to speak to a different department altogether and asked me to hold while he explained my situation to a “higher authority.” Ten more minutes passed, yet when the new “authority” came on line I had to recite the account information all over again. By now I was thoroughly frustrated and wondering why I was doing business with this company at all.
It actually took a fourth individual, and a total time investment of one and one-half hours, to finally resolve the matter to my satisfaction. With the exception of the fourth individual, the company’s representatives were ineffectual and uncaring. To say that I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth is an understatement. I resolved to seek a different financing company once this car lease had run its course. Nice car….bad company!
At TRO JungBrannen each of us is a customer service representative in some way - whether we are answering the phones, working with user groups, overseeing construction, or managing the invoicing process. It is not enough for us to design an inspired building; we must provide our client with an extraordinary and inspiring experience as well.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Too Much Stuff?
Do you remember the George Carlin comedy bit about having a place for your “stuff”?
In light of the global economic malaise, a lot has been written lately about our country’s obsession with having a lot of “stuff.” We all have too much of everything, really, and could do just fine with a lot less. For the profession of architecture that may mean fewer new buildings, at least for a while.
The other day Paul Nakazawa, an architectural futurist (among his many other talents), spoke to the Boston Society of Architects Board about the future of our profession in the context of an economy which he believes will recover slowly over several years. He suggested that the demand right now for traditional architectural services – namely the design of new buildings – simply isn’t there. New buildings are increasingly difficult for clients to finance, and like the rest of us they are going to try to make better use of the “stuff” they already have!
Now, perhaps I am a bit more upbeat than Paul, but I believe that as the economy recovers, clients will once again seek competitive advantage through architecture and, like federal and state agencies, they will embrace sustainability as a cornerstone of their business platform and engage those firms, like TRO JungBrannen, passionately committed to the design of carbon-neutral, zero net energy new buildings.
Meanwhile, it seems to me that our firm is coping exceptionally well during this economic transition because we also offer integrated, highly specialized, multi-disciplinary design services that include visionary master planning assessments, strategic repositioning, energy conservation analysis, and a host of other analytical services that transform a client’s business or institution through enhanced efficiency and operational connectivity rather than through new construction.
George Carlin would probably acknowledge that we have the right “stuff.”
In light of the global economic malaise, a lot has been written lately about our country’s obsession with having a lot of “stuff.” We all have too much of everything, really, and could do just fine with a lot less. For the profession of architecture that may mean fewer new buildings, at least for a while.
The other day Paul Nakazawa, an architectural futurist (among his many other talents), spoke to the Boston Society of Architects Board about the future of our profession in the context of an economy which he believes will recover slowly over several years. He suggested that the demand right now for traditional architectural services – namely the design of new buildings – simply isn’t there. New buildings are increasingly difficult for clients to finance, and like the rest of us they are going to try to make better use of the “stuff” they already have!
Now, perhaps I am a bit more upbeat than Paul, but I believe that as the economy recovers, clients will once again seek competitive advantage through architecture and, like federal and state agencies, they will embrace sustainability as a cornerstone of their business platform and engage those firms, like TRO JungBrannen, passionately committed to the design of carbon-neutral, zero net energy new buildings.
Meanwhile, it seems to me that our firm is coping exceptionally well during this economic transition because we also offer integrated, highly specialized, multi-disciplinary design services that include visionary master planning assessments, strategic repositioning, energy conservation analysis, and a host of other analytical services that transform a client’s business or institution through enhanced efficiency and operational connectivity rather than through new construction.
George Carlin would probably acknowledge that we have the right “stuff.”
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Architect 50
I am delighted to report that TRO JungBrannen is listed among the top 50 firms in the country by Architect magazine in their inaugural survey, published in May. The rankings are based on a balanced assessment of profitability, commitment to sustainability, and caliber of design.
This approach to ranking design firms is a significant departure from that of most other industry publications which tend to look only at size, revenue, or market share. Architect magazine’s approach, I believe, is a more enlightened one and better reflects the overall quality of a design firm. Initially, nearly 750 firms were considered. Ultimately the top 50 list was compiled from data gathered through online surveys and editorial review.
While I have always maintained that financial well-being is fundamental to our growth and prosperity, it is particularly satisfying to see that our firm’s design ranking outpointed all but four of the top fifteen firms on the list. This is due in no small measure to the extraordinary quality of our work and to the dedication of our professional, marketing, and graphics personnel. Also, the exponential growth of our LEED accredited staff and the growing number of LEED certified projects in our portfolio assures that TRO JungBrannen will continue to climb up the list in the years to come.
To all of you in the firm who work so hard every day, and to the consultants who team with us, and to the clients who entrust their projects to our care…..thank you!
This approach to ranking design firms is a significant departure from that of most other industry publications which tend to look only at size, revenue, or market share. Architect magazine’s approach, I believe, is a more enlightened one and better reflects the overall quality of a design firm. Initially, nearly 750 firms were considered. Ultimately the top 50 list was compiled from data gathered through online surveys and editorial review.
While I have always maintained that financial well-being is fundamental to our growth and prosperity, it is particularly satisfying to see that our firm’s design ranking outpointed all but four of the top fifteen firms on the list. This is due in no small measure to the extraordinary quality of our work and to the dedication of our professional, marketing, and graphics personnel. Also, the exponential growth of our LEED accredited staff and the growing number of LEED certified projects in our portfolio assures that TRO JungBrannen will continue to climb up the list in the years to come.
To all of you in the firm who work so hard every day, and to the consultants who team with us, and to the clients who entrust their projects to our care…..thank you!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Location, location, location
The real estate broker who coined the phase ‘location, location, location” sure knew what (s)he was talking about!
Last Thursday I was in San Diego addressing a gathering of CFOs, and during lunch the conversation rolled around to the housing crisis. One of the CFOs was from the Detroit area and lived in Gross Point – the most upscale area in an otherwise downtrodden city. According to him, huge numbers of homeowners were “under water.” Luxurious homes that once sold for more than a million dollars were on the market for a fraction of that price. That evening I went on line to check it out, and sure enough, I found several four and five thousand square foot homes selling for an average of $60 - $80 per square foot.
Now, you may say ‘well, who wants to live in Detroit?’, but the same thing appears to be true in other parts of the country as well. Just look at Phoenix, for example – a very decent place to live if you ask me.
Two days later, on Saturday, I flew to San Francisco to visit my oldest son, Alex. He rents an apartment in the Russian Hill area of the city and hopes to buy a modest one bedroom condo in a more affordable neighborhood. We went to about six open houses and the prices were astounding…..a 600sf condo for $500K; a 750sf condo for $600K; and, an 800sf condo for $675K. That’s an average of $825 per square foot. And then there’s the condo fee and the taxes on top of that! And these condos weren’t even in desirable neighborhoods. The swanky sections of town are a good deal more….well over $1000 per square foot. And if you think that the recession hasn’t affected San Francisco, think again. To boot, the entire state is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The whole thing makes no sense to me. I’m thinking of moving to Gross Point and ‘working from home’!
Last Thursday I was in San Diego addressing a gathering of CFOs, and during lunch the conversation rolled around to the housing crisis. One of the CFOs was from the Detroit area and lived in Gross Point – the most upscale area in an otherwise downtrodden city. According to him, huge numbers of homeowners were “under water.” Luxurious homes that once sold for more than a million dollars were on the market for a fraction of that price. That evening I went on line to check it out, and sure enough, I found several four and five thousand square foot homes selling for an average of $60 - $80 per square foot.
Now, you may say ‘well, who wants to live in Detroit?’, but the same thing appears to be true in other parts of the country as well. Just look at Phoenix, for example – a very decent place to live if you ask me.
Two days later, on Saturday, I flew to San Francisco to visit my oldest son, Alex. He rents an apartment in the Russian Hill area of the city and hopes to buy a modest one bedroom condo in a more affordable neighborhood. We went to about six open houses and the prices were astounding…..a 600sf condo for $500K; a 750sf condo for $600K; and, an 800sf condo for $675K. That’s an average of $825 per square foot. And then there’s the condo fee and the taxes on top of that! And these condos weren’t even in desirable neighborhoods. The swanky sections of town are a good deal more….well over $1000 per square foot. And if you think that the recession hasn’t affected San Francisco, think again. To boot, the entire state is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The whole thing makes no sense to me. I’m thinking of moving to Gross Point and ‘working from home’!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Less is More
The trite architectural adage that is the subject of this blog posting can be aptly applied to a phenomenon that is gaining traction in the current recession: namely, the American consumer is spending less and saving more for the first time in decades.
The point was driven home for me this weekend while I was tidying up my desk at home and came across an interesting bit of personal history. I found a savings account book from the Waltham Savings Bank, dated 1955. It was my first recorded bank transaction, and showed me opening a savings account with a deposit of one dollar. I was eight years old. As I recall, my grandfather, George Davis, encouraged me to save the money I had earned from shoveling walks in our neighborhood during the winter and went with me to the bank to guide the process. He was a prominent Boston attorney and I believe that he was also on the bank’s Board of Directors. The account, of course, earned interest, and I soon learned that the more money I saved the more interest I earned.
This morning I opened my email and came across an article by Carol McMullen which recently ran in the Boston Herald, entitled The Frugal American Consumer: Permanent or Temporary? Carol is the President of Eastern Wealth Management at Eastern Bank. In the article she points out that the savings rate of the average American was nearly zero at the beginning of 2008. When the recession hit home for many people later that year, the savings pattern changed abruptly and at the close of the first quarter of 2009 the rate is nearly 5%. That sounds pretty good until you compare it to the savings rate in many Asian countries, which exceeds 20% in some cases. Mike Hebert, our firm’s investment advisor pointed out the other day when he met with our Executive Committee that Americans have never really been very good at saving. You’d have to go back to the mid 1980s to see our savings rate at 10%. But, according to Carol, it looks like we might be headed back to that level after more than twenty years of easy credit and profligate spending.
It is ironic that the world’s economy since 1985 grew largely on the back of the American consumer’s insatiable appetite for goods and services. And, now that we are saving more and spending less, it appears that we are not able to shoulder the burden of stimulating economic recovery, at least not exclusively. Carol suggests better balance, with Americans spending less and the Chinese, for example, spending more. The inescapable reality for American businesses is simple: We must all, TRO JungBrannen included, commit ourselves to providing exceptional value for the services and goods that we provide, both here and abroad, if we expect to compete favorably for the attention of the increasingly frugal and discriminating consumer.
I think I will call Waltham Savings Bank and open another savings account. My grandfather would approve!
The point was driven home for me this weekend while I was tidying up my desk at home and came across an interesting bit of personal history. I found a savings account book from the Waltham Savings Bank, dated 1955. It was my first recorded bank transaction, and showed me opening a savings account with a deposit of one dollar. I was eight years old. As I recall, my grandfather, George Davis, encouraged me to save the money I had earned from shoveling walks in our neighborhood during the winter and went with me to the bank to guide the process. He was a prominent Boston attorney and I believe that he was also on the bank’s Board of Directors. The account, of course, earned interest, and I soon learned that the more money I saved the more interest I earned.
This morning I opened my email and came across an article by Carol McMullen which recently ran in the Boston Herald, entitled The Frugal American Consumer: Permanent or Temporary? Carol is the President of Eastern Wealth Management at Eastern Bank. In the article she points out that the savings rate of the average American was nearly zero at the beginning of 2008. When the recession hit home for many people later that year, the savings pattern changed abruptly and at the close of the first quarter of 2009 the rate is nearly 5%. That sounds pretty good until you compare it to the savings rate in many Asian countries, which exceeds 20% in some cases. Mike Hebert, our firm’s investment advisor pointed out the other day when he met with our Executive Committee that Americans have never really been very good at saving. You’d have to go back to the mid 1980s to see our savings rate at 10%. But, according to Carol, it looks like we might be headed back to that level after more than twenty years of easy credit and profligate spending.
It is ironic that the world’s economy since 1985 grew largely on the back of the American consumer’s insatiable appetite for goods and services. And, now that we are saving more and spending less, it appears that we are not able to shoulder the burden of stimulating economic recovery, at least not exclusively. Carol suggests better balance, with Americans spending less and the Chinese, for example, spending more. The inescapable reality for American businesses is simple: We must all, TRO JungBrannen included, commit ourselves to providing exceptional value for the services and goods that we provide, both here and abroad, if we expect to compete favorably for the attention of the increasingly frugal and discriminating consumer.
I think I will call Waltham Savings Bank and open another savings account. My grandfather would approve!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Good is No Good
At the risk of alienating some of my friends and colleagues, I am going to admit to a self indulgence that I finally succumbed to last weekend. I went to The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia! After more than 50 years of watching the tournament on TV, I accepted the kind invitation of a friend and attended the final round on Sunday. And I’m glad I did because I learned a great deal. I didn’t learn much about golf since it quickly became evident that they are not playing the same game that I am playing; no, I learned what it takes to be GREAT at whatever you do.
Here’s what happened. I was in the grandstands watching the players warm up on the practice tee before starting their rounds. All were hitting crisp iron shots and towering drives, including Tiger Woods. After a while I moved to a more private practice area nearby where the players could hit pitch shots away from the huge crowds. As I stood by myself near an isolated green with absolutely no one else around I noticed one of the players approaching with a bag of practice balls. He stopped immediately in front of me, dropped the balls at my feet and began pitching them onto the green while he chatted with his swing coach, Hank Haney. It was Tiger! For several minutes it was just the three of us and I got to watch the greatest player in the world hone his game.
As I watched, Haney suggested that he hit some full wedges. Tiger hit four of them in a row, each one about a hundred and forty yards down the fairway, all within an area that could be covered by a blanket. Then the unthinkable happened! He hit the fifth shot a bit offline…..about ten yards to the left. He stopped and looked at his coach. As Tiger reconstructed his follow through, Haney took the club in his hands and made a slight adjustment to the swing plane, then stepped back to watch. Tiger dutifully struck the next five balls with a slightly extended follow through, just as his coach had suggested. It was a minor adjustment, of course, almost imperceptible, but it made a measurable difference. Each of the five shots landed in a tight grouping no larger than a beach towel.
Of course, within five minutes the spell was broken and there were two TV cameras and about three hundred people gathered to watch as Tiger chipped and pitched a few more shots, then left for the first tee. But, I had witnessed firsthand what few people are ever privileged to see: greatness in the making.
In design, as in golf, to be truly great at what we do we must continue to learn from others, no matter how experienced or talented we may be. Good is simply no good.
Here’s what happened. I was in the grandstands watching the players warm up on the practice tee before starting their rounds. All were hitting crisp iron shots and towering drives, including Tiger Woods. After a while I moved to a more private practice area nearby where the players could hit pitch shots away from the huge crowds. As I stood by myself near an isolated green with absolutely no one else around I noticed one of the players approaching with a bag of practice balls. He stopped immediately in front of me, dropped the balls at my feet and began pitching them onto the green while he chatted with his swing coach, Hank Haney. It was Tiger! For several minutes it was just the three of us and I got to watch the greatest player in the world hone his game.
As I watched, Haney suggested that he hit some full wedges. Tiger hit four of them in a row, each one about a hundred and forty yards down the fairway, all within an area that could be covered by a blanket. Then the unthinkable happened! He hit the fifth shot a bit offline…..about ten yards to the left. He stopped and looked at his coach. As Tiger reconstructed his follow through, Haney took the club in his hands and made a slight adjustment to the swing plane, then stepped back to watch. Tiger dutifully struck the next five balls with a slightly extended follow through, just as his coach had suggested. It was a minor adjustment, of course, almost imperceptible, but it made a measurable difference. Each of the five shots landed in a tight grouping no larger than a beach towel.
Of course, within five minutes the spell was broken and there were two TV cameras and about three hundred people gathered to watch as Tiger chipped and pitched a few more shots, then left for the first tee. But, I had witnessed firsthand what few people are ever privileged to see: greatness in the making.
In design, as in golf, to be truly great at what we do we must continue to learn from others, no matter how experienced or talented we may be. Good is simply no good.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Green Council
TRO JungBrannen just formed a committee to expand the firm’s sustainability policies and practices, and to lead our many green design initiatives. The Green Council is made up of a broad cross section of the firm, ensuring that our five specialty practice areas, our four professional services, and all of our regional offices are properly represented. Jamie Newton, PE, LEED AP, and Glenn Allen, AIA, LEED AP are Co-Chairs.
There are as many as fifteen firm wide sustainability task forces being led by members of this committee, among them: Staff Development, Building Technologies, Legislative Review, Carbon Footprint & ZNEB, Building Design, Consultants & Vendors, Project Standards, and many others. Their work will ensure that our firm remains at the forefront of our profession’s dedication to sustainable design practices. Earlier this week I drafted a letter to Christine McEntee, CEO of the AIA, and pledged our support for the AIA’s 2030 Commitment….a program whose goal is to encourage the AIA’s member firms to design carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030. In it I said “The places where we live, work, and play represent the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in America, as well as around the world. As architects, we understand the need to exercise leadership in creating the built environment. We believe that we must alter our profession’s practices and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet’s future.”
All of us here at TRO JungBrannen are proud of our continued commitment to sustainable design, and we recognize the vital global need for significant reductions in the use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources, and waste production.
There are as many as fifteen firm wide sustainability task forces being led by members of this committee, among them: Staff Development, Building Technologies, Legislative Review, Carbon Footprint & ZNEB, Building Design, Consultants & Vendors, Project Standards, and many others. Their work will ensure that our firm remains at the forefront of our profession’s dedication to sustainable design practices. Earlier this week I drafted a letter to Christine McEntee, CEO of the AIA, and pledged our support for the AIA’s 2030 Commitment….a program whose goal is to encourage the AIA’s member firms to design carbon-neutral buildings by the year 2030. In it I said “The places where we live, work, and play represent the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in America, as well as around the world. As architects, we understand the need to exercise leadership in creating the built environment. We believe that we must alter our profession’s practices and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet’s future.”
All of us here at TRO JungBrannen are proud of our continued commitment to sustainable design, and we recognize the vital global need for significant reductions in the use of natural resources, non-renewable energy sources, and waste production.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Kairos
The other morning I had the good fortune to attend the Healthcare Leadership breakfast in Boston which is a fund raising event held each year to benefit the United Way. The featured speaker was Liz Walker. Liz is a media icon here in Boston, and is a respected journalist and a former news anchor. I was surprised to learn that she is an ordained minister as well.
She spoke to us about a number of subjects, but one in particular resonated with me personally. It was the concept of a Kairos moment. Kairos is a Classical Greek word that refers to the opportune time and place to present a thought or thesis for maximum effect. She then recounted her personal “Kairos moment” which ultimately led to her transition to the ministry. As she told the story, I immediately recalled my own such awakening. It occurred while I was a freshman at The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Like many young men and women, I was undecided about my major and altogether naïve about career development. I knew where my skills lay – in math; and I knew where my passions lay – in the visual arts. But I was unsure how the two could be conjoined in a professional career.
Shortly after arriving on campus, I found myself fascinated by the Richards Laboratory Building that I could see from my dorm window. I decided to attend a lecture by Louis Kahn who was its architect, a Professor of Architecture at Penn, and one of the world’s most widely respected designers. He was a soft-spoken, unassuming little man, but what he said that day changed my life. His passion for architecture, and his delight in the expressive power of drawing, filled the auditorium. I can still recall his words as he counseled the incoming architecture students on the need to improve their drawing skills…. “ As a young man I dreamed of spaces full of wonder, that rise and envelop flowingly without beginning or end, of a joint less material white and gold. But when I placed the first line on paper to capture the dream, the dream became less”. I enrolled in a drawing class immediately thereafter, and selected architecture as my major later that year.
Kahn’s lecture was my Kairos moment!
She spoke to us about a number of subjects, but one in particular resonated with me personally. It was the concept of a Kairos moment. Kairos is a Classical Greek word that refers to the opportune time and place to present a thought or thesis for maximum effect. She then recounted her personal “Kairos moment” which ultimately led to her transition to the ministry. As she told the story, I immediately recalled my own such awakening. It occurred while I was a freshman at The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Like many young men and women, I was undecided about my major and altogether naïve about career development. I knew where my skills lay – in math; and I knew where my passions lay – in the visual arts. But I was unsure how the two could be conjoined in a professional career.
Shortly after arriving on campus, I found myself fascinated by the Richards Laboratory Building that I could see from my dorm window. I decided to attend a lecture by Louis Kahn who was its architect, a Professor of Architecture at Penn, and one of the world’s most widely respected designers. He was a soft-spoken, unassuming little man, but what he said that day changed my life. His passion for architecture, and his delight in the expressive power of drawing, filled the auditorium. I can still recall his words as he counseled the incoming architecture students on the need to improve their drawing skills…. “ As a young man I dreamed of spaces full of wonder, that rise and envelop flowingly without beginning or end, of a joint less material white and gold. But when I placed the first line on paper to capture the dream, the dream became less”. I enrolled in a drawing class immediately thereafter, and selected architecture as my major later that year.
Kahn’s lecture was my Kairos moment!
Monday, March 30, 2009
A Rising Tide
There is an interesting article by Thomas Friedman in this Sunday’s edition of the New York Times. It is entitled Mother Nature’s Dow and is about the rising rate of climate change and our need for an appropriate policy response.
In the article Mr. Friedman suggests that we need a climate bailout to go along with our economic bailout. He quotes Hal Harvey, the CEO of ClimateWorks, who is focused on accelerating legislative policy to promote low-carbon prosperity through diminished climate change. Mr. Harvey believes that there must be five pillars of any effective climate control policy, and the first one he cites is energy efficient building codes.
Here in Massachusetts we have an opportunity to accelerate our own sustainable design policy. On April 14, the BBRS (the Board of Building Regulations and Standards) will vote on the adoption of the stretch code as an integral part of the 7th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. The stretch code is an appendix of cost effective design provisions to reduce energy consumption and was developed from the Core Performance Guide of the New Buildings Institute. It embodies many of the characteristics (adjusted for our Boston-based climate) of California’s energy efficient building code which is now saving their residents an estimated $6B annually. While the stretch code may require some upfront costs for developers, builders, and property owners, the long term benefits of lower operating costs and reduced emissions are compelling, and the code has generally received broad support.
The Boston Society of Architects will soon publish an article urging adoption of the stretch code. The BSA’s endorsement of the stretch code is just one more example of the rising tide of support for visionary and prudent climate control policy change in our state.
Let’s hope that’s the only rising tide we see!
In the article Mr. Friedman suggests that we need a climate bailout to go along with our economic bailout. He quotes Hal Harvey, the CEO of ClimateWorks, who is focused on accelerating legislative policy to promote low-carbon prosperity through diminished climate change. Mr. Harvey believes that there must be five pillars of any effective climate control policy, and the first one he cites is energy efficient building codes.
Here in Massachusetts we have an opportunity to accelerate our own sustainable design policy. On April 14, the BBRS (the Board of Building Regulations and Standards) will vote on the adoption of the stretch code as an integral part of the 7th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. The stretch code is an appendix of cost effective design provisions to reduce energy consumption and was developed from the Core Performance Guide of the New Buildings Institute. It embodies many of the characteristics (adjusted for our Boston-based climate) of California’s energy efficient building code which is now saving their residents an estimated $6B annually. While the stretch code may require some upfront costs for developers, builders, and property owners, the long term benefits of lower operating costs and reduced emissions are compelling, and the code has generally received broad support.
The Boston Society of Architects will soon publish an article urging adoption of the stretch code. The BSA’s endorsement of the stretch code is just one more example of the rising tide of support for visionary and prudent climate control policy change in our state.
Let’s hope that’s the only rising tide we see!
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Century of Inspired Design
2009 is the 100 year anniversary of the founding of our firm.
I was reviewing the Modern Healthcare Magazine survey of design firms today (TRO JungBrannen is ranked number eight for those of you who follow that national publication) and discovered that of the 100 firms that were listed, only five have been in business longer than we have. Now, there are literally thousands of firms currently in practice in this country, many of whom are single practitioners, and although the AIA may not keep records regarding the longevity of design firms, it is very probable that those with a record of continuous practice of 100 years or more make up less than one percent of our profession!
Now, I usually don’t make a big deal about our firm’s one hundred year legacy simply because it has never before seemed like a highly important issue to our clients. But, I am rethinking that premise because these are unusual economic times, and many design firms are under unprecedented financial strain. Our clients, of course, are looking for stable, viable business partners with sustainable practices. They make significant investments in our professional services and they have a right to expect us to be there from the beginning to the end of their projects - a timeframe that often encompasses several years.
Our firm’s stability is reinforced in many ways. We have over 140 clients with whom we have active design commissions, and they represent the very best their respective industries have to offer. Our repeat business rate is among the highest in the design profession – over 90%. Of the more than 70 Principals and Senior Associates who share ownership of the firm, the majority have been with us for more than 15 years. Finally, we are broadly diversified in the services we offer, in the regions we practice, and in the markets we serve.
Design firms are a bit like restaurants…..they come and go. But the ones that offer extraordinary service, value, and quality endure.
Happy 100th birthday, TRO JungBrannen!
I was reviewing the Modern Healthcare Magazine survey of design firms today (TRO JungBrannen is ranked number eight for those of you who follow that national publication) and discovered that of the 100 firms that were listed, only five have been in business longer than we have. Now, there are literally thousands of firms currently in practice in this country, many of whom are single practitioners, and although the AIA may not keep records regarding the longevity of design firms, it is very probable that those with a record of continuous practice of 100 years or more make up less than one percent of our profession!
Now, I usually don’t make a big deal about our firm’s one hundred year legacy simply because it has never before seemed like a highly important issue to our clients. But, I am rethinking that premise because these are unusual economic times, and many design firms are under unprecedented financial strain. Our clients, of course, are looking for stable, viable business partners with sustainable practices. They make significant investments in our professional services and they have a right to expect us to be there from the beginning to the end of their projects - a timeframe that often encompasses several years.
Our firm’s stability is reinforced in many ways. We have over 140 clients with whom we have active design commissions, and they represent the very best their respective industries have to offer. Our repeat business rate is among the highest in the design profession – over 90%. Of the more than 70 Principals and Senior Associates who share ownership of the firm, the majority have been with us for more than 15 years. Finally, we are broadly diversified in the services we offer, in the regions we practice, and in the markets we serve.
Design firms are a bit like restaurants…..they come and go. But the ones that offer extraordinary service, value, and quality endure.
Happy 100th birthday, TRO JungBrannen!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Political Science
I don’t understand political science!
Today I received an email from a friend who wanted to share with me the opinions of Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who is also the President pro-tem of the European Union. Speaking at the Second International Conference on Climate Change in New York recently, President Klaus said “environmentalism and the global warming alarmism is {sic} challenging our freedom”. He further suggested that such “alarmists” are only interested in profiting from doing research, writing, and speaking about the subject. “They want to change us and our behavior. Their ambition is to control and manipulate us”. He went on to say “there is no fixed and stable relationship between measured temperature and CO2 emissions”.
As CEO of TRO JungBrannen, it is incumbent upon me to be as well informed on the subject of global warming as possible, since buildings have such a significant impact on energy consumption and are major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. Although I have never been particularly adept at science I have tried my best to read and understand the relevant scientific studies, and I am thoroughly convinced that there is, indeed, a direct correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures. Moreover, I believe that our behavior as occupants of this planet significantly contributes to that warming. One of the reasons I became a LEED accredited professional was to encourage the design of environmentally sustainable building - a “behavior” professionals like me have willingly embraced because we think it will make a positive difference in our world.
Contrary to President Klaus, I do not do so because of a profit motive, and I am certainly not trying to manipulate anyone. And if by “freedom” he is suggesting that everyone should be allowed to pollute our environment without accountability, then I want no part of such a “free” society. While it may be true that some businesses are inclined to support global warming as a selfish path to easy profit, I believe that such businesses are in the distinct minority. I assure you, President Klaus, the nearly three hundred professionals in my firm practice sustainable design because they believe it is the right thing to do. Our professional conscience compels us to act responsibly. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, it is thoroughly irresponsible for world leaders like you to deny that climate change is influenced by mankind.
It is vital that we set politics aside and dispassionately assess the true science, not the political science, when discussing this vital issue.
Today I received an email from a friend who wanted to share with me the opinions of Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who is also the President pro-tem of the European Union. Speaking at the Second International Conference on Climate Change in New York recently, President Klaus said “environmentalism and the global warming alarmism is {sic} challenging our freedom”. He further suggested that such “alarmists” are only interested in profiting from doing research, writing, and speaking about the subject. “They want to change us and our behavior. Their ambition is to control and manipulate us”. He went on to say “there is no fixed and stable relationship between measured temperature and CO2 emissions”.
As CEO of TRO JungBrannen, it is incumbent upon me to be as well informed on the subject of global warming as possible, since buildings have such a significant impact on energy consumption and are major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions. Although I have never been particularly adept at science I have tried my best to read and understand the relevant scientific studies, and I am thoroughly convinced that there is, indeed, a direct correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures. Moreover, I believe that our behavior as occupants of this planet significantly contributes to that warming. One of the reasons I became a LEED accredited professional was to encourage the design of environmentally sustainable building - a “behavior” professionals like me have willingly embraced because we think it will make a positive difference in our world.
Contrary to President Klaus, I do not do so because of a profit motive, and I am certainly not trying to manipulate anyone. And if by “freedom” he is suggesting that everyone should be allowed to pollute our environment without accountability, then I want no part of such a “free” society. While it may be true that some businesses are inclined to support global warming as a selfish path to easy profit, I believe that such businesses are in the distinct minority. I assure you, President Klaus, the nearly three hundred professionals in my firm practice sustainable design because they believe it is the right thing to do. Our professional conscience compels us to act responsibly. Given the overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary, it is thoroughly irresponsible for world leaders like you to deny that climate change is influenced by mankind.
It is vital that we set politics aside and dispassionately assess the true science, not the political science, when discussing this vital issue.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Partnership
During one of my earlier blog posts I spoke about the importance of core values in defining who we are as a firm, and one of our five values is PARTNERSHIP. Recently, TRO JungBrannen was honored to share the NEWIRE (New England Women in Real Estate) Networking Award for our work as Architect of Record on the W Boston Hotel. This award is a timely reminder of the power of partnership.
Our definition of PARTNERSHIP begins with the statement: “we value the synergy of interdisciplinary collaboration,” and in no project has this tenet been more evident than in the W Boston Hotel. There were seven NEWIRE members from six different collaborating firms on the team, each with a vital role to play in the permitting, design, and construction of this elegant 28 story hotel and residence project, designed by William Rawn Associates and built by Bovis Lend Lease.
Partnership…..perhaps Congress could try that approach for a change!
Our definition of PARTNERSHIP begins with the statement: “we value the synergy of interdisciplinary collaboration,” and in no project has this tenet been more evident than in the W Boston Hotel. There were seven NEWIRE members from six different collaborating firms on the team, each with a vital role to play in the permitting, design, and construction of this elegant 28 story hotel and residence project, designed by William Rawn Associates and built by Bovis Lend Lease.
Partnership…..perhaps Congress could try that approach for a change!
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Silver Lining
Like everyone, I have been looking for some good economic news mixed in among all the bad news we have been hearing. It’s taken a while, but I think I may have found something and I hope it gives our clients some renewed hope for better days. Ironically, those “better days” might be with us right now!
Construction costs have come down during the past six months. Actually, they have come way down, and I believe that clients should take advantage of this favorable bid market while it is here, if they are in a position to do so. Unfortunately, many clients have put their projects on hold due to the uncertain economic climate, and are waiting until the economy improves before reactivating design and committing to construction. That is understandable, certainly, but is not necessarily the most prudent course for every client to follow. Simply put, there are bargains in the construction industry today that may not be there a year or two from now.
Our firm designs hundreds of projects each year, in five different practice areas ranging from commercial to healthcare. During the past six months we have watched the competitive bid market retrench sharply in terms of both labor and materials on the order of 10% to as much as 15% in some cases, in every practice area, and in nearly every region we serve. More general contractors are showing interest in lump sum bidding than ever before, and for those projects that are delivered through the construction management process sub bid coverage has been extraordinary, with tight numbers in every trade. Material costs have also dropped, resulting in dramatic savings. For example, steel bids that were $4000/ton a year ago are now often below $3000/ton. Concrete, drywall, copper and other material costs have also declined.
Now, I realize that clients look at more than just the cost of construction when they consider a building program. But, I’d suggest that you at least ask your preferred contractor to give you a brief presentation on construction cost trends in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised to find a silver lining in the otherwise dark economic clouds hanging overhead.
Construction costs have come down during the past six months. Actually, they have come way down, and I believe that clients should take advantage of this favorable bid market while it is here, if they are in a position to do so. Unfortunately, many clients have put their projects on hold due to the uncertain economic climate, and are waiting until the economy improves before reactivating design and committing to construction. That is understandable, certainly, but is not necessarily the most prudent course for every client to follow. Simply put, there are bargains in the construction industry today that may not be there a year or two from now.
Our firm designs hundreds of projects each year, in five different practice areas ranging from commercial to healthcare. During the past six months we have watched the competitive bid market retrench sharply in terms of both labor and materials on the order of 10% to as much as 15% in some cases, in every practice area, and in nearly every region we serve. More general contractors are showing interest in lump sum bidding than ever before, and for those projects that are delivered through the construction management process sub bid coverage has been extraordinary, with tight numbers in every trade. Material costs have also dropped, resulting in dramatic savings. For example, steel bids that were $4000/ton a year ago are now often below $3000/ton. Concrete, drywall, copper and other material costs have also declined.
Now, I realize that clients look at more than just the cost of construction when they consider a building program. But, I’d suggest that you at least ask your preferred contractor to give you a brief presentation on construction cost trends in your area. You may be pleasantly surprised to find a silver lining in the otherwise dark economic clouds hanging overhead.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Old Dogs and New Tricks
You’ve probably seen this on the news recently, but to bring you up to date…. a ten year old Sussex spaniel named Stump just won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show.
While watching Stump’s coronation, I was reminded of my own dog, Major, with whom I grew up as a child. He was a collie – the runt of the litter – but like Stump he seemed to improve with age. By the time he was ten (and I was twelve) Major had developed debilitating arthritis in his hind legs and no longer had that youthful spring in his step. However, like Stump, he compensated with a boundless reserve of character. One day when I took him out for a walk (these were the days before leash laws) we encountered a young German shepherd who challenged Major to a fight, charging furiously and knocking him on his back. To my surprise, Major immediately righted himself, bared his well-worn teeth, and chased the young upstart into the bushes, nipping at his heels the whole way. In an instant Major was transformed from the crippled pet I’d been coddling into a fierce and proud archetype of his breed.
Now, it seems to me that our country – crippled by recession – can learn some new tricks from these two old dogs. The United States is more than 220 years old at this point (that’s about 1540 in dog years!), and during the post World War II era, we have become an increasingly coddled society, self-indulgent and inclined to excessive spending and consumerism. Challenging all of us who run businesses is a national and global economy that is in disarray. However, America has always demonstrated fierce resolve when faced with adversity; but, to fight off this recession it will take more than reserves of pride and character, it will take the learning of some new tricks like embracing renewable energy and sustainable design; rediscovering the values of frugality and hard work; and, above all, foregoing our bad habits of excessive borrowing and spending.
Just as there are no short cuts to success in business, there are no quick fixes to this recession. But, I am an optimist at heart, and I believe that our country will reemerge stronger, and hopefully a bit wiser, once the recession is behind us. Who said old dogs can’t learn new tricks?
While watching Stump’s coronation, I was reminded of my own dog, Major, with whom I grew up as a child. He was a collie – the runt of the litter – but like Stump he seemed to improve with age. By the time he was ten (and I was twelve) Major had developed debilitating arthritis in his hind legs and no longer had that youthful spring in his step. However, like Stump, he compensated with a boundless reserve of character. One day when I took him out for a walk (these were the days before leash laws) we encountered a young German shepherd who challenged Major to a fight, charging furiously and knocking him on his back. To my surprise, Major immediately righted himself, bared his well-worn teeth, and chased the young upstart into the bushes, nipping at his heels the whole way. In an instant Major was transformed from the crippled pet I’d been coddling into a fierce and proud archetype of his breed.
Now, it seems to me that our country – crippled by recession – can learn some new tricks from these two old dogs. The United States is more than 220 years old at this point (that’s about 1540 in dog years!), and during the post World War II era, we have become an increasingly coddled society, self-indulgent and inclined to excessive spending and consumerism. Challenging all of us who run businesses is a national and global economy that is in disarray. However, America has always demonstrated fierce resolve when faced with adversity; but, to fight off this recession it will take more than reserves of pride and character, it will take the learning of some new tricks like embracing renewable energy and sustainable design; rediscovering the values of frugality and hard work; and, above all, foregoing our bad habits of excessive borrowing and spending.
Just as there are no short cuts to success in business, there are no quick fixes to this recession. But, I am an optimist at heart, and I believe that our country will reemerge stronger, and hopefully a bit wiser, once the recession is behind us. Who said old dogs can’t learn new tricks?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Economic Stimulus
Today the Senate is debating the merits of the Economic Stimulus Package.
That the US economy is in peril is no longer a matter of debate. What is also clear is that the design and construction industry plays a vital role in this country’s economy, and that without the industry’s recovery, the recession will persist and perhaps deepen. Roughly one out of every ten dollars of our economy is invested in design and construction. The housing industry is the largest component of this expenditure and has received the most press because of its precipitous decline and palpable impact on Main Street America. However, a review of the latest McGraw Hill Construction Report reveals that all market sectors, including institutional, hospitality, and commercial, are sagging as well. The Stimulus Package affords Congress the opportunity to not only reinvigorate our economy through much needed construction projects; but, it is also an opportunity to build a better country through sustainable design.
The American Institute of Architects has outlined a plan for restoring our economy and greening our communities. It’s called Rebuild and Renew America, and I strongly endorse it. The plan calls for the prioritization of funding for projects which can commence within 24 months; for projects that rebuild and improve the safety of our infrastructure; and, for projects that create energy efficient, sustainable, and healthy communities. The AIA does not advocate only for projects that are “shovel-ready”, but rather for investment in the planning and design process itself.
Specifically, the plan calls for an investment of nearly $100B in our industry. Among the targeted expenditures are:$25B to help our schools repair and modernize their facilities and invest in green design initiatives, and $700M to create a pilot program to develop model school campuses; $10B for energy efficient upgrades of federal buildings; $10B for energy efficient upgrades of state and local residential, commercial, industrial and healthcare facilities; $30B for the Community Development Block Grant program; $10B for energy efficiency and green design investment in projects such as affordable housing; $12B for transit facilities; $130M in funding and grants for historic and tribal preservation; and, finally tax relief for businesses, including the acceleration of the depreciation of energy efficient HVAC installations on certain properties.
It remains to be seen how many of these provisions will survive the Senate version of the bill, but the time for debate is past.
That the US economy is in peril is no longer a matter of debate. What is also clear is that the design and construction industry plays a vital role in this country’s economy, and that without the industry’s recovery, the recession will persist and perhaps deepen. Roughly one out of every ten dollars of our economy is invested in design and construction. The housing industry is the largest component of this expenditure and has received the most press because of its precipitous decline and palpable impact on Main Street America. However, a review of the latest McGraw Hill Construction Report reveals that all market sectors, including institutional, hospitality, and commercial, are sagging as well. The Stimulus Package affords Congress the opportunity to not only reinvigorate our economy through much needed construction projects; but, it is also an opportunity to build a better country through sustainable design.
The American Institute of Architects has outlined a plan for restoring our economy and greening our communities. It’s called Rebuild and Renew America, and I strongly endorse it. The plan calls for the prioritization of funding for projects which can commence within 24 months; for projects that rebuild and improve the safety of our infrastructure; and, for projects that create energy efficient, sustainable, and healthy communities. The AIA does not advocate only for projects that are “shovel-ready”, but rather for investment in the planning and design process itself.
Specifically, the plan calls for an investment of nearly $100B in our industry. Among the targeted expenditures are:$25B to help our schools repair and modernize their facilities and invest in green design initiatives, and $700M to create a pilot program to develop model school campuses; $10B for energy efficient upgrades of federal buildings; $10B for energy efficient upgrades of state and local residential, commercial, industrial and healthcare facilities; $30B for the Community Development Block Grant program; $10B for energy efficiency and green design investment in projects such as affordable housing; $12B for transit facilities; $130M in funding and grants for historic and tribal preservation; and, finally tax relief for businesses, including the acceleration of the depreciation of energy efficient HVAC installations on certain properties.
It remains to be seen how many of these provisions will survive the Senate version of the bill, but the time for debate is past.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Who we are
Who are we, really?
The other day, three senior administrative staff members from one of our most cherished institutional clients attended our annual Board meeting and shared with us, among many other things, their mission and core values. It was evident that all three not only deeply understood their institution’s fundamental ideology, as expressed by their mission and values, but passionately embraced it as well. They made a one hour presentation to our 15 member Board and spent an additional thirty minutes patiently answering our questions. At the conclusion, I expressed my considerable appreciation and walked them to the door. As they were leaving I asked what had prompted them to invest so much time in us, and the reply was simply “how can you effectively serve as our architect if we haven’t taken the time to explain who we really are?”
So, who is TRO JungBrannen, and have we done a good job explaining who we really are to everyone? And, by everyone I mean our internal staff, our clients, and our external consultants and professional colleagues as well. As I ruminate on that question it strikes me that we are pretty rigorous internally, but that our external message may be less clear. Internally, we have detailed the firm’s history in a timeline which we have posted {or are in the process of so doing} in all of our regional offices. We have emblazoned the firm’s ideology {“We are dedicated to the betterment of the human condition through inspired design”} in the front lobby of our Boston headquarters office; we have celebrated the firm’s five core values {design excellence, performance, partnership, vision, and passion} with an equally prominent graphic in each regional office; and, we hold regularly scheduled “lunch and learn” sessions with new employees to ensure that they gain an initial understanding of the guiding principles of our firm.
But, I thought I would take this opportunity to elaborate a bit further on our ideology and values in this blog, and perhaps provide additional insight to employees, consultants, and clients alike who wish to know us better.
Our ideology guides our firm’s strategy and was crafted following the firm’s most recent growth initiative in 2006: the merger of the two highly regarded legacy design firms – TRO/The Ritchie Organization and JungBrannen Associates. The result was TRO JungBrannen - an international design collaboration of nearly three hundred staff in architecture, interior design, engineering, and master planning working within the specialty practice areas of commercial, arts & education, healthcare, hospitality & residential, and research. Before consummating the merger, the twenty seven principals assembled and discussed our aspirations, and it was evident that our shared passion for design bound us most firmly together. Then, as now, we believe that design is a powerful force for change in our world, and that the processes it entails hold extraordinary potential for meaningful personal and communal transformation. Its manifestations transcend societal boundaries and are enduring records of our highest aspirations in art and science. I have personally embraced this ideology since I first began studying the inspiring profession of architecture nearly forty years ago, and I believe it still.
In concert with our ideology, our core values guide our everyday behaviors. They are reflected in our people and resonate in our projects, as follows: Design Excellence: We are dedicated to enhancing the built environment through design solutions that celebrate the human spirit and make an inspirational difference in people’s lives; Performance: We are committed to creative outcomes for our clients and ourselves - designs that generate exceptional results, optimize opportunity, exceed expectations, and sustain our firm; Partnership: We value the synergy of interdisciplinary collaboration and the cooperative, compassionate spirit realized through open communication. Respect, teamwork, integrity, and uncompromised professional ethics are at the core of our practice philosophy; Vision: We embrace a design process that looks beyond traditional boundaries, invites exploration and discovery, and results in solutions that adapt to and anticipate change; and, Passion: We bring energy, dedication, enthusiasm, and an unremitting quest for excellence in our work, and believe that our commitment and contributions will be meaningful and enduring.
The core value of partnership best expresses our design approach. At TRO JungBrannen, our in-house design professionals specialize in specific practice areas and, therefore, develop an extraordinary depth of focused knowledge and personal experience. Yet, as the Japanese proverb says: ‘”None of us is as smart as all of us”. So, collaborative teamwork has become the foundation of our design process. We believe that a truly transformational design experience is best achieved through a shared journey of informed discovery, and that great design occurs only when the complex array of conditions, challenges, and opportunities that define a project are rigorously investigated and questioned from many viewpoints. Only through interdisciplinary collaboration is fresh thinking and unconventional design wisdom realized. This is the environment in which we are privileged to practice.
This is who we really are.
The other day, three senior administrative staff members from one of our most cherished institutional clients attended our annual Board meeting and shared with us, among many other things, their mission and core values. It was evident that all three not only deeply understood their institution’s fundamental ideology, as expressed by their mission and values, but passionately embraced it as well. They made a one hour presentation to our 15 member Board and spent an additional thirty minutes patiently answering our questions. At the conclusion, I expressed my considerable appreciation and walked them to the door. As they were leaving I asked what had prompted them to invest so much time in us, and the reply was simply “how can you effectively serve as our architect if we haven’t taken the time to explain who we really are?”
So, who is TRO JungBrannen, and have we done a good job explaining who we really are to everyone? And, by everyone I mean our internal staff, our clients, and our external consultants and professional colleagues as well. As I ruminate on that question it strikes me that we are pretty rigorous internally, but that our external message may be less clear. Internally, we have detailed the firm’s history in a timeline which we have posted {or are in the process of so doing} in all of our regional offices. We have emblazoned the firm’s ideology {“We are dedicated to the betterment of the human condition through inspired design”} in the front lobby of our Boston headquarters office; we have celebrated the firm’s five core values {design excellence, performance, partnership, vision, and passion} with an equally prominent graphic in each regional office; and, we hold regularly scheduled “lunch and learn” sessions with new employees to ensure that they gain an initial understanding of the guiding principles of our firm.
But, I thought I would take this opportunity to elaborate a bit further on our ideology and values in this blog, and perhaps provide additional insight to employees, consultants, and clients alike who wish to know us better.
Our ideology guides our firm’s strategy and was crafted following the firm’s most recent growth initiative in 2006: the merger of the two highly regarded legacy design firms – TRO/The Ritchie Organization and JungBrannen Associates. The result was TRO JungBrannen - an international design collaboration of nearly three hundred staff in architecture, interior design, engineering, and master planning working within the specialty practice areas of commercial, arts & education, healthcare, hospitality & residential, and research. Before consummating the merger, the twenty seven principals assembled and discussed our aspirations, and it was evident that our shared passion for design bound us most firmly together. Then, as now, we believe that design is a powerful force for change in our world, and that the processes it entails hold extraordinary potential for meaningful personal and communal transformation. Its manifestations transcend societal boundaries and are enduring records of our highest aspirations in art and science. I have personally embraced this ideology since I first began studying the inspiring profession of architecture nearly forty years ago, and I believe it still.
In concert with our ideology, our core values guide our everyday behaviors. They are reflected in our people and resonate in our projects, as follows: Design Excellence: We are dedicated to enhancing the built environment through design solutions that celebrate the human spirit and make an inspirational difference in people’s lives; Performance: We are committed to creative outcomes for our clients and ourselves - designs that generate exceptional results, optimize opportunity, exceed expectations, and sustain our firm; Partnership: We value the synergy of interdisciplinary collaboration and the cooperative, compassionate spirit realized through open communication. Respect, teamwork, integrity, and uncompromised professional ethics are at the core of our practice philosophy; Vision: We embrace a design process that looks beyond traditional boundaries, invites exploration and discovery, and results in solutions that adapt to and anticipate change; and, Passion: We bring energy, dedication, enthusiasm, and an unremitting quest for excellence in our work, and believe that our commitment and contributions will be meaningful and enduring.
The core value of partnership best expresses our design approach. At TRO JungBrannen, our in-house design professionals specialize in specific practice areas and, therefore, develop an extraordinary depth of focused knowledge and personal experience. Yet, as the Japanese proverb says: ‘”None of us is as smart as all of us”. So, collaborative teamwork has become the foundation of our design process. We believe that a truly transformational design experience is best achieved through a shared journey of informed discovery, and that great design occurs only when the complex array of conditions, challenges, and opportunities that define a project are rigorously investigated and questioned from many viewpoints. Only through interdisciplinary collaboration is fresh thinking and unconventional design wisdom realized. This is the environment in which we are privileged to practice.
This is who we really are.
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Year’s Resolution
As we begin 2009, I am making resolutions with the very best of intentions. I tend to make a lot of them, so when the year finally comes to a close a few may actually be intact.
The first of my resolutions is to start a blog. Obviously, blogging is a great vehicle for exchanging ideas, and I readily admit that I am undertaking this blog because I am naïve enough to think that some of my professional insight may actually help others. But, blogging also seems like an inexpensive alternative to therapy. After all, when business frustrations begin to mount and I find myself muttering to no one in particular I can simply post a blog on whatever subject is on my mind and experience the satisfying release of getting something “off my chest”. So, there it is, I’m starting a blog for those two reasons.
But, let me offer a few words of caution to anyone reading Bob’s Blog. First, writing has never come easily to me. I remember sitting next to Ralph Swanson in English class as a sophomore at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Ralph was a good deal smarter than I was {most of the students at Andover were as well, by the way} and whenever our teacher asked us to spend the last thirty minutes of class writing an essay on a subject of our choice, Ralph would confidently open his notebook and immediately begin writing. My God, the kid didn’t even spend a few minutes thinking about an appropriate subject! He just started writing and never stopped until he’d filled half a notebook by the time the bell rang. And, he used a pen. Meanwhile, I labored for five or ten minutes just settling on a suitable topic, then wore out my pencil erasing most of what I’d written, only to fill a page or two with disjointed thoughts in a barely legible scrawl. Needless to say, Ralph got A’s and I got what I deserved.
Second, although my mother invested countless hours correcting my grammar and spelling, I get sloppy sometimes. And, since computers are human too, they aren’t likely to catch all my misspellings and syntax errors. So, please overlook this shortcoming as well.
Finally, keep in mind that I am an architect. I love the profession and am endlessly fascinated by the people who practice it. But, architects are the exact opposite of, for example, engineers. Engineers know a great deal about the rather esoteric and highly technical subject of engineering. But, when I went to architecture school {Harvard GSD, class of 1974} they taught us a little bit about an awful lot of subjects. When I began professional practice I found myself learning less and less about more and more, until after 35 years I now realize that I know practically nothing about virtually everything!
There, consider yourselves forewarned….
The first of my resolutions is to start a blog. Obviously, blogging is a great vehicle for exchanging ideas, and I readily admit that I am undertaking this blog because I am naïve enough to think that some of my professional insight may actually help others. But, blogging also seems like an inexpensive alternative to therapy. After all, when business frustrations begin to mount and I find myself muttering to no one in particular I can simply post a blog on whatever subject is on my mind and experience the satisfying release of getting something “off my chest”. So, there it is, I’m starting a blog for those two reasons.
But, let me offer a few words of caution to anyone reading Bob’s Blog. First, writing has never come easily to me. I remember sitting next to Ralph Swanson in English class as a sophomore at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Ralph was a good deal smarter than I was {most of the students at Andover were as well, by the way} and whenever our teacher asked us to spend the last thirty minutes of class writing an essay on a subject of our choice, Ralph would confidently open his notebook and immediately begin writing. My God, the kid didn’t even spend a few minutes thinking about an appropriate subject! He just started writing and never stopped until he’d filled half a notebook by the time the bell rang. And, he used a pen. Meanwhile, I labored for five or ten minutes just settling on a suitable topic, then wore out my pencil erasing most of what I’d written, only to fill a page or two with disjointed thoughts in a barely legible scrawl. Needless to say, Ralph got A’s and I got what I deserved.
Second, although my mother invested countless hours correcting my grammar and spelling, I get sloppy sometimes. And, since computers are human too, they aren’t likely to catch all my misspellings and syntax errors. So, please overlook this shortcoming as well.
Finally, keep in mind that I am an architect. I love the profession and am endlessly fascinated by the people who practice it. But, architects are the exact opposite of, for example, engineers. Engineers know a great deal about the rather esoteric and highly technical subject of engineering. But, when I went to architecture school {Harvard GSD, class of 1974} they taught us a little bit about an awful lot of subjects. When I began professional practice I found myself learning less and less about more and more, until after 35 years I now realize that I know practically nothing about virtually everything!
There, consider yourselves forewarned….
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)