| Volume 5, No. 12 - December 21, 2011 |
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 Arlington Green Home, by Coupard Architects and Builders (more info) |
 VSAIA President Visiting January |
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January Board Meeting Features Lori S. Garrett, AIA, 2012 VSAIA President |
| AIA Northern Virginia's January board meeting will offer the opportunity to meet Lori Garrett, 2012 Virginia Society AIA President, and James P. Clark, AIA, VSAIA 2011 President. Lori and Jim will be available to discuss VSAIA initiatives and issues with the Chapter board and membership immediately following the business portion of the board meeting. Members are encouraged to attend. The meeting is on January 9 at Virginia Tech's Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC), 1001 Prince Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. The board will conduct their business meeting from 4:30-6:00p with the VSAIA discussion immediately following at 6:00p. We will meet in the library and refreshments will be served. Our Architecture in the Schools Exhibit, showcasing the architectural projects of students from seven local schools, will be on display at WAAC as well. |
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It's Membership Renewal Time |
| AIA membership invoices were recently sent by both email and mail. With benefits like free continuing education seminars, informative publications and a new website, networking opportunities, mentoring sessions, professional programs, a free ARE lending library, social events, community outreach programs and Chapter leaders and staff available to help you, there is great value in renewing. And we have held local dues to the reduced rate of $140 for architects and $45 for associates. Remember... the 2012 AIA National Convention is in Washington, DC May 17-19, offering you the chance to attend at reduced member rates without the expense of travel. You are able to pay your dues online, by fax, by mail or by phone. Specific instructions are on your invoice and additional information is available on the AIA website. Please renew your membership and please get involved. We welcome you as an active member. Contact us at aianova@aianova.org and let us know what we can do for you and how you would like to be involved. |
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AIA-Weather Channel Joint Venture Looking for Homes That Are "Built to Last" |
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The National AIA has been contacted by a production company working on a pilot episode for the Weather Channel docu-series "Built to Last." Each program will showcase several homes that are built to withstand the forces of nature. This series will showcase the ingenuity and importance of protecting one's home from natural disasters, and the crucial role of the architect in that pursuit. If you have a residential example that might be appropriate for this series, please send a brief description to Scott Frank in AIA Media Relations at sfrank@aia.org. If your project is selected, a small film crew will organize a day-long shoot to film all aspects of the house, including interviews with the homeowners, architects, contractors, engineers and anyone else involved in the project. |
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In Practice... |
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Inform Awards Call for Entries The awards recognize outstanding landscape architecture, interior design and object design produced by architects, interior designers, landscape architects, furniture designers, industrial designers, students and faculty. Registration closes February 16 with project submissions due March 2. Details are available on the VSAIA website. AIA Small Project Awards Call for Entries The Small Project Practitioners Knowledge Community presents this program to recognize small project practitioners for their quality work and to raise public awareness of the value and design excellence that architects bring to smaller projects. Online submissions are due February 3. Visit the award page. Annual Emerging Professionals Exhibition The AIA Center for Emerging Professionals is seeking architectural work, art and designs for their annual exhibit, showcasing the work of emerging professionals. The exhibit will be on display at AIA National's headquarters beginning in February. Submissions due January 13. Details are available on the AIA website. Sustainable Cities Design Academy The American Architectural Foundation announces the call for applications for its 2012 Sustainable Cities Design Academy, which connects project teams and sustainable design experts through interactive workshops. Applications are due December 30. Details are available here. |
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Arlington Green Home |
 Coupard Architects and Builders recently completed the design and construction of a new custom green home in the East Falls Church neighborhood of Arlington. The new home received a Gold level rating from Arlington County's Green Home Choice program boasting a HERS rating of 57, a geothermal HVAC system and twenty-four photovoltaic solar panels. The design process was unique, as the clients had over thirty years experience living on the site in their previous home. It was quickly concluded that renovating the previous 1920s wood frame home was not viable due to its deteriorated state. The clients' knowledge of their site aided in orienting celebrated views as well as in controlling or concealing other relationships. The old house was dismantled and the majority of the materials were salvaged or recycled. The new home is made up of three rectangular volumes with shed roofs, the largest facing due south for solar collection. The simple forms and exterior detailing were meant to recall the spirit of the farmhouse it replaced. The stairway was located on the south facing street side to filter sound and manipulate light. Many of the private spaces including the living room, lofted master bedroom, kitchen and third floor balcony share a view of an adjacent park. A newel post and fireplace bricks were incorporated as relics of the house that had stood there. The clients appreciated these nods to the past but also embraced the opportunity to build a house for the present and their future.Photos by Anice Hoachlander of Hoachlander Davis Photography |
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January 7 - Architecture in the Schools Introductory Meeting January 9 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting January 13 - Small Firms Roundtable: Open Discussion January 20 - Schools Connections Committee Planning Luncheon January 30 - Architecture in the Schools Classes Begin |