YAF Connection 10.01 Issue

VOLUME TEN ISSUE ONE

ISSUE 10.01 SCALE IN ARCHITECTURE

AIA OHIO VALLEY REGION AIA GULF STATES REGION

YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM

CONNECTION JANUARY 2012

1991

2011

CELEBRATING

20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

CONTENT 04YAFNEWS News

YAF 20 SUMMIT

Letters and Program Details for 20 Summit

Marc Teer, AIA questions the value of design competitions as a business launching strategy

16 CONSTRUCTION

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1398 Square Feet

▼

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1344 Square Feet

▼

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1111 Square Feet

▼

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1107 Square Feet

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 824 Square Feet

▼

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 816 Square Feet

▼

SIDE PORCH

GREEN

BUILD

Deepika Padam, AIA shares her favorite projects from 2011

WIDE PORCH

The driDOCK elevated foundation system, much like the structural underbody of your automobile, serves as a chassis for a variety of potential architectural “makes and models”; literally providing the foundation for flexible floor plans and a design customized to your preferences.

Steven Dwyer, AIA shares the design process and client feedback for the project

{ } JUST ADD WATER

WOOD FORMWORK

5 5.1 INSTALL WOOD FORMWORK AND PERIMETER BRACING ▼ fig 6.1.1 CUT-AWAY PILING:

7

FORMWORK

The Venture-Funded Profession

Wyatt Frantom, AIA shares the details of DriDOCK and Galveston Green Build

12 DESIGN Bigelow Chapel

ELEVATED FOUNDATION

FINISHED ELEVATED FOUNDATION

10 PERSPECTIVE Un-Competition Project

06 EDITOR'S NOTE Scale in Architecture

GALVESTON ▼

22 BOOK REVIEW Success by Design by Jenn Kennedy

6.3.2 - PERIMETER SECTION

Reinforced Concrete Footing

5 1/2” TRANSCON STRUCTURAL INSULATED WALL PANEL

SCHEDULED SIDING 1/2” X 6” STUDS WOOD FORMWORK REMAINS AS PERMANENT PANEL BACKING AT WALLS POROUS DRAINAGE MEMBRANE

THE STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS ARE INHERENTLY LIGHT-WEIGHT AND SIZED IN ORDER TO BE MANAGED BY ONE PERSON

12GA STEEL

#3 REBAR FOAM / STEEL DAM INSERTED IN PILINGS TO STOP CONCRETE FLOW

THE PANELS ARE THEN JOINED IN PLANE BY A TOPTRACK FASTENING

Footing Sleeve w/ Insulated Formwork and Reinforcing

POURED, REINFORCED ELEVATED CONCRETE SLAB, DIAMOND POLISH FINISH

▼ Shaded “TAB” indicates depth of Wall Panel “Docking” to Foundation

3

8

6 3 6.1 POUR CONCRETE OVER POLYSTYRENE BLOCK FORMWORK 6.2 REMOVE WOOD FORMWORK AND RE-USE

WOOD FORMWORK CAN BE RE-USED AS PERMANENT WALL BACKING WHERE APPLICABLE AND/OR UP-CYCLED AS A FINISH MATERIAL IN THE UNIT

fig. 8a - INSTALL WALL PANELS

fig. 8b - INSTALL ROOF AND EAVE PANELS

FEATURING GULF STATES REGION

30 DESIGN

PANEL ENCLOSURE

SCAFFOLDING CAN BE LEASED FOR USE IN SINGLE UNIT PRODUCTION OR PURCHASED FOR RE-USE IN MULTIPLE UNITS, AMORTIZING THE COST OVER VOLUME

driDOCK ©. All Rights Reserved: UHGBC, The University of Houston, Joe Meppelink, Wyatt Frantom, Juan de Leon.

Brock Martinson offers his review of the book about 25 California architects

11” EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE, R-55 3 1/2” TRANSCON PANEL, R-16

ONCE SEATED IN THE WALL TRACK, THE PANELS ARE MANUALLY HOISTED TO VERTICAL AND ANCHORED WITHIN THE SLAB-TO-SILL “DOCKING” DEPTH

▼ fig 5.1.1 CUT-AWAY PILING:

SLAB POUR

23 BOOK REVIEW

Success by Design by Jenn Kennedy

10” O.D. FIBERGLASS PEARSON PILING

POURED CONCRETE

Alexander Lungershausen, AIA reviews the book about 25 California architects

25 DESIGN Cape Russell Retreat

Brandon Frazier Pace, AIA talks of a project set in a densely wooded setting close to water

Coahoma County Higher Education Ctr.

Brett Cupples, AIA talks of a project that had to work around an 'imposing' historical mansion

38 DESIGN

34 DESIGN L.B. Landry High School

Amanda Rivera, AIA and Jenny Pelc, AIA share their experience working on a tight schedule

Hongqiao International Medical City

Brent Hughes, AIA talks of a master planning design competition leading to a real project

48 DESIGN

44 DESIGN Green Forest Middle School

Chris Baribeau, AIA shares the story of a school that preserved a campus' existing green space

Memphis Veterinary Specialists Facility

Matt Seltzer, AIA shares the story of working with a client with a pre-conceived project plan

Disclaimer: This publication is created by Young Architect members of the American Institute of Architects. Views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 FEATURING OHIO VALLEY REGION

53 EVENT AIA OVR Unconvention 2011

Brian McAlexander, Assoc. AIA and Gregory Spon Assoc. AIA share details of sessions at this event for emerging professionals

56Reflecting LEADERSHIP on 2011

Adam Palmer, AIA reports on the outcomes of YAF under his Chairmanship in 2011

62 LEADERSHIP

59 LEADERSHIP 2012 YAF Advisory Committee

Meet the leaders of Young Architects Forum at the AIA national level

Looking Ahead at 2012

The incoming Chair, Jennifer Workman, AIA shares her story and YAF plans for the year

65 LEADERSHIP

64 LEADERSHIP YAF Communications Advisory Group

Meet the 2012 advisors for YAF publications

YAF Communications Sub-Committee

Meet the editorial team of YAF and apply for open positions for 2012

Map Showing Locations of Article Contibutors for this Issue. US Map Source: www.cardhouse.com

03

News STAY CONNECTED YAF at AIA

YAF's Home webpage. www.aia.org/yaf

AIA Archiblog

This blog provides YAF-related news in real time. Get involved in the discussion! www.blog.aia.org/yaf

YAF KnowledgeNet

A knowledge resource for awards, announcements, podcasts, blogs, and valuable articles. The archives of YAF Connection and the Young Architect Award winners' entries... This resource has it all! www.network.aia.org/AIA/YoungArchitectsForum

Architect’s Knowledge Resource

The Architect's Knowledge Resource connects AIA members and others to the most current information on architecture, including research, best practices, product reviews, ratings, image banks, trends, and more. It's your place to find solutions, share your expertise, and connnect with colleagues. www.aia.org/akr

YAF on LinkedIn

Stay connected with the YAF leadership and all the young architects you meet at the convention, and get involved in group discussions. www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2066423

YAF on Twitter

Follow YAF on Twitter @AIAYAF

YAF on Facebook Become a Fan of AIA Young Architects Forum on Facebook.

Know Someone Who’s Not Getting The YAF Connection?

Don’t let them be out of the loop any longer. It’s easy for AIA members to sign up. Update your AIA member profile and add the Young Architects Forum under “Your Knowledge Communities.”

• Go to www.aia.org and sign in.

• Click on “For Members” link next to the AIA logo on top.

• Click on “Edit your personal information” on the left side under AIA members tab.

• Click “Your knowledge communities” under Your Account on the left • Add YAF.

CALL FOR ARTICLES

Would you like to submit articles for inclusion in an upcoming issue?

Contact the editor at deepika@belarquitexture.com.

AIA AMENDS CE REQUIREMENTS

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has amended its continuing education membership requirement to incorporate 12 hours of health, safety, and welfare (HSW) continuing education hours (CEHs). For details read Resolution 2011-01 at www.ncarb.org.

LETTERS

Reader comments from the University of Houston graduates from 2008 to 2011 with ages between 22 and 32 for the November issue of YAF Connection themed Collaborations.

I think it would be great to get it (Connection) online in more of a blog format that integrates with Facebook and Twitter. The articles would be searchable and it would be a more sustainable approach that would spread to a broader audience. Perhaps you could develop a YAF page through Architizer. ENYA (Emerging New York Architects) has an Architizer page started but they could do more with it:http:// www.architizer.com/en_us/firms/view/emerging‐new‐york‐ architects/2266/. A Facebook page would also be great if there is not one in place already. Articles and information could be released on a consistent basis that would strike the News Feed. We live in an age now where snippets of information are more enticing than publications. The bleak but honest reality of today's bloggy youth!

I find most of (the above) comments to be true. However, I like physically holding pamphlets, newsletters, etc. I find that I soak up more information from a newsletter when its in my hand rather than on a computer. It's so much easier to scroll down on a page than flip through a book, so I will ignore less and read more if it's 3D. With that said, I say keep the hardcopy newsletter.

I like everything about this publication, but I find it to be long. But this may be based on the number of times a year its published? There seems to be a lot of featured articles/articles of interest and each of them seem long themselves. I personally tend to read an article if its shorter and has pictures as I am stimulated visually and usually skip articles that have no pictures unless I find the title to be of great interest. I may be only of a select few that does this. I find news coverage and event coverage and facts and figures more useful to me than opinionated articles.

I completely agree with a more blog‐like interaction approach. I tend to take in lots of information from various sources at singular moments via RSS or similar feeds. Taking the time to sit through an entire publication is a bit daunting.

I am also not sure of the identity of the organization. I have a hard time understanding the approach to the word "Young". I see some graphics. Some articles aiming towards a younger crowd. But most images are terribly uninteresting and have an overly AIA feel. Not in a good way. Lots of old white guys in these pictures. Lots of pictures of people over 50. And those under are dressing like bankers! ties???

Where are the hipsters? Where are the H&M shoppers? The image on pg15 is a great example. Old white men talking. Young interns glued to their monitors. Empty memories of caffeine on the desk. How does this image help attract the audience? Why are the people writing from

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Indiana, Louisiana, and South Carolina? Where's NYC, LA, Boston, and Portland? Perhaps they are targeting the "heartland" of America, but there are more obvious places that have a good young market. And why are they founders of companies or people with 16 years of experience?

I'm just not sure if this justifies the "young." And the articles don't have to be 100% about direct architecture. What about the latest ipad/phone app that's useful to the field? There's tons of interests that we all share.

Tap into that. Break that AIA mold.

Overall I'd say it is interesting. Unfortunately, there are other journals that grab my limited attention a bit better.

Couldn’t have said it better… Well, as you said the term young needs to be redefined, also architecture. I feel that for our generation the career path is a bit broader than in the past. I have friends who have 2 or so years of experience [of course paired with an awesome education] and already have their own firms in NYC, struggling but doing really interesting stuff. That’s pretty young to me. Also, another question would be: is this publication addressing the Houston market, or does it attempt to be more comprehensive…

I think everyone's idea of having this in a blog format would be beneficial. I can tell you that it will take a long time before I get around to reading an attachment like this, but if I can subscribe to it in Google Reader, I'll at least peruse it every day.

Send your letters to the editor at deepika@belarquitexture.com.

THEMES FOR 2012 YAF CONNECTION

Issue 10.01 Issue 10.02 Issue 10.03 Issue 10.04 Issue 10.05 Issue 10.06

January March May July September November

Scale in Architecture Imagery in Architecture Design Expression Neighborhood Architecture Travel Green Building

2011 AIA YOUNG ARCHITECTS AWARD BOOK AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE

YAF has published a book as a compilation of the work and achievements of this year's AIA Young Architects Award winners. To order your copy, visit lulu.com and search "AIA 2011 Young Architects Award", or go to this link: www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/aia-2011-young-architects-award/10503669

YAF 20 SUMMIT

At the AIA Grassroots Conference of 2012, YAF will host the YAF 20 Summit to commemorate the 20 year anniversary and to set the goals for the upcoming years. The participants will include invited COF and AIA members, Young Architect Regional Directors, and YAF Advisory Committee (AdCom). Complete the survey leading up to the summit and you might win a trip to join the Summit in Washington DC! See details on page 20.

Brief Summary

This year the Young Architects Forum celebrates 20-years of serving Emerging Professionals at the development stages of their careers. In recognition of this milestone, leaders from all levels of the Architectural profession will gather for the YAF20 Summit to examine issues effecting young Architects today. Join us at Grassroots Conference for an interactive presentation detailing the outcomes identified during the YAF20 Summit. Nurturing Emerging Professionals is key to the long term future of the profession. Learn strategies for communicating and engaging Emerging Professionals in your component.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the importance of support for Emerging Professionals and how local components have developed programs to provide this support.

2. Learn about successful programs being implemented around the country to strengthen and support Emerging Professionals as they establish themselves in their careers.

3. Compare and contrast how Emerging Professionals view the challenges for the future.

4. Discover how to communicate and engage with Emerging Professionals in your component.

Full Program Abstract

“Young Architects” are defined as those licensed ten years or less. This demographic consists of more than 40% of all licensed, AIA members. This year the YAF celebrates its 20th anniversary.

In recognition of this milestone, the YAF Advisory Committee has organized the YAF 20 Summit, a Grassroots preconference session, to bring together leaders from all levels of the Architectural profession to reflect, learn and celebrate from 20 years of achievements of the YAF. The Summit will serve as a forum for attendees to engage in a dialogue about issues facing young Architects and the future of the profession. Some of the top issues include: mentoring, leadership, career advancement, work/life balance, public awareness and relevance of licensed Architects, collaboration and integrated practice, and the long term effects of the poor economy.

Our proposed Grassroots session will feature select YAF leaders who participated in the YAF 20 Summit. We will outline the top issues affecting young Architects and other key outcomes from the Summit. The presenters will then discuss best practices for support of young Architects and other Emerging Professionals.

We will also provide examples of programming and strategies for communicating and engaging Emerging Professionals at the local components. The dialog will continue with an interactive discussion between a moderator, presenters, and the audience.

05

Editor's Note SCALE IN ARCHITECTURE

By Deepika Padam, AIA Deepika Padam, AIA, LEED AP bd+c is the Communications Advisor for the National AIA Young Architects Forum. Brought up in India and a graduate of University of Michigan, she is a Senior Designer and Project Manager with Heller Manus Architects based in San Francisco, California.

WHAT HAS CAUGHT your attention lately? With information

districts, high rises, mixed-use complexes, corporate or commercial

overload from journals, books, blogs and social media, it can

buildings, and residential neighborhoods to single family homes. I

get challenging to filter objects of our interest. It gets easier

shuffled through the recent history of my blog in pursuit of what

when something catches your eye, jumps out at you. Personal

caught my eye in the year 2011. I was surprised to see a pattern in

preferences and subjectivity of design cause the variation in what

the scale of the projects that intrigued me. They are little jewels,

one might find to be ‘successful’ architecture. The question of

either set within nature or have a strong tie with landscape whence

purpose of architecture, and how the buildings serve the people

it is difficult to define whether they are interventions, architecture

and communities eventually drive the success as we delve deeper

or landscape architecture. My words may not do the justice, so to

into the varied approaches to design and construction. But there is

be concise I will get right into my favorite projects from 2011 and

something to be said of that one moment when something jumps

urge you to check them out. You might find yourself as much in love

at you as an outstanding project, a force that begs your attention

as me!

following that love at first sight.

I fall in love almost every day. I am sure a lot of us do without always realizing it. Our “type” may be different, but we are all lovers of architecture for sticking to the profession through thick and thin.

What defines your type? Do you have a type? Does size really matter?

As we pose the question of what catches one’s attention, the scale of projects may range from cities, urban parks, central business

Roadside Reststop Akkarvikodden Lofoten, Norway

By Manthey Kula Architects (via designboom.com)

Waldseilgarten Mountain Resort Pfronten, Bavaria in Germany

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 (via gizmag.com)

Dovecote Studio Snape, Suffolk, England

By Haworth Tompkins (via designrulz.com)

Ornithological Observatory Logro単o, Spain

By Manuel Fonseca Gallego (via landezine.com)

07

Banyan Drive Treehouse Los Angeles, CA

By Rockefeller Partners Architects (via architecture4us.com)

Marilyn Moyer Meditation Chapel Portland, OR

By EVA Architecture (via evapdx.com)

Sunken Pedestrian Bridge Netherlands

By RO & AD Architects (via inhabitat.com)

Seljord Lookout Points Bjørgeøyan, Seljord, Norway

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

By Rintala Eggertsson Architects (via architizer.com)

Rollercoaster Beijing, China

By Interval Architects (via architizer.com)

National Museum of the Marine Corps Quantico, Virginia

By Fentress Architects (via archdaily.com)

09

Perspective U N - C O M P E T I T I O N P R O J E C T : How to Start a Firm

By Marc Teer, AIA Marc is an architect at Gensler in Chicago, an Assistant Adjunct Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Founder of Black Spectacles- the world’s first online library of software courses designed exclusively for architects.

How to Start a Firm in our Generation’s Worst Economic Climate:

and designers all across the globe still want to go out on their own and

The Un-Competition Project

see their work realized. For so many of them, there are very few ways to get that first project, and frankly most young architects’ only idea

THERE IS A fantasy that is perpetuated as we come out of

for how to launch a practice is to win a design competition. I agree

school that suggests it is admirable, noble and possible to launch

with Charles Holland who recently wrote a popular blog post stating

a practice by winning design competitions. Many young architects

that competitions are “massively wasteful of your time and resources.”

and designers admire this direction because some of our most

(Fantastic Journal, September 1, 2010, Charles Holland, “Dear Other

highly celebrated architects have pursued this precise path- only to

Architects.” http://fantasticjournal.blogspot.com/2010/09/dear-other-

realize their work much later in their career.

architects.html) Perhaps even more troublesome is the vacuum that

This is backwards. Architects should instead start out by going into their own communities, searching for design problems to solve, and offering their solutions.

they create for the designer. Competitions create an environment

After up to six years in school and tens of thousands of dollars,

that is completely independent of the (wonderfully useful) messy constraints of making real architecture, and they rarely offer the designer any accountability for defining the design problem.

they are intended for working within a pre-defined project. There

Instead of pursuing design competitions, architects should be mining their own communities for design problems, getting to know their local leaders, and growing a real practice- with work constrained only by their imagination and their abilities to navigate the realities of realizing work.

are two important opportunities that are missed when we assume

This approach doesn’t only pertain to prospective young

architects are really well trained at identifying problems through their ability to think critically, and we are really good at coming up with compelling solutions to these problems. But the purpose of these skills is usually not for discovering design projects; instead

that these highly trained eyes are only for solving design problems.

practices. In fact more and more, I’ve realized that some of the

First, our communities lose out. If the only people looking for

architects and practices that I admire most have done just this to

design problems to solve in our communities are developers or

establish, grow or sustain their own practices. They don’t just sit

governmental organizations- our communities are losing out. So

around waiting for the phone to ring. Instead, they are hustling-

often, the project and all of its opportunities come to the architect

dreaming up new projects and not taking NO for an answer.

in a nice box with a note on it saying, “please make this box pretty.”

For example, I recently heard a story about Tadao Ando who

Most if not all of the opportunities to redefine/re-characterize the

tried to convince the mayor of Osaka to build an underground civic

project are gone. The truth is that identifying and defining a design

center that he had dreamt up- he and his staff would show up at

project is just as much of a design exercise as solving the design

the mayor’s office every week unannounced, trying to convince

project itself. Yet business and financial people are the ones who are

the mayor to build it. Similarly, in June, Architect ran an article on

out looking for “design opportunities,” and they rarely have design-

BIG that included a description of a mixed-use project that they

minded folks helping them search. If instead, architects are out in

invented and then pitched to the newly elected mayor to try to get

their communities identifying design problems that need solving,

it built. (Mark Lamster, “Up, up and away,” Architect Magazine, June

then we can have a much more profound impact on the built

20, 2011. http://www.architectmagazine.com/architects/up-up-and-

environment.

away.aspx) And in the early 90’s Rem Koolhas toured the country

Secondly, architects lose out. Everyone knows its hard to run

to promote his SMLXL book, noting that at the time there wasn’t

a practice these days, not to mention start one, but architects

enough work to support their firm, so they developed the book to

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 keep their firm afloat. It is this design-entrepreneurship that is inspiring yet rarely talked about in our profession.

all ages.

Following

the

Un-Competition

Project,

the

Chicago

So with the help and support of the Chicago Architectural

Architectural Club (CAC) is developing an event called “Build On:

Club, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and AIA Chicago, I

Inspiration and Knowledge for Making Entrepreneurial Ideas

developed and launched The Un-Competition Project to shine a

Happen.” The event will feature a description and announcement of

light on design entrepreneurs across the globe. It asks designers

the winners of the Un-Competition Project and as the centerpiece,

who have gone out into their communities, identified a design

the CAC will solicit members of the design community to bring their

problem, solved it, and figured out how to get it built to create a short

un-realized entrepreneurial ideas to the event for feedback and

documentary of their project. These projects will be considered by

discussion with the jury and audience, with the hope of inspiring

an international jury that includes architects and designers who

and enabling members of the architectural and design community

have founded their own firms: Gregg Pasquarelli (Shop Architects),

to make their ideas happen.

Mark Sexton (Krueck & Sexton), Mark Schendel (Studio Gang), Julie

Matias Coreo, IDEO Senior Designer Lawrence Abrahamson, and

In many ways The Un-Competition Project and Build On, are about celebrating architects and designers who are doing more than coming up with great ideas; they are acting upon them. Like Behance co-founder Scott Belsky writes, “Ideas

Cristiano Ceccato (Zaha Hadid Architects).

are worthless if you can’t make them happen.” (Scott Belsky, Making

Hacker (Stuart Cohen & Julie Hacker Architects), and Karla Sierralta & Brian Strawn (Strawn.Sierralta). It also includes Behance co-founder

Entries to The Un-Competition Project do not take the

Ideas Happen (London, Penguin, 2010), 8.) We need to change the

traditional form of physical or digital presentation boards, but are

mentality that architects should be honing their design skills in the

required to be two-minute video documentaries that are then

vacuum of ideas competitions. Instead, we need to get out into

posted to Black Spectacles’ Facebook page. The intent is to create

our communities and take action on our ideas- and as Bruce Mau

a collection of stories celebrating design entrepreneurship that can

recently put it- “get in the game.” (Bruce Mau, “You Can do Better,”

be shared among members of the design community and that will

Architect Magazine, January 3, 2011. http://www.architectmagazine.

provide inspiration and mentorship for architects and designers of

com/architects/you-can-do-better.aspx)

http://www.blackspectacles.com/?p=847

11

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Design

BIGELOW CHAPEL: United Theology Tw i n C i t i e s

Seminary

of

the

By Steven R. Dwyer, AIA Steven Dwyer, AIA, LEED AP is an Associate Vice-President at Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. (HGA) and practices as a Senior Project Designer focusing on work in arts, community and education. He has been an active member of AIA Minnesota’s Committee on Design and AIA MN's Architecture Minnesota.

THE BIGELOW CHAPEL answers the client’s request for spiritual

medieval cathedrals. Furthermore, we studied modern buildings for

space that could serve all faiths on this multi-denominational

insight, such as the beautiful use of light in Steven Holl’s Chapel of

campus. Clad in textured stone and infused with warm interior light,

St. Ignatius at Seattle University, among other spaces.

the chapel has become the architectural focus of an unassuming addition to offering a spiritual sanctuary for students and faculty,

Thinking beyond strictly Christian architectural solutions, the team sought to create a sense of spirituality through a trinity of qualities: intimacy, warmth, and light.

the chapel has reached out to the larger community as a “spiritual

We began to give structural forms to these three qualities through

invitation to worship,” according to the client’s request.

Building Information modeling. As with every project, we began our

campus that lacked a separate chapel throughout its history. In

Since its founding 44 years ago, the Theological Seminary of

design process in three dimensions, studying scale, context and form

the Twin Cities had occupied simple brick buildings on its small

through a series of models that become progressively more detailed

suburban Minneapolis campus. A classroom building, library,

as the design evolved. “Part of the process was to understand how

administration building and dormitory comprised the facilities

forms, shapes and massing related to the surrounding 1960s brick

for 225students representing a diversity of faiths. The seminary

buildings,” Joan says. Once we developed an exterior language

utilized a multipurpose room as its improvised chapel. When

that worked with the campus, we moved to an interior exploration

a former student donated $1 million for a new worship space,

through models to create a sense of intimacy and spirituality.

seminary president Wilson Yates initiated a fund-raising campaign

Early interior models suggested wrapping the sanctuary in

to complete a $3.1 million chapel that would add a new kind of

straight-edged wood panels to create an intimate scale. In further

experience to campus. He asked for a flexible, “spiritual” space that

modeling, the panels evolved into six curving forms that stretch up

would be warm, intimate and accommodating to different worship

and down the sanctuary’s interior glass curtain wall on the west side,

styles. “We wanted a chapel that would convey the transcendence,

across the ceiling and then to the other side. The curving panels

mystery, and power of God,” Yates said.

intimated a warmer interior character that helped diffuse light.

The 5,300 SF, single-story building, which connects to an

From modeling, we moved into a research and development

existing classroom building on a $3.1 million budget, includes a

phase with John Cook, who articulated how the building was

2,200 SF sanctuary with flexible seating, narthex, processional hall,

constructed. The wood panels, for instance, involved intensive

two gardens on the north and south end, a 42-foot bell tower and a

technical finesse to convert to reality. A single big-leaf maple log

chaplain’s office/mechanical wing.

from the Pacific Northwest provided the primary source. After

Under the design leadership of Joan Soranno we began the

researching the technical expertise of different mills, the team first

Bigelow Chapel design process through Research Immersion.

shipped the log to a German mill where it was peeled and sliced into

We sought to learn everything possible about the client, context,

1/32-inch-thick veneer strips. From there, the log went to another

history, and culture. We spent time on the campus talking with

mill in Indiana, where the strips were glued together. Finally, the

administrators, faculty, students, and community members. Our

team worked with a Minnesota-based millwork company to laminate

team (Soranno and me) did extensive research on the seminary’s

the strips within a sandwich of 1/8-inch-thick acrylic to protect the

primary affiliation, The United Church of Christ, as well as other

wood from degradation. Exterior material also involved extensive

denominations represented on campus. We also looked for

research and development. Soranno wanted the look of Italian

inspiration in other churches. We paid close attention to how the

stone, but knew the actual material would be costly. Instead, we

use of light and shadows created intimacy within the grandeur of

ordered 50 Italian stone pieces as samples for a prototype material.

13

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

They cast the samples into molds, and then developed additives and a color base to create 4,000 precast-concrete panels that resemble the original stone’s warm textures and nuances.

Clad in custom precast panels, the chapel sits horizontally on its site. A 42-foot-high bell tower at the south end creates a vertical counterpoint that meets the library’s height across a rolling lawn. A glass curtain wall, with a rhythmic pattern of vertical glass fins that recalls masonry fins on existing buildings, defines the western façade.

Inside the sanctuary, the translucent maple panels radiate warmth while the curving wood frame wraps visitors in a gentle embrace to create an intimate environment for reflection and prayer. The interior/exterior glass fins further diffuse light from the curtain wall and skylights, introducing a weightless quality. A processional hall, open to the sanctuary, spans the building’s length along the eastern side. Light streaming through clerestory windows further infuses the interior, while maple floors and quilted-maple ceiling panels reinforce the tranquil interior.

Because many visitors seek spiritual uplift in nature itself, we positioned two large windows within the sanctuary. A south window frames a meditation garden and a single muscle-wood tree, while a north window frames a white oak tree. The lawn between the chapel and library serves as a third garden.

“When guests walk through the chapel and suddenly get to the sanctuary, everyone becomes silent. They are truly touched or moved by the space itself. Inevitably they say, ‘this is truly a holy space. I could worship in this space.’”—Wilson Yates, President, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

All images by Paul Warchol. All renderings by Steven Dwyer.

15

dri DOCK ELEVATED FOUNDATION

The most ironic and most disheartening similarity between the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and the recent hurricane Ike is that the means and methods of constructing housing on the Island has changed very little during that century; even today, it remains largely assembled stick-by-stick.

▼

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1394 Square Feet

▼

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1106 Square Feet

University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture

Green Bulding Components

A NEW CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM for GULF COAST RECOVERY HOUSING and SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY of the

GALVESTON GREEN BUILD

▼

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 864 Square Feet

SHOTGUN

Utilizing pre-fabricated construction technologies, means and methods, including driDOCK ©, a proprietary elevated foundation system, the Galveston Green Build project functions as a kit-of-parts that, combined with local resources, can provide for efficient and economical construction of low-income housing … housing that can withstand the environmental conditions of

fig. 3a - CORNER OUTRIGGER A

fig. 3b - PANEL OUTRIGGER x 6” STUDS, WELDED ALL AROUND 1/2 x 1/2” 6” STUDS, WELDED-ALL-AROUND (4) DRILL-PT #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (4) #10 SHEETMTL SCREWS TRACK, PANELAND THRUSCREWS TRACK,THROUGH PANEL OUTRIGGER, OUT-RIGGER, AND INTO SUBFLOOR INTO SIP SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP PANEL, TYP.

5 1/2” WALL PANELTRACK TRACK LOCATION 5 1/2” WALL PANEL LOCATION 3 1/2” SUBFLOOR SIP SIP PANEL 3 1/2” SUB-FLOOR PANEL STUDS, WELDED ALL AROUND 1/2” 1/2” x 6”x 6” MTL STUDS, WELDED-ALLAROUND

5 1/2” WALL PANEL TRACK LOCATION

5 1/2” WALL PANEL TRACK LOCATION

11 GUSSET, GA GUSSETT, 3 1/2”xX331/2”, 1/2”, W/ GALVGALV. 11GA 3 1/2” w/ (3) 3/4” FILLET WELDSEA EACH (3) 3/4” FILLET WELD, LEGLEG.

(6) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS (6) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL THROUGH CORNERTRACK, OUTTHRUSCREWS CORNER OUTRIGGER, TRACK AND INTO WALL AND RIGGER, INTO WALL SIP PANEL, TYP

(6) #10 SHEETMTL SCREWS (6) DRILL-PT #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL PANEL OUT- AND THRUSCREWS PANEL THROUGH OUTRIGGER, TRACK, TRACK AND TYP INTO WALL INTO RIGGER, WALL SIP PANEL,

SIP PANEL, TYP.

SIP PANEL, TYP.

GA BRAKE METAL GALVGALV. 14GA14BRAKE MTL (4) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL

(4) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS THROUGH TRACK, SCREWS CORNER RIGGER, AND INTO SUBFLOOR THRUOUTCORNER OUTRIGGER, TRACK, PANEL, TYP. AND SIP INTO SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP (8) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (8) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS SCREWS THROUGH CORNER OUTTHRURIGGER, CORNER OUTRIGGER AND INTO INTO SUBFLOOR SIP PANEL, SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP TYP.

The driDOCK elevated foundation system, on the other hand, utilizes fiberglass pilings that are resistant to mold, rot, rust, and fire; are impervious to insects, pests, and destructive marine growth; do not corrode or leach harmful chemicals into the surroundings, so they are environmentally friendly; and they not only last a lifetime, but are virtually maintenance-free.

SUBFLOORSIP SIPPANEL PANEL 3 1/2”3 1/2” SUB-FLOOR

(8) DRILL-PT #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (8) #10 SHEETMTL SCREWS PANEL OUTTHRUSCREWS PANEL THROUGH OUTRIGGER AND INTO RIGGER, INTO SUBFLOOR SIP SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP PANEL, TYP. GA BRAKE METAL GALVGALV. 14GA14BRAKE MTL

PANEL OUT-RIGGER

The Galveston Green Build is a new construction system for elevated Gulf Coast housing, in times of recovery and otherwise.

Foundation pilings for housing in marine and coastal conditions have traditionally been composed of wood, steel, or concrete, but each of these materials prove ill-suited to the exposures to moisture, saline, and other coastal conditions.

For instance, wood pilings not only rot, but may contain harmful preservatives that leach into the water; steel pilings corrode by rusting which may also contaminate the water, harming the coastal ecologies unnecessarily. While reinforced concrete is robust and provides the most enduring foundation, moisture can permeate through the concrete to the internal rebar, causing corrosion, spalling the concrete away, and ultimately deteriorating the structural integrity of the piling.

CORNER OUT-RIGGER A

Galveston Green Build :

A New Paradigm in the Construction of Coastal Housing

STRUCTURAL INSULATED SUB-FLOOR PANEL

24’-0” TYPICAL

3

1.1 DRIVE FIBERGLASS PILES 1.2 LEVEL-CUT PILES

SIP BRIDGING

FOUNDATION

1 3.2 BRIDGE SUB-FLOOR PANELS BWTEEN LATERAL TIES AND CENTER SCAFFOLD SUPPORT 3.3 INSTALL WALL PANEL SUPPORTS AND OUTRIGGERS

WOOD PILE TIES PILING YOKE TIE

TEMPORARY SCAFFOLDING

1/2”1/2”x x6”6” STUDS, WELDED-ALL-AROUND STUDS, WELDED ALL AROUND x 6” STUDS, WELDED ALL AROUND 1/2” x 6”1/2” STUDS, WELDED-ALL-AROUND (3) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL SCREWS THROUGH CORNER OUTRIGGER, AND INTO SUBFLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP.

(8) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS (8) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL SCREWS THROUGH CENTRAL PANELAND THRU CENTRAL PANEL SUPPORT SUPPORT, AND INTO SIP INTO SUB-FLOOR SIPSUBFLOOR PANEL, TYP PANEL, TYP.

GALV. 14 GAMTL BRAKE METAL GALV 14GA BRAKE

2

JOINT BETWEEN SUB-FLOOR PANELS JOINT BETWEEN (2) (2) SUBFLOOR

GALV. 14 GA BRAKEMTL METAL GALV 14GA BRAKE

(8) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (8) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS SCREWS THROUGH CORNER OUTTHRU CORNER OUTRIGGER AND INTO RIGGER, INTO SUBFLOOR SIP SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP PANEL, TYP. (2) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (2) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS SCREWS THROUGH CORNER OUTTHRU CORNER OUTRIGGER AND INTO RIGGER, AND INTO SUBFLOOR SIP SUB-FLOOR SIP TYP. PANEL, TYP PANEL,

2.1 INSTALL LATERAL PILE TIES 2.2 ERECT SCAFFOLDING FOR PANEL CENTER SUPPORT

SLAB SUPPORTS

(8) #10 DRILL POINT SHEETMETAL (8) #10 DRILL-PT SHEETMTL SCREWS SCREWS THROUGH CENTRAL PANELAND THRU CENTRAL PANEL SUPPORT SUPPORT, AND INTO SUBFLOOR SIP INTO SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL, TYP PANEL, TYP.

fig. 3c - CENTRAL PANEL SUPPORT

3 1/2” SUBFLOOR SIP PANEL 3 1/2” SUB-FLOOR SIP PANEL

CORNER OUT-RIGGER B

3 1/2”SUB-FLOOR SUBFLOOR SIP 3 1/2” SIPPANEL PANEL

CENTRAL PANEL SUPPORT

PANELS

fig. 3d - CORNER OUTRIGGER B

▼ 4’-0” x 12’-0” Structural Insulated Panels, typical; as provided by Transcon Steel INSULATED FORMWORK BLOCKS WALL PANEL TRACKS

PANEL TYPE P2, TYP

4

3.1 INSTALL STRUCTURAL INSULATED SUB-FLOOR PANELS

4.1 INSTALL STRUCTURAL INSULATED WALL PANEL TRACKS 4.2 PLACE CNC-CUT POLYSTYRENE INSULATED FORMWORK BLOCKS ON SIP SUB-FLOOR

INSULATION

PANEL TYPE P1, TYP

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Construction

THE VENTURE-FUNDED PROFESSION

By Wyatt Frantom, AIA Wyatt Frantom, AIA, LEED AP served as the 2010-11 Texas Regional Liaison of the AIA Young Architects Forum. Wyatt resides in West Hollywood and is an Architectural Designer with Gensler LA while independently pursuing Fabricated Modular Building Systems and Applied Research in Design.

CREATING MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENGINES FOR INCUBATING NEXT

since before the ‘Machine Age’ (Theory and Design in the First

GENERATION SOLUTIONS

Machine Age, Reyner Banham). What may have first been put into

With world markets teetering towards potential penultimate

manifesto by Walter Gropius at his 1920s Bauhaus, was championed

upset, world banks finding themselves ironically ‘bankrupt’, the

by the likes of Charles and Ray Eames and Jean Prouve’, and has been

term ‘welfare state’ taking on new meaning as one country is

enthusiastically preached by most generations of architects since.

bailed-out and deficit-indebted to others, countries standing rife

But architectural students of recent years have seen the promise of

with unemployment, and movements like the Tea Party, Occupy

bringing concept-to-market firsthand through their own purchase

Wall Street, and Arab Spring serving as evidence of the growing

of reasonably-priced, mass-produced home implements; from

unrest in many cultures and countries… Throw into that mix recent

colanders to garlic presses, orange zest graters to toilet brushes all

(seemingly) globally-escalating natural disasters, and the Mayan

designed for ‘bigger’-box brand Target by architect Michael Graves.

mythos of counting-down towards absolute Armageddon on

Whatever the provocation in recent years, the premise of

December 21, 2012 becomes ever more convincing.

Regardless of what one may believe, however, one cannot deny

‘Intellectualizing Property’ for the built environment has never been more accepted as general rule by architects.

that we do, in fact, live in difficult times and times that are made all

One of the more dramatically successful recent ventures is

the more difficult by virtue of there being more of us living in them.

the University of Houston Green Building Components (UHGBC),

There are more than 7-billion human beings populating our planet;

an initiative within the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture.

and this alone increases our combined risk to the catastrophic

Yet, necessity truly is the mother of invention and in the

The mission of the Green Building Components program is to design, develop, and commercialize green building components and systems across architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) Industries, thereby increasing the presence of sustainable technology in the built environment.

realm of the built environment, need is pushing architects to

Dramatic because, since its inception two short years ago, the

engage in the world around us like never before. The increased

program has produced 20 market-ready products; a handful of

need for housing in general, not to mention disaster-relief and

which are already on shelves.

impacts of the natural disasters mentioned.

In these, among other ways, our mode of human living is unsustainable. As they say, we are ‘living outside of our means’.

low-income, is a dark reality of our profession today. The need for

As recipients of venture-capital and granted endowments,

habitation beyond lowest-common-denominator, code-stunted,

more academic programs like the UHGBC are beginning to function

and thought-fixed shelters is spurring invention into new building

commercially, offering an ideation process unlike any that could be

products, prompting innovation into fabrication technologies and

found in the industrial sector by taking unique advantage of the

construction techniques … and ultimately providing real solutions

multi-disciplinary synergies within the University setting. At the

to those very real needs.

University of Houston, that includes the Colleges of Technology, Engineering and Business; culminating in a process that folds

The University of Houston Green Building Components – Poised

architecture into marketing, industrial design and mercantile

to Re-Fabricate the Built Environment

manufacturing into business management. Under the formative

It’s been eight short years since the publication of refabricating

leadership of Joe Meppelink, director of the UHGBC, the program

ARCHITECTURE by Kieran-Timberlake, but then, the tenets of

has been generously supported by the Houston Endowment, the

democratizing good design has been the aspiration of architects

Meadows Foundation, as well as independent industries seeking a 17

▼

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1398 Square Feet

▼

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1344 Square Feet

▼

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1111 Square Feet

▼

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 1107 Square Feet

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 824 Square Feet

▼

2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, 816 Square Feet

▼

SIDE PORCH

GALVESTON GREEN BUILD

WIDE PORCH

The driDOCK elevated foundation system, much like the structural underbody of your automobile, serves as a chassis for a variety of potential architectural “makes and models”; literally providing the foundation for flexible floor plans and a design customized to your preferences.

ELEVATED FOUNDATION

{ } JUST ADD WATER

WOOD FORMWORK

5

FINISHED ELEVATED FOUNDATION

FORMWORK

5.1 INSTALL WOOD FORMWORK AND PERIMETER BRACING ▼ fig 6.1.1 CUT-AWAY PILING:

7

6.3.2 - PERIMETER SECTION

Reinforced Concrete Footing

5 1/2” TRANSCON STRUCTURAL INSULATED WALL PANEL

SCHEDULED SIDING 1/2” X 6” STUDS WOOD FORMWORK REMAINS AS PERMANENT PANEL BACKING AT WALLS POROUS DRAINAGE MEMBRANE

THE STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS ARE INHERENTLY LIGHT-WEIGHT AND SIZED IN ORDER TO BE MANAGED BY ONE PERSON

12GA STEEL

POURED CONCRETE

10” O.D. FIBERGLASS PEARSON PILING

11” EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE, R-55

#3 REBAR FOAM / STEEL DAM INSERTED IN PILINGS TO STOP CONCRETE FLOW

3 1/2” TRANSCON PANEL, R-16

ONCE SEATED IN THE WALL TRACK, THE PANELS ARE MANUALLY HOISTED TO VERTICAL AND ANCHORED WITHIN THE SLAB-TO-SILL “DOCKING” DEPTH THE PANELS ARE THEN JOINED IN PLANE BY A TOPTRACK FASTENING

▼ fig 5.1.1 CUT-AWAY PILING:

POURED, REINFORCED ELEVATED CONCRETE SLAB, DIAMOND POLISH FINISH

▼ Shaded “TAB” indicates depth of Wall Panel “Docking” to Foundation

3

8

3 6.1 POUR CONCRETE OVER POLYSTYRENE BLOCK FORMWORK 6.2 REMOVE WOOD FORMWORK AND RE-USE

WOOD FORMWORK CAN BE RE-USED AS PERMANENT WALL BACKING WHERE APPLICABLE AND/OR UP-CYCLED AS A FINISH MATERIAL IN THE UNIT

SLAB POUR

6 fig. 8a - INSTALL WALL PANELS

fig. 8b - INSTALL ROOF AND EAVE PANELS

PANEL ENCLOSURE

SCAFFOLDING CAN BE LEASED FOR USE IN SINGLE UNIT PRODUCTION OR PURCHASED FOR RE-USE IN MULTIPLE UNITS, AMORTIZING THE COST OVER VOLUME

driDOCK ©. All Rights Reserved: UHGBC, The University of Houston, Joe Meppelink, Wyatt Frantom, Juan de Leon.

Footing Sleeve w/ Insulated Formwork and Reinforcing

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 design-based approach to innovation through such a public-private partnership.

almost 25-percent of the city’s population, died.

Hurricane Ike made landfall in the same month, September,

These are partnerships that are becoming big business,

of 2008. While the Galveston Seawall protected the City from

such as the awarding of a $1.35 million contract from the City of

storm wave attack, the Island was flooded by a storm surge that

Houston for 17-units of one such UHGBC product, The SPACE (an

is reported to have reached 20-feet in some areas. Any loss of life

acronym for ‘Solar Powered Adaptive Containers for Everyone’)

would have been beyond measure, but more than 75-percent of

container. About a year-and-a-half ago, Meppelink’s research team

the structures in the community were damaged as a direct result of

and industry collaborators (Metalab, Harvest Moon Development,

the storm, leaving approximately 1,400 families displaced from their

ttweak), responded to and won an RFQ from the City of Houston

homes and from their livelihoods; and resulting in more than 29,000

for mobile solar generators for hurricane response. In the case of

requests for Individual Assistance from FEMA to rebuild. Hurricane

those purchased by the City of Houston, the SPACE containers

Ike had become the third costliest storm to ever make landfall in the

will serve in the emergency relief and recovery efforts of natural

United States.

disasters. “The next time we have a big power outage like those

Because of the extent of the damage, it had been estimated that

experienced during hurricane Ike,” states Meppelink, “the solar

a substantial number of homes required total rehabilitation in order

powered containers will be deployed around the city to provide

to be livable and, in many other cases, were abandoned outright.

off-grid, stable power for emergency medical supplies, emergency

The City of Galveston’s adopted International Residential Code

equipment, communications and so on.”

required that any residential structure sustaining damages in excess

“We view it as a mobile field office.” Meppelink adds, “ … with

of 50-percent of the building’s pre-disaster improvement value must

3.5-kilowatt photovoltaic arrays and battery storage, the SPACE

be razed or replaced; what would be, if fully enforced, a harsh blow

containers are about two to two-and-a-half times more powerful

to a city so defined by its historic and vernacular architecture.

than any solar generator we’ve seen with a comparable footprint.”

The most ironic, and more so disheartening, similarity between

And that’s the real invention of the SPACE container, an articulating

these two catastrophic storms is that the means and methodologies

racking system that allows the solar array to fold flat to a 16-inch

for constructing housing on the Island had changed very little

profile on top of the container, allowing it to pass under freeway

during the period between them. And the housing, currently being

bridge clearances. Given their portability, the SPACE containers

erected today, remains assembled largely as it was a century ago,

could be deployed by helicopter, crane-truck or a slide-off trailer

‘stick-by-stick’.

up-and-operating in 20 minutes. When not fulfilling their primary

To apply DriDOCK©, just add water.

function of relief and recovery, however, the SPACE containers serve

A year after Ike made landfall, in September of 2009, I joined the

the purpose of supporting neighborhood centers, fire stations, city

UHGBC initiative as a research assistant professor; having formerly

parks and Houston’s school districts.

served as a Design Studio Lecturer within the College and having

Products such as the SPACE container and other UHGBC projects (see more at www.uhgbc.org) are not defaulting to a check-

been invited to join the program by long-time friend and colleague, and UHGBC Director, Joe Meppelink.

the-box approach to developing and teaching sustainable design

That year, our research team (comprised of myself, Joe

but are developing the next generation of sustainable building

Meppelink, and student research assistant Juan de Leon) would

materials and components through solutions to real world issues.

work jointly to develop a housing prototype for the nearby island

And the student researchers participating in the projects are not only

of Galveston, in the context of a city that had hardly yet begun to

learning what it means to bring a product-to-market or managing

rebuild in the aftermath of Ike.

intellectual property, but are more importantly recognizing that

The Galveston Green Build project would also be largely based

engagement with the world-at-large is essential to truly provide for

upon the research and development of prefabricated housing

its needs.

systems that Joe and I had collaborated upon over the prior sixyears. Teaming up at times with other designers (Onezieme Mouton,

Galveston Green Build – A New Paradigm in the Construction of

Adam Janusz), that prior work had been physically prototyped,

Coastal Housing

exhibited, published, and ultimately garnered several awards;

In September of 1900, Galveston was in the eye of a hurricane

having been showcased in a number of home design iterations,

that is still considered the worst natural disaster in U.S. history when

including the FRAMEwork© house and the dogTROT©, with patent-

measured by human loss of life. In one night, 8,000 people, what was

pending building assembly components such as the SCREWjack©, 19

CLIPlock©, and SMARTframe© among others.

and destructive marine growth; and do not corrode or seep

What would be developed for the Galveston Green Build

harmful chemicals into the surroundings. The pilings are not

initiative was a new construction system for elevated Gulf Coast

only environmentally friendly in this regard, but virtually last a

housing, in times of recovery and otherwise. The concept of

maintenance-free lifetime.

elevated coastal housing wasn’t itself a paradigm shift, but the

While a vernacular appearance was given to the Galveston

use of pre-fabricated construction technologies and means and

Green Build prototype home, purposefully so, the system’s

methods in that area was. The Galveston Green Build system, non-

modularity allows each home to be customized with degrees of

traditionally, functions as a kit-of-parts that, combined with local

variation in overall footprint, floor plan configuration, and of course

resources, can provide for efficient and economical construction

in their architectural treatment. Much like the structural underbody

of low-income housingand housing that can withstand the distinct

of your automobile, the driDOCK© serves as a chassis for a variety

environmental conditions of the Gulf Coast. But the real invention

of potential architectural “makes and models”; literally providing the

of the ideation process was the driDOCK© system, a proprietary

foundation for a design customized to the owner’s preferences.

elevated foundation system.

The Galveston Green Build project utilizing the driDOCK©

Foundation pilings for housing in marine and coastal conditions

HAVE SOMETHING each of these materials have proven ill-suited to the exposure of TO SAY? moisture, saline, and other coastal conditions. For instance, wood

system has been permitted to construct a three-bedroom, two-bath,

have traditionally been composed of wood, steel, or concrete, but

1200 SF housing prototype in Galveston which will serve as both a

pilings not only rot, but may contain harmful preservatives that

relief efforts. As the recent benefactor of an independent land grant

leach into the water; steel pilings corrode by rusting which may

on the Island, the Galveston Green Build is now actively meeting

also contaminate the coast or water table within which it is placed,

with potential building partners in the effort towards realization.

model home and community resource center for assisting residents in obtaining one of these homes through the city and/or federal

WE’RE LISTENING concrete is robust and provides the most enduring foundation,

will remain faced with similarly challenging economic tribulations

moisture can with time permeate through the concrete to the

and tragic natural disasters to those experienced in recent years.

harming the coastal ecologies unnecessarily. While reinforced

TAKE AND LETthe USconcrete, KNOW internal rebar,OUR causingSURVEY corrosion, spalling-away andWHAT

So as we countdown through 2012 … I venture to say that we

YOU THINK of As REALLY other interpretations

the Mayan’s prophetic parables

ultimately deteriorating the structural integrity of the piling. suggest, a more optimistic turn of events may be predicted upon the Click here to complete the YAF survey for a chance to WIN A TRIP The driDOCK© elevated foundation system, on the other ‘end date’ … one of enlightenment. If nothing else, that’s something to join us at the YAF Summit in Washington DC on March 6 - 7! hand, utilizes fiberglass piling assemblies that are resistant worth believing in. to mold, rot, rust, and fire; are impervious to insects, pests,

YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? WE’RE LISTENING TAKE OUR SURVEY AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU REALLY THINK Click here to complete the YAF survey for a chance to WIN A TRIP to join us at the YAF Summit in Washington DC on March 6 - 7!

YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

21

Book Review

“SUCCESS

BY

DESIGN”

by Jenn Kennedy

By Alexander Lungershausen, AIA As a Senior Associate, Alexander Lungershausen, AIA covers all architectural needs at THA Architecture from project architecture and special office research to the assembly of Specifications. He is based in Portland, OR.

JENN KENNEDY’S BOOK “Success by Design” is a collection of

coversheet promises.

conversations with 25 California architects. It is a successful attempt

This is one of those books you wished you had when you

to open the practice of architecture to an interested audience,

started out in this profession. I would definitely recommend this

covering a lot of ground to bring the reader a taste of the breadth of

read to anyone who is playing with the idea of starting a practice

this profession. Personal images lead into the sections (Jenn is also

as it, beyond the aforementioned, also greatly alleviates the fears

a photographer), followed by text and a couple of pages of great

of the unknowns of running “the” business. It will give you plenty

and well-selected project imagery. Early career highlights show

of inspiring encouragement to follow your heart and to develop a

key moments of each architect’s professional development and are

business in this very competitive market.

intermingled with personal memories of how most of them found this art to be their true calling.

The reader will encounter architects that build in all sizes, from residences to skyscrapers, and who developed their niches within this wide profession ranging beyond building design from interior design and specialized consulting to urban design. Each architect offers unique advice on what it takes to grow your own business, and it is interesting to read how many ways there are to start a successful practice. In addition, the book offers creative advice on how to weather the economic downturns typical for this profession, as well as how to recession-proof your business locally and globally.

At times practitioners share why their offices failed and what their biggest mistakes were. The bottom line, and this reappears often, is that you need to get out there and make your own mistakes firsthand.

The tone throughout all interviews is positive and encouraging, which is great to see in a career where you can easily get lost. The people depicted here clearly tried their best to realize personal ability, which in the end has lead to success. More importantly, however, this book shows that success and happiness can be found in places often other than the pedestals of design leadership which we were teased with during our education. The recurring message is to truly look to identify who you really are, to accept your strengths, and to market these; and there are many ways to do this.

If I had to offer constructive criticism it would be that, at times, the sections read as a bit formulaic in the attempt to pack too much information into the available space. I also think that the content is much more interesting and engaging than the

Check out www.architectsuccess.com, for testimonials and some teasers as well as a link to a YouTube compilation which offers a great visual on three of the heroes of this great compilation.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Book Review

“SUCCESS

BY

DESIGN”

by Jenn Kennedy

By Brock Martinson Brock Martinson, LEED AP BD+C graduated from North Dakota State University with an M. Arch. and is a Project Manager for CSHQA Architects in Boise, Idaho.

“SUCCESS BY DESIGN, Revealing Profiles of California

Kennedy gives us several examples of firm leaders who have chosen

Architects” by Jenn Kennedy is a refreshing look at twenty-five (25)

to focus their attention on design while trusting the expertise of

architects who have successfully built thriving practices over the

their staff or partners in regards to their firm’s finances and business

course of the last several decades by focusing on their values and

management. Kennedy also shows us examples of the opposite type

strengths during market ups and downs. In a time when so much of

of firm in which the founding partner is a skilled businessperson but

what is reported regarding the profession of architecture is centered

recognizes the need to surround themselves with talented designers.

on high unemployment and sagging markets, Kennedy gives us a

Kennedy is able to illustrate the importance of recognizing that each

look at a group of architects who have pursued their passion and

of these components is necessary for a firm to be successful, but

succeeded. Throughout the book, Kennedy explores a range of

both criteria don’t need to be met by the same person.

factors that have led to the success of the individuals profiled;

Kennedy also delves into the methods of acquiring work

including the paths that each took to lead their firms, a discussion

that each firm employs, and again readers are presented with

of whether they possessed a business or a design focus, and a

a surprisingly consistent message. Community involvement,

wonderful presentation of diversity in age, gender, and experience

networking, reputation, and doing quality work are all recurrent

amongst the different firms.

themes that can be found in each profile. Kennedy is able to

Each profile begins with a description of the background and influences of the architect being profiled. The range of backgrounds

demonstrate the shared traits of these successful firms, regardless of the firm’s size or market focus.

presented illustrates there is no set path to leading a firm. For

Throughout the book, the diversity of firms and leaders that

example, Kennedy states that Art Gensler, the founder of the prolific

are profiled is particularly interesting. Kennedy has pulled together

firm bearing his name, knew from age five that he would be an

a collection of firms ranging in size from less than five people to

architect and will own his practice. On the other hand, Kennedy

several thousand. By presenting examples across the full gamut of

presents the story of Beverly Prior of Beverly Prior Architects, who

firms and firm leaders, Kennedy allows readers see what the shared

wasn’t immediately sold on architecture as a profession, but has

experiences and approaches are that have led to each individual’s

since built a successful practice of over twenty people. Kennedy

ascent.

shows us that for the group of individuals profiled, starting their own

One weakness of the book is the length of each profile leaves

firm wasn’t necessarily their childhood dream or lifelong goal, but

the reader wanting more. With only a handful of pages per architect,

in many cases grew out of recognizing market needs that weren’t

there are many details that the reader does not get to experience.

being fulfilled, or of a desire to design on their own terms. In each

However, Kennedy does do an excellent job of giving examples

case, regardless of what the motivation for starting their own firm,

of each firm’s work, both built and conceptual. This allows for an

the architects profiled emphasized the importance of focusing on

enlightening glimpse of the quality of work produced by each firm

their strengths in building their practices. This is a tangible lesson

and revealed a great deal about their values and sensibilities.

for anyone in today’s market considering starting a firm or trying to move up the leadership ranks at an existing firm.

While “Success by Design” is not intended to be a business primer, it does offer valuable insight into the experience and

Kennedy’s method of interviewing each architect is clearly

perspective of different firm leaders. Each profile paints a picture of

consistent. The architects profiled have been able to build sustainable

the struggles and successes that are inherent with firm ownership. It

practices by putting their energy into those activities that fit their

is a compelling book that is able to share valuable lessons on how to

skills and hiring or partnering with others who complement them.

build and maintain success in a firm of any size.

23

Featuring A I A G U L F S TAT E S R E G I O N

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Design C A P E R U S S E L L R E T R E A T, Sharps Chapel, Tennessee

By Brandon Frazier Pace, AIA Brandon Frazier Pace, AIA, LEED AP is a founding partner of Knoxville-based Sanders Pace Architecture. A graduate of University of Tennessee and Yale University, Brandon is an Adjunct Lecturer at Tennessee and has been a Teaching Fellow at Yale.

View of pavilion in early fall – the water is let down in the reservoir so it creates a rocky shoreline with water in the distance. Interior lighting spills through the openings within the cedar skin to give the pavilion a lantern effect.

Image Credit: Jeffrey Jacobs Photography 25

PANELS TO BE SHOP FABRICATED, TYP.

PANELS TO BE SHOP FABRICATED, TYP. PATTERN CONTINUES

PATTERN CONTINUES

TOP OF STEEL - +9’-9”

TOP OF STEEL - +9’-9”

2X6 BLEACHED SPRUCE ROOF JOIST

2X6 BLEACHED SPRUCE ROOF JOIST

RIPPED 2X6 BLEACHED CEDAR BLOCKING SUPPORTS ROOF JOIST

RIPPED 2X6 BLEACHED CEDAR BLOCKING SUPPORTS ROOF JOIST

2X6 BLEACHED SPRUCE CEILING JOIST

2X6 BLEACHED SPRUCE CEILING JOIST

2X4 BLEACHED CEDAR WALL PANEL MEMBER, TYP.

2X4 BLEACHED CEDAR WALL PANEL MEMBER, TYP.

RIPPED 2X6 BLEACHED CEDAR BLOCKING ALIGN W/ INTERIOR PANEL FACE

RIPPED 2X6 BLEACHED CEDAR BLOCKING ALIGN W/ INTERIOR PANEL FACE

2X6 FLOOR JOIST

2X6 FLOOR JOIST

TOP OF STEEL - +1’-3”

TOP OF STEEL - +1’-3”

View from Water. Image Credit: Brandon Pace PANEL 1

PANEL SYSTEM - INSTALLATION

PANEL 2

PANEL 3

PANEL SYSTEM - INSTALLATION

PANEL 4 PANEL 1

PANEL 2 CONTINUES PANEL 3 PATTERN

PANEL 4

PANEL SYSTEM - DETAILS

PATTERN CONTINUES

PANEL SYSTEM - DETAILS

ROOFTOP MOUNTED PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL

RAINWATER HARVESTING COLLECTION CISTERN BEYOND LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, STORAGE, AND AMENITIES UNIT

WEST ELEVATION

TRANSVERSE SECTION

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 IN 2008 A CLIENT (Suzanne Shelton and Corinne Nicolas)

the appropriate systems that would satisfy both the client’s

approached Sanders Pace Architecture with an interesting request.

functional requirements and our design goals. As these systems

We had recently worked with the client on the conversion of a

were developed, cost related spreadsheets were routinely updated

vacant downtown warehouse building into the corporate offices

and presented to our client in order to keep the project within

of her marketing group. She enlisted our help to assist her in

budget. In this way the value engineering process was absorbed

finding a lakefront piece of property for personal use. As the

into the design phase. As the design progressed, the intimate

home of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), east Tennessee

relationships formed between the design team and the construction

enjoys an abundance of beautiful lakefront property. The first

subcontractors, fabricators, and carpenters proved valuable as both

piece of property researched fulfilled an important requirement

groups were able to communicate regarding possible construction

that allowed the property owner to retain rights for development

hurdles and collaborate to reach design solutions. This approach

of the shoreline. TVA typically retains ownership of the first 20 feet

helped to fulfill a goal of completing the construction of the project

of elevation along most of their shorelines. So when this piece of

within a 6 week timeline.

property became available, the client made an offer hoping to soon

The finished pavilion consists of a lightweight 3x3 steel

build a vacation cabin for her and her family. As the recession took

frame fitted with steel tabs to accept wood framing members. A

a grip on the economy soon after purchase, the plans for the house

concrete core drill was used to create pockets within the rocky soil

were put on hold.

for concrete footings, thus keeping the site impact to a minimum.

A few months later the client contacted us again. Although

The skin consists of a series of 1’x10’ cedar panels backed with insect

she still wasn’t prepared to take on the house project, she wanted

screen. For ease of construction, these panels were fabricated off

to know if we would be interested in designing a structure at

site and hung from the wood framing members that extend from

the water’s edge, one which would serve as a staging area for

the steel frame. Smaller cedar members are inset and staggered

summertime activity. After careful research of TVA restrictions within

within full height members to give rigidity to the panels while still

a flood flowage easement we began the design process. While the

allowing for cross ventilation and required flowage through the

restrictions described something more akin to a pre-manufactured

structure in the event of flooding. These staggered panels lend a

gazebo, both Sanders Pace and our client saw an opportunity to

of enclosure. Our initial concepts proposed a small structure open

delicate pattern to the skin, camouflaging the pavilion within its densely wooded setting. Towards the water view, the cedar skin dissolves and becomes a series of screen panels allowing unobstructed views to the water and mountains beyond. A

on three sides with the fourth side serving to fulfill programmatic

single 8’x8’ sliding screen panel provides direct access to the water.

requirements including a sink, refrigerator, and ample lockable

A butterfly roof directs captured rainwater to a 400 gallon cistern

storage. As the president of a marketing group whose clients

located beside the structure, while an internal charcoal filter and

include some of the leading green energy and sustainable building groups in the world, our client saw this project as an opportunity to “practice what she preached.” She asked us to research systems which would allow the structure to function completely off the grid, with the capacity to collect and treat water while also collecting and storing the energy needed to power all systems and equipment within the structure. With

ultraviolet light treat the water for potable use. A single rooftop

our goals now clearly defined we faced a significant challenge – how

continuation of the client’s original plan for the site. In 2010 we were

to get a unique project like this built on a rural patch of land with

once again contacted by our client, this time for the design of the

limited access on a relatively modest budget.

house to be located on the same piece of property. Construction

do something more. Language within the restrictions limited the size of the structure while flowage requirements limited the extent

A small scale project with a high degree of complexity required a unique approach to design and construction. As the design

mounted 125 watt photovoltaic cell feeds power to batteries located within a secure storage locker. DC appliances and fixtures are fed directly by the battery while an inverter located within the storage locker allows for AC appliances such as a coffeemaker to be plugged in.

As it turns out, the completion of this initial project led to the

began in the Fall of 2011 with an anticipated completion date of Summer 2012.

progressed, fabricators and related consultants eventually became

Project Team:

extensions of the design team as we worked to resolve issues

Brandon F. Pace, AIA, LEED AP (Principal in Charge)

related to materials and assemblies. Similarly, rainwater harvesting

John L. Sanders, AIA, LEED AP

and solar energy subcontractors worked with us closely to develop

Michael A. Davis, LEED AP 27

ROOF ASSEMBLY KYNAR FINISH METAL ROOFING OVER 2X6 SPRUCE FRAMING RESTS UPON A STEEL TUBE FRAME. INTEGRATED GUTTER AND SCUPPER DIRECT WATER TO RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM. 1KW PHOTOVOLTAIC CELL ATTACHED TO ROOFTOP PROVIDES OFF-THE-GRID POWER TO THE STRUCTURE. WALL ASSEMBLY PERMEABLE 2X4 CEDAR SCREEN BACKED WITH INSECT SCREEN CREATES PRIVACY WHILE ALLOWING PASSIVE VENTILATION AND VIEWS TO THE SITE BEYOND.

SERVICE CORE CONTINUOUS WOOD COUNTER WITH BUILT-IN REFRIGERATOR AND SINK DOUBLES AS SLEEPING SURFACE. INTEGRATED STORAGE LOCKER CONCEALS PV BATTERIES AND PERSONAL ITEMS.

FLOOR ASSEMBLY 5/4 IPE DECKING WITH PENIFIN FINISH OVER 2X8 STRUCTURAL JOISTS ATTACHED TO CLIPS WELDED TO STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME.

STRUCTURAL STEEL FRAME 3” X 3” TUBE STEEL FRAME SET INTO SITE DRILLED AND CAST CONCRETE PIERS

RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM 400 GALLON CISTERN COLLECTS RAINWATER FUNNELLED FROM THE BUTTERFLY ROOF. WATER IS PUMPED AND TREATED WITH INTERNAL CARBON AND UV FILTERS FOR POTABLE USE.

Approach from Land. Image Credit: Brandon Pace

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

View from Water. Image Credit: Jeffrey Jacobs Photography

An approach view showing how it looks with the water at full elevation. the solid part is where the storage/kitchen module is located, it opens up on the two sides and the front. The adjacent land is owned by TVA so there will never be a construction project on the land you see beyond. Image Credit: Brandon Pace 29

Education Building. Image Credit: James Patterson

Courtyard. Image Credit: James Patterson

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Design COAHOMA COUNTY HIGHER EDUCATION

CENTER,

MS

By Brett G. Cupples, AIA Brett G. Cupples, AIA is an Associate at Duvall Decker Architects in Jackson, Mississippi with 15 years experience leading institutional, educational, commercial and residential teams as manager and architect. He is symposium coordinator for Mississippi Celebrates Architecture 2012 for AIA Mississippi.

A NEW PROJECT filled with possibilities is every design

The project consists of two phases for 14,800 square feet

professional’s desire. When I was offered the position of project

of renovation and 12,700 square feet of new construction. With

manager and designer for the Coahoma County Higher Education

a construction cost of $4.5 million phase one was completed in

Center, I eagerly embraced the responsibility. Having several years

2009. The existing campus at the edge of town had two disparate

of experience I was ready for the challenge as team leader on a

buildings around an imposing historical mansion, formerly home to

complex project with multiple clients, complicated renovations

the daughter of the city’s founder. The recently-renovated mansion,

and new construction, on a site laced with historical overtones.

which is both revered and loathed for its place in local cultural

The Coahoma County Higher Education Center is a satellite

history, sits on the highest point of the bluff. The two buildings to the

campus for special programs and non-traditional students located

side and rear of the mansion, a classroom building and gymnasium

in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a small Delta city known for its cultural

originally built for a catholic school, drop down two stories toward

and musical heritage. The facility serves as a community and

the delta.

educational center for the state of Mississippi with four users: Delta

To start the project the two existing buildings were fully

State University, Coahoma community College, the city of Clarksdale

evaluated.

The classroom building’s foundation and structural

and Coahoma County. The complex meets the varied needs of all

components had been compromised and it had to be replaced.

four entities, by including a 150-seat conference center, classrooms,

The gymnasium building, on the other hand, was stable with

distance learning facility, resource center, demonstration kitchen

no apparent structural deficiencies, but the envelope was to be

and administrative offices.

renovated to prepare for phase two interior renovations. Creating a

Mansion with Education Building Beyond. Image Credit: James Patterson 31

new campus that married well with the mansion’s historical context

Finding qualified subcontractors also proved taxing for the

was our challenge. For many reasons many new buildings that

contractor. Some could not meet the quality standards and some

attempt to emulate the historical aesthetic fail to achieve the richness of the original structures. This tends to devalue the stature of the historical structure. Therefore we decided that the new building should be contrasted as a respectful frame for the mansion – a progressive intervention deferring to the mansion but with an equal internal integrity.

just walked away. A qualified mason was eventually identified to

The client group was surprised by a contrasting design as

reports. As a result, the contractor eventually hired a qualified roofer

they had all assumed that any new building would resemble the

and replaced 9000 pounds of copper. Though three hours away, we

original. However, as we presented and developed the design the

visited the site often to protect the owner’s interest. The construction

client representatives became excited about the project’s planning

was not completed on schedule, but we still continued frequent site

and future possibilities. Even though the new building designs are

visits to ensure the project was constructed as designed.

complete the work. Additionally the first roofing Subcontractor used most of the copper in unacceptable installations: poorly folded material, incomplete flashing and joints and face-applied anchors were evident throughout. These failures and deficient work conditions were carefully identified by our team and detailed in field

modern, some became advocates for the project recognizing that

Yet, not everything about the process was trying. As a young

our planning enriched the site historical narrative. Though the

architect, I was surprised to find myself in the position of a teacher

building components were simple, the local economy and the lack

several times during the construction. We recognize in our firm

of contractors, subcontractors and labor in the area made it difficult

contractor was ultimately identified although the difficulties of

that the architect is becoming the keeper of knowledge; the tradesman’s craft is learned on the job and passed down from one generation to the next, while an architect’s knowledge is mostly learned from reference material. If we don’t know, we can usually seek and find the answer. Because we are observing

building in this remote part of the state still presented challenges

a decline in the way that construction craft is passed down to today’s

throughout the project. The site was demanding for the contractor,

tradesmen, we find ourselves in an interesting position of knowing

as the soil in this area is highly expansive clay which dictated the use

what should be, but not knowing exactly how to make it. Often

of reinforced concrete pilings and grade beams for the foundation.

we empowered the subcontractors to advance their capabilities

The new foundation steps two stories up the bluff, so the grade

by working with them to maintain a high level of expectation. In

beams were constructed in stages. This work occurred during the

almost every instance, that subcontractor’s craft and confidence in

winter months and Mississippi’s winters are wet. The contractor

his ability was elevated.

to award a construction contract. Achieving a successful bid in the poor Mississippi Delta economy required an extraordinary effort on the part of the architect to find bidders. A committed general

encountered many rainy days, which, coupled with the lack of skilled labor, caused many delays in this phase of the project.

The result is a successful project where the owner’s expectations are met or exceeded and the tradesmen can carry forward the pride

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

Bridge Overlooks Courtyard with Views in Both Directions along Bluff. Image Credit: James Patterson

of their achievement. The new classroom building that replaced the compromised structure is aligned with the city grid to link the campus with the community. The renovated and new buildings are knit together with bridges and outdoor walkways that celebrate the bluff and create a center courtyard. An amphitheater formed along the bluff and between the existing and new buildings mirrors an outdoor stage at the Blues Museum, which is located at the end of a main city street directly across town. The new public courtyard creates a performance and gathering space for the campus and the city’s special festivals and events. In a landscape with very little change of elevation, the project gives the bluff prominence.

The historic and new components of the campus come together through careful site planning, complementary shapes and materials, and engaging indoor and outdoor spaces. In 2011, the project

Conference Center with Mansion Beyond. Image Credit: James Patterson

received a Merit Award from the Mississippi Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Honor Award from the Brick Industry Southeast Region.

33

Design L.B. LANDRY HIGH SCHOOL, New Orleans

By Amanda Rivera, AIA and Jenny Pelc, AIA Amanda Rivera, AIA, LEED AP and Jenny Pelc, AIA, LEED AP are licensed architects with Eskew+Dumez+Ripple in New Orleans. Outside the work environment, Amanda serves as Area Coordinator for Architecture for Humanity, while Jenny serves as an IDP Auxiliary Coordinator and a resource for emerging professionals.

IN THE FIRST few years after the devastating Hurricanes of 2005

The programmatic needs of a high school operation were just

hit the Gulf Coast, the core concerns in New Orleans were of failing

a portion of this facility which also sought to provide community

levees, reduced population, and increased crime. The city certainly

benefits to the surrounding neighborhood. The school includes

has changed from the one we knew before 2005. We have new

a 650-seat auditorium, two gymnasiums, media and vocational

challenges, and we have been forced to look some of the older,

technology labs, and a large library. In addition, the first floor of an

more rooted challenges squarely in the eyes – such as educational

entire wing of the facility is a school-based health center which was

shortcomings, racial segregation, and deep, political corruption. But

funded by a grant from the Louisiana Public Health Institute. L.B.

with all of these challenges come new opportunities for those of us

Landry performs double duty as a community center with isolated

in the design community. The residents who are here now may not

public entrances to the gymnasium, health clinic and media centers.

represent the masses of the past, but those who are here now are

The institution also provides educational facilities for vocational

here because they deliberately choose to be. The attitude of those

trades such as welding, masonry, cosmetology, set design, sculpting,

who continue to reside in the New Orleans is characterized by obstinate determination, dedication to our future, unwavering pride for our rich culture, and an undeniable understanding that change is necessary. We want to see this

culinary arts, special education as well as general life skills. In a low-

city resurrected because it is our home – whether a more recently

room. With all of these unique components it was imperative that

acquired home or one we have resided in for many years.

our team understand the complexities required by each of these

income neighborhood, like much of Algiers, these opportunities were critical to the program and critical to the future of New Orleans.

The athletic wing houses a weight room, training room and dance

One of the most tide-shifting changes has occurred

specialized spaces. Among our consultants, the team coordinated

within the New Orleans school system. In the Summer of 2007,

with an acoustician to properly design the auditorium, classrooms,

Eskew+Dumez+Ripple was presented with the opportunity to

band room and choir rooms.

design one of the five new schools as part of the Louisiana Recovery

technically complex design challenge represented a tremendous

School District's (RSD) “Quick Start” program. The L.B. Landry High

opportunity for the young team at our studio to quickly grow

School site represented a much needed 900-student facility for

professionally.

an historic, but somewhat struggling, neighborhood that would benefit from the integrated community features.

Such a programmatically and

A priority of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, as well as the Recovery School District, was to provide this infrastructure in an appropriate

As one can imagine, in a city that lost a significant portion of

and environmentally responsible way. The benefits of sustainable

their public institutions and services in a matter of 48 hours, design

design goals in schools are well understood – improved academic

and construction schedules were extraordinarily ambitious. Under

performance, reduced sick days for teachers and students, faculty

the direction of the firm’s principals, our energetic team of budding

retention, and student education. For a school previously referred

architects and designers quickly began work to design and bid the

to as "academically unacceptable" by the State before the storm,

project in a nine month period. At a macro level, our young team was

these sustainable efforts were critical to bringing this school back

exposed to the process of design and the art of developing design

on-line in a way that was both meaningful and productive to the

priorities imposed by an unyielding deadline. At a more micro level,

future generations it would serve.

the political dynamics of an RSD development in an ever-recovering

We developed this 210,000 square foot facility to achieve LEED

city presented a quick tutorial in high risk projects as well as

for Schools Silver Certification, which is anticipated to have been

significant client and regulatory agency communication.

attained by the time this story runs. Solar panels at the roof level

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

35

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

All images courtesy of Eskew+Dumez+Ripple

heat water for use inside. Solar Tubes provide tunneled sunlight

States. At a time when so many of us and our treasured neighbors

into the two gymnasiums, reducing the use of artificial lighting. All windows are designed to maximize sunlight, some with light shelves, and are positioned appropriately depending on their location in the building relative to their solar exposure. The building uses very little electricity and has

lost significant aspects of their lives, our team was honored to

been proven to date to be right on target with the anticipated energy

which collects rainwater and directs it to the surrounding native

Of the 13 architectural design team members assigned to this project, seven were, or still are, undergoing the ARE process. This rapid timeline and the significant number of hours required to execute the assignment created an opportunity for accelerated experience accumulation and allowed several team members to finish their licensure exams shortly thereafter. Truly a hotbed for learning and professional

landscape where it provides irrigation.

growth – as cited by research published in Forbes Magazine, The

consumption goals. With the assistance of motion sensors, interior light levels are automatically adjusted according to the amount of natural light. All classrooms have sufficient luminance without the use of artificial lighting. Also, a supplemental grant from Global Green allowed for a 20,000-gallon underground water storage tank

take such an active role in filling a major void for this particular community. L.B. Landry High School represents the positive results of collaboration and community resiliency that emerged from a national tragedy.

Upon completion of construction, this facility was warmly

New York Times, and others - living in New Orleans during such an

received by the neighbors who immediately accepted it as “their�

intense period of design and construction has significantly altered

facility. Anyone who has been to New Orleans knows that it is the

the career paths of these individuals. Many of us will be forever

people who make our city unique among others in the United

grateful.

37

Design HONGQIAO INTERNATIONAL M E D I C A L C I T Y, S h a n g h a i

By Brent Hughes, AIA Brent Hughes, AIA, LEED AP is an architect in Gresham, Smith and Partners’ healthcare design studio at Nashville. His leadership and passion for healthcare design has elevated GS&P’s industry position in international healthcare markets, sustainable design practices, and patient safe design principles.

IN THE SUMMER of 2009, Gresham, Smith and Partners was

the entire medical city was designed with a consistent architectural

invited to participate in a master planning design competition for

aesthetic. Even with this established style, each facility was

a first-of-its-kind healthcare campus in one of the world’s busiest

uniquely articulated to provide enough differentiation to make

cities. GS&P’s team of architects, planners, and engineers spent two

each destination distinct in order to enhance a patient-friendly

intense months designing the winning entry.

environment through intuitive wayfinding. The campus is further

edge technology. Second, the medical city campus was designed

organized to minimize the institutional feel that is associated with most healthcare facilities by creating a park-like setting that can be enjoyed by patients, visitors, hospital staff, and the nearby occupants of large commercial and residential blocks.

to be a civic landmark within the rapidly-growing city of Shanghai.

The size and scope of the campus is scaled to meet the growing

Finally, there was an emphasis on a sustainable design that would

needs of Shanghai. Because the medical city is expected to grow

minimize environmental impact for the new healthcare campus.

quickly, the design team developed a phased approach for the entire

There were three goals for the master plan competition that shaped the design for the new medical city. First, the innovative healthcare campus aimed to showcase China’s future healthcare delivery system highlighted in part by their commitment to cutting-

site with expected completion over the next ten years. Designing International Healthcare Showcase Outlined in the competition criteria, the primary objective

for the future ensures the goals determined by the design team are maintained throughout the development of the site.

of the new medical city was to create a landmark, first-of-its-kind project that would be used as a new healthcare precedent for China

Innovative Sustainable Design Strategies

and the rest of the world. The Hongqiao International Medical

To support the medical campus’ goal of establishing a healthy

City will encompass more than five million square feet of space

and safe environment, the design of the Hongqiao International

and will include over 3,000 inpatient beds. Three different acute

Medical City incorporated multiple sustainable and green building

care facilities were brought together in order to share resources

philosophies. By integrating technology, building systems, water

and synergy. Smaller centers of excellence were created to attract

conservation, energy recovery, energy production and management

world renowned Western healthcare providers looking to establish

of the campus waste stream it is possible to reduce the medical

themselves in Asia.

city’s carbon footprint well below that of a conventional healthcare

In order to maximize cutting-edge but often costly diagnostic

campus.

and treatment equipment, a shared support facility was planned for

An enhanced building envelope, planted roofs, and high

the core of the new campus. Inpatient and outpatient facilities

efficiency mechanical equipment will offset almost half of the

ring this core support facility, and bridged connectors span from hospital to hospital allowing the public access to amenities and specialty functions. Subterranean links allow staff members to move patients between shared modalities that are located below large open public plazas.

building’s carbon footprint. A double skin façade consisting of two glazed skins, with solar shading devices within the cavity, provides a higher insulating value for the exterior envelope thus mitigating solar gain and decreasing cooling loads while allowing for natural ventilation. Planted roofs, in addition to contributing to the campus’ park-like setting, will aid in building insulation systems as well

Civic Landmark

as storm water management, and the heat recovery mechanical

In an effort to create the landmark the city of Shanghai desired,

equipment will also reduce the new hospital’s mechanical demands.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

39

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

41

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

Additional sustainable strategies include maximizing day lighting, total energy co-generation, geothermal heat exchangers, solar collection and a campus-wide bio-mass system. These systems will not only allow the medical city to conserve energy but also allow them to produce energy by diverting waste systems. These strategies will help close the process loops already in place on the campus and will result in a 95-percent carbon reduction.

These green design techniques coupled with the architectural aesthetic of a healthcare oasis will help establish the Hongqiao International Medical City as a sought after destination for innovative and transformative care that caters to the healthcare needs of international clientele and the local community.

Project Team:

All images courtesy of Gresham, Smith and Partners

Principal-In-Charge

Kevin Kim, AIA

Project Designers

Jeffery Kuhnhenn, AIA, Gregory Wieland, AIA

Project Architect

Brent Hughes, AIA

Project Coordinator

Claire Wallace, Assoc AIA

Project Engineer

David McMullin, PE 43

Design GREEN FOREST MIDDLE S C H O O L , Green Forest, AR

By Chris Baribeau, AIA Chris Baribeau, AIA is a principal at Modus Studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Prior to opening his own architectural practice, Chris worked in the office of Marlon Blackwell Architect. Chris is the recipient of the 2011 AIA Arkansas Emerging Professional Award.

The Green Forest Middle School is a modern, two-story educational building located in the small agricultural community of Green Forest, Arkansas. The 29,014 square foot building acts as both a hub and backdrop for students and the inhabitants of the greater community by defining a landscaped plaza in the heart of the campus. Modern façade articulation of metal panel and concrete block re-imagines the use of durable, lowmaintenance, and cost effective materials that are common to school construction. Powerful architectural elements define entry, inspire movement through the building, and contain key educational components in a fun, practical and sustainable way. The design is resolved through the use of economical and intelligent materials combined to enrich the existing campus through the interaction of people, space, form, and color—both internally and externally.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

45

Project Team: Josh Siebert, Assoc. AIA

Chris M. Baribeau, AIA

Chris M. Lankford

Austin L. Chatelain, Assoc. AIA

Julie K. Chambers, AIA

Leanne R. Baribeau, AIA

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

RESTING IN A wide valley among the Ozark Mountains, this

projected box becomes a deep window seat suitable for students to

new two-story middle school is located in the small agricultural

engage with the books around them. Economically sized classrooms

community of Green Forest, Arkansas. Upon initial evaluation of the

with custom millwork and large windows for daylight and fresh air

proposed site the design team recognized the importance of the

flank the wide corridors of the first and second floors. Custom steel

existing central green space to the campus as a common area, used

lintels with room numbers mark the threshold of each learning

often throughout the day as a gathering place for middle school

space. The north end of the second floor corridor resolves into

and high school students during lunch, and before and after school.

another projected window seat box and provides a respite from the

Furthermore, it is a transitional space consistently traversed by all

busy hallway and secondary stair.

students and members of the community as it is the access to the

The Special education learning component of the new school

campus football field and acts as a plaza for the old CWA gymnasium,

is located on the northeast corner. This area has its own garden,

art and music, cafeteria, and agricultural buildings on the campus.

covered porch entry and services providing a private, safe, and

In the early master planning stages the school's desire to fill in

comfortable atmosphere for the practical applications of teaching

the entire green space with a one-story classroom building, which

daily resource classes. This element is also conceived as a projected

would have eliminated the central outdoor space of the campus,

box, providing spatial relief to the eastern façade that is adjacent

was averted by proposing a modern two-story building capable of

to the football field and acts as a compositional balance for the

preserving two-thirds of the available exterior space as a student

structure.

commons and community plaza.

The sustainable design was

As a building located in the geographic center of the campus,

executed through the use of economical and intelligent materials

all elevations are carefully composed with the play of concrete block

combined to enrich the existing campus through the interaction of

and metal panel to dynamically address each approach. These

people, space, form, and color—both internally and externally.

durable, low-maintenance materials are common to economical

The western façade of the building addresses the primary

school construction, but are creatively used to provide a unique

approach. The structure is a poignant new presence in the

design aesthetic. As a base material the standard-sized, sandblasted,

newly defined plaza space, poised to receive students and visitors under the 16 foot high cantilever of the white standing seam roof that acts as a unifying shell over the entire building.

stack-bond concrete block is used instead of split-face block, which is

This covered zone is an event space serving the school and the

the landscaped gathering spaces around the building. The standing

greater community. The landscaped plaza uses native plantings to

seam shed roof of the building channels all water to the east side

define a functioning rain garden and the organically constructed

in continuation with the natural hydrology of the site while also

alumni garden that contains the relics of carved concrete pavers

providing a compositional shell embracing the main volume of the

with signatures from the early graduates of the public school

new structure.

system. A new processional sidewalk leads to the building entry,

The context of the greater campus was also addressed in terms of aesthetics and safety as the project includes development of a new pedestrian plaza connecting the middle school and high school across the primary street of Philips avenue. Prior to the new design, the street was shut down

marked by the cantilevered library box clad in red metal panel, the school’s signature color.

Inside the main entry is a spacious atrium with a floating stair and a large skylight above creates a pivotal location of light and movement as the primary hub of circulation. The vertical red wall of the elevator is a beacon, emphasizing the signature color as the catalyst for activity. The exposed structure of the building reveals the bones as an innate educational component and provides more relief of volume in the entry and reception areas as well as the corridors connecting the individual classrooms.

the most typical material for school construction. This smooth block keeps the building friendly to students and other users occupying

from all vehicular access during school hours. The new street design carefully controls vehicular movement speed, maximizes circulation for parking and bus loading and creates a tree-lined boulevard to beautify the primary school zone.

The Green Forest Public Schools receive monetary support from the state department of education and with our management and shepherding of the project, maximum state support was secured by

Upstairs, the library and circulation spaces open to the entry

meeting and exceeding the state requirements while holding on to

below. Floating above the entry with the outward projection of

the belief that educational space should and can be inspirational

a pop-out window box is the library, conceived as a transparent

through good design.

platform overlooking the plaza and high school to the west. The

All images by Rett Peek 47

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Design MEMPHIS VETERINARY SPECIALISTS FACILITY

By Matt Seltzer, AIA Matt Seltzer, AIA is an architect with archimania in Memphis, Tennessee. He works with collaborative design teams that practice on a broad range of project types and scales. He holds Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Architecture degrees from Rice University, and has worked in Houston and Philadelphia.

THE PROJECT IS a freestanding 18,500 square foot building for

planning to detailing.

Memphis Veterinary Specialists (MVS). Design began in March, 2010 and the building was completed in June, 2011. The construction

How was your firm selected for the project?

budget was $3.2 million, which amounted to less than $175 per

For the MVS project, the owner originally hired a couple of

square foot. MVS is a referral-based veterinary practice with expertise

other architects, who had each proposed schematic concepts.

in emergency surgery, exotic animals, orthopedics, oncology,

They decided not to move forward with those proposals, and then

dermatology, dentistry, and diagnostic treatment. The facility was

interviewed another round of architects, including us. The interview

required to provide 24-7 treatment and care for the animal patients

process was very intensive. Rather than a single meeting, the owner’s

with design considerations similar to that of a human hospital within

team of 3-4 people met with us and other firms 3-4 times over the

a smaller footprint., The program included spaces for treatment,

course of a couple weeks. They were very intent upon a time frame,

surgery, specialty procedure rooms, recovery, and intensive care

and had extremely fixed notions of the program and the layout of

areas, as well as a full range of diagnostic capability is provided

the spaces. It wasn’t a typical project where we needed to do a great

onsite, including a pharmacy/laboratory, ultrasound, endoscopy,

deal of programming and predesign work. Rather, the clients had

radiology, and CT imaging.

been dreaming of the project for a long time, and were very precise with their thoughts on workflow, detailing, and materials. The Lead

and opportunities. Maybe it’s better to just describe the process

Surgeon had taken a recent vacation and ‘relaxed’ by drawing upper and lower floor plans of the building, in addition to developing a schematic 3D model of the building. We said we’d

than to call it a philosophy. We start by digging into a client’s

be able to base the design on their concepts and schedule, and they

business or lifestyle through a meeting we call a visioning charrette.

hired us.

How would you describe your firm’s design philosophy?

Trust the design process. Take each project on its own merits

It’s conducted a lot like a “squatting” programming exercise that CRS (now a part of HOK) perfected in the 60’s, but we look for different

What was your process for arriving at the design concept?

data. We camp out with the clients holding an intensive discussion

We started by focusing on the plan aspects of the building.

that lasts anywhere from a half day to three days. We don’t really talk

We don’t always do this, but we knew that if we didn’t show the

about materials or square footage; we talk about routines, stories,

owner how their spaces fit on the site, and how they related with

business goals and ideals – really soft stuff about the client that may

one another, we’d never progress to discussions about materials,

be invisible or not readily apparent.

sectional issues, or other details. Although the site was a “flag”

After the visioning charrette, we combine the information we

lot with many trees along a drainage creek, there were multiple

gathered with site and program research and have a discussion. The

easements and setbacks that reduced the buildable area of the lot

project team gathers around a table with all this raw data on it and

significantly. This area made a triangular-shaped trapezoid, with an

identifies what’s important about the project. Then we prioritize

arc for one side. The plan drawn by the Owner showed a treatment/

strategies that connect all the important issues and create a concept

surgery area at its core, encircled with circulation and specialized

with options, or multiple concepts. We critically evaluate the options

treatment areas. We took the buildable area on the site, and placed

as a group and usually with the client and develop a concept to

the treatment area at its core. Then we wrapped a single-loaded

advance. The goal is to take the concept and strategies for each

corridor and room module around the treatment room, which came

project and use them to guide decision making processes from site

close to generating a triangular volume. We thought – why not?

49

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

The partial second floor allowed us to bring light in through roof

chemicals used in surgery, and pet hair on the flooring, wall, and

monitors to the areas that did not have exterior windows, so the

even ceiling materials. The Owner group self-built mock-ups and

triangle worked. The concept grew out of a series of pragmatic

tested materials in their existing clinic. The coordination of materials

responses to the realities of the site and the program.

and textures also had to hold up aesthetically while meeting the budget, but the Owner didn’t approve anything without a healthy

Was the client immediately receptive to the design?

dose of due diligence.

The owner approved the basic arrangement of spaces fairly quickly as the spaces were organized using the plan the owner had

Describe your personal experience on this project.

developed while on vacation. The plans were revised to respond to

When we landed the job, and created the in-house project team,

critical clearance and circulation issues relative to equipment and

we had a group of people that doesn’t get to work together very

procedures, but remained faithful to our original schematic plans.

often. The team had chemistry, and we had a good time working on

We discussed material options with the owner continuously

it together. Collaborating to make something better than you

throughout the design process. They were interested in a gritty,

ever cold have made it individually is one of the reasons I love practicing architecture.

visceral exterior, and had very exact requirements for the interior finishes, due to the nature of their work. We proposed a few strategies for the exterior materials: a couple options with very taut

What lessons did you take from this process?

glass and metal skins, each with a mixture of weathering and non-

We’d all agree that the harder we as architects work on a

weathering finishes, and a version with smooth concrete panels

project, the better the outcome. We found that the owner’s efforts

with metal and glass infill for the first floor spaces, and a cor-ten

and commitment to the project accelerated the schedule, and

steel wrapped upper portion of the building. The owner loved

improved both the design and the building. The Owner/Architect

the concrete and cor-ten option and approved it with very little

team integrated well and pushed each other. We can’t wait to find

discussion. In addition to satisfying the client’s desire for the look

another client willing to work that hard on a project.

and feel of the building, it responded to the site, and had an impact

Project Team:

from the street upon approach.

Andrew Parks; Barry Yoakum, FAIA; Christopher McRae; David Pang; Edith Tinker; Greg Price;

Aside from the routine sustainability and design review we use for materials, all the interior finishes had to be subjected to what became known as the “test.” This involved putting urine, feces, blood,

Kayce Williford, Associate AIA; Matt Seltzer, AIA; Scott Guidry, CSI; Stephanie Wexler-Malone, IIDA; Susan Dalhoff; Tim Michael, AIA; Todd Steele, Associate AIA; Todd Walker, FAIA All images by © Jeffrey Jacobs Photography. All drawings by archimania.

51

Featuring AIA OHIO VALLEY REGION

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Event

AIA OVR UNCONVENTION 2011

By Brian McAlexander, Associate AIA and Gregory M. Spon, Associate AIA Brian McAlexander, Associate AIA is the current AIA Ohio Valley Regional Associate Director and sits on the National Associates Committee (NAC). Gregory M. Spon, Associate AIA is the current AIA Ohio Associate Director and 2012 -2013 AIA Ohio Valley Regional Associate Director and will serve on the NAC.

THE UNCONVENTION BEGAN with a simple premise: “get Emerging Professionals to convention.” First, our Unconvention team

an architectural code consulting firm with offices in Cincinnati, Ohio and Berkeley, California.

brainstormed possible reasons why they would not attend. These

• Hal Munger, FAIA who has a long history of service to the AIA,

reasons ranged from personal to educational interests: time away

including a term as National Treasurer, Ohio Valley Region

from work and home, cost of registration, cost of stay, transportation

Director, AIA Ohio President and AIA Toledo President.

means, and relevant programming. Then, we developed solutions to each possible issue.

The discussion ranged from the success and disappointments of running one’s own firm to handling your career during a deep

We scheduled the event for a Friday & Saturday keeping the

recession. One panelist offered a key insight to fellowship stating,

time away from the office to just one day and giving up one day of

AIA Trust. Kaplan and NCARB provided in-kind donations with two

"You don't start your career in architecture seeking fellowship.

If you do what you love and stay dedicated to the profession it will naturally happen. Someone from the College of Fellows will put their hand on your shoulder and sponsor you." This

complete ARE learning systems and five ARE vouchers. AIA Ohio, AIA

session was a great opportunity for emerging professionals to rub

Kentucky, and AIA Indiana provided funding as well. We sent out a

elbows and engage seasoned professionals in a warm, friendly and

survey asking what topics were of interest to Emerging Professionals

close atmosphere.

the weekend. To address costs we applied for and won grants from the AIA College of Fellows Emerging Professionals Grant and the

(EPs) and developed programming around survey results.

Having the Convention and Unconvention together allowed us

After Friday morning's Convention Keynote by De Leon &

to have nine reviewers for the Speed Portfolio Review. These were

Primmer, the Unconvention kicked off with “The Road Less Taken...

not job interviews but rather critiques of portfolios and resumes for

Is That the Road to Fellowship?” This was a much anticipated session

Emerging Professionals. You may remember how helpful critiques

that looked at life experiences, career choices and what Fellowship is

were in school, but when was the last time you had an honest

and how one can get there. Fellows from AIA Indiana, AIA Kentucky

critique of your portfolio? There was also discussion of paper versus

and AIA Ohio participated on the panel to answer questions and

digital format. While some liked the embrace of technology, others

offer advice about how to plan for and manage an architecture

wanted paper to flip through while talking to the interviewee.

career during the up and down cycles that affect the profession

Portfolio Review - Brian McAlexander and Bruce Sekanick. Image Credit: AIA OVR

and construction industry. This was an excellent career planning guide for Emerging Professionals and a great introduction for what to expect in the profession. Wayne Mortenson, Associate AIA, 2012 NAC Chair, did a fantastic job of moderating the session and injecting enthusiasm and comic relief for the early morning attendees.

The panelists included: • Michael Schuster, FAIA, LEED AP is the founder and principal of MSA Architects and president-elect for AIA Ohio.

• Sheila K. Snider, FAIA, who has been appointed the College of Fellows Representative to the Ohio Valley Region for 2010 through 2014. She is the past president of AIA Indiana.

• David S. Collins, FAIA is the president of The Preview Group, Inc., an 53

The silhouetted profiles of the authors of Architext with panelists of Alternate Career Paths in Architecture. Image Credit: AIA OVR

The session Overcoming Millennial Stereotypes: How to

on a daily basis. The three panelists, from a variety of backgrounds

Champion Your Project as a Young Designer looked at EP's leading

and from firms of different sizes participated in a moderated, open

a project and some of the different values of generations working

discussion. It was a great chance for attendees to hear about some

in architecture firms. They used an actual project, a school for

of the non-design related issues critical to a firm’s vitality and growth

Beavercreek, as a study of the dynamic interaction of different

in today’s market. Topics covered included setting strategic goals,

generations.

marketing, contracts, and client retention among others.

Friday night was capped off by Dinning by Design Tours, two

What else is on the minds of EP's? The ARE of course! Which

of which ended at the Neon Movies for Pecha Kucha Night. The

section in particular? Structures! So we held a 4 hour study session

Unconvention wanted to reach out to the public, connecting them to

lead by not one but three Structural Engineers. Our thanks to Shell +

the architects and introducing the convention to the locals. PK Night

Meyer Associates for volunteering to lead the session.

seemed a great way to end the night and bring in a wider audience.

We wrapped up with presenting prizes, Kaplan study guides

We teamed up with Pecha Kucha Night Dayton and provided five

and five ARE vouchers. Thanks to everyone who stayed till 3:00 PM

of the eight speakers. Two of those speakers were Unconvention

on a Saturday afternoon! We hope everyone learned something,

speakers and one was a Convention keynote speaker, Dan Maginn,

met new people, and had a great time!

AIA of El Dorado Inc. His hilarious take on the installation of the Ikea PS Pendant lamp will long be remembered.

This event did not come out of nowhere; what developed sprang from an existing program, the AIA Ohio Emerging Professionals

On Saturday while the Convention was wrapping up and heading

Retreat which itself had come out of an earlier program, the AIA

out to tours, the Unconvention was deep into its programming. The

Ohio Associate Director Summit from years prior. Where the Summit

much anticipated session Alternate Career Paths in Architecture was

was restricted to the Local Associate Directors and State Associate

moderated by Lee Waldrep, who has moderated several panels on

Director, the Retreat opened up to all EP leadership. The Retreat

the topic including one at AIA National Convention in New Orleans.

then opened to all EP's and became the Unconvention. It has been

The panel was quite large and included those who had specialized

an evolutionary process that began 6-7 years ago.

within the profession and those who had taken their knowledge

Although the OVR Unconvention was an evolution of

and training and applied it to other fields like home inspections and

programming, we believe it can be produced much more quickly

comic strip writing. The authors of Architext (http://architexts.us/)

in other regions. What took us several years to evolve, you can

provided some much needed comic relief and strangely appeared

engineer in a single year. In the next few months we will dissect the

in silhouette form whenever photographed.

Unconvention using actual attendance, expenses, and attendee

Martin Smith, AIA from NCARB and Sandra LaFontaine, AIA, the AIA Ohio State IDP Coordinator, discussed with attendees the IDP and licensure processes and participated in a lengthy question and answer session.

survey to determine our successes and not so successful outcomes.

Learn from us and go out and produce your own Unconvention!

Unconvention team: Brian McAlexander, Assoc. AIA

Janet Pike, Hon. AIA

Greg Spon, Assoc. AIA

Jason Shelly

region had an open discussion about their past, future, and the

Jack Baumann, AIA

Jane Treiber

changes that are occurring in the profession.

Melissa Seig, AIA

Terry Welker, AIA

At the EP Roundtable Lunch Emerging Professionals from the

The Architecture as Business session provided EPs with a chance

Michael Neureither, Assoc. AIA

to hear from a panel on the business decisions that firms face

Kate Brunswick, Hon. AIA, CAE

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

Pecha Kucha Night at the Neon Movies. Image Credit: AIA OVR Portfolio Review. Image Credit: AIA OVR

55

Leadership REFLECTING ON 2011

By Adam Palmer, AIA Adam Palmer, AIA, LEED AP is a Project Manager and Associate with Schmidt Associates, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Adam served as the 2011 Chair of National YAF Advisory Committee and is serving as the Past Chair in 2012.

IN 2011 THE YAF actively strengthened its relationships with

Young Architects Award Book – In conjunction with the College

the AIA Board of Directors, the National Associates Committee and

of Fellows’ awards of the Young Architects Award, the YAF created a

their long standing relationship with the College of Fellows.

corresponding book to celebrate and further recognize the award recipients. It was produced in a limited run for the winners, but is

Several activities consumed the energies of the YAF:

available to purchase for those interested.

Ideas Competition 2010 – This year’s design competition was a joint effort with the AIA Committee on Design (COD). It was sponsored by Toto and challenged the submitters to explore the concept of Universal Design. The award recipients were announced at the AIA National Convention in New Orleans.

Regional Representation Changes – In an effort to enhance the value and recognition of the regional representatives of the YAF, it was decided to change their title from Regional Liaison to the Young Architect Regional Director (YARD). This change was another step in encouraging the interaction with the Regional Boards to foster

Mentoring Initiative – A Webinar Series of four sessions was

better communication and utilization of the YARD network. We also

organized. The series covered the topics of: Getting Work, Operating

hope this step will further support our desire to have the regional

Profitably, Doing Good Work, and Talent and Culture. The sessions

leadership select the YARD for their regions when the position is

are available to download and for continuing education credits.

open.

YARD Meeting at AIA Grassroots Conference, February 2011

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 YAF Advisory Committee Changes – Two of the AdCom positions,

YAF Fall Retreat and WEAVE – In November, AIA Chicago hosted

the YARD Advisor and the Communications Advisor, were changed

our first face-to-face Fall Retreat in many years. This gave us the

from one year terms to two year terms. This change was initiated in

opportunity to have a productive Transition Meeting, welcoming

an effort to further improve the YARD network and the value of the

the new AdCom members for 2012, and begin the leadership

YAF to the AIA and the profession.

transition for our next year of activity. The AdCom also took this

YAF Session at AIA Grassroots Conference, February 2011

retreat opportunity to perform the WEAVE and begin looking at how we align and can be further aligned with the AIA Strategic Plan.

YAF Advisory Committee Transition Meeting, November 2011

Grassroots and Convention Programs – YAF hosted one program at Grassroots, which we presented twice during the conference. This program highlighted leadership and mentoring programs that are going on across the country. At Convention we hosted two workshops and one program. These celebrated the Young Architect Award winners and discussed the value of design.

We had an opportunity to host a Legacy Lunch, where we invited many former YAF AdCom members to join us for lunch. This was a great opportunity to meet with some of the past YAF leadership.

YAF Legacy Lunch at AIA National Convention, May 2011

YAF Connection – The YAF Connection transitioned from a newsletter to an e-magazine this year with improved content and outreach. Six bi-monthly issues were published, each carrying a unique theme. A valuable addition to the publication is the Fellows’ Corner that is devoted to stories by or about AIA Fellows.

Council of Emerging Professionals (CEP) – Formed of YAF, NAC and AIAS representatives, this year witnessed improved communication and collaboration among the groups. The CEP was charged with 10 milestones during initial formation, and the YAF has worked with the other CEP members to respond to them in 2011.

57

2011 and 2012 YAF Advisory Committee members, Left to Right: Derek Webb AIA, Joseph Benesh AIA, Virginia Marquardt AIA, Matthew Dumich AIA, William J. Stanley, III FAIA (COF Liaison), Brad Benjamin AIA, Jennifer Workman AIA, Kevin Fitzgerald AIA (AIA Staff), Adam Palmer AIA, Deepika Padam AIA, Jason Dale Pierce AIA. Not pictured - Sean Stadler AIA. Picture taken at AIA Chicago during YAF AdCom Fall Transition Meeting.

Image by Erin Murphy AIA (AIA Staff)

Upcoming Activities The first major activity that the YAF is very excited about in the

Regional Board Engagement - The AdCom and the YARD’s will

upcoming months is the YAF Summit 20. The Summit 20 will take

continue to discuss with the regional boards and the regional

place the day before Grassroots 2012 begins. This event is being

leadership members about the proposal that the regions should be

planned to commemorate the first 20 years of the YAF, while utilizing

engaged in selecting the YARD for their respective regions.

the opportunity to learn what the key topics of concern are for the recently licensed architects. Similar to the Summit 15, we will be

Grassroots and Convention programs – The YAF will host a

involving a variety of speakers and attendees, to keep the discussion

roundtable discussion and presentation during the 2012 Grassroots.

as informed as possible.

This will be a presentation of the outcomes from the YAF Summit 20.

The Advisory Committee and the YARDs will meet at the 2012 Grassroots conference for their annual meeting. We will be discussing

The YAF is also hosting two programs at the National Convention in Washington, DC.

the year’s upcoming planned activities as well as opportunities to be mentors and leaders in our communities and within the profession.

YAF Connection - Our E-Magazine will continue to be the source

Throughout the year we will continue to have our conference

of information for Young Architects and any others interested in

calls. Our Chair, Vice Chair and Past Chair have a weekly call with AIA

leadership and mentoring of our profession.

Staff. The AdCom and YARDs have monthly calls to share knowledge and information throughout the YAF network. There are also sub-

Social Media – We will continue to develop the YAF KnowledgeNet

committee calls among the volunteers.

site and share information through our Twitter and Facebook accounts to further expand our presence and share information

The YAF will continue to work on many activities throughout the upcoming year including the following:

and opportunities that are of importance to the recently licensed architects.

Ideas Competition 2012 – This is again a joint effort with the AIA Committee on Design (COD). The competition will have a focus on

Council of Emerging Professionals – We will continue to be

a community development project. The sponsor this year is USG.

actively engaged in the development of the CEP and the growth of

The competition submissions will be displayed at the Spring COD

Emerging Professionals at all levels.

conference in Columbus, Indiana. The submissions will be juried at this time, as well as voted on by the public for a People’s Choice

Leadership Institute – We look forward to beginning the

award.

discussion and planning of the Leadership Institute. This program will provide attendees an opportunity to increase their effectiveness

Mentoring Initiative – We are looking forward to developing the

and personal involvement and leadership of their communities.

next round of webinars. These will incorporate a variety of influential COF and YAF speakers.

This 2011 year-end report was created by the YAF 2011 Chair, Adam Palmer, AIA for the national AIA Board of Directors. It was published in College of Fellows Fellowscope 91 released in December 2011.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Leadership 2012 YAF COMMITTEE

ADVISORY

The Young Architects Forum (YAF) Advisory Committee (AdCom) consists of eight young architects working in association with the College of Fellows (COF) Executive Committee. The YAF AdCom is specifically charged with carrying out national level YAF programs and serving as liaison with other AIA committees and allied organizations.

Chair: Jennifer Workman, AIA Jennifer A. Workman, AIA is a licensed architect for Good Fulton & Farrell Architects in Dallas, Texas. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and focused her studies on various museums throughout the world. These early analyses assisted her when she was selected by GFF to work alongside Morphosis Architects on the design of the new Perot Museum of Nature & Science in their Los Angeles office. Following almost two years in California, she returned to Dallas, Texas to work on the construction site of the iconic museum.

Aside from the museum, Jennifer’s most important contributions to the profession have come in the form of her volunteer work for the AIA at the local, state, and national levels. In Dallas, Jennifer has devoted her time to the Dallas Tour of Homes, Publications Committee, Honors Committee, and Publicity Committee. She has served as a chair on the Associates Committee, the Young Architects Forum, and the Ken Roberts Delineation Competition which is one of the longest architectural drawing competitions in the world. At the Texas Society of Architects she served four straight years as a voting board member as the Dallas Director and the Texas Regional Associates Director to the National Associates Committee. She also served on the jury for the Texas Architectural Foundation and was involved with the Membership Services Committee, Honors Committee, the Continuing Education Committee, and served as a Publicity Committee Chair for the TSA Convention in Dallas in 2011. Nationally, Jennifer is serving as the 2012 Chair of the Young Architects Forum. She has been involved with the YAF since 2009 when she became the Communications Advisor serving as the editor for the bi-monthly publication which was sent to over 22,000 members.

Vice Chair: Brad Benjamin, AIA Brad Benjamin, AIA, LEED AP is an architect and the founder of Radium Architecture, a firm in Greenville, SC, which works to bring purpose to the built environment by designing more sustainable & socially responsible places. He graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Design, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management, and a Masters of Architecture.

Brad has consistently demonstrated exceptional initiative, enthusiasm, and commitment on the local, state, regional, and national levels for the AIA. He has served on the National Associates Committee, the AIA Board Knowledge Committee, the Strategic Planning Advance, the Emerging Professionals Companion Advisory Committee, and the YAF 15 Summit committee. He currently serves as state IDP Coordinator and Past President for AIA Greenville. Brad is a previous recipient of the AIA’s Associate Member of the Year Award. Keenly aware of the importance of architecture in his community’s growth and development, Brad has made a personal commitment to lend his creative talents and problem solving abilities to many local community boards and organizations to which he serves as an exceptional representative of his profession. He serves on the United Way, Leadership Greenville Board of Regents, Pecha Kucha Night Grenville, and Architecture for Humanity Greenville.

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Past Chair: Adam Palmer, AIA Adam Palmer, AIA is a Project Manager and Associate with Schmidt Associates, Inc. in Indianapolis, Indiana. Adam is a registered Architect in the State of Indiana (2002). Adam received both his Bachelors of Environmental Design (1995) and his Bachelors of Architecture (1997), from Ball State University.

Adam maintains his NCARB Certification and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Adam has been fortunate to have had opportunities to practice architecture in a variety of firm types, sizes and disciplines. Adam has also worked on a variety of building types and sizes, including health care and education projects. The projects have ranged from a few hundred square feet renovations to thousands of square feet of multi-story, new construction projects. These various projects have provided him the opportunity to also serve in a variety of roles for his clients including: master planner, designer, architect, project manager, program manager and owners’ representative.

Adam's primary interests rest in mentoring, leadership, licensure, practice management and technology. Adam has served on the local level as the President Elect of the Central Kentucky Chapter prior to moving to Indianapolis. In Indianapolis he is currently serving as a Delegate for the Indianapolis chapter. At the regional and national level, Adam served with the Young Architects Forum (YAF) as a Regional Liaison to the Ohio Valley Region for four years. Adam then went on to serve as the 2010 Vice‐ Chair, and subsequently the 2011 Chair of the YAF National Advisory Committee. During his tenure as the YAF Chair, he served as a juror on various award juries. Adam has also served on Board of Directors for a variety of organizations outside of the AIA.

Programs Advisor: Matthew Dumich, AIA Matthew Dumich, AIA is a licensed Architect and project manager with Valerio Dewalt Train Associates in Chicago, Illinois. His professional experience includes new and renovated commercial and mixed-use buildings. Matt has a collaborative approach to the design and management of each project working closely with his clients, consultants and contractors. Matt holds Bachelor and Master degrees in Architecture from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM) and serves on the Board of Trustees for the UWM Alumni Association. In 2008 he was honored with the Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award from the UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Matt is dedicated to promoting design quality, professional development, and networking for emerging design and construction professionals. He currently serves on the AIA National YAF Advisory Committee and the AIA Chicago Board of Directors. Previously, Matt was the YAF Regional Liaison for Illinois and Chairman of the AIA Chicago YAF. In 2011 he Chaired the AIA National Membership Marketing Task Force focusing on engaging emerging professionals. Matt is the founder of the AIA Chicago Bridge mentoring program and the AIA Illinois Council for Emerging Professionals. He is frequently invited to speak about architecture and design at local, state and national conferences. Matt was recognized with the 2011 Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40 award.

Young Architect Regional Directors Advisor: Jason Dale Pierce, AIA Jason Dale Pierce, AIA, LEED AP currently sits on the Young Architects Forum Advisory Committee as the Young Architect Regional Directors Advisor. Jason received his Professional Architecture degree from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. He is a member of the AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community and sits on the editorial board for aecKnowledge. He recently served as Co-Chair of the AIA San Francisco Mentorship Committee and chaired the Long Range Planning committee for AIA California Council in 2010. He also served as Vice President of the Academy of Emerging Professionals with AIA California Council from 2008 through 2009. A former recipient of the National Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship and honored with the AIA San Francisco's Associate of the Year Award in 2008, Jason also served as the YAF Regional Director for Central States from 2003 through 2005.

A project architect with HOK in St. Louis he is currently working on the modernization of the Byron G. Rogers Federal office building with the United States General Services Administration in Denver, Colorado. Jason strongly believes in strengthening mentorship in the profession and strives to develop this need in everything he does from his day to day work with his project team, his involvement in his local AIA chapter all the way up through his position on the National YAF Advisory Committee.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

Communications Advisor: Deepika Padam, AIA

Deepika Padam, AIA, LEED AP is a Senior Designer/Project Manager with Heller Manus Architects at San Francisco, CA. Her previous professional experience is with the firms of Neelkanth Chhaya, Payette Associates, Perlman Architects, and Tate Snyder Kimsey in varied roles of Designer, Architect, Project Manager, and Sustainability Director. Her design experience includes civic, educational, public, commercial, and mixed-use facilities. She is passionate about green building and is responsible for LEED Certification of multiple projects. Deepika received her Bachelor of Architecture from the Guru Nanak Dev University and Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan. She is NCARB certified.

Deepika served as the AIA Las Vegas President in 2010, the first woman to serve as President with the Chapter. She served as the USGBC Nevada President in 2009 and taught LEED classes for many years. Deepika is the Founder and Past Chair for AIA Las Vegas Emerging Professionals/Young Architects Forum. She has Chaired many committees and initiatives with local chapters of AIA and USGBC. She has organized educational workshops at regional level, and regularly sits on design juries for architecture schools. Deepika is the Communications Advisor for AIA National YAF, serving as the Editor for YAF Connection bimonthly e-magazine and Young Architects Award Book. Deepika was awarded AIA Nevada Associate Award in 2007 and the AIA Nevada Young Architect Award in 2008. She has been named Who’s Who of Las Vegas by In Business and featured in the Las Vegas Business Press. Deepika is interested in increasing global ties of AIA and her professional life while staying connected with her passion for design excellence. She enjoys writing, blogging, and making presentations.

Events Advisor: Virginia Marquardt, AIA Virginia E. Marquardt is an architect at DLR Group’s Santa Monica, California office with experience leading educational, justice, and municipality teams as a project manager and project architect. She has held leadership positions at the local level as AIA-Phoenix Metro’s Associate Director, Emerging Professional Director, YAF Committee Chair, Board of Director, Secretary and Treasurer and has been a member of Architecture Week, Membership and Advocates committees. At the regional level, she was AIA-Western Mountain Region’s Young Architect Regional Director from August 2007-2011. In 2009, Virginia was asked to serve on the sub-committee for the 2010 AIA-National Convention Education Committee reviewing abstracts and in 2010 as the Emerging Professional representative for AIA’s Center for Integrated Practice Leadership. Currently, she is serving as the Events Advisor for AIA National YAF and sits on the AIA-National’s Education Committee.

She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Louisiana Tech University (cum laude) and is a licensed professional in Arizona as well as a LEED accredited professional and Construction Document Technologist (CDT). Virginia is the recipient of AIA-Arizona’s Young Architects Citation Award (2009) and AIA-Western Mountain Regions’ Jason Pettigrew Associate AIA Memorial Leadership Scholarship, (2005).

Public Relations Advisor: Joseph Benesh, AIA Joseph R. Benesh, AIA, NCARB, CDT, LEED AP, is currently a K-12 Focus Market Leader and Project Manager for RDG Planning + Design in Des Moines, Iowa. In this role, Joe is responsible for the design, documentation, and overall project management of buildings spanning a variety of sizes and complexities. He actively participates in marketing and project leads, develops presentations, fosters and nurtures client relationships, facilitates project scheduling and budgeting, as well as bidding and construction administration.

Joe has been actively involved in AIA member groups and initiatives for more than twelve years, serving in a variety of leadership positions at the local, state, and regional levels. He will serve as the 2012 AIA Iowa Director of Public Relations and the Young Architects Forum Public Relations Advisor. In 2010 Joe promoted the addition of a large subsection of the AIA Miami website redesign to Emerging Professionals. Joe has also held leadership positions with the AIA National Associates Committee.

Joe received his Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University. He holds an NCARB certificate and is currently licensed in Illinois and Florida.

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Leadership LOOKING

AHEAD

AT

2012

By Jennifer A. Workman, AIA Jennifer A. Workman, AIA is the 2012 Chair of the National Young Architects Forum. She has served on the YAF Advisory Committee since 2009. Jennifer is a licensed architect with Good Fulton & Farrell Architects in Dallas, Texas.

AS I TAKE on the role of the 2012 Chair of the Young Architects

created programs about mentorship, leadership, and networking

Forum, I have to be fully aware of the 22,000 AIA members we

for the architects licensed ten years or fewer. My venture to create a

represent. If it weren’t for the energetic and talented group of

successful YAF program in Dallas caught the attention of the national

architects licensed ten years or less who serve on committees at the

YAF and in 2009 I was selected as the Communications Advisor to

local, state, and national levels, we wouldn’t have made the progress

the YAF Advisory Committee. While serving as Communications

we have today. As the YAF celebrates its 20th anniversary, the Forum

Advisor I was named the Dallas Director to the TSA Board. As the

is at a pivotal moment in its history. Though it’s imperative for the

Director it was important for me to wear two hats: that of my

YAF to move forward, it is also vital to do so in a way that recognizes

chapter but also as a young architect and the youngest member of

the Forum is part of an extraordinary story to which we owe an

the board. After serving for two years as both the Dallas Director

obligation of care.

and the Communications Advisor, I was elected as the national YAF’s

My journey to the national YAF began in Dallas in 2005 when

Vice Chair. This past year I served as the Chair for the AIA Dallas Ken

I went to work for Good Fulton & Farrell Architects. They gave me

Roberts Architectural Delineation Competition and the Publicity

every chance to make what I wanted out of my career through

Committee for the TSA Convention which was in Dallas in 2011. It

projects and professional service with the AIA. Without that

has been important for me be a part of the AIA at the local, state

support I wouldn’t have gone far in this volunteer organization. I

and national levels because each one makes its own impact on the

worked with several different project types before finding a love in

profession.

institutional projects. In 2008 I was given the opportunity to work

As Chair of the YAF my biggest role will be to host the YAF 20

alongside Morphosis on the new Dallas Perot Museum of Nature &

Summit at AIA Grassroots in Washington DC this March. The Summit

Science. I spent almost two years in their Los Angeles office working

is open to invited guests who are leaders in the field of architecture

on the design and then went to work full time on the construction

and interested in guiding the direction of the YAF through the next

site. It has been an immeasurable experience to help create what

5 years. It is a crucial time to determine a young architect’s needs

will become one of Dallas’ most iconic projects.

as 45% of AIA membership consists of baby-boomers who will

Aside from the museum, I have the most pride in my

need succession plans as they retire from committees, boards, and

development with the AIA. In 2005 I joined the AIA and saw the need

the profession. The YAF needs your involvement in several of our

for emerging professionals to have a voice on committees and boards

endeavors in 2012; most important is your response to our survey

at AIA Dallas. I became the chair of the Associates committee and

(see Page 20). This survey is to help the YAF understand who the

instituted the A.R.E. Success Team which helped almost 30 interns

architects licensed ten years or less really are and what issues they

become licensed within 7 months. It was then that I won the Dallas

are facing. Additionally, we ask a question for you to answer: What

AIA’s Associate of the Year Award. The following year I became the

is the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity that young

Regional Associate Director (RAD) to the Texas Society of Architects

architects will face in the next 5 years? Selected responders will be

(TSA) which allowed me to be a voting member on the TSA board and

given the chance to attend the 20 Summit in DC this March and

represent all interns in Texas at the National Associates Committee

participate in the planning of the next 5 years.

(NAC) in Washington D.C. During this time as RAD, I served on

The Young Architects Forum is the voice of architects in the

the TSA Continuing Education, Membership and Services, and

early stages of their career and the catalyst for change within the

Honors Committees. Once I achieved licensure, I reinstituted

profession. I hope you will follow our activities as we aim to make

YAF in Dallas, which had been abandoned over the years. I

your experience with the AIA as fruitful as possible.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12

East Skylight looking at Dallas Perot Museum of Nature & Science tower. Image Credit: Jennifer Workman 63

Leadership YAF COMMUNICATIONS 2012 ADVISORY GROUP Donna Kacmar, FAIA Donna Kacmar, FAIA is an award winning architect and an Associate Professor at the University of Houston College of Architecture where she teaches design studio, coordinates the technology curriculum, and runs the Material Research Collaborative. She is currently the treasurer of the Architecture Center Houston Foundation and a State Representative to the College of Fellows.

Nicholas Peckham, FAIA Nicholas Peckham, FAIA, LEED AP began his understanding of world issues while attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy. There he got a firsthand view of Earth and her cultures while working on merchant ships. Going to graduate school at Penn with Lou Kahn for the M. Arch and the PhD program with Bucky Fuller firmed up the understanding, “We are all in this together.” Nick’s worldview shaped his practice. He co‐founded Peckham & Wright Architects in 1978. www.PWArchitects.com shows some of his work.

Robert Selby, FAIA Robert I. Selby, FAIA is a Principal in private practice since 1971 and has taught in the design division of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1984. He retired from the faculty in May of 2009 and continues with his practice. He has served on the AIA board at local, regional and national levels. He served as a Regional Representative of the AIA College of Fellows from 2007-2010 and is currently editor of Fellowscope, the electronic newsletter of the COF.

William J. Stanley, III, FAIA William J. Stanley, III, FAIA, NOMAC is the founding Principal of Stanley, Love Stanley, P.C. Mr. Stanley is the Bursar of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, the Past President of AIA Georgia and the 1995 recipient of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Citation. In 1999, AIA Georgia bestowed upon him the Bernard Rothschild medal – the state’s highest award. AIA Atlanta awarded him the Ivan Allen Senior Trophy in 2011, given to architects who make great service contributions to the community.

Brett Charles Taylor, AIA Brett Charles Taylor, AIA, LEED AP is a graduate of Norwich University in Vermont. He is an associate director with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in Chicago working primarily in the Middle East region. Brett has served the AIA as the YAF Illinois Regional Liaison, the YAF Regional Liaison Advisor for the AdCom, and on the AIA Chicago executive board.

Sean Stadler, AIA Sean Stadler, AIA, LEED AP is a Design Principal and Associate Principal at WDG Architecture. A graduate of Kent State University, Sean is currently serving on the AIA DC Board of Directors and Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design’s Professional Advisory Board. He has served as the Chairman of the AIA National Young Architects Forum (YAF) and the Intern/Associate Committee (NAC), and is a recipient of the 2011 AIA Young Architects award.

YAF CONNECTION 01'12 Leadership YAF COMMUNICATIONS 2012 SUB-COMMITTEE

Editor-in-Chief: Deepika Padam, AIA Deepika Padam, AIA, LEED AP is a Senior Designer/Project Manager with Heller Manus Architects at San Francisco.

She has served as the AIA Las Vegas President, AIA Nevada Executive Board Member, and USGBC Nevada President. Deepika is the current Communications Advisor for AIA National YAF, serving as the Chief Editor for YAF Connection and Young Architects Award Book. Her writing has been published in local and national journals and she has been recognized with awards for service to the profession.

Managing Editor: Christina Noble, AIA Christina Noble, AIA, LEED AP owns her practice, Contour Architecture, located in Phoenix, Arizona. Christina has served as the Editor for AIA National Associates Committee publication, Forward. She currently serves as the Forward Senior Director and Chair of the Forward Advisory Board. Her writing has appeared in Texas Architect Magazine, The Arizona Republic, and Forward: Architecture and Design Journal.

Assistant Editor: Josh Flowers, AIA Josh Flowers, AIA, LEED AP is the 2012 President of AIA Memphis and the YAF Regional Liaison for the Gulf States Region. A registered architect and licensed attorney, Josh is General Counsel of Hnedak Bobo Group in Memphis, Tennessee. Josh received Bachelor of Architecture and Juris Doctor Degrees from the University of Tennessee where he served as editor of the Tennessee Law Review. He is a national speaker and writer on legal issues related to architectural practice.

Assistant Editor: Bonnie Sen, AIA Bonnie Sen, AIA, LEED AP is an architect at Gensler in Washington, DC. Originally from India, she grew up moving around the United States, and believes this is the reason she has permanent wanderlust. She has previously served in the editorial sub-committee for AIA National Associates Committee's newsletter, AssociateNews.

Graphic Designer: Open Marketing Manager: Open News Editor: Open Contact the editor at deepika@belarquitexture.com if you are interested in an open position.

65

Thanks to YAF Connection Sponsor: AIA TRUST Starting Out? Need Help? Call AIA Trust

Just starting out? Going it alone? Enjoy the support of the AIA Trust and its all-new webinar of programs and special offers for new starter firms. If you’ve started your own firm within the last year, then help is on the way. In this 8-minute webinar, AIA Members who are starting firms can learn about AIA Trust programs designed for firms including some very special new benefits such as free insurance, fee waivers, free publications, and more!

Visit the all-new AIA Trust website www.TheAIATrust.com to benefit from a wealth of resources such as risk management white papers, articles &publications; liability insurance data and comparisons; SATs for LU credits-and now a special program overview with new money-saving benefits designed for the new “starter” firm! Please note that firm eligibility requirements and some limitations apply. got questions? call 202-626-7376 or e-mail: AIATrust@aia.org

YAF Connection March 2012 issue will be a “Visual Journal” of your favorite photographs, sketches and artwork.

Send your images to the editor at deepika@belarquitexture.com by January 31.

Design courtesy of

BelarquItexture.com

01'12

Camera image: David Richert (www.davidrichert.com)

YAF PERFECT For the love of... PICTURE CONNECTION

67

WHAT IS THE YOUNG ARCHITECTS FORUM?

2012 YAF ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) gives AIA

2012 Chair Jennifer Workman, AIA

members who have been licensed 10 years or less a voice throughout the Institute. Approximately 23,000

AIA members are represented by the

YAF; our 25 volunteer leaders are Young Architect members in the AIA national, regional, state,

Vice Chair Brad Benjamin, AIA, CSI, LEED AP Past Chair Adam W. Palmer, AIA, LEED AP

and local components.

Programs Advisor Matthew M. Dumich, AIA

YAF programs, activities, and resources serve

Communications Advisor Deepika Padam, AIA, LEED AP bd+c

young architects by providing information and leadership; promoting excellence through fellowship

with

other

professionals;

and

encouraging mentoring to enhance individual, community, and professional development.

All YAF members receive a national publication, the bimonthly Connection newsletter. Members also receive electronic communications from the YAF social networking accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn. Additionally, they have access to the YAF page on the AIA.org website.

Young Architect Regional Directors Advisor Jason Dale Pierce, AIA, LEED AP Events Advisor Virginia Marquardt, AIA, LEED AP, CDT Public Relations Advisor Joseph R. Benesh, AIA, CDT, LEED AP College of Fellows Liaison William J. Stanley, III, FAIA, NOMA AIA Board Representative Wendy Ornelas, FAIA AIA Staff Director, Emerging Professionals Erin Murphy, AIA, LEED AP

The American Institute of Architects Young Architects Forum 1735 New York Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006 http://network.aia.org/AIA/YoungArchitectsForum