Over the past month I have contacted any friends or acquaintances I could think of that were working in the architectural field. Almost all were unemployed, as each told his or her story, it became evident that when firms cut back to react to declining billable work, Seniority played a major role in who stayed and who went. Often people told me that youth was lost and aged were spared. All felt that this was counter-productive to the overall health of the firm. Many felt that due to the changing technologies, many of the older Architects left kept in service do not possess the newer L.E.E.D. credentials that are quickly becoming a staple certification. I spoke of the importance of how L.E.E.D.'s role in Architecture is becoming far more important than anyone could have ever imagined when it was created. when our profession begins to move forward again I hope that the role of the employees will be examined and decided with an eye to the future and how our industry is greeting that future.
