Fellows Profile Submission
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AIA Virginia Newsletter: March 2023
The Echoes of Whitney M Young, Jr.
On the 17th of February, during Black History Month, Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 373 in which the General Assembly commends Robert L. Easter, FAIA for having received that award.
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Reis Elevated to Fellowship
AIA Virginia member, Rob Reis, FAIA has been elevated to Fellowship in the prestigious College of Fellows, AIA’s highest membership honor.
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Advocacy Summit
Are you interested in actively participating in legislative, regulatory, or other advocacy activities? If so, please plan to attend the AIA Virginia Advocacy Summit on Friday 5 May in Richmond.
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The Art of Practice
Save the date for the biennial “Art of Practice” conference on Friday 23 June 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia. This year’s event will focus on preparing for economic stress and maintaining resilience.
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What’s Happening at YAF
Young Architect Representative, Carrie Parker, shares updates including the Future Forward Grant and the retirement of NCARB’s rolling clock.
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Welcome These New Members
We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined AIA Virginia.
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ArchEx ’23: Call for Presentations
Last call for presenters and fresh voices to share their research and expertise at ArchEx ‘23 in person in Richmond on Nov. 1–3, 2023.
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Inform’s New “Member Voices” Feature Wants You!
Inform welcomes thought leadership from its members across the Commonwealth under the banner of “Member Voices.” Send us ideas, case studies, research, and best practices you want to share with others. Email Bill Richards by the deadlines below to get started:
Here are some topics to get you going:
Transportation and adaptation: By March 27
Landscapes of remembrance: By April 24
Decarbonization: By May 22
The General Assembly is (Almost) a Wrap
The Budget has not been resolved. The “Veto Session” is scheduled for 12 April. And the Governor could convene a special session. But many have already remarked that this General Assembly session was generally, and comparatively, “quiet”.
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The Fundamental Value of the Building Code
Architects are possessed of many skills and capabilities, amongst which we value technical expertise, including our command of the building code. We do well to consider not only what the code is now, but also how it might be, and the impact of potential revisions.
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Participate in an International Study on DEI
The International Union of Architects (UIA) is conducting a global study of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues within the architecture profession. Please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey, which will provide valuable insight into DEI trends and practices in the United States.
Newly Licensed
Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure.
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Virginia Licensing Advisor
Are you interested in helping young EP’s through the licensure process? AIA Virginia is looking for a new Licensing Advisor to represent our members starting in July 2023.
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Knowledge Community Grants
Started in 2022, AIA Virginia awards $2,000 a year to statewide knowledge communities to enhance reach and programming. Applications now being accepted for 2023!
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AEC Spring Conference this April
Speakers, presentations, and roundtables will address important issues such as leadership, business development, legislative advocacy, risk management, recruitment and retention, and the economic forecast for the industry.
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Featured Job Posting: Gaines Group Architects
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Highlights from the February Board Meeting
Inclusivity is the theme of the brightest highlights from our most recent Board of Directors meeting.
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Are You Ready to Get Licensed?
AIA Virginia associate members can get a 60-day subscription to the Amber Book for only $50.
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Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Check out the statewide events calendar here>>
Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) is coming to Boston, September 14-16, 2023, and is looking for fresh, inspiring, and empowering content. This premier event brings together the industry’s largest network of diverse women who are breaking down barriers, making themselves visible, and manifesting the careers they want—while making a difference in the world. The call for proposals is open! Submissions are due by April 7, 2023.
Learn more and submit here>>
Virginia Licensing Advisor
The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of individuals committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects.
The program is led by NCARB and jointly supported by the American Institute of Architects. AIA Virginia members are fortunate to have been guided by Michael Hammon, AIA the last 4 years (2 terms). As Michael finished his term this summer, we are looking for a new State Licensing Advisor. Are you interested in helping young professionals through the licensure process? Do you like to help your colleagues with issues of reciprocity and licensure? If you are interested in being considered for this appointment, please email pbattaglia@aiava.org.
Here’s some more info from NCARB on the Licensing Advisor appointment>>
If you are on the path to licensure and have any questions, you can still reach out to Michael at mhammon@glaveandholmes.com before the end of June or Cathy Guske at cguske@aiava.org.
The Art of Practice
The biennial “Art of Practice” conference will be held Friday 23 June 2023 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
This year’s event will focus on preparing for economic stress and maintaining resilience.
We will situate professional services within the context of various economic sectors and the forces and trends in the broader economy. A lawyer, an insurer, and a banker will offer advice on ways to improve financial posture and mitigate risk. A panel of colleagues will share the successes and failures of their attempts to anticipate/remediate the effects of trying times. And small, medium, and large firms will engage in roundtable discussions.
This event will be limited to fifty attendees. Registration information will be available soon. Save the date and stay tuned!
Thank you to our sponsors
Lee/Shoemaker PLLC
McGriff Insurance
Moseley Architects
If you would like to sponsor the Art of Practice conference, contact Jody Cranford.
Highlights from the February Board Meeting
Inclusivity is the theme of the brightest highlights from our most recent Board of Directors Meeting.
We have changed our Awards to afford a greater opportunity to celebrate the contributions of more of our members. The newly-created Virginia Associate Award celebrates the contributions of Associate AIA members regardless of whether they are pursuing licensure or not. Revisions to the language and eligibility criteria of the Virginia Emerging Professional Award expand the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of both Associate members and AIA Virginia members who are in good standing and have been licensed to practice architecture for fewer than ten years; more closely aligning this AIA Virginia award with AIA National’s Emerging Architect Award.
The Board of Directors also conditionally accepted the Inclusivity Into the Profession Task Force Report (the IIPTF Report). “Conditionally” only because we need to fully explore the specifics, and timetables, of each of the substantial recommendations proposed in the report. Importantly, the Board of Directors has, by this action, committed the organization to the ambitions and aspirations of the report. It now remains for us to address each and all of the individual recommendations and to develop a course of action, with consideration to both our own resources and how we might collaborate with strategic partners/allies to accomplish these transformational goals.
The General Assembly is (Almost) a Wrap
The Budget has not been resolved. The “Veto Session” is scheduled for 12 April. And the Governor could convene a special session. But many have already remarked that this General Assembly session was generally, and comparatively, “quiet”.
Even so, the bills concerning deregulation and universal licensure reminded us of the importance of remaining vigilant and the value of engaging a strong and effective lobbyist. (Great work, Patrick Cushing. Thank you.)
With more than a few high-profile retirements, with every seat in both chambers up for election, and with the possibility that some (perhaps many) of the seats will be filled by freshman legislators, next year’s session is anticipated to be far more “entertaining”.
We will be ready.
That durable readiness depends on not only recharging our PAC investments (donate to the PAC) but also organizing our efforts to educate legislators on the topics of Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS), the most appropriate mode of enacting requirements (through either the legislative or the regulatory process), and the unique and substantial ways that architects contribute to the built environment throughout the Commonwealth. If you are interested in collaborating on that effort, please read this item on the upcoming Advocacy Summit.
Advocacy Summit
Are you a member of the PAC Board of Trustees, the Advocacy Advisory Council, the Virginia COTE Steering Committee, the HRC, the DAC, or the JLC? Do you serve as a gubernatorial appointee? Are you interested in actively participating in legislative, regulatory, or other advocacy activities? If so, please plan to attend the AIA Virginia Advocacy Summit on Friday 5 May in Richmond.
During this one-day event, we will survey and coordinate our advocacy efforts. This will be a working meeting. A brief introduction and update will be followed by collaborative planning sessions. The goal will be to develop a comprehensive strategy and determine how to make to most of each of the seasons of advocacy.
To sign up to receive additional details, and to pre-register for the event, complete the form below.
2023 Advocacy Summit
Interest in attending May 2023 AIA Virginia Advocacy Summit
The Fundamental Value of the Building Code
Architects are possessed of many skills and capabilities, amongst which we value technical expertise, including our command of the building code.
We do well to consider not only what the code is now, but also how it might be, and the impact of potential revisions. This expertise is valuable in both its direct application and as a form of regulatory advocacy.
If you possess or aspire to possess this expertise and would like to serve or discuss/suggest possibilities, please contact Paul Battaglia at pbattaglia@aiava.org.
The Echoes of Whitney M Young, Jr.
During his address to the 1968 AIA National Convention, civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr. challenged the architectural profession to pursue more progressive values.
“One need only take a casual look at this audience to see that we have a long way to go in this field.”
“You are not a profession that has distinguished itself by your social and civic contributions to the cause of civil rights . . . You are most distinguished by your thunderous silence.”
In 1972, the AIA established a national award in his memory. That award distinguishes an architect or organization that embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness, or universal access.
The 2023 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award was bestowed upon Robert L. Easter, FAIA – a member and Past-President of AIAVA – in recognition of his enduring commitment to advancing those individuals who have traditionally been underrepresented in the profession of architecture.
On the 17th of February, during Black History Month, Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 373 in which the General Assembly commends Robert L. Easter, FAIA for having received that award. Read the resolution here: SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 373
I am convinced that Whitney M. Young, Jr.’s challenge still echoes. I am convinced that Robert L. Easter’s advocacy and activism was spawned, to some degree, in response to the echoes of Young’s challenge. I am convinced that there is an echo to be heard as a result of Easter’s actions. I am convinced that there are echoes emanating in response to those actions. I am convinced that we should not ignore those echoes. I am convinced that we can no longer feign deafness to those echoes.
Let us resolve to take the time – and the action – to encounter the great symphony of those echoes. To do what we can not only to amplify those who need to be afforded a voice, those whose voice demands attention, and those whose voice cries out for justice, but also to amplify those whose voice suggests a way to acknowledge injustice, to rectify wrongs, to prevent injustice, and to progress towards a more just and inclusive profession.
Let us be bold enough to listen to the echoes. And let us add our voices to that choir.
Paul Battaglia, AIA
Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia
What’s Happening at YAF
It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year into my two-year term as your Young Architect Representative. I’ll start now with if you are interested in serving in this role, please reach out and let’s discuss. Calls for applications will go out later this year.
Future Forward Grant is open for applications
AIA National is offering a $10,000 grant opportunity! Applications are open now!
Access to funding activates innovation and makes significant research possible. That’s why the Young Architects Forum—in collaboration with the Large Firm Roundtable—funds the AIA Future Forward Grant. The $10,000 grant supports and enables early-career architects to explore ideas that redefine the practice of architecture and move our profession forward. All AIA Associate members, young architects and AIAS students are encouraged to apply. Applications are due April 2, 2023.
Grant proposals are encouraged to explore one more the following topics:
- Fostering leadership and organizational development,
- Redefining firm management strategies
- Innovating firm culture
- Streaming workflows and establishing new project delivery methods
- Developing new prototypes or technologies that advance the practice of architecture
View the sample application HERE.
As a member of the YAF’s Strategic Vision Focus Group I have been involved in the organization of this grant, but I will not be on the jury. We recently hosted a Q&A zoom session, but as of writing this, the notes are not yet posted online. If you have any questions about applying, please reach out.
NCARB has retired the 5-year rolling clock!
As part of NCARB’s drive to be more equitable and inclusive, they are retiring the 5-year rolling clock.
Have you taken a break from testing? Log in and reach out to NCARB to see how you were affected.
Read more on NCARB’s website.
Follow the YAF:
Stay up to date on the latest news:
- Now YA Know BiMonthly Newsletter (CATHY–PLEASE UPLOAD/LINK THE ATTACHED)
- Also, check out The AIA College of Fellows Quarterly Q1 2023
- Twitter: @YAF
- Facebook: @AIAYAFNational
- Instagram: aiayaf
- Linkedin: AIA YAF
- AIA Knowledge Net (most comprehensive)
- Quarterly YAF Publication “Connection”. Links from Knowledge Net, are also available HERE.
Feel free to connect with me, too. What are some ways your firm is working with emerging professionals and young architects? Send me an email or a message on LinkedIn!
As always, I’m here for you.
Carrie Parker, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Vice President at CannonDesign
Young Architect Representative for Virginia to the Young Architect’s Forum, 2022-2024
AIA Virginia Young Architect Award, 2020
carrieleeparker.aia@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/carrieleeparker