Architecture Addiction, The Official Blog of

I’ve been following Albert Bendersky’s many threads in the LinkedIn ARCHITECT group.

I LOVE what he’s just said about the AIA. It seems that most architects believe the AIA to be a useless, manipulative organization. Here’s what Albert has to say:

I don’t care about AIA, OAA or any other specific structures. I’m above it. Architecture is above it. These organizations might be helpful for the profession at the beginning & destructive for the profession at the end (which is now)… but it doesn’t matter. They will die, yet architecture will stay. I discuss philosophical & intellectual issues on my blog, not administrative problems of some temporary bodies. I think in different categories: chaos, anarchy, freedom, hate, love. Not short-term profit making or structural reforms in some idiotic institution. I am talking abstract not specifics. And that’s the purpose of my blog.

Of course I support my vision & my ideas with concrete samples, real names, certain events. I don’t live on Mars & I realize it. Yet some people, Rafael just don’t care about institutional status or ridiculous abbreviations.

I’ll give you an example. To me State as a category or Government, if you wish is the highest Evil, yet I realize that we cannot exist without a mechanism of State. (People are not ready for that.) It means that even though I will comply with all the laws, will pay taxes, will be an exemplary citizen, will go & vote (which I always do) - I will never take a Governmental position, I will never work as a part of governmental system., I will never run for any governmental office. It goes against my principles. I am ready to work for governmental organizations as a private entity, I will happily design school, community center or government building, but I’ll do it as a professional does for the client - not as part of the state department.

I hope you understand me & if you read my blog next time try to relate to its content more philosophically.

Forget about American Institute of Architects or any other association. It’s all temporary,relative. Life is greater than that. And when we all have our heart attacks HE will not ask us about our membership fees or abbreviations behind our names. Don’t you think so?