Ethical question on project credit

[teamjdc]

The point is, if they're talking to clients in the capacity of an employee in an architectural firm, then the representation is fine if it's accurate. Licensing law applies regardless.

I don't know about other states, but California law prohibits misrepresenting one's experience and ability.

If they are not working for a licensed architect, then they shouldn't be working on commercial projects -- definitely a licensing matter -- so it seems any talk of the high profile projects you mention amounts to no more than false bravado. You can hear it daily in every business if you try.

There's certainly no shortage of exagerration in architecture. The funny thing though, is that most of it comes from principals who literally did nothing but have their name on the title block.

As to enforcement action, I don't know what state you're talking about, but our board does not publish any information until there is a determination of guilt. Some investigations take time, especially if it is not a complaint from a client of the alleged offender.

[Married To The Job]

My state publishes the board's meeting minutes on their web site, so it is possible to see what cases are in the works -- generally minutes will state if the board is merely requesting an affadavit from the practitioner that they will ceast and desist, or if they are pursuing a larger issue. I'm not certain, but it appears from the case file numbers that show up on the latest published minutes that the cases that are now coming up began in summer of last year. Although we're not geographically as large as CA, we are a state that fields a lot of practitioners who practice in other states as well. A few years ago, the state board received permission to outsource investigations, and as a result, there is a higher level of enforcement than I remember before. Unfortunately, the legislature is slashing everywhere, and the budget for this has recently been cut.

I appreciate your comments -- the person is not working for an architectural firm. I don't know of an instance in the last ten years where that would have been possible. Their 'design' firm has actually been described as a one which handles commercial graphics in business paperwork (you can find just about anything online); however, their own site lists architectural projects, without mention of graphic design at all. And they are listed on a client's site (in this case, a developer) as having been an architectural consultant.

And you are right -- no commercial projects for the unlicensed, but that hasn't prevented a list like those I mentioned. Or non-residential work published with their name attached. Neither the time frame nor the scope of work matches with what I know to be either possible or legal.

Puzzling all around. I'll wait a little longer to see what the state decides. I suspect it will be another 3 or 4 months before it will appear on the agenda.

[teamjdc]

Well, I've had no luck with your clues.

How many people know that Maya Lin is not licensed? How many of her clients realize that?

[Married To The Job]

Sorry -- wasn't meaning to lead people into guessing. I don't think you would have heard of this person, although someone in my own region may have come across their work and would probably recognize the name.

Honestly, I've never thought of Maya Lin as an architect. In my mind she's always been in the category of public art. Does she present herself as an architect? I haven't kept up with her current work.

[Madimel]

In the beginning of the post, you said the website of the "offender" was taken out by forum. How about telling us the website without the "www" and we can plug it in to see for ourselves. Or you can simply tell us who this person is and we can google it.

[Married To The Job]

It wasn't that type of spam post! All I posted was pretty much what I listed after -- a pretend list of projects along the same line as those I'd read. I can't figure out why I was tagged for spamming. It was clean as far as language, no h t m l addresses. Etc.

I do understand that it seems like I am leading you all on. But I really don't want to reveal the web sites for the person and business associates who also list a bio.

Madimel, I see you are in Arizona -- ? One of our former interns is at Arizona State U. this year. Seems to like it a lot. How is the market out that way right now? I don't think we'll be seeing our intern any time soon unless it coincides w/a family visit or vacation. I remember hearing they wanted to stay out there if possible after graduation.