Camels on the Head of a Pin
Contributed by Mike Mense FAIA
Should [the AIA Committee on Design] really be called the Committee on Excellence? Or maybe the Committee on Style?...The COD was founded to promote design excellence. What knowledge of value can the COD provide to AIA members about design excellence? What it is? How to achieve it? How to recognize it? One more time, if all of the other KC's are conveying knowledge related to their niches, what should the COD be conveying? Read all responses and contribute to the discussion on defining design excellence.
Value Engineering
Contributed by Michael Graham
Think of value engineering as a proven approach which, when performed effectively, delivers creative solutions that enhance technical design performance and commercial performance by focusing effort on exactly what the customer needs. Read the Project Delivery Discussion Forum thread and add your opinion.
Meet Somshankar Bose, AIA
Bose heads a specialized company that works to provide integrated laboratory and industrial design and planning solutions. He is always looking to create partnerships with like -minded built environment specialists to create an organization for the seamless delivery of built projects of scales ranging from interior built environment to urban design. He is also working to start the AIA India chapter and looking to network with other AIA members in India. Join the India Practice and Member Networking Group. View his complete profile.
Op-Ed Template Series to Help You Advocate in the Local Media
Contributed by John Schneidawind
The AIA Board Advocacy Sub-committee on Public Engagement has developed a strategy for speaking out on issues by providing "templated opinion pieces" to component leadership and all members that can either be submitted as letters to the editor or as op-eds to local print and online media. Read the entire message on the Residential Knowledge Community Discussion Forum. Submit “Enabling the Good Samaritan in All of Us” to your local paper.
The Implications of Healthcare Reform
Contributed by the AIA Healthcare 101/201 Committee
On Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 4:00 – 5:30 pm EST, join the webinar where participants will gain an understanding of health care reform and its implications for hospitals. Specifically, the webinar will focus on the need for hospitals to adopt best practices in all areas of operations, including facility design and construction. Attendees will earn 1.5 LUs HSW. Register today. Read course description. View the revised 2011 calendar and archived recordings.
Effective Ownership Transitions
Contributed by AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community
The AIA PMKC continues its free webinar series on Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 1:00 – 2:15 pm EST with an in-depth look at ownership transition as presented by Michael Strogoff, FAIA. When planning an exit strategy and ensuring the continuity of their firms, many owners of architectural firms wait too long to implement an effective succession plan. This webinar will demystify the process and show you how to develop a timely ownership and leadership transition plan that supports your personal and strategic business goals. Attendees will earn 1.25 LUs. Read the full course description. | Register today.
Design for Aging Review 11
Contributed by AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community
The AIA DFA Knowledge Community and LeadingAge, as part of its Quality First Initiative, invite architects, designers, researchers and providers to submit projects and research for consideration in Design for Aging Review, 11th Edition. Categories include Buildings, Planning/Concept Design, Affordable and Research POE. The deadline to submit entries is 11:55 pm EST on July 29, 2011. Download call for entries. | Visit AIA DFA website.
Design & Health World Congress
Contributed by AIA Center for the Value of Design
Wednesday, July 6 - Sunday, July 10, 2011, consider attending the Design & Health World Congress in Boston. This event unites the fields of architecture, design, the health sciences, economics and psychology for two decades, achieving its ambition to be one of the most significant health development organizations in the world. As excitement builds and preparations get underway, delegates can expect a leading-edge scientific program that will underpin future professional practice in health promotion by design. View program. View the event website.
Guastavino Vaulting: The Art of Structural Tile
Contributed by AIA Historic Resources Committee
On Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, John Ochsendorf, engineering professor at MIT and MacArthur Fellowship recipient, discusses the history of Guastavino vaults, which employ terra cotta tile and mortar to form self-supporting arches and domes. Presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Architectural History and Historic Preservation Division, the lecture will take place in the National Museum of Natural History’s Baird Auditorium, a spectacular example of Guastavino vaulting. Attendees will earn 1 LU. Learn more about this free event.