One of the perks of being the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) president is visiting many of this year?s graduates who will be the future of the profession.
Photo Courtesy of the RAIC
Recently, I had the chance to speak at a couple of universities, and thought carefully about what my message should be. For both architects and society as a whole, there are many emerging challenges, from the climate crisis to social inequity. Students are particularly aware of these issues and want to be part of the solution. Attracting these students to the profession requires a strong profession that allows our members to support themselves and their families in an equitable way. As graduates embark on their careers and become interns, I felt it important to emphasize the value of the contribution they make to projects. I feel that practising architects should also be reminded of this message.
In our professional lives, our contributions to the built environment create value for many people. Whether we work for an architect, developer, or corporation, they will generate significant value as a result of our contribution. The owners and clients of these projects will also make money from the work that we do, and these projects will continue to generate income over the life of the project. Not only does good architecture make the world a better place, but good architecture also creates value. We are an integral part of the team that creates that value, and it is important that we insist...