Evening star., 1942-03-28
Architects Advised
To Perform Function
OF Master Builder
Should Unite Services
Of Crofts, Professions,
Soys Committee Report

Modern building conditions re-
ouire the architect to function as
master builder" says a report OF
the Committee on the Architect and
Society of the American Institute
of Architects, of which Frederick G.
Frost of New York City is chairman.
AS the recognized head of building
operation, the architect is in posi-
ton to bring together all the artistic
and technical professions with the
financiers, real estate interests,
builders and labor.
Designing and space planning Is
only part of the completed struc-
ture," the committee pointed out.
To-day the economics of structure
is more important than ever, and
the mechanical apparatus. such as
plumbing, heating, lighting, air
conditioning and acoustics. tend to
assume a larger place in the build
ing operation than heretofore. All
OF these factors call for skill, knowl-
edge, good judgment and care in
order that a successful building may
be erected and a client satisfied.
rs it not true that the majority
OF architects are still practicing in
a way that was satisfactory more
than a generation ago? The mod
ern architect should be in position
to advise on heating, ventilation
and other mechanical problems.
While it is impossible for architects
to master all of these fields, it is
possible for them to understand the
basic principles and to establish
cordial collaborations with experts
in these several fields.
Collaboration Urged.
This committee does not recon-
mend usurping these activities. Real
estate. contracting, financing and
mechanical engineering are fields
which belong to others, and the
recognition of this fact by the archi-
tect will lead the way to effective
collaboration. The committee be-
lieves that such collaboration will
prove the answer to many Of the
professions current problems.
Architects must prepare to as
sumo these added responsibilities
and must be willing to combine
technical knowledge, costs and busi-
ness ability with their talent for
designing and space planning While
stressing the technical and practical
phases, the committee does not want
to minimize the artistic collabora-
tions which have been urged from
time to time, such as landscaping,
mural painting, sculpture and in
terror decoration. If thus prepared,
the architect will be able to bring
together all the artistic and tech
nical professions with the financiers.
real estate interests, builders and
labor, thereby fulfilling the execu-
tive or directing function.
The architect may then be rec
ognized as the head of a building
operation, or the master builder.
Owners will depend solely on him
for the technical design service of
the entire building project. This
is just as true of the smallest struc-
ture as it Is of the largest. When
members of this profession are able
to lead the entire building opera
tion they will have the recognition
such service deserves. These COM
prehensive services will be sought by
companies as well as individual
clients, and then, perhaps, even by
our Government, thereby tending
to keep Federal bureaus as fact
finding organizations instead Of
usurping the functions of the ar
chitect
Engenders Respect.
1T means that architects must
render such comprehensive and
competent service that every one
will thoroughly recognize their
ability in the field of building opera
tions. Architects in general are too
engrossed in their own immediate
problems to interest themselves in,
or to give time and effort to, public
affairs. Thus, the reaction of the
general public Is to consign archi-
tects to the limited field to which
they have limited themselves. Such
public service given by the archi-
tect may not bring monetary re-
turn, but it must surely engender
public respect both for the indi-
vidual architect himself and for
the profession as a whole.
The architect who will contrib
ute time and effort to civic affairs,
to general educational problems and
to the advancement of the arts, and
who keeps abreast of the changing
conditions of the times and adapts
himself to them for the benefit OF
the community in which he lives,
will eventually strengthen his own
position and bring to the commu-
nifty a knowledge and appreciation
of the architect as a man of char
acter, vision, Judgment and prac-
tical ability"
IL d.