Oakland's Draft Energy and Climate Action Plan Now Available

Oakland's revised Draft Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP) is now available for public review, and will be considered at upcoming meetings of the City's Planning Commission and Public Works Committee.

The revised draft ECAP, along with the draft ECAP Appendix, was posted to the City's website on November 24, 2010. Visit the website to download a copy of the draft Energy and Climate Action Plan. Printed copies of the Draft ECAP are available for public review at no charge at the Office of the City Clerk, Records Management Office, located at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (City Hall).

The draft ECAP will be considered at two upcoming meetings. First, the draft ECAP will be considered at a meeting of the Oakland Planning Commission on Wednesday, December 1st, at 4pm in Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 1, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.

The draft ECAP will then be considered by the City Council Public Works Committee on Tuesday, December 14th, at 10.30am in Oakland City Hall, Hearing Room 1, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.

All members of the community are welcome to attend these meetings.

For more information: please visit www.sustainableoakland.com

Regional and Urban Design Forum: Berkeley Downtown Area Plan Update

For nearly three decades years, Matt Taecker has developed innovative area plans, city and regional plans, development codes, and mixed-use master plans. Most recently, Taecker has applied best practices to high-density urban centers as he has developed community-responsive plans for Downtown Berkeley including: a policy-level plan, a public realm plan, a parking & transportation demand plan, and an urban building code with design guidelines. These efforts emphasize sustainability, historic preservation, retail revitalization, and livability.

Prior to his most recent work, Matt was a founding Principal of Catalyst, which had unique expertise in integrating urban and natural systems. A charter member of the Congress of the New Urbanism, Taecker was a Principal at Calthorpe Associates, where he worked closely with Peter Calthorpe to develop "transit-oriented development" principles, and apply them to a wide range of settings. Taecker has taught at the University of Southern California, UC Davis Extension, and UC Berkeley, where he earned his Master in Architecture and Master of City Planning degrees. He studied urban policy and economics as an undergraduate at the University of Chicago.

12/14/10

Regional and Urban Design Forum: Berkeley Downtown Area Plan Update

Matt Taecker, creator of Centers and Edges, will give an update on the Berkeley downtown area plan as well as describe the public realm "Streets and Open Space Improvement Plan" that he's developed.

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Douglas Frazier, AIA

Cost: None; this presentation is open to all. Please RSVP.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Traps for the Unwary: Contract Provisions to Watch Out For

Learn the most onerous clauses clients and their attorneys insert in owner/architect agreements: how to spot them, how to negotiate their removal and how to arrive a compromise you can live with.

In this current market, clients and their attorneys are demanding that architects agree to ever more onerous contract terms. Learn what are the most dangerous clauses clients and their attorneys insert in owner/architect agreements: how to spot them, how to negotiate their removal, and how to arrive at a compromise provision you can live with.

Rick Randel is an attorney at MBV Law LLP, where he specializes in business and design law, including review and negotiation f architecture and engineering contracts, general business counseling, and assisting A/E firms in complying with multistate licensing compliance. Rick has many years of experience in preparing and negotiating contracts for architects, including those between architects and their clients.

1/12/11
Traps for the Unwary: Contract Provisions to Watch Out For
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 CES LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Build It Green: Green Affordable Advocacy - Opportunities, Challenges and How to Get Involved

Sustainable measures and requirements are ramping up in the construction industry through the new State Green Building Code, CALGreen, and the new Title 24 Energy Code. Come learn how the Tax Credit Allocation Committee of the CA Treasurer’s office is aligning its sustainability measures to these updates to promote the greenest and most energy-efficient housing that is possible.

Agenda

11:30 Introductions and Announcements

Bob Chase and Peggy Jen, Build It Green and Bay Area Local Initiatives Support Corporation

11:45 Overview of proposed revisions to Sustainability Measures for Affordable Housing Tax Credits

Bill Paveo, Executive Director, CA Tax Credit Allocation Committee

Nehemiah Stone, Benningfield Group, Consultant to TCAC

12:15 Update/overview of the Multifamily Home Energy Retrofit Coordinating Committee (MF HERCC)· Heather Larson, Stopwaste

12:45 Overview of the Energy Efficiency programs statewide, including Energy Upgrade California Build It Green

1:20 Announcements

1:30 Adjourn

12/7/10
Build It Green: Green Affordable Advocacy - Opportunities, Challenges and How to Get Involved
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: 510/464-3600
Cost: $10.00 for Build It Green and AIA East Bay members preregistered online; $20.00 for Build It Green and AIA East Bay members preregistered online; $25.00 pay at door for members and non-members. Click here to register. Lunch provided by Build It Green.

1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Small Firm Forum Annual Luncheon

Come prepared to share a horror story of architecture or construction from 2010. A prize will be awarded for the best (worst) story. Build comradeship and learn from each other's trials and tribulations.

A reservation made is a reservation paid - once you register to attend the event you will be charged even if you are no longer able to attend.

12/1/10

Small Firm Forum Annual Luncheon

Come prepared to share a horror story of architecture or construction from 2010. A prize will be awarded for the best (worst) story.

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Doug Coe

Cost: $15 including lunch. Registration and payment is required by Monday, November 29. Click here to register.

For more information: 510/464-3600

Window & Door Retailer Grand Opening

Associated Building Supply is opening a new showroom in Berkeley, and they invite you to the celebration.

"Come join the celebration at our newest Bay Area Showroom. Architects, Builders, and their clients are invited. Factory Representatives from JELD-WEN, Western Window Systems, LaCANTINA, Panda Windows & Doors, TruStile, and Emtek Hardware will be on site to answer all of your technical questions. 

Bring your business card as a chit for your hot lunch and beverage. Our Grand Opening festivity will include food, beverage, door prizes, promotions, technical material, factory experts, and old fashion camaraderie.

Date: Thursday, November 18th   Time: 11AM - 7PM

LOCATED AT: 710 Gilman Street, Berkeley—Tannery Building

Take I80 Gilman exit Located between 4th & RR tracks on Gilman"

Please be sure to RSVP. 

For more information: Call 888.422.9422

Seminar: 2010 California Green Building Code

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

2pm to 5pm

Location: Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto

3 CES units (AIA)

Instructor: Larry I. Perlin, PE, Chief Building Official, City of Palo Alto

Description of the development of CALGreen and the transition to it from voluntary 2008 CGBSC

• Review the mandatory green building requirements of CALGreen for both residential and non-residential occupancies

• Explain how CALGreen is designed to interact with the other Parts of CCR Title 24, particularly Part 6 (the California Energy Code)

• Explore the voluntary green building “stretch” measures available for projects to achieve Tier 1 and Tier 2

• Examine options and resources available to AHJ’s to successfully adopt, implement and enforce CALGreen

• Explain the relationship between CALGreen and 3rd Party Green Building rating systems

• Discuss the effects and consequences of CALGreen on existing local Green Building Ordinances.

Workshop Fees:

AIA Members: $60

Associate AIA and Emeritus: $50

Non-members: $80

Registration fee includes a $15 book for the seminar.

RSVP by November 19, 2010 to ensure receiving a book on day of the seminar.

Additional books will be ordered for late registrants but they will receive book after the class.

Registration: On-line via www.aiascv.org, via Calendar link. 

  

For more information: call AIASCV 408.298.0611

Planning Commission Meeting for Citywide Zoning Planning Commission hearing on the Citywide Zoning

The first Planning Commission hearing on the Citywide Zoning Update will be held on November 17 at 6 pm. At this hearing, the public will have the opportunity to discuss the City’s proposed changes to the zoning text and maps, which have been the subject of public meetings of the Zoning Update Committee for the last few months. At this hearing, there will be a presentation about the framework for the proposed zones and maps, a discussion of the process used by the City to prepare them, and discussion of the residential zoning text and maps.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

6:00 PM

Hearing Room 1, City Hall

1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

A second public hearing is scheduled for discussion of the zoning text and maps for the commercial/corridor zoning, such as proposals for Telegraph Avenue, International Boulevard and MacArthur Boulevard.

• Wednesday, December 15, 2010

6:00 PM

Hearing Room 1, City Hall

1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

The announcement email for these, and all future public hearings will be sent out two weeks prior to the hearing, and the project website will be updated once the meeting schedules are confirmed.

Thank you for your continued participation in the Citywide Zoning Update.

For more information: Please visit the zoning update webpage www.oaklandnet.com/zoningupdate. To read the staff report for this hearing, click on “Schedule and Upcoming Meetings” and to view the proposed zoning maps and text, click on “Proposals”.

Professional Practice Forum: Business Practices

There are many important issues in operating an architectural business that need to be considered when determining the viability of starting a business or maintaining the success of an architectural business. Some of these issues include personnel, office leases, office equipment, insurance, business structures, 401 k's etc.

Learn the importance of having properly trained staff to handle personnel issues as well as the need for an employee manual. Gain a greater understanding of the types of insurance an office requires to operate a practice. We will also discuss the different business structures available and the pros/cons of the more typical ones.

11/18/10
Professional Practice Forum: Business Practices
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. Please RSVP.
1.5 CES LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Committee on the Environment Forum: Ecological Cities - Theory & Practice

Kristin Miller, Executive Director of Ecocity Builders will present the organizing principles of ecologically healthy cities. She will take into account land uses, eco-zoning, sustainable development strategies, the restoration of nature, integration of natural design, watershed and agriculture in the city. Kristin will focus on whole systems planning for the low-energy eco-city model and the phased transition away from the current high-energy auto city. We will explore the cooperative framework that can successfully address larger systems of organization and services in a post carbon era.

Kristin Miller, Executive Director, Ecocity Builders

Kirstin is an environmental activist, community organizer, and a writer and editor. She has been with Ecocity Builders since 1997 and currently serves as Executive Director. Kirstin has presented for the organization locally, nationally and internationally. She was a speaker at the 7th World Wilderness Congress in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2001, the 5th International Ecocity Conference in Shenzhen China in 2002, Towards CarFree Cities III in Prague, Czech Republic, 2003, and The 6th, 7th and 8th International Ecocity Conferences in Bangalore India, San Francisco USA and Istanbul Turkey. She was also a plenary speaker at two convenings of the Global Forum on Human Settlements in Shenzhen and Hueibi China (2008, 2009) and the 4th International Forum on Ecopolis Development, Chende China, 2010. Her articles and essays on ecocities, urban ecology and the environment have appeared in a number of publications, including Orion Afield, Ecotecture and Wilderness and Human Communities, The Spirit of the 21st Century.

Kirstin works closely with Ecocity Builders’ President Richard Register in the development of the organization’s “toolbox” of strategies, such as car free by contract housing, environmental restoration transfer of development rights, centers oriented development, ecological demonstration projects and ecological zoning overlay mapping.

She also helps coordinate an alliance of local environmental organizations working to promote and advance ecologically healthy urban policies and projects, including the development of an ecological demonstration project in the heart of Berkeley, CA.

In addition to serving as Executive Director for Ecocity Builders, Kirstin also teaches a class on The Ecological City Structure at the University of California, Berkeley Extension in San Francisco and is a Board Member of the International Ecocity Conference Series Committee.

12/10/10
Committee on the Environment Forum: Ecological Cities - Theory & Practice
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. Please RSVP.
1.5 CES/HSW/SD LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600

Vectorworks User Group: Advanced Use of Worksheets

Learn how to use criteria to create separate automated new and existing window schedules for a single model. We will look at VW20111 and its new features.

Trial DVDs and marketing brochures will be available.

11/9/10
Vectorworks User Group: Advanced Use of Worksheets
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: 510/464-3600
Cost: None; this forum is open to all. Please RSVP.

For more information: 510/464-3600

Historic Preservation: Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Historic Photos Exhibit Tour

We will meet at the chapter office at 11:45am and walk over to the Federal building to view archival quality photographs, rare and seldom seen, of early Alameda and Contra Costa Counties historic structures, streetscapes and landscapes. The exhibit is located in the Court Wing of the Federal Building in downtown Oakland. The tour will be lead by Annalee Allen, City of Oakland Tours Program.

Attendees will learn about the growth patters and architecture of the two Counties and gain a greater appreciation of historic architecture and patterns of development. You will learn about archival quality photos, installation and preservation as well of how the exhibit was developed and funded.

This tour requires a security check, please bring a photo ID.

11/17/10
Historic Preservation: Alameda and Contra Costa Counties Historic Photos Exhibit Tour
Time: 11:45am - 1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: 510/464-3600
Cost: None; this tour is open to all. Please RSVP.
1 CES LU

For more information: 510/464-3600