While the production and retail sale of alcohol has a long history in the United States, the same cannot be said for the marijuana industry, which is much newer and struggling with growing pains. It is also handicapped by the Federal government’s position that it is illegal–along with conflicting legal requirements by different states. In…
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An Architect’s Guide to Virtual Practice
Today, a new reality in architectural practice is that most architects are no longer interacting across their workstations. Instead, they are ‘virtually’ sharing ideas and drawings across digital platforms. Nearly every practicing architect engages in some form of “virtual practice” because the pace and practicalities of life demand it–employees travel or relocate, must limit work…
Read MoreQuick Reference: Risk Resource Review
As a risk management resource for AIA Members, the AIA Trust develops risk reports on topics of critical and evolving risks for architects. Some of these risks you may be aware of—and some may never have crossed your mind. Either way, it’s important to be able to recognize them so you can at best avoid…
Read MoreProfessional Ethics: Balancing Obligations
The practice of architecture can be extremely rewarding. But like any profession, the practice of architecture must include attention to a host of various business and legal issues. For many architects, dealing with the myriad of requirements and the complexities they impose can be challenging, and there is a related subject that is often overlooked–ethics.…
Read MoreIf You Build It, They Will Sue
Architects are increasingly exposed to potential future claims and lawsuits brought by homeowners and the homeowners’ associations years after a condominium project has been completed. This can occur even when the project developer has overruled the architect’s design decisions or has a limited role in the construction phase of the project. The AIA Trust risk…
Read MoreLive Long and Prosper
The risk report, BIM Me Up, Scotty: Navigating Risk in Digital Practice, is your chance to get the inside on preemptive risk management for your digital travels. It is an opportunity to gain insight for managing your practice so that you can put up your deflector shields to guard against incursions from the litigious Borgs…
Read MoreA Sustainable Standard of Care?
We live in an age of ever-accelerating change and “advancement”. On the one hand, technological advancement provides the lure and expectation of increased opportunities and efficiencies. However, those new technologies, products, and approaches present an increased potential for failure and disappointment. Design professionals are constantly expected to find new ways of building projects better, faster,…
Read MoreBusiness Coverage Professional Liability
Risk Management Webinars
Risk management education is key to managing a successful firm—and utilizing risk management webinars on critical topics is an indispensable approach. The longevity of an organization doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of careful planning that includes proactive risk management. Client loss prevention and risk management services are an integral part of the…
Read MoreTen Things To Know About P3s
In her role as Director of Victor’s Risk Management Services, Yvonne Castillo will be expanding the company’s resources in terms of project delivery for public works. She’s identified the 10 things on which architects should focus when trying to enter the public-private partnership or P3 project delivery market. With governments across the nation struggling to…
Read MoreA Sustainable Standard Of Care
The “standard of care” is the prevailing benchmark of professional practice in architecture and design and the threshold of protection under professional liability insurance. The design professional’s standard of care is generally based on the performance of others characterized as the “reasonable”, “ordinary”, or “average” design professional, and not on internal or personal capabilities. However,…
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