Occupational Classification and Architects

If you are doing research on 'architects' or 'architecture', I believe you need to know what these things are 'not'. By understanding what they are not, you are thereby saving your valuable time and resources for the focus of your research.

Currently, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (located in Washington, DC), sets the standards for the ethical and lawful description of an architect in the United States.  These standards were established to protect the health, safety and welfare of America's citizens. These standards involve extensive education, experience and examination of the person investing a great deal of time, money and sacrifice to be an architect. This is sufficient to say, that an architect is NOT a sports coach, a computer programmer, or anyone who doesn't fit a state's lawful description of an architect.

Considering the previous paragraph, architecture cannot possibly be a game plan, a computer component, or anything which is not the product of an architect's professional services.

This is not a lengthy article. Nor does it need be. American libraries, after much consideration, have not adopted the Dewey Decimal System for lack of reason. Classification is important for many reasons, and  many people depend on the relationships created by classification. If it were not for classification, God could not have separated light from darkness, and consequently distinguished between evening and morning, the first day.

When you begin to use a particular source for research, it's in your best interest to consider the integrity of that source. If that source (which could be Amazon.com) distributes information, lists of books, or published works which enable the incorrect and/or unlawful use of words such as 'architecture' or 'architect', you may want to re-consider your patronage of that source. Why should you tolerate another person's unlawful activity when yours would not be tolerated. I'm not suggesting that you black-list any particular source. I'm suggesting you do the right thing. Take your business to a responsible source.

Video: Architecture Manifesto, from Fleck

We are taught to know what reading, writing and arithmetic are. And, we are taught to know what is art, what is science. But, outside of the bare minimum 'censored knowledge' given to us by our state education agencies, and outside of acquiring a professional architecture education, does anyone ever take the time or make the effort to teach us to know "what architecture is" or "what is architecture" or "what is the role that architecture serves in our lives today.... during our lifetime"?

I invite you to watch this video. And, then I invite you to think.... to think about the human condition.... our joy, our tragedy.... our hope, and our despair.
http://vimeo.com/channels/arch#14137024

Creatives and Copyright Law

Having been a fine arts painter, graphic illustrator/designer, student of architecture, employee working for other architects, and a practicing architect, much of my adult working life has been subject to copyright law in some form or another since creating my first works in 1987. As a Creative with an awareness of the difficulties other creatives face, I have always felt obligated to mentor Creatives with less experience, and encourage those who need encouragement but aren't receiving any.

Did you know.... that the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress? The Library of Congress is a publicly supported institution, and generally does not own rights in its collections, and generally does not grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections. One of the service and support units of the Library of Congress is the U.S. Copyright Office, whose stated mission is "to promote creativity by administering and sustaining an effective national copyright system." (Source: http://www.loc.gov/about/)

The U.S. Copyright Office defines copyright as "a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. (Source: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.pdf)

According to the Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Title 17 of the United States Code:
(a) Copyright protection subsists, in accordance with this title, in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Works of authorship include the following categories:
(1) literary works;
(2) musical works, including any accompanying words;
(3) dramatic works, including any accompanying music;
(4) pantomimes and choreographic works;
(5) pictorial works, graphic works, and sculptural works;
(6) motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
(7) sound recordings; and
(8) architectural works.
(b) In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work. (Source: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/)

According to the United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, "The Congress shall have Power... To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." (Source: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/circ92.pdf)

I am not an expert in the law. And, I'm not telling you what to do. But, if you are a Creative producing creative works, I do believe it to be in your best interest.... to find out what your business is, learn your business, and take care of your business. If you're reading this, I've given you a start. If you're an art teacher, I would hope you are at liberty to impress upon your students the importance of understanding copyright law. If you are an art student, or a practicing artist, I encourage you to always refrain from cheating and stealing, and protect yourself and your creative work by learning the laws applicable to you and your work.

My comment, on "Selling My Soul, To The Art Devil"

See my Comment, on this blog post regarding Art education, students and teachers.

http://www.bluecanvas.com/blog-post/2287

Tribute To Carpenters

Growing up working with my dad, I learned a lot of things. I learned them through example, observation, evidence, by doing, and by being taught to think. Giving credit where credit is due, my dad and his generation (born around 1935), were one of the last groups of real carpenters working on common residential projects. They were the sons and grandsons of immigrants who had well-developed carpentry skills BEFORE they came to America-- they brought value with them. Working alone, aided only by a helper, each carpenter was proficient with all knowledge, skills and abilities to plan and construct an entire house. It was a good thing. You know why? They weren't greedy, and they had the honor to keep their word, sometimes with only a handshake. The economic times around 1955 did not encourage spending for any means or method that did not produce the least-cost housing product, of sufficient quality and delightful appearance, which adequately met the "dwelling" needs for a typical family. Those were indeed, the "happy days." Those days, and those last-remaining carpenters, are rapidly vanishing. There is nobody to take their place. What do we do now? How on God's earth are we supposed to build truly affordable housing for typical families? What does it mean to "do the right thing" while "dwelling" here on earth? For starters, it means being the best steward we can.

About H2H Architecture

VALUE TO CONSUMERS

H2H Architecture creates value for commercial and residential consumers (both public and private), by providing the following services: Architecture, Monumental Art Design, Building Design, Technical Specifications Writing, Home Repair Carpentry, Home Improvement Carpentry, Project Programming, Cost Management, Design Management, Contract Documents Management, Construction Contract Administration, Construction Management Advisor, and Supplemental Services related to the professional practice of architecture.

H2H Architecture creates value for all consumers, by designing and fabricating the following products: Custom furnishings; and House plans.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

H2H Architecture has a competitive advantage over larger companies by: (a) providing services for small and/or construction-complicated projects, and (b) accepting projects having a scope of work which requires the close, personal attention of the architect in responsible charge. You pay for what you get, for what you want, and for what your project needs.

H2H Architecture holds a competitive advantage over other small design firms and general contractors by: (a) having acquired skill-sets and experience in community planning, building design, and building construction technology, and (b) enabling an "integrated practice" where select engineering consultants and constructors are included in complex projects, thus the design of those projects are well-informed by vested parties as to function, performance, construct-ability, and cost. Again, you pay for what you get, for what you want, and for what your project needs.

INTERVIEW CONTACT

H2H Architecture is in business to be an aid to your business. If you have a project that you wish to move forward to completion, feel free to call me at (254) 488-0058, and conduct a brief telephone interview. I would be happy to answer your questions about my experience, design principles, etc. If you would rather initially contact me by email, that address is architect.tx.whj@gmail.com

W. H. Jordan, Architect Profile on DesignFirms