Texas Society of Architects The Voice for Texas Architecture
Advocates for Architecture
2013
The Voice for Texas Architecture
Dear Decision Maker: Architects recognize the challenges of keeping up with a growing state’s infrastructure needs that face lawmakers today. As you embark on the 83rd Regular Legislative Session, you will be faced with many difficult decisions that will have a long-lasting impact on Texans. The Texas Society of Architects serves as the voice for Texas architecture, supporting the creation of safe, beautiful, sustainable environments. We hope that you will consider us a trusted resource for accurate information about issues on the built environment that affect the future of your constituents and the state. Please use us however and whenever we can help.
Larry Speck, FAIA President of the Texas Society of Architects
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Cover photo by Charles Davis Smith, AIA; SPeck photo by Acme Brick; Community photo by bCWorkshop
On the cover:Â The design of the San Antonio Military Medical Center allows rooms to have floor-to-ceiling glass so patients can connect to the outside world. This is just one of the many design features that speak to a larger desire of both the owners and architects, RTKL Associates, to create a building dedicated to the holistic care of servicemen and women.
Safe, Beautiful, Sustainable Environments
The Role of Architects
T
he practice of architecture is the art of establishing the form and appearance of a building, and the science of ensuring utility, sound construction and safety for its occupants. In other words, architects design structures to enhance how people live, learn, assemble and work, and produce buildings that are pleasing to the eye. In addition to designing how a building looks, architects determine where buildings are sited, construction materials to be used, and how elements such as windows, doors, hallways and exits will be integrated. Architects also coordinate the various systems designed by other professionals, such as civil, mechanical and structural engineers, so that everything functions together as efficiently as possible and meets appropriate building codes.
Architects are the only professionals educated and trained to design buildings for human use and occupancy. The Gurley Place at Jubilee Park is
an affordable senior housing development located in Dallas. New, sustainable lowcost housing that met the needs of both its residents and the city was designed in a hands-on manner with the community. Pictured above is one of a series of six key design sessions led by architects buildingcommunityWORKSHOP.
The work of architects increases investment value by resulting in buildings that: • Reduce demand for precious resources like water and power. • Create healthier and more productive schools, offices and hospitals. • Cost less to maintain and operate.
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The Texas Governor’s
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Photo by J. Griffis Smith/TxDOT
Mansion is one of our state’s most iconic buildings. Designed by master builder Abner Cook, it has served as the home of every governor since 1856. In 2008, the mansion was badly damaged by an arson fire. Architects Volz & Associates served as local preservation consultants to the design firm Ford Powell and Carson who led the restoration project. The mansion stands as an enduring symbol of Texas pride and resilience.
Appearance Matters Should we really care how our buildings — public buildings in particular — look? Of course we should. Beautiful buildings say something about who we are as a people and a culture. They inspire a sense of pride in our surroundings and community. And public buildings last a long time! The Governor’s Mansion was first occupied in 1856, and the Capitol in 1888. The more pleasing a building’s appearance, the happier we and future generations will be to keep using it.
“The greatest products of architecture are less the works of individuals than of society; rather the offspring of a nation’s effort, than the inspired flash of a man of genius.” — Victor Hugo We need them to keep their occupants safe and help them be productive, but they should also inspire and delight us. Architectural planning factors in the users’ varied needs and desires for a space, as well as what the building’s legacy will be.
Our state buildings are important, long-term investments.
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Design Matters Architects not only contribute to how buildings look and serve their occupants’ daily activities — their decisions and involvement can also lead to improving performance and conserving resources over time. For example, research has shown that good design can have a positive impact on our schools (increased attendance and improved test scores),
“We shape our buildings; thereafter our buildings shape us.” — Winston Churchill offices (increased productivity and improved employee morale) and hospitals (shorter patient stays and reduced need for pain medications). And as much as buildings cost to construct, they cost even more to operate and maintain over the years. of resources such water and energy, and in reducing operating expenses over the life of the building. In these economic times, good design should be at the forefront of discussions about legislation on the built environment.
Architectural planning and design play a key role in conservation
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Lady Bird Johnson Middle
photo by Charles Davis SMith, AIA; Courtsey Corgan Associates
School in Irving (designed by Corgan Associates) incorporates several innovative energ yreducing systems, including geothermal HVAC, passive solar interior daylighting, and wireless laptop technologies. Solar panels on the roof sustain the majority of the energ y needs for the building and are designed so that, over the course of a year, the energ y produced will equal the energ y consumed, netting zero.
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83rd Regular Legislative Session
Texas Society of Architects The Voice for Texas Architecture
Architects recognize there are major challenges facing you this session, including concerns about budget, water, transportation, health care, and education. In addition to these, there are important issues in the public interest that would also keep architects competitive and in a position to produce at the highest levels. That’s why we
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Oppose Bills
Why?
Creating a Sales Tax on Services or
The vast majority (over 75%) of Texas architectural firms are small businesses that employ fewer than 10 people. Additional taxes on services and/or increased occupational fees will further depress this economic sector.
Increasing Occupation Fees
Weakening Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Standardizing Architectural Plans for K-12 (State Stock School Plans)
Changes to the qualifications-based selection (QBS) process would make buildings more expensive to build, operate and renovate. TEA-managed standardized state architectural plans for local school districts would create a new bureaucracy, driving up site adaptation and operating costs. Regional and local factors like climate, geography and topography must be considered. Under certain circumstances, localized prototype plans may be acceptable.
Increasing Liability Exposure
Increased liability would threaten economic viability.
Support Bills
Why?
Maintaining the Margins Tax
Keeping the exemption threshold where it is will help keep small businesses alive.
Exemption Threshold at $1 Million Continuing the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) as a Self-Directed, Semi-Independent
The Sunset Advisory Commission supports continuing TBAE, and so do we. Architecture directly affects public health, safety, and welfare (HSW); architects must be licensed.
Agency
Improving Conservation and Energy Efficiency Goals Ensuring Procurement Transparency
The fastest and most economical way we can ensure adequate power and natural resources in the future is to conserve today. Taxpayers and state leaders want to know that public funds are handled with the greatest possible transparency; they deserve that assurance. When QBS is involved, having clear and certain processes supports open and honest deliberations, negotiations and final selections.
500 Chicon Street Austin, Texas 78702 tel 512 478 7386 fax 512 478 0528 www.texasarchitects.org
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