Happy Friday AIA Family,

The loss of our sweet friend Dick Pigford, FAIA reminded me the people we work with become our friends and work family. Dick was a friend and mentor to so many of you. I have received so many calls, text and emails about how Dick inspired and mentored them, kept them in the architectural profession when they were uncertain of their career choice. He reminded them why they chose architecture and the impact an architect can have in a community by engaging in the community – CARING for others.  He quietly led by example.

I met Dick fourteen years ago and worked with him on DreamARCHITECTURE, our kindergarten thru fifth grade art competition to inspire children to think about their built environment and consider architecture as a career option.  The awards ceremony is always held at SawWorks/ArchitectureWorks. Dick LOVED this program and EMCEED it every year.  He always wore a suit, bow-tie, pocket square and a warm smile that put everyone at ease. He would call each child’s name proudly as if they had just won a gold medal.  Some would beam with pride and others would shyly come to the front while he would ask questions and praise them for their creativity.  Not just a few winners, but all thirty to forty winning children, regardless of how long it took. He had a gift of making every person in the room feeling special, like you could do anything.  I wonder how many people a better person for are knowing him. I know I am. I did a very rough calculation of the number of years I know he worked on dreamARCHITECTURE, the number of winning children, attendance at the dreamARCHITECTURE awards ceremony (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, teachers, principals….) and came up with 2,100 people I know he made feel special thru EMCEEING dreamARCHITECTURE and left them with a positive impression of an architect.  I wonder how many thousands of people he touched in his 71 years with us. We are so blessed and fortunate to call Dick Pigford, FAIA our friend.

AIA Family – I challenge each of you to show the kindness and caring Dick did thru architecture. He was one of a kind.  Please keep his family and work family in your positive thoughts and prayers.

Peace & AIA Love,

Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham &
Alabama Center for Architecture

Remembering Richard “Dick” Ireland Pigford

May 4, 1947 – March 31, 2019

View the obituary here.

______

Purchase Tickets Here!

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by April 12th

Presented by Elijah Davis with Urban Impact, the community economic development agency for the district, this is a discovery session that focuses on the cultural, commercial, and architectural legacy of the Civil Rights District. The session will culminate in a tour of the National Monument District and the Historic 4th Ave. Business District. We will meet at the Ballard House,

April 16th, 2019
11:30-1:00 PM
The Ballard House
1420 7th Ave North

Schedule: 
Presentation – 11:30-12:00 PM
Walking Tour-12:00-1:00 PM

The Ballard House Project, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, is working to restore and re-program The Ballard House, one of the few surviving live-work structures, which was designed and built by African-American contractor Leroy Gaillard for Dr. Edward H. Ballard and his family in 1940.

The building is designated by the Jefferson County Historical Society as an historic structure. Situated at 1420 7th Avenue, North, the cultural space is located within the Birmingham Civil Rights District.  The facility is also listed on the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure within the Birmingham Civil Rights Historic District.

A walking tour will follow the presentation. The route will consist of stops at the churches, park, motel, and three points along 4th Av. Only a few blocks.

We have permission to park in the 16th Street Baptist Church parking lot between 16th Street Baptist Church and St. Paul Church. The entrance is on 6th Avenue, North. This is right across the street from the BCRI. Street Parking is also available.

Sponsors, it’s time to Renew for 2019!

Click here to renew online! 

Check out the 2019 sponsorship brochure here.

Powerpoints due: April 11th

Jury: April 23rd in Austin, TX ______

The Structural Engineers Association of Alabama
cordially invites you to

Register Here!!

Erleen Hatfield, PE, AIA, LEED AP, has over 25 years of experience in the structural design of a wide range of complex projects including sports facilities, high-rise, cultural and academic buildings. She recently founded Hatfield Group a structural engineering firm based in New York. As former partner of Buro Happold, a global multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm and past principal at Thornton Tomasetti, she has a broad range of experience in the engineering industry.

Presentation:This presentation will share insights into the design approach of large scale, long span structures. A discussion of long span design, new materials and the implementation of new technology will be shared from the initial concept phase through construction. Stadium designs will be featured, including the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, that has a host of engineering innovations in its pioneering design. The 72,000 seat stadium features a 723′ long span steel retractable roof with 8 moving petals that open like a camera lens. The roof supports at the center of its span a 360-degree LED video “halo” scoreboard, the largest in sports. The geometrically complex facade is clad in single skin ETFE, a light weight and translucent material. In addition, the building is the first LEED Platinum stadium.

This presentation is extremely pertinent, given we have broken ground on the new $175 million stadium project at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex!! Read more about the new stadium here.

AIA Alabama State Convention

View the itinerary here! Click here to register!

Wow, what an educational and eye-opening Chapter Meeting we had with Greg Carden of Homeland Security! Greg Carden, Protective Security Advisor Homeland Security, shared what homeland security looks for when they enter a building. He discussed case studies & what went wrong and how the design could have made a difference in the safety of the public. We would like to thank Greg for taking the time out of his day to present for us, as well as everyone who attended, including the Mountain Brook Police and Fire Department!

“The March Chapter meeting presentation on “What Homeland Security Wishes Architects Knew” by Greg Carden was very informative and thought provoking.  As architects, we have so many things to consider in design, and often security design can be reduced to our own understanding, a client’s experience and standard code considerations.  It was interesting to learn about all of the many factors that can and should be considered in security design and how those differ depending on your client, project type and site.  As a healthcare architect, I left the meeting considering how the tools presented to us could be utilized in our projects to further protect patients, families, and healthcare staff.  In fact, it would probably be beneficial to have a similar presentation be made to our clients related to their specific needs and concerns. Thanks to Greg Carden for taking the time to share his knowledge with Birmingham’s architects!”

Alicia Pughsley, AIA
Birchfield Penuel & Associates

“The Homeland Security presentation was very informative. The presentation introduced different creative design approaches that can be incorporated in the initial design phase of new buildings or retrofitted into existing buildings in lieu of using costly ballistic materials which in some cases can be extreme or excessive fortification for the general public.  The presentation also has made me more cognizant of the different levels of security as it relates to building design such as creating secured buffer areas at entrance lobbies, reducing fenestrations at the ground floor levels and having exit only doors in inconspicuous areas at the exterior perimeter of buildings.  I will definitely be considering implementing some of these conceptual ideas in all of my future school, aviation and municipal projects.”

Clay Dorsey, AIA
Dorsey Architects & Associates Inc

“I enjoyed the presentation by Greg Carden with Homeland Security. Since building security has become such an important and oftentimes critical consideration in building design, I appreciated Greg’s insight into balancing building aesthetics with occupant security and life safety. It was interesting to learn about the different types of potential hazards and threats for building occupants. I thought Greg’s advice to incorporate building security during the design phase and not afterwards was good. His comments about the potential dangers of having open classrooms were also thought provoking. I was reminded of just how much architects have to consider when designing a building.”

Ross McCain, AIA, 2019 Past President
KPS Group

Women in Architecture Spring Mixer Recap

We had so many powerful and inspirational women in our gallery on March 19th! Thank you to everyone who attended our WIA Spring Mixer. Laughs were had, plus delicious snacks and libations, and a phenomenal tour of Studio Goodlight by CCR Architects! Studio Goodlight has succeeded in the AIA Design Awards, winning at Gulf State Regional, AIA Alabama, & AIA B’ham Design Awards! Thank you to Tammy Cohen and Leisa Cole for organizing a tour of the Studio.

Click here for the photos!

Emerging Professionals

Let’s kick off National Architecture Week at a site visit with Williams Blackstock Architects! (Pending HSW)

• April 22nd, 4:30-5:30 PM
• Lee Building
• 1620 4th Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35233
• Parking: Street Parking on 3rd Ave S. or 4th Ave S.
• Meeting Location: At site location, the corner of 4th Ave S. & 17th St. South)
• Required PPE: Hard hats & closed toed shoes (we will have a few extra)

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org if you would like to attend. ______

Site Visit to the Zoo with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood Recap!

We had a splendid time touring the new Birmingham Zoo entrance with Goodwyn Mills Cawood and Aquatic Gardens! Thank you to everyone who braved the potential bad weather for this lovely tour & a special thanks to GMC for organizing this for us.

Click here for the photos! ______

Purchase raffle tickets here!

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org ______

2019 Building with Bricks Recap!

WOW – what an incredible turnout we had for the 2019 Building with Bricks Exhibit! Our exhibit featured local projects from our amazing firm members, a private collection of incredible architectural wonders made of LEGO®, architectural models, and a design & build room for kids! This year, we added a scavenger hunt for all the project boards, ending with lots of oooooos and ahhhhhs over your project boards! Thank you to all who participated – we could not have done it without you!

Scavenger Hunt

Participating Firms: Adams Gerndt, ArchitectureWorks, ArcSpace Studio, CCR, Chambless King, Christopher Architects, Creature, Dorsey Architects, GMC, Gresham Smith, Herrington Architects, KPS Group, Matheny Goldmon, Studio C Architecture, Thompson Architecture, TRO Jung Brannen, & Williams Blackstock.

View the photos here!

Save US Architects!!!

The expectations we put on architects each year is overwhelming. We expect you to save the environment, keep us healthy, quality of life and keep us safe- thru DESIGN, but the public still struggles with the VALUE an architect brings to the table. Maybe, just maybe with SAFE design being in the forefront, there will be a NEW awareness and appreciation for architects.

We are in the beginning phases of a five-year strategic plan and we will be asking you for your input. Part of this strategic plan is our chapter meeting topics and education.  We have been having conversations with Birmingham Regional Planning Commission, Jefferson County Health Dept. and UAB. They (and others) have researched and gathered data on health issues, food deserts, poverty, and so many other challenging issues in our area, but there are no solutions to date. How can architects help? How can AIA make an impact in our community?

AIA BHM is committed to making a difference.

Peace & AIA Love,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham &
Alabama Center for Architecture

Greg Carden, Protective Security Advisor Homeland Security will share what homeland security looks for when they enter a building.  He will discuss case studies and what went wrong and how the design could have made a difference.  Building design plays a direct role in how law enforcement responds to an incident.  Find out more March 19^th at the Jewish Community Center.

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by March 15th
Purchase tickets here!

Click here for more information! ______

Sponsors, it’s time to Renew for 2019!  Click here to renew online! 

Wow, what a great year we had! Just a reminder that all chapter sponsorships expired at the end of December!

Check out the 2019 sponsorship brochure here.

AIA Birmingham Design Awards Call for Entries 2019

Click here to fill out your entry forms ONLINE!

Click here to pay your entry fees!

February Chapter Meeting Recap!

Women in Architecture

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org

Emerging Professionals

Purchase tickets here!

Michael Riscica AIA is a Licensed Architect, keynote speaker, internationally recognized blogger, and creator of Young Architect.com an online-based platform which helps Architects succeed passing tests for licensure and beyond.

An unexpected poster child for success with entrepreneurship and exams, Michael struggled with school and was a special ed student in his early academic years. In high school, he couldn’t pass a standardized test in writing essays.

Ironically, now he writes about a standardized test for the Architecture Community.

Michael discovered Architecture through Architectural Drafting, working with an interior design company, which ultimately led him to pursuing a career in Architecture. Like many Architects, Michael loved architecture school but felt blindsided by the real-world challenges that happened after: namely achieving financial stability in an unsteady and unpredictable job market and navigating the challenging process of becoming a Licensed Architect.

Determined to succeed in spite of an extremely rigorous testing process and a learning disability, Michael invested 4+ years in finding a way to pass the exams. What shocked him most was that upon his success, he realized that thousands of friends and colleagues who had declared their desire to become licensed never did– because they did not understand the process, or have the guidance and support system, to complete the Architect Registration Exam.

Fueled by his own experiences of success and struggle, Michael now helps Emerging Professionals pass exams and be financially resilient Entrepreneur Architects through blogging at YoungArchitect.com, speaking tours, teaching workshops and leading in-person study groups.

Motivated by his students’ success and his drive to create a better future for the next generation of architects, you can find Michael writing, speaking, teaching, consulting, or volunteering for the greater architecture community, locally and beyond.

RSVP to Sarah@AIABham.org

Site Visit to the Zoo with Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood!

March 14th
4:00 PM
2630 Cahaba Road
RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org

Building with Bricks > LEGO!!!

Check out the cool architectural models we have for the LEGO Exhibit!  Thank you, Gresham Smith and Adams Gerndt, for the models (and project boards). Everyone (architects too) have fun checking these out.  It is not too late for you to exhibit at the LEGO exhibit. And I must thank the other firms for their BEAUTIFUL project boards: ArchitectureWorks, CCR Architecture & Interiors, Chambless King Architects, Christopher Architects & Interiors, Creature, Dorsey Architects, Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Gresham Smith, Herrington Architects, Krumdieck A + I, KPS Group, Matheny Goldman, Robert Thompson Architecture, Studio C Architecture & Interiors, Williams Blackstock Architects, and TRO Jung|Brannen. There is still time for your firm to exhibit.

March 12th – 30th, 2019
109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd South
Free to the Public // Open Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 5 PM Saturdays – 23rd & 30th, 10 AM – 3 PM

We are hosting our Annual LEGO Design Build exhibit this month. The purpose of this exhibit is to educate adults & children on the importance of architecture in a fun and engaging way. We have boards that explain what an architect does and the design process, architectural models, Lego architecture, and 20 pounds of LEGOS for the kids to design and build in the conference room. The ACFA gallery will have architecture projects for the parents to check out while the kids are learning about architecture and building it with LEGOs in the conference room.

If you are interested in helping with this exhibit, or you would like to exhibit your firm’s projects, email aiabirm@aiabham.org or fill out this form here to enter a board or model!

Click here to volunteer for the Spring Break lunch time (March 25th-29th) or Saturdays (23rd & 30th).

You guys are the BEST!!! We asked you to donate art supplies for two schools and you did. Dick Pigford and I had the pleasure of delivering them to the kids.  They were all so excited, except for one little girl who was disappointed she did not get to take them home with her. Both teachers were very appreciative, and our timing was spot on since their art supply money was spent for the year. The kids are starting on their dreamSCHOOL project this week. It will be fun to see what their imaginations come up with, we will share with all of you since the kids are the reason you design schools.  They may have design solutions  for your next school project.

Our Young Professionals Group also raised money for art supplies for schools. Hector Orozco and Janine Mwenja, Assoc. AIA delivered art supplies to Wylam K-8 School & Smith Middle School on February 1st!

All of you make me so proud. Let’s keep up this giving mind set all year long and keep making a positive difference one design at a time.

Peace & AIA Love,

Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham &
Alabama Center for Architecture

______Sponsors, it’s time to Renew for 2019!  Click here to renew online! 

Wow, what a great year we’ve had! Just a reminder that all chapter sponsorships expired at the end of December!

Check out the 2019 sponsorship brochure here.

THANK YOU to all the sponsors who paid their 2019 sponsorships in January!

AIA Birmingham Design Awards Call for Entries 2019

Click here to fill out your entry forms ONLINE!

Click here to pay your entry fees!

______

February Chapter Meeting: Wood Design Symposium

January Chapter Meeting Recap > Designing with Wood Seminar 

We had a FABULOUS chapter meeting to kick off the year: Resiliency in Construction. Alabama Concrete Industries Association brought in our rock star presenters. Dr. David Roueche, Auburn University shared his research findings on concrete structures that survived hurricanes. Preliminary damage trends were presented to highlight key performance factors such as the age of construction, retrofits and local terrain. Concrete definitely out performed the other structures on the coast. Tien Peng – National Ready Mixed Concrete Association gave great case studies of fires in structures and how concrete gives people more time to escape a burning building, saving lives. John Cicciarelli – Oldcastle Architectural presented the safety and durability of concrete.

THANK YOU to our lecture sponsor Alabama Concrete Industries Association, we could not have hosted these interesting speakers without you.

 ______

Emerging Professionals

Career Center
Jobseekers – we have LOTS of jobs listed on the website! Don’t miss AIA Birmingham’s Career Page for the latest local opportunities.

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.

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

Building with Bricks > LEGO!!!

The LEGO exhibit was a huge success last year. More than 200 people attended the exhibit and built cool structures with LEGOs, oooed and ahhhed over your project boards on exhibit. It was fun to see so many non- architects in the gallery admiring your work. We would love to add architectural models to the exhibit. People LOVE to see models and the kids would think they are so cool too.

If you missed this event last year; the conference room turns into a LEGO design build room for kids (and adults). The gallery space exhibit has LEGO buildings and DESIGN AWARD project boards.

We need your project boards ($100 for each project board, $50 for a model). This is an opportunity to market your projects to a captive audience (literally). This is another great opportunity for us to educate the public about the VALUE of hiring an architect. If you are interested in helping with this exhibit, or you would like to exhibit your firm’s projects email aiabirm@aiabham.org or fill out this form here to enter a board or model!

Click here to see the photos from last year’s LEGO Event!

The Alabama Center for Architecture hosted the Fourth Annual Posters, Pints & Pies Exhibit opening reception on Thursday, January 31st. This years exhibit included more than 50 music posters from private collections. A BIG THANK YOU to The Beveled Edge for sponsoring this event – they still have some posters for sale as part of the exhibit! Our delicious pizza was provided by Dave’s Pizza and beer/wine was provided by Diplomat Deli & Cahaba Brewery. A special thanks to Mom’s Basement, Live & Listen, & Diplomat Deli for donating raffle prizes! The exhibit will be up in the ACFA through February 28th. Hours are Tues-Th 10-3 and F 10-3.

This year we added live music with the YOUNG and very talented AndBlack. These kids are 15 and 16 years old playing old school music. We will all be paying big money to see these kids play one day. We can say we knew them when…..

As part of every exhibit, we promote architecture.  The design wall is always a part of the annual poster show. The design wall is your design awards project boards and everyone loves to look at your creative inspiring projects each year. Hope to see you in 2020 for our Five Year Anniversary! Yes, five years, time flies when you are having a “Good Time.”

P.S. Props to Lance Black, architect and dad to one of the musicians in the band.

Click here to view photos!

2019 dreamARCHITECTURE Teacher Workshop!

Charles Williams II presented Designing Schools 101 to 13 teachers representing 13 different schools. This was the most interactive teacher workshop we have had to date. Charles did a great job explaining why certain things get cut from the design, who is making those decisions, why there are only a certain number of bathrooms and why they can’t have margarita machines in the teacher lounge. We all agree they need one!  One request Charles heard several times from the art teachers, we need an adult sink and more rest rooms. It is hard to get 50 students in and out of the restrooms in a timely manner, much less orderly. Teachers were asked to leave their design suggestions at the end of the workshop.  Check out what teachers suggest here!

Click here for more information on this amazing program or to learn how to become a sponsor!

2019 President’s Letter

Looking back on 2018, I am struck by the breadth of what our 350-member chapter continues to accomplish each year: continuing education, exhibitions, lectures, building tours, government outreach, design awards, intern development, disaster relief, (and parties) to name a few. I am proud that AIA Birmingham’s offerings rival those found in much larger cities and that our membership has the diversity, critical mass and vitality to make a difference

Last year, the AIA launched Blueprint for Better, a national campaign to raise the public’s awareness of what architects do to make our communities better – more engaging, safe, and resilient. At its core, the blueprint calls for architects to strengthen relationships with their cities, towns, and communities. It’s gratifying to know that AIA Birmingham has already spent years developing robust community connections that have become stronger and more extensive each year. Expanding our public influence requires us to fully utilize the talents of everyone within the profession and to inspire upcoming generations to become architects. Our chapter is addressing this need.

One of the chapter’s newer and most active committees, Women in Architecture, focuses on the accomplishments and challenges of women in the profession: one of 2018’s highlights was the Women in Architecture exhibit and reception. Other members are currently sharing their experiences and resources to help architects licensed in other countries obtain registration in our state. The Emerging Professionals committee provides ARE support and other programming for interns in a social venue. Through our affiliation with the Alabama Center for Architecture, our members support outreach programs for elementary and high school children as well as college scholarships.

All of this would not be possible without your membership, the dozens of architects volunteering their time, our enterprising executive director, and her staff. Thanks to everyone for their efforts!

We are a service organization and are always looking for ways to add value to your membership – we encourage your feedback and suggestions.

I hope to see you in 2019: you can look forward to events that have become AIA Birmingham traditions as well as some surprises. In the meantime, check out our rapidly growing social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I look forward to another year of fellowship, learning and service as President of this chapter.

Sincerely,

Richard F. Simonton, AIA [h

Renew your 2019 AIA membership!

AIA Birmingham strives to provide the best possible experience for our members. As we look forward to 2019, we will continue to advocate for our profession and promote the value of architecture in the community.

With more than 350 members in our chapter, AIA Birmingham provides a great opportunity to develop contacts and advance the profession through continuing education and industry specific training.

Click here for a list of all the meetings we hosted last year!

We are stronger together, and AIA values your partnership. We hope you will join us again as a member of the AIA.

Five ways to renew today — Learn more at aia.org/renew.

1. Online by electronic check
2. Online by credit/debit card
3. By phone
   Call (800) 242 3837, option 2 (within the U.S.) or 1+(202) 626 7300, option 2 (outside the U.S.)
4. By mail
   Return your 2019 renewal invoice with payment to:
   The American Institute of Architects
   P.O. Box 64185
   Baltimore, MD 21264-4185
5. Dues installment program
   Pay your dues in up to six monthly installments with our Dues Installment Program. Enrollment begins October 1, 2018 and is available through April 30, 2019. Learn more >  ______

Sponsors, it’s time to Renew for 2019!

What a great year we had! Just a reminder that all chapter sponsorships expired at the end of December- Check out the 2019 Sponsorship Brochure here!

THANK YOU to all the sponsors who paid their 2019 sponsorships in November & December!

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

______

JANUARY SEMINAR – Resiliency in Construction – Up to 3 HSWs!

KEEP YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION – get 3 HSW’s at the first of the year!

Join us for our first Chapter Meeting of the year: Resiliency in Construction. We’re pairing up with the Alabama Concrete Industries Association to bring you some amazing speakers, so don’t miss out on this one! Reserve your spot by registering online or RSVP to me by end of day!

Pre-Payment for this seminar is required. You can purchase your ticket online here, https://squareup.com/store/aia-birmingham, or send a check to the address below. I can also take a CC over the phone. Thanks, and we hope to see you on Tuesday!

2018 Holiday Party

Way back on December 6th, we had our annual holiday party! Special thanks to our party sponsor, Spire, and Cahaba Brewery for the libations!

View photos from the party here!  ______

Save the Date for our February Chapter Meeting!

February 28th, 2019
Click here for more information!______
Career Center

Jobseekers – we have LOTS of jobs listed on the website! Don’t miss AIA Birmingham’s Career Page for the latest local opportunities.

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.

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

4th Annual Posters, Pints & Pies – Opening Reception! 

Thursday, January 31 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Alabama Center for Architecture, 109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South
$10 cash donation at the door

The Alabama Center for Architecture is hosting its fourth annual Posters, Pints and Pies, an art exhibit of private collection music show posters, with an opening reception on Thurs. January 31st from 7-9 pm. Hand-selected by local music-lovers, these show posters are curated from private collections and include Grateful Dead, Phish, Widespread 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. Live music by AndBlack, these two kids will blow you away with their Grateful Dead  and Allman Brothers jam session and they might throw in a little bluegrass too. We’ll also be raffling off some marvelous prizes, so this opening is not one to miss!

The exhibit will be open to the public Tuesday-Friday from 10-3 until February 28th.

$10 cash donation at the door, which benefits educational programs for the Alabama Center for Architecture, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.

Thanks to The Beveled Edge, Dave’s Pizza, Diplomat Deli, & Cahaba Brewery for sponsoring this event!

Interested in submitting a poster for the exhibit? Fill out this form by January 15th! ______

2019 Building with Bricks Exhibit!

The LEGO exhibit was a huge success last year. More than 200 people attended the exhibit and built cool structures with LEGOs, oooed and ahhhed over your project boards on exhibit. It was fun to see so many non- architects in the gallery admiring your work. We would love to add architectural models to the exhibit. People LOVE to see models and the kids would think they are so cool too.

If you missed this event last year; the conference room turns into a LEGO design build room for kids (and adults). The gallery space exhibit has LEGO buildings and DESIGN AWARD project boards.

We need your project boards ($100 for each project board, $50 for a model). This is an opportunity to market your projects to a captive audience (literally). This is another great opportunity for us to educate the public about the VALUE of hiring an architect. If you are interested in helping with this exhibit, or you would like to exhibit your firm’s projects email aiabirm@aiabham.org. Stay tuned for more info!

Click here to see the photos from last year’s LEGO Event!

BRICK FAIR (LEGO conference) is January 19th & 20th at the BJCC!  Click here for more info: https://www.brickfair.com/

Happy Thankful Month,

It was so good to see most of you at the Thank You Members and Sponsors luncheon.  I would like to thank each of you for your AIA membership and your valuable time.  Many of you volunteer and serve on committees in addition to paying your AIA dues.  All of you give to the profession in so many ways (other than AIA), serving on boards, committees, non-profits, zoning boards, design review and save time for your personal life. Whew!!!!  Be sure to take time to take a few deep breaths for yourself.  This is the burn out time of the year, try to take a minute for YOU. It can be as simple as walking outside at lunch, coffee without your phone, whatever is your happy place – make a point to visit that place. Find your zen before the holidays hit you, things will get really CRAZY.

Thank you for making a difference and caring.
Peace & AIA Love,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham
Alabama Center for Architecture

We would like to give a warm welcome to new Silver Sponsor
Brown Sales Associates, LLC!
Click here to learn about the company.

Thank you to our 2018 AIA Birmingham Chapter Sponsors!
A full list of sponsors is listed on the right column of this page.
Check out the 2018 sponsorship brochure here.
______

RSVP to Jessica@karmamanagementinc.com by November 9th
Purchase tickets at https://squareup.com/store/aia-birmingham  
______

Purchase Tickets Here: https://squareup.com/store/aia-birmingham
RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by November 13th
If you cancel less than 24 hours before or do not show up to the meeting without notice, you will be billed the cost of the meeting. ______

2018 AIA Holiday Party

RSVP to jessica@karmamanagementinc.com by December 3rd ______

We had a spooktacular time for this year’s AIA Birmingham EP Liquor Treat!
We saw some incredible costumes, wandered spooky offices, and drank some delicious witch’s brew and lagoon juice! Thanks to all our amazing firms who participated this year: Williams Blackstock Architects, Creature, Rob Walker Architects, Davis Architects, and Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds! We couldn’t have done it without you! 👻🎃☠️

View the photos here!

Hi Making a Positive Difference Friends,

I wish all of you were not so busy right now. We have one of the most interesting town hall meetings tomorrow (Oct. 5^th) in Ensley. There is a reason you do not all know the speakers, we did not select them. T. Marie King who is known for her way of saying it like it is but in a way that is so eye opening, you walk away with a new perspective on how to help.  T. Marie knows the people who live and work in the “other” Birmingham. She has selected a very unique panel and individual speakers.  If you can’t make it for the full three hours, that’s okay, show up when you can. I want you to hear what they have to say and offer your thoughts too.

And hope to see you Friday evening at the Women in Architecture Exhibit. The impact these Alabama women have made/are making on the profession is mind blowing. I am honored to work with each of them.

Peace & WIA Love,

Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham

Alabama Center for Architecture

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Thank you to our 2018 AIA Birmingham Chapter Sponsors!
A full list of sponsors is listed on the right column of this page.
Check out the 2018 sponsorship brochure here.

The IMPACT of Women in Architecture Exhibit

The Alabama Center for Architecture will host the AIA Houston traveling exhibit, “THE IMPACT OF WOMEN in ARCHITECTURE,” opening on October 5, 2018. The exhibit will highlight local and national leaders, women who have a particular focus in the built environment and provide a snapshot of the changing roles of women in the architectural profession. The timeline for the exhibit begins in 1850, yes, women were making an impact in 1850!

Opening Reception:
October 5th, 2018
109 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd South
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

On October 5th, AIA Birmingham will host Intentional Design: Creating with the Community in Mind, featuring conversations about redlining, revitalization efforts, and a community engagement panel.

Click here to learn more about the conversations to come.

October 5th
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live: 1816 Ave E
Ensley, AL

$5 // Free for Emerging Professionals
RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by October 2nd

Purchase your ticket online at
https://squ.re/2m9dqN8 ______

Sponsor & Member Appreciation Tradeshow 2018

We want to show our appreciation for our dedicated sponsors and members with a free lunch and tradeshow celebrating a remarkable 2018! Friday, November 2nd, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, revel with us at the Alabama Power Old Auditorium at 1200 6th Ave North (3rd floor). Bring a firm handshake and lots of business cards for a chance to win spectacular prizes from the AIA Birmingham sponsors!

Friday, November 2nd
Alabama Power Old Auditorium (1200 6th Ave North)
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Free to attend for AIA Birmingham members – RSVP to jessica@karmamanagementinc.com

Only Platinum, Gold & Silver Sponsors can exhibit –

click here to reserve your space!  ______

September Chapter Meeting Recap: Rosenbaum Restoration

On September 18th at the Alabama Center for Architecture, we heard Don Lambert, AIA elaborate on the extensive restoration of the Rosenbaum House, including details about water damage, termite destruction, and electrical failure. He also brought original blueprints and copies from the restoration! All we can say about those is WO!

We would like to give a special thanks to Don Lambert for coming to speak about this beautiful, historical landmark! We hope to see everyone at Intentional Design on Friday. ______

Florida Building Code Seminar

The Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design requires a minimum of (2) hours of an Advanced FBC course every biennium. The deadline for architects licensed in Florida to renew their license is February 28, 2019, but courses must be completed by December 31, 2018.The Alabama Council has purchased a DVD course on the Advanced FBC: A Walk Through the Code Changes from the 5th to 6th Edition, that will allow members licensed in Florida to satisfy their Florida Building Code biennial requirement. We have arranged to hold Group Viewings.The course lasts for 2 hours and is approved for 2 HSW credits. At the conclusion of the course, each person completes a short quiz which we return for reporting to the National Continuing Education system.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders
5000 Grantswood Road
Birmingham AL 35210

Register here!

AIA Conference on Architecture ’19

Every year the Conference on Architecture travels to an iconic city for three immersive days of what’s new and now in architecture and design. In 2019, we’re heading to Las Vegas, a city that captivates millions of visitors each year and is home to some of the most exciting and imaginative architecture and experiences in the world.

Click here for more information!

Government Affairs

AIA Birmingham has been reaching out to our local representatives to discuss the National AIA Issue Briefs. We’ve been advocating for Disaster Recovery Reform Act to pass and it did. Advocacy works!

AIA Applauds Passage of Disaster Recovery Reform Act

Legislation paves way for enhanced national guidelines for building safety assessments following disasters.

Click here for more information on the Disaster Recovery Reform Act passing!

View the most current issue briefs here:

Middle Income Housing Tax Credit
Strengthening Career & Technical Education

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Emerging Professionals

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Career Center & Contract Documents

Jobseekers – we have LOTS of jobs listed on the website! Don’t miss AIA Birmingham’s Career Page for the latest local opportunities.

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.

Employers – post your jobs on the AIA Birmingham website! FREE for local member firms. Email Sarah@aiabham.org for more details.

Click here for information on contract documents!

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Join us on October 18th at Robert Trent Jones Oxmoor Valley for a sensational day filled with golf, BBQ, and live music! Registration will begin at 10 am sharp till 11:30, followed by a shotgun start at 12! Is there a better way to raise money for the ACFA’s educational programs and student scholarships than to challenge your fellow co-worker to a hole in one? We think not! Click here to sign up!

We have awarded $77,750 to architectural students since 2006. Tee off to support our future architects!

Sponsorships available
Hole, Meal, Drink Cart, and more!

View the sponsorship and registration brochure here!

RSVP to Sarah@karmamanagementinc.com by October 11th

Hi Problem Solvers,

I went to Post Office Pies a few weeks ago for dinner. I noticed a blind man walked in tapping his cane and walked directly to the back of the restaurant to order his pizza, a waitress directed him to the front where orders are placed.  He ordered and sat down at a table near us.  A lady (customer) walked by and offered to refill his drink, he replied, “thank you, but I can do it.” A few minutes went by, he got up, walked straight to the drink station, got ice and refilled his drink. He did not spill a drop. When he was leaving, we heard him say it was his first time to eat there and he did not know where to order. Something so simple, we take for granted each day. This led to a conversation of would you rather be deaf, blind, or have other disabilities?  People who are disabled did not get to choose their disability, they were born with it, accidents, sickness that led to a disability, old age, or veterans who fought for our freedom.  The ADA workshop and the Veteran’s Therapeutic Art Exhibit we are hosting this month has made me even more aware of how we should be thankful for our health every moment and not take it for granted.

I admire and respect each of you. You have a talent/gift/job/career that creates places where everyone can experience the building as it was intended to be used. Your design solutions help make each day less challenging for people who wake up every day with a disability.

Good Design is for everyone, it should not discriminate. Keep making a difference and see you August 21^st at the Designing for the Lifespan/ADA workshop.

P.S. We received confirmation yesterday that Darrell Christenson, Vice President of Community Integration for Ability360 will also present at our ADA workshop!!!! Lucky YOU!

Peace & AIA Love,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham
Alabama Center for Architecture

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We would like to give a warm welcome to our new Silver Sponsors

Bidsters, Inc. & Huber Engineered Woods!

You can view more about the companies here:
https://alabamalaunchpad.com/testimonial/bidsters-llc/
http://huberwood.com

Thank you to our 2018 AIA Birmingham Chapter Sponsors!

A full list of sponsors is listed on the right column of this page. Check out the 2018 sponsorship brochure here.______

August Chapter Meeting: Designing for the Lifespan

Join us on Tuesday, August 21st from 11:00-3:30 PM for “Designing for the Lifespan,” a jam-packed ADA workshop and EXPO with 3 HSW’s & speakers from the Lakeshore Foundation, Evan Terry Associates, and AARP!

Lunch & Chapter Meeting Only (1 HSW) – $20.00 AIA/ASLA/IIDA/ASCE Members // $40.00 Non-Members

Full Seminar (3 HSWs) – $40.00 AIA/ASLA/IIDA/ASCE Members // $80.00 Non-Members

Speaker Bios:

Darrel Christenson

Over the past three decades Mr. Christenson has been professionally employed at 2 Centers for Independent Living, assisting persons with disabilities to be more independent and integrated in their community of choice, as well as advocating for a more accessible society.

For over 20 years he has been the Vice President of Community Integration for Ability360, formerly Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL). Programs under Mr. Christenson’s direction include: Information & Referral, Independent Living Skills Training, Empowering Youth with Disabilities into Adulthood, Early Intervention, Reintegration of Young Adults from Nursing Homes to Community, Community Living Options, Home Modification, Socialization through Recreation and Americans with Disabilities Act Services. Ability360 is one of the largest Centers for Independent Living nationwide with an operating budget of over $54 million this year.

On July 26, 2017 Mr. Christenson was elected Treasurer for the National Council on Independent Living’s (NCIL) Board of Directors. He had served as Board member-at-large for the previous 3 years and has served on their Housing Sub-Committee for the past 11 years which addresses national issues of increasing and promoting accessibility in all housing nationally. NCIL’s mission is to advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy and is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities.

He is an active member of the Arizona Fair Housing Partnership, working to educate members of the housing industry on the benefits and requirements of accessible, affordable housing throughout Arizona.

Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, Arizona, Mr. Christenson had worked with the Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living (SEMCIL) based in Rochester, Minnesota for the previous 11½ years. There he was responsible for opening 3 branch offices in rural counties and provided services to consumers with disabilities and communities in 11 counties. Both his life-long experiences as a person with both a physical and sensory disability and as a person with a graduate degree in Guidance & Counseling from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, have given him the experience and knowledge to assist persons with disabilities adjust to life with a disability.

Karin Korb

Karin broke her back in a gymnastics vaulting accident and is most known for her wheelchair tennis accolades. She is a 2-time Paralympian and a 10-time member of the USA World Team. She was the first person with a disability to receive a Division 1 athletic scholarship to Georgia State University to play intercollegiate wheelchair tennis and has gone on to assist other universities in creating their own wheelchair tennis programs.  She was named the USA’s Junior Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup Coach and led the top American juniors into international competition, where they are currently ranked number ONE in the world!  Her induction into the Georgia Tennis Hall of Fame as its youngest inductee and only person with a disability, speaks to her unyielding commitment to foster and grow the sport of tennis to all those who wish to play.  She also received the coveted “Gold Brick” in front of Arthur Ashe’s Stadium in Randy Snow’s Neighborhood. When asked about this honor she simply responded with: “Well, that brick is cute and everything and an amazing gift to my heart, however, it reminds me to continue building the legacy that the infamous Randy Snow started and that requires a whole lot of love for tennis, sport and humanity.”

She served on the coveted U.S. Olympic Committee and U.S. Paralympics Athletes Advisory Council for eight years representing seven sports which included Tennis, Table Tennis, Shooting, Archery, Equestrian, Powerlifting and Canoe/Kayak. She currently serves on the City of Birmingham’s Social Justice Committee as well as the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program’s PADD (Protection and Advocacy of Persons with Developmental Disabilities) Advisory Council. She is deeply passionate about inclusion of persons with disabilities at every level of sport and life.  Her career in both advocacy and policy has spanned over two decades. She has worked with Lakeshore Foundation’s Lima Fox Trot Military program since its inception and is presently their Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator.  In this capacity she leads the Lakeshore Foundation’s Leadership and Mentorship Program, the Women and Girls with Disability Summit, the Durable Medical Equipment research initiative and is the coordinator for the Global Sports Mentorship Program collaborative with the University of Tennessee’s Department of Sport, Peace and Society and the U.S. State Department to name a few.  Her love of humanity is often times referred to as “contagious” and her infectious enthusiasm for sport and a dignified life experience will leave you wondering: “What can I play and how can I be involved”. Korb refers to herself as a simple vehicle for service to and for others; “everything beyond that is a bonus.”

Karin holds an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Kean University and a Masters of Sports Management from Georgia State University. She is a certified life coach with the International Coaches Federation and brings a highly diverse level of experience having worked with local, national and international clients of varying organizations to create ongoing opportunities for sports integration. Most recently, her efforts in sports diplomacy with the U.S. State Department and the International Tennis Federation Development Fund have taken her to Trinidad and Tobago, Germany, Colombia, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.  If she is not working on a grant submission or immersed in programming you will find her meditating at the Shambhala Center where she is always focused on deepening her practice. You can often hear her saying: “Listen people, we must also do the bicep curls for our minds!”  She is currently working on her MBSR certification (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) and strongly supports integrative medicine, palliative and dignified end of life hospice care. She always has her eyes on the pulse of humanity and “how can we best represent the vision of inclusivity and most importantly, global respect.”

Scot Hollenbeck

Scot boasts over two decades as an advocate for inclusion of persons with disability in all facets of life. He is a graduate of University of Illinois (Urbana -Champaign) and one of the most highly decorated wheelchair track athletes in the history of the Paralympic movement. He is considered one of the leading experts in disability sports policy as well as access advocacy. His professional career highlights include work in real estate development with the disability and 50+ Age in Place/Visitability projects, the Universal Design Bill for the State of Georgia, national interscholastic sports access and regulation advocacy, extensive collaborations with the City of Decatur on multiple single family home access issues which included: Federal Fair Housing Regulations, safe routes to schools and the Community Center design of South Decatur. He has also spearheaded the Decatur Ethical Banking Initiative, Safe Routes to School initiative and the Farm to School Program.  After over twenty years of disability advocacy, Scot changed his life focus and zeroed in on personal growth, spending more exclusive time with his family, working on holistic initiatives, and environmental sustainability. He continues to thrive with his work in real estate and regularly consults on universal design and access projects.

Some examples of his work: http://www.rawlingsdesign.com/Rawlings_Design/-Hollonbeck.html

https://www.change.org/p/city-of-decatur-commisioners-supoort-pedestrian-paths-on-mead-leyden-olympic-place-and-ansley-streets

Jim Terry

Mr. Terry, CEO of Evan Terry Associates, P.C., joined the firm after receiving his B. S. in Architecture from the University of Southern California and his Master of Architecture degree from the University of Michigan.  He has served on a variety of levels at ETA including project architect, project manager, energy specialist, project designer, contract administrator, and accessible design specialist.  Mr. Terry’s architectural project experience includes corporate facilities, municipal facilities, healthcare, schools and universities, libraries, recreational facilities, shopping centers, multi‐family housing, churches and light industrial facilities.  For twenty one years, he has concentrated his efforts in the area of accessible design and in particular with the Americans with Disabilities Act and various state accessibility standards’ requirements.

As a specialist in the ADA and accessible design, Mr. Terry has presented hundreds of training programs to building owners, managers, and designers and has worked with federal agencies, public entities, and private corporations nationwide including half of the twenty largest companies in the US.  Mr. Terry coordinates a two day ADA seminar for design professionals with the Harvard University Office of Executive Education which he has been teaching since 1993.    He has written over a dozen books on ADA Facilities Compliance with Evan Terry Associates that have sold over 150,000 copies altogether.   He also led the effort in 1992 to revise the ninth edition of Architectural Graphic Standards for the American Institute of Architects to bring it up to ADA Standards. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of ADA Coordinators.

Candi Williams

Candi Williams has more than 20 years of nonprofit management and community mobilization experience with a powerful and ongoing commitment to give back to Alabama’s citizens.

Candi was appointed as State Director of AARP Alabama in January 2016 after serving as Interim State Director and Associate State Director of Outreach for the organization. She is responsible for leading the strategic direction and development of AARP’s social mission in Alabama, championing positive social change and delivering value through advocacy, information, and service.

Formerly, Candi served as Director of Affiliate Services for HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of the Points of Light Institute. In her role, Candi was responsible for supporting the success of more than 200 HandsOn Action Centers across the United States. She has a long career history in nonprofit management serving as the Executive Director of Hands On Birmingham, the Regional Director for the American Heart Association and Director of PR and Development for the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Candi is a graduate from the University of Alabama and remains a Tide loyalist. Throughout her career, her favorite title and position has always been Aunt to her niece and nephews.

View the registration form here

Purchase tickets here

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by August 15th

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Women in Architecture

“Powerful Tools for Staying Calm when the Pressure is On” with April Benetollo, CEO of Momentum

$15.00
August 14th, 2018
11:30-12:30
109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd South

As we advance in our careers, the demands for our time increase exponentially. As we take on more responsibilities, the stakes get higher and higher. In this session April Benetollo will discuss the physiological responses to stress and leave you with five proven strategies for doing your best work, even in the most demanding situations.

Please RSVP by 8/9 to sarah@aiabham.org
Purchase tickets here

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The IMPACT of Women in Architecture Exhibit

The Alabama Center for Architecture will host the AIA Houston traveling exhibit, “THE IMPACT OF WOMEN in ARCHITECTURE,” opening on October 5, 2018 and will coincide with the Gulf States Young Professionals Symposium (AIA Birmingham is hosting). The exhibit will highlight local and national leaders, women who have a particular focus in the built environment and provide a snapshot of the changing roles of women in the architectural profession.  The timeline for the exhibit begins in 1850, yes, women were making an impact in 1850!

We need information on female owned firms and welcome all firms to support this exhibit.  It is going to be very eye opening for all of us to see where Alabama is on equality in the profession.

If you would like to volunteer to help with the research for this exhibit, email aiabirm@aiabham.org.

Click here for more information.______

July Chapter Meeting Recap – ACFA Scholarship Awards and Building Habitat with Claire Halpin

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2018 Annual Awards Scholarship Luncheon! We gathered at The Club on July 17th from 11:00-1:00 p.m. to honor our 2018 scholarship winners and newly licensed architects. In partnership with the Birmingham & National Audubon Society, our keynote speaker was Claire Halpin from Studio Gang. Founded by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang is an architecture and urban design practice with offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Architect Claire Halpin is a Senior Project Leader in Studio Gang’s Chicago office, leading design teams for ecological, cultural, and educational projects. We would like to thank our partners at the Birmingham Audubon & National Audubon Society, our title and speaker sponsors, Laney & Foster PC & Giattina Aycock Architecture Studio Inc. and the many other sponsors who help make this dream a reality, including Barry Davis Architects, P.C., Birchfield Penuel & Associates, Carey Hollingsworth Architect, Inc., Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Gresham, Smith and Partners, Hendon + Huckestein Architects, PC / h+ha, and Poole & Company Architects LLC. Congratulations to the scholarship winners & newly licensed architects!

Click here to view photos from the event! ______

Congratulations to our 2018-2019 ACFA Scholarship Winners!

• Kayla Bailey (Pelham); Fifth year student at Auburn University – $1,250
• Adam Davis (Spanish Fort); First year student at Auburn University- $1,250
• Justin Davis (Montgomery); Third year student at Auburn University – $750
• Matthew Giddens (Vestavia Hills); Fifth year student at Auburn University – $1,500
• Jonathan Grace (Huntsville); Second year student at Auburn University – $500
• Adam Koons (Madison); Third year student at Auburn University – $750

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 Newly Licensed Architects!

• Elliot Brown – Herrington Architects
• Robert Bruner – CCR Architecture
• Allison Chang – Williams Blackstock Architects
• Lewis Kelly – Built by Design
• Megan Lynch – Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc.
• Mason Walter – Walter G. Mason, Architect
• William McGarity – ArchitectureWorks, LLP
• Matthew Smith – Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Inc.
• Dan Taylor – bDot Architecture
• Christine Walck – C.F. Walck LLC.
• Cameron Weldy – Goodwyn Mills & Cawood, Inc. ______

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sarah@aiabham.org

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Emerging Professionals

Site Visit to the Denham Building in Birmingham’s Parkside District!

August 16th
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
The Denham Building
1143 1st Avenue South
Birmingham AL 35233

Located at 1143 First Avenue S., the mixed-use development will include 81,000 square feet of office, retail and restaurant space, along with 59 urban-loft units. The building is expected to be completed in the fall of 2019. Creature, formerly Golden + Appleseed Construction is leading the design build.

Creature will be providing all required PPE. Please RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by August 15th! ______

Join us on September 13th for a look inside Creature: the office, the process, & the culture.

Creature is the coming together of two radical-thinking companies into a single entity that is aggressively eliminating waste and inefficiency in the construction industry.  For more than 20 years, Golden Construction built a reputation on high-quality construction  at any scale, mixed with a dynamic process that literally manufactures efficiency. Conversely, Appleseed is a young, energetic company that fast-tracked their perception as a visionary, creative leader in adaptive reuse. After completing just one project together, the two companies saw the tremendous potential of their combined expertise and strengths: a world-class creative and architectural engine matched with a waste-averse method that could adapt to any scale. The result is a single company where architecture, manufacturing, and construction are seamlessly integrated – dramatically reducing costs and timing throughout the project life-cycle while simultaneously improving quality. Golden and Appleseed have joined forces to become creature. Their mission: revolutionize the industry.

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by September 12th ______

Architecture Trivia Night Recap

We had such an amazing time last Thursday at the Emerging Professionals Architecture Trivia Night! A BIG thank you to our incredible sponsors LBYD Civil & Structural Engineers & MAK Engineering, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible, and to Lissy Frese of CCR Architecture for being our funny and witty EMCEE for the evening! Thanks to everyone who attended and stay tuned for another exciting EP event coming real soon!
Click here to see photos from the event. ______

Career Center

Jobseekers – we have LOTS of jobs listed on the website! Don’t miss AIA Birmingham’s Career Page for the latest local opportunities.

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.

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

Veteran’s Therapeutic Art Exhibit

October 18, 2018
RTJ Oxmoor Valley
100 Sunbelt Pkwy

All proceeds benefit the ACFA’s educational programs & student scholarships.

Sponsorships available
Hole, Meal, Drink Cart, and more!

View the sponsorship and registration brochure here!

Purchase registration & sponsorships here!

We hope to see you there!

RSVP to Sarah@karmamanagementinc.com by October 11th

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Summer is definitely here and HOT! AIA Birmingham has been pretty hot too with interesting speakers, HSWs, cool venues, and there is more to come! This month is an interesting partnership with the National Audubon Society learning about Bird Friendly Designs with Claire Halpin from Studio Gang presenting. Then we move on to some topics that can get a little uncomfortable to discuss coming up in the next few months. We will discuss ADA and the silver tsunami that is headed your design way. Are you familiar with VISITbility?? There is a need for these developments.

Women in Architecture, Diversity, and Equity are topics across the A/E/C industry. Conversations about these topics need to be had by all firms/companies in the industry. AIA Birmingham is hosting a traveling exhibit from AIA Houston. This exhibit is about women who have made a contribution to the industry.

The Gulf States Young Professional Symposium is embracing the uncomfortable conversations with a look at a Tale of Two Birmingham’s and a brief history of Red Lining in Birmingham. Yes, there are two Birmingham’s. We discussed a charrette on the front end of the YP Symposium schedule. Our usual answer to a neighborhood that needs help. We learned the neighborhoods have charrette fatigue and so do most of you.  We keep having the same conversations/charrettes and expect a different result. I think some of us older peeps could learn from the Young Professionals and try a different approach.

IF you are passionate about any of the above topics and would like to volunteer, email/call/write/text me.

Let’s have very uncomfortable conversations and see what happens!

Diversity & Peace,
Rhea Williams, Executive Director AIA Birmingham
Alabama Center for Architecture

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Mark your calendars for the 2018 Scholarship Awards Ceremony!

 Join us at The Club on July 17^th from 11:00-1:00 p.m. to honor our 2018 scholarship winners and newly licensed architects. In partnership with the Birmingham Audubon Society, our keynote speaker is Claire Halpin from Studio Gang. Founded by MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang is an architecture and urban design practice with offices in Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Architect Claire Halpin is a Senior Project Leader in Studio Gang’s Chicago office, leading design teams for ecological, cultural, and educational projects. Driven by the complex, interdisciplinary, and spatial problem-solving nature inherent in architecture, design, and planning, Claire is experienced in designing and leading teams with a wide range of disciplines and will be speaking on bird safe design. We hope to see you there!

Building Habitat (1HSW Pending)

• Using Studio Gang’s body of work as a case study, Claire will help participants recognize how architecture can promote wellbeing for its users while also cultivating a vibrant natural ecosystem of plants and animals, working across climates and typologies.
• Participants will be able to identify specific building components and construction techniques that can improve safety for animals, reducing bird strike through integrated architectural elements described by Claire.
• Participants will gain an understanding of Studio Gang’s design methodology, which prioritizes a beneficial relationship between animals and people. Claire will illustrate the design process for projects including the Ford Calumet Environmental Center, Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo, Northerly Island and the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College.
• Bird-friendly materials and design features often overlap in function with materials to control heat and light, security measures, and decorative design details. Bird friendly building-design strategies also fall into three general categories, although all three could be combined in a single structure. Participants will learn about these strategies and how they can be applied for a cost-effective and bird-friendly design.

Tickets are $20; Click HERE to purchase tickets!

Please RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by July 15th. ______

We would like to give a warm welcome to our new Silver Sponsors

Interior Elements, Inc. & Lighting Solutions!

You can view more about the companies here:
http://in-elements.com/
http://lightingsolutionsal.com

Thank you to our 2018 AIA Birmingham Chapter Sponsors!

A full list of sponsors is listed on the right column of this page. Check out the 2018 sponsorship brochure here.

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Save the Date!

August Chapter Meeting: ADA Workshop with IIDA

August 21, 2018

“Designing for a Lifetime” – ADA Workshop (3 HSWs)

Are We Design Ready for the Silver Tsunami – AARP

VISITbility – Lakeshore Foundation

Understanding the Codes – Jim Terry, Evan Terry & Associates

More info coming soon! ______

Emerging Professionals

Architecture Trivia Night: Project Development and Documentation

Thursday, July 26th 6:00-7:30 p.m.
The Alabama Center for Architecture
109 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd South

$10 single player, $25 team of 3 (we will make teams with single players)
Includes pizza & beer

RSVP to sarah@aiabham.org by July 24th

Click here to buy tickets

This is a great opportunity to inform upcoming young professionals about your companies!
Interested in sponsoring this event? Fill out this form and contact sarah@aiabham.org today! ______

Career Center

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.

Jobseekers – we have LOTS of jobs listed on the website! 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 Sarah@aiabham.org for more details. ______

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October 18, 2018
RTJ Oxmoor Valley
100 Sunbelt Pkwy

All proceeds benefit the ACFA’s educational programs & student scholarships.
We hope to see you there!

RSVP to Sarah@karmamanagementinc.com by October 11th

Sponsorships available
Hole, Meal, Drink Cart, and more!
View the sponsorship brochure here and purchase tickets & sponsorships HERE!

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