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The Publisher's Page08-01-97 | 11
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From The Publisher August 1997 Architect: n. 1) A person who plans buildings and oversees their construction; 2) a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking. One of the neat things about being a publisher is that we occasionally get to be the creators of words and catch phrases. Sometimes we just hear them first, like Xeriscape or RLA, and then after reporting them to the masses we see them used throughout the industry. And while we sometimes get to add a line or two to the bottom of a dictionary definition, rarely does one get the opportunity to actually challenge Websters with any significant hope of success . . . Especially when the word is older than the great pyramids. However . . . . we are in a situation where we should change the dominant definition of the word "Architect" and change the word from a Noun (person place or thing) to an Adjective (modifies a noun). The word architect is plainly dependant upon the noun it is used with. Case in point. Was L'Enfante an Architect of the buildings in D.C. (a "Building" Architect) or was he the Architect of the city (a "Planning" Architect)? Was Thomas Jefferson a "Building" Architect, a "Landscape" Architect or a "Constitutional" Architect? . . . . Or was he all three? Wasn't Roosevelt the Architect of the New Deal? And Schwartzkoff the Architect of Desert Storm? Clearly the primary use of the word Architect is subjective to the noun it accompanies. Just as clearly the label "Architect" alone does not signify a specialty. Is a Structural Architect competent enough to plan a city? Can a Building Architect competently design a Dam? Would you want the Architect of a congressional amendment to design your landscape? Of course not! Does the A.I.A. represent Congressional Architects, Landscape Architects or Military Architects? Can it properly represent both the people who put the details on the gargoyles and the people who master plan a community? Times have changed and traditions are being looked at critically. In this instance Websters should change the #1 meaning to "a person who designs and guides a plan or undertaking," change the "n" to an "adj." and replace the other meaning with a list of several examples . . . Airport Architect, Building Architect, Constitutional Architect, Landscape Architect, Residential Architect, Structural Architect, Transportation Architect . . . . . the list goes on and on . . . . Landscape Architects deserve recognition for their special knowledge as do others who are Architects of a myriad of specialties. This simple, yet comprehensive change is obtainable with the right campaign and might be a way to open the public's mind to the planning needed in the development of land. These diverse Architectural elements reach well beyond a formula consisting of brick vs. glass divided by the number of floors. LASN is Your Trade Magazine In my last editorial, I mentioned the stagnant growth of the profession and blamed some of that stagnation on the ASLA. I received many responses, most were positive, some were not . . but most unsettling were the few that led me to believe that some of you think LASN is reaching the public with its comments regarding the profession. LASN is purely a trade magazine. We report on these things so that you can stay informed of the current status of the profession. What becomes of the information is for you to deal with . . . or not. . But if you become angry with the information, you are missing the opportunity . . . . Remember, an unencumbered press is your only hope for complete information. For example, ASLA members recently received a newsletter proclaiming victory in several state licensure battles, but conversations with many of the state practitioners, including ASLA members, uncovered a series of log jams, mishandlings and out right diversion which ultimately weakened the law in some of those states. To some a victory is keeping licensure intact regardless of its form. To LASN any step in a backward direction is first of all a loss, more than likely a fumble and sooner or later may knock you out of title contention. But if you become angry with the information, you are missing the opportunity . . . . See you next month . . . . George Schmok
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