I was fortunate to spend a few days in San Francisco in April attending the AIA National Convention. What a rush. This year’s convention held a different and resoundingly unique tone, and I was really intrigued by the shift towards a broader discussion of the client and their needs, and the lack of interest in the architectural icon. For years, architects have been obsessed with creating the object. In school, we were all taught about the importance of form…over function, and any true modernist relished the idea of creating an infinitely flexible space that will adapt to accommodate use over time. Functional responsiveness was not important….social issues and response to need were often coined “accommodation” and were sent to the back of the line. But, in our new economy, the client need has returned to be central to the discussion. And, since many of our clients do not have huge resources that they are willing to spend or waste, the client is also asking for a more responsive architecture. What a moment. The public needs the architects’ skill to re-design the workplace, evolve our educational space, and shift our focus towards the future of worship.

Get out your interpersonal skills young architect. You might need them for the next generation or so.