Survey Results

Architectural Registrant Survey Results

"Architecture is my life, I eat, breath, and sleep it. My intent is to go to the grave designing."

In November of 2001 NMBEA sent out a registration renewal packet that also contained a survey for our registrants. The response percentage was statistically very high and the Board thanks its registrants for their replies.

This article contains a breakdown of the questions and the numbers and percentages of the responses. There were only four questions on the survey, but the results will be of interest to those practicing the profession and to the general public as well, particularly in the responses to the question of "what do you think is the single-most important issue in the practice of architecture today?"

1. When two architectural firms are associating on a project do you think that multiple seals should be allowed on construction documents so that permitting authorities are aware of the involvement and responsibility of both firms?
1339 replies:
Yes: 793; No: 546

2. What is the single-most important issue in the practice of architecture today?
The top concern of registrants (149) was in public awareness of the role and value of the architect. Several respondents cited the lack of design and planning education for the general school population, US tourism that does not promote architectural tourism, and AIA advertisements that seem removed from the everyday concerns of the public.
"The public needs to be informed more of what architecture is and what architects do. It is still a very 'private' and 'quiet' profession."

122 responded that architects faced increased service expectations and more responsibilities, but at lower fees. 110 raised the issue of increased and long-term liability with increased responsibilities. 15 others mentioned other legal problems and 7 specifically mentioned the Retainage Act.

97 raised a variety of business-related issues. Topping the concerns was finding competent staff and the cost of training. Repeatedly registrants expressed a concern about the gap between education and practice and the lack of any business education. Other issues were lack of time, too much paperwork, maintaining a team effort, accountability, business costs, collecting fees, changing delivery systems, and quality control versus deadlines.
"...balancing 'responsible charge' criteria in a corporate, geographically distributed practice."

96 cited sustainability, re-urbanization, smart building, and affordability. 8 more raised the problem of increased construction costs resulting in the use of inferior materials that cut the life and raise maintenance costs of a building.
"I would like to see the NMBEA somehow support the up & coming green builder rating program…."
"We need to really educate the clients re: toxic runoff and require certain 'green features' in the zoning and/or permit process for large corporate or developer projects."
"Architects' 'generalist' skills have the potential to provide leadership to interdisciplinary teams…."

21 worried about the state of the economy, whether small firms would survive, and the possible loss of new design ideas and innovations.
"Community, culture, and environment are not stressed enough in design/specification/administration."

47 cited a concern for integrity and ethics in the profession and 9 raised the issue of competitive tactics.
"This is all rather un-American, but I think the German idea of fixed fees and centralized planning does remove their architects from the need to pump out environmentally insensitive and poorly integrated designs to remain 'competitive'".

119 raised the issue of quality and maintaining the highest standards throughout the profession. Many of these cited the struggle of maintaining a long-view while solving short-term problems. 41 responded the most significant issue was health/safety/ welfare. An additional 13 raised the issue of designing for security in post 9/11.
"Right behind 'life safety' is 'margin of safety'. Many or most buildings reduce life safety minimum requirements into maximum requirements and then try to cut corners down from that as a starting point…."
"A good building does not exist in a vacuum."
"Assuming that licensed architects are 'qualified' very few understand codes, relationships of documents, construction (what people in the field really need to construct not just 500 lbs of paper and egos."
"Most buildings are conceived weakly, built poorly, and perform badly."

79 cited the issue of continuing education with some for or against, but most indicating that there needs to be uniformity across states, better quality/meaningful offerings, and easier reporting mechanisms.
"The profession today contains so many specialties that a general practice is difficult to sustain, so dependence on educational opportunities is imperative to keep abreast of what an architect needs to stay 'intact'.

71 mentioned the encroachment of other professions. 44 mentioned the diminished authority, rise of 3rd party managers, and the power of developers (one architect wrote of feeling devalued and marginalized). 6 mentioned problems interfacing with engineers. 12 mentioned the lack of quality and increased authority of contractors.
38 specifically mentioned design/build.
"Licensing interior designers…amounts to teaching them 10-20% of the HSW, code, ethics, and technical knowledge architects learn in college to a fragmented group over 50% furniture sales people."
"As an architect practice interior architecture (100%) I feel the profession and the licensing boards do not have a good grasp of the ways firms practice nor the limited risk to the public. Shell and core architects are a different discipline and interior designers are as well."
"I have seen the client exhibit such a lack of confidence in the architect that they hire a construction manager at a fee equal to or greater than the architect's. The CM's contract then was written to be more a watchdog on the architect than the contractor…."
"Losing control of our profession to outside sources (city agencies, design review boards, homeowner associations, contractors, etc."

35 raised concerns with the quality of architectural education and the lack of business training, and 17 mentioned the gap between education and practice preparation for interns. Some found the exam now too easy, others felt internship should last longer.

38 raised the issue of technology with some concerned with the cost and time needed to keep up with changes, while others expressed the concern of the impact of CADD-only trained interns.
"…overspecialization and affording the resources to keep abreast of technology."

On the regulation side, 41 raised code issues with the majority seeking standardization and one uniform code. 24 felt that the profession was over-regulated or that regulations were not keeping up with technology. 4 mentioned problems with over-interpretation of accessibility and 7 mention problems with public works procedures. 31 cited the lack of training and professionalism of building officials and planning departments. 11 mentioned the need to "hang tough" on enforcement and to pressure CID to improve building departments.
"I am a Native American and I work on Indian reservations quite often - state boards should understand conditions on tribal lands and work to mutually benefit each authority."

3. How would you rate the NMBEA overall in terms of services it provides?

1208 responses

Poor	Below Average	Average	Good	Excellent
5	14	169	612	408

4. Other comments (Registrants generally continued their answer to question #2 under this question. The staff has integrated the answers into the responses to question #2.)

New Mexico Board of Examiners for Architects

Architectural Registrant Survey Results

"Architecture is my life, I eat, breath, and sleep it. My intent is to go to the grave designing."