| Volume 4, No. 9 - August 16, 2010
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A 20 x 20 Request for Proposals
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Everyone's talking about Pecha Kucha, but they're keeping it brief.
The debut of PK in Northern Virginia met with an enthusiastic response last spring, and our follow up event is planned for Tuesday, September 21.
One part design lecture, two parts happy hour, PK is a fast-paced and thought-provoking social gathering. The event is free and reservations are not required. We'll host this at a local bar (we are working on a location) where customary beverages and refreshments will be available for purchase.
We are currently assembling another intriguing lineup of speakers from a range of creative fields. If you've got something to say, and 20 slides to say it with, let us know. We're looking for people who can share their passion for design or exploration, culture or creativity, but who don't mind sharing the stage. Send us your name, something about yourself, a description of your topic and maybe an image or two. Proposals received before Monday, September 6 will be considered for the fall PK. Send to debbie@aianova.org.
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Traveling Happy Hours : First Reston, Then Leesburg, Now Clarendon
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Growing in popularity with each successive event, we are hosting the next Traveling Happy Hour at Eventide in Arlington. This is actually a combined event, joining the Women in Architecture and Young Architects Forum happy hours with our traveling event.
This is a great opportunity to visit with Chapter leaders, to tell them what is important to you, to give feedback about the programs you want to see, and to help us represent the Chapter more accurately and advocate for you on a state and national level. You can also learn about upcoming programs and Chapter initiatives.
We will meet Wednesday, August 18 at the Eventide roof bar in good weather, regular bar in bad, located at 3165 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington 22201, beginning at 5:30p. A cash bar will be available. No need to make a reservation, just join us. |
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AIA CES Discovery Launches in October
AIA CES Discovery is AIA's new Learning Management System, which will assume CES records management from the University of Oklahoma in October.
The system will be completely web-based and will offer a single point of contact for AIA CES needs, on-demand credit updates and transcript access, easier self-reporting, customized course searches, the ability to submit course evaluations online and centralized data administration. The OU AIA CES Records Office will continue to process all records received before the launch of the new system. Throughout the testing and transition phases, the records will reside in both the OU and CES Discovery databases.
Get a sneak peek at what the system can do by checking out the video tutorial available here. The presentation (viewable in an .exe file format) shows how a user can perform several essential functions, such as viewing a transcript, searching for courses, adding new courses and reporting attendance. Additional information is available on the AIA website here and questions may be directed to ces@aia.org.
Arlington Review Board Membership Opportunity
Arlington's Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) has vacancies from time to time. They are interested in having architects serve with other Arlingtonians on this citizen board. The HALRB was created under the County's Zoning Ordinance in 1976. Its members are appointed by the Arlington County Board and each serve four-year terms without financial compensation. Members must be residents of Arlington County. The primary responsibilities of this citizen advisory board are to:
- Review plans for exterior alteration, demolition, and new construction in locally-designated Arlington historic districts through a Certificate of Appropriate (CoA) process;
- Comment on proposals and issues affecting local and national historic resources located in Arlington County;
- Nominate properties to be designated as local or national historic districts and landmarks;
- Advise the County Board on historic preservation matters;
- Develop markers for the County’s important historic sites;
- Coordinate with community groups, neighborhood associations and other County departments and boards on projects in which historic preservation issues are present; and
- Educate citizens and visitors on historic preservation opportunities and sites in Arlington.
If you are interested in being considered for membership on this Board, please contact Nancy Iacomini, Chairman, at (202) 224-0959 or Staff Coordinator Rebeccah Ballo, (703) 228-3812.
Samuel Mockbee and Daniel Burnham Films Featured on PBS
Citizen Architect: Samuel Mockbee and the Spirit of the Rural Studio is a documentary film about the late architect Samuel Mockbee and the radical educational design/build program known as the Rural Studio that he co-founded deep in poverty-stricken Hale County, Alabama. Mockbee was an artist, builder and educator who instilled his passion and philosophy in those he believed would become a new generation of "citizen architects." The film will be broadcast nationally on PBS on August 23.
Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City, is a one-hour documentary that explores Burnham's fascinating career and complex legacy as public debate continues today about how and for whom cities are planned. The film combines digital models, original drawings, personal letters, animated graphics and stunning visuals to highlight dramatic developments that transformed both Burnham and the American city-- the early development of the skyscraper; the awesome impact of the 1893 World's Fair; and the physical reconfiguration of existing cities, including our nation's capital. The film will air on PBS on September 6 at 10:00p.
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Frederick County Ester L. Boyd Animal Shelter
Design Concepts
Winchester, VA |
photos by Tim Machado, AIA
80% Euthanasia Rate was the stunning statistic of the previous small facility located near the County Landfill. A new facility was envisioned at a prominent location in order to attract visitors and thereby increase adoption rates while lowering euthanasia rates.
 This new 14,500sf facility houses up to 64 dogs and 100 cats, dramatically increasing the animal population and survival rates while providing state of the art technology in animal care. Clerestory windows were an integral part of the design to provide plenty of natural light into the animal rooms. Finishes were selected that are durable and easily maintained.
Special consideration was given to control the spread of air-borne or contact-based diseases. Areas of isolation were created in each wing.  The HVAC system was designed to constantly circulate fresh air while eliminating harmful pollutants and odors.
The new facility was required to blend in with other nearby County Buildings yet maintain a distinctive appearance and affordable design. In lieu of alternating courses of gray and red oversized brick, the new facility used just one brick color while achieving banding by alternating mortar colors. A bold, yellow stucco was added to give the shelter its own unique appearance. The completed cost of this facility was $3.5 million. |
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August 18 - Traveling Happy Hour : Arlington
5:30p, at Eventide (roof bar in good weather, regular bar in bad), 3165 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington 22201. This is a combined event, joining the Women in Architecture and Young Architects Forum happy hours with our new Traveling Happy Hours. Please join us. For additional information, see the article above.
September 13 - Northern Virginia Board Meeting
4:30-6:00p, at HITT Contracting Inc., 2900 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church 22042. A tour of HITT's new headquarters follows the board meeting.
September 13 - Building Tour : HITT Contracting's New Headquarters
6:00p, at HITT Contracting Inc., 2900 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church 22042. HITT has offered the use of their new headquarters for our Chapter board meeting, followed by a tour of the space. 1 AIA/CES HSW/SD LU is available for the tour. Reservations are not necessary. For additional information, click here.
September 15 - AIA Northern Virginia Lunch Series
11:00a-1:15p, location to be determined. Two presentations: The House as a System and Building Analysis – Does Your House Suck? Both presented by George Fritz, COO, Horizon Builders Inc. Presentation offers 2 AIA/CES HSW LUs. Reservations are required. For additional information, click here.
September 21 - Pecha Kucha 20x20 Night
6:00p doors, presentations 7:00p, location to be determined. 20 images, 20 seconds. The event is free, although attendees will be purchasing their own refreshments. Reservations are not required. For additional information, see the article above.
September 24 - Small Firms Roundtable : Building Permit Process Management and Third Party Building Inspections
Noon-1:00p, at the Chapter House, 205 South Patrick Street, Alexandria 22314. Representatives from two local firms, McKeever Services Corporation in Fairfax and IBTS in Herndon, will discuss the advantages, time savings and costs associated with using building permit services and third party building inspections in our area. 1 AIA/CES LU. Participants are asked to contribute $7 for lunch (pizza + drinks). Registration is required by emailing reservations@aianova.org.
For additional information on any of these events, please contact the Chapter House at (703) 549-9747 or aianova@aianova.org. The Chapter House is located at 205 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
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