Whose taking responsibility?

During a designer’s journey, to their architectural license, at what point do they become responsible for changes in the built environment?  Whether it be design methods or determining the architectural norm, I have always inquired about this topic.  And now I can better understand how some of the profession views this, through the lens of the ‘Ladder of Participation.’

Does it start in architecture school? Students or faculty?

Does it start post-grad, as an intern?

Does it start once you become license?

Aren’t we all responsible, or just the architects stamping and signing the drawing sets?

 

 As a designer, in my final semester of the 3+2 Masters of Architecture Program, I see the chain of responsibility starting from day 1.  Giancarlo De Carlo speaking on the school of architecture, stated, “Because the faculties of architecture, more than any other faculty, had long been dominated by an academic body interested only in preventing new ideas from penetrating into the school (in architecture new ideas are at least 50 years old).”

In undergrad, I remember being told that my ideas needed to stem from one of your design predecessors, and that, I was thinking too far-fetched for the field of architecture.  Those same ideas are embraced in graduate school, as professors push their students to break the boundaries and see how far the limits can go all while implementing regulatory code and systems.  School is a place of learning, and the faculty are the ones shaping our design foundations, so if they withhold us from learning from mistakes, they become responsible for the passive rungs of this ladder.

In the life of an intern, our principals and mentors can re-mold or continue to build on our foundation from school.  My mentor presented me with the opportunity to sit in on countless design meetings with partnering architecture firms, clients, developers, engineering and construction companies, and even interior designers.  I am now able rethink the possibilities my work could incorporate, by simply listening and observing these interactions.  In-office experience takes on the responsibility of the responsive rungs of this ladder.

Pre/Post-licensure, you hold more power and become the decision makers within the firm or the classroom.  This is also around the time most designers either decide to take their talents further in their company or return to academia and began to influence the youngsters of architecture.  For example, the creators of the Architecture2030 movement are owning up to help with educating our design population with crucial information that is shaping the next generation.  As you set the tone for the future of architecture, these responsibilities take shape of the active rungs of this ladder.

Are you taking responsibility within this journey?