A POSITION STATEMENT BY ARCH KARNLEY / FRONTPAGE NEWS PAPER MAY 2020
The Nation continues to see numerous projects like these springing up or being publicized by individuals and organizations with political interest, under the disguise of development contributions and concerns for the people and the Country, but at the detriment of a cohesive development agenda, and an urban and infrastructure policy, taking advantage of an illiterate population that do not understand the difference between a house and a building or a kitchen and a service space, a population who would celebrate anything that comes in the name of development because of poverty. Liberia will remain the least developed if this continues in this direction; What is more frustrating is the fact that the initiating partners of said projects, who are supposedly educated and are widely traveled behave in the opposite manner, pertinent to project delivery, as true patriotism is betrayed and the least Wisdom inapplicable in the planning of projects, in absence of an enforcement, implementing and monitoring system, some of which are the Procurement sections, who could do better by involving the LIA;
It is about time the whole Nation understands, since our Government will not make this unequivocally relevant by backing and enacting laws for this industry, it is time the people know that the first step for building a house or a building is to consult an ARCHITECT. It is time that people understand the difference between an Architect and an Engineer. Engineers are not Architects, It is time that people understand that a Draftsman is not an Architect. In fact, Architecture is not “drawings”. Architects are specialized trained individuals in the analysis, Design, and specifications of space, buildings, and the environment considering the factors of nature, science, engineering, philosophy and arts. An Architect develops a system of planning that allows how human and nature evolve around space from concept to reality considering many factors outside of the drawing table. A lot goes into preparing to be an architect, commencing from an accredited college degree.
Therefore, moving forward to getting our country’s infrastructure more contemporary, in a modern and post-modern era, posted projects need to meet tectonics, aesthetics, functionality, context, typology, fluidity and budgetary requirements, with safety and health as paramount importance as well. Architects role are very critical in policy decisions that are impacted by disasters such as COVID-19, in terms of space planning, circulation, technology, hardware, etc.
Today there are nearly twenty eight trained Architects, by international standards in Liberia. The Liberian Institute of Architects (LIA) is the Professional embodiment of all qualified Architects who should be operating in Liberia. Although a member of the Six-men Zoning Council, a Board member of the EPA, and the Professional body recognized by MPW for qualifying Architects, the LIA looks forward to legislating the word “Architect”, as a solution to the urban infrastructure demise. We plead with you for our Country’s sake, the next time you wish to help your people or your constituents, or score political points by developing facilities, allow an LIA member to illuminate your vision; and this goes to the entire citizenry, You can easily ask the Ministry of Public Works, the Association of Liberian Contractors (ALCC) or the LIA for a list of Actual Architects to produce comprehensive required work, if such job requires civil engineering input in the event of Bridges, Roads, etc., you will be directed appropriately.
The LIA will continue to take exceptions, publicly denounce, disassociate itself, critique, and engage in diverse manners concerning the continuous abuse of our profession, to avoid the downward trend of mediocre development.
Thanks,
From the
Liberian Institute of Architects (LIA)
Elijah B. Karnley M.Pa, M.Pm, B.Arch, BSc.
The Secretary General
05/26/2020
