Where Goes Architecture?

The real estate bust, recession and pause in new construction hit the architecture profession with particular force; as the industry climbs out of the cellar, some serious soul searching is taking place. That tension can exist between architects and developers/builders is certainly nothing new; following the familiar trope, the architect is the designer who insists on the sacrosnactitiy of his or her design, while the developer/builder is just looking to get it done as cheaply as possible. But often the dynamics are more complex. As the various institutions within the discipline of architecture contemplate the professional landscape, an emphasis is being placed on re-examining the business model and architects assuming broader roles in the process of taking a building from sketch to structure. This piece is a great read for those interested in the built environment, both inside and outside the industry. [arch daily]