Architects User Group Request

I´m a generalist of sorts and in a past life have dealt a lot with arquitects and civil contractors. Altough by profession I´m neither, I think the proposed subject raises many interesting topics for discussion. It´d be interesting to know how many professional arquitects and civil engineers are out there in CR4 cyberspace. Would all concerned please raise your hand?

I've been a "lurker" at CR4 for quite some time, more interested in the discussions, with special interest in Jorrie's area. I've participated in a few discussions, where I thought the perspective of an architect might add something to the discussion. I'm an architect registered in Florida, Michigan and Ohio, with twenty-nine years of experience. I've participated in project types ranging from health-care, commercial, large scale industrial to small scale single family residences. I won't promise large investments of involvement on my part, as I take the first fifteen minutes or so of my day to "lurk", but I would be interested.

Hi

Joining a user group doesn't imply any commitment... right now user groups are mostly just a way to show affiliation with a topic by getting a little "badge" next to your name and allowing you to say something about yourself. We don't even have dedication user group forums on CR4 at this point, so the overhead is pretty low.

Thanks, Mark

Here's one Civil Engineer, a fairly regularly reader, who monitors your site for interesting articles for his son's sixth grade science class.

Hi. I just created a "user group" called Technical Fields (like the Engineering Fields group) and added "Architecture" as an option.

Click to join the Architecture group (within the Technical Fields section).

It appears that this entire site is made up of participants from a variety of Technical Fields. In my opinion, Technical Fields, on this site, seems to be the same as General.

I still advocate an Architecture User Group, which would be focused on, and visited primarily by, those with a background or interest in Architectural issues.

cgpedersen

This is a good idea. CR4 take note. Architecture is indeed a dedicated form of engineering, specializing in the artistic interface of form and function via the engineering math of structural components.

I used to be an architect, until the recession of 89-90 killed the profession around here. My response was to go back to school and become a Marine Engineer.

Now, as a Marine Engineer (retired), I am also a qualified Naval Architect. It may surprise many to know that while not all naval architects are marine engineers, all marine engineers -whether they label themselves as such or not; or whether they practice in the architectural component of marine engineering or not, are very heavily qualified in the field of naval architecture, from the areas of architectural form and function to structural, motive and machinery aspects of ship building and hull design/testing of all types (rowboats to drilling rigs, which we actually design, tank and computer-simulation test, physically build in the shipyards and boatbuilding houses, and eventually operate as onboard maintenance staff).

This expertise extends itself to the human/aquatic interface in all aspects of engineering and architecture, from shoreline protection and ice-resistant bridge design to aquarium and undersea housing design, to water supply and hydro electric design-and-operation of every nature (and, by the way, to the captaining of certain configurations of vessels as well).

All marine engineers graduate as naval officers, complete with officer training, in either the civilian or military naval hierarchy. We are very comfortable in almost every niche in the engineering world, where we find empolyment and make ourselves as innovative as engineers are expected to be. [I personally found a position as VP of engineering and industrial sales of a company that manufactures Emission Control Devices that work from the principal of the initiation of artificially-induced ionic avalanching through the setting up of an artificial electrical storm in the effluent before a massive catalytic recombination of its components into harmless substances and CO₂ (no longer considered so harmless, unfortunately), so that the catalyst components become super-efficient in their contribution, producing a cleaned effulent miles below that required by the Kyoto accord.]

Why are ALL marine engineers thus qualified? Because the curriculum of marine engineering is internationally determined and enforced by an international treaty that regulates the profession. Regardless of any country in which a marine engineer receives his/her education, the curriculum is the same and all graduates equally qualify to enter the field. The reason for this is the extreme portability of the profession, and the desire of early pioneers in the discipline to make certain that succeeding generations of marine engineers would be equally well qualified to carry on the profession. Star Trek's Scotty and Jordie are a direct continuation of the profession into the future of ship design and operation.

And, there are quite a few civil, structural, and marine engineers (not to mention the architects who have just identified themselves) who already enjoy their subscription/participation in CR4.

There are many additional issues now facing (land-based) architects in the engineering field that would be of great interest to CR4 participants: Seismic building protection, off-world habitats, green housing design, the re-greening of urban areas, just to name a few...all would fit comfortably into the CR4 discussion world.

Mark

MarkTheHandyman,

If I may be allowed a disgression from the issue at hand to ask a frivolous question regarding boat building.

Where can I get my hands on do-it-yourself plans for making a one seat competion model row boat?

Thanks.

Based on the comments that I have read and the stated objective of the author, it appears that a site that reflects the comments and opinions of BOTH architects and engineers involved in building design and construction would be most appropro. Although architects (generally) have an appreciation for the "artistic," engineers can complement by supporting the technical aspect. This apparent separation between architects and engineers in day-to-day practice can create some communications problems that should be resolved, as we should act as one cohesive team. But that's just my opinion.

FYI, we're going to reorganize the Engineering Fields/Technical Fields sections into one "Disciplines" section. There'll probably be more changes than that once we get it going.

Thanks,
- Mark

Mark,

I look forward to seeing how it will be organized.

cgpedersen

An architecture group would be terrific on a number of fronts. I am confident that it would enable professionals in the industry to interact more directly. Having such a group would increase efficiency as well as decrease ill-directed posts... I believe the topic warrants its own group and look forward to becoming a member.

Hi

See the link at the bottom of the original post... there is a link to join the Architects group. FYI, at this time there is no dedicated forum for these groups, but it does allow individuals to express their affinity, and that's a start.

Thanks
- Mark