Missing Links; A Follow Up

The AIA East Bay Missing Links Town Hall Forum on February 24, 2010 was well attended by concerned stakeholders and other members of the public. The RUD Committee has invited the panelists for a short discussion of the next steps. AIA East Bay Chapter Members are invited to learn how this local transportation issue has the potential to impact regional and national policies.

If you have ever ridden a bike through the Posey Tube there is a good chance you were at the Missing Links Forum. The Missing Links Town Hall Forum focused largely upon the difficulty of biking or walking between Alameda and Oakland. A report initiated by Alameda, Oakland, Bike Alameda, Caltrans and ACTIA was released in January and provided substantial current information about the various options to provide better pedestrian and bike access across the estuary. Click here to view the report.

The panelists also recognized that the problems for vehicle connections to Alameda are a major issue of concern to businesses and residents on both sides of the Estuary. Chinatown, in particular experiences profound health and safety impacts from the two vehicular tubes.

The resolution of vehicular connections will take years. Public funds for a comprehensive solution is unlikely to be available in the near future. In addition, vehicular connections are invariably affected by development of any kind in Alameda. During the panelists question period, it became clear that the Coast Guard Facility is central to any solution for pedestrians, bikes and vehicles.

Please join the RUD Committee, Missing Links Panelists and other key stakeholders for a continuation of the discussion of these local transportation issues which have the potential to impact regional and national policies.

4/6/10

Regional and Urban Design Forum: Missing Links; A Follow Up

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 forum is open to all AIA East Bay Chapter Members. Please RSVP.

1 CES LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Professional Practice Forum: The Importance and Impact of Professional Communication

How architects and design professionals communicate speaks volumes. Unfortunately, in this age of texting and cellphones, we often forget that client communications must be clear at all times. Whether you are using email, the phone, or even a face-to-face meeting, understanding what the client hears can sometimes make or break a project.


Learning objectives:
Participants will understand how verbal and nonverbal communication can influence the reactions and actions of others
Participants will learn strategies and tactics for improving their communication abilities
Participants will take away new ideas on how positively to interact with others in business, and influence them tactfully and diplomatically.
Attendees will be able to give three examples of the importance of clear client communications through writing.
Attendees will learn tips on verbal communication in the work environment including how to diffuse stressful situations.
Attendees will gain an understanding of the effect non-verbal communication can have when meeting with a client or co-worker as well as how to make sure all non-verbal communication works to their advantage.
Attendees will learn proper etiquette when communicating electronically including standard office signatures & styles in letters and e-mails.

3/18/10

Professional Practice Forum: The Importance and Impact of Professional Communication

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

Professional Practice Forum: Understanding Owner-Generated Contracts

Join the AIA East Bay Professional Practice Forum to gain a better understanding of owner-generated contracts.

Owner-generated contracts can place a disproportionate and unreasonable risk on your firm. Many of these are uninsurable or increase your risk in areas where you have no ability to control the risk. This discussion will focus on the attendees own experiences; bring sample contracts to discuss. Problem areas that may be discussed include indemnifications; ownership of documents; hidden conditions; certifications, guarantees and warranties; consequential and liquidated damages; onerous clauses, scope; budgeting, schedule; IPD - Integrated Project Delivery; and insurance requirements.

Learning objectives:
After this forum attendees will be aware of risks presented by owner-generated contracts, and how to address these issues with a potential client.
Attendees will be able to identify potentially uninsurable contracts.
Attendees will be able to provide at least three modifications to contracts and/or services to minimize risk.
Attendees will have a basic understanding of consequential and liquidated damages.

2/18/10

Professional Practice Forum: Understanding Owner-Generated Contracts

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

Lake Merritt BART Station & Chinatown Planning Project--an Overview

BART, the City of Oakland, and other agencies and organizations have begun the development of a comprehensive plan for the Lake Merritt BART Station/Chinatown area. The June 2nd RUD Forum will discuss the complex planning issues and diverse community ideas that will be encountered over the next two years. Community, BART, City, and representatives will present an overview.

The BART Administration Building, at the Lake Merritt BART Station, is being removed and the open space will be returned to the community by the end of 2009. BART, the City of Oakland and the Chinatown community have to organize to develop a comprehensive plan for the area. A preliminary set of Guiding Principles has been assembled from community groups which include specific ideas for improved public safety, increased employment and job training, housing, open space, business, transportation, cultural preservation, and health. The area has a complicated physical configuration which presents significant urban design challenges. The demographics are dynamic and diverse. Laney College is on south side of the project area, Lake Merritt is on the east, the freeway on the west and Chinatown to the north. The planning process will be intensive, and challenging. Representatives from the Community, BART, Oakland Planning Department, and Laney College, have been invited to attend. Over the course of the project, opportunities for involvement should emerge for architects, landscape architects, planners, urban designers, and other specialized consultants. You are invited to attend for an overview of this important local project as it begins with a discussion by representatives of many of the key decision-making organizations.

6/2/09

Lake Merritt BART Station & Chinatown Planning Project--an Overview

This forum will discuss the complex planning issues & diverse community ideas that will be encountered over the next two years of developing a comprehensive plan for this Oakland neighborhood. Presented by the Regional Urban Design Forum

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

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

Cost: None, this program open to all

1.5 CES/LUs

For more information: 510/464-3600 or Douglas Frazier, AIA

AIA Convention - Great Finds

Convention is packed full of great finds for practices. Did you find them all? Come ready to share and tell!

5/21/09

Professional Practice Forum: AIA Convention - Great Finds

Time: Noon - 1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Tim Craig, AIA

Cost: None; this program open to all.

For more information: 510/464-3600

What do Contractors Look for in Drawings?

A panel of contractors will discuss what they look for in architectural drawings. They will share their opinions on what architects can do to communicate more clearly to ensure accurate bids and a problem free construction project. Bring a set of your drawings and specifications so that the panel can share feedback on what they feel works and what doesn't. This is a chance to get valuable input from contractors that deal with numerous projects,both commercial and residential of all shapes and sizes.

Panelists

Donny Chu founded DC Construction in 1986 and he is a full-service general contractor. His projects vary from small scale residential to large scale commercial construction. Backed by skilled estimators, project managers, and superintendents, Donny prides himself on providing exceptional customer service.

Amy Hutton is the Director of Project Development at Winans Construction. Founded in 1978, Winans Construction has consistently been recognized for the quality of their projects in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Focusing on the residential remodeling market, they have received numerous local and national awards for their work over the years. The company's core values of excellent customer service, reliability, accountability and teamwork has lead to a long history of successful projects.

5/19/09

Young Architects Forum: What do Contractors look for in our drawings?

Our panel of contractors will share their opinions on how architects can make sure their drawings communicate clearly, in order to ensure accurate bids and a problem free construction project.

Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Norman Sanchez, AIA

Cost: None; this program open to all.

1 CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Endangered Structures

Bring 5-10 slides (on a flash stick or CD-Rom) of your favorite endangered historic structures within the East Bay to the Historic Preservation Forum on Thursday, May 14. Be ready to provide information about your structure's history, owner, status, condition, previous uses and possible future uses. We will brainstorm about how to create a more comprehensive endangered structures list for our area and how we can raise awareness.

5/14/09

Historic Preservation Forum - Endangered Structures

Time: Noon - 1:00pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Joann Pavlinec, Assoc. AIA

Cost: None; this program open to all.

For more information: 510/464-3600

Pushing Your Building Envelope Design

This forum hosted by the Committee on the Environment will teach you how building envelope performance affects clients satisfaction. You will discuss design principles for better moisture control and learn the advantages of exterior insulation. Come discuss how to enhance indoor air quality, thermal control, and durability in envelope design.

2/6/09

Committee on the Environment Forum: Push Your Building Envelope Design

Time: Noon - 1:30pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Hafsa Burt, AIA

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

1.5 CES/LU

Honing the Practice in Slow Times

Time on our hands, things to do, employees to lend, skills to improve -- Idle Hands are the Devil's Playground.

In times when work is slow there are things to do. As the squirrel gathers nuts for winter, or as foundations for future construction are staked out in the snow awaiting spring - architects find themselves cleaning archives, training employees, culling details and developing BIM skills and marketing materials while they wait for their next project to start.

2/19/09

Professional Practice Forum: Time on our Hands, Things to Do, Employees to Lend, Skills to Improve -- Idle Hands are the Devil's Playground

In times when work is slow, learn productive activities to improve your practice.

Time: 12:00pm-1:30pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Tim Craig, AIA.

Cost: None; this program is open to all. Bring your own lunch. Please RSVP.

1.5 CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Pecha Kucha Night

On February 12th at 6:00pm Women in Architecture will be holding a "Pecha Kucha Night". Pecha Kucha Night is like an "open mike" for designers - come share a selection from your design portfolio, images and stories from your travels, your hobbies, or anything you'd like, and learn about your peers and colleagues at the same time.

Pecha Kucha is, above all, a presentation format devised by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total of 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

2/12/09

WIA Forum: Pecha Kucha
Pecha Kucha Night is like an “open mike” for designers, in a unique presentation format devised by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham in 2003. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total of 6 minutes 40 seconds before the next presenter is up.

Time: 6:00pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600 or Jamie Brown, Assoc. AIA

Cost: None; This Program is open to all. Please RSVP.

1 CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Schools of the 21st Century: Architecture, Politics + Policies Symposium

Schools of the 21st Century: Architecture, Politics + Policies Symposium
January 29, 10:00am - 4:00pm (Please see below for more details)
Free (Lunch included), Registration Required at www.aiasf.org/registration.

Morning Session: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Theme: Designing Schools for the 21st Century World
Addressing: Sustainability, Healthy School Design, New Trends in Classroom Design, Urban Schoolyards Movement

Moderator:
Beverly Prior, AIA, Beverly Prior Architects

Speakers:
David Thorman, AIA, California State Architect
David Goldin, Chief Facilities Officer, San Francisco Unified School District
Jennifer Devlin, AIA Architect, EHDD
Alan Wakefield, Architect, Zurich, Switzerland


Lunch: 12:00pm - 1:45pm


Afternoon Session: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Theme: Implementing School Policies in the 21st Century Classroom
Addressing: School Politics and Policies, Lessons Learned through Educational Research, New Directions in Education


Moderator:
Jill Tucker, Education Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle


Speakers:
Bill Leddy, FAIA, Architect, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects
Malcolm H. Manson, Head, The Bay School of San Francisco
Tony Vinzens, Director of School Board, City of Zurich


For more information: Contact AIA San Francisco at 415/362-7397 or info@aiasf.org

Archiving Projects Best Practices

Thursday, January 22, 2009

This forum will address the variety of ways firms can archive projects after their work has been completed, so that they are easily retrieved for future use.

Attendees will learn the various best practices used by other attendees for the storage and retrieval of files, drawings, data and information related to projects which have been completed. Attendees will learn filing and cataloging systems for tracking information related to projects as well as the best practices for storage of electronic data related to projects. Attendees will also learn the appropriate duration of storage, and methods for purging project files.

1/22/09

Professional Practice Forum - Archiving Projects Best Practices

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

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

Contact: 510/464-3600.

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

For more information: 510/464-3600

Energy Saving Standard by ASHRAE 189.1

Friday, January 9, 2009

Developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. (ASHRAE), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Proposed Standard 189.1 will provide minimum requirements for the design of high-performance new commercial buildings and major renovation projects. The standard addresses energy efficiency, a building's impact on the atmosphere, sustainable sites, water use efficiency, materials, resources and indoor environmental quality.

The speaker, Molly McGuire is a Mechanical Engineer with Tyler Engineering. Molly was on the task force developing the Standard with ASHRAE with focus on Indoor Air Quality, Energy and Atmosphere.

Participants will learn how the Standard differs from other energy efficiency standards and how the Voluntary Standard will help the move toward Net Zero Buildings. After this program, you will know the carbon dioxide equivalency and alternative compliance method, as well as how to address the other GHGs with the performance compliance method. Participants will understand the comparison to LEED, integration into the LEED program and the energy model supporting the energy efficiency requirements.

1/9/09
Committee on the Environment Forum - Energy Saving Standard by ASHRAE 189.1

Time: 12:00pm - 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 HSW/SD CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Firm Roundtable: Sharing Resources

12/11/08
Firm Roundtable: Sharing Resources

How can firms "loan out" employees to other firms? When does this make sense and what other steps should firms consider? What are best practices in "employee loaning"? In what capacity can AIA East Bay serve its members and firms in this? Join us for a roundtable discussion.

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. Bring your own lunch, drinks provided. Please RSVP.
1 CES Lu

For more information: Sidney Sweeney

Cost Estimating Part III - Best Practices

Join us on November 20th for the third part of the Professional Practice Forum - Cost Estimating Best Practices!

This forum will teach participants how to build relationships with their cost estimator, ultimately aiding in the ROI. You will learn the necessary steps to breakdown various components of an estimate, and how to analyze these components clearly. After this forum, you will better understand how to maximize the knowledge and value that a cost estimate can provide.

11/20/08
Professional Practice Forum: Cost Estimating (Part 3) Best Practices
Time: Noon-1:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.
Contact: 510/464-3600 or Tim Craig, AIA Cost: None; this program open to all. Brown Bag Lunch, drinks provided. Please RSVP
1 CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

Green & Sustainable Materials

From Jamie Brown, Assoc. AIA:

"This Thursday, November 13th at 6:00pm the Women In Architecture forum & Committee on the Environment will be hosting a presentation on Green & Sustainable Materials. The presenter, Taja di Leonardi, is the creator of the concept of Ecohome Improvement in Berkeley, offering ecological and healthy home improvement products. She currently works day to day as the head of marketing, sales training, product selection and customer experience. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio School of Management.

I look forward to seeing you there!"

11/13/08
WIA Forum: Green & Sustainable Materials
Please join us for a presentation of new materials by Taja di Leonardi, Founder of Ecohome Improvement. Co-presented by the Committee on the Environment.
Time: 6:00pm
Cost: None; This program is open to all.
1 CES/LU

For more information: 510/464-3600

SMART Architects - Bay Area Architectural and Political Discussion of our Regional Transportation Network

From AIA Redwood Empire:

SMART Architect Forum
Join us for an evening with Charles McGlashan, Marin County Supervisor and Chair of SMART; and RK Stewart, FAIA, Past President of the AIA National, to discuss how architects can get involved with issues of regional and political importance.

Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008
Where: Marin Civic Center in San Rafael
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 Refreshments and Networking 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Forum Discussion
Cost: Free (Donations to SMART Campaign accepted but not required at the door.)

Please rsvp either by response email to exec@aiare.org or by registering at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43157.

Program description:
SMART Architects - Bay Area Architectural and Political Discussion of our Regional Transportation Network

The first annual East Bay, San Francisco, and Redwood Empire Regional and Urban Design meeting to discuss regional issues. This year we propose to discuss transportation issues of regional and political interest. Next year may be housing, planning or other regional design issue. Join us for an evening with Charles McGlashan, Marin County Supervisor and Chair of SMART; and RK Stewart, FAIA, Past President of the AIA National, to discuss how architects can get involved with issues of regional and political importance.

For more information: exec@aiare.org

YAF: Best & Worst Project Experiences of 2008

Best & Worst Project Experiences of 2008

Join the Young Architects Forum July 15th at 6pm to talk about your best and worst (or maybe just not great) experiences this year. It could be about a project you are currently working on, or a project you were pursuing or even one that had an untimely end.

It's a way for us to learn from one another and maybe even get a pulse on the way the market is moving this year. Maybe you had the plan review from hell or the design review that went your way. A client who was totally supportive of your ideas or one who wanted everything gold-plated but with tin foil AE fees. Maybe you spent a week putting together a proposal for a whale of a project only to see it walk out the door because some firm in Thailand could do it for a third of the fee. It happens.

It's a little past the middle of the year and we are in the home stretch, so come on down, grab a drink and let's remember the best and worse for the year-to-date.

Join the Young Architects Forum (it's okay if you're just young at heart):
Tuesday, July 15th
6pm
AIA East Bay
1405 Clay Street, Oakland, CA
12th Street/City Center BART Stop
All are welcome, no cost to attend.
We provide 1 CES/Lu and the drinks!

For more information: AIA East Bay 510/464-3600

WIA: Mitigating Risks – Non-Traditional Thinking

Risk is defined as hazard or chance of loss. Join the Women In Architecture Forum on Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 pm as they discuss active and passive risk management.

“What do you stand to lose?” The list is long: money, business, current and future clients, business relationships and employees…. And above all the life safety and welfare of the public is at risk.

Traditionally design professionals think about reviewing documents, but they don’t think about the other things that can cause a team to perform poorly. All the things on the following list are actually active ways to mitigate risk, but not what we generally think of at first.

· the decision to pursue a project
· terms of your contracts,
· record keeping, policies and procedures
· client relationship
· quality assurance procedures,

Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Jamie Brown, Assoc. AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all. Cocktails provided. Please RSVP.
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Lunchtime Learning: Oakland's Planning and Zoning

Wednesday, May 7 at noon the City of Oakland's Planning and Zoning Department will discuss the updates on the Planning and Zoning regulations to make them consistent with the General Plan, which the City adopted in March 1998. The zoning regulations are being streamlined and tailored to reflect community needs. The revised Planning Code will be an updated, more user-friendly framework for reviewing and approving development projects.

Time: Noon-1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Neil Gray , Strategic Planning (510) 238-3878
Cost: None. This meeting open to all chapter members.
Click here for more information

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600