Statement of American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter President Bruce D. Turner regarding the New Jersey Inspector General's report on school construction, as it appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

"Quality of design and the creation of cost efficient, effective educational environments within that design has always been a top priority of the New Jersey Institute of Architects and the American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter (AIA-NJ). Several of our member architects are currently contracted by the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) to design and build schools that are not merely buildings but rather dynamic learning environments, capable of catering to the needs of students for years to come.

However, the call by the Inspector General (IG) to have architects give up ownership of design documents is disheartening and, from a professional perspective, disturbing. Ownership of design documents by architects is an industry standard for all building types, schools - both SCC and non-SCC - included. This practice is followed to protect the architects' intellectual property and rights. The fact that the IG wants to change this practice begs the question of why the IG wants the SCC to own the documents in the first place, when the SCC already has access through their architects. The prototype design or 'box school' argument does not hold water because, even if the IG's office or the SCC owned the designs for a particular school, they would still need to receive sign off from the original architect before being able to use or modify the design for use in a new site.

Each AIA-NJ architect working on an SCC project comes from a list of prequalified candidates who were given the opportunity to bid on an SCC project based on their ability and expertise in design for that specific project. Every architect working on an SCC project with the letters A-I-A after their name represents the gold standard of architecture both in New Jersey and across the country and is reflected in the quality of their work. To date, AIA-NJ members have created several very well designed learning environments from scratch or within existing schools to help improve the educational opportunities of New Jersey's children.

Every AIA-NJ architect is absolutely committed to providing the best possible learning environment for the SCC, on time and on budget. To supply anything less would be both unprofessional and unbefitting the high standards of the AIA. We at AIA-NJ support the competent and ethical practice of architecture. Any cases of errors and omissions by architects must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, while these cases need individual attention, AIA-NJ decries frivolous lawsuits where assumptions or unrealistic expectations turn into charges of incompetence or errors on the part of architects.

AIA-NJ shares the State Inspector General's belief that every State resource dedicated to school construction needs to be spent wisely and properly on the worthy goal of increasing New Jersey's educational environment."

Letter to the Editor from American Institute of Architects, New Jersey Chapter President Bruce D. Turner regarding the New Jersey Inspector General's report on school construction, as it appeared in the Courier News:

To the Editor:

In recent weeks, a number of stories have been published surrounding the financial woes of the NJ Schools Construction Corporation (SCC). All articles paint a dire picture for the SCC - running out of state funds by 2006 - barely half way to their mandated construction goal. Among the reasons given for the SCC treasury running dry is the statement that "Architects on SCC projects are paid almost double the industry standard." This statement, by itself, would seem to vilify architects. However, this statement is largely inaccurate and incomplete.

Chief among the inaccuracies is insisting that SCC and non- SCC projects be compared. Doing this is like comparing apples and oranges - it makes no sense. SCC run projects mandate that the architect include a host of services that are generally not included in a standard architectural contract.

Under an SCC run project, the architect is responsible for and must provide the costs of all permit fees, construction testing, soils testing, civil engineering, landscape design, Erate consulting, acoustical design, cost estimating and environmental assessment during the course of the project. All of these services are in addition to the normal scope of services provided by an architect on most projects, SCC or otherwise.

With a non-SCC or 'standard' project, most of the expanded services noted above are provided by independent consultants who are hired and paid directly by the client. Since the architect is not responsible for these services in a 'standard' project, the cost of these services is not included in the architect's fee, which results in the perceived lower fees for a 'standard' project.

Simply put, architects are required to provide a much broader scope of services on an SCC project, which gives the appearance of higher fees. In truth, only the distribution of costs is changed; the total cost of the services provided is not substantially different.

Architects are honored to provide the highest level of service to the School Construction Corporation. Communities are benefiting with the creation of high quality learning environments that foster the growth of students across New Jersey for decades to come. We are proud of these projects and we look forward to continuing to make a difference in the schools of tomorrow.

Bruce D. Turner, AIA
AIANJ President

A Letter To NJ Veterans Affairs

New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 340
Trenton, NJ 08625-0340

To: New Jersey Veterans Affairs;
World War II Memorial Commission

Attn: Mr. Jack McGreevey, Chairman
COL. (Ret) Stephen G. Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs

It has recently been brought to our attention that the State of New Jersey has embarked on a once in a lifetime endeavor to commemorate and honor those members of the greatest generation who served our country so nobly in the second world war. On behalf of the architects of the New Jersey Chapter of The American Institute of Architects (AIA New Jersey) and the planners of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association (NJAPA), we wish to support the efforts of all involved in this inspirational project. Once completed, we hope that this will be a project that will make all New Jerseyans proud.

We would be remiss however, if we did not make note of a major issue concerning the current design of this memorial. Specifically, we are referring to the fact that the main axis and focal point of the memorial is not aligned with the entrance portico and dome of the Statehouse. Furthermore, the continuation of this axis to the North, toward the State Office Building does not align with the Capital Street entrance of that building. These issues are not readily apparent in the renderings presented on the memorial website. But, upon closer scrutiny of the images in the photo gallery and a visit to the proposed site by Bruce D. Turner, AIA, the off-centered design becomes abundantly clear and distressing. Therefore, we strongly suggest that the New Jersey World War II Memorial Commission reconsider this issue and make the changes necessary to address the misalignment. Furthermore, we offer the resources of AIA New Jersey and NJAPA to assemble a peer review team and to assist in the evaluation of these changes as they are developed.

As elected representatives of both planning and design professionals, from both the public and private sectors, we are well aware that design changes can, at times, be very frustrating to an owner's representative and to the project designer. However, it is our opinion that these changes are always more easily accomplished, more cost effective and have the least impact on the project schedule when they are considered at the earliest stages of a project. The further a project develops, the more time and money is necessary to make changes. Typically, clients are advised that it is easier to make changes to paper than it is to make changes to the bricks and mortar. Therefore, we strongly urge the responsible parties for the New Jersey World War II Memorial at Veterans Park to reconsider this critical design issue now. If no corrective action is taken, many people will soon experience first hand this off-center design and begin asking questions. But, by that time, the cost and time necessary to correct the issue will be many times greater than it would be now. Or, if corrective action is not taken, the citizens of the great state of New Jersey will be saddled with a design far less than its potential. New Jersey does not have many truly memorable urban public spaces.We believe that when we create a new significant public space we should do everything we can to get it right. AIA-NJ and NJAPA would be honored to assist with this effort.

Sincerely,

Bruce D. Turner, AIA
President, AIA New Jersey

Carlos Rodrigues, AICP/P.P.
President, NJAPA