| Volume 4, No. 4 - April 7, 2010
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Architecture Week Kicks Off This Sunday
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Walking Tour of Historic Old Town Alexandria - Sunday, April 11
Architecture Week 2010 begins with our annual Walking Tour of Historic Old Town Alexandria, covering its history reflected through three centuries of architecture and urban design. We will highlight examples from a full range of architectural styles from Georgian through Art Deco and discuss the pedestrian scale of the city plan and streets. Bring your camera and sketchbook - the early weather reports call for a cloudless day in the seventies.
The tour will be led by members of the AIA Northern Virginia Historic Resources Committee and begins at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street. Sadly, all slots are filled for this event, but to be added to the waiting list contact the Chapter House at reservations@aianova.org or (703) 549-9747.
PechaKucha 20 x 20 - Tuesday, April 13
Have you got a short attention span? Tired of listening to presentations drone on and on? Do you need a whack on the side of your head to reinvigorate your sense of wonder and curiosity?
Then join us for our first PK (PechaKucha) Night, on Tuesday, April 13th, at the Light Horse Restaurant in Old Town (715 King Street, next to Murphy's). PechaKucha 20 x 20 is a simple presentation format featuring 20 images, each for 20 seconds from 10 speakers. The format was devised by architects in Tokyo as a means of sharing ideas, works, thoughts - anything - in a simple, quick format. PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings with creative people from various backgrounds and fields. Now happening in over 230 cities around the world, these nights offer a great opportunity for people to share ideas and experiences. Our speakers will include architects, designers, artists, dancers, design professors and an archeologist. The evening will feature a variety of topics and stoke your ideas of creativity and design. The event is free, with attendees ordering their own refreshments from the bar and menu. Enjoy food and drink and discover a fun way to share ideas and experiences. Reservations are not required.
As the PechaKucha website says, an evening of 'thinking and drinking.' So, give it a try and join us!
 Canstruction® Build-Out Night - Friday, April 16
AIA Northern Virginia is once again celebrating Architecture Week with its 7th Annual Canstruction® Competition, featuring teams of architects building fantastic structures entirely of canned food, which ultimately goes to a local food bank, the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Over the last six years, this event has become the single largest food drive benefiting AFAC. Now, more than ever, the donation we collectively make to AFAC is critically important.
Join us next Friday at Ballston Common Mall (4238 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington) to watch the teams assemble their 2010 creations throughout the mall. They will remain on display through April 24.
Rebuilding Together - Saturday, April 17
As Architecture Week approaches, filled with events such as our wonderful Walking Tour of Alexandria and Canstruction®, we as Architects have a chance to give back to the community by becoming part of the Rebuilding Together Event.
Our group of volunteers will be working with the Robert Pierre Johnson Housing and Development Corporation volunteers on the rehabilitation of a house in Arlington occupied by an 80-year-old widow who has lived in the home for over 45 years. Our project tasks will focus on roofing aspects of the renovation. Tools, ladders, food and drink are all provided, so arrive ready to provide your time and skills. On-street parking will be available in the neighborhood. Come for the whole day or for a couple of hours. Your involvement is welcomed.
This is a wonderful opportunity to have a very positive impact in our community, but more importantly the proposed repairs will enhance the living environment of a long-time resident who is unable to accomplish the work without this program.
If you are ready to participate, Please complete the waiver form (download here) and fax it to the Chapter House at (703) 549-9783 or email a scanned copy to aianova@aianova.org. The address of the home in Arlington will be forwarded to you. If you have any questions, please email Sy Samaha or J. Paul Lewis.
Please let us know by April 13; see you on Saturday April 17! |
AIA|DC Washington UNBUILT Awards Program
This awards program recognizes excellence in projects that to date remain unbuilt - theoretical, academic, and other unbuilt projects. Projects entered will be displayed and judged as part of the DesignDC conference in August 2010. It is open to all registered architects, landscape architects, planners, interior designers, associate architects and students in the Washington Metropolitan area. Unbuilt architectural design projects of any type are eligible. Submissions must be registered online at www.aiadc.com and be received at the offices of the Washington Chapter/AIA between April 15 and June 30, 2010. Additional information is available here.
Code Seminar : Significant Changes to the IBC 2009
Thursday, May 13. Learn to identify and explain the most significant differences between the 2006 and 2009 editions of the International Building Code, including changes in organization and code requirements. Six AIA/CES HSW learning units available. Organized by Virginia Society; located at Dewberry, 8401 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax 22031. $170 AIA members, $240 non-members. Significant Changes to the IBC 2009 Edition, by Doug Thornburg and John Henry is provided. To register, contact Jim Walker or click here.
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TD Bank
MTFA Architecture, Inc.
Washington, DC |
 Commerce Bank (later acquired by TD Bank) commissioned MTFA to design a new bank building within historic Georgetown in Washington DC after repeated failed attempts by others to get approval of a design from the various review agencies. The site is located on Wisconsin Avenue, one of the prominent streets that bisect Georgetown. The significant site is viewed as being at the portal to the historic district by the Commission of Fine Arts. The design for the building respects the rhythms and proportions of historic Georgetown. The façade that faces Wisconsin Avenue picks up on the neighboring townhouse with deep masonry punched openings, double bays and articulated brick detailing.  The side elevation relates to the architecture of the historic alleyways by layering building, trellises and landscaping while maximizing the bank's requirement for visibility into the bank with a two storey undulating glass wall.
MTFA received the approval for the design from the Old Georgetown Board, the Commission of Fine Arts, the DC Preservation Review Office, and the Advisory Neighborhood Commission. As the building was nearing completion, the members of the Old Georgetown Board indicated that "The building is even better than we envisioned, the design is well executed." The Director for Architecture at TD Bank said "Your work is nothing less than stunning! Excellent fit into the neighborhood but clearly something different."
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April 10 - ARE Prep Series - Building Design + Construction
10:00a-2:00p, at AECOM Design, 3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 900, Arlington 22201. 1.5 AIA/CES HSW LUs. Visit the ARE Homepage for additional information and registration.
April 11-18 - Architecture Week
With a focus on volunteerism, AIA Northern Virginia celebrates Architecture Week with our annual Canstruction® competition, an opportunity to volunteer with Rebuilding Together, our popular walking tour of Alexandria and the introduction of our first PechaKucha 20x20 Night. See the article above for additional information.
April 11 - Walking Tour of Historic Old Town Alexandria
1:00-3:00p, begins at the Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, Alexandria 22314. Part of the Chapter's celebration of Architecture Week. 2 AIA/CES HSW LUs. All spaces are currently filled, but you can request to be added to the waitlist by emailing reservations@aianova.org. See the article above for complete details.
April 12 - Northern Virginia Board Meeting
4:30-6:00p, at the Chapter House, 205 South Patrick Street, Alexandria 22314.
April 13 - PechaKucha 20x20 Night
6:00p doors, presentations at 7:00p, at the Light Horse Restaurant & Bar, 715 King Street Alexandria 22314. Part of the Chapter's celebration of Architecture Week. See the article above for complete details.
April 16 - 7th Annual Canstruction® Build-Out Night
5:00p-Midnight, at Ballston Common Mall, 4238 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington. Part of the Chapter's celebration of Architecture Week. See the article above for complete details.
April 17 - Rebuilding Together Volunteer Event
Volunteers are needed. Part of the Chapter's celebration of Architecture Week. See the article above for complete details.
April 16-18 - ARE Prep Series - Structural Systems Workshop with David J. Thaddeus, AIA
Registration for the workshop is currently full. For information on other ARE Prep classes, visit the Chapter website's ARE Homepage.
April 21 - AIA Northern Virginia Lunch Series
11:00a-1:15p, at AECOM Design, 3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 900, Arlington 22201. Two presentations: Comparison of National Green Building and Specifying Wood Windows for Historical Renovation and Design with Today's Technology. Presented by Mark Pendleton with JELD-WEN Windows and Doors. Each presentation offers 1 AIA/CES HSW LU. Spaces are filling quickly; registration is required by e-mailing reservations@aianova.org. For details, click here.
April 30 - AIA Northern Virginia Design Award Submittals Due
Visit the Design Awards homepage for additional information and to download the Call for Entries.
May 1 - ARE Prep Series - Building Systems I: Electrical + Plumbing
10:00a-2:00p, at AECOM Design, 3101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 900, Arlington 22201. 1.5 AIA/CES HSW LUs. Visit the ARE Homepage for additional information and registration.
May 10 - Northern Virginia Board Meeting + Firm Tour
4:30p, at Perkins Eastman, 4245 Fairfax Drive, Suite 650, Arlington 22203. Members are invited to participate in the board meeting and tour or just the tour. The board meetings begin at 4:30p, followed at 6:00p by a tour of our host firm. 1 AIA/CES credit is available for the tour and discussion. Reservations are not necessary.
May 11 - Architecture in the Schools Exhibit
6:30-8:00p, at the Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington 22206. Architecture in the Schools matches design professionals with classroom teachers to enrich the learning experience of students. This semester students are learning about sustainable communities, monuments and memorials, Roman architecture and Chinese palaces. Exhibit runs through June 1.
May 13 - Code Seminar : Significant Changes to the IBC
4:30p, at Dewberry, 8401 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax 22031. For details, view In Practice... above.
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 205 South Patrick Street, Alexandria 22314.
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