Call for Submissions: Best Practices

To: Architectural Subject Matter Experts

As part of the AIA’s commitment to provide useful tools and knowledge to its members, the Institute is undertaking a major initiative to update and expand its collection of Best Practices. To that end, we are asking you, the leaders in our industry, to share your knowledge and experience by contributing a Best Practice article or suggestion for an article topic. As an industry leader, you represent an essential part of the AIA’s wealth of knowledge that we want to offer as best-practice information for the benefit of the entire profession.

We seek Best Practices on the following subject areas: business practices and trends, client relations, delivery methods, design, sustainability, emerging building technologies, financial management, integrated practice, and project management.

Best Practice articles vary from one to four pages and fit into an easy-to-read format. Completed articles are preferred; however, the AIA will work with you to develop even the barest outline of an idea. The only criteria are that submissions provide members with useful information and consist of knowledge gained from experience, immediately applicable to a task at hand.

Best Practices will be an integral part of the upcoming AIA eKnowledge Web site. The new site will increase Best Practices accessibility and likely increase readership. This is a great time to get involved and share your knowledge.

For more information: visit http://www.aia.org/bestpractices or contact Darcey Thomson (Dthomson@aia.org, 800-626-7380) to discuss an article.

MTC Climate Change Workshop

The Joint Policy Committee's climate change workshop this Friday is FULL, so don't try to go on February 16 unless you already registered for it.

The JPC has scheduled a second workshop for 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. next Friday, 2/23/07, to meet the demand.

If you want to attend, please register quickly by email to info@mtc.ca.gov.

For more information: http://www.abag.ca.gov/jointpolicy/jpc_climate_change.htm

Oak Knoll Update Meeting

Oak Knoll Update Meeting

Monday, February 26
6:30 p.m. Oakland Zoo – Snow Building

SunCal Companies, in keeping with our commitment to maintain regular communications with local residents during the development of our Oak Knoll community in the hills of East Oakland, will host a public meeting February 26 to provide an update on the status of our plans. The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Snow Building at the Oakland Zoo.

Scheduled topics of discussion at the meeting currently include:

• Oak Knoll plan overview
• Seneca land swap
• Creek restoration and open space
• Results of merger of Oak Knoll and Central City East redevelopment areas
• Site clean-up and demolition
• Proposed construction schedule

For more information: Please call Sarah Chavez at (510) 251-0711 with any questions.

Call for Submissions: Sustainable Design Awards Program

Sustainable Design Awards Program co-sponsored by the Boston Architects Society and AIA New York Chapter

The overuse of fossil fuels, unprecedented population growth, and the pollution of air, water, and the land cannot continue. Sustainable development should provide a basic level of comfort for all while repairing and protecting local and global ecosystems for future generations. A broad definition of sustainability must include social, economic, cultural, aesthetic, and natural components of our environment. In this program, we honor work that contributes, by its design, to the creation of a sustainable world.

Eligibility
This program is open to any designer practicing anywhere in the world; the work submitted may be anywhere in the world. “Designers” in this context includes anyone involved in the physical design of places or buildings, including architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, and allied design professionals. All types of projects including buildings, urban, regional, and rural planning, landscape design, interior design, renovation, and rehabilitation projects are eligible.

Deadline: February 20, 2007
SD Awards/BSA,
52 Broad Street
Boston MA 02109-4301
Submission to arrive by 4:00 pm, February 20, 2007.

For more information about the Sustainable Design Awards Program and to read the CFE, visit http://architects.org/design_awards_programs/index.cfm?doc_id=9#Sustainable_Design

For more information: call/write Richard Fitzgerald at 617-951-1433x232 rfitzgerald@architects.org

AIA St. Louis Photography Contest Call for Entries

AIA St. Louis Photography Contest Call for Entries

The fourteen winning images will be posted at the 2007 convention, cash prizes are available for the top four prizes and 52 of the images will be used in the 2009 Rizzoli Architectural Engagement Calendar.

The subject of the photo contest must be architecture, and must be submitted in a slide format, although they may be taken on a digital camera. The Competition is open to any and all actively registered architects in the US – and is open to associate members of AIA, and student members of AIAS.

The prizes are as follows:

First place $500
Second $400
Third $300
Al Fuller Award $200 (subject must be architecture in America).

The deadline is March 15, 2007

For more information: www.aia-stlouis.org

Western Chapter of the Assoc. for Preservation Annual Meeting

AIA members and their guests are welcome to attend the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Western Chapter of the Association for Preservation Technology.

The event will be held Friday, February 23rd, 4:00-7:00pm at the offices of SGH, One Market Street, Suite 600 in San Francisco. The event is $25 per person, in advance or at the door. RSVP is requested.

The event will begin with a 2 hour presentation on 3D laser high-definition surveying. There will be a panel of guest speakers who are leaders in the field, utilizing the technology for detailed surveys and fabrication.

Following the presentation, there will be a reception andsummary of WCAPT's annual activities and goals for 2007 by the chapter president, John Lesak.

AIA members, guests, and the public at large are encouraged to attend and learn about WCAPT, its mission, and upcoming events.

For More Information: gaudreau@page-turnbull.com

Climate Change Workshop 2/16

From the Metropolitan Transit Commission:

"The Regional Climate Action Workshop is taking place on Friday, February 16th, 9 a.m. to Noon in Oakland at the MTC/ABAG headquarters (Joseph P. Bort Metrocenter, MTC Auditorium, 101
8th Street across from the Lake Merritt BART station). We want to hear your ideas and get your reaction to a set of strategies that is being explored by the four regional agencies: The Association of Bay Area
Governments (ABAG), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) - all working together as the Joint Policy Committee (JPC).

Due to limited seating at the workshop, please RSVP to the event as soon as possible via e-mail at info@mtc.ca.gov or by calling Public Information at 510.817.5706. The RSVP deadline is 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 14th. The workshop will also be audiocast on the MTC Web site at http://www.mtc.ca.gov/. Bay Area residents who are unable to attend are encouraged to comment via e-mail at climate@abag.ca.gov.

The meeting agenda will include a short background presentation on global warming and the Bay Area, a group discussion on the attached key questions and, after a break, a discussion using your proposals for
specific actions that should be taken by the four regional agencies. We will also get your input through written comments during the workshop."

For More Information: e-mail at info@mtc.ca.gov by calling Public Information at 510.817.5706.

Green Affordable Housing Coalition (GAHC) Brown Bag: Energy Efficiency and Solar Resources for Multifamily

Build it Green: Green Affordable Housing Coalition (GAHC) Brown Bag: Energy Efficiency and Solar Resources for Multifamily

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Time: 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Location: AIA East Bay
1405 Clay Street
Oakland, CA

Transportation: BART accessible. Take the train to the 12th Street/City Center station and exit to
Frank Ogawa Plaza. AIA East Bay is at the corners of 14th and Clay Streets, near the Federal and State Buildings.

Cost: $10.00 Brown-bag lunch & drinks provided

Registration: Space is limited. RSVP required.
Register online at http://www.builditgreen.org/registration/index.cfm?fuseaction=events

Affordable housing professionals are invited to join the Green Affordable Housing Coalition for a brown-bag session on energy efficiency and solar resources for multifamily construction new projects.

Attendees will learn how to qualify for a range of cash incentives and technical support available to designers and developers through PG&E’s 2007-2008 residential new construction incentive programs. The California Multifamily New Homes Program offers cash incentives, technical resources, design assistance, program coordination with related programs, and marketing benefits to affordable and market rate multifamily high- and low-rise projects.

Attendees will also learn how to access funding for high-performing solar systems through the New Solar Homes Partnership and how participation in the Multifamily New Homes Program can help projects meet the energy efficiency threshold criteria for accessing solar incentives through the Partnership.

Presenters:
Heather Larson,Assoc. AIA, Heschong Mahone Group, Inc.
New Construction Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
Nehemiah Stone (KEMA) and Laurie Schrager (PG&E), CEC New Solar Homes Partnership and Affordable Housing

For More Information:
www.h-m-g.com/multifamily/cmfnh
www.gosolarcalifornia.ca.gov/nshp

Affordable Multi-Family Housing

Women in Architecture: Affordable Multi-Family Housing
Thursday, February 8

5:30pm-7:00pm Discussion
AIA East Bay: 1405 Clay Street, Oakland, 94612
Please RSVP to Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator 510/464-3600

Next Thursday, February 8, Women in Architecture hosts Affordable Multi-Family Housing, presented by Michael Pyatok, FAIA and Betsy Yost, AIA.

Michael Pyatok, FAIA Principal of the Oakland firm, Pyatok Architects Inc., a firm which he started in 1984, Michael Pyatok has focused his career on society’s housing needs, designing over 35,000 high-quality affordable housing units for a diverse demographic range, both in the US and abroad. He has been a professor of architectural and urban design for 40 years and is a prominent lecturer in the US and abroad about designing for America’s housing needs. He is unswervingly dedicated to serving those in society who are most in need, and his success is demonstrated by the numerous design awards he has received. Last year Builder magazine identified him as one of the 50 most influential people in the housing development industry.

Betsy Yost, AIA a partner at Pyatok Architect’s, Inc. for over two years, has 28 years experience in architecture and has been with the firm for 12 years. Betsy will present her recent rehab of a senior housing project, Altenheim, into independent senior housing. This interesting and highly involved project includes the rehabilitation of 6 historic buildings situated in extensive gardens and the addition of 3 new buildings.The program starts at the Chapter office at 5:30pm. There's no charge and drinks will be served.
Please RSVP

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

FREE - Blueprint machine w/paper

FREE - Blueprint machine w/paper

Model: Print Vac 194
Dimensions: 68" wide/24" deep / 15"high
(prints paper up to 42" wide)

Available Free of Charge – must arrange pick-up

For More Information: Hayashida Architects (510) 428-2491

SMPS Luncheon Event 2/15/2007: "What's Next in the Central Valley Corridor?"

“What’s Next in the Central Valley Corridor?”

The tremendous growth in the Central Valley, from Sacramento to Fresno, has been fueled by the quest for affordable housing. The latest census figures predict continued growth for decades to come. How do governments, educators and providers of goods and services plan to meet the needs of this expanding population? What does the future hold in terms of transportation and transit, infrastructure, schools, office and retail, libraries and other municipal buildings?

A panel of experts including representatives from Governor Schwarzenegger’s California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Council of Governments, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Coalition for Adequate School Housing will discuss future development and design opportunities.

BONUS: Capital Improvement Plans for 12 Central Valley municipalities will be available to attendees.

1.5 CEUs – Domains 1 & 3.

Location: Marriott Hotel, 1001 Broadway @ 11th St., Oakland 94607 (Parking Garage entrance on 11th St.; BART station: City Center – exit on 11th St.).

Please RSVP by Feb. 9th. Download the registration form here.

For More Information: http://www.smpssf.org/programs/event.php?id=66

Integrated Practice Panel Discussion January 31st

Monthly Program: Integrated Practice
Wednesday, January 31

5:30pm-8:00pm
Panel Discussion + Dinner

$10 Members & their Guests/$20 Non-Members
AIA East Bay: 1405 Clay Street, Oakland, 94612

The buzz word of 2006 was GREEN. This year we have a buzz phrase: INTEGRATED PRACTICE. You'll be seeing it more and more frequently in the context of project delivery. At AIA Convention, in Architectural Record, and from your software consultants.

However, most architects don't really know what Integrated Practice is, how it will change project delivery, and what types of projects and teams it really effects. Is this an issue only big firms need to address? Need residential architects concern themselves? Will Integrated Practice eventually mean the death of the small non-residential firm? And who is driving the push towards Integrated Practice?

This month, AIA East Bay brings together professionals with different views of Integrated Practice to educate, debate, and wrestle with the philosophical changes this approach might have on the profession. Join us on Wednesday, January 31 at 5:30pm in the chapter office for an Integrated Practice Panel Discussion. Our panelists are Ziggy Rubel, AIA of Anshen & Allen (and 2007 AIA SF President), David Bleiman of Rutherford Chekene, Tim Craig, AIA of VBN Architects, and moderator Tim Culvahouse, AIA, editor of arcCA.

The panel will begin promptly and a full dinner and drinks will be served afterwards. The cost is only $10 for members and $20 for non-members; chapter student members can attend at no charge (but must RSVP to kellie@aiaeb.org). Seats are limited and are filling up fast, so register RIGHT NOW online. Please don't wait until the day of the program, as we might not be able to accommodate you.

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