Is Richard Gage breaching the AIA Code of Ethics & Bylaws?

[Orphia Nay]

Richard Gage loves to brag about being a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Is he living up to their expectations of him as a member?

Should he be reported?

http://www.aia.org/about/ethicsandbylaws/index.htm#P20_4370

Our Goal

With nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA serves as the voice of the architecture profession and the resource for our members in service to society. (View the AIA 2010-2015 Strategic Plan and the AIA Strategic Plan Toolkit.)

We carry out our goal through advocacy, information, and community. Each year the AIA

• Sponsors hundreds of continuing education experiences to help architects maintain their licensure
• Sets the industry standard in contract documents with more than 100 forms and contracts used in the design and construction industry
• Provides countless Web-based resources for emerging architecture professionals
• Conducts market research and provides analysis of the economic factors that affect the business of architecture
• Hosts the annual AIA National Convention and Design Exposition
• Serves as an advocate of the architecture profession
• Champions architects’ future by enhancing public belief in the value of design
• Promotes design excellence and outstanding professional achievement through an awards program

The Code:

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiap074122.pdf

Plenty in there to think about.

I'm not saying I know he's in breach for certain.

Others who are more architecturally knowledgeable might be able to help out with this question.

 

[Animal]

Richard Gage loves to brag about being a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Is he living up to their expectations of him as a member?

Should he be reported?

http://www.aia.org/about/ethicsandbylaws/index.htm#P20_4370



The Code:

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiap074122.pdf

Plenty in there to think about.

I'm not saying I know he's in breach for certain.

Others who are more architecturally knowledgeable might be able to help out with this question.

I am sure the AIA could do something if they wanted to, but they need the members $$$.

I personally do not belong to the AIA because in my view, they are not advocates for the profession, rather they are advocates for themselves and the political beliefs of their little "good ole boys club" I would not mind seeing the AIA tarnished by its "association" with Gage

 

[Scott Sommers]

While I strongly support dealing with Gage as vigorously as possible, I don't think the AIA will do anything about this.

I had a look at the AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct. It appears quite different from say a medical association. It is much more concerned with the business practices of architects than it is with the use of appropriate knowledge. The only parts that seem relevant to me could be these,

Rule 1.101 In practicing architecture, Members shall demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care and competence, and shall apply the
technical knowledge and skill which is ordinarily applied by architects
of good standing practicing in the same locality.
Commentary: By requiring a “consistent pattern” of adherence to the common law standard of competence, this rule allows for discipline of a Member who more than infrequently does not achieve that standard. Isolated instances of minor lapses would not provide the basis for discipline.

Rule 4.201 Members shall not make misleading, deceptive, or false statements
or claims about their professional qualifications, experience, or
performance and shall accurately state the scope and nature of their
responsibilities in connection with work for which they are claiming
credit.
Commentary: This rule is meant to prevent Members from claiming or implying
credit for work which they did not do, misleading others, and denying other
participants in a project their proper share of credit.

I initiated a campaign to write officials of the University of Lethbridge about their professor Tony Hall and his promotion of conspiracy theory. They were not very cooperative. On the other hand, it was useful in making sure they knew that Tony was promoting publication in Holocaust denial venues. One of his students had received an award for work published in Veteran's Today. Shortly after I began this campaign, the President of the school withdrew the award.

It's hard to say where these things can lead to. Complaining about incompetent professionals can never be a bad thing.

 

[fourtoe]

I am sure the AIA could do something if they wanted to, but they need the members $$$.

I personally do not belong to the AIA because in my view, they are not advocates for the profession, rather they are advocates for themselves and the political beliefs of their little "good ole boys club" I would not mind seeing the AIA tarnished by its "association" with Gage

It seems like they are adamant about not being associated with Gage. They made him take off the AIA logo from ae911t.org AND apparently on Gage's world tour he rented some AIA rooms and DGM called up the people at AIA to ask if they are hosting Gage's events and they told him no, and more!

An idear I just had is asking the AIA if they endorse all the safety regulations suggested by NIST because Gage says that he does not endorse those safety regulations. Has this been asked already?

 

[Animal]

While I strongly support dealing with Gage as vigorously as possible, I don't think the AIA will do anything about this.

I had a look at the AIA Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct. It appears quite different from say a medical association. It is much more concerned with the business practices of architects than it is with the use of appropriate knowledge. The only parts that seem relevant to me could be these,





I initiated a campaign to write officials of the University of Lethbridge about their professor Tony Hall and his promotion of conspiracy theory. They were not very cooperative. On the other hand, it was useful in making sure they knew that Tony was promoting publication in Holocaust denial venues. One of his students had received an award for work published in Veteran's Today. Shortly after I began this campaign, the President of the school withdrew the award.

It's hard to say where these things can lead to. Complaining about incompetent professionals can never be a bad thing.

All one needs to read is the bit about "sustainable design" to see where the mindset of the AIA is. (Not necessarily what is the best interest of the client)

Belonging to the AIA is just a matter of paying dues. They can keep Gage.

(I will stop sidetracking the thread now)

 

[Scott Sommers]

The AIA will only do something about him when they think they have to. I suggest something even stronger. I'm not sure the best way to do this, but some public statement or article or broadcast pointing out how Gage continues to use his status as an architect to promote his ideas. It needs to reach people who do not currently know about him.

I wouldn't be worried about this backfiring. 9/11 stuff is pretty unpopular, even among the right. It's not going to fit into anyone's election agenda.

 

[Oystein]

The AIA, as a professional association, is not, and should not be, in the business of regulating what their members do when they are not working as architects. Gage is promoting woo, he is not designing buildings. As far as we know, he is not making outlandishly false statements about his qualifications, and is not offering his architectural services in connection with woo-peddling. So AIA is best advised not to voice an opinion, or interfere.

 

[Orphia Nay]

The first link I posted gives an outline of how to issue a Complaint to the AIA.

If we had enough evidence perhaps we could compile one.

The evidence needs to be breaches that have happened within the past 12 months.

 

[Scott Sommers]

The AIA, as a professional association, is not, and should not be, in the business of regulating what their members do when they are not working as architects. Gage is promoting woo, he is not designing buildings. As far as we know, he is not making outlandishly false statements about his qualifications, and is not offering his architectural services in connection with woo-peddling. So AIA is best advised not to voice an opinion, or interfere.

This will assuredly be their position on the matter. Gage is using his status as an architect to promote crazy ideas about buildings and fires. I am a licensed university faculty member in Taiwan. If I commit an indictable offense, I can loose my license. Those committed of crimes against children should not be able to teach in public schools. The issue here is whether Gage's activities are a private matter or are related to his status as an architect. He and others seem to believe his status is crucial to his statements.

It is my impression of the AIA that they are more concerned with the business practices of architects and making sure that corruption does not control the direction of architect advice.

I do support the idea of complaint, not because I think it will make a difference. But I do think the AIA should know there are people watching the situation trying very hard to blame them for allowing Gage to continue his charade.

 

[Orphia Nay]

Gage pimps his AIA membership alongside his truther garbage:

From the home page of AE911Truth today:

"AE911Truth is proud to announce the completion of the Final Edition of our milestone documentary, 9/11: Explosive Evidence – Experts Speak Out, and we are taking the film on the road with a whirlwind World Premiere Tour across the U.S., starting on May 21. The director of Experts Speak Out, AE911Truth founder Richard Gage, AIA, will personally introduce this groundbreaking film at top venues in 30 cities nationwide and take questions from the audience after each screening."


"AE911Truth is dedicated to educating people from all walks of life about the explosive destruction of the WTC skyscrapers, and this mission has enlightened a variety of faith communities. Founder Richard Gage, AIA, and the AE911Truth Presenter Team have reached out to churches, mosques and Jewish groups with the goal of bringing people of all religions together in support of a real 9/11 investigation – and you could be the catalyst for the next breakthrough."


"A new and remarkably effective AE911Truth letter is ready for your use to introduce the most compelling evidence of the WTC controlled demolition to VIPs, associates and friends. It is now available for download in .PDF format as well as .doc format on our website. Signed by AE911Truth founder Richard Gage, AIA, this letter concisely presents the key facts in a compelling short-form manner."


"The recent AE911Truth tour of Arizona brought Richard Gage, AIA, to the Phoenix metro area to educate audiences about the controlled demolition of the WTC skyscrapers on September 11, 2001, and it was a resounding success."


"As part of the vital mission of AE911Truth, Richard Gage, AIA, is traveling to our great northern neighbor, Canada, on an eleven-stop speaking tour immediately following his tour of Arizona. Gage will be presenting the explosive 9/11 evidence to concerned citizens across Canada in March and April in conjunction with a campaign to submit a petition demanding an official review of the World Trade Center catastrophe to the Canadian Parliament."


Also, every time his name is mentioned, he puts AIA after it.

How is this obeying the Code, specifically:

CANON I – General Obligations
Members should maintain and advance their knowledge of the art and science of architecture, respect the body of architectural accomplishment, contribute to its growth, thoughtfully consider the social and environmental impact of their professional activities, and exercise learned and uncompromised professional judgment.

CANON IV – Obligations to the Profession
Members should uphold the integrity and dignity of the profession.

 

[triforcharity]

The AIA, as a professional association, is not, and should not be, in the business of regulating what their members do when they are not working as architects. Gage is promoting woo, he is not designing buildings. As far as we know, he is not making outlandishly false statements about his qualifications, and is not offering his architectural services in connection with woo-peddling. So AIA is best advised not to voice an opinion, or interfere.

I agree with this actually.

Should the AMA not allow a person who supports abortion to be a part of their group? No.

Just because someone has some cravy, asinine viewpoint, doesn't mean they need to step in and say something.

The AIA has already done what they should have. Denounce his views as not being supported by them, and request the AIA logo be removed.

JMHO.

 

[Scott Sommers]

I agree with this actually.

Should the AMA not allow a person who supports abortion to be a part of their group? No.

Just because someone has some cravy, asinine viewpoint, doesn't mean they need to step in and say something.

The AIA has already done what they should have. Denounce his views as not being supported by them, and request the AIA logo be removed.

JMHO.

You appear to be confusing licensing with professional association. In fact, most doctors do not belong to the AMA and there are medical associations that oppose abortion. Ron & Rand Paul are members of the American Association of Physicians & Surgeons. The AMA does refuse membership to many licensed doctors because of beliefs they have. Usually these beliefs correspond with laws and statutes regarding medical practice. For example, there are doctors who believe drug addiction should be treated with liberal doses of drugs. This is illegal in the USA.

But actually, the AMA and the AIA are merely clubs with special monopoly power granted by The State. They are not different from unions and in many ways have less power to police relevant licensed professionals that perhaps the firefighter association I presume you belong to.The AIA can refuse membership to whomever they wish for whatever reason they feel violates professional practice. They may have to defend it in court, but that's a different matter.

Should a practicing doctor be able to do anything they want in their free time? Practice S&M? Have sex with children? Surely just surfing the kiddie porn sites should be OK? And I bet you can't advocate much of this and belong to the AM, either.

Should a science teacher belong to a Creation Science group? Of course not, and we would let them teach only as long they don't talk about their personal beliefs as a practicing teacher. Gage has forfeit the protection of Freedom of Speech by claiming his understanding of what happened on 9/11 comes from his professional training. He is incompetent. He should loose his licence as an architect.

 

[Newtons Bit]

And Scott beat me to it. AIA is just a professional organization for Architects. An architecture license is granted by the State. While one has to be an architect to be a full member of the AIA, one does not have to be a member of AIA to be a licensed architect.

Short of a felony conviction for something like fraud, Gage can't lose his architectural license over this.

 

[Scott Sommers]

And Scott beat me to it. AIA is just a professional organization for Architects. An architecture license is granted by the State. While one has to be an architect to be a full member of the AIA, one does not have to be a member of AIA to be a licensed architect.

Short of a felony conviction for something like fraud, Gage can't lose his architectural license over this.

Of course he can't. And it's probably better than architects and others are not tried by my standards, but I do think he must be incompetent. Yes, I have been told that Dick is probably fine for designing things like the interior decor of an office or the facade of a bank, but the license grants more power than that, if someone is willing to hire you.

But in fact, the link that Orphia gave us seems to be dealing with financial irregularities short of fraud. This seems to be the concern of the AIA and not whether their members believe buildings are indestructible or that momentum is not important.

 

[beachnut]

Would be neat if the AIA could bring sanctions against someone spreading lies and nonsense. The AIA is like the BBB, a buddy club in some cases. When you complain to the BBB, you find out they are buddies, and your claims goes into the bit bucket, and they cover up the complaint - in some cases. When I first saw Gage's delusional presentations, I complained to the AIA, but found his buddies were in AIA, some signed up for his madness. You go to turn in the bank robbers and find out they are the police... With Gage's 400,000 dollar a year budget, who in AIA is going to turn down a big business dinner at Outback, and talk bad about Gage? Money talks, and Gage has bucks from fools, 400,000 plus.

Money is the key. When I have a problem of fraud with someone, I pass it on to the insurance companies, and the business ends up closed, gone, busted (when the fraud is wide spread, or a major mistake). When businesses cover-up errors and prefer to pass on the cost to the car company, like Toyota, I tell Toyota they are double billing them and insurance. Let the money take care of the problems. Gage is not a problem, except to fools who do not know better to let their money go to a failed cause, a non-cause.

I think Gage is breaching ethics; he is only hurting those too stupid to know they have been taken. His presentation would be excellent torture to rational people.

 

[triforcharity]

You appear to be confusing licensing with professional association.

No, I understand the AIA is basically just a club. Just as the AMA is basically just a club.

In fact, most doctors do not belong to the AMA and there are medical associations that oppose abortion. Ron & Rand Paul are members of the American Association of Physicians & Surgeons.

Humm.....surprising. I figured it would be exactly opposite.

The AMA does refuse membership to many licensed doctors because of beliefs they have. Usually these beliefs correspond with laws and statutes regarding medical practice. For example, there are doctors who believe drug addiction should be treated with liberal doses of drugs. This is illegal in the USA.

I've hilited a major difference between what Gage does, and what my example tried to convey. Gage isn't breaking any laws. But, I understand what you're saying. Maybe abortion was a bad example?

But actually, the AMA and the AIA are merely clubs with special monopoly power granted by The State. They are not different from unions and in many ways have less power to police relevant licensed professionals that perhaps the firefighter association I presume you belong to.

I do. Yeah, the IAFF has very strict rules on membership. They can revoke your membership if something you do violates their Code of Conduct. While this of course doesn't revoke a firefighter's certification, is does look bad. But, most of the IAFF CoC rules deal with breaking the law, incompetence, etc.

So, maybe I might have to alter my opinion. It's clearly obvious that Gage is incompetent, so....

The AIA can refuse membership to whomever they wish for whatever reason they feel violates professional practice. They may have to defend it in court, but that's a different matter.

I don't think they'd have to defend it in court. They are a private orginization, and as such, can refuse membership to anyone, for any reason, other than those that are protected. Race, color, nationality, religion, etc.

But, IANAL, so I could be wrong...

Should a practicing doctor be able to do anything they want in their free time? Practice S&M? Have sex with children? Surely just surfing the kiddie porn sites should be OK? And I bet you can't advocate much of this and belong to the AM, either.

Should a doctor be allowed to practice S&M? Sure. While, IMO, weird, not illegal. The rest are not only morally wrong, but legally also. So, that might be a bad example.

Should a science teacher belong to a Creation Science group? Of course not, and we would let them teach only as long they don't talk about their personal beliefs as a practicing teacher. Gage has forfeit the protection of Freedom of Speech by claiming his understanding of what happened on 9/11 comes from his professional training. He is incompetent. He should loose his licence as an architect.

I might agree with that. Gage has in fact shown that he is at minimum incompetent, so maybe the State of __________ wherever he is licensed should be contacted. I agree with that.

 

[Seymour Butz]

And Scott beat me to it. AIA is just a professional organization for Architects. An architecture license is granted by the State. While one has to be an architect to be a full member of the AIA, one does not have to be a member of AIA to be a licensed architect.

Short of a felony conviction for something like fraud, Gage can't lose his architectural license over this.

I think I remember reading that engineers are held to higher standards?

Something about reassuring the public?

 

[LSSBB]

I think I remember reading that engineers are held to higher standards?

Something about reassuring the public?

Architects are not necessarily engineers.

 

[JayUtah]

Architects are not necessarily engineers.

Architects are never engineers unless they are separately certified as such. And in fact, structural engineering requires a separate exam and license over and above professional engineering.

 

[chrismohr]

I'll just pop in and say that free speech should be respected. I wouldn't complain to AIA about Gage because of his beliefs, because I want to win in the debate, not by yanking his credentials and making him a low-level martyr. Nothing else is gained by pushing this line of thinking, in my opinion.