This online post is about what happens when people don’t do their part, or are “too busy” to help make a difference, when all it takes is a little piece of your time and a bit of your assistance.

ArCH needs more Architects to join.  We are now Global, but we have a long way to go.  Simply by the act of joining, ArCH becomes stronger.  Your small membership yearly fee helps ArCH accomplish vital tasks, such as creating new videos that enlighten the public about what you do as an Architect and the value you bring to every project.  ArCH creates one of kind products that help you practice Architecture, creating homes, because there is no other source on Earth that does this.

Support those organizations that help feed you: intellectually and literally.  That would be ArCH.

Thank you for being a member and for guiding other Architects to join and for continuing to be a member.

If you don’t, who will?  Before ArCH, the world was a gray and dim place for residential Architects.  There were no products custom made for residential Architecture.  There was no worldwide brotherhood/ sisterhood of Licensed Architects that design homes.  There was no global comradery of residential Architects.  There was no global ArCHdes™ design awards program just for residential architecture around the world.  Now, all that colorful energy has infused the planet, all because you helped ArCH come about and remain vital.

Help us grow and remain sustainable, with your support.    You can and will make a difference.

Support ArCH.

ArCHchart™ just was launched.  You can read all about this new ArCHproduct here:

ArCHchart™

ArCHchart™ is what all Architects have been missing in their Client management applications.  ArCHchart™ allows you to simply, swiftly and easily update the present status of where your firm is at on your Clients’ projects, without cumbersome scheduling software.  Clear colored cartoon diagram bar charts in Excel explain so your Clients’ understand what’s been accomplished to date, where you are now, what’s next and what phases/tasks remain, from Programming all the way through Construction Administration, Warranty Period and Post Warranty periods.

And because this application is in MS Excel, you can easily modify it to suit your practice/process as you wish.

A happy Client is an informed Client.

Have Clients getting upset with you because they don’t understand why you’ve done what you have, what you’re doing now and why you’re soon to be doing other things?  ArCHchart™ charts the course through the project and helps to diagrammatically explain the relative amount of effort/time devoted to each typical architectural project phase.  Don’t talk talk talk about architectural phases.  Let ArCHchart™ do your talking for you.

This application just might save your next project.  Buy it today.  Deeply discounted for ArCHmembers, of course. And now a part of the new ArCHsuite™.

This post is about the previous post: and how ArCHspec™ now incorporates it.  RedGard just became part of ArCHspec™.  Should have been there a decade ago.  Well; it’s there now.  Makes perfect sense: an economical, roll/trowel or spray-on elastomeric waterproof liquid that goes on top of the concrete backer board and on top of the mud bed in a shower and is taken all the way up to the shower ceiling. Result: no leaks, no rotting walls.  About time!  And the tile is set over it.  It sticks and it works.  Yay!  Simpler than the PVC shower pans most of us have been using for most of our lives.  Better.  Makes the entire shower waterproof.

Also, Schluter Kerdi Shower Niches have been added to ArCHspec™. Once again: about time.  These are prefabricated substrate waterproof shower niche one-piece units that after installing, you then coat with your wall tile.  No leaks.  And the RedGard can be applied over the outer flange to result in a totally watertight shower assembly.

Might sound boring, but to our Clients, this is a big step forward in waterproof technology that many quality tilesetters and Contractors have been using for a decade or more.  Nice that we caught up on this.

I remember Don Duffy, ArCH, telling the other ArCHexComm members a couple of years ago that he had to go to one of his Clients’ houses on a weekend to fix the leaking in a shower pan (that the Contractor caused by penetrating it with nails).  Don and everyone else: those days are past, if you start using this updated specification using RedGard.

Architects Creating Homes: IMPROVING RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE.

Waterproofing Shower Walls & Floors is about the latest technology improvements to help Architects specify products that will render their residential shower installations watertight.

ArCH: Architects Creating Homes has as its motto: IMPROVING RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE.  Sometimes this deals with business or administrative matters, other times this has to do with products, details and design features an Architect might want to consider using in their projects to improve the quality, durability and performance of their projects.  In the end, the Clients of Architects receive a better built home and the Architect’s reputation is enhanced.

Image courtesy Custom Building Products

Today, ArCH is reporting on a product that is gaining ground with tile setters and General Contractors: RedGuard® by Custom Building Products.  While ArCH does not exist to endorse products of any particular manufacturer, ArCH does find it important to report on significant improvements in technology that help Architects and Contractors make homes a better place in which to live.

Custom Building Products created an elastomeric liquid fast-curing paint-on coating called RedGuard®.  We’re not sure of the exact date when this product was introduced into the marketplace, however, we have seen online references dating back as far as 2005.  That’s at least 11 years.  So far, all comments we’ve seen are positive, although that’s no guarantee that this or any product reviewed by ArCH is a perfect system.  However, we searched for problems with the materials online through Google purposely and could not find any reported issues to date.  However, that does no mean that there are not issues with this or any other products discussed on the ArCHwebsite and ArCH takes no responsibility for the quality of any products discussed on this website.  See the manufacturer of any products discussed for their warrantees.

ArCHmembers have spoken with Contractors who have been using RedGuard elastomeric paint-on waterproofing membrane for years and so far, all have only good things to report, and no callbacks from happy homeowners.

Note: Contractors have said this should Not take the place of the traditional old-school PVC membrane used over OSB/Plywood and under the thick “mud bed” of grout in a shower tile floor.  However, the RedGuard is used in all cases immediately under the thinset mortar setting bed of the tile, to insure waterproofing between the tile and the substrate under it.

Many Architects and Contractors have for decades, relied on the tile mortar setting bed, the tile itself, and the grout to protect the substrate.  When using concrete backer board as part of this system, this performs well, however, the concrete backer board could theoretically become saturated, particularly at imperfections in the tile work, thereby allowing water to enter the inner wall, where it could promote mold and structural rot.

Therefore, the use of a paint-on liquid elastomeric waterproof coating for shower floor substrates and walls, all the way up to the shower ceilings, makes good sense.  All corners, both vertical and horizontal are reinforced with a fiberglass screen tape that is embedded in the first coat of RedGuard.  At least 2 coats of RedGuard are recommended.  In this manner, any moisture getting behind the tiles (in most cases, which should not be much), will not be able to get over the top of the coating, because it goes up to the ceiling.

Of course, specifying epoxy grout for tile joints should help greatly to keep water from penetrating around the tiles and a quality tile sealer should help to prevent water penetration through the tiles themselves (if using a natural tile like slate).  Glazed ceramic tiles should be inherently waterproof, except around the edges, which is why an epoxy grout there might be something to consider.

However, ArCH in no way is recommending or endorsing any particular products or methods; it is merely commenting on what appears to be a significant proven technical improvement that should help Architects, Contractors and Homeowners to greatly improve the watertightness of their tile installations.   Google RedGuard tile waterproofing for more information.

Why you belong in ArCH: Architects Creating Homes:

First, we understand that you may be busy, and that your family needs what spare time you have.  After all, you first need to earn a living doing what you do, and you are doing it so that you and your family can have a decent lifestyle.

ArCH understands that.

Now, you may say: “I don’t have time to join another organization; I’m just too busy and my family needs me.”
Let’s think about that for a minute or two.
ArCH exists to help Licensed Architects who design homes.
Architects just like you.  Most of our members are sole proprietors.  So: if you’re thinking ArCH is only for large firms, that really is not the case.  ArCH is composed of hard working Architects similar to you.  Even those who run the ArCH organization have their own practices and earn their living the same way you do: by designing residential projects.

ArCH exists to help Architects who design homes (similar to you).  So if you do not have time to participate; okay, that’s understandable.  However, you might want to at least consider joining ArCH and providing your economic support to help the only organization in the USA (and the world) that has your goals as theirs.  If you then say: “But I am not wealthy, I can’t afford to join,” let’s look at the cost:

$159 per year.
That’s it.
ArCH is the best value in architectural professional organizations in the world.

So what do you get for your money?  Well, if you don’t want to participate, you deny yourself the comradery of the world’s best licensed Architects who do what you do: design homes.  However, if you don’t want to do that, there are ArCHproducts in the ArCHstore that help you run your practice better than any other organization on the planet. There is no other resource on Earth that has products exclusively tailored to residential architects’ practices.  For instance: ArCHspec™, which are specifications created from scratch for residential projects, by real, hard-working experienced licensed Architects, who have as their specialty the design of homes.  It was not created as first a gigantic commercial system for hospitals and universities by theoretical administrative people, then changed.  No: it was made from the ground up, by Architects, for what you do: design houses.

Check out the ArCHstore.  You’ll find amazingly detailed specification systems for residential architectural projects (which also include various details), forms of agreement, Surveyor and Geotechnical List of Requirements, Marketing systems and other products that can help protect your architectural residential design company from liability while helping you do a better job of specifying and running your projects.

You are also permitted to use the designation: “ArCH” after your name, communicating to the world that you are a specialist in the architecture of residential projects.  And unlike some other organizations, only Licensed Architects may be a member of ArCH, so the designation actually means something more substantial.  You are paying your money to help what you do, not also supporting those who have no license who are in direct competition with you.

It’s galling that some other organizations who charge more than 4 times what ArCH does for membership, use your money to also assist unlicensed people who directly compete against you and allow them to also be members and to use similar designations after their names as you, confusing the public, making them possibly believe that those unlicensed people may have the same qualifications as you do, when they may not have degrees and certainly don’t have licenses to practice architecture.

ArCH doesn’t do that.  ArCH represents licensed Architects only.  When you join ArCH, you are helping your profession, which helps you.  ArCH also provides each member with its very own firm webpage on the ArCHwebsite and links this to the ArCH FIND AN ARCHITECT page, where your firm will be listed at least 4 times, linking back to your ArCH firm page.  This alone is worth the minuscule price of membership each year. No other architectural organization provides this services for Licensed Architects who are its members.

Here are some more advantages to being a member of ArCH:
https://www.archomes.org/avantages-of-arch-membership

But if all you do is join ArCH, that’s okay too.  At the very least, you’ll be giving yourself access to thousands of dollars of discounts for products that can help you run your practice and you will be helping to support the only organization on the planet that has as its focus: helping improve residential architecture and assisting Licensed Architects who design homes.

Yesterday evening, as every Wednesday night, the ArCHexComm gathered together virtually, via Skype video conference.

Only this time something was different.  ArCH has a new member from “Down Under”: Dion Seminara, ArCH, Architect from Morningside, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.  Dion’s firm: DS Architecture creates amazing high-end multi-million dollar custom residential projects in the greater Queensland area.

Topics discussed at yesterday’s video conference included:
ArCHdes™, Global Economy, Keeping Clients advancing their projects, as well as staffing securement/testing/retention/ownership transition.

In brief, here are some highlights of these conversations with this global perspective:

ArCHdes™
ArCH has 10 firms (worldwide) with 18 projects so far participating.  Anyone who would like to “squeak in the back door” will be allowed to submit their fees up to and including on the day the project submittals are due: 3/9/2016.

Global Economy and its Impact on Residential Architecture
The USA is in a current upward trend, which bodes well for ArCH’s members across the USA.  However, we have been sheltered from other matters in a global context.  For instance, Dion Seminara, ArCH, QLD, Australia, said that there is a GFC (Global Finanical Crisis) happening right now as far as Australia’s economy is concerned which has created a downturn in that region of the planet.  Dion said that Australia has been, to some degree, dependent on a healthy Asian marketplace and the current downturn in China has negatively impacted Australia.  He also said that Resources (mining, especially) has fallen back, slowing construction, as that country is heavily dependent on mining operations to grow that economy.  Not many American Architects are aware of these matters, which could end up impacting the rest of the planet at some point. We are not an island, financially any more; everything is connected.  In other words: prepare for a possible downturn: save, perhaps put expansion plans on hold for a while and be fiscally conservative in general.  Now is probably a good time to try to engage as many new projects as possible so that your firms will have a substantial workload onboard, should the future hold some period of lagging that could make obtaining future projects more difficult.

Architectural Staffing/Transitioning Ownership
Considerable time was spent discussing the vetting process for new staff at architectural firms.  Mr. Seminara reviewed his firm’s 8-Step review procedures for possible new employees, which included:
1.  Skill review
2.  Responsiveness/Relevancy Ability: emailing multiple questions every day (prior to in interview) to observe candidate’s timely & prompt responsiveness as well and appropriateness in terms of answering the questions posed.  This also includes observing the candidate’s composition, vocabulary, grammar and punctuation skills, which can be very telling as to how they will represent your firm and respond to you.
3.  References
4.  Personality Test
5.  3 month temporary contract employment, possibly extended to 12 month probation.
6.  Capability Test (3 to 4 hours)
Includes, design, detailing, various multi-tasking skillsets.
7.Maturity Level of staff
Seeking often older, more experienced staff that can hit the ground running rather having to be trained, and that are serious about their work and that want a job for the long-term.
8.  Job Description
Questions: “I am good at_________________” .
To help them determine whether they can multi-task or excel at particular skills.

Other issues discussed involved methods of company ownership transition: in other words: if you presently own your company, how you can obtain a health sales price of your company, giving you a retirement nestegg and continuation of your firm, after you retire.  Rodney Kazenske, ArCH, NCARB, Denver, Colorado, USA, said that his firm is in the process of documenting their procedures for everything, so it is written in online manuals, accessible to all employees, about the steps involved to accomplish just about any process in the firm.  Don Duffy, ArCH, AIA, Charlotte, North Carolina has previously mentioned how his firm is also in the process of documenting their company’s Quality Control procedures.

Message to us all: if you intend to sell or pass on your company or in any way hope to see it continue, you may want to start documenting how you do things.  Put in on your computer server and give all staff members access to this information so that everyone knows what to do, like you do.

——————————————————————————————————–

So, in summary: ArCH is discovering, first hand, that we, as Licensed Residential Architects around the planet, all have similar issues to deal with each day in our professions and the sharing of our professional lives together creates a wealth of rich experience from which we can draw valuable information to help us all in our practices, anywhere on the planet.  ArCH takes the pulse of residential architecture every week through direct discussions with our members around the globe.

ArCH: Licensed Residential Architects Connected Around the World

Become an award winning Architect.
It’s surprisingly easy.  And economical.

The answer?  ArCHdes™, the Design Excellence Selection program at ArCH: Architects Creating Homes.

And at only $49 per project entered, what a value!
You must be a member of ArCH to enter.  However, at only $159/year membership dues, ArCH is the leading value in architectural organizations on the planet.  Need reasons to join ArCH?  Click here: Reasons to join ArCH.

If your firm is new, or if you’ve never won a design award before, or if your company needs to distinguish itself with an award for its designs, or if it hasn’t won an award for a while, then ArCHdes™ may be the awards program for you.  ArCHdes™ is focused on design awards for residential architecture.  ArCH (Architects Creating Homes) is the organization behind it.
ArCH is the global unified voice of Licensed Architects who design homes on Earth.

Check it out: ArCHdes™

If you know you are designing high-quality residential projects, why not become an award winning Architect?  Let the rest of the world know how good you are.  Document it with an award.  But you can’t win an award if you don’t at least try, by entering ArCHdes™.
Deadline for entry fees: 2/29/2016.
Deadline for entry submittals: 3/9/2016 3PM EDT (NYC time).

ArCH was recently interviewed on Mark LePage’s EntreArchitect popular Internet Podcast show.  Mark discussed the ArCHdes™ design awards program with Jennifer Garcia, ArCH (Tampa, FL) and Rand Soellner, ArCH (Cashiers, NC).

Jennifer offered her insights as the owner of a small architectural business headquartered in the SE USA and how helpful it would be to become the recipient of a prestigious architectural design award, particularly for the design of custom homes, which is the focus of her practice in western Florida.  Her thoughts are that the posting of the JPG or PDF of this award on her website would call attention to her potential and existing Clients that her company creates quality architectural design.  And that’s got to be a good thing for attracting more business.

Click here to find out more about the”–> ArCHdes™ program.

Soellner asked some penetrating questions, such as: “What’s the purpose of a design awards program supposed to be?
1.  Enriching the hosting organization?
Or:
2.  Celebrating the capabilities of residential Architects?”
Soellner said that ArCH seeks to shine the light on its members and to consistently offer programs and features that are a Value to those members.

Ms. Garcia underscored this philosophy by pointing out that the entry fee for each project in the ArCHdes™ program is only $49.  And that the membership fee to join ArCH is only $159.

to see the entire interview click on the image below:

Hello ArCHmembers; welcome to the new year 2016.  Your ArCH ExComm has established the 2016 ArCH agenda:

2016-10.  ArCHdes™ design awards program
(all is ready and waiting for the “trigger” to be pulled on 22,000+ licensed Architects to receive the ArCHdes notice via email blast.
There are mixed opinions as to whether or not this will stimulate growth exponentially, or it will be ignored.  Time will tell.  ArCHdes™ is the Only design awards program on Earth in which licensed Architects who design homes can expect to be recognized with an award for houses that look like homes (even though avant-garde designs will also be recognized).
2016-15.  ArCHmms (Membership Management Software) creation and implementation through consultants.  Current consultant approach is to create new HTML custom membership applications (for both initial applications and membership renewals (in lieu of WuFoo), that would allow automatic population of the ArCHmembership spreadsheet roster/record of members. ArCHmemershipRoster would then exist on our hosted server. Also: concept is to link PayPal/WooCommerce records to this spreadsheet though custom software on the ArCHwebsite by our website consultants. They believe this is the most economical and straightforward approach to give us the automation we need at this point.
2016-20. ArCH eMagazine (possibilities being considered).
2016-30. Possible part-time help. Could become full-time if many new members join due to the 20k email blast list for ArCHdes™.
2016-40. Manufacturers putting products on ArCHwebsite. Fees?
2016-50. More reciprocal ads on other websites. Barter system.

.
2016-60. Need ArCH magazine article (not an interview) that indicates that we exist (that is key to Wikipedia).
2016-70. ArCHcrafts (2017)
2016-80. Global outreach: ask e-marketing consultant for email list that contains all architects on the planet.
2016-90. ArCH-eCon?
2016-100. Annual ArCH-e-con? With e-presentations. Break into groups online. Some canned webinars with manufacturers.

.
2016-110. How to do the above electronics: ask our website consultants.
2016-120. ArCHmembers-putting projects on the menu on some kind of presentation board.
2016-130. Ask the Architect™ webpage/section. With ArCHmembers volunteering.
2016-140. “How to read architectural plans”ongoing article on the ArCH website for comments by ArCHmembers for public consumption.
2016-150. ArCHceu program continuation.—need more ArCHmember help. Need to get this going nationwide in the other 49 states.
2016-160. possible new ArCHvideo?

Also open to additional suggestions by members, however, there is only so much time in a year.  We have taken on and accomplished an amazing amount of organizational efforts in ArCH’s short lifespan and we look forward to continued, long-term healthy growth.

Your ArCH ExComm.