| Volume 14, No. 2 - April 13, 2020 |
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 A Mid Block Courtyard House, by Muse Architects (more info) |
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This issue of BLAST is sponsored by ECS Mid-Atlantic, Moseley Architects and TW Perry |
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AIA Northern Virginia and AIA National COVID-19 Response and Resources In keeping with Virginia's stay-at-home order, AIA Northern Virginia has canceled all in-person events through at least June 10. While some events will be rescheduled later, we are working to move many meetings and events to virtual platforms. Our Design Awards program will take place and we are working to continue our ARE Prep series, although we anticipate some necessary adjustments to both. Our Chapter calendar lists the most up-to-date status of events and our news feature offers practice related stories. We have developed a COVID-19 resource page at https://aianova.org/covid-19.php, sharing the Chapter's response to the pandemic and resources to help you in your practice. While the Chapter House remains closed, staff is working remotely and member services remain available by emailing us at aianova@aianova.org. AIA.org (http://www.aia.org) has been completely reformatted to include a repository of resources for members. The AIA is extending free webinars, has created the Architect's Guide to Business Continuity, a Disaster Assistance Handbook, a compendium on Good Samaritan laws around the country, small business guidance and loan resources, and a list of best practices and templates for communications and temporary policies in response to the COVID-19. AIA's New COVID-19 Project Database - AIA has created a new COVID-19 project database to increase information sharing and to support the development of best practices for responding to the pandemic. Architects, designers, engineers, and facility owners are asked to complete a Project Database Form detailing a COVID-19 project - or a collaborative initiative addressing the pandemic - either being planned, in progress, or completed. Project information provided will be publicly available on the COVID-19 Arch Map, which provides information on health care facilities, including alternative care facilities, around the globe responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. W. Kenneth Wiseman, FAIA Elevated to Fellowship  Congratulations to Ken Wiseman, FAIA, one of 116 AIA members elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the architecture profession. Ken, the Design Principal at CannonDesign, is being recognized for designing inventive, high-performing sports facilities for Olympic and collegiate athletes, creating new conceptual models and planning standards now adopted by sports institutions worldwide. Please watch for additional information and photographs in an article in our newsletter.Congratulations also to four other Virginia members who were elevated to fellowship: AIA Virginia Executive Vice President R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA (AIA Richmond); Robert L. Easter, FAIA, Hampton University (AIA Richmond); H. Randolph Holmes, FAIA, Glavé & Holmes Architecture (AIA Virginia); and Gregory L. Rutledge, FAIA, Hanbury, (Hampton Roads). Visit the AIA website to view the complete list of elevated fellows.  Virtual Continuing Education Events - All FreeBehind on Continuing Education credits? Free upcoming events include: April 21 - Action Now: Accelerating Pathways to Decarbonization, 8:30a-5:00p. AIA Seattle is sharing their climate summit online at no cost. The summit will explore high-impacts actions in policy and practice that make actionable differences in atmospheric carbon over the next five years. The summit consists of 4 live webinars and offers a total of 6.5 LU|HSW. April 23 - The Restorative Impact of Perceived Open Space, 12:00p.This free live webinar, organized by our Small Firms Committee and presented by Rebecca Clemens of Sky Factory, explores the impact of enclosed interiors and deep-plan buildings on human performance and cognitive function. 1 LU|HSW, also USGBC, ASID, and IIDA credit. Remote Work during COVID-19, Free pre-recorded webinar by AIA Virginia, with AGC and ACEC of Virginia. Several firm leaders share their approaches, best practices, and lessons learned in an open discussion on managing and working in remote teams. Architecture Firms and Remote Work, Free pre-recorded webinar by the Boston Society of Architects. As firms move to work remotely, learn from those who have already integrated remote work into their structure and culture. Available on YouTube. Free AIAU Courses for AIA Members, To help you navigate these uncertain times, AIA is making some of AIAU's best business and tech courses available free to AIA members.  Travel Sketches Competition - Submissions due April 30We invite architects, interns, associates, and architecture students in the Northern Virginia area to participate in our virtual Travel Sketches Competition. You are invited to submit up to 3 travel sketches, in color or black & white. Submissions will be juried by professional artists from the Torpedo Factory Arts Center. Detailed submission information is available here. Quick Notes... AIA's Architectural Billings Index (ABI)... reports that design services saw an increase in February, but economic footings rapidly shifting [info]... AIA Home Design Trends Survey... for Q1 identifies the latest trends in kitchen and bath design, along with residential business conditions [info]... Pro Bono Services... information on responsibilities and potential risks inherent in providing pro bono services [info]... Awards and Opportunities Due April 13 – Summer Leadership Summit Next Generation Scholarship Due April 14 – APT & National Trust for Canada 2020 Joint Conference Abstract Deadline Extended Due April 22 – AIA/ACSA Intersections Research Conference Submissions Due May 1 – 2020 AIA National Photography Competition Due May 29 – Docomomo US 2020 Modernism in America Award Submissions Due June 23 – AIA Architecture Program Submissions AIA Home Design Trends Survey Participants Needed |
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 postings from: Clites Architects, PC; Moment Engineering + Design; Bowie Gridley Architects; MTFA ARCHITECTURE; Adaptive Property Solutions; Clark Nexsen; Dwell Design Studio, LLC; Michael Baker International; Hoffmann Architects, Inc.; Shalom Baranes Associates; Jacobeen Architecture LLC; Rust | Orling Architecture, Inc.; The Onyx Group; and Kahler Slater. While always free for Chapter members, we are waiving all Job Board fees to share as many job opportunities as we can. We also maintain a resume library and share resumes with firms that are hiring. So please send us your resume to us at aianova@aianova.org. |
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A Mid Block Courtyard House |
 Program - This project is a new home in an established suburban neighborhood for a Chicago artist and economics professor. The mid block site has neighboring houses on each side. The owner's desire was to have a home that provided interior and exterior privacy.Interior programmatic requirements focus on a living/dining room, a kitchen/family room, a ground floor master bedroom, a studio for the artist, an office for the professor and three additional bedrooms. Exterior requirements focus on gardens, terraces and a swimming pool – all designed to allow privacy from the neighboring residences.  Solution - The site plan developed as the main body spanning east to west with a front wing forming a parking court and two rear wings creating a private courtyard. Designed with primarily solid walls adjacent to the neighboring properties, the house opens itself with glass walls to the courtyard.The main formal feature of the residence is the hip-roofed pavilion. The repetition of this form helps to reduce the structure's scale while recalling the owners' Chicago heritage. Deep overhangs (assisted by trellises and pocketed shades) provide solar protection for all interior spaces. Designed with exposure on at least two exterior walls, rooms take advantage of cross ventilation to minimize HVAC usage in the summer.  Exterior materials of local fieldstone, stained siding, and wall shingles, and an acrylume roof minimize the need for maintenance. A high-efficiency HVAC system, open and closed cell foam insulation and energy efficient windows and doors are also employed.Photography © Maxwell MacKenzie |
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APRIL CALENDAR 13 | AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting 4:30p, Online. [info] 17 | Design Awards Committee Meeting Noon, Online. [info] 23 | The Restorative Impact of Perceived Open Space Noon, Online. [info] 30 | Due Date: Travel Sketch Competition 5:00p. [info] Upcoming Dates to Note: May 4 - WIA Committee Meeting May 11 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting 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. |