Past President: Doug Richards, FAIA
Doug Richards, FAIA, associate at GBBN
Looking back at your time leading AIA Cincinnati, what are you most proud of accomplishing?
Most that know me know that I started getting involved with CDA back in the late 90s. I think my first touch was CDA2 and from there, I spent 4-5 years working on the committee and eventually around a decade leading it. I really enjoyed that program and it eventually led to being on the board and president in 2010.
During my presidential year, we worked hard on changing our communications to an email/web-based format and I am proud to have developed a President’s Message to the members every month to keep them aware of what was happening. This year, we also started one of the longest lasting committees—the Urban Design Committee.
But I would have to say the thing I am most proud of is creating + leading (with many of my cohorts) the AIA VISION program. For the last ten years, I have been able to meet and learn with the best young architects in the region. I have watched some of these folks go on to lead in their firms and communities while also expanding my personal acumen from countless national experts that we have brought here to share their knowledge. I do believe it has made a difference in our professional community and brought us all closer together.
In your career, what is the biggest change you’ve seen in the field of architecture?
Technology. When I graduated from UC – all I had ever done was drawn by hand (remember prismacolors; ink on mylar?). I did not use CAD until well into my first job—and then I had to learn on the fly. Now we have Revit, Rhino, and a whole zoo of software packages that allow for complex + parametric designs—not to mention 3D Printing + AR/VR and the potential of how that will change the construction site. It is exciting to see the newest and greatest ideas that technology brings to the profession and I look forward to how it will affect the future of what we do.
The other aspect that has changed is how we deliver projects. There are so many more opportunities and ways to be part of a construction process, as well as provide leadership that clients can really value. D/B, ALD/B, CMAR, MATOC, IPD, DD, P3, LEED, FIT, PH, NZ— the traditional Design-Bid-Build almost seems non-existent (not to mention the older MasterBuilder format).
Looking ahead, what is the biggest challenge facing architects working today? Maintaining meaning in what we do and providing value. I have heard so many architects talk about how others have taken away our responsibilities and reduced our role to a commodity. I truly believe we gave it away (but that is another long conversation). The intangibles of designing and critical thinking are our biggest asset. Learning how to express them for others to observe will lead to better results.
We have an opportunity to help shape the solutions to many of the world’s largest issues by focusing on sustainable, resilient, and diverse communities. By working together and supporting each other, we can keep an eye on the profession while promoting Good Design.
How has AIA membership benefited you?
The AIA has connected me with a wide network of interesting and diverse people from around the country. It has opened my eyes to a great variety of different points of view.
It has also provided a place and opportunity for me to take a lead and make a difference.
What advice would you give to a recent architecture graduate?
Become ENGAGED within your communities—use your design voice for progress, development, and change. Every community needs help achieving their goals and as an architect, you are trained to provide the leadership to make those dreams a reality.
Follow your PASSION—when we truly love what we do and enjoy the outcomes, it makes every day a pleasure and not a routine.
Take OWNERSHIP—don’t be a follower. Stand for what you believe and make it a reality!