Now Practice Now
Boston Society for Architecture (BSA/AIA)Boston, MA2018In 2017, the incoming president of the Boston Society of Architects Jay Wickersham assembled a team of insightful practitioners and academics to create a new program tailored to architectural practice in Boston that explored new models and ideas.
It was fundamental that this steering committee was deeply in touch with national and international efforts to study practice and its future. My knowledge in models of practice, particularly in light of the value proposition of our role in other countries, was notable. By being the youngest member of this committee, I represented the voice of emerging professionals as well as my personal standpoint of being a foreign national practitioner.
As one of the three CASH topic co-chairs, I provided meaningful insight and critical thinking on the topics most valuable to emerging professionals. In thoughtfully creating a framework for addressing the vast topic that is our value along with the other co-chairs, we successfully held a candid and positive conversation around billing, subsidy, debt, profit, acquisition, and transparency.
Impact
Culmination of the 2018 president’s goal to develop a new program to address the state of practice as well as new operation models
Poignant topics were narrowed down to individual CASH, TURF, and STUFF panel sessions, which led to discussions regarding issues currently encountered in the field and pushed guests and panelists to envision tangible solutions for the future of practice
Outcomes of panel sessions led to a day-long curated summit which developed the application of concepts discussed throughout the previous panels
Outcomes of service
Over 330 participants in total
3 panel discussions on the state of practice and one curated summit expanding on the topics addressed by panels
All audio and written coverage available to the general public for free on the BSA website
Now Practice Now was established as a core part of the BSA programming within the purview of the Membership committee
“It was a pleasure to work with Gabriela during my term as BSA President. She played a leadership role in Now Practice Now, a groundbreaking yearlong program that explored new models of practice. Gabriela has been an articulate voice for young professionals, advocating for openness and inclusion in the profession.
- Jay Wickersham, FAIA