The Best Hard Times

Everyone has been touched by today’s Great Recession. Many of our members, colleagues, friends and neighbors are unemployed or under-employed. While there are signs of recovery, the halcyon days before the past two years are, for most, a fading memory.

By definition, hard times are difficult. Opportunities are fewer and further between. Competition for what few opportunities still exist is fierce. Unfortunately, for many their response is one of wait-and-see or even resentful blame placed on… (fill in the blank with your favorite economic goblin). Not that there isn’t enough blame to go around, but even in slow times, inaction breeds inaction.

Some time ago, I enjoyed reading Timothy Egan’s The Worst Hard Time, an excellent history of the Great Dust Bowl; clearly appropriate reading in today’s time of economic crisis and looming climate change. Without vigilance, history does repeat itself. However, despite the stories of drought and suffering, I left the book reflecting on the important changes that those long-ago period brought us--improved stewardship of the land and economy, social protections, and engagement, to name a few.

Each hard time is an opportunity and today is no exception. In fact, for architecture and the broader rubric of design and the operative arts, hard times are best times. With reduced pecuniary opportunities, this is a time to reflect, to sharpen skills and acumen, time to consider and re-consider our responsibility not only to our clients and patrons, but to each other as colleagues and to society. If we can honestly assess our strengths and weaknesses, and if we endeavor to understand what might be next, we might re-invent our professional response to emerging challenges. This is basis for opportunity. Those who take this opportunity will position themselves for the turnaround and make the best of hard times. Those who don’t will be left behind.

Today, AIA Dallas is uniquely positioned to embrace this opportunity for re-invention. Our young members are starting new firms that look to broader models of networked collaboration. Our older members are cultivating new skills and building new relationships. Our members are engaged with volunteer activities that make a direct contribution to our city--increasing the visibility and relevance of our profession to underserved communities. Together, we can make these hard times the best times.

David Zatopek, AIA
2011 AIA Dallas President