| Volume 5, No. 6 - May 27, 2011 |
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 Urban Farmhouse, Moore Architects (more info) |
 Design Awards Gala Next Weekend |
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Design Awards Gala is Saturday, June 4 |
The gala features a tasting of local wines paired with delectable food, Pecha Kucha-style presentations of winning projects, a glimpse of all submitted projects, insight into the jury process, live music and some after-party festivities. This is our signature event of the year, so please join us to reconnect with old colleagues and meet new ones.As is our custom, the venue, Founders Hall on George Mason University's Arlington campus, designed by SmithGroup, is a recently completed project that showcases the best new architecture in our area. The central location, between the Clarendon and Virginia Square stations on Metro's Orange Line, will tempt you to extend the party at local bars and restaurants in the neighborhood. The cost to attend the gala is only $75, a 30% reduction over last year's event. To add to the festivities this year, we are organizing an after party at nearby Lyon Hall so we can continue celebrating. So even if you are not able to come to the gala, you can meet us for the after party around 9:30p. We look forward to seeing you on June 4. As always, the latest information is available from the Chapter website at www.aianova.org/DA11. |
| photograph © Maxwell MacKenzie / courtesy SmithGroup |
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In Practice... |
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2012 AIA Convention Call for Presentations is Available With the 2012 Convention taking place in DC (May 17-19), this is the perfect time to submit a proposal. The Convention Theme is Design Connects, which celebrates the uniqueness of design as the synthesis of theory and practice, the relationship of the built and natural environments and the aspiration of architecture to serve the broader goals of humanity. With an emphasis on DC metro area themes, this offers a great opportunity to present your projects and ideas. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2011 and selections will be announced in late fall 2011. The Call for Entries will be available on the AIA website shortly, but in the meantime, you can request an entry PDF from Beverly Holton, CSI, CDT, Director, Convention Education. AIA Responds to the SBA Standards Discussion The Small Business Administration has proposed new size standards for what defines an architecture small business, changing from $4.5 million in annual receipts to $19 million. As of 2009, a majority of firms qualify for SBA business status with just over ninety percent of firms reporting their annual gross billings under the $4.5 million threshold. This proposal may have large impacts on many firms, so the AIA National Board of Directors voted to oppose any change and directed the Advocacy team to work with the SBA on getting them more information about the practice of architecture, especially regarding the current size of firms and the effect of the proposed change on architects. The Institute is interested in hearing from members on this subject and needs comments by June 16. Please visit the Advocacy website for more information and easy links to offer comments to both the AIA and SBA. Calls for Entries Now Open
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Urban Farmhouse |
While cleaning out the attic of this recently purchased Arlington farmhouse, an amazing view was discovered: the Washington Monument was visible on the horizon. The architect and owner agreed that this was a serendipitous opportunity. A badly needed renovation and addition of this turn of the century farmhouse was organized around a grand gesture reinforcing this view shed. A glassy "look out room" caps a new tower element added to the left side of the house and reveals distant views east over the Rosslyn business district and beyond to the National Mall. A two-story addition, containing a new kitchen and master suite, was placed in the rear yard where a crumbling porch and oddly shaped addition was removed. The new work defers to the original structure, stepping back to enhance the lines of the original structure. The dwelling was completely restored and repaired, maintaining room proportions as much as possible, while opening up views and adding larger windows. A small mudroom appendage engages the landscaping and helps to create an outdoor room at the rear patio. It also provides a secondary entrance to the house from the detached garage. Internally there is a seamless transition between old and new. |
 photography by Hoachlander Davis |
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June 4 - Design Awards Celebration June 16 - Women in Architecture + Young Architects Forum Happy Hour June 17 - Technical Tips for Submitting Design Awards Digitally June 18 - ARE Prep Series: Building Design and Construction Systems June 20 - Committees Community Network June 21-23 - DesignDC: In the Green June 28 - Design Awards Committee Meeting June 28 - Young Architects Forum Planning Meeting June 29 - AIA Northern Virginia Lunch Series |