Just practice (Part 1 of 9)

Here’s how the question comes up: I’m with a group of architects, and we’re talking about how hard it is to make money in the profession. Someone turns to me, as the only lawyer in the room.

Just practice (Part 2 of 9)

Architects swear a duty to safeguard the health of all who rely on our work. How, then, to reconcile any architect’s role in constructing prison facilities for long-term solitary confinement?

Just practice (Part 3 of 9)

Whitney M. Young, Jr.’s speech at the American Institute of Architects’ 1968 convention was an impatient and indignant assessment of the racial homogeny of the design profession and its “thunderous silence” regarding what he called a fundamental human rights violation: the design of cities for exclusivity rather than inclusivity.

Just practice (Part 4 of 9)

We are in the middle of a deeply unsettling time in the quest for gender equity in the workplace. Witnessing the downfall of Harvey Weinstein, Mario Batali, and Richard Meier, satisfying as that might be, doesn’t always provide clarity.

Just practice (Part 5 of 9)

If ethics is navigating the moral ground between right and wrong, good and bad, then we should acknowledge that many things about designing and constructing buildings are not good.

Just practice (Part 6 of 9)

The dizzying pace of global development can flatten cultural differences in even the most remote villages of the world.

Just practice (Part 7 of 9)

It is no secret that the profession of architecture has a way to go to reflect the gender, ethnic, and racial composition of the United States, circa 2018.

Just practice (Part 8 of 9)

Two of the most important ideas in ethics are empathy and reciprocity: understanding the world from the perspective of others and treating others as you would want them to treat you.

Just practice (Part 9 of 9)

Architects are understandably leery about admitting mistakes; we also avoid sharing our hard-learned lessons with other practitioners.