Colorado Architecture News | 01.22.25


News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 01.22.25

In this Newsletter:

AIA COLORADO NEWS

Looking for Members to join us for our 2025 Architects Day at the Capitol

A key part of AIA Colorado’s advocacy efforts is to build relationships with state legislators and discuss issues important to the architecture profession. Our 2025 day at the capitol will be Friday morning, February 7th (new date) and we’re looking for members who can help us share our perspective. If you’re interested in attending, please contact advocacy engagement director Nikolaus Remus, AIA so we can discuss who your state legislators are and try to set up a meeting with them, and which of our legislator meetings can best leverage your expertise.

AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee

Being elected to AIA’s College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute upon its members, second only to the Institute’s Gold Medal. Fellowship elevation signifies recognition for an exemplary career with a broad impact on the architectural profession. Colorado has been fortunate since 1886 to witness 108 of our members elevated to Fellowship, including one new fellow named last year.

Are you interested in pursuing Fellowship? If so, our College of Fellows Nominating Committee would love to hear from you! Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by Feb 20th.

Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st

Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know! 

Joining AIA Colorado as an Allied member gives businesses access to an extensive professional network, AIA Colorado member event pricing, discounted job board rates for members, insider industry information, and more. The Allied Membership is designed for people who work in a field related to architecture but do not have an architecture license or degree, including engineers, planners, landscape architects, consultants, manufacturers, and other fields related to architecture. View the benefits of state wide membership and signup today! This is last email to those Allied members not current for 2025 as of January 31. Have questions? Contact membership@aiacolorado.org and confirm if your membership is current.

Renewing your AIA membership

Stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals—renew your AIA membership for 2025. All AIA memberships originate with the AIA National office and the renewal process begins at renew.aia.org. If you have any difficulty or questions regarding renewing, please contact AIA at (800) 242 3837, option 2, or send an email to membersupport@aia.org.

AIA Colorado Events

February 7 • 2024 IBC Update

This class reviews the changes from the 2021 edition to the 2024 edition of the International Building Code. The background behind many of the changes will be discussed to provide the participant with an understanding of the intent of the changes and how to apply it to their everyday work. This full-day program includes lunch. Approved for 7.0 AIA CES HSW. 

Regular priced registration ends Jan 31st. Save money before late registration begins Feb 1st. Register here.

Partner News

Anne Mooney, FAIA, featured on the Architect-ing podcast

Live from AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference in Keystone, CO — Join Adam Wagoner, AIA, as he sits down with Anne Mooney, FAIA, Principal and Architect of Sparano + Mooeny Architecture to discuss the role of architecture in shaping communities. They explore the decision to concentrate on regional projects, the challenges of balancing creativity with business needs, and the evolving nature of architectural practice and education. Anne shares insights from her experiences studying at Columbia and teaching architecture plus her work on projects ranging from private residences to community centers.

Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!

Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Rocky Mountain Region upcoming event

Taking place February 20thfrom 4 – 6pm, in Denver, join DBIA for “Putting Design Back into Design-Build: Successful Tactics for the Design Team”. Dive into how “Design” can be elevated in the Design-Build delivery method. Registration is free for AIA members. More information and registration here.

Upcoming CAP Spring lecture series

  • Jesús Vassallo, Rice University, Associate Professor
    • Monday, January 27, 12:15pm
  • Sylvia Lavin, Princeton University, Professor, History and Theory of Architecture
    • Monday, February 3, 12:15pm
  • Joseph Altshuler, Assoc. AIA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Assistant Professor, Could Be Design, Principal and Co-Founder
    • Monday, February 10, 12:15pm
  • Maria Novotná, Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, PhD Student
    CU Denver CAP, Visiting Scholar
    • Monday, February 17, 2025
  • Liz Babcock, City and County of Denver, Executive Director, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR)
    • Monday, February 24, 12:15pm

Lectures are held at the Second Floor Gallery, CU Denver. More info and RSVP here.

Call for nominees – Landmark Preservation Commission

Denver Landmark Preservation is currently seeking nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC). The commission is specifically seeking nominations from property owners or residents of historic landmarks or historic districts, and people who are involved with architecture, design, construction, or planning. A general job description for LPC members can be found here. Please contact Nikolaus Remus, AIAby Jan 31st to be nominated.

Denver Landmark Preservation is currently seeking nominations to fill two immediate vacancies on the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission (LDDRC). 

The Commission reviews exterior changes to buildings within the Lower Downtown Historic District, as well as new buildings within the historic district.  Some typical projects entail rooftop additions to historic buildings, projecting signage, comprehensive sign plans, storefront alterations, and new buildings.  The Commission is made up of nine members who are appointed by the Mayor and are unpaid volunteers.  Commissioners do not need to be Denver residents. A general job description for LDDRC can be found here. Please contact Nikolaus Remus, AIA, by Monday, Jan 27th, to be nominated.

Career Corner

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

NEWS AT NATIONAL

LA County Wildfire response and recovery

Architects play a crucial role in disaster response, and AIA proudly supports chapters and members in aiding their communities during crises. We can help you prepare for future disasters now with resources from the AIA Disaster Assistance Program. Read more at AIA about how you can get involved with relief efforts.

Business conditions decline to conclude 2024, ABI December data shows

Architecture firms reported a decline in billings in December as the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell to 44.1. Any score below 50.0 indicates decreasing business conditions. The stable level of billings seen in October and November stalled and headed down again to end 2024. Inquiries into new projects continued to increase at a relatively slow rate, while the value of newly signed design contracts decreased further in December. Read at AIA

Softness in Construction Spending Predicted Through 2026, Consensus Construction Forecast Reports

After increasing by almost 20% in 2023 and another 6% last year, construction spending for nonresidential buildings—commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities—is projected to slow dramatically in 2025 and 2026. Read at AIA.

Presenting the new AIA Trust website

AIA is pleased to present a complete overhaul of the AIA Trust website—complete with a sleek new look, a streamlined navigation system, and an exciting new feature: The product finder. Visit the new website at theaiatrust.com.

Premier Partner Spotlight

K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, they have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because they don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company. 

View K3 Technology company website

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.


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