architecture
columns
SefitemfUn. 2009 'Hew&letten.
NC
BOARD OF ARCHITECTURE
President’s Message
Your Board of Architecture
welcomed 25 new architects to the
profession at our New Architects'
Luncheon last October, on a day
when the stock market swayed
1000 points. These new architects
were only a fraction of the class of
2007-2008 professionals, and we
missed others whom work,
distance, or economy kept away
from Raleigh.
It is hardly news to observe that
the distance between October 2008
and September 2009 has been a
financial struggle for many
architects in North Carolina.
Architects were among the first to
experience this struggle as
development capital dried up,
projects stalled, or vanished
altogether. In response, our
profession has seen many firms
“downsize, right-size, or lay-off'
staff. No matter the euphemism,
the result has been unemployment
for many, under-employment for
some, and reduced work for those
fortunate enough to remain
employed.
Some would infer that architects
are superfluous in a downward
economy. I would argue that the
need for our creative skills has
never been greater, but the
mission, the directives, and the
tools have changed.
We will design fewer new
buildings, but the public will invest
in energy-saving renovations.
Sustainable practice will become
an imperative as the public learns,
or is forced, to do more with less.
Developers will build less, but
bold developers will ask architects
to make plans for better times and
be ready.
Architects will use their creative
skills to explore new ways of
building, new materials, new
technologies. Those architects
implementing BIM software may
be temporarily idle, but they will
see this technology pay dividends
as the economy recovers.
Our task of public protection is
ever before us. Ours is not a
profession known to remain idle.
NEW MEMBER
Sean Vance, principal of Sean
Vance Architecture, PLLC in
Raleigh , was appointed to the NC
Board of Architecture by Governor
Perdue. He was sworn in by his
friend and
mentor. Judge
Julian Mann, in
the board office
in July. In
addition to his
multi-faceted
architectural
practice, Sean
is Extension
Assistant
Professor of
Architecture at
NC State. He
serves as
Director of NC
State's College
of Design Center for Universal
Design, and brings 1 5 years of
experience to the board. Sean is
the Board’s first architect to
experience registration through the
IDP program and the computerized
ARE.
RETIRING MEMBER
Kevin G. Montgomery, FAIA,
principal of O'Brien Atkins,
retired from the NC Board of
Architecture in June. He was
originally appointed to fill an
unexpired term, and served an
unprecedented thirteen years on
the Board. His influence on
national committees included
several years on the Architect
Registration Exam committee, and
he helped define the Intern
Development Program in recent
years. He served as Chairman of
NCARB's Region 3, which
incorporates state boards from
North Carolina south to Florida,
and west to Texas. He served as
NCARB's representative on
NAAB accreditation visits across
the US, giving tirelessly of his
time during these 4 and 5-day
examinations of Schools of
Architecture.
The Board will
miss Kevin’s
quiet
enthusiasm, his
devotion to his
task, and his
tremendous
knowledge of
the rules and
regulations that
govern the
practice of
Architecture.
Left to right - Judge Julian Mann. Sean
Vance. Heather Vance at the Board of
Architecture offices. July 2009
Sincerely,
Charles H. Boney, Jr. AIA
Chairman 2009-2010
NC Board of Architecture
