Hello Beautiful Smart Architects,

Fall is here and it brings so many annual events for you. The annual golf tournament, Design Week Birmingham and call for membership. I have heard, “What does AIA do for me? Why should I spend my hard earned money on AIA membership? I want to change the question…

What would happen to the architectural profession if there were NO AIA?

Who would have fought for the Good Samaritan Act?
Who would have fought to extend the Good Samaritan ACT from 30 days to 90 days?
Who would have kept pushing legislation to decrease the Statue of Limitations from 13 years to 7?
Who had your back when Tripp Pittman tried to pass Intellectual Property?
Who pushed the federal government on the Tax Credits (and to extend it)?
Who provides interesting site visits and tours for CEUs?
Who helps you find new hires? Who provides ARE study material? Who helped you find that perfect job?
Who is a resource for compensation reports? Billing Index?
Who markets and promotes the architectural profession?
Who provides members with these benefits? https://aiabham.org/services/member-benefits/

The American Institute of Architects – that’s WHO has your back!!!!
Consider the cost of membership $615 and divide by 12.
$51.25 per month to protect and promote your career.
Assoc. membership – $282 divided by 12.
$23.50 per month for ARE study materials, resource for job placement, and develop your career.

Cheers to renewing your AIA 2016 Membership and staying in the AIA family or in other cases,
WELCOME back to the AIA Family.

Peace & AIA LOVE,
Rhea Williams
Executive Director, AIA Birmingham, Alabama Center for Architecture______

2016 AIA Birmingham Slate

We will vote for the 2016 Slate of Officers at the Nov. 6^th Sponsor Tradeshow.

Officers:

Immediate Past President: Carey Hollingsworth, AIA
President: Bill Segrest, AIA, Williams Blackstock Architects
Vice-President: Lauren Gwaltney, AIA, Williams Blackstock Architects
Treasurer: Ross McCain, AIA, KPS Group
Secretary: Richard Simonton, AIA, Simonton Swaika & Black Architects
Second Year Director: Lissy Frese, AIA, Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds
First Year Director: Brannon Foster, AIA, Christopher Architects
Intern Director: Jonathan Meadows, AIA, Williams Blackstock Architects

Councilors:

Marshall Anderson, AIA, Design Initiative
Emily Bullard-McClellan, Assoc. AIA, KPS Group
Ty Cole, AIA, GA Studio
Cindy Coyle, AIA, Architecture Works
Adam Gerndt, Assoc. AIA, Adams Gerndt Design
Alicia Pughsley, AIA, Birchfield Penuel Architects
Jeff Slaton, AIA, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood
Keith Starnes, AIA, Birchfield Penuel Architects ______

Thank You SPONSORS Tradeshow 2015

It’s Tradeshow Time! Mark your calendars for the annual Sponsor Appreciation Tradeshow! This year’s event will be held Friday, November 6 from 11:00 – 1:30 p.m. at the Alabama Power Third Floor Auditorium (1200 6th Ave N, Birmingham AL 35203). Bring your business cards to win fabulous prizes. Last year’s event was a huge success, and we know this year’s will be even better!
Sponsors, to be included in the tradeshow, you MUST fill out the registration form by October 30. Click here to view the registration form.

It is FREE for members to attend the tradeshow and $15 for non-AIA members – please RSVP to kathryn@aiabham.org by Nov. 2. ______

Congrats to Newly Licensed Architects for 2015!

Jonas Booker, Gresham Smith & Partners
Jeremy Cutts, Williams Blackstock Architects
Samantha Foster, Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds
Jared Fulton, Williams Blackstock Architects
Jonathan Meadows, Williams Blackstock Architects
Samantha Wilson, Lathan Associates Architects______

AIA Gulf States Road to Fellowship Workshop

WHAT: AIA Gulf States Region “Road to Fellowship” Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm
Presentation: 8:30 – lunch
After lunch: Q&A; individual help; review

WHERE: Alabama Center for Architecture (Birmingham)
WHO: AIA Gulf States Region members interested in hands-on workshop on the Fellowship process
COST: Free for the all-day workshop (hotel room and travel are your responsibility)
WHY: Demystify the Fellows process. Perhaps you’re ready to apply for Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects; Or perhaps you’re not ready now, but want the tools to understand what the Fellows Jury requires.

AIA Gulf States is fortunate to have LEE ASKEW, FAIA (Memphis) and ALLISON ANDERSON, FAIA (Mississippi) as presenters/mentors. Mr. Askew has served on the Fellows Jury, and Ms. Anderson was recently elevated to Fellow status. They are eager to answer your questions and help guide you.

HOTEL: A small block of rooms is being held at the Tutwiler Hampton Inn. The hotel is a national historic landmark in the heart of Birmingham. It offers free breakfast, free internet access and free airport transportation.

A registration form will be sent upon request to sheila@aiatn.org. The workshop has a limited number (35) of openings, so please let her know ASAP. There is an informal dinner scheduled for Monday night (November 9th) if your travel schedule permits (more information to come).______

“Alabama: OPEN for Business”—2nd Annual AEC Group Mega Meeting

Mega Meeting this year was fabulous!! More than 20 exhibitors and 150 guests attended this year’s event at Regions Field. The panel, led by Milton Davis of BL Harbert, discussed current economic trends in Alabama. The panel consisted of: Brian Hilson, Birmingham Business Alliance; Brooks Kracke, North Alabama Industrial Development Association; Mike Horsley, Alabama Hospital Foundation; Ted Clem, Alabama Department of Commerce Business Development; and Greg Knighton, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.

This panel of economic development leaders guided attendees through the forecasted growth in Alabama and the Southeast region, focusing specifically on the architecture, engineering and construction industries. Special thank you to all of our participating organizations and exhibitors – can’t wait until next year! (photos from the event) ______

Wine Down Wednesday Program – Recap

We had a great program for our first Wine Down Wednesday! Erik Kuehne of Wine Cellar Innovations gave a presentation on the design and construction requirements for wine storage, including room build out, the best suitable wood types to use, and climate control. Kuehne explained the environmental conditions required for the storage of wine and how they contribute to its proper aging. He also summarized the construction methods and techniques used in installing a wine cellar or room and evaluate refrigeration options. Thanks to European Kitchens of Alabama for hosting this informative presentation!

For our evening program, Scott Jones of Jones Is Thirsty shared his extensive knowledge of wines with us. This class took a deeper dive into the world of wine—from grape types to production to wine regions to the shapes of the bottles themselves. Who knew chardonnay and popcorn are delicious together?! And if you eat a hot pepper, do not drink red wine, it enhances the heat of the pepper, always follow up with a white wine to kill the heat. Our wine was provided generously by Stewart Lee at Structural Design Group, and our yummy hors d’oeuvres (duck confit quesadillas!) were made by Brian Mooney at Tre Luna Catering.

Thanks to everyone who attended these celebrations of AIA Birmingham’s 50th anniversary! To see more photos of the events, click here.______

ALABAMA CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE

SOLD OUT??!!! Not yet…getting close!

20th Annual ACFA Golf Tournament

Thursday, October 15 | Robert Trent Jones Oxmoor Valley
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Registration
10 a.m. Driving Range with free balls
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Box Lunch
12:00 p.m. Shotgun start
5:00 p.m. BBQ Dinner & Live Music

Register today for the 20th annual ACFA Golf tournament! Don’t miss a beautiful day on the links, with all proceeds going to architecture student scholarships.

Click here to view registration and sponsorship information!______

Design Week Birmingham 2015! – 20 events, 2.5 HSW, 3 LU

OPEN HOUSE DRINK N DRAW RAPID FIRE FEAST

DWB is a multifaceted event that will include installations, lectures, film showings, exhibits, workshops and social gatherings all with the common theme: Design Matters. The third edition of Design Week Birmingham will include all aspects of design – from architecture, graphic design, industrial design, interior design and more. The week starts out with a FIRM/AGENCY Open House. ACFA is hosting 50 Great Projects (DESIGN AWARDS) for the month. Alabama Center for Architecture is the proud host of this event, and we hope you join us for some events!

Click here for schedule!!______

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS SECTION

Site Visit – Pizitz Building

Tuesday, October 13 | Arrive at 3:45 pm, tour begins at 4:00 pm sharp
1821 2nd Ave. N.
RSVP to kathryn@aiabham.org by Oct. 9. Space is limited.

Parking: Park in the Pizitz parking deck Level C (entrance off 18th St as you turn north off 1st Ave N)
Required PPE: Closed toe shoes (no ballet flats or heels), vests, eye protection and hard hats.

The Pizitz Building is the former flagship department store for Pizitz, located at 1821 2nd Avenue North. The 225,000 square-foot building, designed by Harry B. Wheelock, is undergoing a $66 million renovation that will fit the six-floor building with 143 apartments, a mezzanine level with temporary office space and a ground level with a public urban market. Special thanks to Brasfield & Gorrie and KPS Group for graciously inviting us to tour this awesome project!______

4th Annual Photography Competition Winners – Congratulations!

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Announcement from BDG Architects

LEADERSHIP IN ARCHITECTURE………LEADERSHIP BEYOND ARCHITECTURE
BDG Architects is proud to unveil our new brand refresh complete with a new logo and a redesigned website that showcases in greater depth our people, experience and capabilities. We are thrilled to share this new look with our team, business partners, clients and the community. As a firm we understand it is critical to continuously evolve the standards that define our commitment to excellence. Read more about the story of BDG Architects at www.bdgllp.com______