Tag: Mitch Rowland

Since my last letter, the summer has flown by. A beach trip in the middle of July has me wondering why I thought that would be a good idea…..too hot to be on the beach?  Children with a boundless amount of energy?  What could go wrong?  Long story for a different day!

Things have been crazy busy. Of course, these last three years have taught me that everything can turn on a dime, so I am happy for the busy! Things at AIA Virginia have been busy as well.

• The last week in June saw the Art of Practice held at the Common House in Charlottesville. For those of you who could not make it you missed engaging conversations, timely information, and great dialogue during the round table discussions.

• AIAVA Honor nominations have been received, and the Honors Committee is reviewing and deliberating.

• AIAVA Design Award submissions have been received, and the Jury is busy with their review.

• Ever wonder about the planning for ArchEx? It is an effort that starts, at the closing of the previous ArchEx. This effort has ramped up recently as details of the Event are tweaked and refined. ArchEx is scheduled for November 1^st through 3^rd in Richmond, Virginia.

The rumors are true… Visions will be held on Thursday evening!  So mark your calendars and watch for an email with details and registration information in early September.

Part of my summer busy was cleaning out old paperwork from my home file “cabinet”. I ran across some AIA paperwork which reminded me of the service others have given to the profession we see today. It made me question what will the profession look like tomorrow or 10 years from now? In closing, I would like to encourage everyone to participate in AIA events, serve on committees and be active.  AIA Virginia is a member-driven organization. The value of AIA Virginia is in the many voices coming together for the greater good of the profession. 

Participate, be active, make your voice heard, and let’s imagine together where the profession will be 10 years from now!

Mitch Rowland, AIA
2023 President
AIA Virginia

It is hard to believe that June has arrived so quickly. The last five months of “spring” have passed in a blur.

I am sitting here in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, reflecting on the past few days at A’23, (AIA National Convention). A’23 felt like Architecture Exchange East (ArchEx) on steroids. It was exciting to see old friends and make new ones; to share a laugh and a memory with colleagues. I feel melancholy knowing that it is time for me to leave this “escape”, friends, colleagues, and experiences.  As I reflect, on the last few days, here are just a few quick observations.

• After participating in the business meetings and elections, there is no doubt that the Institute is in a position to continue leading.

• Issues of climate change, advocacy, social equity & diversity, and generational transitions are at the forefront of the Institute’s mission.

• It was a great honor to see Robert L. Easter, FAIA (2022 AIA Virginia President) receive the Whitney M. Young Jr. and to witness Robert V. Reis, FAIA (2019 AIA Virginia President) invested into the College of Fellows. The opportunity was especially exciting since I have had the opportunity to serve with both and know that each is very deserving!

• The leadership training and education opportunities were robust and stimulating.

• The keynote speakers were engaging and inspiring.

At the end of it all there is no doubt that Institute is moving forward with, promoting the fact that architects are well-positioned to address those issues which confront both the profession and the world in which we live.

As I look forward I am reminded that June is a busy month for AIA Virginia.

• AIA Virginia Honor Nominations are due June 16^th, 2023.

• AIA Virginia Design Awards Submissions are due June 28th, 2023.

• The 2023 Art of Practice will take place on Friday, June 23^rd, 2023 at Common House Charlottesville. This is an event that deals directly with the practice of architecture. We’ve kept registration open through Friday, so register today>>

Right around the corner is ArchEx, which is scheduled for November 1-3, 2023, in Richmond. And a special note – we’ll celebrate our Design Award winners and AIA Virginia Honorees at Visions for Architecture on THURSDAY night, November 2nd this year.

As I close this note, I hope everybody has an opportunity to take some time off and enjoy life over the next couple of months. I look forward to seeing everybody at the Art of Practice at the end of June.

Mitch Rowland, AIA
2023 President
AIA Virginia

Spring is upon us… (I hope). I for one am happy that spring has arrived as it brings about change all around us.

• New growth in the trees.
• Plants breaking free of the earthly bonds, seeking warmth and growing.
• The sounds of brightly colored birds
• New and different kinds of weeds are growing in my yard (not really happy about the weeds, but that is a different conversation.)

But most importantly, it is still daylight when I leave the Office.

It is also a busy time at AIA Virginia and the components around the state. Everyone has been busy putting together great events and other opportunities for growth and participation.

• Some local chapters are celebrating Architecture Month in April. Check out the event calendars for AIA Hampton Roads, and AIA Northern Virginia.
• In celebration of Resilience Week in Virginia, AIA Hampton Roads is presenting a series of seminars on resiliency. These seminars are scheduled for the week of April 17^th. Register today>>
• The AEC Conference is scheduled for April 25th and 26th in Richmond. This event is the result of the joint efforts by AGC, ACEC, and AIA Virginia. The conference brings together the architectural, engineering, and construction community in one location. Register today>>
• The Art of Practice is scheduled for June 23rd in Charlottesville. This year’s focus is on preparing for economic stress and maintaining resilience. Only 50 tickets will be sold so Register today>>
• AIA Virginia has issued the Call for Entries for the 2023 Design Awards Program. More here>>
• The Call for Nominations for AIA Virginia Honors is now open too. More here>>
• Planning is well underway for ArchEx ’23 scheduled for November 1^st thru 3^rd, in Richmond. Save these dates for our annual family reunion!

The events take the time and energy of a dedicated few to plan and execute. I encourage each of us to take a few minutes and visit the website of each of our local components and AIA Virginia. Find out how we can make a connection, serve in our communities, and participate.  There are several components looking for committee members and board members.  Each one of us is an important part of AIA.

Look forward to seeing you all at the AEC Conference.

Mitch Rowland, AIA
President
AIA Virginia

A new year has begun! Downtown Richmond, the central business district, has come alive with people traveling back and forth to Capitol Square, and the adjacent legislative offices. People waiting in line quietly at the legislative office buildings while others are marching with throngs of people, not so quietly!!  All hoping to make their opinions known to Virginia’s legislators.

Working in downtown Richmond for a number of years, this is the scene I have witnessed for many years. It marks the beginning of a New Year and a new Virginia legislative session. Frankly, I have really never given much thought as to its purpose and its importance; the fact is that I saw it more as a nuisance.

Over the past year, its importance and purpose have become very evident as I (we) have benefited from the hard work that the Joint Legislative Committee does.  (Current members are: Ed Gillikin, AIA, Stephen Weisensale, AIA, Lauren Sughrue, Associate AIA, and Rebecca Edmunds, AIA.) The Committee, working along with our lobbyist, has spent numerous hours reviewing, vetting, and discussing legislation related to the profession, climate change, resiliency, and other issues of importance. These efforts have benefited both citizens of the Commonwealth as well as the profession. This herculean endeavor by a small team of dedicated individuals is amazing.

 However, it made me wonder how much different things could/would be if:

1. We were all advocates for the power of good design and its impact on the built environment.
2. We were all advocates for the value that an Architect brings to a project and the built environment as a whole.
3. We were all advocates for the influences of what a good design has on the human experience.

If indeed “knowledge is our currency” then it’s time to start sharing that “knowledge” with others and those who are making important decisions that impact our lives, the ecology environment, the built environment, the human experience, and the very profession which we practice.  It’s time to take action.

Change occurs when motivated individuals take action to improve conditions, solve problems, make social changes, improve environmental conditions, make changes to our lives, and change the status quo. As I have discovered, we should not be afraid to have reasonable debates and conversations as to the impact of any particular issue.  These collaborative discussions and discourse along with differing opinions and experiences can enrich the world in which we live and our individual lives.

I hope in the coming months we each find how we can become a part of these conversations ….. in our communities, our local AIA components, and AIA Virginia. These conversations have the ability to change the world in which we live and practice in. So let’s start talking!

Mitch Rowland, AIA
2023 President
AIA Virginia