| Volume 4, No. 12 - November 8, 2010 |
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 Richard Byrd Library, by BeeryRio Architecture + Interiors (more info) |
 Int'l Green Construction Code |
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International Green Construction Code Comment Period by William T. Brown, AIA, REFP, LEED® AP, AIA Northern Virginia COTE Chair |
For the last ten years we have seen a growing interest in building healthier and more energy efficient buildings. For the most part this effort has developed through designers, owners and jurisdictions that elected to pursue an emerging paradigm of high performance buildings, most notably lead by the USGBC's LEED® rating and certification program. The goal is to raise awareness of environmental stewardship and transform the design, development and construction industries. This emerging effort has been paralleled by the ongoing development of buildings that were designed to meet current adopted codes within a jurisdiction. The development of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), lead by the ICC with AIA participation, has created a new model for code compliance that has been long overdue. The IGCC will be a complimentary code to the family of current ICC codes (IBC, IEC, IPC, etc.). While the LEED program will always attempt to 'raise the bar' will this new code raise the platform from which minimum building performance is judged? This effort will also raise many questions of liability for architects, engineers, owners, code officials and the legal community.The IGCC is currently in its second round of public comments. The first set of public hearings on the IGCC was held last August in Chicago, where hundreds of interested parties, from architects to building material manufacturers to building owners, aired their opinions and insights. This second comment period is open until January 3, 2011. After that, a code development hearing will take place in May 2011, followed by a final comment period, and a final action hearing in November 2011. The new code will be wrapped up and published by March 2012. The most important contribution AIA members can make right now is to be informed by reviewing the public version 2 which will be released by the ICC November 3, 2010 for comment. The discussions that are emerging range from the "technical" side of the code to the professional practice aspect. This code will redefine the profession's standard of care to include sustainable design. What will the "standard of care" become for a practicing architect in a jurisdiction that adopts this code? This liability question may elicit the most passionate response by architects. I encourage you, as an architect and leader in the development community, to be part of this dialogue to help craft the best outcome possible. Please check out the web links and participate (comment period to AIA ends December 15). All the iterations of the code and proposed changes are available for download from the ICC's website. Go to AIA's IGCC comment page to register comments. The AIA comment period ends December 15. |
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Comments Sought on New High-Performance Standard for Virginia Schools |
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Public review has opened on a new assessment tool for high-performance schools in Virginia. The tool, developed by the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and a Virginia based advisory committee, called the Virginia CHPS Criteria (VA-CHPS), creates a benchmark for the design and construction of Virginia high-performance school buildings: schools that can improve student and staff health, improve student performance and increase a sense of community while reducing environmental impact and operating expenses. |
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In Practice... |
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2011 AIA Advocacy Call for Issues The Institute is very interested in hearing the opinions of AIA members as the leadership prepares to visit members of Congress to advocate for the profession. The AIA Government Advocacy team is seeking member input to determine important issues. They have developed a survey to make it easy for you to share your thoughts and ask you to please respond by November 10. Additional information is available on the AIA website here. Showcase Projects in the Design for Decades Initiative AIA members are invited to submit projects for the Design for Decades initiative, which will feature works of all scales and types that represent the scope and quality of work being done by AIA members. This initiative promotes the value of design and serves as a “snapshot in time” that can be viewed by future generations of architects. Projects will be featured in a virtual exhibit on the AIA website and in exhibits displayed at AIA headquarters and at the AIA 2011 Convention. There is a $25 entry fee and submissions are due by November 12, 2010. Details are available here. Take a Look at the New CES Discovery Launched on October 25, AIA CES Discovery is the new web-based system where AIA members can find their transcripts and search for courses. To use the system, sign in as you do for the AIA website, using your email address as your user name and your last name, capitalized, as your default password. Click here to log in. Additional information and video tutorials are available here. If you have any questions, contact the AIA Member Care Center at (800) 242-3837, option 3, or AIAMemberCareCES@aia.org. WAMO Ideas Competition Extends Registration to November 30th The registration deadline for the National Ideas Competition for the Washington Monument Grounds has been extended to November 30. The deadline for submissions will remain December 18. This competition offers an opportunity to help shape a national discussion of creative and innovative ideas for the Monument grounds. Information and registration are available here. BrickStainable Competition Deadline Approaching Join registrants from 49 different countries and submit your creative solutions for a Net Zero building using brick as the primary material. Top winner receives $10,000 cash and international media exposure in the sustainable design community. The registration deadline is November 15. Visit the competition website for complete information. |
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Richard Byrd Library |
 BeeryRio collaborated with the Fairfax County Public Libraries (FCPL) through the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (FCDPWES) to design a major renovation of the Richard Byrd Library. The existing library was undersized, outdated and not able to properly accommodate the current library's collection, functions and technological needs. BeeryRio first completed a study that identified methods for alterations to the existing building, proposed additions to the building and modifications to the existing site and parking, all in an effort to bring the facility into compliance with the current program. After many meetings with the FCPL and FCDPWES it was determined that the best solution was to design and build a mostly new state of the art facility to serve the community.The renovated library uses a composition of different volumes, colors and shapes to address the variety of scales surrounding it within the context of the neighborhood and presents different views both inside and out. As a site wayfinding element the building entry is a cylinder with a cone, drawing you into the space and signaling entry from the parking lot side. Internally once you enter, the patron is led forward into the increasing volume which unfolds to house the stacks and increased views out to the landscaped rain garden, and surrounding trees. The library is named after Rear Admiral Richard Byrd, Jr. an American aviator who was the first to fly to the South Pole in 1929. The building honors its namesake in the color scheme chosen; the exposed steel and the detailing are reminiscent of the airplane that Admiral Byrd flew as well as the custom designed weathervane atop the entry that is a miniature replica of his airplane. Environmental responsibility is evident in the overall design of the library. The project has been submitted to USGBC and anticipates a LEED® Gold Certification. From the community connections and storm water management on site to the natural daylighting, views and material selection, the building embraces environmental stewardship and showcases it in this exemplary new library for the community.  Photography by Colin Johnson |
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November 8 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting November 10 - Women in Architecture Planning Meeting November 17 - AIA Northern Virginia Lunch Series December 2 - Historic Resources Committee Meeting December 10 - 2009 IBC Accessibility & Usability for Commercial Buildings December 13 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting |