Odds & Ends:

• For those who appreciate classical architecture, good news. 
  • Congressional Appropriations Embrace Classical and Traditional Architecture in Federal Buildings
• The CPBD recognition has already been a blessing, as I am capable of contributing to projects in high standard communities that require further accreditation. I have received the email for my digital badge, and I am in the process of modifying my signature and adding it to the title block. 
  
  The test was great, and challenging, as it should be. The studying at first was tough, determining the right approach to the material. However, the design criteria, bibliography, and practice test(s) were a big help along the way. For the proctor, the application process and procedures were straightforward.
  
  I appreciate the support, and I look forward to my future with this incredible organization!
  
  
• Dear colleagues,
  
  I would like to inform you that I have successfully defended my dissertation and have been awarded the PhD in Architecture. My research focused on low-rise residential housing.
  
  In addition, I have participated in several international architectural competitions, including those held under the name “Golden Trezzini Awards”.
  
  2023 – Special Mention Certificate in the Best Project Estate category for the project “Multitier Village.”
  
  2020 – International Architectural Competition “Lazar Khidekel Award”
  
  Diploma in the nomination “Innovative Approaches to 21st-Century Architecture” for the project “Multi-storey Vegetable Garden,” awarded within the framework of the International Awards for Architecture and Design.
  
  Ilqar  O. Aliyev
  • STAFF: A former professional member and ARDA winner who live in Azerbaijan. 

• I am a full-time Architectural Designer/Draftsman, not a Licensed Architect. Here in Arizona, we can provide Residential construction plans for two-story and below. I personally use a structural engineer for all my projects, but others don’t and can get their projects approved through the building departments with building code load and span charts.
  
  I am also a member of the American Institute of Building Design, which seems to give new clients a measure of confidence. It’s a great organization and resource, but it has nothing to do with my competence. Some people need a perceived overwatching authority or to feel comfortable.

• Thank you for the following information. I will review the letter/invite and may email you should there be questions. I appreciate all your help through this process and look forward to being a member of this incredible organization!
  

  ---

Individual responses to Meander emails:

• The Midweek Meander today was wonderful and it's sparked an idea of something I might write an essay about...additions that are wildly different in architectural style to the original structure.  We all do them from time to time, but the unique juxtaposition of styles is nothing new.  Eltham Palace in London is an amazing Art Deco addition which was added on to castle ruins where Henry the 8th grew up.  The new owners were these eccentric wealthy people who had a two-story habitat built for their beloved ring-tail lemur, Mah-Jongg. (So "designing for the pets" was a thing even 100 years ago) Massive difference in architectural style to the original!  We visited in 2017 and it was truly special.
  History of Eltham Palace and Gardens
  The history of Eltham Palace, a unique marriage between a medieval and Tudor palace and a 1930s millionaire’s mansion.

• I've encountered similar thoughts and just had a similar discussion about "learning" with an energy consultant that I found to be a real inspiration.  How refreshing--he is much smarter than me!  That means I still have a long way to go. You nailed it--thanks for putting it to words. 
• Being in semi-retirement now and focusing solely on stock plans has given me the opportunity to "practice" new things, while at the same time narrowing my range. Now I have the freedom to design in ways that wouldn't necessarily fly in Bend, to express creativity in ways most of my clients wouldn't have considered. But on the other hand, I have to become familiar with a nationwide market, so that's something new. At 75, I'm comfortable with that level of new challenge and ready to leave behind aspects of my "practice" that I no longer want to do. I am setting about reducing my mental load, not just in my work but in my life. We Do Not Care has become a common part of my vocabulary. (from the We Do Not Care Club).
• I just want to tell you that this was worth the read. You are so right, we all have barriers and resistance that we deal with… “community pushback, even our own self-doubt.” I really appreciate you highlighting a man who demonstrated skill at a high level in spite of an overwhelming obstacle.
• Thank you so much for this article. I have lived in the Memphis area my entire life, was actually born in a hospital that used to stand where St. Jude is now, but never knew about Mr. Williams or his contribution to St. Jude. He was one of those people from history that you say to yourself, "I wish I could have known them personally." Thank you for perpetuating his legacy.

Individual responses to Joey Martin's membership email that went out last week:

• Thank you. That was a very good letter. I support you and AIBD to help make membership matter. I am doing fine because of AIBD.

• First, I have to say that in all my years of membership, having the Logo and Certification adds a level of confidence from my clients that makes membership all that more important.
   
  I’m retired from my Design-Build business for several years now (I’m a DSA School Inspector now), however, as I indicated to Dusty when I renewed, I still believe so strongly in AIBD for all that the organization has done for me in past years, that I’m happy to continue my membership (even at full price and not take advantage of my retirement status). Also, a big factor in my membership/certification is that for the past 11 years, I’ve been a “Construction Defects Litigation Consultant and Forensic Expert Witness”, and my membership/certification gives me immense credibility when I testify as an expert witness in matters starting from design and all the way to final turn key.
   
  If I can be blunt, I think it’s chicken…t when folks cop out with the excuse that an organization doesn’t do much for them any longer, when in fact, they’re probably where they are BECAUSE of the organization. There just isn’t any loyalty any longer. I’m 75 now, and as long as AIBD exists and I have a breath in me, I will be a loyal and faithful member to my grave.
   
  Also to add to my appreciation; Dusty was amazing, because when it came time to submit my CEU’s, I just was so busy that I could not at the prescribed deadline, and he extended my time until I could get them in (because of my involvement with so many things, I always have WAY more CEU’s than I could ever need for any of my memberships and certifications anyway). Funny story, with all the certifications that I have, I’m now scheduled to take the certification exam for a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, at 75 years old, yikes! To me, involvement and growth are key to a long, satisfying and happy life. As currently an inspector for school projects, upwards of $90M construction costs, I’m having more fun on the field every day than what should be legal. Even at that, because in part of AIBD, my familiarity with plans and plan reading (some of our plans are over 800 pages long, and 1300 page specs) has made me very much in demand, so much so, that I’m scheduled for projects booked until 2031 (egad, I’ll be 80).
   
  Anyway, to the core of your letter (sorry to bore you), I’ll do my best to spread the word about AIBD as much as I can.

• Hi It has occurred to me that the value of AIBD is not the organization itself. AIBD organizes and facilitates collaboration between its members. The value is in the members. With this in mind, for AIBD to grow in value, the key is to encourage members to share more. With this in mind,  I’m requesting a few videos, emails, or webinars to explain how to upload CAD files and documents to AIBD. 
  
  My webinar ideas
  • How to and why upload CAD details and or documents
  • How to get the most out of your AIBD membership,  how to leverage this network to elevate your design and business
  • Let's have a blue collar to designer path discussion. Let's get some guys like Steve and myself to discuss the route from carpenter to designer. 
  • Design process discussion. I’d like to get a few pros and give each of them 10 minutes to describe what takes place from the initial client meet-up to the client moving in. I’d like 3 people to describe the big picture stuff, then get 3 people to describe the specifics of how they move a project through the design and drafting pipeline. I have a few recommendations on who to request for this. This would be a 1hr session with each person getting 10 minutes. Questions would be put in the chat box and saved for the next round table. 

• Sorry, 
  Gotta let it go...keep up the good work.

• Small time member here.  Just logistics for me.  I’m happy to return to membership.  

• First, I have to say that in all my years of membership, having the Logo and Certification adds a level of confidence from my clients that makes membership all that more important. 
  
  I’m retired from my Design-Build business for several years now (I’m a DSA School Inspector now), however, as I indicated to Dusty when I renewed, I still believe so strongly in AIBD for all that the organization has done for me in past years, that I’m happy to continue my membership (even at full price and not take advantage of my retirement status). Also, a big factor in my membership/certification is that for the past 11 years, I’ve been a “Construction Defects Litigation Consultant and Forensic Expert Witness”, and my membership/certification gives me immense credibility when I testify as an expert witness in matters starting from design and all the way to final turn key. 
  
  If I can be blunt, I think it’s chicken…t when folks cop out with the excuse that an organization doesn’t do much for them any longer, when in fact, they’re probably where they are BECAUSE of the organization. There just isn’t any loyalty any longer. I’m 75 now, and as long as AIBD exists and I have a breath in me, I will be a loyal and faithful member to my grave. 
  
  Also to add to my appreciation; Dusty was amazing, because when it came time to submit my CEU’s, I just was so busy that I could not at the prescribed deadline, and he extended my time until I could get them in (because of my involvement with so many things, I always have WAY more CEU’s than I could ever need for any of my memberships and certifications anyway). Funny story, with all the certifications that I have, I’m now scheduled to take the certification exam for a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, at 75 years old, yikes! To me, involvement and growth are key to a long, satisfying and happy life. As currently an inspector for school projects, upwards of $90M construction costs, I’m having more fun on the field every day than what should be legal. Even at that, because in part of AIBD, my familiarity with plans and plan reading (some of our plans are over 800 pages long, and 1300 page specs) has made me very much in demand, so much so, that I’m scheduled for projects booked until 2031 (egad, I’ll be 80).
  
  Anyway, to the core of your letter (sorry to bore you), I’ll do my best to spread the word about AIBD as much as I can.

• i have been a member on and off for 38 years, first in Houston then in alabama. I have not had one customer ask me about it. 
  here there is GOD, THE PRESIDENT, LAWYERS, DOCTORS, ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS. I only keep the membership because it looks professional. Almost all new homes require  a engineers stamp for permitting.
  Years ago several of us AIBD guys started a group and invited everyone who was a  building designer. that lasted a month. 
  I dont have the answer.

• Thank you for a well written membership report. I joined AIBD here in Florida in the mid-1980's after having been a member of the Florida Residential Designes Association for many years. My fellow FRDA members and I, strongly advocated merging with AIBD to gain a national presence. We believe in the strength of numbers. 
  
  You are correct in stating that there are those who would like to pretend we don't exist out of a self-serving protectionist attitude. The reality, as I leaned from top officials of both AIA, and NAHB, is that the vast majority of homes built in American are designed by non licensed individuals like us, who practice under those exemptions to licencing laws in nearly all states, that you alluded to. I believe we will always be chananged to make our presence known.
  
  AIBD is the only organization I know of that speaks for the independent home designes such as us.
  
  I have frequently stated that I earned my Bachelor's degree from a university, but I have earned what I consider to be my Masters degree through the educational and networking opportunities of AIBD. I therefore have no question about what AIBD has done for me. Most people don't realize what there are missing until they experience something outside their own little worlds.
  
  Thanks for championing our membership cause.

• Thank you for the email about membership.  I want to give you a brief summary of my position: 
  
  I am a CPBD living north of Houston, Texas.  In Texas, very few cities have zoning and the majority of the state does not require building inspections.  Some counties don’t even require building permits.  The subdivisions depend on deed restrictions, and some cities have city ordinances to keep standards high.  One of the requirements in some subdivisions and small towns is that the person designing the home (or light commercial project) MUST be either a licensed architect or a CPBD.  I maintain my certification, in part, because it allows me to design in any city or subdivision in Texas.  I should mention that my primary business is custom home design and my average design is 3000 S.F., although I have also designed a number of homes under 2000 S.F.  Getting CPBD included in the IRC (and IBC) as a requirement for design would increase the membership dramatically.
  
  Secondly, I maintain my membership because I have won two ARDA awards, including the first Grand ARDA ever awarded for Accessible Living.  I specialize in designing homes with wheelchair accessibility.  Perhaps you should emphasize that clients prefer designers that are award winners.
  
  Thirdly, I am getting work from designers who have retired and refer their potential clients to me.  Additionally, AI will be encroaching in the design profession and will eventually replace most designers.  I actually have a client that took the front elevation of his home and sent ME a rendering done in AI.  He was just playing with AI but the rendering was outstanding.  I am not concerned at this time because most of my designs are very custom for clients with very specific requirements and it will take years for AI to become that good.  However, the number of all designers, not just AIBD members, seems to be slowly decreasing.  This is another reason to push for inclusion in the IRC.
  
  Fourthly, in all honesty, I don’t use the AIBD for anything except maintaining my CPBD.  In the past few years, I don’t attend many webinars and I don’t use many courses for CEUs.  I primarily use AEC Daily.  Steve Mickley recently told me there is an AI program available for free on the website and I will investigate that as soon as I have time.
  
  One suggestion.  Personally, it is difficult for me to attend webinars during the day.  It would be good if AIBD could establish chapters in all the major cities with a monthly webinar at night (6:00 or 7:00), so designers who work all day can attend.  Instead of chapters in major cities, a statewide chapter would also work.  Then you could use the statewide chapter to push legislative agendas, like requiring CPBD certification (or a licensed architect) to design in that state.
  
  Now the sad part.  I am 72 years old and while I am in excellent health, my wife has significant health issues.  I have closed my office and work from home so I can care for her, and I meet clients at a conference room near my home that rents by the hour. As much as I would like to be more involved in AIBD committees, I work until 10:00 pm most nights to keep up with my design work.  I live in one of the fastest growing counties in the country and I am swamped with work.  Unfortunately, I have no time to invest in helping with the AIBD committees.  
  
  Although I am 72, I have no plans to retire; I love what I do and I will maintain my CPBD and AIBD membership.  
  
  This email was not created with the assistance of AI.
• Hope you are doing well. 
  So we are working to get all of our staff signed up as AIBD Members. 
  • STAFF: They haven't yet.
    
    

This thread from the SoftPlan Users Facebook group was omitted from last month's feedback: