COMMUNICATION. 2016 will be the year of communication. We will strive harder than ever to communicate our value as architects and designers to the general public around us. We have increased the awareness to many of what we have to offer, though there is still much ground to make up, and many, many more to reach. We will meet our clients on their terms and listen to their wants, needs and goals. We will bring awareness to those who don’t know we exist by being present in unexpected places, offering a glimpse that will lead to their wanting to know more about our profession. We will learn how to communicate in such a way that speaks universally of quality in the places we call home.

We will communicate to our profession the value of the AIA as an organization. We will listen to our peers as they speak of our shortcomings and areas we need to improve, and we will act. We will communicate with our young emerging professionals, letting them know what our organization does for them and how they can find their place with our support. We will learn how to communicate with those who are just beginning their architectural careers or education by understanding what it is that makes them unique, and so perfectly suited to elevate our profession to new heights. We will also communicate with our experienced colleagues who have so much to offer through countless lessons learned throughout their careers.

By communicating visually through examples of our work, we can expand our reach to vast numbers of potential clients, supporters and future architects who will gain understanding of the important roles architects serve in the places we live, work and play. We will have entertaining and informative opportunities to truly socialize with one another, and provide venues and events that will encourage coming together and building community. We will communicate with others within the profession, our schools, and other chapters by exchanging ideas and resources. We will occasionally get up from our desks, from behind our computer screens, and become active participants in our communities. What an immensely exciting time to be living and practicing in the cities that make up our Chapter and State!

We will communicate with our supporters and let them know how much we appreciate them. The successful programs we run, and are now taking statewide, are due in large part to their continued support over the years. We will also communicate to new potential donors the outreach we provide through our programs and how they can help advance our mission.

2016 will be an exciting year, and I am grateful and honored to be the Chapter President. It would be foolish to think that a small group can accomplish the things outlined above and continue to toe the line that others started to move in years past. This excitement comes with a need to increase our numbers, embrace new ideas and strive to strengthen and grow our footprint. Therefore, I’m excited to see our numbers grow, our participants increase and our message get out into the surrounding communities, cities and statewide. I look forward to hearing each of your thoughts, ideas, and challenges and I look forward to seeing and communicating with each of you at our upcoming events.

Thank you so very much for your passion and dedication to our profession!

Humbly,

Bill Segrest, AIA
2016 AIA Birmingham President______

Did you know…

…that Rhea and Kathryn are not employees of AIA Birmingham? Nope! They both work for Karma Management Inc. Both AIA Birmingham and Alabama Center for Architecture hire Karma as a consultant. Karma is an association management company with a niche in the design profession. Karma’s goal is to promote DESIGN through our clients: AIA Birmingham, Alabama Center for Architecture, Structural Engineers Association of AL and Design Week Birmingham.______

2016 Sponsorships Now Available! – Renew TODAY!

Wow, what a great year we’ve had! Just a reminder that all chapter sponsorships expired at the end of December! Check out the 2016 sponsorship brochure here.

THANK YOU to all our sponsors who paid in December 2015!

PLATINUM
Alabama Graphics
Alabama Power Company
AMA Lighting
Hohmann & Barnard, Inc.
J.R. Prewitt & Associates

GOLD
ALAGASCO
Boral Building Products
Lighting Solutions
MBA Structural Engineers

SILVER
American Gypsum
Camacho & Associates
Continental Building Products
KONE
Pella Windows & Doors
Office Environments
PPG Industries
Robins & Morton
Sherwin Williams

BRONZE
Bhate Geosciences
LBYD Civil & Structural Engineering
Mullins Building Products
Patterson Pope

If you renew your membership by January 15, we will give you $100 off your platinum, gold or silver sponsorship, so don’t delay! See the brochure or contact Rhea or Kathryn with questions.______

Do You have any WAY COOL GROOVY MUSIC POSTERS?

January is MUSIC AND ARCHITECTURE month. AIA Birmingham, Alabama Center for Architecture, WELD, Create Birmingham, Saturn, Davis Architects, Dave’s Pizza and more are all partnering to start 2016 off with a song. We will start the month off (Jan. 14) with a music poster show curated from private collections. If you have a way cool groovy music poster show you would like to share/exhibit, email a photo of your framed poster to aiabirm@aiabham.org to see if it makes the show. The response has been overwhelming. If your poster makes the cut (we will notify you), it has to be dropped off no later than January 11 to the Alabama Center for Architecture.

These private collections span from a 1969 Rolling Stones Poster to Grateful Dead, Phish, Wide Spread Panic, Drive BY Truckers, Ben Harper, MOE, BB King, Galactic, Jefferson Airplane, The Black Keys, Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule, Bob Dylan, Lumineers, Keller Williams and so many more. The exhibit will be free and open to the public from January 14 – February 19.______

 

Owner/Artist Panel Discussion – 1 HSW
January 19 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Saturn | 200 41st St. South
RSVP to kathryn@aiabham.org | $15, lunch included

Need a way cool groovy HSW?? Why not get that way cool groovy 1 HSW at hip music venue Saturn? Buy your ticket to hear a ROCK STAR panel discussion featuring some of Birmingham’s best known musicians and venue owners. Find out what musicians, artist hospitality reps, venue owners and the users want/need in a venue. Design is the key to a profitable venue and good ole hospitality helps too. Neil Davis, AIA, of Davis Architecture will share some of his experiences designing music venues.

What do music venue users like or dislike in a venue? What do they wish architects would consider in a music venue? Topics will include client concept of various music venues, acoustics, safety & security, merchandise space, musician and performer experience and form/function.

ROCK STAR Panelists:

Neil Davis, AIA, President of Davis Architecture

A 1976 Auburn University graduate, Davis serves as the President of Davis Architects. Mr. Davis has since worked in civic, institutional, religious and educational sectors. He has designed music venues and concert halls, such as Samford  Brock Recital Hall, Samford Wright Center, Samford Harrison Theatre, Alys Stephens Center, WorkPlay, Auburn University Telfair Peet Black Box Theater, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Montevallo University Parnell Library Theatre, the Georgia Theatre in Athens, Ga., and numerous high school auditoriums, choral rooms and band rooms. His contributions to architectural design through his nearly 40-year career reflect a lifelong commitment to design excellence.

Brian Teasley, Owner of Saturn and Satellite

Teasley is a musician, writer, record dealer, concert promoter and currently the owner of Saturn and The Satellite in Avondale. He studied communications at Auburn University, has owned recording studios across the southeast and has been a member of several bands, including Man or Astro-Man?, The Boster and Servotron, Japancakes, St. Vincent, Tyro, Watts, The Mono Men, Har Mar Superstar, the Vue and The Polyphonic Spree. He performed music for “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” and other television shows, and toured with the “Mr. Show Tour” and “The Comedians of Comedy”. In 2006 he partnered with Brad and Merrilee Challiss to open Bottletree on 3rd Avenue South. With Teasley and Leah Hutchinson’s Secret History Productions booking acts, the cafe and venue quickly established itself as a keystone of Birmingham’s music scene and helped put the city on the national touring map. Teasley parted ways with Bottletree in 2014 and opened the Saturn venue and The Satellite coffee shop in nearby Avondale.

Sean Price, Guitarist for ERRA

Sean Price, a Birmingham native, is a a professional touring musician with rock band ERRA. LLC, signed to Sumerian Records and managed by Royal Division. He is endorsed by companies such as Ibanez Guitars and EMG Pickups. He played music all throughout his younger years including marching band and jazz band at Homewood High School. He played in various projects growing up such as Romagna and Alserene. Price joined ERRA in 2013 and has since been touring full time across the US, Canada and Japan.______

Holiday Party / Piece Out Fundraiser 

The annual AIA holiday party was held Dec. 3, 2015 at the Alabama Center for Architecture. We had yummy food from Tre Luna Catering, beer provided by Cahaba Brewing Company and a “Piece Out” art fundraiser benefiting the ACFA. Additionally we raised more than $1100 for the Alabama Center for Architecture programming! Thanks to everyone who attended — what a fun party!
Click here to view photos from the event______

Membership – Renew Today!

Have you renewed your AIA membership for 2016? If not, now is the perfect time so you can take advantage of all AIA has to offer! To see our local member benefits, visit our Membership page. Renew today at www.aia.org/renew!

And remember, ALL renewing, new & reinstating Architect, Associate, International Associate, Allied (Institute only), and New Graduates are eligible to participate in the 2016 Dues Installment Program. For more information, visit AIA National’s FAQ page at http://www.aia.org/about/aiab081429 or contact Rhea or Kathryn with questions.______

Government Affairs Update

This past year saw many matters of concern, many opportunities, and many successes in advocacy at the state and federal levels. Below are some updates on bills/issues in Congress. As you can see, the collective efforts of many individuals are yielding positive results! (This update is provided with the assistance of Andrew Goldberg at AIA National.) To get involved on the Government Affairs Committee, email Bruce Herrington.

Click here to view the updates!______

AIA National Corner

Antitrust Policy

The American Institute of Architects and its members are committed to full compliance with all laws and regulations, and to maintaining the highest ethical standards sin the way we conduct our operations and activities. Our commitment includes strict compliance with federal and state antitrust laws, which are designed to protect this country’s free competitive economy. In all operations and activities of the Institute, you must avoid any discussions or conduct that might violate the antitrust laws or even raise an appearance of impropriety. These guidelines will help you.  A full version of the AIA’s Antitrust policy can be found here.

Career Center

Jobseekers – check out the AIA Career Center for all the hottest jobs and access to the Career Learning Center, which encourages an integrative career and professional development process that enhances your skill set. Also don’t miss AIA Birmingham’s Career Page for the latest local opportunities.

Employers – post your jobs on the AIA Birmingham website! FREE for local member firms. Email Rhea or Kathryn for more details.

Seeking User Testers for Digital Transformation

Get involved in AIA’s Digital Transformation by becoming a user tester. There are several features and functionality ready for your feedback. The testing exercises must have a balanced mix of career stages, member types, and special interests to be valid. Help us match your unique perspective on available tests by completing this survey.

Awards Opportunities and Webinars

• 2016 COTE Top Ten/Top Ten + Awards. Submit by January 19, 2016.

• 2016 AIA CAE Education Facility Design Awards. Submit by January 19, 2016.

• Webinar: Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP): The Business Model of Custom Tools. February 16, 2016, 2 pm EST. Register

A full list of Knowledge Community events is always available at network.aia.org/RoundUp______

Save the Date – AIA Birmingham Design Awards

To help you with your yearly planning, our Design Awards schedule is as follows:

Call for Entries: February
Forms & Fees: Early March
Jury Submission: April 4
Awards: Early to Mid-June______

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS SECTION

Young AEC Holiday Party—Thank You!!

Thanks to all the EPs who attended the Y-AEC Holiday Party on Dec. 17th at the Wine Loft. In addition to networking and having yummy food and drinks, we collected tons of art supplies and raised $400 for the Firehouse Shelter!______

ARE Study Library

If you’re currently studying for your ARE tests, AIA Birmingham invites you to make use of our NEW ARE Study Library! Special thank you to the AIA College of Fellows, bDot Architecture and Business Interiors for making this possible.
The library will be open during AIA Birmingham regular business hours, Mon-Fri from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.______

Overhauled IDP Goes Into Effect June 2016

On June 29, 2016, the Intern Development Program (IDP) will be updated to reflect six broad areas of architectural practice. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming changes.

Next summer, the IDP’s current 17 experience areas will be realigned into six broad practice-based areas. The six new experience areas include:

• Practice Management
• Project Management
• Programming & Analysis
• Project Planning & Design
• Project Development & Documentation
• Construction & Evaluation

The IDP map shows how the current experience areas will merge into the six new areas. Any hours that fall outside of the six new areas can be used to fulfill additional jurisdictional requirements.

Click here to view NCARB’s new IDP Experience Calculator to see how your hours will transfer! ______