Peter Durantine

For architects, life in the built environment keeps things busy - there's design work to be done, bidding for projects, and for some, teaching. Time is at a premium, but for Architects Day, a once-a-year event, leaving the job to spend the day in Harrisburg is an invaluable experience.

 

It's a chance for AIA Pennsylvania members to meet the legislators who affect their lives and their profession through the issues they decide on and the legislation they vote on that ultimately becomes the law in policy and regulation.

 

It's a day, says AIA Pennsylvania Executive Vice President Caroline Boyce, "to advocate for your profession."

 

For 13 years, AIA Pennsylvania has conducted Architects Day, which this year falls on Tuesday, April 3. Boyce and staff guide visiting architects through the process of what amounts to a fun, informative and interesting day away from the office.

 

"We make it as easy as possible," Boyce said. "We do all the leg work."

 

She and her staff prepare AIA members prior to the day with a one-hour webinar on the experience of visiting a legislative office and meeting a legislator. This includes a description of what occurs in the meeting and a review of key issues facing architects.

 

On the morning of Architects Day, state Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), the House Majority Leader, will meet and talk with AIA members in AIA Pennsylvania's office across the street from the Capitol. AIA Pennsylvania will present Turzai with its Government Award.

 

Afterward, staff, which will have already set up legislator appointments, will guide members to the Capitol and through the day. Members will be provided handouts and other materials on AIA issues that to be presented to legislators.

 

"We are not expecting our members to be experts," Boyce said. "But no one can speak better about what it means to be an architect than an architect."

 

That's the reason Betsy Masters of Philadelphia, AIA Pennsylvania's 2012 Government Affairs Committee Chair, has attended the last three years.

 

"So much of what we do is affected by Harrisburg and the Legislature," Masters said, noting lawmakers regulate and license the profession. "It's important for architects to be present, to be a known factor, and to get to know people."

 

State Sen. John Rafferty (R-Chester, Montgomery, Berks), who was an AIA Pennsylvania Government Award recipient last year, encourages architects to meet with him and other lawmakers for an exchange of ideas and concerns.

 

"Any member of a profession regulated in some way by the Commonwealth should take the opportunity to both visit their elected officials and discuss legislation important to them," Rafferty said.

 

Dan Bosin, AIA Pennsylvania's 2012 president and a Philadelphian, said Architects Day allows members to educate legislators and their staff about what architects do and the issues that most concern them.

 

"In the most general sense it's to be heard," said Bosin, who also has attended the last three years. "It's great to experience the democratic process. You can actually make an appointment to go and see your legislator and let him know your concerns."

 

For rural architects, said David Macharola, president of the AIA Middle Chapter in Altoona and an attendee at several Architects Days, the occasion is a chance to discuss local issues in rural areas that legislators may be unaware of.

 

"The opportunity to be advocates for architecture doesn't happen every day," said Macharola. He noted the opportunity also allows for relationship-building, which is beneficial. "You never know when you're going to need your representative's help."

 

Another 2011 Government Award recipient, state Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) said, "There is no substitute for direct interaction. ... Pennsylvania's construction industry begins with architects and their insights shed light on new innovations and what we can expect in the future."

 

Even for emerging architect professionals like Melissa Bernstein, who has attended several Architect Days in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., to visit lawmakers and their staff has been an insightful experience.

 

"It's a good opportunity to see how the office operates and functions," she said. "The first office you step into it's made pretty clear pretty quickly that you can talk to anyone. It's not intimidating."