Norfolk Site of 2010 ELA Class Project
VSAIA Begins Third Year of Honors Academy
By Brian J. Frickie, AIA
Participants in the Emerging Leaders in Architecture program completed a study of downtown Norfolk looking for ways to reinvigorate the connection between the commercial district and the waterfront. The project is an integral part of the ELA, an Honors Academy of the VSAIA, now in its third year. Sixteen young Architects, interns and students from all over Virginia work together on the class project.
“The project is just one of three methods we use in the ELA program to convey key principles about architecture practice,” says Wayne Conners, Director of Professional Development for VSAIA, “At each of the eight sessions held throughout the year, we bring in experts to introduce big ideas, we review case studies to develop a more thorough understanding, and we use the class project as an opportunity for practical application.”
According to Kirk Train, Principal at Train and Partners in Charlottesville and charter member of the ELA Steering Committee, “The project helps participants put the principles we discuss into practice and it reinforces the obligation we all have to give our time and expertise back to our communities.”
The first class project studied redevelopment of the Alexandria West End and Al Cox, FAIA, manager of Alexandria’s Historic Preservation office was NOVA AIA President at the time. Reflecting on the results, he said, “They not only gave us insight into redevelopment of the West End, but they showed us really effective communication techniques.”
The 2010 project was conceived in conjunction with Norfolk Department of Development who, as the client, asked for ideas to reinvigorate downtown. After spending time on-site and studying the area, the class determined that the downtown area had lost its strong connection to a working waterfront when highway construction along the water virtually cut-off pedestrian access. They recommended restoration of these connections, combined with additional housing for people to live downtown, expansion of retail uses, and creation of cultural destinations. After the presentation in October, Mike Cutter, Business Development Manager with the Norfolk Department of Development and the primary client contact for the project responded, “We did not know what to expect from the project, but the work they did will be very helpful as we reinvision what downtown Norfolk can be. This is a real gift to us.”
Martin Borger, AIA, President of Hampton Roads AIA, a participant in the inaugural year of the Honors Academy and Project Coordinator for the Steering Committee observed, “The project is real and the results can have a tangible effect on the city, but the real lessons learned are about the leadership skills needed for people to work together.”
The Honors Academy has just started the 2011 program and the class project will be in Richmond. “As important as the project is to the program,” says Will Scribner, FAIA, Principal at SMBW in Richmond and chair of the ELA Steering Committee, “our main goal in one short year is simply to expose these young leaders to the lessons it has taken us thirty years to learn.”
The class’s final presentation can be downloaded here: ELA 2010 Presentation (8 mb .PDF)
Front Row: Sonia Jarboe, Therese Lange, Rena Bradley, Justin Walton, Amanda McCreary.
Second Row: Raj Banga, Ryan McEnroe, Mike Nolan, La’Veesha Allen, Susan Movassagh.
Back Row: Lauren Hackney, Jennifer Wimmer, Jim Richardson, Kate Mora, Greg Simon, Ben McCreary
For information about the Emerging Leaders in Architecture Honors Academy, contact Wayne Conners, VSAIA Director of Professional Development, at wconners@aiava.org or 804-237-1769