As Wendell Berry observes, “community exists only when people know each others’ stories”…

As architects we must always be thoughtful and alert to how solving our clients’ needs may also genuinely benefit the community at large. We have the responsibility to look beyond each client’s immediate agenda, and help them visualize how accomplishing their own individual goals could also contribute to the community’s broader improvement. Unfortunately, some clients may discourage this and few architects seem willing to challenge their clients to think beyond their immediate interests. If every architect would work with clients in this way, each new project might add significant value to the community quality of life and environment, rather than detracting from it.

Eugene Aleci, AIA, AICP