Category: News

2021 State of the Association Address

Posted on by Domoto Brands



2021 State of the Association Address

View the recording of the annual AIA Colorado State of the Association Address. The Board of Directors presents its midyear report, informs on progress surrounding AIA Colorado imperatives, and concludes with a town hall format, addressing attendee questions. Featuring AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger, President Rachael Johnson, President-Elect Wells Squier, Past President Adam Harding, Treasurer Sheva Willoughby, and Secretary Kaylyn Kirby.

An Intro to the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

Posted on by Jon Bell

Mentorship and professional development with emerging professionals is invaluable—a must. AIA Colorado is grateful to provide its emerging professionals a pathway in career development while honoring the legacy and contributions of the late Christopher Shawn Kelley, AIA, a Washington, D.C.-area rising star who passed away suddenly in 2012.

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) started in Washington, D.C. in 2013 and expanded to Colorado in 2016 by way of AIA Colorado President Rachael Johnson, AIA. Johnson is a CKLDP founding member and a scholar of the 2014-15 D.C. class. She saw, firsthand, the benefits for members and architectural firms. With great vision, Johnson influenced AIA Colorado to be the first expansion location for the CKLDP.

In 2021, 16 emerging professionals were selected as CKLDP Scholars. An emerging professional is defined as someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is not yet licensed or within 10 years of receiving their professional license.

Apply soon if you meet the aforementioned criteria and want to expand your architectural horizon in 2022. Applications are due by December 6, and a detailed application timeline is below.

CKLDP applicants need to submit four different items: 1) a written application, 2) a recommendation, 3) your resume, and 4) a short-answer form. A fifth item, the Tuition Assistance Form, is optional.

A unique and fun aspect of each year is every class of scholars collaborates and plans out the details for their upcoming schedule. Speakers, topics, and locations are defined by the scholars themselves. This tailored approach makes this year a win-win for each individual class.

During this webinar, recent scholars shared takeaways from this past year’s CKLDP (see below). Of course, COVID made an impact, but this class was steadfast and adaptive. AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger said, “This class was inspiring at what was learned and how to head forward thanks to their resilience.”

What should upcoming CKLDP Scholars expect?

  • A diverse, quaint environment enriched for learning.
  • Learn from industry leaders in architecture and other career sectors.
  • Gain lifelong friends.
  • Grow and be challenged.
  • Discuss latest architectural trends.
  • Become a better architect and understand business/leadership.

What 2021 session topics were noteworthy?

  • Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusiveness: getting out of one’s comfort zone and learning from others.
  • Contracts and negotiation: very timely topic that can be scary, yet very important to an architect.
  • Environmental threat analysis software: view upcoming challenges and how to establish mitigation protocols.
  • National/International Architects: Moshe Safdie, Peter Gluck, Grace Kim, Jonathan Segal, Enoch Sears and Jaron Lubin.

For those emerging professionals, please consider applying for this distinct professional development program. Understand the application process and the important dates below. Let’s honor Christopher Kelley by learning from each other as we design buildings for a better Colorado.

2023 Application Timeline / Schedule

  • Applications Open: November 16, 2022
  • Applications Due: December 11, 2022
  • Bootcamp Session: January 2023

For more information or questions, please contact CKLDP Chair Leah Gordon, AIA.

Webinar Recap: Are Firms Ready for Diversity?

Posted on by Jon Bell

Diversity efforts are pointing to a greater immersion of minority and underrepresented individuals in all facets of our nation and state, and architectural firms are seeing this change. As well, the University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture and Planning is experiencing its highest numbers of minority students yet. The question is: Is your firm ready to embrace this newer normal?

To create a collaborative dialogue and strengthen our efforts, AIA Colorado partnered with the recently established Colorado Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) for a joint webinar on July 7, “Are Firms Ready for Diversity.” Kicking off the presentation, AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger said, “We desire to foster a culture of belonging.” To this end, NOMA Founding Board Member and UC Denver Visiting Assistant Professor Annicia Streete joined Waldinger as co-host and moderated the webinar of the four panelists:

  • Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion + Medical Planner + Vice President, HKS, Inc.
  • David Allen, NOMA, Architectural Designer, Rowland+Broughton
  • Sarah Aziz, J.E.D.I. Visiting Professor at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning
  • Jeremy Fretts, AIA, NCARB, M.A. Ed., Assistant Vice President, Experience+Education National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) 

The conversation—the full recording of which is now available on YouTube—provided the following takeaways:

Barriers to Architecture. Sarah Aziz led the dialogue about how a lack of resources could affect internship offerings and the ability to live in large cities where firms are located. Next, the method of architecture licensure may be prohibitive to minority prospects. Waldinger noted that the AIA Colorado Licensure Advancement Fund is available and can assist in off-setting costs. 

Licensing Challenges. Representing NCARB, Jeremy Fretts knows many questions need to be answered regarding the formal architectural licensing procedure. This process is being evaluated to determine if it is equitable and attainable for any and all emerging professionals. Is there exam-question bias or pass-rate correlations that need to be changed? Terminology and experiential paths could affect outcomes on achieving licensure. This vital career path needs to be fair and accessible. 

What Matters Most. David Allen shared his personal architectural journey and how his firm, Rowland+Broughton, provided him a voice that encompasses his whole self. He championed NOMA Colorado and the needs this organization meets for minority architecture careers. “The NOMA Chapter was a home away from home as it is hard to find people who look like me and understand the challenges I was experiencing,” Allen said. He proposed that mentors are vital at any stage in an architect’s career, and his helped him gain better awareness and how to navigate the ups, downs, and barriers. 

Dance to Advance. Yiselle Santos Rivera encouraged those with influence to not just invite others to the party, but also to ask others to dance—in their own unique style. Be intentional in having a voice different from others. Provide an anonymous communication feedback forum that provides open dialogue and tangible results. Said Santos Rivera, “If you are doing something wrong, admit the mistake and develop that conversation. Defensiveness does not help growth. Welcome challenges.”

Reinforcing her comments, Waldinger said, “Good intentions can be wrongly executed. Acknowledge this and move forward.” What will help us get better?  The conversation is no longer what you will not do, but what you will do. 
Allen’s passion of drawing led to an impromptu invite to a college design day, a mentor, and ultimately an architectural career. AIA Colorado is committed to continuing more of these success stories. Understanding and awareness will benefit everyone involved in our state’s architectural profession. What can you do today?

Are Firms Ready for Diversity? How to Cultivate a Culture of Belonging

Posted on by Domoto Brands

Webinar Recap: Decarbonization

Posted on by Jon Bell

Embodied carbon. What is it? And how do we discuss and mitigate its impact?

Gregory Kingsley, PhD, PE and Victoria Herrero-Garcia shared their expertise of embodied carbon and its effect on the built environment during a recent AIA Colorado webinar.

How is embodied carbon defined? From our panelists’ discussion, the Carbon Leadership Forum provides this definition, “Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials.” It is also known as Global Warming Potential and includes emissions from all six main greenhouse gases.

But, here is the challenge: Embodied carbon is an urgent threat due to its pre-building occupancy relationship in the lifecycle cost assessment. Once construction and related activities are complete, reducing embodied carbon is moot. Reinforcing this urgency, the State of Colorado is leading the legislative way by introducing embodied carbon policy.

Who are the major stakeholders and decision makers that can directly affect embodied carbon? Owners, architects, general contractors, and structural engineers. It is imperative to have this conversation with the owner, sharing pros, cons, and effects.

Which materials are in this embodied carbon conversation? Concrete, steel and wood. There are several alternatives to consider, but wood (mass timber) is known as the most likely way to reduce embodied carbon, yet the costs are currently higher. If steel, then reusing steel enables a cost nullification and fair reduction of global warming potential. It is recommended to use supplementary cementitious materials in lieu of concrete.

Reducing embodied carbon takes a team and informed approach. Architects can talk with clients and engage contractors and structural engineers early in the process. Consider building reuse instead of new construction. Regardless, start the conversation to see transformation.

Decarbonization—An Open Invitation

Posted on by Domoto Brands

Webinar Recap: Fire and Smoke Separation

Posted on by Jon Bell

Fire and smoke are a tragic combination for buildings. While flames cause damage and consume much-needed oxygen, smoke quickly maneuvers throughout a building, making it difficult to breathe. Furthermore, toxic gases are created from the burning of materials. What can architects do to mitigate fatalities, saving people?

First, architects can take training such as this AIA webinar. Product Manager Keith Lunsford from Powers Products Co. shared fire and smoke protection requirements for fire walls, fire barrier walls, and atriums. Lunsford has 20 years of experience in specialty commercial doors and is a Professional Affiliate Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

The Las Vegas MGM Grand Hotel Fire Case Study from 1980 showed that most fatalities were at the top of the building with smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide being major factors. Plus, occupants’ reactions vary on what to do during a fire, causing delay. Hence, the need for effective walls, barriers and atrium smoke protection.

The Fire Barrier Code states that a wall needs to extend continuously from the foundation to or through the roof, and the wall assembly needs to be made of material designed to restrict the spread of fire. Door testing involves a four-hour burn at 1,800 degrees and a water fire hose-stream test to ensure structural integrity. Note: a key area of fire codes is the labeling on materials and products. Read the fine details and completely understand the variances and limitations of products according to their labeling.

Solutions that meet fire and smoke International Building Code requirements include the following:

  1. Wide span opening protective
  2. Steel fire door
  3. Accordion with egress
  4. Rolling fabric curtain
  5. Horizontal fire door
  6. Magnetic gasket
  7. Folding fabric curtain

Criteria to consider in each of these solutions involve costs, structural weight limitations, space and design integration.
Safety is the number one objective in architectural design, and AIA Colorado wants to connect you on an ongoing basis with industry leaders as we design safe, dependable, and environmentally friendly buildings to help our community.

Fire and Smoke Separation: Codes and Architectural Solutions

Posted on by Domoto Brands

What Architects Need to Know About the 2020 Elections

Posted on by Domoto Brands

Virtual Connect: Designing places that foster social collision

Posted on by Domoto Brands
© AIA Colorado 2026
Skip to content