VSAIA

E Pluribus Unum
James P. Clark, AIA, Virginia Society AIA President

Imagine being the statue that crowns the U.S. Capitol.  Looking down, the houses of Congress appear unified.  Looking out and around, the geometry of L’Enfant’s plan is evident and reflects the beauty of the Golden Section.  More >>

2011 Design Awards Announced

The Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects honors 18 projects with Awards for Excellence in Architecture. More>>

ArchEx 2011 Registration Open

Registration for the mid-Atlantic’s largest conference and expo for architects is now open.  More>>

September CES Events

The Society is offering two continuing-education opportunities in September. Register for 2009 International Energy Conservation Code Fundamentals in Hampton or a Virginia Wall Bracing Class in Richmond. More>>

Call for Applications: Emerging Leaders in Architecture

The Virginia Society AIA is pleased to announce the call for applications for the 2012 class of Emerging Leaders in Architecture: An Honors Academy of the Virginia Society AIA. More>>

AIA Documents Free Through My NCARB

In cooperation with the AIA, NCARB is able to offer ARE candidates free access to key AIA documents for the purpose of preparing for the Construction Documents & Services division of the ARE. More>>

New ARE Exam Guides Released

NCARB has released new exam guides to include expanded information regarding the makeup of the multiple-choice sections of the Architect Registration Examination. More>>

Special Delivery

A new initiative to foster closer relationships between Society members and their elected state representatives shows promise for the future. More>>

September In the Firms

The Life and Times of an IDEA
James P. Clark, AIA, Virginia Society AIA President
Time is the test of a strong idea.  We like to pretend that we own an idea, but the best ideas are elusive.  They thrive on those who nourish them, and they are like healthy cells that grow and spread with speed and ease.  More >>

Center Announces Tour to Columbus
The Virginia Center for Architecture is pleased to offer an architectural pilgrimage to Columbus, Indiana. Called the “epicenter for brilliant innovation in architecture,” Columbus boasts more than 70 significant buildings and public artworks designed by a veritable “who’s who” of architectural superstars. Although based in Columbus, the tour will also branch out to explore the architectural treasures of Indianapolis and Cincinnati. More>>

Inform Editor Named
Former Executive Editor of AIArchitect, Douglas E. Gordon, Hon. AIA, has been named Editor-in-Chief of Inform Magazine.  A life-long resident of Virginia — including Fairfax, Montgomery, Alexandria, and Stafford counties — and a career-long writer and editor of architectural publications, Gordon brings a depth and breadth of understanding and appreciation to drive Inform and readinform.com forward in this rapidly unfolding century. More>>

AIA Offers ArchEx Scholarship
The 2011 AIA Knowledge Scholarship will fund a dedicated and knowledgeable person to attend a Knowledge Community fall conference in order to cover the event via social media, capture the content and deliver a variety of products to wider audiences during and after the conference. More>>

Commercial Sector Expected to Lead Industry Recovery
Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, AIA Chief Economist
An uneven economic recovery, hesitancy on the part of lenders to finance construction projects, the weak financial position of governments at all levels, and rising costs of key building material commodities are all conspiring to restrain a recovery in the nonresidential construction sector. More>>

Our Virginia Center for Architecture
A message from Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA, Executive Director
The team at the Virginia Center for Architecture is working diligently — and successfully — to stabilize our current financial position, offer expanded programming and outreach, and provide for the Center’s future security. More>>

Solving the Credit Crunch: A Member’s Perspective
As we survey the economic landscape in the summer of 2011, there is unfortunately nothing but bad news. As one business associate told me recently, “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it keeps coming from further and further away.” The chance of a double-dip recession increases with every passing hour. More>>

Citizen Architect Guidebook Available
Many of you have taken the time and expended the energy to be Citizen Architects.  For those of you who have wondered how to take this to another level, the AIA has developed the Citizen Architect Guidebook. More>>

DHCD Grant Opportunity: Industrial Revitalization Fund
Governor McDonnell recently announced a $3 million program to revitalize derelict commercial and industrial structures by providing local governments with grants to spark strategic private investment. The Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) will provide grants of up to $600,000, primarily in distressed communities, for construction projects aligned with local and regional economic development strategies. More>>

Six Ideas Selected for Washington Monument Competition
Six winners have been selected for the National Ideas Competition for the Washington Monument Grounds.  Images of the refined idea concepts will be revealed in late September when the public will be called upon to vote for a People’s Choice award. More>>

Dunay Collaborates on Women in Architecture Exhibition
When Virginia member Donna Dunay, FAIA, visited Japan in February, it seemed like a standard trip abroad for a busy academician. A professor and chair of the International Archive of Women in Architecture Center at Virginia Tech, she met with her counterparts with the Union of Women Architects Japan to finalize plans for summer exhibition and symposium in Tokyo highlighting the contributions of women architects to their field. More>>

McBride Elected President of the AUA
Virginia member Andrew S. McBride, AIA, University Architect at the University of Richmond, has been elected President of the National Association of University Architects (AUA).  More>>

Bradley Tapped for Detroit Fellowship
After a nationwide search to find and attract the best and the brightest, Detroit has tapped Réna Bradley Assoc. AIA, as one of its two-year Fellows.  She will be leaving her project coordinator’s position at HDR’s Alexandria office almost immediately to immerse herself in training by the Detroit Land Bank Authority as a community development project manager.  More>>

AIA Developing Database of Stalled Projects Suitable for Investor Financing
On June 29, the AIA announced that, within the coming months, it would make available to potential investors a database of stalled building projects nationwide that make economic sense, but which lack the financing to be completed. The AIA made the announcement at CGI America, the first conference of the Clinton Global Initiative solely dedicated to economic issues impacting the United States — and of which the AIA is a participating member. More>>

In the Firms
Find out news from firms around the state. More>>

Virginia member Andrew S. McBride, AIA, University Architect at the University of Richmond, has been elected President of the National Association of University Architects (AUA). 

The AUA is an organization of architectural professionals focused on the development and enhancement of university campuses.

Andrew will serve a one-year term after having served as an officer for 3 years.  The AUA is an international organization which hosts an annual conference at a different campus each year and its mission is to foster sharing of information and advancing professional excellence among peers.

After a nationwide search to find and attract the best and the brightest, Detroit has tapped Réna Bradley Assoc. AIA, as one of its two-year Fellows.  She will be leaving her project coordinator’s position at HDR’s Alexandria office almost immediately to immerse herself in training by the Detroit Land Bank Authority as a community development project manager. 

Bradley also leaves her position on the VSAIA Board representing Virginia’s Associate AIA members.  She said she will continue to participate in the conference calls held by the Government and Industry Affairs Committee as often as possible. 

The Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program aims to “attract, develop and retain promising young professionals” to lead Detroit into a new future, to transform it into a city responsive to individuals, businesses and organizations both public and private.  She will be joined by up to 25 mid-career professionals participating in the fellowship. 

Each of them will receive training in one of many facets of the urban revitalization opportunities and challenges, including: 

• Urban development, including housing, transit, and real estate
• Community and neighborhood development
• Planning and financing for an adaptable, sustainable and resilient city
• Economic development, including attracting, retaining and growing new economy businesses

Bradley was chosen from more than 600 applicants for the 2011-2013 program years.  For more information, visit the DRFP website:  http://wayne.edu/detroitfellows/.

The 2011 AIA Knowledge Scholarship will fund a dedicated and knowledgeable person to attend a Knowledge Community fall conference in order to cover the event via social media, capture the content and deliver a variety of products to wider audiences during and after the conference. The Virginia Society AIA’s Architecture Exchange East is among those conferences included in the scholarship opportunity.

AIA Young Architects (licensed less than 10 years), Associate AIA members, and AIAS members are eligible to submit an application.

The AIA Knowledge Scholarship seeks to provide a dedicated and knowledgeable person on-site to capture the content from the conference and deliver a variety of products to wider audiences during and after the conference. Some existing products are listed below for reference and innovative methods are highly encouraged.

• Project profiles by site on tours (text and images)
• Real-time blogging on AIA KnowledgeNet
• Audiocast with speaker/expert in the field
• Videocast on topic
• Transcript of panel discussion or interview for a KC Newsletter
• Topical article related to conference theme for AIArchitect
• Keynote/Session summaries
• AIA Best Practice on topic

Scholarship funds will be awarded to compelling applications that address creativity, feasibility, impact and outcomes. Applications will be evaluated on: quality and quantity of knowledge products; innovation; demonstrated skill in area of knowledge delivery (for example writing or video editing experience); how the end product will interest the intended target audience; coverage of conference/knowledge topics in demand; thoroughness of application.

Applications must include: a complete application form, resume, two professional references, and a purposed budget including the cost of conference registration, travel expenses and supply expenses. The completed application must be submitted by August 15, 2011. Submit the application to knowledgecommunities@aia.org as a single letter-sized PDF document titled “2011kcscholarship_firstnamelastname.pdf.” The PDF should not exceed 5mb in size or 10 pages in length.

All applicants will receive an email confirmation of receipt of their application within two business days. If you do not receive an email confirmation, contact Tamzin Howerton at 202-626-7358. All applicants will receive notification of the jury’s decision by September 1, 2011.

On June 29, the AIA announced that, within the coming months, it would make available to potential investors a database of stalled building projects nationwide that make economic sense, but which lack the financing to be completed. The AIA made the announcement at CGI America, the first conference of the Clinton Global Initiative solely dedicated to economic issues impacting the United States — and of which the AIA is a participating member.

“We are committing to developing this database not just with the fortunes of architects in mind,” said AIA President Clark Manus, FAIA. “In large part the fortunes of the entire U.S. economy rest on the jobs-creating potential of the design and construction industry, which accounts for $1 in $9 of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.”

“For months, our industry has continued to suffer solely because banks won’t lend,” Manus said. “With this innovative, unprecedented commitment, the AIA has decided to step up and do something about that.”

The AIA commitment comes as the design and construction industry is plagued by a continuing dearth of credit for otherwise credit-worthy projects. Almost two-thirds of architects responding to a recent AIA survey reported at least one project that is stalled due to lack of financing, despite record low interest rates.

Of the 63 percent of firms surveyed with stalled projects, the average value of each stalled project was almost $50 million per firm. To make matters worse, the AIA’s May Architecture Billing Index (ABI) report, which provides a nine-to-12-month glimpse into the future of nonresidential construction spending activity, shows a continued deterioration in business conditions. The May ABI score announced June 22 was 47.2, a decrease from a reading of 47.6 in April. One factor cited in the continued decline is the chronic lack of financing.

In order to build and analyze the database of stalled projects, the AIA will establish a new survey that will begin to identify and analyze stalled projects from around the country that could be moved forward on almost any front but for the lack of financing. The commitment by the AIA involves soliciting information about stalled projects around the country from its members and allied professionals.

The AIA will then analyze and categorize the identified projects by various factors, including building type location (including those locations with a strong, skilled workforce), new construction versus retrofit, and impact on sustainability and livability goals. The AIA will work to identify opportunities for collaboration and financing to help move projects forward.

The Clinton Global Initiative’s Chicago conference convened diverse stakeholders — including CEOs of American companies and international companies with U.S. operations, national and local government officials, and leaders from the nonprofit sector — to identify effective ways to strengthen U.S. industries, unlock capital for innovation and entrepreneurship, advance energy efficiency, build clean energy infrastructure, and train Americans for the 21^st-century workforce.

Topics covered during the meeting included education, green buildings, the healthcare workforce, manufacturing, rural development, service corps, small business growth, smart infrastructure and workforce training.

A rousing start to the election season was generated by contributions and pledges to the VSAIA political action committee campaign by long-time supporter Gauthier Alvarado & Associates in Falls Church and relative PAC newcomer HDR in Alexandria.

Rob Morris, III, AIA, PE, presented his firm’s traditional $1,000 check to the PAC in December.  Jim Draheim, AIA, announced his firm’s pledge of $2,000 in March.  Both have combined their firms’ support with personal efforts to increase the level of participation in the PAC.  They are sending letters to their peers in several firms encouraging them to join in supporting the PAC and asking that they also encourage their employees to do the same.

Ed Gillikin, AIA, VSAIA vice president for government advocacy, and the members of the government and industry affairs committee ask that individuals contribute the equivalent of one hour’s billable time to the PAC.  They request that firms contribute a like amount. 

With all 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly open this year, the campaign goal will be to top the PAC’s previous best year of $23,630 contributed in 2006. 

The PAC supports the campaigns of those candidates who have shown an understanding of what the profession does and of how architects affect the quality of life within their communities.  If a candidate is running for the first time, the VSAIA considers its members’ evaluations.  For incumbents, the VSAIA concentrates its support on those who serve in leadership positions and those who serve on the General Laws committees in the House and Senate.  This committee reviews nearly 90 percent of the bills affecting the profession.

A candidate’s party affiliation is not considered.  Historically, the VSAIA PAC’s contributions run just about 50-50 on supporting Democrats and Republicans.  Information on past activity can be obtained from the Virginia Public Access Project website http://www.vpap.org/committees/profile/home/600.  VAPA’s home site is www.VPAP.org. 

It takes time to build rapport and trust between the architects and elected officials.  This is done through individual meetings among the VSAIA legislative counsel, staff and members, and the legislators. Those in office depend on us for information about the possible impact of a bill.  We depend on them to weigh that information with other sources and to reach a reasonable conclusion when the votes are taken. 

To maintain the investment in these relationships, the VSAIA needs to support those candidates who supported restricting unlicensed practice, who supported limiting by contract an architect’s liability, and who support the concept of qualifications-based selection for public projects. 

In supporting the PAC, you are supporting your firm and your ability to practice your profession.  Please contribute to the PAC today by sending a check equal to one-hour’s billable time to the VSAIA PAC, 2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA   23220.

Draft legislation concerning unlicensed practice and continuing education was shown to architects serving on the regulatory board at their May meeting.  The architects and board staff had no official comments, but offered some suggestions.

The first of the two proposed measures aims to add flexibility to the continuing education requirements that, if passed, would put Virginia in a good position to accommodate changes being discussed at the national level by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.  The second aims to strengthen the laws identifying unlicensed practice.

Architects serving on the committee are J. Everette “Ebo” Fauber, AIA-E, James Boyd, AIA, and Michael LeMay, AIA.  Boyd was elected as section chairman for the 2011–2012 year.

In discussing continuing education, Fauber explained that the nation’s registration boards are all over the map with their requirements.  For example, Virginia requires 16 hours per biennium.  Fauber said 34 jurisdictions require 12 per year.  Most jurisdictions specifically require hours in health, safety, and welfare.  Virginia does not.  The more critical element to standardizing criteria nationally, he and Boyd agreed, was the reporting period end date. 

NCARB’s model law is being reviewed in an attempt to establish common criteria throughout the country including a single reporting date.  Currently in Virginia, the month an architect received his license is the reporting — or re-registration — date every other year.  In allowing the board to slide architects’ re-registration dates to a single date, those architects licensed in multiple jurisdictions would find it easier to manage their records.  

Delegates to NCARB’s national meeting in June will discuss and vote on the package of resolutions that includes revising its model law.

The proposals concerning unlicensed practice initially have been inserted into the list of unlawful acts that apply to any occupation requiring a license.  To the existing list of nine acts, the VSAIA is suggesting three.  These are:

1. Entering into a contract to provide a professional or occupational regulated service or offering to provide a regulated service without holding a valid license to provide the regulated service.
2. Advertising to provide services regulated by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation when the individual or business entity is not certified or licensed to practice the regulated occupation including, but not limited to, telephone directory listings, Internet websites, and radio and television advertisements. 
3. Including unlicensed persons or business entities in published rosters or lists of persons who offer a regulated service where the person or business entity is not certified or licensed to offer the regulated service, including telephone directories, Internet sites, newspapers and periodicals.   

Both of these proposals were viewed earlier by the Joint Legislative Committee (JLC), which will determine how to refine the drafts prior to the 2012 legislative session.  Along with the VSAIA, the JLC comprises the two statewide engineering societies:  the American Council of Engineering Companies and the Virginia Society of Professional Engineers.

In part at the urging of Commonwealth Architects in Richmond, the national AIA Government Advocacy team has been working with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to revise its definition of an architecture small business. 

The agency’s latest proposal will move the definition to $19 million annual gross receipts from the current $4.5 million.  As of 2009, a majority of firms qualified for SBA business status based on their billings.  Should this change go through, 97.7 percent of the firms responding to the 2009 AIA firm survey would fall within the architecture small business category.

At risk are the special set-asides included within federal contracts for firms within the small business category.  With the change, more firms will qualify for such set asides and more large contractors may qualify for contracts through the greater number of small business sub-contractors. 

More information can be found on the AIA website:  http://www.aia.org/advocacy/federal/AIAB088628?dvid=&recspec=AIAB088628.  Included are links to discussion groups on the topic and a request to send comments, stories and empirical data to be used by the AIA to strengthen its discussions with the agency and congressional leaders.

Delegates attending the National Convention in New Orleans elected Mickey Jacob, FAIA (AIA Tampa Bay), to serve as the 2012 AIA first vice president/president-elect and 2013 Institute president; Russell A. Davidson, AIA, and Debra S. Kunce, FAIA, each to serve as vice president from 2012 through 2013; and Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA, as the Institute’s treasurer from 2012 through 2013.

Jacob, managing principal at Urban Studio Architects, a seven-person firm in Tampa, has more than 25 years of AIA participation holding numerous leadership positions with AIA Tampa Bay, AIA Florida, and AIA National. Following his term as president of AIA Florida in 2004-2005, he served as the 2007-2009 AIA Florida/Caribbean Regional Director on the AIA National Board of Directors. In 2009, he was elected to a two-year term as an AIA vice president.

“The AIA is standing at the threshold of exciting new opportunities,” Jacob said. “The AIA brand is a respected one, but it is much stronger when we speak with a unified voice. By building a foundation of knowledge and trust with a collective commitment to leadership, advocacy, and communication, the AIA will continue to evolve into an influential professional organization that takes opportunity and turns it into reality.”

Jacob also has been active in government advocacy, including serving as chair of the Florida Architects Political Action Committee, of ArchiPAC, and of the AIA Board Advocacy Committee. Participating in the development of several advocacy initiatives, including as a cofounder of the AIA Breakfast of Champions program, Jacob has helped raise the awareness of the importance of political engagement, and is a vocal advocate to position AIA members to attain leadership positions.

Davidson is former president of the AIA New York State (2007) and Westchester Hudson Valley (1999) chapters. He is president and managing partner at Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson Architects & Engineers PC, in Mount Kisco, NY, a 20-person architectural and engineering firm.

“I believe the best way to know the essential meaning of something is to take aspects of it away until all that is left is the single defining element that is most broadly understood,” Davidson says. “For the AIA, promoting the positive value of design and the contribution of architects is that core defining value. You cannot take that away from us. It is who we are and why the AIA is still vital to the profession for over 150 years.”

Davidson currently serves on the AIA National Board of Directors as the regional director from New York and is a member of the Board’s Communications Committee and Board Advocacy Committee, where he is chair of the Public Policies Subcommittee and former chair of the Public Engagement Subcommittee (2010).

Kunce is currently serving as Ohio Valley Regional Director on the AIA National Board of Directors. She is an associate with Schmidt Associates, Inc., in Indianapolis, a full-service architecture and engineering firm.

“My AIA service has centered on strategically planning an AIA future that nurtures emerging professionals, advances our legislative agenda, and promotes the AIA brand,” said Kunce. “Design is the new currency, and it is our time to demonstrate the strength of our organization and our members’ ‘can do’ attitude.”

Kunce’s national experience also includes board representative to the Strategic Directions Group and Board Community Committee; chair of the Integrated Media Task Force (2009-2010); AIAS Honor Awards Jury (2009); and member of the Young Architect’s Forum Advisory Committee (2003-2005). Kunce has been active in the AIA for more than 15 years, including service to AIA Indianapolis as the associate director (1995-1996), public relations director (1998-1999), secretary (2002), treasurer (2003), vice president (2004), and president in 2005. For AIA Indiana, she served as the treasurer (2006-2007), vice president (2008), and president in 2009.

Durand-Hollis, former president of the Texas Society of Architects, has been the regional director from Texas on the AIA National Board of Directors since 2009 and is also a member of the Board Finance and Audit Committee. He is president of Durand-Hollis Rupe, Inc. (DHR), a San Antonio firm.

“I believe it is time to examine some of the AIA practices to determine if change is necessary and challenge ourselves to do better by seeing how we can benefit from making those changes,” Durand-Hollis states. “I anticipate great things to come knowing that we have great leaders at the AIA. I am sure we will continue to make great strides together.”

Other national AIA experience includes member of the AIA International Committee (1997-2000); chair, Small Projects Professional Interest Area (1995); member, Firm Benefits Task Force (1995); and member, Small Projects Professional Interest Area (1993-1995).