AIA National Closes e-Classroom

From AIA National:

The American Institute of Architects remains firmly committed to the professional development and education needs of its 80,000 members. However, through surveys and feedback from members, we’ve learned that an overwhelming majority would prefer education programs that are offered in-person or through local AIA components.

As a result, eClassroom, the AIA’s online distance education program, has ended service as of Friday, November 30, 2007. Courses registrations are no longer being accepted.

All eClassroom customers have been notified by e-mail that the service will no longer be available. The few customers who have previously registered for, but not yet completed, an eClassroom course have been notified that they have until Friday, February 22, 2008, to finish coursework. On that date, at 11 p.m. (CT), the eClassroom Web site will be taken offline.

Components are encouraged to direct members searching for continuing education alternatives to an online database of providers whose programs satisfy AIA/CES requirements: http://sparky.occe.ou.edu/aia/ad/search/.

If you have questions about eClassroom, please contact CD Pangallo via e-mail at cpangallo@aia.org.

For more information: contact Sidney Sweeney at 510/464-3600

2007 AIA Contract Documents: An In-Depth Review

The AIA Contract Documents are revised
and improved. Come to AIA East Bay December 6
for the only Bay Area presentation from
National AIA’s staff attorneys.

Increase your effectiveness in:
• negotiating owner/architect agreements,
• creating project manuals, and
• advising clients about which owner/contractor agreement is
appropriate for the project.

Ken Cobleigh, Esq. presents a four-hour program in which you will:
examine every family of AIA documents; learn about significant revisions
to the owner/architect and owner/contractor agreements; and find out
how to manage digital data on your projects through contract documents.
Who should attend? Architects, contractors, attorneys, clients, office
managers...everyone who uses the AIA Contract Documents.

Date: Thursday, December 6, 2007
Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Cost: $45 chapter members/ $60 non-chapter members
Continental breakfast available at 8:30am
4 CES/HSW LU
To Register visit http://www.aiaeb.org/ or call 510/464-3600

2007 California Building Code Update Seminars

2007 California
Building Code Update Seminars
December 5, 6 & 7, 2007
9:00 to 4:00 (check-in @ 8:15)

The Redwood Empire Chapter of The American Institute of Architects in partnership with the North Coast Builders Exchange is sponsoring three, one day seminars presented by the International Code Council. This will assist our members in making the transition to the new California Building Code that will begin being enforced on January 1, 2008. The classes are intended for those with at least an intermediate level of knowledge, skills and experience in understanding the building codes.

2007 CBC Transition from the 1997 UBC - Wednesday December 5
2007 CBC Transition from the 1997 UBC - Thursday December 6
(both days are the same seminar)

This seminar focuses on helping users that are familiar with the 1997 UBC adapting to the 2007 CBC. The information in this course details the differences between the two codes and covers concepts that are not in the 1997 UBC. Also, some of the codes in the UBC and CBC are the same, but located in different sections. This seminar covers this information as well. In an effort to further aid users, an explanation as to why the codes differ is provided.

2007 CBC Residential Provisions - Friday December 7

This course has been developed in response to a decision by the State of California not to adopt the 2006 International Residential Code (IRC). This class is designed to provide an overview of 2006 IBC requirements for residential occupancies as well as California amendments intended to better align the 2007 CBC with certain concepts in the IRC.. The seminar discusses basic code concepts, proper use of code tables and proper construction of dwelling units.

Instructor:

Richard Tash, representing the International Code Council, is employed with Interwest Consulting Group as a Plans Examiner and Building Inspector. Richard has worked in construction in all areas, from carpenter to project manager. For the last 16 years Richard has worked as a Building Inspector and Plans Examiner. His experience is with all aspects of residential, commercial and industrial buildings from the project management level to inspector of record.

Richard currently teaches building code classes at Diablo Community College in Pleasant Hill, California and with the California Association of Building Officials (CALBO). Richard’s extensive background in the construction field for the past 3 years enable him as an instructor to bring the textbook alive with practical application. Richard holds ICC certifications as a Building Inspector, Mechanical Inspector, Plumbing Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Combination Inspector, Residential Combination Inspector and building Plans Examiner. Richard has also earned an A.A. in Building Inspection Technology

AIARE Member Registration: $125 per Day
Non-Member Registration: $150 per Day

A $10 surcharge will be added to all RSVPs after November 23 to pay for express shipment of study materials.

Registration fee will include a study guide authored by the ICC, morning refreshments, lunch service and afternoon snack.

Location:
North Coast Builders Exchange
1030 Apollo Way
Santa Rosa, CA 95407

For directions to the North Coast Builders Exchange and information on their services, please visit their web site @ www.ncbeonline.com

RSVP
Reserve your seat by sending an e-mail to Wendy Young at - exec@aiare.org or calling the AIA Redwood Empire office at - (707) 838-2672

After reserving your seat by e-mail or phone, please mail the completed form below and your check made payable to AIARE for the appropriate amount. Sorry, no credit cards.

Mail to:
Wendy Young
Executive Director
AIA Redwood Empire
P.O. Box 4178
Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Codes Forum: Discussion with Building Officials

The Codes Committee, meets Thursday, November 29 for a Roundatable Discussion on the New California Building Codes with local Building Officials.

In anticipation of the new California Building Code, the East Bay AIA Code Committee has scheduled a Brown Bag Roundtable discussion with several local Building Officials. The Building Officials attending the Roundtable will be:

Isam Hasenin, Director, Department of Building Inspection, City of San Francisco Stephan Kiefer, Building Official, City of Livermore Massoud Abolhoda, Chief Building Official, City of Fremont and Incoming President, East Bay Chapter, ICC Hans Henneberque, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal

The main focus of the Roundtable will be to address how these jurisdictions plan on incorporating the new ICB based CBC requirements into their respective jurisdictions. Anticipated topics include a discussion of the major changes between the current code and new code, local amendments, as well how these building departments are internally preparing for the code change. Kerwin Lee, AIA, will be moderating the discussion.

We welcome questions in advance for these Building Officials. We ask that questions address the bigger picture of the new CBC and its impact on the permitting process rather than project specific issues. Please send advance questions to Kerwin Lee at klee@rjagroup.com.

We hope that you will be able to attend this Roundtable and look forward to seeing you there.
Kriss Raupach, AIA
Anthony Boutte, Allied, AIA
Co-Chairs East Bay AIA Code Committee

Time: Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Kristina Raupach, AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all
1.5 CES/HSW LU

Regional Urban Design Forum: BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Today

The RUDF (Regional Urban Design Forum) meets Tuesday, November 27 for a presentation titled "BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Today"

This presentation is designed to give an understanding of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a mode of transportation that has emerged over the past 25 years. While the first systems were largely overseas, BRT has now exploded onto the US transit scene. Basic attributes of bus rapid transit will be explained, along with a survey of some of the prototypical systems in North America.

William Lieberman is a program manager at Carter & Burgess in Oakland, with 40 years of experience in transportation planning. He has served as director of planning at San Francisco MTA and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board, and was project development manager at TriMet in Portland, OR. He also worked for the consulting firms of Barton Aschman & Associates and ND Lea. While Mr. Lieberman's career has specialized in transit planning, he has also been involved in planning for bicycles, pedestrians, traffic claming, and transit-oriented development. Bill is a resident of Oakland and walks to work each day.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a broad term given to a variety of transportation systems that, through improvements to infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling, attempt to use buses to provide a service that is of a higher quality than an ordinary bus line. The goal of such systems is to at least approach the service quality of rail transit while still enjoying the cost savings of bus transit.

Time: Noon - 1:30 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Phil Erickson, AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all
1.5 CES/ LU

For more information: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600

2007 AIA Contract Documents: An In Depth Review

December 6, 2007 at 9:00 am AIA East Bay presents: 2007 AIA Contract Documents: An In-Depth Review

This presentation will explain the AIA’s revision process and identify the pros and cons of each revision with respect to the owner, contractor and architect. Presented by Ken Cobleigh, Esq.

Increase your effectiveness in negotiating owner/architect agreements, creating project manuals, and advising clients about which owner/contractor agreement is appropriate for the project.

Examine every family of AIA documents; get the scoop on the 2007 revisions to the A201 family, including significant revisions to A201, owner/architect and owner/contractor agreements; and find out why the 2007 digital practice documents can help you manage digital data on your projects.

Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Cost: $45 Chapter members/ $60 Non-chapter members; Continental breakfast served.
Click here to register
4 CES/HSW LU

Solicitation to Establish Pool of AEs for City of Richmond

From Roger Helbig of City of Richmond:

I was not here last week when this was first posted, but there is still time for your members to respond. Please, make them aware of this posting to our BidsOnline system (the link takes you to that page – your members, will have to register to download the solicitation)

1/07/2007
Alvarez, Ofelia
PW-Y-7Nov07
Architectural Services, Professional
As-Needed Architectural and Civil Engineering Services

BidsOnline™Please, register as a vendor in our on-line BidsOnline™ system. You can access that from Bids at the top of the City’s home page www.ci.richmond.ca.usWe will use this registration to send periodic notices to our vendors in addition to using it to solicit future quotes and bids

For more information: Roger W Helbig, C.P.M.
Senior Buyer
Purchasing Div/Finance Dept
City of Richmond, CA
(510) 620-6731 (v)
(510) 620-6522 (f)
roger_helbig@ci.richmond.ca.us

Young Architects Forum: E&O Insurance Program

Young Architects Forum: E&O Insurance Program
The Young Architects Forum meets on Tuesday, November 20, for a much-anticipated program on "Meeting Your Insurance Requirements." Leslie E. Pancoast, CIC, RPLU, Vice President of IOA Insurance Services of Pleasanton will explain E&O insurance coverage and the risks one takes as a business owner.

From Gerard Lee, AIA, Chair:
"Some of you have expressed concerns about liability insurance. This is a good way to learn about it. Even those of us who have E&O insurance are never really fully aware of the protection it provides. Plus, many of us live with 'war stories' or 'learned wisdom' passed on down through fellow architects or employers. Some of us have assumptions about the need to have or not have E&O insurance based on perceptions or misconceptions. So let's bring all of this to the table and ask the tough questions we need to ask. Another thing many never know about is the additional services provided by our insurance brokers and the newsletters with good information about business practices issued by the Victor O. Schinnerer Co and other providers that we get by having liability coverage."
This is a not-to-miss program open to all.

1 CES LU
Presented by the Young Architects Forum
RSVPs not necessary but welcome.

YAF: Meeting Your Insurance Requirements
AIA East Bay
Tuesday 11/20/07
6:00-7:30pm

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

Oil Independent Oakland

The Agenda (“E-genda”) for the next Special Meeting of the Oil Independent Oakland (OIO) by 2020 Task Force can be viewed on-line, here:
http://www.oaklandnet.com/Oil/pdfs/111907_oiotfsm_agenda.pdf.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2007, from 6 pm to 9 pm in Hearing Room *3*, on the first floor of City Hall. Parking at the Clay Street Garage will be validated so please bring your parking ticket to the meeting.
The Agenda can also be accessed via the OIO Task Force web page: http://www.oaklandnet.com/Oil/default.html.

There are only three more meetings (including this one) of the OIO Task Force scheduled. The OIO Task Force is now discussing and evaluating potential policy recommendations to include in its Oil Independent Oakland Action Plan to be presented to the City Council in January. Your input is important so please join us!

For more information:
Marisa Arrona, Policy Aide
Office of Councilmember Nancy J. Nadel
Oakland, District 3
arronam@oaklandnet.com On the web at http://www.NancyNadel.org


Please sign up to the District 3 Listserve:> For West Oakland, send a blank email to:d3westoakland-subscribe@yahoogroups.com> For the Downtown/Lake area, send a blank email to:d3oaklanddtownlake-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Lecture: Andrea P. Leers, FAIA

Twenty-Fourth Annual AIA East Bay/UCBerkeley Joint Lecture


Andrea Leers, FAIA
November 19, 2007
7:30 PM
112 Wurster
UC Berkeley Campus

Andrea P. Leers, FAIA
Andrea Leers received a Bachelor of Arts in History of Art from Wesllesley College and a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Leers began independent practice in 1970, and in 1982 she and Jane Weinzapfel founded Leers Weinzapfel Associates in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm was honored with the AIA National Firm Award in 2007. She currently holds a position as Adjunct Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and has held numerous teaching and visiting critic positions with Yale University, the American Academy in Rome, the University of Virginia School of architecture, and the Tokyo Institute of Technology.

Firm Description
Leers Weinzapfel Associates is a Boston based practice distinguished by an exceptional quality of design founded on a commitment to the public realm and to the craft of building. The work has been widely recognized in over 40 national and regional awards by the profession, by exhibitions, and by publications in the US , Europe , and Japan . In 2007, the American Institute of Architects honored the practice with its Firm Award, the highest honor the AIA bestows on a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. Work of the firm encompasses a wide range of projects, from technically demanding infrastructure installations such as the Chiller Plant at the University of Pennsylvania, to economical community recreation centers such as the George Robert White Youth Development Center in Boston, to prominent civic buildings such as the Fenton Judicial Center in Lawrence MA, to advanced learning and living environments for colleges and universities such as the New College Theatre at Harvard University.

Lecture Dinner
Each year we ask East Bay firms to help underwrite the expense of bringing in a renowned architect to Cal . Through the firms' generosity we are able to present international architects such as Ms. Leers, Fuhimiko Maki, and Craig Dykers without charging for the lecture. One benefit of sponsorship is attendance at the lecture dinner. In response to sponsors' requests, the dinner returns this year to the lovely Bancroft Hotel, which is graciously taking part in sponsorship to keep our expenses low. Dinner guests have reserved seats at Wurster Hall--a must for this popular lecture series!

Funds to underwrite the costs of this program have been provided by the following sponsors:
Arkin Tilt Architects
ATI Architects and Engineers
BlakeDrucker Architects
Byrens & Associates Architecture-Planning
Carol Shen, FAIA
Claudia Falconer Architects
Council on Architecture of the Oakland Museum of California
Dahlin Group Architecture Planning
Davidson + Seals Architecture & Planning
Dupont/Tyvek
E. Paul Kelly AIA Architecture / Planning
ELS Architecture and Urban Design
Field Paoli
Glass Associates Inc.
Graff Architects
Haviland Associates Architects
HKIT
Hollman & Bologna Architecture & Planning
Interactive Resources Inc.
Jason Kaldis Architect
Jensen/Ptaszynski Architects
Shah Kawasaki Architects
Long & Levitt LLP
Michael Coleman Architect
BBI Construction
Muller & Caulfield Architects
Murakami/Nelson Architectural Corporation
Noll & Tam Architects
PSM Architects, Inc.
Pyatok Architects
Ratcliff
Siegel & Strain Architects
Swatt Architects
TEAC Structural Engineering
The Preview Group
VBN Architects
Ware Malcomb Architects
The Bancroft Hotel

Interested in sponsorship? Contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator or David Petta, FAIA, Lecture Chair.
To register for this event click here

For more information: Kellie Hewlett 510/464-3600

Richmond Seeks Developer for Miraflores

The City of Richmond will hold a presubmittal meeting and site tour for potential developers of the Miraflores site tomorrow, November 9, beginning at the City Council Chambers at 1:00 PM, followed by a site visit. Miraflores is a unique site that includes historic buildings, an active creek (Baxter Creek) and is adjacent to the Richmond Greenway with walking access to BART. If you know know any urban infill developers who may be interested in this opportunity, please forward this to them.

Click here for the entire RFP, and see Reminder of Miraflores Scoping, September 25, 2007, for more background.

For more information, contact:

Natalia Fanta Lawrence
Development Project Manager II
Community and Economic Development Department
City of Richmond
1401 Marina Way South
Richmond, CA 94804
510 307-8180
natalia_lawrence@ci.richmond.ca.us

Building Oakland for Everyone

Building Oakland for Everyone Groundbreaking report on Oakland’s employment needs and opportunities to be released before the Summit.

At Building Oakland for Everyone: A Summit on Jobs, Housing, and Justice, hundreds of Oaklanders from across the city will put their heads together and identify key steps for creating a more just Oakland. Putting Oaklanders to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring affordably-priced homes are available and maintaining safe and healthy neighborhoods are sure to be among the most burning issues.

Phone press briefing on report: Friday, November 16, 2007, 11:00am
Summit: Saturday, November 17, 2007, 10:00 am – 2:00pm
Press briefing: via conference call in number: 866-316-1519, passcode: 60475693
Summit location: St. Anthony’s School Gym 1500 E 15th Avenue, Oakland, CA

For more information: Kate O’Hara, (510) 910-0602