| Volume 11, No. 8 - September 1, 2017 |
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 FCPS Administrative Offices, by DBI Architects, Inc. (more info) |
Featured Project: Fairfax County |
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This issue of BLAST is sponsored by CADD Microsystems |
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Fairfax County Recognizes Nine Projects for Design Excellence |
 Every year since 1985 Fairfax County has recognized outstanding planning and design projects. The awards program is sponsored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and administered by the County's Department of Planning and Zoning in cooperation with the County Architectural Review Board and AIA Northern Virginia.Originally known as the Fairfax County Exceptional Design Awards Program, the Board of Supervisors authorized the renaming of the program on May 16, 2017 to the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards, in honor of the late Providence District Supervisor who held office from 1972 to 1987. It was his vision and leadership that established the program, now in its third decade. Supervisor Scott passed away on April 13, 2017. The winners will be recognized by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Fairfax County Government Center.  Honor AwardsKettler – FOX Architects, LLC Noblis Headquarters – SmithGroupJJR Merit Awards DPR Construction MidAtlantic Headquarters – SmithGroupJJR Transurban USA Headquarters – SmithGroupJJR Honorable Mentions Cache House – KUBE architecture Direct Holdings Global Headquarters – Davis, Carter, Scott Ltd King Abdullah Academy – Bowie Gridley Architects Modera Mosaic – SK+I Architecture Reston District Police Station and Governmental Center – AECOM Images and information on the winning projects are available on the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards website. AIA Women's Leadership Summit and Host Reception  While the 2017 Women's Leadership Summit is sold out, you can still participate by attending the Opening Reception and the WIDEA Lecture.Opening Reception Thursday, September 14, 6:30-8:00p, at AIA National Headquarters Enjoy meeting old friends, networking with new colleagues, viewing several exhibits showcasing the work of women architects, shopping in the AIA Bookstore and touring the Octagon House. REGISTER HERE WIDEA Lecture (Women Inspiring Design, Equity in Architecture) Friday, September 15, 6:30p, at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, DC Dina Griffin, AIA, NOMA, IIDA (President of Interactive Design Architects in Chicago and associate architect with Todd Williams | Billie Tsien Architects for the Obama Presidential Center) will share milestones and obstacles in her leadership journey. This event is open to the public and tickets are only $10. REGISTER HERE WLS Call for Volunteers 8x8 Meet-Ups on September 14 Meet-Ups are informal ways to get to know conference attendees. If you would consider being a host, please contact Valerie Boudreaux for details. Dine-Arounds on September 16 A tradition at each WLS is for groups of eight attendees to meet for dinner. A local architect hosts the group and shares information on the local scene. If you would consider being a host, please contact Marlene Shade for details. 360 Mentoring - Activism Architecture 360 Mentoring is an annual chapter program that provides opportunities to connect, teach and learn for architects at all levels of their careers. It is a year-long program where participants are organized in groups of 4-6 people with a range of experience. This year's theme will examine relevant issues that inspire, explore and engage advocacy and activism in the profession. The introductory session is on September 27 and three other general sessions are planned between November and April. In addition to these sessions, groups, which are organized by location, are encouraged to meet regularly. Continuing education credits will be available for some of the general sessions. Additional information and registration are available here. |
| ARE Scholarship – Applications Are Now Being Accepted |
 AIA Northern Virginia's Young Architects Forum has developed a scholarship program to support testing and defray the costs for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). This scholarship is intended to recognize an Associate AIA member who has made significant contributions to the profession at an early stage in their career and to encourage their pursuit of licensure. Applicants must be an Associate member in good standing of AIA Northern Virginia and have an active record with NCARB. One candidate will be selected to receive financial support to cover the costs of six tests of the ARE. The scholarship will be awarded at the Chapter's Newly Licensed Party in October. Applications are due September 22. Find details here. |
 Alexandria Renew Enterprises Tour on September 27You may have visited AlexRenew's Environmental Center for our Design Awards Celebration this year, but this tour not only includes the headquarters building, but the adjacent water resource recovery facility. The Environmental Center, designed by Rust | Orling Architecture, is a sustainable building featuring a well-insulated building envelope, plenty of natural daylight, vertical sun shades, photovoltaics and, of course, reclaimed water use. AlexRenew is seeking LEED® Platinum certification for the building. The advanced water resource recovery facility is a public utility that makes dirty water clean again. Participants will tour this award-winning facility to learn about ongoing improvements to make better water and boost sustainable operations. Additional information can be found HERE. ArchEx Registration Now Open AIA Virginia's annual conference, Architecture Exchange East (ArchEx), takes place November 1-3 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. This year's keynote address features Marc Kushner, AIA, sharing lessons learned in his transition from architect and firm principal, to CEO of Architizer, a venture-funded architecture start-up. These lessons from the tech world will change how you think about architecture, help identify opportunities for innovation in architecture, and package new ideas as opportunities for collaboration. Registration opens August 28 at www.ArchEx.net Volunteers Needed for DesignDC Volunteers who offer five hours helping at DesignDC, October 3-5, are able to register for the conference at the deeply discounted price of $50. Students can take advantage of this offer as well. Many volunteers are needed, so please spread the word. The application form is available here. |
| Awards and Opportunities Due September 1 – AIA Upjohn Research Grants Applications Due September 22 – AIA Northern Virginia ARE Scholarship Due October 6 – AIA National Honors Due October 13 – AIA Honors: Fellowship, Honorary Fellowship, and Honorary Membership Due October 17 – 2018 RIBA International Prize Refer a new AIA member for a chance to win a $100 gift card |
Design News
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| Job Board As a benefit to our members, we maintain a Job Board of local postings. Pay us a visit for new postings from: RRMM Lukmire Architects, HG Architects, Little, Muse Architects, Arlington County Government, Helbing Lipp Recny Architects, Cunningham | Quill Architects, Clites Architects, Moment Engineering + Design, John Milner Associates Preservation/MTFA Architecture and O’Neil Architects. |
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Fairfax County Public Schools Administrative Offices |
 Designing the new administrative offices for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) involved four floors (122,948 RSF), as well as a reception and conference center on half of the first floor. On a tight budget and schedule, FCPS sought to create an environment that inspired staff with its vision, values, and goals. Designers were challenged to reuse the existing Dell build-out while creating a fresh and modern workplace.Relocating from an uninspiring, high-walled cubicle environment, FCPS desired an open office that would provide access to daylight for all staff; however, the program required significant reuse of existing perimeter offices, blocking the flow of daylight. Designers resolved this challenge by implementing a universal plan that reused perimeter offices on the corners of each floor, creating an open window line for workstations and the unimpeded flow of daylight. The finish scheme brightened floor plates through: application of light and neutral carpet; paint, workstation panels, and accent furniture, which added pops of primary colors; and strategically placed lighting and glass panels. Inspirational quotes from authors enliven each floor’s entry to convey FCPS's passion for teaching. FCPS's high assembly occupancy load on the first floor required a rigorous jurisdictional permit review process, lasting 12 weeks and necessitating third-party peer reviewer services. The assembly occupancy load also required an additional exit from the building. Instead of creating an entirely new opening from the building, designers strategically renovated the building's service corridor and loading dock to serve as an egress, thereby satisfying the occupancy load requirement.  Photography © DBI Architects, Inc. |
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SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 5 | Capital Area CRAN Steering Committee Meeting 6:30p, Bethesda [info] 11 | AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting 4:30p, Reston [info] 14 | Women's Leadership Summit Host Reception 6:30p, Washington. [info] 14 | Interschool Design Competition Team Meeting Washington. [info] 14-16 | AIA National Women's Leadership Summit 2017 Mid Atlantic Washington. [info] 15 | WIDEA Lecture - Dina Griffin, AIA, NOMA, IIDA 6:30p, Washington. [info] 17 | Interschool Design Competition 9:00a, Washington. [info] 19 | Interschool Design Competition Awards Celebration 5:00p, Washington. [info] 21 | YAF and WIA Happy Hour 6:30p, Arlington. [info] 22 | ARE Scholarship Applications Due [info] 22 | Beginners Guide to Using AIA Contract Documents and ACD5 9:30a, Washington. [info] 27 | Alexandria Renew Enterprises Tour 6:00p, Arlington. [info] 27 | 360 Mentoring General Session 6:15p, Arlington. [info] Upcoming Dates to Note: October 3-5 - DesignDC October 10 - Celebration of Newly Licensed Architects October 17 - Annual Meeting and Honors Celebration October 27 - Canstruction Build-Out Night AIA Northern Virginia Calendar | AIA|DC Calendar | AIA Potomac Valley Calendar | AIA Virginia Calendar | Branch Museum Calendar 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 1101 Duke Street, Alexandria 22314. |