| Volume 7, No. 2 - February 27, 2013 |
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 Paint Branch High School, by Moselely Architects (more info) |
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Changes to BAR Design Guidelines for Alexandria |
| Recently new review procedures were adopted by the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) for the Parker Gray District in Alexandria. These procedures were designed to simplify and streamline the review process, and in some cases eliminate the requirement to review minor changes. The intention is to help property owners reduce maintenance costs and increase environmental sustainability, while also reducing application fees. To discuss these recent changes, the Small Firms Committee has invited Al Cox, FAIA, the Historic Preservation Manager for the Department of Planning and Zoning of the City of Alexandria, and Bill Conkey, AIA, Chair of the Parker Gray Board of Architectural Review, to Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Center for a seminar on March 1, from noon to 1:30p. All are welcome to attend and continuing education credits will be offered. We do request reservations by emailing reservations@aianova.org. Details can be found on our website. |
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Elizabeth A. Reader, FAIA and Alan L. Hansen, FAIA Elected to the College of Fellows |
| Congratulations to Al and Beth on their elevation to the AIA College of Fellows. They were among only 122 architects to be selected this year. Beth, a Partner at Reader & Swartz Architects, PC, was honored for her vibrant, diverse and collaborative architecture practice that excels in design and is committed to bettering the community. Al, Director of Architecture at DBI Architects, Inc., was recognized for his ground-breaking work forming the Loudoun County Design Cabinet to promote high-quality environmentally sustainable and culturally respectful architectural and landscape design in the county. We will publish more information on both Beth and Al's achievements in our March/April newsletter. Congratulations also to AIA Northern Virginia Unassigned member Michael E. Hickok, FAIA, with Hickok Cole Architects in DC and to AIA Central Virginia member Robert W. Moje, FAIA, with VMDO Architects in Charlottesville for their elevation to fellowship. |
| Mentoring Sessions Planned |
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Whether you are still in school, a recent grad, recently licensed or an experienced professional, a mentor can help you navigate the next phase of your career. Organized by the Young Architects Forum, Schools Connections Committee and Women in Architecture Committee, we have scheduled two upcoming mentoring opportunities to consider – Speed Mentoring and 360 Mentoring. Speed Mentoring, similar to the speed dating concept, offers a great opportunity to meet potential mentors and make some connections. Our first speed mentoring session of 2013 is on March 11, 6:00p, in Alexandria. Also, groups are now forming for 360 Mentoring, a year-long mentorship group comprised of 4-6 people of varying experience levels. This program begins with a meeting on April 10 and then mentoring groups meet regularly on their own schedule throughout the year. Enrollment for both mentoring programs is limited, so register early by emailing reservations@aianova.org. |
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Women in Architecture Plans Spring Events |
| WIA is co-sponsoring a four-part lecture series, given from a woman's perspective, from March 7- April 4. The goal of the series is to encourage and empower women in architecture to engage in business, politics and family life. Details are available here. It's almost time for the third annual Dress for Success clothing drive! In the past few years WIA has collected over 1,000 pieces of professional clothing to help local women successfully enter the workforce. Please start gathering your gently used attire and volunteer to collect clothing at your firm April 8-12. Contact Amanda Hoch for details. And the WIA Book Club is meeting April 17 to discuss Paul Goldberger's Why Architecture Matters. The book explores how the built environment impacts all of us. Contact Ellen Foster, AIA for more information. |
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ARE Prep Series Features Structures and Building Systems Workshops |
| Our 2013 ARE Prep series is underway. Organized by our Young Architects Forum, the series features review sessions on each section of the exam, supplemental courses covering topics found throughout the exams (providing great review sessions for everyone) and introducing ARE Trivia Nights. This year all our ARE courses offer AIA continuing education credits. We will once again host Professor David Thaddeus for his Structural Systems Workshop April 5-7. Professor Thaddeus is well-known for his outstanding practical review of the topic and has helped thousands of candidates successfully pass the exam. We are also pleased to host Professor Michael Ermann, author of the ARE Building Systems Study Guide and Practice Exam: The Amber Book, for a weekend review of Building Systems May 10-12. Both of these sessions will fill quickly. So if you know anyone who might be interested, please encourage them to register early. Additional information and registration forms are available on our ARE web page. |
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DesignDC Call for Presentations Due Friday |
| We are currently seeking presentation proposals for educational sessions of one to one-and-a-half hours in length. With a theme of 'Framing the Future,' this year's conference takes place September 25-27 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and at the District Architecture Center. Presenters receive complimentary conference registration. Details can be found here. |
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Paint Branch High School |
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The Paint Branch High School project began with a five-month, consensus-based feasibility study to determine the best course of action for replacing or modernizing the outdated facility and accommodating up to 2,400 students. The study revealed support for creating a new 340,000-square-foot school on the same site as the existing school. Consequently, a site-phasing plan was developed to minimize the disruption of school operations. The outdated school remained open and operational while the new school was built on the same site. In 2012, the new and modern Paint Branch High School opened its doors to welcome 1,800 students and demolition began on the existing school. In its wake, Montgomery County Public Schools will create new fields to support athletics. The school's state-of-the-art design supports student safety, supervision, and the county's academic program. The three-story layout featuring strategically located administrative and faculty areas foster student supervision by a minimum number of staff. Completely ADA accessible, the building's design locates academic areas separately from the auditorium and gym, which isolates noise and secures the building for after-hours use. Courtyards and large windows introduce controllable, natural light throughout the teaching spaces. This project is LEED® registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is pursuing certification. With support from the school community and administration, the new school models sustainable operating and maintenance practices, as well as encourages a healthy learning environment. |
| Photography by Mary Parker Architecture Photography |
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March 1 - DesignDC Call for Presentation Due March 2 - ARE: Construction Documents & Services - Legal March 4 - Women in Architecture Committee Meeting March 7 - WIA Lecture Series: Business of Architecture March 9 - ARE: Construction Documents & Services - Documents March 11 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting March 11 - Speed Mentoring March 13 - Historic Preservation: ARE Supplemental Course March 14 - WIA Lecture Series: Citizen Architect & Impacting Social Change March 19 - Design Awards Committee Meeting March 20 - Accessibility: ARE Supplemental Course March 21 - WIA Lecture Series: Family & Architecture March 23 - ARE: Building Design & Construction Systems March 27 - Green Building: ARE Supplemental Course April 5-7 - Structures Workshop April 7-13 - Architecture Week April 8-12 - Dress For Success Clothing Drive April 10 - 360 Mentoring April 11 - Design Awards Winners Exhibit + Lecture April 14 - Alexandria Walking Tour April 16 - ARE Trivia Night April 17 - WIA Book Club April 22 - AIA Northern Virginia Golf Tournament April 26 - Design Award Submissions Due April 30 - ArchEx Call for Presentations Due 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. |