Clayton Blakley, VP Business Development, Comstock’s Magazine
AIACV Public Board Member
When I was asked to continue for a second term as the Chapter’s “Public Member” I admit having been relieved that I hadn’t “messed up” too horribly in my first term and delighted to be able to continue my education, and hopefully, maybe have the opportunity to actually contribute something of value in return for my taking up a seat at the table (and receiving a nice assortment of snacks once a month at our board meetings.)
As I mentioned in my newsletter article last year, it took some time to become acquainted with an array of acronyms and jumble of jargon, and just when I thought I was catching up, someone goes and invents some more! Well just as architects must keep up with continuing education to stay relevant, it seems only fair that I keep up as well.
Having a seat at the table at the AIACV board has also helped me realize the larger role the organization, and by extension the industry as a whole, has in our community’s growth and success. We’ve had a number of presentations to our board made by other stakeholders in the region seeking input, feedback or buy-in on a number of issues or initiatives including:
- Proposed redesign of the Capitol Mall to be a more attractive pedestrian- and event-friendly public space that connects better to neighboring attractions like DOCO, the Capitol, Crocker Art Museum and Old Sacramento, while enhancing economic benefits for city.
- Design of a new I Street Bridge to connect Sacramento and West Sacramento, with its potential to be an iconic landmark like the Tower Bridge vs. a simple conveyance from one riverbank to the other.
- City of Sacramento’s Ordinance 2017-0061, Section 71 and its impact on design professionals and other stakeholders including home owners wishing to improve their properties (See May 2018 President’s Message in case you missed it).
AIACV’s seat at the table for these various issues and initiatives reflects the respect and reputation earned by the organization and its members. As a profession, architects still find themselves near the top of the charts among the “Most Prestigious Professions” accordingly to the Harris Poll which found that 72% of Americans found the profession to be prestigious. But when it comes to the general public’s understanding of what architects actually do, it gets a little fuzzier.
Sure, most people know that architects design buildings, but have little idea of the intricacies of the process, not to mention the complex and challenging role played among an exceptionally long list of other stakeholders involved in creating buildings, public spaces, infrastructure, and more.
I may be just a little biased, but I like to think our local AIACV Chapter has been somewhat of a leader in recognizing the value of reaching out to the public to share the important role architects play in our region’s economic vitality and quality of life. Just one example of that is a long history of partnership with local publications like ours (Comstock’s Magazine) to share stories of the industry and award-winning projects transforming our region. And of course the launching of Experience Architecture was itself an effort to engage with and educate the public about what architects do, with accessible events such as bike tours, photography competitions (including on Instagram) exhibits, and film screenings.
And not everything the AIA and its members do is all that different from other businesses and organizations, making it easier for the profession to connect with the public as a whole. For instance, the profession has mirrored many other organizations in adopting a focus on professional and workforce development with its Emerging Professionals group. And it’s certainly not lost on the Emerging Professionals the importance of the public outreach and engagement part of their professional responsibilities.
Case in point is the fact that our AIACV Chapter EP group recently accepted a special award for its Winn Park Design Competition, which earned a Component Excellence Award for Community Outreach (see EP Director Cody Carpino’s Grassroots Report in March).
The number of events held by the EP group and the level of engagement among members is impressive, and their willingness and desire to connect with other professional groups and regional stakeholders is definitely encouraging for the future of the industry. When I hear about the wide range of educational and social engagement activities, it certainly makes me wish I’d had a similar emerging professionals group for my industry in my younger days (I coulda’ had class! I coulda’ been a contender. I coulda’ been somebody!!).
So what can you do to help the AIACV and its mission to advance public knowledge of and engagement with architectural profession, and continue to guarantee a seat at the table? We’re glad you asked!! Experience Architecture 2018 is just a few months away, and we’re looking for sponsors and volunteers to help us fund, planand execute all of the terrific events and programming. Comstock’s has signed up as a proud sponsor once again, and you can too! For information on how you can get involved, please visit https://aiacv.org/exparch/ or contact the Chapter office: 916-444-3658, [email protected]