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.

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 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.