Colorado Architecture News | 08.02.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“…once residents started working with the architects, they found that they could imagine the possibility for their house that was dramatically better, with lower energy bills, more thermally comfortable, and more environmentally responsible across the board than the house that they had.”
— Scott Rodwin, AIA, Rodwin Architecture, AIA Colorado North Section Direction, discussing sustainable residential design at the recent State of the Art of Architecture event, held at the Aspen Art Museum. Read more from the event here
AIA COLORADO NEWS
On September 19th, join AIA Colorado as we unveil the recipients of the 2023 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects. We sincerely hope that your whole team, clients, friends, and family can join in the celebration. It will be a fantastic event and we’re looking forward to it!
Event sponsorship is available and we invite you to view the event prospectus.
Practice + Design Conference Expo Hall Vendor Application Now Open to Premier Partners and Allied Members
Know a company that serves your firm and clients really well? The AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference expo hall and event sponsorship online sign-up page is now open to our Premier Partners and Allied Members as a benefit for their continued support of AIA Colorado. This opportunity to secure a booth, register for a learning lab, or become a conference sponsor is available through August 15th, at which point if there are opportunities still open, we will make them available to a wider industry audience.
If a firm is not currently a Premier Partner or Allied Member, there is still time to sign up as one of our industry partners and secure a booth, submit for a learning lab, or sign up for conference sponsorship.
Lastly, if you’re interested in viewing the 2023 Engage Practice + Design Conference prospectus, you can view it here.
Denver Local Advisor Tours
The Denver Local Advisors recently provided tours of the Colorado Convention Center expansion and the National Western Complex. Catch up with the Denver Local Advisors and learn about recent tours in the Denver area here.
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
Happy Hour Q&A with Boulder City Council member Lauren Folkerts, AIA
Tuesday, August 15th, join members from the North to hear what Boulder City Council is working on, and how to get involved. Lauren will provide an update on the City’s initiatives on affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, sustainability initiatives, the state of the Development Services Department, and a host of other topics of interest to the local architectural community. This will be a casual format and you’ll have opportunities for Q&A. Please RSVP in advance.
Code Class: Overview of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code
This August 30th, join us for an overview of the current 2021 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code and how architects apply it to their everyday work. This full-day program includes lunch and will be submitted for approval for 6.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours. Early registration is now open for AIA members until August 9th, when registration will open up to non-members as well. Early registration rates expire on August 22nd!
AIA COLORADO MEMBER NEWS
DNA Alpine wins the 2023 North American Copper in Architecture Award
Awarded to CCY Architects, this award recognizes and promotes North American building projects for their outstanding use of architectural copper and copper alloys. Learn more
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
Denver Community Planning and Development – Resources for Electrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Spaces Requirements
EV code requirements impact how parking is configured for a project and should be addressed during the Site Development Plan process. On June 20, 2023, City Council approved amendments that take a phased approach to these requirements to ensure projects already at the formal site development plan/construction drawing preparation stage can continue with minimal impacts
Learn more
2022 Denver Energy Code Resources
Residential and commercial checklists for the 2022 Denver Energy Code (DEC) are available. Please note that these have been recently updated and will continue to be updated on a regular basis.
Denver Public Schools Opportunities
- DPS CEC Early College Coach/ Mentor is a volunteer opportunity seeking A/E and construction professionals to mentor high school students with specific interests in architecture. Deadline to apply is October 23rd.
- DPS High School Architecture/Drafting Instructor is an opening at DPS to teach high school students architecture and drafting.
More info regarding both opportunites can be found here.
Habits of the Anthropocene Conference
The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy which will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
Women’s Leadership Summit
Registration is open for Women’s Leadership Summit 2023! This premier event is designed for ambitious women who want to unlock their full potential, make a lasting impact on their careers, and lead change in architecture and the allied professions.
Join AIA members in Boston September 12–14, 2023, to meet, network with, and learn from an extraordinary lineup of renowned speakers, trailblazing leaders, and industry experts—and earn up to 45 AIA LUs.
Young Architects Forum July Newsletter
A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Applications Are Now Live
This month, EPA launched two Notices of Funding Opportunity for the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) and the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA). In alignment with the Justice40 Initiative, these grants will fund key decarbonization projects and underscore adaptive reuse as an integral climate solution. The competitions share a closing date of October 12, 2023, and additional information about engagement opportunities as well as the process to apply for funding is available on the EPA’s website.
Exceptionally Strong Growth in Nonresidential Building Spending Projected for 2023; Slower Gains Predicted for 2024
The American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Consensus Construction Forecast panel has optimistic projections for nonresidential building spending in late 2023 and beyond, and the news is generally positive – with a caveat.
View Consensus Construction Forecast
Artificial Intelligence in Contract Management- Rhetoric to Reality
Today’s automated contract management systems and their use of AI grew out of three different disciplines – contract management, document management, and business analytics. Read more of the White Paper in the AI in Contract Management Series.
New eBook! Maximize Your Facilities Maintenance Contracts: Contract Fundamentals, Special Considerations, and Best Practices
This eBook serves as an introduction to the latest product offerings from AIA Contract Documents focused on building and facility maintenance.
AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index Stable in June
The ABI score of 50.1 for the month indicates that billings at architecture firms remained steady as design activity continues to slowly recover from roiled economic conditions. When asked about AI, few firms reported using it, although 90% expect usage to increase over the next three years.
Some of AIA’s Top Honors & Awards are Open for Submission
AIA Honors & Awards has several awards open for submission—Fellowship, Interior Architecture, Regional & Urban Design, etc. View available submission opportunities and make Colorado proud!
View Submissions Currently Open
Premier Partner Spotlight
We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, market development, and advocacy. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry providing timely and reliable information.
Learn More About The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
Looking for Additional Resources?
The State of the Art of Architecture
An exploration of the present and future state of sustainable architecture in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, The State of the Art of Architecture took place Thursday, July 27th, on the roof of the Aspen Art Museum. A collaborative event where members of AIA Colorado, the statewide voice of the architecture profession, rowland+broughton architecture and interior design, and CORE, a nonprofit committed to leading the Roaring Fork Valley towards a carbon-free, net zero energy future, presented an exploration of the present and future state of architecture in Colorado’s mountainous regions.
The event featured three separate panels: residential architecture, commercial architecture, and public architecture. Comprised of panelists from AIA Colorado’s board, and moderated by CORE‘s CEO Dallas Blaney, each 15-minute panel produced insightful commentary and memorable exchanges regarding sustainability in architecture.
Below are just a few quotes in response to questions posed to each panel, providing a brief snapshot from the afternoon’s discussions.
Residential Panel
Dallas Blaney, CEO, CORE: What are some of the emerging trends and technologies in sustainable residential design that get you excited?
Sarah Broughton, FAIA, rowland+broughton: Some of the most exciting things are going back to the core elements of passive design, and that’s the way that we’re really doing our purpose is looking at our siding, looking at natural vegetation, looking at solar orientation and wind, and really using those given elements to work with and make sure that we’re designing with those first and foremost.
Scott Munn, AIA, MA Studios: We’re finding more and more clients and people are willing to take a look at more energy efficient and climate forward techniques.
John Glenn, AIA, Davis Partnership Architects: The adoption of new renewable energy codes and meeting the greater requirements to net zero 2050.
Scott Rodwin, AIA, Rodwin Architecture: We had the biggest wildfire in Colorado history with the Marshall fire and it has turned into an experiment likes of which I’ve never seen. You now see 1,000 homes going up next to each other… once the residents started working with the architects, they found that they could imagine the possibility for their house that was dramatically better, with lower energy bills, more thermally comfortable, and more environmentally responsible across the board than the house that they had.
Dallas Blaney: We’re going to start spending more time thinking about embodied carbon, the kind of carbon that gets captured in the actual construction of the building materials in the construction process. Can you all talk a little bit about that and the role that’s playing in your design process and trying to think through these embodied learning challenges?
John Glenn, AIA: We’re beginning to see the proliferation of cross laminated timber, heavy timber wood projects like this in the mid-rise, high-rise sphere because of the adoption of newer building codes.
Sarah Broughton, FAIA: We are doing a lot with with heavy timber on cross laminated timber, but also we’re looking at our installation and again, these are not very sexy stuff subjects. Your core shell is the number one thing you can do. So, if you’re a homeowner, right now, and you’re wondering “what can I do with my existing home?” Get a blower door test, understand how much air is infiltrating through your current house, and you’d be amazed and that’s the number one thing you can do to reduce the amount of energy that you’re using in your home. And so we’re building very tightly.
Scott Rodwin, AIA: There are things such as the density of housing per capita, so if you can have what would have been one 5,000 square foot house and cut it into a duplex with two 2,500 square foot houses, you’re automatically reducing the amount of carbon per capita… Because the price of land is so expensive. Most developers and most homeowners build the biggest building they’re allowed to on any given parcel. And if you can turn that into two or three houses, or two or three things instead of just one, it automatically instantly reduces the amount of carbon that each person is using.
Scott Munn, AIA: We happen to be working on a project down here in Salida, where we’re experimenting with earth blocks. This is a technique where you take the soil from the actual site that you are working on, but add a little concrete or something in it but not too much and actually structurally make the blocks for the entire project. That’s a very low carbon footprint right there. ..The actual mix of that soil also works as a sort of release of energy and moisture. And we can reduce the size of mechanicals when we use that type of technology.
Commercial Panel
Dallas Blaney, CEO, CORE: If you start a project today, given how long it takes to go from design to actually, you know, implementation, how can you even begin to plan for the day when that project will go under construction and try to forecast or allow for the flexibility to incorporate the most recent technology as the buildings being designed or not designed to build? How do you design for a building to allow it to adopt the most recent technology as its being?
Andy Rockmore, AIA, Shears Adkins Rockmore: We’re always we’re looking out ahead to see not only what the technology is but what the market will want, what the demographic issues are. It’s a real challenge. And I think, what might be a little controversial, but but we find ourselves more and more, looking away from technology, looking towards more passive strategies because not only do things wildly change in the societal changes, certainly just lived through a major one. But technology is changing faster than we can keep up. So, if we looked for the greatest lighting control system in the design phase, and then that building is open two or three years later, it can be a real problem by then there could be a much, much better system. So we’re looking at, as I said, back to sort of time tested solar orientation, building envelope issues, passive strategies, looking at kind of all of the things that used to be really regarded as good design.
Alexander Person, AIA, SmithGroup: I’ve seen a few buildings that we designe have thet dual purpose. So if it’s an office building, you can think about, you know, the future use of something else that would allow more flexibility to incorporate new construction methods.
Dallas Blaney: So we heard earlier about the fire in Denver area that wiped out 1,000 homes in a day. I mean, just unbelievable. And now we’re all living through these incredible heat waves that don’t seem temporary anymore. The Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Florida if y’all caught this, they just recorded what may be the hottest temperature ever recorded in the ocean over 100 degrees and it beat the previous record which was set off the coast of Kuwait. It really makes you pause. So as you all are, I can’t imagine the challenges you all are going through, as you’re building particularly these large buildings and doing these designs. How do you design for a building that’s resilient to climate change?
Alexander Person, AIA: I think it’s our biggest challenge. As designers, as architects, as people that care about the built environment, I don’t think I have the correct answer. But what we’re trying to do in some of our buildings is looking at it in a regional standpoint, for instance, in Colorado, we’ve got fires. So think about the way that you design your house to be more targeted.
Andy Rockmore, AIA: We have to be really careful and really specific, especially about our climate, which is a huge, huge challenge. And we have clients from all over the country who come in and say this is what we love. This is what we do. And it takes a lot of sort of unwinding. To talk to them specifically about how challenging it is to be an architect or to design buildings that last in Colorado… Now I bet all the architects in the room would would agree the way we’re practicing now just seems lightyears ahead of where we were even five years ago, kind of like we were saying about technology. So it’s just getting smarter. And maybe one other point is making sure that our buildings, especially our commercial buildings, are flexible, that they can accommodate a variety of uses.
Public Panel
Dallas Blaney, CEO, CORE: Because public buildings have a lot of stakeholders, it’s very difficult more so maybe than other projects. So what design choices do you help make for them that are climate positive public building?
Julianne Scherer, AIA, HDR: It’s the material choices. That would be embodied carbon in the materials that we select. Concrete, you heard that dirty word, and also steel when there’s a lot more steel manufacturers now. That are looking at the wetlands process in order to reduce the amount of carbon that those products have, and that sort of considering the CLT and other opportunities of materials that we select and put to our clients and show them the benefits. Also, the lifecycle costs because most of our public clients are going to be in their buildings for quite a long time, versus maybe some residential or other commercial projects. And so we want to show them that over the lifetime of their building the value that they’ll get back in real dollars.
Wells Squier, AIA, Anderson Hallas Architects: I think the greatest impact at the initial onset of design really talks about goals, right, and we try it, if there’s not sort of an energy policy that this county or city has adopted, we will often engage in those discussions and ask, how could we establish a goal for this project in terms of performance, or sustainability for the long term?
Marc Swackhamer, Assoc. AIA, University of Colorado Denver College of Architecture & Planning: I’ll talk a little bit about how we foreground decision making in our students and how we really encourage them to think about the circumstance of a project and how it gives all the clues they need on the best materials to use the best strategies, using both both passive and active strategies. And how the kind of critical decision making around sustainable choices happens both from intimately understanding and being empathic with the client and also the site and the materials that are appropriate for a project.
Dallas Blaney: So public buildings, there’s such a rich opportunity there not just to create a space for the public but also to use the building as a catalyst for educating the workforce on new technologies, new strategies for building design and kind of up-skilling the workforce and all of that. Can you talk about your experience in designing public buildings as as kind of an early mover, early adopter and advancing some of these new strategies, design methodologies, etc?
Wells Squier, AIA: The technology is emerging on this incredible curve when you think about our tools and our resources as designers and architects 30 years ago compared to where we are now obviously, this curve is super steep. And in my experience, not explicitly, but generally, I find that the public clients are not risk takers, but at the same time, that comes back to our responsibility and I agree to an end in that. We need to be cautious with new technology. As well especially when we bring this responsibility to a public building that is going to be occupied and used for 50 plus years.
Julianne Scherer, AIA: They are typically not risk takers in that this is the taxpayers money that’s going towards these buildings and you might not be able to get everything you want. But is there something within the dialogue and the discussion of those early goals setting, admission setting of that specific entity that you can at least start with one thing. So, perhaps it is showing how you’re going to use gray water for some of your plumbing systems, or the lighting, how you’ve put daylight harvesting in a building. So maybe there’s some little tweaks that you can make in a building and then make sure that you’re transparent to the community and to those that are actually working in that building as well as the value of those small, incremental pieces that you choose to put into the design.
Marc Swackhamer, Assoc. AIA: We are really passionate with our three grand challenges, global challenges that we try to tackle in all our courses in all of our curriculum: equity in your workplace and equity and in terms of who we serve as architects, the housing crisis we’re facing, and climate change. They’re asked to grapple with these questions that are massive questions. But all three are questions that architects interface with and by the time the students leave, they leave with a set of a set of questions that they’re asking around sustainability, because that’s why we’re here now and the other two grand challenges I mentioned, that drive them forward for their entire career.
Colorado Architecture News | 07.19.23
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 07.19.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“So much of your career and your life is an accumulation of your experiences.”
— Sarah Broughton, FAIA, Principle at rowland+broughton, 2023 AIA Colorado President.
Sarah was recently highlighted in AIA National’s weekly 60-second “Future Focused” video series. The series features female architects and designers’ favorite work, as well as the leadership, mentorship, and vision they are pursuing for an increasingly diverse and equitable profession. The videos share the stories of women, men, and firm leaders who are elevating women and changing the profession to make it a vocation of choice for anyone interested in the design field.
AIA COLORADO NEWS
Practice + Design Conference Expo Hall Vendor Application Now Open to Premier Partners and Allied Members
Know a company that serves your firm and clients really well? The AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference expo hall and event sponsorship online sign-up page is now open to our Premier Partners and Allied Members as a benefit for their continued support of AIA Colorado. This opportunity to secure a booth, register for a learning lab, or become a conference sponsor is available through August 15th, at which point if there are opportunities still open, we will make them available to a wider industry audience.
If a firm is not currently a Premier Partner or Allied Member, there is still time to sign up as one of our industry partners and secure a booth, submit for a learning lab, or sign up for conference sponsorship.
Lastly, if you’re interested in viewing the 2023 Engage Practice + Design Conference prospectus, you can view it here.
DORA Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors Board Transition
The State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors says a grateful farewell to Stephen Powell, AIA and welcomes Christy Riggs, AIA. Three architect members sit on the Department of Regulatory Affairs board alongside peer professionals in other design disciplines. Stephen is a former South Section AIA President and an active volunteer in his community for groups involved in child advocacy and affordable housing. Thank you, Stephen!
Governor Jared Polis appointed Christy Riggs who steps into the role with continuing architect board members Stephanie Morales Ostasuc, AIA and Nan Anderson, FAIA. For the first time in Colorado history, the three architect seats are held by women. Christy Riggs is a long-time South Section volunteer and previous South board member, who also regularly represents the architecture profession on Colorado Springs area boards and commissions, in addition to running her own practice.
These volunteer jobs are not for the faint of heart—requiring hundreds of pages of material to review and hours-long monthly meetings. The architecture community appreciates the commitment these board members make to maintain the integrity of our practice.
AES Board Home
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
Tour of Colorado Convention Center Expansion
Thursday, July 20th, join the Denver Local Advisors Group for a tour before construction wraps and the space is opened to the public, followed by happy hour at The Corner Office. The Colorado Convention Center has served as a hub for downtown Denver and the Mountain West for over thirty years. In 2015, voters approved an expansion to the facility that hosts over 230 events on an annual basis. Please RSVP in advance.
Academy of Architecture for Health Networking Event
This July 27th, join the Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community for a happy hour networking event hosted at Page’s office. Open to AIA Colorado members. Please RSVP in advance.
On September 19th, join AIA Colorado as we unveil the recipients of the 2023 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects. We sincerely hope that your whole team, clients, friends, and family can join in the celebration. It will be a fantastic event and we’re looking forward to it!
Event sponsorship is available and we invite you to view the event prospectus.
AIA COLORADO MEMBER NEWS
“Bigger Does Seem Also to be Better for CCY Architects, Winners of Top International Recognition”
Read about CCY Architects recent accolades, international awards, projects, and the firm’s community focus in the Aspen Times.
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
AEF Travel Scholarship – Denmark & Sweden
Each year, the Architectural Education Foundation (AEF) funds Travel Scholarships for AIA members to support educational endeavors and gain more experience.
This past June, utilizing the Fisher Travel Scholarship, Sean Jursnick, AIA, Architect at SAR+, was able to spend two weeks in Denmark and Sweden examining smart cities and carbon-reduction efforts. The trip provided an opportunity to build connections with Danish and Swedish architects, visit innovative projects, and ultimately find ways to contribute to AIA’s efforts to promote carbon reduction.
Habits of the Anthropocene
The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy which will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
AIA Updates the Framework for Design Excellence
A major update for 2023 includes the explicit labeling of “high impact” action items into each principle. This provides architects with an overview of recommendations, understanding that they are not necessarily able to adopt every single best practice. These high-impact items are categorized in a way that centers the four outcomes of the Framework: if architects can only do one thing, here are brief suggestions to design zero-carbon, resilient, equitable, and healthy projects.
For more information, read the Press Release and view The Framework for Design Excellence
AIA Selects Ten Projects for Healthcare Design Awards
The year’s best healing spaces, presented by the AIA’s Academy of Architecture for Health
View Winners
Some of AIA’s Top Honors & Awards are Open for Submission
View available submission opportunities and make Colorado proud!
View Submissions Currently Open
NCARB Releases Annual Data Report on State of Architectural Licensure
The findings in NCARB by the Numbers are pulled from NCARB’s database of over 128,000 licensure candidates and architects, making this annual report the most comprehensive source for licensure statistics. Explore data on the number of licensed architects, gender and racial diversity, and attrition along the path to licensure.
Student Loan Forgiveness, Repayment Programs are Critical
Korey White, AIA, reacts to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on student loan relief and shares how the burden of college debt has impacted her career.
Read More
New Survey Results Highlight Evolving Trends in Home and Property Design
Home sizes are stabilizing, and clients are looking for value in upgrades.
For more infomation, read the Press Release and view the Latest Survey Results
Women’s Leadership Summit
Registration is open for Women’s Leadership Summit 2023! This premier event is designed for ambitious women who want to unlock their full potential, make a lasting impact on their careers, and lead change in architecture and the allied professions.
Join AIA members in Boston September 12–14, 2023, to meet, network with, and learn from an extraordinary lineup of renowned speakers, trailblazing leaders, and industry experts—and earn up to 45 AIA LUs.
Premier Partner Spotlight
We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, JVA, Incorporated, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.
JVA, Incorporated is a consulting engineering firm with offices in Boulder, Fort Collins, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, and Denver, Colorado. Since 1956, JVA has provided engineering services to architects, owners, building departments, and general contractors in Colorado and nationwide. Our Structural, Civil, and Environmental engineering departments offer highly skilled engineers who complement your experience to fully meet your design and construction needs. We take pride in our commitment to provide excellent service.
Learn More About JVA, Incorporated
Looking for Additional Resources?
Colorado Architecture News | 07.05.23
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 07.05.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“We are blessed to have places like Civic Center – a beautiful, architectural campus that is Denver’s first National Historic Landmark. But what truly makes Civic Center special – and the heart of our city – is that it is a place where we come together as a community, where we build the social fabric that ties us together. It is the place where we celebrate, where we participate, where we pause and where we play.
This is the place where we gather with our neighbors– where we learn to support and take care of one another – where we participate in democracy – this is the place where we practice tolerance and learn to co-exist. This is the place where as a community we should strive to put our best foot forward.
This is the power of public space. This is the purpose of public space.”
— Eric Lazzari, Executive Director of the Civic Center Conservancy
DESIGN + HONOR AWARDS CELEBRATION
On September 19th, join AIA Colorado as we unveil the recipients of the 2023 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects.
Taking place at Mile High Station, we look forward to welcoming you at 5:30pm to enjoy the music of Spinphony, delicious food and drink, and an event program beginning right at 7pm. This year’s jury enjoyed the incredible selection of work that our member architects submitted, and we’re thrilled to present both the Design Award winners as well as the Honor Award recipients.
AIA COLORADO NEWS
Practice + Design Conference Call for Presentations Closes July 7th
The Practice + Design Conference brings together the community of architects in Colorado for inspiring insights from global design leaders, advanced practice management methods, and practical innovations from industry partners. We’re interested in hearing from those in our community who are ready to contribute and lead a session at Keystone.
If you have a presentation in mind, visit the link below and start your submission today. Or, if you know someone who would be a great fit, encourage them to create a submission. The submission window closes Friday, July 7th at 5pm.
Expo hall booth and sponsorships will open soon, with preference given to Premier Partners and Allied Members first. If you’re interesting in viewing the Engage Practice + Design Conference prospectus, you can view it here.
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
Code Class: 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code (2021 IBC update)
This July 19th, review changes from the last edition to the current edition of the International Building Code as recently adopted by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and go into effect June 30th. The background behind many of the changes will be discussed to provide participants with an understanding of the intent of the changes and how to apply it to their everyday work. Subjects covered in the class will include the code change process, mixed occupancies, atriums, accessible means of egress, and more. This full-day program includes lunch and will be submitted for approval for 6.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours. Early registration rates expire July 12th!
The State of the Art of Architecture
Thursday July 27th at the Aspen Art Museum, join AIA Colorado, CORE, and rowland+broughton for an exploration of the present and future state of sustainable architecture in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. Space is limited, please RSVP in advance.
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
Mud Futures Installation at History Colorado
With roots in Colorado’s Conejos County and as a professor of architecture at UC Berkeley, Ronald Rael challenges us to think differently about materials, space, borders, and linear time. In his upcoming installation at History Colorado, Rael uses modern-day 3D printing to reimagine the 7,000-year-old technology of adobe, and will be creating a large structure out of an adobe mixture of clay, straw, and sand on the front porch of the History Colorado Center! Visitors are invited to witness his work in progress July 7–9, or plan a visit soon after its completion. View video of the process.
Learn more about the upcoming pop-up exhibition.
Telluride Art + Architecture Week
Taking place the week of July 10 – 16, Telluride Art + Architecture Week is an immersive art experience showcasing the architectural, landscape, interior design, and creative talent of Telluride. Join fellow architects Friday, July 14th, for Design Industry Day, presented by Altitude Control Technology, CCY Architects, Dornbracht, Henry Built and Delta Millworks. Continuing Education courses are followed by a social networking event.
Todd Kennedy, AIA, and Jenny Trumble, AIA, from CCY Architects will also be giving a presentation on DNA Alpine at Telluride Art & Architecture week, July 12th.
The Madeline Hotel hosts the event and offers preferred rates to design industry participants. View more information
DEN’s Business Development Training Academy – Concourse 100 program
DEN’s Business Development Training Academy is now accepting applications for its Concourse 100 program. This is an entry level 9-week program for small businesses in the A/E/C industry who are interested in learning how to work at DEN. Please share this with your small business network. Deadline to apply is July 16th.
Habits of the Anthropocene
The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy which will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
Women’s Leadership Summit
Registration is open for Women’s Leadership Summit 2023! This premier event is designed for ambitious women who want to unlock their full potential, make a lasting impact on their careers, and lead change in architecture and the allied professions.
Join AIA members in Boston September 12–14, 2023, to meet, network with, and learn from an extraordinary lineup of renowned speakers, trailblazing leaders, and industry experts—and earn up to 45 AIA LUs.
Pride by Design is Building a Community for LGBTQIA+ Architects
The new initiative founded by Sarah Nelson-Woynicz, AIA, aims to build connection and community among LGBTQIA+ architects.
Read more
AIAU: Achieving Zero Energy Building Design
Improve your skills in high-efficiency building design with this highly interactive learning program based on the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings.
Learn more
When Is Modular Construction Best Employed on Projects?
Modular construction can be an attractive delivery model for many projects. Consider these factors when determining whether modular construction is appropriate for your project.
Read more
Construction Risk Brief
Consider subscribing to AIA Contract Documents’ Official Newsletter: Construction Risk Brief. AIA Contract Documents is excited to launch a monthly newsletter so you can stay up-to-date on all things risk management in the construction industry. From articles to webinars to videos, hear from the industry’s leading experts on how to expect and handle risk at every point of your project.
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ABI May 2023: Architecture Firm Billings Bounce Back
The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for the month was 51.0, the highest it has been since last September.
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Colorado Architecture News | 06.21.23
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 06.21.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“It’s been incredibly inspiring to see the breadth and depth of the work that you all have shared with us. It’s all encompassing, it is broad, and I loved how you embraced the design measures of excellence.”
— Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, Jury Chair, AIA Design Awards, addressing the 2023 Design Award Submissions.
In addition to our 2023 Design Awards Jury meeting in San Francisco to deliberate on this years’ entrants, AIA Colorado members and staff took in the many keynotes, lectures, learning labs, social meetups, and strolled the expo hall floors at A’23. Catch up on some of the events that took place as well as keynotes from the main stage here.
Call For Presentations
Practice + Design Conference Call for Presentations Now Open
The Practice + Design Conference brings together the community of architects in Colorado for inspiring insights from global design leaders, advanced practice management methods, and practical innovations from industry partners. We’re interested in hearing from those in our community who are ready to contribute and lead a session at Keystone.
This year’s theme, ENGAGE, is focused on the big topics and discussions that face our industry, our practices, and our communities. We’re interested in conversations where the stakes are great and the opportunities are real, creating chances for us to propel our profession forward, right here in Colorado.
If you have a presentation in mind, visit the link below and start your submission today. Or, if you know someone who would be a great fit, encourage them to create a submission. The submission window closes Friday, July 7th at 5pm.
Expo hall booth and sponsorships will open soon, with preference given to Premier Partners and Allied Members first. If you’re interesting in viewing the Engage Practice + Design Conference prospectus, you can view it here.
AIA COLORADO NEWS
2023 Legislative Session Recap
Advocacy Engagement Director Nikolaus Remus, AIA, covers the top bills affecting the architecture profession from the 2023 legislative session. This part 1 will go into detail on the bills AIA Colorado took action on. A future part 2 will give a broad overview of other bills that may be of interest to members.
Colorado’s New Statewide Energy Code Means Lower Costs, Better Air Quality
As the standards better accommodate solar panels and electric vehicles, Colorado just finalized its new statewide energy code, but what does that mean for new construction? Learn more in Colorado Newsline from AIA Colorado’s Advocacy Engagement Director, Nikolaus Remus, and Executive Director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, Heidi M. Gordon, as they break down the implications of the new energy code.
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
Code Class: 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code (2021 IBC update)
This July 19th, review changes from the last edition to the current edition of the International Building Code as recently adopted by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and go into effect June 30th. The background behind many of the changes will be discussed to provide participants with an understanding of the intent of the changes and how to apply it to their everyday work. Subjects covered in the class will include the code change process, mixed occupancies, atriums, accessible means of egress, and more. This full-day program includes lunch and will be submitted for approval for 6.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours. Early registration rates expire July 12th!
The State of the Art of Architecture
Thursday July 27th at the Aspen Art Museum, join AIA Colorado, CORE, and rowland+broughton for an exploration of the present and future state of sustainable architecture in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. Space is limited, please RSVP in advance.
AIA Colorado Member News
Under a Denver Highway, Artists Find Space for the Surreal
The art collective Meow Wolf worked with local architects to create a trippy “Convergence Station” on a wedge-shaped site beneath a busy interstate. Hear from Dan Craig, architect and principal for Shears Adkins Rockmore, in Bloomberg.
Read more
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
2022 Denver Energy Code Training Series
Want to learn more about what is changing for commercial/multifamily and residential buildings when the 2022 Denver Energy Code goes into effect? Join City of Denver for a comprehensive training series that will teach you about key changes in the new code. Feel free to join for specific topics or the entire series, which includes content for both commercial and residential project teams. ICC and AIA/HSW continuing education credit will be provided.
Telluride Art + Architecture Week
Taking place the week of July 10 – 16, Telluride Art + Architecture Week is an immersive art experience showcasing the architectural, landscape, interior design, and creative talent of Telluride. Join fellow architects Friday, July 14th, for Design Industry Day, presented by Altitude Control Technology, CCY Architects, Dornbracht, Henry Built and Delta Millworks. Continuing Education courses are followed by a social networking event.
Todd Kennedy, AIA, and Jenny Trumble, AIA, from CCY Architects will also be giving a presentation on DNA Alpine at Telluride Art & Architecture week, July 12th.
The Madeline Hotel hosts the event and offers preferred rates to design industry participants. View more information
DEN’s Business Development Training Academy – Concourse 100 program
DEN’s Business Development Training Academy is now accepting applications for its Concourse 100 program. This is an entry level 9-week program for small businesses in the A/E/C industry who are interested in learning how to work at DEN. Please share this with your small business network. Deadline to apply is July 16th.
Temple Hoyne Buell Endowed Ambassadorial Scholarship
The Temple Hoyne Buell Endowed Ambassadorial Scholar Program provides $30,000 scholarship awards for undergraduate or graduate studies outside the USA. Scholars must commence studies between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 and expend the scholarship funds within 12 months of starting studies. Study must be in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning or related subjects.
Habits of the Anthropocene
The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy which will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
AIA Elects Evelyn Lee as its 2025 President
Evelyn Lee, FAIA, has been elected the 2025 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Lee will first serve as the 2024 AIA First Vice President/2025 President-elect, before beginning her one year term as president in 2025.
Read more
In addition to Evelyn Lee, 2 new leaders have been elected to the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Board of Directors.
Webinar: Artificial Intelligence – Rhetoric and Reality
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a buzzword that companies across all industries are using in a variety of ways to imply innovation. It has become, by all generally accepted definitions, a market bubble. Contract document management is no exception. Sign up in advance for the free webinar taking place July 12th, 12 – 1 pm MT | 1 LU.
Register here
AIA23: Global Insights on Tech for Architects
BIM 2.0, AI (artificial intelligence), and talk of the Apple Vision Pro were highlighted points in multiple discussions with technology vendors at A’23.
Read more at Architosh
CCY named a finalist in Architizer A+ Awards
DNA Apline home was named in the Best Residential Firm category for this year’s Architizer A+ Awards and also received an Honor Award from Residential Design Magazine.
Read more
Tryba’s GoSpotCheck Headquarters in Architect Magazine
See more at Architect Magazine
How A.I. Is Helping Architects Change Workplace Design
With more hybrid workers and new office needs, firms like Zaha Hadid Architects are turning to artificial intelligence for solutions.
Read more at NY Times
The 8 Best New Design, Architecture, and Urbanism Books Out This Summer
Looking for some Summer reading? Check out these suggestions from Curbed.
Read more at Curbed
AIA Colorado at A’23
This year’s AIA National Conference, A’23, took place from June 7th-10th at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. The architecture and design event of the year is truly epic in scale with thousands of attendees, including members from AIA Colorado. Below are a series of snapshots and quick thoughts from a few of the events that AIA Colorado members and staff participated in.
Save the date and join us for A’24, in Washington, D.C., June 5–8, 2024!
AEC Cares Build Day
The AEC Cares service project has made a positive impact in national conference host cities since 2011. Bringing together AIA participants, a pro-bono design team, and donations from industry partners, a local non-profit receives a comprehensive makeover. This year, youth services non-profit The Lark Inn transformed their shelter in the Tenderloin District. AIA Colorado staff members Nikolaus Remus and Mike Waldinger were among the 140 volunteers on hand. AEC Cares was co-founded by Mike who continues to serve as a board member.
A’23 Day 1 Keynote
Barbara Bouza, FAIA: Making the impossible possible
A’23’s Day One keynote speaker shares a window into the world of Disney Imagineering.
Women at the Helm
I was honored to represent the members of AIA Colorado at A’23 two weeks ago in San Francisco. It was the largest gathering of architects since 2019 and the energy was infectious! I spent Wednesday in the annual business meeting, voting on overall organization policy changes and listening to the national board candidates speak about how they will lead the future of AIA and its members. The voting on Thursday resulted in the election of two powerful and insightful leaders. Evelyn Lee, FAIA, won President-elect and Latoya Kamdang, AIA, as At Large Director. Evelyn is well known to AIA Colorado having spoken previously to our Business of Architecture and CKLDP groups. The days were filled with keynote speakers, presentations, panels, and a wealth of information on the expo floor. It was great to see members of AIA Colorado at the happy hour on Thursday, thank you for coming!
My overall take aways from this importation national gathering of colleagues, is the immense opportunity and obligation we have to lead our communities, clients, and each other into the future that is balanced with nature and all humans. The nature of our work as architects at any level or role is leadership. We must continue to knowledge share with each other and coalesce to rise to today’s challenges.
Sitting on a “Women At The Helm” panel with colleagues, Kerry Nolan, AIA, Elizabeth Leber, AIA, Angela O’Byrne, FAIA, reinforced the power of togetherness and the importance of continuing to take steps forward daily.
— Sarah Broughton, FAIA, President AIA Colorado
College of Fellows Investiture Ceremony
Three outstanding architects from Colorado have been newly elevated to the College of Fellows, one of the highest honors bestowed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and were celebrated at the College of Fellows Investiture Ceremony.
Ron Abo, FAIA, Principal at The Abo Group, Victor Olgyay, FAIA, Principal at Rocky Mountain Institute, and Brad Tomecek, FAIA, Principal at Tomecek Studio Architecture, were recognized for their contributions to the architecture profession, and their dedication to advancing the built environment. Only 3 percent of AIA’s 95,000 members hold this distinction and only 76 new fellows were inducted this year, a historically small number. Even in a historically small group of inductees, Colorado had the largest class of new Fellows in five years!
AIA Colorado at A23
Thursday evening, A’23 attendees from all across Colorado met and enjoying charcuterie and conversation. It was great to see familiar faces, including our friends at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning, while at A’23 and a huge thanks to HDR San Francisco for hosting us!
A’23 Day 2 Keynote
GSA announces investment in Green Proving Ground; industry experts tout sustainability and client benefits of design-build integration
Integration is the future. How can architects do it effectively?
Administrator Robin Carnahan specifically mentioned the Denver Federal Center as a case study for the work they want see more frequently.
2023 Design Award Jury
“It’s been incredibly inspiring to see the breadth and depth of the work that you all have shared with us. It’s all encompassing, it is broad, and I loved how you embraced the design measures of excellence.”
— Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, Jury Chair, AIA Design Awards, addressing the 2023 Design Award Submissions.
After months of anticipation and 118 projects submitted, our 2023 Design Awards Jury was finally able to meet in San Francisco and deliberate on this years’ entrants. The jury was immensely impressed with the quality of the work taking place in Colorado and thoughtfully engaged with their decisions for the whole day. While you’ll have to wait until September 19th’s Awards Celebration at Mile High Station to find out which projects won (tickets on sale soon!), we can confidently say that a lot of care and thought went into this phase of the process by a jury dedicated to the task. Thank you CRI & Canoa for hosting our jury deliberations!
A’23 Keynote Day 3
The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern
Former New Zealand Prime Minister the Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern headlined the final day of AIA’s 2023 Conference on Architecture. In a conversation with AIA’s President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, Ardern discussed the climate crisis, how to ensure diversity as a leader, notable building projects completed during her tenure, and much more.
Colorado Architecture News | 06.07.23
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 06.07.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“Successfully completing any project is a minor miracle these days. Thank you once again for your time and effort. We think you will like what you see.”
— Mike Waldinger, CEO AIA Colorado, addressing the 2023 Design Award jury
Thank you to everyone who took the time and energy to submit a project for the 2023 Design + Honor Awards. We received 118 Design Award submissions, from all over the state, and are ready for the jury to evaluate them this week in San Francisco, while in town for A’23. We could not be more proud of the high degrees of excellence that our membership and are on the edge of our seats to see what the jury decides.
Call For Presentations
Practice + Design Conference Call for Presentations Now Open
That’s right, its been a few years, but we’re opening up a call far and wide for presentations at this November’s conference! The Practice + Design Conference brings together the community of architects in Colorado for inspiring insights from global design leaders, advanced practice management methods, and practical innovations from industry partners. We’re interested in hearing from those in our community who are ready to contribute and lead a session at Keystone.
This year’s theme, ENGAGE, is focused on the big topics and discussions that face our industry, our practices, and our communities. We’re interested in conversations where the stakes are great and the opportunities are real, creating chances for us to propel our profession forward, right here in Colorado.
If you have a presentation in mind, visit the link below and start your submission today. Or, if you know someone who would be a great fit, encourage them to create a submission. The submission window closes Friday, July 7th at 5pm.
If you’re interesting in viewing the Engage Practice + Design Conference prospectus, you can view it here.
AIA COLORADO NEWS
J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee
The J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee is focused on introducing school-age students to architecture in an effort to expand career pathway exploration and diversify the profession. There are a variety of upcoming opportunities for architects, architectural interns, and allied professionals to share their journey with middle and high school students in the Denver Public School (DPS) system.
View Mentoring and Engagement Opportunities
Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP): 2023 Mid-Year Recap
The first four sessions of the year have provided participants with a diverse range of topics and perspectives. By addressing topics such as entrepreneurship, management, D.E.I., and practical leadership tools, these sessions have equipped the participants with valuable knowledge, insights, and tools for their personal and professional growth. Catch up with session recaps shared by Executive Committee member Jack Reed, AIA.
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
Children’s Hospital North (Broomfield) Building Tour
Join our Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community, June 13th, for a tour of the Children’s Hospital North, covering their recent major renovation and addition project. Space is limited.
The State of the Art of Architecture
Thursday July 27th at the Aspen Art Museum, join AIA Colorado, CORE, and rowland+broughton for an exploration of the present and future state of sustainable architecture in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. Space is limited, please RSVP in advance.
AIA Colorado Member News
Congratulations to Heather Salisbury who has recently been announced as Director of Operations at Valeria Dewalt Train.
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
2022 Denver Energy Code Training Series
Want to learn more about what is changing for commercial/multifamily and residential buildings when the 2022 Denver Energy Code goes into effect? Join City of Denver for a comprehensive training series that will teach you about key changes in the new code. Feel free to join for specific topics or the entire series, which includes content for both commercial and residential project teams. ICC and AIA/HSW continuing education credit will be provided.
Mycelium Making Exhibition Closing Reception
On June 14, visit College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver for the closing reception of Mycelium Making: Creating Worlds in the Anthropocene.
Habits of the Anthropocene
The ACADIA Board of Directors and the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Colorado Denver are excited to announce the 2023 conference Habits of the Anthropocene: Scarcity and Abundance in a Post-Material Economy which will be held in person in Denver, CO from October 26-28th, 2023.
NOMA Mid Year Members Celebration
On June 15th, join the Colorado NOMA Chapter for some outdoor fun, it’s a homecoming, a celebration of life & a gathering of all our NOMA friends!
NOMA Project Pipeline
The NOMA Colorado Project Pipeline Architecture Summer Camp is a 2 day intensive studio-based program that introduces middle school students (ages 7-13/grades 2-7) to the profession of architecture. The students use their creative skills to develop an architectural design for a realistic site in Colorado. Students will learn and practice model making, architectural drawing, sketching, critical thinking and public speaking skills during this fun and challenging program.
ICAA Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Jacques Benedict Awards
Established to acknowledge, support, and advance traditional concepts in craftsmanship design within the Rocky Mountain Region, award categories arearchitecture, interior design, landscape architecture, historic preservation, craftsmanship, allied arts, literature and journalism, among others. Entry deadline is June 16 and projects must be within Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Wyoming, or Montana and have been completed within the last 10 years, 2013 – 2023.
Telluride Art + Architecture Week
Taking place the week of July 10 – 16, Art + Architecture is a weeklong immersive art experience showcasing the architectural, landscape, interior design, and creative talent of Telluride. Join fellow architects Friday, July 14th, for Design Industry Day presented by Altitude Control Technology, CCY Architects, Dornbracht, Henry Built and Delta Millworks. Continuing Education courses are followed by a social networking event.The Madeline Hotel hosts the event and offers preferred rates to design industry participants.
Canstruction Colorado
Canstruction® Colorado is a city-wide competition in which architects and designers build life-size structures entirely out of canned food, which will be donated to We Don’t Waste and distributed to local communities at the end of the exhibit. They have opened their call for entries and have a few spots available. View their “Canstruction 101 slide deck” or Visit website for information
Temple Hoyne Buell Endowed Ambassadorial Scholarship
The Temple Hoyne Buell Endowed Ambassadorial Scholar Program provides $30,000 scholarship awards for undergraduate or graduate studies outside the USA. Scholars must commence studies between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 and expend the scholarship funds within 12 months of starting studies. Study must be in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning or related subjects.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
AIA National Is Looking For Volunteer Leaders Like You!
Represent Colorado and help AIA promote the work of the Knowledge Communities and other AIA member groups by joining a 2024 leadership group. Volunteers support their community by:
- increasing engagement
- presenting at events and producing content
- participating in monthly meetings
The application process closes at 5pm ET on June 16.
AIA Helps Spearhead the Search for the Next Architect of the Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) search process is now officially underway, and AIA is working to support a licensed architect as the next candidate for the AOC position. AIA representatives are working closely with key congressional offices and the executive search firm hired by Congress to manage the recruitment for this position.
Read more
Women’s Leadership Summit
Taking place in Boston, this September 12-14, will be the Women’s Leadership Summit. Founded by AIA, this is a premier event that brings together the industry’s largest network of diverse women who are breaking down barriers, making themselves visible, and manifesting the careers they want—while making a difference in the world.
AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index Reflects Continued Weakness in Business Conditions in April
Architecture firms reported a modest decrease in April billings. However, there was a slight increase in inquiries into future project activity according to a report released today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
AIA Colorado National Representatives – Spring 2023
Sarah Broughton, FAIA, AIA Colorado President
Next week, I am attending the national conference on
architecture in San Francisco. As president, it is
humbling to represent all of our members in votes for
national officers, bylaws and resolutions at the annual
business meeting. I welcome your thoughts on the
candidates and issues. It is also inspiring to see so
many peers leading the profession as presenters,
award winners and new Fellows. For those also going
to the conference, we hope you can join us for
Colorado night – RSVP here.
One annual gathering does not come close to showing
the work. Did you know we have many Colorado
colleagues serving in national roles on your behalf?
Please take a moment to get to know these amazing
volunteers who I’ve asked to share their favorite
resource that their role has helped develop for the
membership.
National Architect Licensing Advisor
Kahyun Lee, AIA, National Architect Licensing Advisor, Fentress, Denver
Along with Mara Song, AIA, we want licensure candidates and architects to have access to every tool they need to navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity – and one of those is the community of Architect Licensing Advisors. Architect licensing advisors are local professionals, educators, and students who volunteer their time to help others pursue licensure and reciprocity. These volunteers often provide candidates with their first glimpse into the licensure process, lending help and guidance along the way.
- We have helped 10 candidates so far in 2023. 3 of them are internationals (including foreign architects and candidates with foreign degrees).
- Session at CU Boulder on 2/24, licensure
pathways and basics - Session at CU Denver on 4/17, licensure
pathways and basics
National Associates Committee
Kari Lawson, AIA, National Associate Committee, State/Territory Associate Representative, HDR Inc,
Denver
National Associate Committee (NAC) meets quarterly to discuss key topics that impact associates. There are 5 workgroups organized to assist with advocating on the behalf of associates: Advocacy, Strategic Partnership, VALUE, Knowledge: Professional Development, and Turquoise Agenda.
Our Q2 call focused on: Licensure (the ARE, Stop the Clock), Associate Resources & Engagement, Equity (Barriers, Pay, Work-Life Balance), Networking (Visibility & Awareness), and Mentorship.
As a team member of the Strategic Partnership NAC work group, our mission is to amplify visibility of the NAC by providing a clear framework to raise associate member awareness and provide a repository of information to leverage leadership opportunities. The Advocacy Work Group recently completed a research sprint of the specific jurisdictional impediments blocking the full adoption of NCARB’s newest score validity policy. See the presentation deck that provides in-depth information for jurisdictions with regulatory or statutory impediments.
Here are several A’23 Sessions featuring NAC Members or Topics:
- Building Leadership Through Volunteerism. Featuring NAC Committee Members: Katie Cherrier, Zachary Henry-Litchliter, Arthur Sheffield
- Table Topic Conversations: Looking at the Bigger Picture—A Bias Free Future
- Drawn Out: Ideation & Sketching Solutions for Mental Health Environments. Featuring NAC CACE Liaison, Shahad Sadeq
- Book Signing – “City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers”. Featuring NAC CACE Liaison, Shahad Sadeq. Friday, June 9th, 11:30 AM to 12:30 AM at the ‘A23 Bookstore
AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx)
Emily Adams, AIA, Small Firm Exchange Representative, Neoera, Inc. Denver
The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. As more than 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms, including my own, I’m invested in finding ways to leverage that size for collaboration and influence, just like the individual large firms do. Additionally, as a member of the AIA Colorado Business of Architecture Knowledge Community, I’ve been focusing more internal effort on understanding when/how to hire talent into small firms.
To learn more about the work of the Small Firm Exchange (SFx), visit here. If you’re planning to attend A’23, here’s the SFx picks we think you should check out.
State Disaster Assistance
Brett Hartle, AIA, Colorado State Disaster Assistance Coordinator, Director of Design – Denver International Airport, Denver
Brett acts as AIA Colorado’s liaison/primary point of contact with other State Disaster Assistance Coordinators across the United States and AIA National Office. Additionally, Brett is certified by Cal OES as a Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Evaluator.
Home Innovation Research Labs (Home Innovation) was tasked by HUD to develop a set of practical, actionable guidelines to assist builders and developers in designing and constructing residential buildings, neighborhoods, and accessory structures in a manner that could improve residential resilience to natural hazards and integrate resiliency throughout the community. The resilience guides provide technical content in a straightforward way that is easy for a layperson to understand, while also providing references through which design professionals, builders, developers, and public officials can obtain full details. The guide consists of five volumes. Each volume focuses on a major category of hazard that may pertain to a given project: wind, water, fire, earth (seismic, earthslides, sinkholes), and auxiliary (other hazards such as volcanoes, hail, and temperature extremes). These resilience guides are not intended to substitute for engineering or architectural project design work; rather, the technical guidance identifies components that can be enhanced or improved to achieve above code performance to make residential buildings and other community assets more resilient.
View Designing for Natural Hazards Series Volumes 1 – 5
AIA Strategic Council
Zachary Taylor, AIA, Strategic Council Representative, Taylor Architecture Design, Colorado Springs
The AIA Strategic Council, formed in 2015 from the national repositioning, has changed in the last two years as Councilors were previously chosen at the Region level to serve the membership. With the dissolution of the regions, states now have direct representation on the Strategic Council. It has been my privilege to serve as the first AIA CO representative to the Council.
The Strategic Council is charged to be the forward-looking body within the AIA that informs the national Board of Directors of important issues relevant to the profession through the lens of the Strategic Plan’s core values, imperatives, and strategies. More information about the Strategic Council can be found here.
This year the Council is focusing on five areas of study: Carbon, Design, Economy, Equity, and Health Wellness. Personally, I have been involved with the Carbon Study Group where we’ve been diving into the topic of “Climate-Positive Practice”. We are building on past Council work/reports of Scalable Climate Action and Carbon Literacy (both of which can be found at the link above). I’d like to thank Rodwin Architecture, Fentress Architects, and Shape Architecture for allowing me to pick the brains of their team members on how they’re currently pushing this topic forward within their practices.
AIA Young Architect Forum
Kaylyn Kirby, AIA, Young Architect Forum Representative, Semple Brown Design, PC, Denver
As the Young Architect Rep for CO, I represent the state at the National level within the Young Architects Forum. The YAF is the voice of recently licensed architects (licensed less than 10 years) and a catalyst for progress within the Institute. The 2023-2027 Strategic Initiative is: Architects in Action, Catalyzing for Change. The group meets as a full committee as well as is organized into Focus Groups, which allow us to provide more focused attention on certain initiatives. The 2023 focus groups include: Communications, Community, Advocacy, Knowledge, Strategic Vision, and Special Projects.
Available Resources:
- Recent AIA YAF Connection Issue – All Issues
- The Culture of Architecture – A Multicultural Perspective on Design Through the Lens of Diverse Storytelling
- Young Architect Toolkit – How to Facilitate the Emerging Professional Friendly Firm Program
AIA College of Fellows
Gregory M. Friesen, FAIA, AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region (COF WMR) Representative Member, CSNA Architects, Colorado Springs Colorado, Springboard Preservation Studio, Colorado Springs | Montrose
Although AIA National no longer recognizes it, the College of Fellows retains the Western Mountain Region and considers it to be vital. The seven-state Region includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. There are 184 Fellows in the Western Mountain Region, which is 5% of all AIA Fellows.
There are two Regional Representatives – Jonathan Sparer, FAIA Las Vegas Nevada, and Gregory M. Friesen, FAIA Colorado Springs Colorado. In addition to the Regional Representatives, there are State representatives:
Jack DeBartolo, FAIA – Arizona with 62 Fellows
Glen Berry FAIA, – Idaho with 3 Fellows
Jonathan Sparer, FAIA – Nevada with 16 Fellows
Glenn Fellows, FAIA – New Mexico with 25 Fellows
Roger Jackson, FAIA – Utah with 23 Fellows
John Carney, FAIA – Wyoming with 4 Fellows
Currently Colorado – with 70 Fellows – does not have an official representative; I am
serving in that role de facto.
The COF WMR Representatives meet monthly. At our last meeting, we agreed to form a COF WMR Fellows Committee to promote candidates for Fellowship within the Region, and to review and strengthen their submittals to the AIA College of Fellows Jury.
Colorado Architecture News | 05.17.23
News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 05.17.23
THE WEEK IN WORDS
“Both Rep. Bird and Sen. Simpson approach issues as problems to be solved, choose issues that will help the constituents and communities they serve, while avoiding ideological battles. They are smart, decent people, and fair in their approach to issues. AIA Colorado is lucky to have them as champions.”
— Jerry Johnson, lobbyist and Honorary Member of AIA Colorado
After an eventful campaign season last Fall and a highly productive legislative session this year, we were thrilled to honor Senator Cleave Simpson as AIA Colorado’s exceptional new legislator for 2022, alongside Representative Shannon Bird, our 2022 legislator of the year.
Senator Simpson was acknowledged for his instrumental role in sponsoring the 2021 continuing education bill and his persistent commitment to tackling Colorado’s pressing water issues.
Representative Bird has been an invaluable advocate for licensing bills, recognizing the importance of incorporating precise language in legislation that impacts professions and occupations regulated within Colorado, in alignment with nationwide standards and reciprocity systems.
2023 DESIGN + HONOR AWARDS
Meet the Jurors for the 2023 Design Awards
“The Awards Committee is so proud to have such a powerhouse lineup of esteemed colleagues to serve as our 2023 design jury. The breadth of the practice types and locations represented is exceeded only by their deep expertise and leadership in living out the values we all aspire to. We can’t wait for them to see your best work when they convene at the national conference on architecture in San Francisco!”
— Marisol Foreman, AIA, Awards Committee Chair
Just 2 Days Away!
For both the Design + Honor Awards, Friday May 19th at 5pm is the deadline. Full submission guidelines and instructions can found at the submission link.
AIA COLORADO NEWS
2023 Academic Scholarships
Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Academic Scholarships:
- Colorado North AIA Scholarship: Mansani Salazar, CU Boulder
- Garry G. Landin AIA Scholarship: Erick Medrano, CU Denver
- C. Gordon Sweet AIA Scholarship: James “Gabriel” Morales, CU Denver
- Kenneth R. Fuller AIA Scholarship: Alanah Braaksma, CU Denver
- Michael Kephart AIA Scholarship: William “Brewster” Glascock, CU Denver
- De Von M. Carlson FAIA Scholarship: Toby Underhill, CU Denver
- Priscilla & William Muchow FAIA Scholarship: Mohamad Zaina, CU Denver, and Marshall Reilly, CU Denver
- Temple Hoyne Buell FAIA Scholarship: Julia Lecy, CU Denver
- Robert K. Fuller FAIA Scholarship: Berenice Ibarra, CU Denver
- Flodie and John Anderson FAIA Scholarship: Willa Hendler, CU Denver
- Oscar R. Sanchez AIAS Scholarship: Jose Banuelos, CU Boulder
Design Elevated: Sustainable Urbanism From Colorado
On April 27th, AIA Colorado was honored to showcase several of Colorado’s leading designers in conjunction with the Cities Summit of the Americas, a convergence of Mayors and Civic Leaders from across the Western Hemisphere.
Last week, members from the South and the AIA Colorado Board of Directors toured the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, enjoying insight shared by John Graham, AIA, from Anderson Mason Dale Architects. The fun continued with a happy hour at COATI.
Given that the AIA Colorado Board Presidency is a “milestone moment” in each one’s career, Wells Squire, AIA, gathered the past presidents of AIA Colorado for a time to reminisce as well as share in the future direction of the organization. Held at rowland & broughton last week, stories were shared by all and there are plans to make this gathering a new annual tradition.
AIA COLORADO EVENTS
National Western Center Tour
Join members from Denver and tour the National Western Center Livestock Exchange Building, Central Utility Plan & CSU Spur Building on June 1st.
AIA Colorado at A’23
Connect with fellow AIA Colorado members during A’23 AIA Conference on June 8th at HDR’s San Francisco office.
Children’s Hospital North (Broomfield) Building Tour
Join our Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community for a tour of the Children’s Hospital North, covering their recent major renovation and addition project. Space is limited.
PARTNER NEWS AND EVENTS
2022 Denver Energy Code Training Series
Want to learn more about what is changing for commercial/multifamily and residential buildings when the 2022 Denver Energy Code goes into effect? Join City of Denver for a comprehensive training series that will teach you about key changes in the new code. Feel free to join for specific topics or the entire series, which includes content for both commercial and residential project teams. ICC and AIA/HSW continuing education credit will be provided.
DBIA Rocky Mountain Region – Regional Conference
The Design-Build Institute of America is hosting their annual conference in Aurora on June 8th. The theme for the conference is “Stronger, Together, Everybody’s In”. June 7th will also feature the Design-Build Awards Ceremony and Networking Reception.
Looking for a Volunteer Architectosaurus
The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge, in partnership with Jefferson County Open Space, is working on big capital improvement projects. Dinosaur Ridge is a National Natural Landmark and has close to 250,000 visitors a year and needs a new Visitor Center to provide the best experience for those visitors. The volunteer with architectural expertise will help to ask the right questions and provide the best input to Jefferson County Open Space. You may send a letter of interest and resume to Pallavi Jhaveri or Kermit Shields.
Telluride Art + Architecture Week
Taking place the week of July 10 – 16, Telluride celebrates a weeklong immersive art experience showcasing the architectural, landscape, interior design, and creative talent of Telluride. Join fellow architects Friday, July 14th, for Design Industry Day at the Madeline Hotel where Continuing Education courses will be offered followed by a social networking event.
NEWS AT NATIONAL
AIA National Is Looking For Volunteer Leaders Like You!
Represent Colorado and help AIA promote the work of the Knowledge Communities and other AIA member groups by joining a 2024 leadership group. Volunteers support their community by:
- increasing engagement
- presenting at events and producing content
- participating in monthly meetings
The application process closes at 5pm ET on June 16.
2023 Small Project Awards
AIA and it’s Small Project Design (SPD) Knowledge Community present the annual Small Project Awards to raise public awareness of the value and design excellence that architects provide regardless of the limits of size and scope. These projects represent the big impact that small projects can have on their users and broader communities.
Women’s Leadership Summit
Taking place in Boston, this September 12-14, will be the Women’s Leadership Summit. Founded by AIA, this is a premier event that brings together the industry’s largest network of diverse women who are breaking down barriers, making themselves visible, and manifesting the careers they want—while making a difference in the world.
A’23 in San Francisco, June 7-10
We often talk about the future. This conference is where the AEC industry gathers to define it, design it, and connect across industries to build it. Join us in San Francisco —one of the West Coast’s premier destinations—to explore what it means to design a better world now, together. Visit the Conference Website to register, access the hotel block, and learn more.
Design Elevated: Sustainable Urbanism From Colorado
This past April 27, 2023, AIA Colorado was honored to showcase several of Colorado’s leading designers at Design Elevated: Sustainable Urbanism From Colorado. The event was organized in conjunction with the Cities Summit of the Americas, a convergence of Mayors and Civic Leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, hosted by the US State Department. With day two of the Summit drawing to a close, attendees were cordially invited to the History Colorado Center and immerse themselves in an evening of inspiration, as they delved into the minds of the brilliant architects, city planners, and cultural thinkers behind some of the most innovative state projects and programs in our region.
After an introduction from AIA National President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, explaining the critical roles of architects as partners for progress, each speaker presented their work in 20 slides set to an automatic timer of 20 seconds per slide. Delivered in this “PechaKucha” style, the format provided a fun and quick environment.
As AIA Colorado CEO Mike Waldinger stated in his opening remarks, there is “no act more optimistic than to build.” These presentations highlight just a few of the inspiring and transformational projects underway or recently completed in the Denver Metro Area.
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Ignacio Correa-Ortiz, AIA, with RTD, kicked off the evening with his presentation, “Transit and Mobility.” Correa-Ortiz traced the history of public transit in the Denver area, beginning with the sustainability of the First Peoples. The shift to private cars in the post-war era eroded the social fabric and air quality of cities across America, including Denver. Today, RTD and other local urban planners are working on solutions to reinvent a more sustainable and equitable transit network. Denver’s recent investment in Union Station is a model for the future, because “we can only build the future that we can imagine.”
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Kathleen Fogler, AIA, and John McIntyre, AIA, from Tryba Architects, presented “Rethinking Urban Renewal.” Urban Renewal has historically represented a process that severs the built environment from its cultural and ecological history. Now, urban projects must be thought of as “akin to gardening – strengthening existing conditions, grafting in new elements, acknowledging the importance of pruning – demolition and removal, but at a scale appropriate to context.” Due to changing technologies, front range cities such as Denver have many opportunities to refresh underutilized industrial spaces with desirable proximity to the urban core. Adapting these buildings rather than tearing them down allows for opportunities of scale not typically seen in ground-up construction. The result is projects that contribute to a more authentic mixed-used urban fabric. In addition to acknowledging built history, “Rethinking Urban Renewal,” also means recognizing natural history, and our role as part of the natural world rather than separated from it.
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Chris Shears, FAIA, of SAR+, presented “River Evolution,” which traced Denver’s relationship the Platte River. During Denver’s early history as an industrial frontier town, the Platte was hemmed in by railyards and factories, remaining ignored and polluted for years. In 1975, community leaders turned their attention to restoring the river and its ecology to create a public amenity. This led to the development of the Confluence and Cuernavaca Park, which have become beloved public amenities in the heart of the city. Today, planning efforts are underway to redevelop “The River Mile,” 200 acres of underutilized post-industrial land along the river. Redevelopments include a new typology of public housing from Denver Housing Authority (DHA) called Sun Valley, and rethinking pedestrian connections between Ball Arena and Coors Field.
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Cathy Bellem, AIA, of Anderson Mason Dale Architects, presented “Serving the Whole Person,” telling the story of two projects designed in collaboration with Dr. Lydia Prado, currently the executive director of Lifespan Local and formerly Vice President of Child & Family Services at the Mental Health Center of Denver. While in this role, Dr. Prado spearheaded the effort to develop the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being in the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood. Following Dr. Prado’s philosophy that “communities themselves best understand how to improve their own well-being,” Anderson Mason Dale assisted in leading community workshops to gain insight into community needs. Today, the campus is inclusive across all ages, and serves as a community hub alleviating food and health insecurity as well as a mental health resource. The design team has recently broken ground on a similar project in the Westwood neighborhood, where their goal was not build the same building but follow the same process of listening and learning from the community.
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Chad Holtzinger, AIA, from Shopworks Architecture, presented “Housing that Heals,” with a focus on projects that emphasize the health and safety of children. He began by presenting research on how childhood trauma manifests into poverty and systematic homelessness. Architects are good at dealing with physiological needs (creating a comfortable built environment) and safety needs (creating a safe physical environment), but how can our profession take it farther by promoting self-actualization, esteem, love, and belonging? With this framework in mind, Shopworks designed calming and safe environments that eliminated typical areas of stress for traumatized individuals, such as secluded corridors or dingy laundry rooms. They used natural materials such as cedar shakes to create intriguing textures and aromatics. Their design process focused on working with experts and local activists to promote a connection to ethnicity and sense of place as a “way to systematically change the way the built environment yields health in our community.”
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Alex Garrison, AIA, from Gensler, presented “Adaptive Reuse,” emphasizing that “the most sustainable building is the one you don’t have to build.” Like other presenters, he touched on the idea of breaking the cycle of urban renewal and connecting the past to the future. As his first case study, he presented recent research efforts by Gensler into the many potentials of transforming old office buildings into mixed-use residential. As vacancy rates continue to rise in the Central Business District, Gensler has been contracted by Denver to study potential sites using the algorithm they have developed. They have coined the phrase “Bad Office Makes Good Residential,” realizing that many features of outdated office buildings (smaller floor plates, smaller windows, etc) is exactly what makes them attractive for apartment conversions. Gensler also used their adaptive reuse philosophies on a strategic intervention for Denver Beer Co, transforming an old gas station into a community hub and taproom.
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The final presentation of the night was from Terra Mazzeo, AIA, of Stantec, called “High Performing Civic Resources”. Her first case study covered the redevelopment of the Denver Water Operation Complex. The campus’s administration building is one of the highest performing built works in the region, showcasing Net-Zero Energy, LEED platinum certification, and, most significantly, Net-Zero Water. The campus was conceptualized to showcase the conservation of water as a critical natural resource. It achieved Net-Zero Water through natural water detention, extensive rainwater harvesting, expansive areas of natural ecology, and a water recycling system that is on display in the main lobby. Denver Water’s commitment to use their campus as a model for water conservation mirrored their efforts to increase sustainability across the regional water system. They “used architecture to help change policy, and in so doing has illuminated a path towards regional water security.” Mazzeo also presented on the MacGregor Square project, a redevelopment of an entire city block funded by the Rockies Baseball team. Public open spaces, “designed not only for game day, but every day,” form the heart of the project.
AIA Colorado would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all presenters and Summit Attendees who joined us for a evening celebrating our professions collaborative role shaping the future of our cities. Architects and Planners in Colorado and around the world are engaged citizens who look forward to working with city officials on transformational projects that will increase sustainability and equity across all our urban cores.
