Kent State names a new dean (again, and also, FINALLY)

Kent State University has chosen a local architect to head its College of Architecture and Design.

Douglas Steidl will become the new dean of the college July 1. He replaces James Dalton, who will return to teaching at Kent State after two years as dean.

Mr. Steidl, who lives in Peninsula, has been a manager at Renard LLC, an investment, development and consulting firm in Peninsula, for the last three years. He previously founded Braun & Steidl Architects in Akron, which specializes in educational, religious, recreational and hospitality design projects.

From Crain's Cleveland.

After Fong's departure KSU CAED (how about that slew of acronyms?) has decided to slide away from a theoretical base (briefly offered by Fong) to continue the tradition of developing "professional and licensable architects" (quotes are author's own - consider them air quotes if you will). Whether "good" architects and designers will be produced will be the upcoming hurdle to overcome. I'm not saying that the exams aren't hard (I haven't even bothered to start my tests) just that by looking at the work produced by quite a few licensed architects it doesn't guarantee or qualify work produced as "good" or "interesting" or "worthwhile to experience" or even "good for the client" and not a "complete waste of money and materials".

For some insight into Mr. Steidl here is a reposting of some Q&A (copied here for when the link goes bad) from Vision 20/20. I'm not going to say I disagree with his comments, I just find it a little sad that the profession has to operate on the defense of quantifying its existing value instead of creating the demand for more and better design. However I do completely relish the thought that collaboration and facilitating collaboration among skilled professionals will replace the generalist approach to design (that I find all too often dilutes the final product into something with limited or no value). Who knows, the ability to specialize a college of architecture could strengthen the abilities of the students that are produced, and that wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

What will be the most significant challenge facing architecture and society in 2020? What is the relevance of architecture in this future?

The significant challenge facing the architecture profession in 2020 will be the architect’s capacity to resolving the complexity of demands applied from so many diverse directions on the creators of the built environment. These demands might be enumerated with some brief statements:

• Codes and Standards will demand that building concepts are based on scientific determinants.
• Builders will demand intimate delineation of construction procedures, and system interfaces.
• Owners will demand a single source of responsibility for development, design, construction, finance and operations.
• Governments will protect the environment demanding “zero carbon” designs and scientific analysis of the environmental impact of every structure.
• Clients will demand more efficient buildings with greater distinction.
• The public will demand more public input to design concepts for buildings, neighborhoods, and communities, focusing on quality of life issues.

Two phrases summarize the needs of the architect:
1. The ability to analyze and coordinate complexities through collaboration, and
2. The depth of empirical knowledge about all aspects of the development process from land acquisition through facility management.

The question of complexity, most likely will mean that today’s definition of “Architect”, is obsolete i.e. the designer is king. How much expertise can one individual incorporate into their understanding? Is it possible for a single practitioner to be real estate agent, super designer; environmental/sustainability expert; coordinator of design, construction, financing, operations and approval processes; materials guru; systems selector and integrator; facility manager and perform all these tasks within guaranteed time and budget dictates?

Even today, we do not operate independently. The idea that a Registration makes one competent to perform all the services included under our umbrella is ludicrous. Only through the collaboration of knowledge based expertise do we have the ability to undertake the complexities that face us as professionals.

How will a future “architect” think/operate in 2020, and what skills will be required?

Most Architects will perceive themselves as knowledge based specialists. In mid and large size offices in 2008, the division of tasks is divided among individuals with experiences and knowledge in specific areas. Programming with the client, schematic design, document production, specifications, sustainability issues, estimating, interiors, renderings, communications/coordination, and many other specific tasks are assigned to various team members. Generally, however, we still think of ourselves as all around architects, capable of performing any task assigned.

In 2020 the concept of generalist will be revised. Some architects may be coordinators of the design/construction process, leading an industry team which brings together specialists to jointly execute a project. Most architects however, will be those specialists, bringing a depth of knowledge that can only be termed task specific expertise, not generally achieved today by a majority of practitioners and definitely not taught by the majority of architectural education programs. We still value the “designer” moniker. In 2020 we will honor all task experts! The designer will be but one expert in the process and that individual had better utilize empirical knowledge to justify every decision about a design concept.

The word “my” will become a much stronger “our”. An architect’s identity will be equated with the team that completes a significant work enhancing communities, enrich the quality of life for citizens, and serving the public as well as the client. These facilities will use materials that are renewable, structures that are demountable, and produce zero-carbon. The team’s ego will be massaged, not by glossy pictures in peer magazines, but by recognition in public communiqués and respect from the average citizen.

Leadership will be the key to being in a position of decision making in the design/construction industry. Being the leader of the design team will not be enough to insure client trust. Only the few architects who invest themselves in finances, real estate, design knowledge, and have a depth of construction expertise will be in positions to interact with and influence the client.

The question is not how architects will think, but how the individual architect will think, and then how that architect will dedicate himself or herself to the tasks necessary to become a knowledgeable leader and collaborator.

Why are students uniquely positioned to address these issues?

The above is a new mindset. Instilled concepts are hard to change, and often, if revised, result in muddled thought patterns. Students start with a fresh perspective, they have the chance to see a more collaborative and factual world. Students have the opportunity to delve deeply in their greatest interest area, with years ahead of them in which to expand the depth of experiences that will give them the ability to communicate with unique tools while learning an expertise. And, they are in a community where they can interact with other disciplines and individuals from diverse cultures. This community will allow them to develop specialized expertise yet with a global comprehension. What an opportunity!

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About Douglas Steidl, FAIA

A founding principal of Braun & Steidl (est. 1983), a general-practice architectural firm and recipient of AIA Ohio’s Gold Medal Firm Award, Doug Steidl directs the firm in its work providing architectural planning and interior design services for widely-recognized university, medical, religious and commercial projects. Presently, the staff of Braun & Steidl Architects consists of 41 professionals, including 13 registered architects. First elected to the AIA national Board of Directors for a 1998-2000 term, Steidl went on to serve the AIA as Vice President 2000-2001, Treasurer 2001-2003, and First VP 2003-2004. Steidl is also the 2008-2009 President of the National Architectural Accrediting Board.

The Future of the Malls: Public Forum - April 6th

Another Cleveland event that I wish I could go to but won't make. Instead I will be down at Kent State looking at student projects and attempting to give helpful advice without being a yelling jerk.

I won't hold missing this public forum against them. I will remember though, during the boring ones.

CUDC has the best blog posts.

Citizen Architect showing at CMA - May 5th

Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio

Wednesday, May 5, 7:00

Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas, with Peter Eisenman, et al. This new documentary profiles late architect and educator Samuel Mockbee, whose groundbreaking Rural Studio at Auburn University created low-cost, innovative housing for the impoverished residents of Hale County, Alabama. Cleveland premiere.

USA, 2010, color, Beta SP, 57 min.

Cleveland Museum of Art

Citizen Architect Website (w/ trailer)

At some point the idea of architecture took on the burden of developing an idealistic fortitude wherein the welfare and benefit of mankind (or society) became an identifiable and paramount goal. The indemnification of aesthetic goals was more than merely conjoined with an over-reaching attitude to how the built environment can shape the wellbeing of its users. The idea of occupying space (and the emotional bindings created by this occupation) pushed buildings from being merely designed as representations of strength, wealth, power and religious fealty.

The proposition of shelter has always been a necessity coupled with such cloyingly sweet sentiments of "home is where the heart is" and "a man's home is his castle" whereas the burden of manageable shelter is shifted to the occupant. The idea of "making due" with the hand dealt freed designers from having to prepare responsible and fitting solutions. Soon the ideals of the built environment decided that design could help shape the social consciousness, lift the human spirit and attempt to react to needs of an ever shifting and changing family (and community) dynamic.

The argument that the grand social experiments of the 1950's (demonizing Bacon and Moses, perhaps properly) concentrated on large public works (demanding large amounts of capital) which tore apart the urban fabric to support the great sprawling suburbs while attempting to reshape "urban" life was a massive failure and resulting in stratification of economic class and the death of our great city's can be fought, the idea that the mechanization of human life on a grand scale does little to further instill a sense of our humanity. The grand projects (apartment blocks) destroyed the identity of our ethnic ghettos and displaced thousands of families who could not prosper without the support of their community (which was replaced with highways, interchanges and "proper" urban streets).

It was those that felt that the residential palette on an individual level, the small home, the tiny community centers and halls, could be made welcoming, well built and not interject an unwelcome or alien dialog to an already existent community that are currently making their mark on the world. They have decided that the small budget projects which require deliberate care and choice making in their crafting represent the most common of the human condition, those without the wherewithal to completely annihilate their history and start over from scratch. It is the current flock of design build studio's, Rural 804, Badanes Design/Build and University of Washington (Seattle) and perhaps the most touching and famous of them all, Samual Mockbee's Rural Studio of which the film Citizen Architect centers.

There is a place for the common sense of design and wonder we all seek and enjoy. The smooth contours of the iPhone, the felicitous curves of a 911 but there is room for wonder in design to be available to everyone, the hard part is finding the designers who are willing to sacrifice the time and ego to fulfill someone else's dream.