Margarella Appointed to State Building Code Technical Review Board

Posted on by cguske

Jonah Margarella, AIA was appointed by Governor Northam to serve on the Commonwealth of Virginia’s State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB). Put forth by AIA Virginia, Margarella is a Studio Director at Baskervill and serves on the AIA Richmond Board of Directors.

The SBCTRB’s primary purpose is to hear appeals from enforcement actions under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations, the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations and the Virginia Certification Standards. A secondary function of the SBCTRB is to provide interpretations to the provisions of the VUSBC and VSFPC and make recommendations to the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development for future modifications, amendments, or repeal of such provisions.

AIA Hampton Roads and AIA Central Virginia Tied for the 2021 “Rumble in the Jungle” AIA Virginia Political Action Committee Award

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There is currently a tie for the competition with AIA Hampton Roads and AIA Central Virginia having 60 points each. No local component’s Board of Directors is at 100% participation as of this date. Like we have seen in past years, the leaderboard can change overnight when $1,000 is on the line!

The AIA Virginia PAC Award looks to celebrate the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC.  The Award has historically been presented at Architecture Exchange East to the local component’s Board of Directors who will accept the award on behalf of its respective members.  The award criteria are based on a point total calculation based on three areas: local component Board participation, percentage of local component’s membership who have invested in the PAC, and the total amount of money invested by the members of the local component.

Below outlines point allocations:

  1. Local component Board participation
    • Did 100% of the Board of Directors invest into the AIA Virginia PAC?
      • Yes = 20 points
      • No = 0 points
  2. Percentage of local component’s members who have invested in the AIA Virginia PAC
    • Component with highest % = 40 points
    • Component with second highest % = 20 points
    • Component with third highest % = 10 points
  3. Average investment per member from the total local component membership
    • Component with highest average investment/member = 40 points
    • Component with second highest average investment/member = 30 points
    • Component with third highest average investment/member = 20 points
    • Component with fourth highest average investment/member = 10 points
    • Component with fifth highest average investment/member = 0 points

Scoring will be closed on Friday, October 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Invest at www.aiavapac.org

AIA Virginia Hosts First Community Dinner Since Pandemic

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On September 29th, AIA Virginia held its “Blueprint for Better Communities” Dinner in Norfolk. Created in 2019, this initiative is centered on a simple concept of bringing together architects and community influencers over a private dinner to discuss how we can work together to pursue the city’s vision. Suspended temporarily due to COVID-19, AIA Virginia reconvened our architects with city leaders last month at VIA Design for an inspiring conversation and time of fellowship. Special thanks to Haley Morgan who was instrumental in facilitating the logistics of the event.

Below are some of the key themes and topics that were discussed:

  • Resilience and improved infrastructure must be a focal point of the future.
  • There are many opportunities for architects to use their expertise in the development of solutions to mitigate flooding and sea-level rise.
  • City leaders are looking to architects to make sure the corporate build environment still thrives in the wake of COVID.
  • Through shaping the built environment, architects can lure people to live in Norfolk!
  • The city lacks public community spaces where people can just “hang out”.
  • How do we breathe “new life” into our areas that have intense poverty?
  • City leaders and architects both described the Norfolk as a city of potential, persistence, and partnerships.

Community members in attendance were

The Hon. Kenny Alexander, Mayor, City of Norfolk
The Hon. Martin Thomas, Vice Mayor, City of Norfolk
Larry Filer, City Manager, City of Norfolk
Chuck McPhillips, President, Greater Norfolk Corporation
Rachel McCall, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Downtown Norfolk Council
Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University
Nancy Grden, Executive Director, Strome Entrepreneurial Center at ODU
Lynn Clements, Executive Director, Slover Library

Architects in attendance were:

Donna Phaneuf, FAIA, President, VIA Design
Andrew McKinley, AIA, Principal, VIA Design
Scott Campbell, AIA, Principal, VIA Design
Mel Price, AIA, Principal, Work Program Architects
Georgie Marquez, AIA, Partner, Andre Marquez Architects
David Keith, FAIA, Chief Executive Officer, Hanbury
Paula Loomis, FAIA, Sr. Architect, The Urban Collective
Corey Clayborne, FAIA, Executive Vice President, AIA Virginia

2022 Membership Dues

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Over recent years, AIA Virginia has undertaken significant steps to improve member value while reducing organization expenses. In 2020, Supplemental Firm Dues were completely eliminated! This means there are no other dues obligations outside of individual membership dues.

You spoke loudly—the most important thing we at AIA Virginia do for you is advocacy. You expressed a desire for us to be more proactive on issues that elevate the importance of architects and good design. We heard you.

The AIA Virginia PAC supports legislators who understand our agenda and support our goals without regard to political party affiliation. By speaking with a unified voice, architects can influence legislation affecting our profession and the quality of life in our communities. For more information regarding the AIA Virginia PAC, please click here to read the FAQs.

How much of my 2022 dues payment will go to the AIA Virginia PAC?
$5 for Associate AIA members
$10 for Architect members
$10 for International Associate members

If this investment is acceptable, no action is required on your part. If you wish to divert your 2022 PAC allocation to our general operating account, please let us know by going to https://www.aiava.org/2022-dues-pac-opt-out/.

If you have any questions, please contact Corey Clayborne, FAIA, NOMA, MBA at cclayborne@aiava.org. Thank you for believing in what we do.

New Regulations for the Profession Adopted

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A new update has been approved by the Governor for the regulations governing Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA). These regulations were adopted on September 2, 2021 and can be found at:

VIRGINIA BOARD >>

The APELSCIDLA Board examines, licenses, and regulates approximately 35,000 individuals and related business entities in Virginia.

What is the value of the Political Action Committee (PAC) to you?

Posted on by cguske

by Eliza Engle, AIA

As the end of summer is drawing to a close, the PAC Board of Trustees will be starting their second fundraising “push” of the year.  Perhaps you know one of these dedicated volunteers. They might have asked you or your firm to invest in the PAC. 

Why invest in the PAC?  What does it do for you? 

Well, first let’s examine what the PAC means and does.  The AIA Virginia PAC is the entity that raises money to advocate for architects in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  We use these monies to access fundraising events of legislators to make connections, build relationships, and introduce all that we do in our communities as architects.  Over the past few years, these relationships have proven very fruitful.  We have closed the Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) “loophole” in the Virginia Public Procurement Act which allowed localities to select architects for projects based on fee. In partnership with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and the Associated General Contractors (AGC), we successfully lobbied for a 15-year statute of limitations for design and construction projects performed for the Commonwealth of Virginia, including public institutes of higher education. Today, the “duty to defend” language in indemnification clauses is against public policy because of our advocacy efforts. 

This year, we joined a coalition and successfully lobbied to support tax conformity legislation that included expense deductibility of $100,000 for PPP loans. This was a $75,000 increase from the original bill proposal. So, if you or your firm received a PPP loan, you can thank the PAC for getting this increase in business expense deductibility.  A great way to show your gratitude would be to invest in the PAC so we can continue strengthening these relationships and keep the Commonwealth a great place for architects to do work!

You can invest now here:  https://aiavapac.org/give/

Thank you to our current 2021 PAC investors:

$2,500 to $4,999

Hanbury
PMA Architecture

$1,000 to $2,499

LeMay Erickson Willcox Architects
VIA Design Architects

$500 to $999

MG2 Corporation
MTFA Architecture
William “Bill” Brown, AIA
Jeremy Maloney, AIA

$200-$499

Conkey Architects
Frazier Associates
R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA
Eric Keplinger, AIA
David King, AIA
Carolyn Rickard-Brideau, AIA
J. Mitch Rowland, AIA
Elisabeth Sloan, AIA
Lou Wolf, AIA

$100-$199

Architecture AF
Colley Architects
Galvin Architects
Kerns Group Architects
KGD Architecture
Powe Studio Architects
Reader & Swartz Architects
r4 llc
Colin Arnold, AIA
JW Blanchard, AIA
Robert Dunay, FAIA
Thomas Ellis, AIA
Eliza Engle, AIA
Rob Reis, AIA
Nick Serfass, FAIA
Michael Spory, Assoc. AIA
Chris Venable, AIA
Nick Vlattas, FAIA
Steve Wakeman, AIA

Up to $99

B. Grace Design, LLC
Anonymous [ 2 ]
Ryan Alkire, AIA
Krystal Anderson, AIA
John Burns, FAIA
Maggie Dunlap, Assoc. AIA
Robert Easter, FAIA
Rhea George, Hon. AIA VA
John Glenn, AIA
Cathy Guske, Hon. AIA VA
Spencer Lepler, AIA
Shawn Mulligan, AIA
Marci Parrish
Kathryn Prigmore, FAIA
Gareth Ratti, AIA
Maury Saunders, AIA
Kristen Smith
Nick Wade, AIA
Chris Warren, AIA
Ed Weaver, AIA
Rob Winstead, AIA

2021 PAC Award Update

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AIA Hampton Roads Comfortably Leading the “Rumble in the Jungle” for the AIA Virginia Political Action Committee Award

AIA Hampton Roads is currently leading the competition comfortably with 80 points. The defending champions, AIA Central Virginia, currently hold second place at 40 points. AIA Northern Virginia is in third place with 30. No local component’s Board of Directors is at 100% participation as of this date. Like we have seen in past years, the leaderboard can change overnight when $1,000 is on the line!

The AIA Virginia PAC Award looks to celebrate the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC. The Award has historically been presented at Architecture Exchange East to the local component’s Board of Directors who will accept the award on behalf of its respective membership. The award criteria is based on a point total calculation based on three areas: local component Board participation, percentage of local component’s membership who have invested in the PAC, and the total amount of money invested by the members of the local component.

Below outlines point allocations:

  1. Local component Board participation
    a. Did 100% of the Board of Directors invest into the AIA Virginia PAC?
    i. Yes = 20 points
    ii. No = 0 points
  2. Percentage of local component’s members who have invested in the AIA Virginia PAC
    i. Component with highest % = 40 points
    ii. Component with second highest % = 20 points
    iii. Component with third highest % = 10 points
  3. Average investment per member from the total local component membership
    i. Component with highest average investment/member = 40 points
    ii. Component with second highest average investment/member = 30 points
    iii. Component with third highest average investment/member = 20 points
    iv. Component with fourth highest average investment/member = 10 points
    v. Component with fifth highest average investment/member = 0 points

Scoring will be closed on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Invest at www.aiavapac.org

Rumble in the Jungle is Back

Posted on by cguske

Does Your Component Want to Win $1,000 for 2022 Architecture Week? Win the RUMBLE in the JUNGLE for the AIA Virginia Political Action Committee Award

Like many professions, architects have interests that specifically impact our profession, practice, and our community. The legislative and regulatory environment is arguably the most important arena that impacts how we provide our professional services.  We, as architects, want to have an influential voice in this arena that allows us to control our destiny.  We can’t have an influential voice without having relationships. As such, the PAC allows us to build these necessary relationships.

The AIA Virginia PAC Award looks to celebrate the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC.  The Award has historically been presented at Architecture Exchange East to the local component’s Board of Directors who will accept the award on behalf of its respective membership.  The award criteria are based on a point total calculation based on three areas: local component Board participation, percentage of local component’s membership who have invested in the PAC, and the total amount of money invested by the members of the local component.

Below outlines point allocations:

  1. Local component Board participation
    • Did 100% of the Board of Directors invest into the AIA Virginia PAC?
      • Yes = 20 points
      • No = 0 points
  2. Percentage of local component’s members who have invested in the AIA Virginia PAC
    • Component with highest % = 40 points
    • Component with second highest % = 20 points
    • Component with third highest % = 10 points
  3. Average investment per member from the total local component membership
    • Component with highest average investment/member = 40 points
    • Component with second highest average investment/member = 30 points
    • Component with third highest average investment/member = 20 points
    • Component with fourth highest average investment/member = 10 points
    • Component with fifth highest average investment/member = 0 points

The competition officially begins today and the scoring will be closed on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Invest at www.aiavapac.org

Let’s Welcome Our New PAC Investors!

Posted on by cguske

We cannot have an influential voice without having relationships with our state legislators. As such, the PAC allows us the opportunity to build these necessary relationships through attending various fundraisers. Since June 15, the following individuals and firms proudly invested in our PAC:

MG2 Corporation
Powe Studio Architects
Krystal Anderson, AIA
John Burns, FAIA
Kathryn Prigmore, FAIA
Stephen Wakeman, AIA

The Governor’s Office is Looking to Appoint an Architect to the State Building Code Technical Review Board

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This year, AIA Virginia will be providing the Governor’s Office a slate of candidates for consideration for appointment to the State Building Code Technical Review Board. Our organization advocates for the Architect’s voice on these bodies to help shape policies and strengthen our communities. If interested in being considered for the slate, please click here to see submission requirements. 

Submissions are due to AIA Virginia Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, FAIA by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 12, 2021.

Below provides an overview of the State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB):

Purpose: The SBCTRB’s primary purpose is to hear appeals from enforcement actions under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations, the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations and the Virginia Certification Standards. Applicants for appeals are generally those persons or entities regulated under the building and fire codes and who disagree with an enforcement action.

A secondary function of the SBCTRB is to provide interpretations to the provisions of the VUSBC and VSFPC and make recommendations to the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development for future modifications, amendment, or repeal of such provisions.

In serving in this capacity, the individual will represent AIA Virginia during the code change development cycle in one or multiple workgroups.

Meeting Frequency: Estimated at 9-12 times per year for five hours each meeting for SBCTRB*. The code development review process consists of an additional 3-4 meetings per year per workgroup over a three-year period*.

Website: STATE BUILDING CODE TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARD (SBCTRB) | DHCD (virginia.gov)

*This is an estimate of meeting frequency and duration. The Board may have a need to meet more frequently or for a longer duration depending on the amount of business that needs to be addressed