There is “good trouble”, and there is also “good tired”.
Good tired is how I felt right after AIA24. Like all substantial events, I enjoyed both the content and the connections. I enjoyed the stimulus of the sessions and the keynotes. I enjoyed the technology and the innovation of the expo. I enjoyed a great number of social events – including the tremendously pleasant AIA Virginia reception at VMDO|DC (Thank you to VMDO for hosting us and to all of you who made it out). And I enjoyed the journeys between those intentional destinations, which were pleasantly punctuated by opportunistic encounters with friends, fellow members, and former colleagues, classmates, and students. (I’ve enjoyed how the lines between those categories have blurred over the years.)
The fatigue has subsided – or at least it is now attributable to other causes. Satisfaction and gratitude remain. There are a lot of great people in our organization. My confidence in our colleagues and our members has been refreshed. There are challenges to be faced. (We even recognize some of them.) But I am convinced that we will overcome those challenges – together; and I know that there is, and will continue to be, much to celebrate along the way.
We are left to look forward to Boston. And I hope to see you several times in and around our own Commonwealth between now and then.
We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following member for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you an architect!
Sarah Brummett, AIA (Northern Virginia)
Have you recently passed the ARE? Upgrade your membership to Architect using this AIA form. or send an email to your Member Services Director, Cathy Guske, cguske@aiava.org
Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>
Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com
Happy May! As the blossoms yield to breezes and the forest canopy emerges, first fruits appear on the vines, and fish abound in rivers and the bay, I’m grateful to experience the cycles, seasons, and abundance of Virginia’s mountains, valleys, and coastal areas while connecting with members across the commonwealth. And I’m reminded of our common commitment to protect and promote these assets as we design a better built environment. AIA Virginia has enjoyed a banner spring, and we’ve got more opportunities to share and learn together. Here’s an update.
In April, we hosted Design Forum XVI, where students, practitioners, educators, and emeritus members packed the ICA at VCU to gather, eat, make, get inspired, and gain wisdom and insights from four remarkable keynote speakers. The words and work of Billie Tsien, Ted Flato, Rick Joy, and Dwayne Oyler still resonate with me, and I’m thankful for our time together and for our Design Committee for making it all happen.
Our April Board of Directors meeting was held at Hampton University, where Ex-Officio board member Dr. Daya Taylor, AIA, NOMA shared their studio spaces, introduced us to HU faculty and staff, and allowed us to participate in a 3rd-year project pin-up.
Just last week, AIA VA hosted our first 2024 Town Hall in downtown Roanoke, where leaders, members, and friends of AIA Blue Ridge came out for an evening to connect, share, and learn more about our activities and advocacy efforts. See below for a schedule of 2024 Town Hall events at each local component. Please save the date and look for more information on our Events page or from your local component!
And finally, I’m excited to attend AIA24 in Washington DC, where more than 250 AIA Virginia members will join AEC industry professionals from across the globe to connect, learn, tour, and celebrate. It’s not too late – register here!
Kelly D. Callahan, AIA 2024 President, AIA Virginia
AIA Virginia letter of concern to AIA leadership AIA Virginia recently became aware of various letters of concern sent to AIA National leadership related to AIA’s processes, finances, and proposed bylaws revisions. Two weeks ago, AIA Virginia, in partnership with our local component’s leadership, issued a letter of concern to AIA’s board of directors requesting a third-party review and transparent communication related to the allegations. Last week, AIA responded acknowledging our concerns and ensuring actions were being taken. As a member-driven organization, we trust that AIA will act with integrity and swiftly address these concerns. For our part, AIA Virginia continues in its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability to our members. AIA Virginia’s board of directors’ meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of even-numbered months and are open to members. A financial report, membership data, and opportunities for involvement are presented at our annual meeting each November, and all substantive proposed revisions to our bylaws are published early and voted on by our membership at the annual meeting. To ensure open lines of communication and knowledge sharing between state and local component leaders, AIA Virginia hosted an inaugural state Leadership Summit in January, and we will continue to meet every six months. I’m grateful to serve you, our members, alongside our committed leaders and faithful staff, and hope that you will reach out to me, President-Elect Meagan Jancy, AIA, or EVP Paul Battaglia, AIA, with any questions or concerns related to this matter.
Please note that time was of the essence in getting this letter to AIA leadership. As such, AIA Central Virginia and AIA Coastal Virginia did not get their approval to us in time to be included in the signatories.
New Associate Members Kayla Hinds, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) Christiana Johnson, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) William Kopp, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Alejandra Landaverde, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Guido Seoanes, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) Erika Workman, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Transferred In Ahmed Hashem, Intl Assoc. AIA (Blue Ridge) from AIA Ohio MacKenzie Miller, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Pennsylvania Mark Palmer, AIA (Richmond) from AIA|DC Rob Sabbir, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA California Andrew Vargo, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Maryland Robert Volpe, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA|DC
Recently, and more than once, I was asked what lessons I had learned through the experience of our advocacy efforts during the recent General Assembly session. Excellent questions should not remain unanswered. My response is the following:
No surprises
There are no permanent adversaries
Identify the opposition
A little more on each of those…
No surprises: Nobody appreciates being surprised; in real time, notoriously. Positions can and do change; they evolve, they often depend on specific circumstances, and circumstances are likewise prone to change. People understand that. But it is not fair to ask that they understand something that has changed from what they last were told, or worse yet, something that was willfully concealed. If you have made someone aware of your position – and you should never withhold a position if it is inquired after – and that position has changed from what you told them previously, you owe it to them to communicate that change.
There are no permanent adversaries: Those who are not with us are against us – kind of. Not so much actually. And even with those who may be staunch adversaries on one matter, we may be able to find a common interest on another. Best to remain opportunistic. A related maxim: there are no permanent victories. Best to remain vigilant.
Identify the opposition: It is important to identify, and recognize, those who oppose, or might oppose, your position; in advance, candidly. This information should be offered freely, along with a summary of the issue and your position. And this is best done pre-emptively: if you can offer this information before the other party inquires, so much the better. This offers the other party a chance to better understand what they are getting into.
I reckon those as three of the most impactful lessons that I learned; or had confirmed. I expect that learning to continue.
Paul Battaglia, AIA Executive Vice President
P.S. An update on the results of the 2024 General Assembly session will be highlighted during an Advocacy Town Hall Meeting via Zoom from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. 1 LU (pending). Register here>>
We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following member for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you an architect!
Scott Bennett, AIA (Northern Virginia)
Have you recently passed the ARE? Upgrade your membership to Architect using this AIA form. or send an email to your Member Services Director, Cathy Guske, cguske@aiava.org
Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>
Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com
Keith Brockman, Assoc. AIA (Richmond) from AIA Georgia Matthew Hill, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA DC Parul Jain, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Colorado Alkananda Jakkaraju, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Illinois Sandra LaFontaine, AIA (Central Virginia) from AIA Ohio Masoud Sharikzadeh, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Massachusetts Quentin Ward, AIA (Richmond) from AIA DC
New/Renewed Allied Members
Brian Hunt, Vice President, Keith Fabry Hessam Nabavi, Promotions Director, Virginia Ready Mixed Concrete Association Susan Pilato, CEO, Mantra Inspired Furniture Kathy Blanchard, Senior Vice President, McGriff Insurance Services
If you’re a current licensure candidate or AXP supervisor, you’ve probably heard about recent changes to the ARE 5.0. If this is news to you, fear not – NCARB is only making some small changes based on industry updates and data they’ve gathered – it’s not a complete overhaul of the exam. The changes include:
International Code Council Version Update
All ARE 5.0 exams will now reference the 2021 ICC family of codes and include all codes that the current version of the International Building Code references. The intent of this change is to keep the exam items consistent with current professional practice, as many jurisdictions have adopted the 2021 code. Keep in mind that the exams do not require (or even expect) candidates to memorize the building code, but you do need to understand the content and be able to interpret and apply any references provided within the exam.
Quantitative Fill in the Blank (QFIB) Item Retirement
No more transcribing numbers into a blank answer box! ARE Candidates will still be required to complete calculations in order to answer exam items, but you will no longer have to type a number from the calculator into a box in order to answer the item. All of the other item types will still be included in each of the exams, including multiple-choice, check all that apply, hotspot, and drag and place. This change comes directly from NCARB’s industry research which has found that the other item formats are more consistent and effective. Everything else about the exam format will stay the same.
Exam Security Enhancements
If you have taken a division of the ARE, you know that NCARB and the testing centers they work with are serious about exam security. It might seem a little over the top to sign the ARE Candidate Agreement and roll up your pant legs for inspection, but all the implemented security measures are intended to ensure the validity of the ARE. The content of each exam division is confidential (and copyrighted) and sharing or discussion of specific ARE items is prohibited by the Candidate Agreement. You may have seen that just last month, three ARE Candidates were reprimanded by NCARB for Seeking or Failing to Report Disclosed ARE Content, and their names were shared publicly. An official reprimand is often accompanied by invalidated test results, suspended testing authorization, or denial of an NCARB Certificate. Reprimands are also shared with licensing boards, who may revoke the candidate’s license. The updated Exam Security and Candidate Misconduct section of the ARE 5.0 Guidelines has more information. These tests are tough for a reason, so don’t risk delaying or losing your opportunity to get licensed by looking for a loophole.
These three changes went into effect just a few weeks ago on February 27, 2024. If you’re an ARE candidate who has exams scheduled and has started studying, don’t let these changes discourage you. The content of the items and overall format of the exam is not fundamentally changing, and you do not need to re-study information if you’re already comfortable with it. NCARB has also updated its free practice exams to reflect the 2021 ICC and QFIB changes.
If you’d like to learn more about these updates, NCARB has a recorded webinar on their YouTube page which includes a deep dive into the exam security updates and a Q&A with Candidates. There’s also a post on their press page with links to the resources you’ll need.
As always, your questions about AXP, the AREs, or NCARB in general are always welcome and encouraged. Happy studying and good luck with your exams,
It’s already March, and I’m grateful to see the bursting bulbs and blossoms and to feel the promise of spring. If you read nothing further, please register and join us for AIA Virginia’s Design Forum at the Institute for Contemporary Arts at VCU in Richmond on April 5th and 6th!
Kelly D. Callahan, AIA 2024 President, AIA Virginia
In January, your state and local component leaders gathered for an inaugural leadership roundtable. The immersive conversation centered around our collective challenges, what’s working well, and how we can better help one another. And the collaboration and connections were so relevant that we unanimously agreed (rather than waiting a year) to do it again in six months!
In late February, leaders from Virginia joinedover 400 architects who met with Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill to lobby on behalf of our profession and the built environment. We spoke to them about the Research and Development Tax Credit’s impact on our businesses’ bottom lines, the Democracy in Design Act which ensures our ability to design federal buildings that reflect their time, place, and community’s values, and we spoke frankly about how to correct common misinterpretations of a federal 6% fee cap.
In the following days at the AIA Leadership Summit, leaders from the state and (yep, all five!) of our local components gathered in DC to connect with peers and gain insight from experts on board logistics, expanding our impact, honing our efforts, and leading through our passions. Your local leaders are very fine folks indeed, and I encourage you to step up (host an event at your firm, offer a project for a building tour, share your wisdom on a panel discussion, join a committee or the board) and serve alongside them.
As a relator (not a realtor), I recognize the ongoing need to strengthen connections and communication between the (continually evolving and largely volunteer-led) state and local components. And everyone likes beer and food, right?! So, we’ll be hosting local Town Halls + Happy Hours throughout the year at each component. Please watch for announcements from your local component, and I look forward to seeing many of you in person!
Finally, I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS to our Virginia colleagues Ed Ford, Bruce Wardell, Michelle Amt, and Mel Price on being elevated to the 2024 College of Fellows!
Hang in there, only nine more days till the equinox… Kelly D. Callahan, AIA 2024 President, AIA Virginia
By Jeff Slagle, President, Virginia Ready Mixed Concrete Association
Discovery Elementary School 5241 36th St N Arlington, VA 22207
In the heart of Arlington, Virginia, Discovery Elementary School is a model for the future of sustainable educational environments. Completed in 2015 and encompassing 97,588 GSF, this landmark project, envisioned by AIA Virginia member VMDO Architects, represents a pinnacle of eco-friendly construction within the K-12 educational sector.
A Vision of Sustainability and Collaboration
As the Mid-Atlantic’s first zero-energy school and the largest of its kind in the United States, Discovery Elementary embodies the ambitious goal of merging sustainability with educational excellence. The project’s success is a product of the collaborative synergy between visionary architects, dedicated contractors, and the innovative use of concrete, highlighting the material’s pivotal role in achieving energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Innovative Design and Concrete’s Role
Designed to support 650 students from Pre-K through 5th grade, Discovery Elementary integrates 1,706 rooftop solar panels, a geothermal well field, solar pre-heating for domestic water, and 100% LED lighting. Central to its design, the strategic use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and high thermal mass concrete walls significantly reduce the building’s energy needs and contribute to its zero-energy status.
Awards and Recognition
The project has garnered numerous accolades, reflecting its impact and innovation in sustainable design:
2016 Project of Distinction by the Association for Learning Environments
2016 Honor Award by AIA Central Virginia
2016 Honorable Mention by Learning by Design
2015 Award of Excellence by Design Arlington Awards
Sustainability in Action
The Arlington Public Schools’ Energy Report Card for FY 2019-2023 highlights Discovery Elementary’s exceptional energy performance, with an EUI significantly lower than the district average. This achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of concrete’s thermal properties and the school’s integrated approach to sustainability.
Looking Forward
Discovery Elementary serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when innovative design meets the versatility and efficiency of concrete. It stands as a model for architects, emphasizing the role of concrete in creating energy-efficient, environmentally responsible educational environments.
VRMCA is here to help Virginia’s architects learn about the benefits of concrete in their design – for any and all project types. You may contact Hessam Nabavi at (703) 966-6743 or via email at hessam@vrmca.com for any questions or information about the role concrete can play in your design.
250 West Main Street Suite 100 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902 http://www.vrmca.com/
