Friday, February 25, 2011

Achieving the Triple Bottom Line Through Design Build

Achieving Deep Green Through Design Build

Many public agencies are adopting the design-build competition as a first step toward a value and incentive-based approach to project delivery. Deep green design can be integrated into the design build delivery method, if the right environment and factors are present. This presentation will give an understanding of this environment, and key elements involved to make it successful.

Presenters:

Jim Coyle: Senior Project Manager, Pankow Builders

Chris Noll: Principal, Noll & Tam Architects


Learning Objectives:

Learn how Pankow Builders and Noll & Tam Architects developed a visionary solution to the competition for the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center. You’ll leave with an understanding of how the team created a compelling identity for the Center and incorporated numerous sustainability enhancements, in a compressed timeline. The result offered significant value and forward-thinking ideas for an important community facility.

1. Cost benefits of Design-Build as a form of agreement compared to others.

2. How Design Build supports green building in a way other contract forms do not.

3. Ways that architects can truly save time in design and CA using Design Build.

4. Methods to get clients to commit to deeper green.

4/8/11
Achieving the Triple Bottom Line Through Design Build

Time: Noon - 1:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: 510/464-3600
Cost: None; this program is open to all. Please RSVP.
1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Monthly Program: Skating on Thin Ice - Surviving and Succeeding on Projects with Precarious Contract Terms

You didn’t get the contract terms you wanted, but now you have the project. How do you survive and succeed on projects with threatening contract terms such as broadly worded indemnities with the duty to defend the client, GMPs for design or construction, guarantees for code and regulatory perfection, and energy & LEED certification guarantees?

This session will identify these and other contract challenges, explain the shift in perspective needed to manage these risks, and will present strategies focused on delivering successful projects under dangerous contract terms.

David Ericksen is an attorney with Severson & Werson, where he specializes in representing architects, engineers and related design professionals in construction, environmental litigation and transactional matters as well as in professional liability and insurance issues.

Carolyn Isseks, Hon. AIAEB and VP of Dealey, Renton & Associates, Insurance Brokers, provides insurance programs and risk management solutions to architects, engineers and related professionals.


3/30/11

Monthly Program: Skating on Thin Ice - Surviving and Succeeding on Projects with Precarious Contract Terms

Presented by Carolyn Isseks, on. AIAEB, VP of Dealey, Renton & Associates and David Ericksen, Esq. President of Severson. The program is followed by a wine and cheese networking reception in the AIA East Bay Chapter Office.

Time: 5:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: $15.75 for AIA Members; $21 for non-members. Registration required.
Click here to register or for more information.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600



Committee on the Environment Forum: Zero Net Energy Design - A Case Study of DPRs San Diego Office Building

Many buildings today purporting to have high degrees of sustainability as fostered through the LEED rating system of the US Green Building Council are - in energy terms. However, many are far from achieving the level of sustainability that authorities have already legislated to be mainstream by the close of the decade. For example, in California, laws are in place demanding new residential homes built in 2020 and beyond to be Zero Net Energy, with commercial buildings to follow in 2030. "Achievable" efficiency (40% - 70% better than code) should certainly be common practice among the most efficient buildings built today, but they are not. To achieve the necessary levels of energy savings we need to move into the area of smart design. This presentation will provide insight to the design process that occurred to achieve the new San Diego DPR had office net zero building and detail the design process and a case study of the results of the project after the first year of operation.

Andrea Traber is Director of KEMA’s Sustainable Buildings and Operations group. This group provides sustainable design consulting, LEED consulting, commissioning, retro-commissioning, high performance energy modeling, green building guideline and policy development, and sustainability master planning. Ms. Traber has an extensive background as Project Architect and sustainability consultant on over 40 LEED projects achieving all levels of certification and on a wide variety of project types, and has provided sustainability consulting on over 120 projects and programs. Her work includes climate action planning, green building and energy program design with municipalities and public agencies. She works with private sector real estate industry, property management firms, design and construction firms, energy utilities and public agencies. Ms. Traber is Past-President (3 years) and current Board Member (6 years) of the Northern California Chapter of the USGBC, and served as Board Member of Build It Green for 3 years. She has been actively engaged in green building practice, research and advocacy since 1992.


3/25/11

Committee on the Environment Forum: Zero Net Energy Design - A Case Study of DPRs San Diego Office Building

Andrea Traber, Director of KEMA's Sustainable Buildings and Operations group, will present the Zero Net Energy design process as it was used to achieve the San Diego DPR head office.

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Andrea Powell, Intl. Assoc. AIA

Cost: None; this program open to all.

1.5 CES/HSW/SD LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600


Pleasanton Program: Concrete Floors and Moisture Testing

Lee Elisean, President and Principal Consultant of Independent Floor Testing and Inspection, Inc. (IFTI) will present an introduction to concrete floor slabs, the causes of moisture related floor covering failures, and the latest industry standard test methods.

Take a look at where it all starts and why moisture related floor covering failures occur. This program will address up to date ways to tackle moisture and the future in testing practices. Attendees will also discover the importance of including Concrete Slab Moisture and pH testing in project specifications.

Lee Elisean has over 30 years of experience in the floor covering industry, specializing in national independent third-party concrete slab moisture and pH testing, as well as floor covering failure analysis and moisture mitigation systems. Lee is an active member of ASTM International Member F06 Committee on Resilient Floor Coverings. He is also a member in good standing with WESTCON Consultants Association (Director), International Concrete Repair Institute, American Concrete Institute, the World Floor Covering Association, and the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association.


3/24/11

Pleasanton Program: Concrete Floors and Moisture Testing

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

Location: Dahlin Group, 5865 Owens Dr., Pleasanton

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: None; this program open to all. Please RSVP.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Professional Practice Forum: Personnel - The Strength of a Practice

Does your firm need an HR person on staff? After this round table discussion attendees will have a greater understanding of the importance of creating and maintaining an employee manual. Attendees will learn about restrictions on employee activities at their place of work. Attendees will also learn about rules and opportunities for employee credit on projects. Lastly, attendees will gain a greater understanding of the difference between termination for cause versus for lack of work, and the important difference.

3/17/11 CES

Professional Practice Forum: Personnel - The Strength of a Practice

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: None; this forum is open to all.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Women In Architecture Forum: 10/10 - 10 Images/10 Seconds

Women in Architecture invites you to join them for a 10/10 Event. Show off your creativity with ten images with ten seconds per image. Challenge yourself to find new walks to demonstrate your work and you passion. Please bring your presentation on a flash drive.


3/10/11

Women In Architecture Forum: 10/10 - 10 Images/10 Seconds

Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Laura de la Torre, Assoc. AIA

Cost: None; this forum is open to all. Please RSVP if you plan to present.

For more information: 510/464-3600

Small Firm Forum: Bare Truths - Risk and the Small Firm

Discover what Bay Area small firms think the optimal combination of risk protection is for them.


Small Firm Forum will focus this month on the architect's risk and liability in today's business climate and how to avoid harm from those risks. In this round table discussion we hope to learn about:

  1. The character of risk. What type of risks do small firm owners face? Are they the same today as yesterday? Will they be the same tomorrow?
  2. Shelters from risk. How do we mitigate or protect against the risks we face? Is insurance the answer, or taking special care in our work? Should we see protections in our contracts?
  3. How does the economy effect choices about risk management. Can we afford insurance? Is it more necessary in tough times? Does a more competitive climate for clients force us to take greater risks just to keep work on the boards?
  4. Insurance choices. What insurance choices are our peers making? How vital is it?

3/3/11 CES

Small Firm Forum: Bare Truths - Risk and the Small Firm

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: Free for AIA members; $3.00 for non-members.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

ArchiCAD User Group: Building Sloped Roof Systems

Tom Simmons, President of ARCHVISTA will review how to create different types of multi-level roof systems including a review of the roof settings, using polygon roofs, changing a hip roof to a gable, splitting and mitering roofs, trim to roof, solid element operations on roofs and spot roof elevations.

After this program attendees will understand how to use ArchiCAD's Roof Tool for sloped roofs. You will learn how to edit existing sloped roof elements, use solid element operations on roofs and use spot roof elevations with roof model elements.

3/2/11 CES

ArchiCAD User Group: Building Sloped Roof Systems

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600

Cost: None; this user group is open to all. Registration is required. Click here to register.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Friday, February 18, 2011

Committee on the Environment Forum: Berkeley Climate Action and the Built Environment

This presentation will provide an overview of the Berkeley Climate Action Plan, including the process for developing the plan and current efforts to implement it. Special emphasis will be placed on the built environment components of the document. Attendees will leave with an enhanced understanding of the role of local government in addressing climate change and specific steps the City of Berkeley is taking to be part of the solution.

Timothy Burroughs is the Climate Action Coordinator at the City of Berkeley. His role is to engage the community and the City government in the design and implementation of effective greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies. Timothy led the development of the Berkeley Climate Action Plan, which was adopted by City Council in June 2009.


Timothy came to the City of Berkeley from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. ICLEI is an international membership association of local governments working to find local solutions to global warming. There he managed the organization’s California-based efforts to provide policy and technical assistance to municipalities.

Prior to joining ICLEI Timothy worked at the U.S. EPA in Washington, DC. His role there was to assist with the development of the Climate Friendly Places program, an effort designed to educate and empower the public regarding the issues of climate change and air pollution through the facilitation of emissions inventories and educational workshops held in national parks.

Timothy served as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa from 1999-2001.


He has a master’s degree in international environmental policy from The American University in Washington, D.C., and an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Mount Saint Mary's College in Maryland, USA.


2/25/11

Committee on the Environment Forum: Berkeley Climate Action and the Built Environment

Timothy Burroughs, Climate Action Coordinator for the City of Berkeley, will discuss the Berkeley climate action plan and the impact on the built environment.

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Andrea Powell, Intl. Assoc. AIA

Cost: None; this program open to all.

1 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Citywide Zoning Update

One possible action the Committee could take on February 22 is to recommend these proposals to the full City Council for a public hearing on March 1st at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. However, the proposals could also be continued for further Committee meetings. Once future meetings and hearings are scheduled for the public to learn about and discuss the Zoning Update, a similar announcement email will be sent out and the project website will be updated.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

2:00 pm Hearing Room 1, City Hall

Frank H, Ogawa Plaza

For more information: Please visit the zoning update webpage www.oaklandnet.com/zoningupdate -- to read the staff report, including highlights of the proposal, click on “Schedule and Upcoming Meetings;” and to view the proposed zoning maps and text, click on “Proposals”.


Thursday, February 10, 2011

Office Space for Lease


1000s.f to sublease, it is furnished and rent would be $1,800, which will include utilities, janitorial service and alarm system.

The address is:
1144 65th St., Suite A, Oakland, CA 94608

For more information: Contact Tomas Frank, AIA (510)595-9000

Monday, February 07, 2011

NEW EXHIBIT All Their Own: Designing for Themselves and Each Other

As sites, designers’ own home projects teach us about the history of architecture and landscape architecture, communicate the nature of their work, and reveal something about themselves.

Although a designer’s first projects are often for family members, they inevitably will design a place of their own during the course of their career. These include gardens, residences, vacation homes, remodels, and design-build projects. Designers also design for each other. This exhibition showcases projects by architects and landscape architects for themselves and for their colleagues.

The exhibit includes highlights from the Environmental Design Archives /Visual Resources Center and Environmental Design Library collections, such as original sketches, photographs, ephemera, and books.

Opening Event:

A presentation by Tom Buresh, Professor and Chair of Architecture and Danelle Guthrie Visiting Assoc. Prof. in Architecture, Principals at Guthrie + Buresh Architects share their experiences designing and building their own home.

6:30 pm February 24, 2011

Environmental Design Library

210 Wurster Hall, University of California, Berkeley

Curator: Waverly Lowell, Curator, Environmental Design Archives

February 22, 2011 – June 3, 2011

Environmental Design Library

Judith Stronach / Ray Lifchez exhibit cases

Volkmann Reading Room

210 Wurster Hall, University of California, Berkeley

For more information: Hours, Directions: 510-642-4818

www.lib.berkeley.edu/ENVI/hours.html


Thursday, February 03, 2011

San Francisco Wood Solutions Fair

March 16, 2011


Earn up to 6 AIA/CES LUs free of charge – HSW & SD credits available


Wood Solutions Fairs are North America’s premier educational forum for non-residential wood design. Combining topical seminars with trade expositions, Wood Solutions Fairs pack an informational punch for architects and others interested in wood’s exciting design possibilities.

Topics include: Moisture management * Fire designs * Building Code Changes * Innovative Wood Structures * Lumber Specifications * Sustainability Solutions * Connections * Midrise Wood Construction * More

In addition to the fair, the 2011 California Wood Design Awards will be presented during the lunch presentation. Come see the best wood projects California has to offer! 



Click here for more info and to register now. Space is limited, register today.

For more information: contact Woodworks California at 925.831.3024

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Getting the Most from Your 401(k)

This presentation will focus on the three basic areas of retirement plan improvement:
  • Plan Design: Learn about 401(k) plan design and how company owners can contribute as much as $54,500/year
  • Choosing 401(k) Plan Investments: Understand how to choose mutual funds and vendors for a 401(k) plan
  • Creating a 401(k) Investment Plan Strategy: Learn how to apply Modern Portfolio Theory to create a "path of minimum regret"
Plan Design
Understand plan design and how to increase company owner contributions to as much as $54,500 per year, far beyond what has thought to be the $16,500 maximum (plus the $5,500 "catch-up" for those 50 and older). Learn how to fold retirement plan contributions into an overall compensation and bonus strategy so that they cease to be considered an "extra expense".

Choosing 401(k) Plan Investments

We'll focus on "open architecture", a proven performance advantage to selecting funds from an unlimited universe as opposed to choosing from a selection limited to the typical vendor's in-house proprietary funds.
  • Gain an appreciation for what constitutes a reasonable fee structure for employee/participant
  • See how fees are charged, how they must be reported to employees in dollars, and how they impact long-term results
  • Learn how to negotiate with an existing vendor to provide a better-performing, more cost-effective investment selection
  • Understand why your vendor emphasizes "target funds" and other high-profit margin products
  • See through the "fiduciary scare tactic" and other self-serving industry misinformation

Creating a 401(k) Investment Plan Strategy
Learn how to identify inversely correlated investments and apply Modern Portfolio Theory to create a "path of minimum regret". Consider how qualified retirement plan investment decisions are impacted by equity in a home, potential inheritances, business assets and other factors that are often overlooked in the "silo" approach to managing personal finances.

Steve Butler is the founder and President of Pension Dynamics Corporation, a retirement plan consulting and administration company, located in the East Bay and in business since 1980.

Steve is the author of two books on 401(k) plans, and for the past 11 years has written a weekly financial column for multiple Bay Area News Group Newspapers including Contra Costa Time, Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, San Mateo Times and other related media. Click here to view some of Steve Butler's monthly columns in the Contra Costa Times.

Steve is the originator of the "Butler Index", an index of total costs of 401(k) plans, featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and MONEY magazine. Steve has also testified at Department of Labor and US House of Representatives cost-related hearings.

A graduate of Harvard, Steve then attended UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Business Administration.

3/15/11

Getting the Most from Your 401(k)
Steven Butler, President of Pension Dynamic Corporation, will present the three basic areas of retirement plan improvement. He will discuss 401(k) plan design, how to choose 401(k) plan investments, and how to create a 401(k) investment plan strategy.
Time: 6pm - 7pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: 510/464-3600
Cost: None; this program is open to all. Please RSVP.
1 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

OHA Announces Call for Nominations for the 2011 Partners In Preservation Awards


Oakland Heritage Alliance Announces Call for Nominations for the 2011 Partners In Preservation Awards

OAKLAND, CA January 20, 2011 – Oakland Heritage Alliance, an award-winning non-profit, announces a Call for Nominations for the 2011 Partners in Preservation Awards. Each year, the Oakland Heritage Alliance honors individuals, organizations, projects and programs whose work demonstrates a commitment to excellence in historic preservation. Awards may be granted in one of seven categories: Adaptive Use/Rehabilitation; Advocacy & Leadership; Education; Lifetime Achievement; New Construction; Restoration; and Stewardship. By honoring these projects, OHA hopes to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote Oakland’s historic resources.


Applications are due by February 28th. Self-nominations are accepted. Award recipients will be honored with an awards ceremony followed by a reception on May 12, 2011. The full application can be found at the following website: http://oaklandheritage.tumblr.com/post/50237966/partners-in-preservation


Interested parties may contact Rachel Force at info@oaklandheritage.org or 510-763-9218 with any questions.


About Oakland Heritage Alliance

Oakland Heritage Alliance is a non-profit membership organization which advocates the protection, preservation, and revitalization of Oakland’s architectural, historic, cultural and natural resources through publications, education, and direct action. OHA serves all of Oakland with its educational outreach, fostering learning about our cultural and historic heritage and enhancing a sense of place and identity among citizens. Each summer our award-winning walking tours introduce hundreds of people to Oakland’s diverse architectural, cultural and natural heritage. Our monthly lecture series attracts attendees from all over the Bay region. Through our Newsletter, we disseminate information about Oakland history. Visit us at www.oaklandheritage.org

For more information:
510-763-9218