While you may have spent years developing a reliable specification based on research and product performance to be sure your work is exemplary, you may be asked to review proposed product substitutions with which you have limited knowledge or experience. Since you may be perceived as obstructionist if you object or viewed as approving the…
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Do good relationships drive success? Architects have many tools available as practitioners, but often cannot hear each other. How can we learn to truly and honestly exchange ideas and information with others? Isn’t good communication the key to good architecture? Find out some keys to beneficial communication and how to balance relationships to achieve professional…
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The AIA Trust workshop, How to Start & Run Your Own Firm offers practical, professional, ethical, legal and insurance tips for a new firm to start off right. In addition, be sure to check out the full-page website guide about how to Start a Firm — where you’ll find recommended benefit programs for your new…
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It can happen to anyone. An event on a system or network detected by a security device or application: malicious activity that is attempting to collect, disrupt, deny, degrade or destroy information system resources or the information itself. As an architect, if you don’t think you need cyber protection or don’t believe someone would want…
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The AIA Trust just published two guides that address some of the unique design issues associated with each of these growing areas of design and construction: marijuana facilities and craft breweries. The AIA Trust Guide to Marijuana Facilities Design examines some of the necessary considerations for the safe and efficient delivery of product to the…
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Floods can happen anywhere—more than 20% of flood claims come from properties outside the high-risk flood zone according to FEMA. Architects are impacted by floods through exposures at their offices, their homes, and their client’s properties. So it’s important to understand what flood insurance covers—and what it does not cover—and what you need for your…
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With everyone busier than ever, most of us are seeking a balance between our work and our personal lives. Technology now enables extensive communications and thereby opportunities that didn’t exist years ago. Nearly every practicing architect engages in some form of “virtual practice” today because responsibilities require it. So, is an entirely virtual practice now…
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Confused over the differences between Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD) and Business Overhead Expense Insurance (BOE)? While both plans provide a monthly benefit if you are disabled and unable to work, the purposes are very different: LTD provides a monthly benefit to cover your personal expenses while you are disabled, whereas BOE provides a monthly…
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If you’ve worked hard, been successful, and gained the trust of your superiors, you may at some point in your career receive an invitation to become a principal in your firm. While it may seem like evidence of your overall success, there are upsides and downsides to an ownership role and you should thoroughly understand…
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The AIA Trust Guide to Virtual Practice, is a treasure-trove of invaluable pointers and considerations for this burgeoning approach to architectural practice. The guide offers an overview of requirements and questions to consider when starting or working in a virtual practice. For example, what actually is a virtual practice and how does it differ from…
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