RAMIREZ, JR JAMES M.

2013-10598

Questions/topics assigned:

1. A close friend who helped you in the past is currently in a financial crisis and
asked you to design at a very low price. What would you do? (Setting boundaries)

2. You are part of an architectural firm where receiving bribes/making kickbacks is

a norm. Your workmates are encouraging you to do the same. What would you do?
(Do as Romans do)

Setting Boundaries

Its no written rule but a quite universal practice to payback to someone you owe, be
it a tangible or intangible aspect. Helping back is not only the equal counter of the
value or good deed that someone has done for you but is also something that would
make you feel really good. What more if the reciprocal of action is a close friend.

However, given this rule is written only within walls of human social connections,
where and when do you get to set the boundaries and limitations to this? Should it
ever even cross the line of Profession?. We asked the opinions of the following
architects to give us their views on the question of:

A close friend who helped you in the past is currently in a financial crisis and asked
you to design at a very low price. What would you do?

1. Architect Andrea Salazar- owns her own firm

2. Architect Gerard Garcia works on a private architectural firm

Architect Andrea: Ill probably give him a bit of discount, yeah

Interviewer: Why?

Architect Andrea: Why not right? Besides, its nothing but, money. In addition, if he
really deserves it then, let him have his way.

Architect Gerard: Definitely no, I dont disregard his help but I can probably help
him in some other ways
Interviewer: And architectural service is not one of those ways?

Architect Gerard: Yes, profession aspect is not one of those ways, its a completely
different world and mixing them up would just end to no good. You know what I
personally believe that different life aspects should be left separate with one another
in order to keep harmony. In addition, possible complications are not only directed
towards me.

The two subjects have two completely opposite perspective with this matter, despite
that, analyzing their individual statements, it can be observed that the two may have
a different response but both have taken consideration the good of other people
rather themselves. Architect Andrea towards the friend and Architect Gerard respect
to co-workers. The idea of a discount is also very subjective in nature, as it can be
seen the contrast of Architect Gerards belief. This difference of approach might be
attributed to their background guided with different experiences which are all
different to all people.

There is no standard of boundaries when it comes to paying back to people or giving

a discount for that matter, it is you who draw and set those limitations, based upon
your subjective priorities and beliefs. As for the setup of architecture, there are a lot
of things that need to be considered before giving such decisions, with public domain
as the main one concern and the succeeding hierarchy as minor ones.
 Do as Romans do

Do as Romans do This is a very popular saying, stating to follow the customs of a

foreign area to be able to blend up. Easy as it may sound but if translated in other
terms such as in a way of going with the flow of particular different belief its kinda
hard. For instance in situational translation related to architecture: You are part of
an architectural firm where receiving bribes/making kickbacks is a norm. Your
workmates are encouraging you to do the same. What would you do? . This would
be a sure moral dilemma for everyone unless youre up with bribes and kickback.
Your inner peace would be disturbed once be pressured in this type of situation, with
your conscience inside you asking: Could you do as Romans do?

Personally, Im against kickbacks and such, why is that if you may ask? Well simply
because its wrong and my conscience wouldnt be able to carry that feeling of
burden. Still, I cant deny the importance of having a uniform belief with coworkers.
Going against the belief of the majority of any social organizations, like groups and
friendships inside a company is considered a suicide.

But to be honest Id rather die once than die a hundred times with my own self-killing
me with guilt. Who wants prolonged torture anyways?

And who says I cant be any other else but a Roman?