Joe

Hello Problem Solvers,
Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful. I am so thankful for architects. You create/design beautiful spaces for everyone (like our Design Award Honor winners above). You consider how each building will be used by the end user – people, us. We don’t think about the thought or time you put into each phase of the design, the liability, trying to create what the clients wants when they really do not know, much less take the time to thank you for your vision.

Thank you for designing all the spaces we live, work, play, worship, eat, drink, educational, hospitals, and so much more. You surround each of us with a beautiful safe place.

Thank you and I wish you and your family a HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Peace and AIA love,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director, AIA Birmingham & AL. Center for Architecture______

[/hr]

2016 Sponsorships Now Available! – Early Bird Special

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

If you renew your membership by December 31 and pay by January 15, we will give you $100 off your sponsorship (platinum, gold and silver levels only)! See the brochure or contact Rhea or Kathryn with questions.______

Thank You SPONSORS & MEMBERS Tradeshow 2015

Friday, Nov. 6 | 11:00am-1:00 pm
Alabama Power 3rd Floor Auditorium (1200 6th Ave N, 35203)

FREE for members with RSVP! | $10 for nonmembers
RSVP to kathryn@aiabham.org by Nov. 4!!

Bring your business cards to win fabulous prizes (TV, Bose speakers, Fitbit, gift cards and more!)

One of our generous door prizes! A one of a kind walnut side table - harvested, milled, designed and crafted in North Alabama by Robin Wade Furniture — One of our generous door prizes! A one of a kind walnut side table – harvested, milled, designed and crafted in North Alabama by Robin Wade Furniture

Sponsors exhibiting are: Alabama Power, AMA Lighting, Crow Friedman Group, AFS Repair, Gorrie Regan, Boral Building Products, Building & Earth Sciences, Ai Corporate Interiors, Southern Bath & Kitchen, The Mell Group, Ferguson, Dale of Alabama, ThyssenKrupp Elevators, Cardno Haynes Whaley, Dodge Data & Analytics, Office Environments, Business Interiors, Lighting Solutions, Signage, Camacho Associates, Nichiha USA, Habiframe, Sherwood Cox Photography, Pella Windows & Doors, Parrot Structural Services, ACME Brick, Indiana Limestone Company, PPG Industries, Robin Wade Furniture and Mississippi Ironworks!______

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.

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).______

Procrastination Education – CEU Opportunities from our Sponsors

Do you still need to get your education requirements in for this year? If so, we have the solution for you – AIA Birmingham’s Procrastination Education! Our sponsors are offering 9 FREE seminars in the month of December for YOU! See below for info about each seminar and RSVP information!

All meetings are at the Alabama Center for Architecture (109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South), begin at 11:30 and include lunch unless otherwise noted.

Date	CEU Credit	Sponsor	Title	RSVP Email
Nov. 30	1 HSW	Boral Building Products	Understanding Poly-Ash Trim	karon.vezertzis@boral.com
Dec. 2	1 HSW	Hohmann & Barnard	Sustainability in Masonry Construction	mickim@h-b.com
Dec. 7	1 HSW	Business Interiors	Build Better with Prefab Interior Construction	kbrowne@businteriors.com
Dec. 8	1 LU	Hagerman & Company	Introduction to A360 Collaboration for Autodesk® Revit	events@hagerman.com
Dec. 11	1 HSW	ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas	Elevator Education 101: Designing for Low-Rise Buildings	gabe.potts@thyssenkrupp.com
Dec. 14	1 LU	Sherwood Cox Photography	Architectural Photography: Why & How to Work with a Professional	sc@sherwoodcox.com
Dec. 15	1 HSW	AMA Lighting	Intelligent Lighting for Interior Spaces	chris@amalighting.com
Dec. 16	1 HSW	AMA Lighting	Lighting Control Technology for Digital and Dynamic Luminaires	chris@amalighting.com
Dec. 17	1 HSW	Alabama Concrete Industries Association	Design & Construction of Concrete Parking Lots	jsorrell@alconcrete.org

PEACE (PIECE) OUT 2015! Holiday Party & Art Fundraiser
If you have art you’d like to donate, fill out this form and return to us!______

ALABAMA CENTER FOR ARCHITECTURE

20th Annual ACFA Golf Tournament

Our 20th annual ACFA Golf Tournament at the RTJ Oxmoor Valley course on Thursday, Oct. 15 was a huge success! The weather was perfect, and our 136 players loved their day on the links. After finishing the course, the players gathered at the clubhouse for live music, barbecue and door prize giveaways. Special thanks to our tournament sponsor J.R. Prewitt & Associates and all our hole, drink cart and meal sponsors for their generous support year after year. Proceeds from the 2015 tournament will go to scholarships for architecture students. View photos from the event here! And view winners here! ______

Design Week Birmingham 2015

feast — Kuumba Community Arts, winner of DWB’s BhamFEAST, holds their kickoff party last week. Kuumba is a teen design academy where young people earn a wage for their creative work.

Design Week Birmingham celebrated its third year on Oct. 19–24. From the Top 50 Architectural Projects and a lecture by Natalie Chanin to Drink & Draw with industrial designer Spencer Nugent and a ZYP Bike Share ride to Railroad Park, the week offered something for anyone interested in Birmingham’s tradition of creative arts. The week concluded Saturday night with BHAMFEAST, a crowdsourced dinner held at the Blueprint Building. The winner of the FEAST grant was Kuumba Community Arts, a teen design academy where young people earn a wage for their creative work.

THANK YOU to everyone who attended and everyone who sponsored this event. Special thanks to all the architects on the DWB committee: Bruce Lanier, Jared Fulton, Laura Bartlett, Matt Foley, Brittany Foley and Andrew Bryant. Next year’s will be even bigger and better – just wait and see! Click here for photos!______

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS SECTION

Site Visit – Cahaba Brewery

Tuesday, November 17 | 4:30 pm
4500 5th Ave South
RSVP to kathryn@aiabham.org by November 16.

Required PPE: Closed toe shoes and hard hats.______

Save the Date!

Young AEC Holiday Party
December 17th at the Wine Loft

More info coming soon!______

NEW UAB Sustainable Smart Cities Master’s Program______

2016 AIA Birmingham Slate of 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

Your Town Alabama

Joe · October 31, 2015 ·

In 1998 Your Town Alabama (YTA), was founded by a group of volunteers from across Alabama and from both the public and private sectors. They represented design education, economic development, historic preservation and resource preservation. Our vision was to expose community decision makers to asset-based planning techniques, focusing on identifying ‘what is right’ within their community and building on these unique community assets. To date we have over 1000 Your Town alumni, from all 67 counties. They have returned to their communities to make significant impacts and we believe that these impacts have changed the face of Alabama over the course of time.

In two and one half highly intensive days filled with lectures, case-study presentations, and interactive group problem solving, the Your Town Alabama Workshop provides advanced leadership skills coupled with information and planning tools that have been developed to prepare the participants to return home and contribute to the process of Designing Their Future.

Your Town Alabama has evolved over time and has kept a singular focus of producing the best workshop possible. Fees are held to a minimum, so participation is possible for limited-income small towns and urban neighborhoods. The costs for the workshop are never fully covered by the registration fees. We need assistance in providing this valuable experience.

YTA would like to offer the design firms of Alabama an opportunity to help us continue the YTA workshop. A donation of $500.⁰⁰ will enable you to send a staff person or one of you valued clients or potential clients to the 2017 workshop. At the end of the best two and a half days they have ever experienced they will be a “Your Town Alabama Herald”. They are prepared to return home and extoll the virtues of thoughtful design and good planning.

Your Town Alabama is a tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and your sponsorship of a Your Town Herald id fully tax deductible.

If you would like to discuss the opportunity before writing your check please contact Steve Ostaseski via email at sostaseski@outlook.com or by phone at (205) 937-0146. Thank you.

ARCHtober 2015 News

Joe · October 5, 2015 ·

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.

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.

“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!

______

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______