Firm Management
For the Pillars Class, the topic of Firm Management is one that seems outside our day to day experience, and quite honestly sounds pretty mundane. However, in the midst of this recession, we have no trouble understanding why this facet of our practice is critical. And, following an afternoon of conversation with both large and small firms, we began to see that ‘Firm Management’ should be dubbed ‘Firm Design’ – an idea that many of us could more easily relate to and get excited about.
Many of us walked into this session with preconceptions about the organizational and cultural differences between a ‘Large Firm’ and a ‘Small Firm’. The small firm will be nimble, even sprightly; able to react quickly to unforeseen obstacles and opportunities and change direction at a moments notice. While adaptation for the large firm will be slow, cumbersome, and painful. The story that unfolded was quite different and a little unexpected. While these preconceptions may be true in one sense, there is another facet of the story for each.
The larger firms, represented by Bane Gaiser with HNTB and Steve McDowell with BNIM, are crafting their firms’ ability to diversify – especially in today’s economy. They demonstrated that their size afforded them the ability to experiment and to offer their employees some latitude to craft their own career within the structure of firm. They moved us from thinking about a large firm like a big amorphous blob to thinking about it as a ‘net’ of individuals that have the ability to flex, stretch, and bend within the overall organism – even to the point of splitting and creating a new ‘net’ to better respond to the demands of a specific project.
The smaller firm, represented by Dan Maginn with El Dorado Architects, is anything but sprightly. Rather, they are a team of similar-minded designers that are relentlessly pursuing their vision of what it means to make architecture. If BNIM and HNTB are designing a net, then El Dorado is designing a Bullet. Sleek. Tight. Focused. And rather than lose that focus when times are tough, they are doing everything in their power to become even more streamlined and efficient in an effort to maintain their vision.
The point that resonated through all of the discussion was that designing a firm is not a one-and-done process. It is organic and fluid, like sculpting with clay that never quite sets up. Design in its truest form. Make something. Study it. Critique it. Make it again. Make it better. Make it again. Again. Again…
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
December Meeting
Technology in Practice
The December session of the Pillars Leadership Program began our transition from learning about entrepreneurship and economics to topics which affect our daily practice as much as your morning cup of coffee or filling out the weekly timesheet. The topic of the month was technology and was a welcomed discussion to this group of Millennials. We sought out to determine how technology impacts these three stages within our profession: design, fabrication and construction.
We began the afternoon with a presentation on sustainability along with a tour of the shiny new JE Dunn Corporate Headquarters from Jenny Bloomfield, director of Sustainability. We learned about their efforts to be more sustainable in the workplace and their current status to be awarded LEED Gold certification. Next, we heard a presentation from Eric Hall on how Dunn leverages the power of BIM to provide better buildings to owners and operators. We followed this up with a discussion on the contractual issues of BIM and IPD with Colby Cox, counsel for JE Dunn.
After some (truthfully) interesting dialog, we headed over to the A. Zahner Company where Bill Zahner gave us a tour of their office and fabrication facility. We saw firsthand how they collaborate with design teams to take digital concepts to fabrication shop drawings and send them directly downstairs to a fabricator, robotic welder or CNC router.
The final stop of the day was to the Kansas City Performing Arts Center for more discussion and a construction tour hosted by Casey Cassias and Amy Slattery of BNIM, Kyle McQuiston of JE Dunn, and Greg Litterick of SEA. We quickly understood how fast technology has progressed since the design team began construction documents. At the time, BIM software was not sophisticated enough to calculate the complex curvilinear forms and loads placed on the structural frame from the cable glass. After the bid documents were prepared, BIM technology evolved to a level that JE Dunn could reproduce the 2D construction documents into their own BIM model to be used for hosting 3D fabrication submittals provided by the subcontractors for collision detection against the 76 other subcontractors involved in the project. We’d like to thank our hosts for taking time out of their schedule on a crisp, clear December day to show us around what is surely to be an icon in the development of downtown Kansas City.
The December session of the Pillars Leadership Program began our transition from learning about entrepreneurship and economics to topics which affect our daily practice as much as your morning cup of coffee or filling out the weekly timesheet. The topic of the month was technology and was a welcomed discussion to this group of Millennials. We sought out to determine how technology impacts these three stages within our profession: design, fabrication and construction.
We began the afternoon with a presentation on sustainability along with a tour of the shiny new JE Dunn Corporate Headquarters from Jenny Bloomfield, director of Sustainability. We learned about their efforts to be more sustainable in the workplace and their current status to be awarded LEED Gold certification. Next, we heard a presentation from Eric Hall on how Dunn leverages the power of BIM to provide better buildings to owners and operators. We followed this up with a discussion on the contractual issues of BIM and IPD with Colby Cox, counsel for JE Dunn.
After some (truthfully) interesting dialog, we headed over to the A. Zahner Company where Bill Zahner gave us a tour of their office and fabrication facility. We saw firsthand how they collaborate with design teams to take digital concepts to fabrication shop drawings and send them directly downstairs to a fabricator, robotic welder or CNC router.
The final stop of the day was to the Kansas City Performing Arts Center for more discussion and a construction tour hosted by Casey Cassias and Amy Slattery of BNIM, Kyle McQuiston of JE Dunn, and Greg Litterick of SEA. We quickly understood how fast technology has progressed since the design team began construction documents. At the time, BIM software was not sophisticated enough to calculate the complex curvilinear forms and loads placed on the structural frame from the cable glass. After the bid documents were prepared, BIM technology evolved to a level that JE Dunn could reproduce the 2D construction documents into their own BIM model to be used for hosting 3D fabrication submittals provided by the subcontractors for collision detection against the 76 other subcontractors involved in the project. We’d like to thank our hosts for taking time out of their schedule on a crisp, clear December day to show us around what is surely to be an icon in the development of downtown Kansas City.
Friday, November 20, 2009
November Meeting
Successful Development
The November session of the Pillars Leadership Group transitioned into learning more about a flourishing model of economic stimulus: The Village West development in Wyandotte County. This followed the October session, which reminded us that not all attempts at development are so successful. The group quickly learned of the environment and people involved in creating success. A development of this size requires an ideal location, financial and legislative support from local and state governments, and a big idea.
As members of the architectural, engineering, and construction community, most of us have had little exposure to the front end of the development & building process. Our hosts did a wonderful job of explaining how a project becomes viable. The group learned how the Kansas City Area Development Council recruits business to the Metro area. A project the size of the Village West development also requires much political support. And while the project faced much opposition, it took vision and courage for the area’s leaders.
The financial side of the Village West development was one of many engaging topics during the afternoon. A variety of public financing methods were explained. The presence of sales tax and revenue bonds were key to the fruition of this particular development. Commitment from other large retailers and attractions helped ensure the required traffic flow for the project’s success. The project’s pro forma, a plan to achieve financial success, was another detailed and captivating topic. Marketing strategies to attract tenants, tenant allowances, and lease terms and rates were just a few of the many additional topics of interest.
The final portion of the afternoon reminded us that we “can’t get away from ‘us’ lawyers”! The legal challenges that any new project presents are quite complex. The many vehicles of public funding were explained. We all gained an understanding of why projects receive support and how the funding is used. Pillars closed out the afternoon by experiencing the product firsthand with some fun and games.
The November session of the Pillars Leadership Group transitioned into learning more about a flourishing model of economic stimulus: The Village West development in Wyandotte County. This followed the October session, which reminded us that not all attempts at development are so successful. The group quickly learned of the environment and people involved in creating success. A development of this size requires an ideal location, financial and legislative support from local and state governments, and a big idea.
As members of the architectural, engineering, and construction community, most of us have had little exposure to the front end of the development & building process. Our hosts did a wonderful job of explaining how a project becomes viable. The group learned how the Kansas City Area Development Council recruits business to the Metro area. A project the size of the Village West development also requires much political support. And while the project faced much opposition, it took vision and courage for the area’s leaders.
The financial side of the Village West development was one of many engaging topics during the afternoon. A variety of public financing methods were explained. The presence of sales tax and revenue bonds were key to the fruition of this particular development. Commitment from other large retailers and attractions helped ensure the required traffic flow for the project’s success. The project’s pro forma, a plan to achieve financial success, was another detailed and captivating topic. Marketing strategies to attract tenants, tenant allowances, and lease terms and rates were just a few of the many additional topics of interest.
The final portion of the afternoon reminded us that we “can’t get away from ‘us’ lawyers”! The legal challenges that any new project presents are quite complex. The many vehicles of public funding were explained. We all gained an understanding of why projects receive support and how the funding is used. Pillars closed out the afternoon by experiencing the product firsthand with some fun and games.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
October Meeting
In September, the positive outlook of four Kansas City Entrepreneurs enthralled our Pillars class. They talked about their visions, their goals, and their accomplishments. Even the day held a beautiful blue sky and sun and warmth. The October meeting was quite different. Cold and rain cast a haze over the afternoon. With our conversation focused on banking practices before and after the events of October 2008, and a tour through the eerily quite West Edge Project, we were left feeling uncertain about the current state of our city.
We understand that to move forward in any journey is to understand where you are. And it is evident that we are on the climb out of this recession. US Bank talked us through the evidence that indicates money is starting to flow once again, that new businesses are starting, and that some businesses are starting to grow. They were clear that the lending market is much more stable today because of recent legislation. And they assured us that the number of new small business loans is on the rise and that they are actively seeking out opportunities to lend. These are all good signs in the financial industry.
Unfortunately, other areas of the economy are not seeing these signs yet. The unemployment rate has just leveled off in the past weeks. Several people that are employed are having to deal with pay freezes and pay cuts. Projects are on hold due to lack of financing. We experienced this first hand at the West Edge Project in the Plaza. We couldn’t get over the silence of the construction site. The motionless tower cranes. The empty scaffolding. The materials waiting quietly to be installed. Ritchy Brown tried desperately to lift our spirits by asking us to envision and the splendor of the organic atrium and the infinity edge pool, but we were overcome by the deadness of the site.
At the end of a day full of sobering conversations we understand that our responsibility to move forward responsibly has never been greater.
We understand that to move forward in any journey is to understand where you are. And it is evident that we are on the climb out of this recession. US Bank talked us through the evidence that indicates money is starting to flow once again, that new businesses are starting, and that some businesses are starting to grow. They were clear that the lending market is much more stable today because of recent legislation. And they assured us that the number of new small business loans is on the rise and that they are actively seeking out opportunities to lend. These are all good signs in the financial industry.
Unfortunately, other areas of the economy are not seeing these signs yet. The unemployment rate has just leveled off in the past weeks. Several people that are employed are having to deal with pay freezes and pay cuts. Projects are on hold due to lack of financing. We experienced this first hand at the West Edge Project in the Plaza. We couldn’t get over the silence of the construction site. The motionless tower cranes. The empty scaffolding. The materials waiting quietly to be installed. Ritchy Brown tried desperately to lift our spirits by asking us to envision and the splendor of the organic atrium and the infinity edge pool, but we were overcome by the deadness of the site.
At the end of a day full of sobering conversations we understand that our responsibility to move forward responsibly has never been greater.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Christmas in October!
We celebrated Christmas in October on Saturday, October 10, 2009 for our first Community Service event - and it really felt like Christmas with the temperature in the low 40's!
We made great progress considering the caulking was pretty frozen and painting was almost out of the question (until the low temperature paint was discovered!.
At 5409 Highland we built a new handrail, patched concrete stairs, added downspouts to the gutters, rebuilt a basement stair, and did a little plumbing.
At 5439 Highland, the front porch screen was demo'd and replaced, gutters repaired with new downspouts added, the exterior was power washed, scraped, and repainted.
Thanks to Tracy for the doughnuts and warm coffee - plus the multiple trips back & forth to the warehouse! Thanks to Alejandro for getting Pillars involved with Christmas in October & feeding us lunch!
Check out the pictures -
We made great progress considering the caulking was pretty frozen and painting was almost out of the question (until the low temperature paint was discovered!.
At 5409 Highland we built a new handrail, patched concrete stairs, added downspouts to the gutters, rebuilt a basement stair, and did a little plumbing.
At 5439 Highland, the front porch screen was demo'd and replaced, gutters repaired with new downspouts added, the exterior was power washed, scraped, and repainted.
Thanks to Tracy for the doughnuts and warm coffee - plus the multiple trips back & forth to the warehouse! Thanks to Alejandro for getting Pillars involved with Christmas in October & feeding us lunch!
Check out the pictures -
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Trends shaping the future of the profession
http://www.idimultimedia.net/clients/aia_podcast/06042009/kogan.mp3
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Pillars 2009/2010 Class Kick-Off Meeting
Thanks to the Midland Theater for showing our class around their renovated jewel that has been operating for a year in its new form. Spaces like this are few and far between in our city, and indeed, our nation.
The renovated Midland has kept much of the grandeur, preserving the baroque style of the 1927 original but adding subtle changes for flexibility to accommodate concerts, shows and corporate or private events, Scott said. Seat rows from the 1960s were removed from the main auditorium floor to create a seven-tier layout. The layout allows for as many as 700 folding chairs or cabaret-style seating with tables. A space previously used for an orchestra pit was covered with stained concrete for additional seating or dancing at events.
Kansas City Business Journal, Sept 2008
The renovated Midland has kept much of the grandeur, preserving the baroque style of the 1927 original but adding subtle changes for flexibility to accommodate concerts, shows and corporate or private events, Scott said. Seat rows from the 1960s were removed from the main auditorium floor to create a seven-tier layout. The layout allows for as many as 700 folding chairs or cabaret-style seating with tables. A space previously used for an orchestra pit was covered with stained concrete for additional seating or dancing at events.
Kansas City Business Journal, Sept 2008
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