SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL NEEDS

摘要

To survive in these harsh times, practices need to be flexible and adaptable so the innate skills of architects can be focused on other project types. The paradox is that we need both to specialise and remain generalists. I am personally inclined to resist specialisation if the accreditation processes exclude me getting on lists, say to design a library, unless I can provide evidence that I've done one before, or to secure funding from English Heritage if I'm not registered with either the Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC), or the new RIBA Conservation Register. I studied the Architectural Association post graduate conservation course and have many years'experience in caring for important listed buildings, and yet I have not felt inclined to get 'accredited'as a specialist, relying instead on my own reputation as an architect.