VSAIA

Showcase your strategies, theories, ideas, research and results at the most energetic gathering of architects and construction-industry professional in the mid-Atlantic. Architecture Exchange East is seeking proposals from qualified speakers. Join nearly a thousand design professionals in historic Richmond for the 25th Architecture Exchange East, Nov. 7–9, 2012.

Feedback from prior conferences tells us that  attendees want information on the latest developments in the industry. Specific, focused seminars should be proposed that can convey information in one of these formats:

• Three- or six-hour workshops
• 90-minute or three-hour seminar presentations

Keep in mind that we are looking for sessions that are interesting, relevant to an audience of architects, and reflect current or emerging practice.  To propose an offering, please complete the required Presentation Information Form and submit it to us by Friday, April 27, 2012. Your proposal will be reviewed by the Program Advisory Group and you will be notified if your proposal has been accepted.

Tell us about your presentation. Be prepared to include:

• A description of your workshop
• Your presentation format
• Audience level (introductory, intermediate or advanced)
• Your presentation style
• Main learning objectives
• A short biography for you and for any co-presenters along with any recommended reading

Submit your presentation proposal online at www.archex.net.

Mark your calendar for Nov.7–9, 2012, for the 25^th Architecture Exchange East.

© 2006, The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.

Students from Hampton University, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech’s Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center, and the University of Virginia took part in the 32^nd annual Virginia Society AIA Prize competition over the weekend of Jan. 27–30, 2012. From those submissions, each school advances 10 finalists; the winning design will be selected by a jury in February.

This year’s competition problem was developed by faculty at Hampton University and addressed our ability (or inability) to provide temporary emergency housing. Students were asked to propose a semi-permanent and reusable intervention in one of the region’s most naturally vulnerable locations — Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The problem asked students to design one prototypical unit, not to exceed 600 square-feet, capable of housing up to 4 individuals. Designs were to include a site plan demonstrating how four of these prototypical units could be arranged to form the embryo of a community. Students were also asked to envision how these structures could be used as housing for special events during non-catastrophic times.

The Virginia Society AIA Prize — along with the accompanying $2000 check — will be awarded during the Virginia Design Forum: Skins, March 16-17, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Best of School nods (and possibly an honorable mention or two) will be noted as well. An exhibition of all of the finalists will tour each of the schools and will wrap up in the ArchEx Exhibit Hall at Architecture Exchange East on Nov. 8–9.

The Future of the Past, by Steven W. Semes

How should contemporary additions to historic structures or new buildings in historic districts relate to the existing character of the neighborhood? Noted expert and author Steven W. Semes discusses the challenges faced by review boards, architects and designers, and the difficulties inherent in following sometimes confusing historic standards and guidelines  on March 5^th, 5:30-7 pm,  at the Virginia Center for Architecture,  2501 Monument Ave.

Increasing public concern has arisen over new buildings and additions to old buildings that are conspicuously in contrast with their surroundings. Such projects are often justified by an interpretation of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (the de facto national preservation policy written and administered by the National Park Service) that places greater weight on “differentiation” than on “compatibility”—the two requirements for new construction in historic settings specified in the Standards. This interpretation has led architects and historic district commissions to adopt contrasting styles of architecture to satisfy the “differentiation” requirement, though the Standards do not mandate any stylistic approach. In many instances, architects designing in traditional styles have encountered resistance from preservation authorities when proposing stylistically sympathetic designs in historic settings.

In his book, The Future of the Past: A Conservation Ethic for Architecture, Urban Design and Historic Preservation (W. W. Norton & Co., 2009), Semes  reflects on the emergence of new traditional design practice among contemporary architects and urban designers and the issues this raises in the preservation field. He makes a persuasive case that context matters and that new buildings and additions to old buildings should be visually harmonious with their neighbors.

A practicing architect for more than 30 years, Semes has designed a variety of projects for preservation and new construction throughout the United States. In addition to many articles, Semes is also the author of The Architecture of the Classical Interior (2004) and a contributor to “The Elements of Classical Architecture” (2001), also published by W. W. Norton & Co. An Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, Semes  was Academic Director of the Notre Dame Rome Studies Program From 2008 to 2011.  He is a fellow emeritus of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America (ICA&CA) and was educated at the University of Virginia and Columbia University. He is also the recipient of the 2010 Clem Labine Award for contributions to a humane built environment.

Semes’s presentation is free and open to the public.  A reception and book signing will follow.   Because space is limited, reservations are required.   Please contact Andy Liguori, at aliguori@aiava.org or (804) 644-3041, extension 100 for reservations. Sponsored by Old House Authority and Fan District Association.

The 16th annual AIA/COTE Top Ten Awards is one of the best known sustainable design recognition programs in the nation. The program recognizes projects that address environmental challenges through design that seamlessly integrates architecture, technology, and natural systems. The deadline is Jan. 23. For more details, check out the COTE Top Ten Website.

Several other AIA Knowledge Communities have award deadlines coming up as well.

Jan. 17, 2012: Building Information Modeling Awards
Jan. 20, 2012: Educational Facility Design Awards
Jan. 23, 2012: Top Ten Green Projects
Feb. 3, 2012: Small Project Awards
March 12, 2012: Justice Facilities Review

AIA Emerging Professionals has developed an IDP question and answer resource for members.  NCARB also publishes several newsletters that communicate the registration and testing requirements that affect members.

ARE e-News
ARE e-news is a quarterly electronic publication sent to ARE candidates. Topics cover the latest news about the exam, commonly asked questions, important reminders, and information related to the exam from NCARB’s Annual Meeting and Conference held each June.

e-Connection

The e-Connection is sent to all Record and Certificate holders electronically twice a year as a companion to our print newsletter, Direct Connection. Topics cover the latest information on NCARB’s programs and services.

IDP e-News

The IDP Supervisor e-News is a quarterly electronic publication sent to supervisors with interns in the IDP. Topics cover the latest news about the program, important reminders, and tips for successful supervising.

IDP Supervisor e-News

The IDP Supervisor e-News is a quarterly electronic newsletter. This e-News is designed to provide tips for successful supervising and resources that will assist both supervisors and their intern(s) to navigate the program.

Stay abreast of developments and changes by registering for one of NCARB’s electronic newsletters.

Low impact development (LID) focuses on maintaining or restoring a site’s natural hydrology. Retaining and filtering storm water on-site rather than conveying it to storm sewers recharges groundwater, reduces the scouring of stream banks, and helps keep watersheds clean and healthy. This two-stage open competition—sponsored by the James River Association, Friends of the Rappahannock, Potomac Conservancy, and Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers—focuses on three actual sites in Virginia.

Competition entries must come from integrated teams of at least three design professionals licensed in Virginia and must include at least one civil engineer and one landscape architect. The registration fee is $100, and the stage-one submission deadline is February 17, 2012. Teams may register online.

Stage one will be scored by a five-person jury comprising:
• Civil Engineering: Don Rissmeyer, PE
• Landscape Architecture: Kennon Williams, ASLA
• Low Impact Development: Thomas Schueler
• Architecture: Patrick Farley, AIA, LEED-AP
• Hydrology: (Judge Pending)

Finalists will be announced March 4 at the Virginia Lakes & Watershed Association Conference.

In stage two of the competition, finalists will present their entries verbally and through PowerPoint to a jury of influential Virginians from the development, civic, and government communities. Those presentations will be April 12 in Lexington, Va., at the 23rd Annual Environment Virginia Symposium. The jury will select winners that same day in each of three categories. The award for each category is $15,000.

The three categories (and site locations) are:
1) Suburban Mixed Use (Fredericksburg area)
2) Urban Redevelopment (Fredericksburg)
3) Green Roadway (Arlington)

Submissions will be judged on how well they conserve natural resources, provide natural functions to control and filter storm water, and use small-scale decentralized landscape features to:
• Reduce the amount of runoff by mimicking the natural hydrologic function of the site and matching pre-development hydrology
• Minimize the use of and/or reduce the size of pipe and other centralized control and treatment infrastructure
• Lower the total cost of development when compared to traditional infrastructure design
• Minimize and disconnect impervious surfaces, lengthen time of concentration, and promote bio-filtration of runoff to improve the quality of storm water leaving the site
• Minimize or eliminate the use of potable water resources needed for irrigation and, where practical, provide for the reuse of rain water
• Use enhanced quality of life values and reduced maintenance costs inherent in LID practices to increase marketability of the development and longterm property values.

For more information on the sites and competition rules, visit the Virginia LID Competition site.

For specific questions, contact Adrienne Kotula by email or phone, 804-788-8811 x206.

On December 9, the AIA Board of Directors voted to modify the AIA’s calendar year continuing education requirement. Per year, AIA members will be required to complete 12 hours of health, safety, and welfare (HSW) education, an increase from the previous requirement of 8 HSW. The AIA Board will re-evaluate the sustainable design (SD) requirement in 2012. The new HSW requirement goes into effect in January 2012 and AIA members should fulfill their total 18 hours of continuing education during the calendar year.

Increasing the HSW requirement per year sets a higher standard for AIA members and will enable them to fulfill state licensing requirements for most states.  Additionally, increasing the required number of HSW credits will raise the level and quality of our continuing education and professional development of architects.

Additional information and list of topics on health, safety and welfare (HSW).

Additionally, in calendar year 2012, aligning closer with state licensing boards’ practice, AIA members will no longer be able to self-report HSW courses for credit. Members will need to complete HSW credits by taking qualifying courses from registered AIA CES Providers and Providers will need to report HSW courses for members to receive HSW credits. Members can continue to self-report learning unit (LU) credit hours for non-provider courses and programs.

In the past, AIA members were able to attend courses outside of the AIA CES Provider network and submit a self-report online to be reviewed for HSW or SD credit. AIA CES is implementing this new HSW and SD credit policy to ensure quality education and establish an educational standard for the courses that AIA members attend.

The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) announces the call for applications for its 2012 Sustainable Cities Design Academy (SCDA).  AAF encourages public-private partnership project teams to apply. Successful applicants will join AAF for one of two design workshops:

• April 11-13, 2012, San Francisco
• July 18-20, 2012, Baltimore

SCDA connects project teams and multi-disciplinary sustainable design experts through highly interactive design workshops that help project teams advance their green infrastructure and community development goals. To support a diverse portfolio of SCDA projects, United Technologies Corporation (UTC) generously underwrites participants’ attendance costs.

Applications are due Friday, December 30, 2011. Application materials and instructions are available here. If you have any questions regarding SCDA or this application process, contact Elizabeth Blazevich, Program Director, Sustainable Cities Design Academy, by calling (202) 639-7615 or by email to eblazevich@archfoundation.org.

Past SCDA project team participants include:

• Philadelphia Navy Yard
• Shreveport-Caddo Master Plan
• Northwest One, Washington, DC
• Uptown Triangle, Seattle
• New Orleans Mission
• Fairhaven Mills, New Bedford, MA
• Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, Atlanta
• Brattleboro, VT, Waterfront Master Plan

To learn more about these and other SCDA project teams, visit AAF’s website at www.archfoundation.org.

The Sustainable Cities Design Academy, organized by the American Architectural Foundation in partnership with United Technologies Corporation (UTC), provides leadership development and technical assistance to local leaders engaged in planning a sustainable building project in their communities.

VSAIA announces the schedule of International Code Council seminars for Winter-Spring 2012.

You can view descriptions and register for any of these events on the Upcoming Continuing Education Events page.

• January 20 ICC 2009 I-Codes and Green Building, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville Click Here to Register
• February 17 ICC 2009 IBC Solving Means of Egress in Commercial Buildings, Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, Roanoke.  Click here to Register
• February 23 Wall Bracing Seminar Virginia Center for Architecture, Richmond. (Registration opens soon)
• February 24 VUSBC Code Update Virginia Center for Architecture, Richmond, (Registration opens soon)
• April 20 ICC 2009 IBC Solving Means of Egress in Commercial Buildings, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton.  Click here to Register
• June 21 ICC 2009 I-Codes and Green Building, Virginia Center for Architecture, Richmond. Click Here to Register
• July 20 ICC 2009 IBC Solving Means of Egress in Commercial Buildings, Fairfax, tentative  (Registration opens soon)
• September 21 ICC 2009 IEBC Fundamentals, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville  Click Here to Register

Well over a 1,000 professionals benefitted from Architecture Exchange East this year. 113 experts presented the latest topics, tools and techniques in over 60 sessions. More than 40% of our exhibitors were new in the redesigned ArchEx Exhibit Hall. Thanks to all of our members, speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees for supporting ArchEx 2011.