AIANY's What You Say and What They See: A Client Perspective on Winning Proposals

"What if you think you aren't qualified or its not your strength? Do you still submit an RFP or would it be better from the client's perspective to wait till another more appropriate assignment?

Last night at the Center for Architecture, I was able to catch the panel discussion, a lot was discussed but I'd like to comment on this question from the audience and the multiple choice is raises:

A. Yes absolutely respond! It's a numbers game, xEntries = A WIN

B. No, save time, time is money! In no way waste the busy clients' time or your own. You won't win something that is not your strength in this environment.

C. Be direct. Call the client. Check fit. Briefly describe where you see yourself as a firm and see if there is a potential opportunity.

So what did the esteemed panel suggest? C, which let's you do A, B and C - respond, save time and check fit! From that check in, one winning firm brought talent from another and executed the engagement together.

Remember, "clients also have a tough time selecting", the panel cautioned. "The drive to elimination begins immediately" so be conscious of that and don't hold back on your strengths for this or some other assignment i.e. "If you have gone to that museum, your whole life, say so!"

What You Say and What They See: A Client Perspective on Winning Proposals

Kirsten Sibilia, Associate AIA, Chief Marketing Officer, Dattner Architects*

Frances Halsband, FAIA, Principal, Kliment Halsband Architects,
Stephen Yablon, AIA, Principal, Stephen Yablon Architects,
Mark Gordon, AIA, Director for Design, NYU Strategic Assessment, Planning+Design;
Faith Rose, Design Liaison, NYC Department of Design + Construction.
*Moderator
http://bit.ly/aia-proposals

The AIANY posts webinars of many events held at the Center for Architecture so if you cannot attend in person you can still hear what was discussed. http://bit.ly/aia-ny;

You can kick-in to ARTfarm and beautify the Bronx

Growing an ARTFarm for the Bronx with AFHny

The site has moved from the friendly workshop of the Rebuilder's Source to directly adjacent to the Bronx Museum where volunteers moved onto the next phase of the art installation made possible through many hours of volunteer time from the city's architecture and design professional community by way of Architecture for Humanity and Dept of Transporation's grant for art installation. The following clips offer behind the scenes with workshop coordinator Rachel Resendiz and Annie Ledbury, volunteer coordinator as they assembled planters for installation. http://bit.ly/AFHnyStudio

Growing an ARTFarm for the Bronx with AFHny

Growing an ARTFarm for the Bronx with AFHny

ARTFarm + Bronx Museum Family Affair May 22

Hands On, Hands In - ARTFarm + The Bronx Museum

It has been difficult to imagine there will be art in this space. Its all cement and so steep. Logistics, insurance, the city meetings during the week when volunteers are working, proposals, meetings, CAD planning, presentations, costing, sourcing, location scouting, construction....its now just weeks away.

What began last Fall, when a group of three first looked at the Department of Transportation's proposed sites for artists' installations, at last looks like its going to happen...

“Now we have the community involvement, that was a key objective” said Victoria Obetoh, AFHny volunteer who involved the children in theARTFarm project coming to their neighborhood this summer.

Saturday's Bronx Museum's "Family Affair Happy Together” offered hands-on workshops where kids created their own flower pots and, together, painted the “accent” planters that will be installed in a few weeks.

“At first we had one child run up and work alone for some time, then the others joined and were assigned to their own quadrants" said Valeria Bianco who's images from the day along with Justin Taylor's site plan will soon be available.

"Family Affair is just one of multiple programs underway for arts education at the Bronx Museum" Lynn Pono, Program Manager, offered between breaths while supervising the different activities. “In the media lab, students are creating video and text publications right now."

An education guide of one of their programs, the Bronx Museum Teen Council interview of Tim Rollins and four members of K.O.S. (Kids of Survival) is available at www.bronxmuseum.org

For more information about ARTFarm and FlyNY coming this summer check AFHny's website http://bit.ly/AFHny

ARTFarm Vounteers*

Victoria Obetoh

Valeria Bianco

Shagun Singh

Raquel Resendiz

Little Wing Lee

Justin Taylor

Jenny Broutin

Jack Conviser

Hassan Karimi

*incomplete list

Memorial Day Weekend ARTFarm volunteers will be meeting at http://rebuilderssource.coop//content/view//34/44 .

To participate in ARTFarm or other AFHny events please contact Anne Ledbury at www.afhny.org