fraternity, anyone?

The Emerging Rochester Architects have really gained some momentum over the past few months. We started meeting again back in April of last year, trying to see if there was any demand to be had for gatherings, study groups and career advancement. This club has existed in various forms over the years and yet I hadn't participated heavily yet myself. The premise for me is that there's so much to gain from the folks who actually get what you're saying, but who haven't already had to spend 40+ hours with you this week! We're a sub-committee of the Rochester chapter of the AIA, so we're fortunate to have a great director and a budget.

We've since had 4 meetings, 4 socials / events, and formed a LEED study group as well as a mentoring program with RIT's new Masters in Sustainable Architecture students. We now have meetings on the 1st Thursday of each month and socials on the 3rd Thursday.

Toastmasters and Rochester Young Professionals may have their place, but I am always looking for ways to grow, specifically, as an architect. And after GHOST, I'm in particular looking for ways to engage in a dialogue that can expand my views and open me to those of others, where the business and joys of design are concerned.

Since April, 4 or 5 key folks (including myself) have become a bit of a planning committee. We've been pleased to find upwards of 10 people at meetings and 20 or more at socials, creating a real sense of critical mass and enjoyable conversations. 

This past Thursday, we threw a "Charrette Party," our attempt to respond to the folks who'd been asking for design competitions and opportunities to do more of the kind of sketching and making they did in school now that they also have technical and professional knowledge. With wine and subs, we gathered to discuss a series of competitions found at Bustler and Death by Architecture, a handful of which just sounded like a lot of fun.




We were hosted at the AIA office, which led to some of our best conversations - the book, 101 Things I learned in Architecture School, was on their library shelf and apparently everyone had read it or heard that they should. I recently skimmed a copy, borrowed from another library, and was pleasantly surprised. It's full of the kinds of zen statements that you may well be aware of, but have difficulty applying day to day... the application of which, we would all benefit from! So, maybe more on that later...

We were very lucky to be joined by a few individuals who wouldn't normally fit into the category of "emerging," but who understood that Architects are forever growing and felt that they could mentor us as well as gain from our energy. At one point early in our discussions of the "winning" competition, we were reminded to dial back and apply a broad, loose approach to programming before diving directly into design. This process of developing our own design methodologies and becoming skilled at remembering to apply them is what will aid us in doing great work even when efficiency may be the focus. 

We were reminded to take advantage of the freedom of no client, no budget, no time constraints... and that this should free us to do the best working process we can and see what kinds of better design result. For me, ERA is supposed to be about just this kind of (scary? but... ) fun personal growth, so that one can be expanded and engaged by comfortable fellowship - by fraternity.

We now have 'homework,' and a plan to meet again. If you're interested in joining us, take a look at the design competition website and mark your calendars for February 23, when we'll hold our Parti Party!