Small Firm Exchange

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Who We Are

The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:

1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.

2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.

3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.

Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (less than 10 employees), which equates to 14,459 small firms within the organization.

~26.8% = sole practitioners = 5,173

~33.5% = 1-5 employees = 6,459

~14.7% = 5-10 employees = 2,827

For context, small firms share of staff is 16.0% and share of billings is 12.0%

We need to find ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do.

   

  

California Residential Architects: Fire Code Alert

  • 1.  California Residential Architects: Fire Code Alert

    Posted 11-16-2020 07:01 PM

    The 2022 California Building Code development process will begin detailed hearings in early 2021.  AIA California generally monitors this process and has noted some early discussion of potential changes to the California Fire code that may be of interest to California residential design architects and their clients.  A few examples:

    • Possible increase in road / bridge / culvert design standards from 75,000 pounds to 100,000 pounds
    • Possible increase in water storage requirements
    • Possible restrictions on development within 100 feet of 'ridgelines'
    • Possible changes to WUI requirements

     

    Let me know if you may have interest in being a part of a virtual group of California design professionals for review and comment of code change proposals for the California Fire Code which will be effective January 1 2023. 



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    Michael Malinowski FAIA
    Code Consultant to AIA California
    Sacramento CA
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