WSA Studio and other winner’s of this year’s AIA Columbus design awards program were recently featured in the national newsletter AIA Architect Vol. 16, The News of America’s Community of Architects.

Check it out here.

What a thrill! A new year, a new web presence, and the start of a rich discussion on the practice of architecture. Thank you to Tom Robbins and Dennis Blair for their comments on my blog entry titled “Building Consensus in Architecture”. I agree…there are many things to say regarding the topic. How do we respond to client requests…what is our ultimate responsibility regarding the leadership role that the architect holds, and how do we best spend our patrons resources? Do we inherently know best through our education and professional status? Or, is it best to “settle” for the demands of clients. At WSA Studio, we believe that architects have a dual role. We must listen to society. We must learn from our history. We must build upon our knowledge base. And, we must establish a process that in inclusive. However, the highest calling for the architect is to have a voice. When we design, we take out our recipe and incorporate all of the basic ingredients, but the creative vision is the one ingredient that only the architect can supply. And, when the architect’s vision is blended with a firm knowledge of user needs, rich and responsive architecture responds.

Look to history. All great buildings speak to their users. They symbolize the needs of the culture. and, they incorporate architectural vision. Listen, but have a voice.