| Volume 14, No. 3 - June 8, 2020 |
| previous | main menu | next |
 Modern Home in a Rural Hamlet, by Wiedemann Architects, LLC (more info) |
AIA Northern Virginia Advocacy Plan |
   |
This issue of BLAST is sponsored by Arch Resources, Pella Mid-Atlantic and Potomac Valley Brick |
|
Virginia Architects Issue Joint Statement on Racial Injustice The murder of Mr. George Floyd was a despicable and heinous act committed by police officers who betrayed their oath to protect the community they served. The civil unrest we are witnessing in our cities is a public outcry in response to centuries of neglect, oppression, and suffocation of African-Americans. It is a response to an America that has failed to practice the very words upon which it was founded - that all are created equal. This is a forceful reminder that we have much work to do as a society in order for all Americans to enjoy the benefits of this inherited promise. As architects and designers, we remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our profession while designing spaces that benefit all people. Each pen stroke we put on paper sets into motion a series of consequences that shape our communities for decades to come. Though that responsibility is great, it is not our only obligation. We are called, each and every one of us, to remove barriers to our profession, boldly committing to providing opportunity and equity for all who wish to contribute. Kelly Callahan, AIA: President of AIA Central Virginia Scott Campbell, AIA: President of AIA Hampton Roads Nick Cooper, AIA: President of AIA Richmond Kevin Jones, AIA: President of AIA Blue Ridge Kenneth Martin, AIA Member Emeritus, NOMAC: Inaugural President of Virginia NOMA Joseph McCoy, AIA: President of AIA Northern Virginia Beth Reader, FAIA: President of AIA Virginia AIA National statement: https://www.aia.org/pages/6301167-aia-board-statement-on-systemic-racial-inj National Organization of Minority Architects statement: https://noma.net/nomas-public-statement-regarding-racial-injustice-2020-may-31/ Design Awards Call for Entries Now Open  As you know, we delayed the opening of our design awards program due to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on everyone. We all needed time to make adjustments and redirect efforts to protect our families, neighbors, colleagues, firms, and community. Thank you all for your patience.We are pleased to announce that our 2020 Design Awards Call for Entry is now open at aianova.org/DA20! Projects can be submitted in six categories: Commercial Architecture, Commercial Interiors, Conceptual/Unbuilt Architecture, Historic Architecture, Institutional Architecture, and Residential Architecture. Last year 37 projects were recognized with design awards. Submittals are due Tuesday, June 23, by 5:00p. Chapter Update and Resources While the Chapter House remains closed, staff is working remotely and member services are still available. If you need anything, please reach out to us at aianova@aianova.org. Our website offers COVID-19 resources, information on our design awards, a list of continuing education sessions, and current news stories to keep you informed. We will also continue to send you important information, while not overwhelming your inbox. Under these trying circumstances, we are all experiencing uncertainty and stress, especially firms that are struggling and members who may be furloughed or unemployed. We want to share some information that may be useful and offer help wherever we can. First, since 2008, the chapter has maintained a resume library for anyone seeking a job or looking to hire. It’s pretty informal and totally free, but effective. If you are looking for work, send us your resume. If you are looking to hire, email us and share a little information on the position and experience level and we’ll share the appropriate resumes from the library.  If you’re a recent grad, we understand how difficult it is to start looking for a job under these conditions. So please send us your resume and we will share it with our members who are hiring. Also, consider joining our chapter. Recent grads are offered free AIA membership for up to 18 months. So the sooner you join after graduation, the more time you’ll enjoy your free membership.We also offer a job board. It’s always been free for chapter members to post jobs, but now it’s free for everyone. We need to pull together to keep everyone working. So please post your job opportunities at http://aianova.org/jobs.php AIA Virginia also hosts a job board and the AIA Career Center is a good source for job opportunities and is now offering a free platform for staff sharing to help avoid layoffs. They also provide an expert review of your resume free of charge. AIA Resources AIA.org provides information to help architects navigate these uncertain times, including economic and business information, small business guidance, a re-occupancy assessment tool, virtual practice information, a COVID-19 project database and map on healthcare facilities, and state by state information on reopening and exemptions for architecture activities. AIA Virginia Resources Visit AIA Virginia's COVID resources page for an extensive list of useful websites, guidance on reopening businesses, and information on free legal consultations during this uncertain time. AIA Northern Virginia Advocacy by Eliza Beth Engle, AIA, Chair, Legislative and Government Affairs Committee 
The Legislative and Government Affairs Committee thanks you for participating in the Advocacy Survey. Local and state advocacy efforts can strongly influence critical issues of importance to architects, such as school security, resilience, sustainability, and housing access and affordability. If you didn’t complete the survey or would like to discuss a local advocacy issue, the committee is interested in hearing from you.In Northern Virginia we have a unique set of issues affecting architects in our region. If you were to meet with your local legislative representatives, what issues would you want to discuss? How can you assist your representatives? The committee is organizing Virtual Town Halls for four jurisdictions this summer (Fairfax County, Arlington, Falls Church, and Alexandria) and would like your feedback to help identify starting points. Please send us your feedback and, if you are interested in participating in these Virtual Town Halls, please let us know. Email lga@aianova.org. In addition, please join us for a webinar on June 30 to learn about AIA Virginia’s advocacy agenda and the results of the 2020 General Assembly from lobbyist Patrick Cushing, with Williams-Mullen, and Corey Clayborne, FAIA, AIA Virginia Executive Vice President. Quick Notes... AIA's Architectural Billings Index (ABI)... demand for design services saw its steepest decline on record with a score of 29.5 [info]... ArchiPrep... free for all associate members through August [info]... AIAU's Emerge... series is also offering credits [info]... GRAPHISOFT... offers free emergency licenses to assist those working from home... and free access to BIMcloud for team collaboration [info]... Awards and Opportunities Due June 23 – AIA Architecture Program Submissions Opens June 30 – AIA Fellows Applicactions Due July 1 – AIA Virginia Honors Awards Nominations Due July 1 – I Spy Modernism Architectural Photography Competition Submissions Due July 16 – AIA Virginia Awards for Excellence in Architecture Submissions |
Design News
|
| Job Board As a benefit to our members, we maintain a Job Board of local postings. Pay us a visit for postings from: Rust | Orling Architecture, Inc.; The Onyx Group; Kahler Slater; Cathleen Curtin Architects LLC; ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN + Consulting Services (ADCS); MTFA ARCHITECTURE; MW Architects LLC; and Maginniss + del Ninno Architects. 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. |
 |
Modern Home in a Rural Hamlet |
 This project is a modern interpretation of the traditional rural white clapboard farmhouse and red barn. On a steeply sloping site in a co-housing community, it offers direct and private exterior access on both levels, while the red board-and-batten "barn" provides a sheltered space for the client's garden. It offers an open plan with views of the shared community open space, while providing the client with flexible living space to age in place. The main floor has all the requisite living spaces for her, while the lower level provides two guest rooms and an independent apartment that can be rented or provide for future live-in help. A projecting terrace and screen porch connects the interior seamlessly with the landscape. Custom designed millwork creates specialized and multi-functional use of the space.  The iconic gable form contains 12-inch thick super-insulated walls with high efficiency glazing protected by an automatic controlled shading system. A ground source heat pump provides extremely energy efficient conditioning of the space. The narrow plan allows for cross ventilation through special ventilating picture and operable awning windows. A whole house fan provides natural cooling, by drawing the air through the operable windows and exhausting it through the cupola. Multi-purpose built-ins and flexibility of space, allows for a smaller footprint and a highly efficient plan. Cement siding and native stone were used on the exterior and sustainable materials were specified on the interior. The site was returned to its natural state, with native vegetation.Photography © Hoachlander Davis Photography |
 |
JUNE CALENDAR 8 | AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting 4:30p. [info] 11 | The Skill You Need: Career Resilience - Webinar for New Grads 2:00p. [info] 12 | AIA Virginia SAP Training 9:00a. [info] 18 | 7 Deadly Construction Contract Clauses 1:00p. [info] 20 | ARE Exam Series: Construction and Evaluation – Postponed 23 | Design Award Entries Due 5:00p. [info] 26 | Design Awards Committee Meeting 12:00p. [info] 30 | Local and State Advocacy + You 12:00p. [info] Upcoming Dates to Note: July 1 - AIA Virginia Honors Nominations Due July 16 - AIA Virginia Awards for Excellence in Architecture Due August 13 - Design Awards Celebration Combined Virginia / West Virginia Event Calendar NEW – Now you can find all the webinars and architecture events in the region in one place. AIA chapters across Virginia and West Virginia are contributing to a combined calendar on the Inform Magazine site. 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 aianova@aianova.org. The Chapter House is located at 1101 Duke Street, Alexandria 22314. |