Join us for a special extended and in-person Residential Architecture Committee, 11:30 am–1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 5, at International Market Square! This month’s meeting will include review of the Homes by Architects Tour and a vote on changing the committee name to Minnesota Custom Residential Architect Network (CRAN). See below for summaries of the name-change discussion thus far to come prepared to vote!
Lunch will be provided, sponsored by Cambria! We will kick the meeting off at 11:30 am at Cambria’s showroom in International Market Square to see the showroom and pick up lunches. Please register in advance so we can have an accurate lunch count.
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Committee Name Change Context
At the Tuesday, May 5 committee meeting, we will vote on changing the committee’s name to Minnesota Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN). To prepare for this vote, please read the following summaries of our discussion thus far.
Context
The Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) is an AIA Knowledge Community that our state committee is already a chapter of. CRAN® is the leading resource and voice for architects who focus on collaborative design with homeowners. It provides support, advocacy, and education for custom residential projects and professional development for its members, including hosting an annual symposium in a different city each year (description pulled from CRAN website). AIA members can log in and learn more here.
For Changing the Name
Renaming the committee will more clearly align our group with the national CRAN, making it immediately evident that this committee is an active chapter. Today, there is confusion about whether we are associated with CRAN. Changing the name may help members become more connected with the national network of practitioners, education, and events.
The acronym “CRAN” is also very concise, while “Residential Architecture Committee” does not have a shortened version. Additionally, the majority of other CRAN chapters across the country already use the format “Minnesota CRAN” for their names.
For Keeping the Name
The acronym “CRAN” alone is not self-explanatory. “Residential Architecture Committee” makes it immediately clear what this committee is about and who it is for—both for those without prior knowledge of CRAN and for those outside of AIA.
We already promote CRAN resources and events with our current committee name. It is not a prerequisite to refer to oneself as “CRAN” to do so.
Some members also noted that they feel that the term “custom residential”—while accurate in that it refers to single-family residential for specific clients—carries the implication of very high-end and large-budget projects, which does not represent all AIA Minnesota residential practitioners. “Residential architect” feels more inclusive to those whose clients are middle-class or have lower budgets.