Architect + Designer Catalog Development Kick-off Meeting Summary
Thank you to all who attended yesterday’s Catalog Development Kickoff Zoom Meeting. This is an important milestone in the Foundation’s short history, as it marks the first step in making the catalog concept a reality. If you missed the meeting, we’ve included a link to the recording below.
Access the Zoom meeting recording here
Zoom Passcode: 28U@RqkH
The next step for each of you to participate in the design process is to fill out our Volunteer Designer Intake Form. This will give us an idea of your interest, availability, and a bit about you as a designer.
Our first call to action is for “concept design brochures,” including a plan, an image, and a brief description of your design. See an example of what we have in mind below.
Our team will review intake form entries and email individual style, size, and lot arrangement requests to each designer based on your interest and our survey of need in the neighborhood. Those assignments will be made as early as today 3/26 if we have your survey responses in hand.
We request completed concept brochures by Monday, April 14. This first round of conceptual designs will be used to first solicit feedback from the community at an event planned for late April, as well as kick off the next phase of the design and documentation process.
Concept Design Q&A
Will volunteer designers and other professionals be credited for their contributions?
Absolutely. While The Foothill Catalog Foundation will maintain responsible ownership of the designs, every contributor will be acknowledged as a designer or design architect on the materials they produce. Recognizing the work of design professionals, especially those who contributed to the community in a time of need, is a top priority for the Foundation.
What role will designers, engineers, and other consultants play during the design phase?
The Foothill Catalog Foundation will assume the role of Architect of Record to allow for the flexibility of contributors to provide what they are willing, and remove the risk for long-term exposure. The Foundation will carry all necessary insurance policies (professional liability, errors and omissions, etc.) to function in this capacity. In the design phase, the Foothill Catalog will be managing the development of drawings and the various contributions of volunteer designers. Once a home design is selected by a property owner, the Foothill Catalog will grant license to the homeowner and the builder to use the drawings to construct the home. The property owner will be contracted directly with builder as is typical.
Will the Foothill Catalog Foundation provide compensation for design services?
At this time, contributions from participating architects and designers are pro bono. Pro bono work in disaster recovery does not replace paid opportunities but fills critical gaps where immediate assistance is needed, often before traditional funding becomes available.
Why should architects and designers consider pro bono work?
In the current disaster recovery effort, many professionals, including architects, are looking for opportunities to contribute to disaster relief. The Foothill Catalog Foundation’s current model is to provide pro bono architectural services in response to this tragedy, in alignment with the values and recommendations of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA encourages architects to use their expertise in service to society, particularly in times of crisis, as a way to uphold the profession’s highest aspirations.
While we recognize that not all architects are in a position to donate their services, many choose to do so as a way to give back—just as professionals in law, medicine, and engineering often contribute their skills in disaster relief. Our organization is specifically structured to protect architects from liability, allowing them to engage in charitable contributions without undue risk.
It should also be noted that the Foothill Catalog Foundation welcomes architects and designers to contribute any amount of their time and expertise – as much or as little as you are willing and able to give.
Questions or Feedback?
We look forward to getting to know you and working together in this effort. If you have follow up questions about the catalog creation process or any feedback for our team, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@foothillcatalog.org.
This is a new and evolving process and we look to you to help us make the Foothill Catalog Foundation as valuable a resource to our community as possible.