“My standards are higher than yours.”
— Chris Shears, FAIA, speaking to the University of Colorado Denver Building Leadership
Seminar. He shared about a time when when he was pressed regarding adherence to
prescriptive standards and guidelines during a public design review meeting. He stated that
standards and guidelines aside, “there’s no law that you can pass that will make me want to do a
better job. The standards must be higher if the intent is a great project.” Chris explained that it is
the conscious sense of civic duty and desire to always do more inspired work that must drive
architects.
Ascend Program Kickoff
The Denver Ascend Mentorship Program kicked off this year’s cohort with its first session last
Thursday. Pairing emerging professionals with mid-career architects, the group includes mentors
and mentees from a dozen firms throughout Denver. The first session met at the AIA offices at
the Alliance Center. Maxing out at 12 participants and facilitators, the small group will meet every
month this spring and summer to share knowledge, experiences, and offer career guidance.
FEBRUARY 22
Denver Existing Building Performance
Join the City and County of Denver to learn about upcoming existing building code and how you
can ensure buildings you work with comply with equipment replacement requirements. We will
address how this new policy impacts buildings, where to start, and resources including financial
incentives and available trainings so you can better work with your clients and give them the right
tools to succeed.
Even if you’re not currently doing work in Denver, more and more jurisdictions in Colorado will be
adopting similar requirements. This is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the future for all
architects in Colorado. Visit Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency
website and sign up for the event at the link below.
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MARCH 9
Academy of Architecture for Health: Annual Update
You are invited to join the 2023 Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) Knowledge
Community for an update from AAH National and a discussion on local developments on March
9th at Noon.
We will be joined by the 2023 AAH National President, Kenneth Webb, who will share updates
from the Academy, as well as a representative of the American College of Healthcare Architects
(ACHA). Additionally, AAH Colorado Chair Jack Reed will be sharing a recap of last year’s
activities, along with a preview of the year ahead. Please register beforehand for this virtual
event.
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Considering AIA Fellowship?
Fellowship is the highest recognition, other than the gold medal award, given to architects
recognizing their work, their service, and volunteerism. It is not an award for longevity in the
profession, but for merit and effort. As we engage 2023 and evaluate professional goals for the
coming year, we invite you to learn more about and consider AIA Fellowship. Preliminary
submittals for the nominating committee to review as they assist our members interested in
Fellowship are due by March 27th.
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Architectural Education Foundation Scholarships Now Open
The Architectural Education Foundation, in partnership with AIA Colorado, offers traveling and
professional development scholarships to support your educational endeavors and gain more
experience. Since 1961, they have awarded more than $800,000 to more than 250 students,
architects, and teachers. Thanks to their support, we’re pleased to announce the availability of
academic and travel scholarships for 2023.
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FEBRUARY 20
CAP Lecture Series: Bio-Design and the Built Environment with Assia Crawford
The research presented in this talk will focus on strategies for developing living building materials
that can address sustainability issues in the Anthropocene. The talk will examine bio-design
integration into established building practices and will highlight the ethical implication and
challenges that emerge by introducing non-human actors into building settings. This lecture is at
Noon and is free and open to the public. This event will also be livestreamed and recorded.
Please RSVP beforehand.
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Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
AIA and its architects, often serving as volunteers, assist communities following disasters.
Updates regarding AIA’s activities in disaster areas, resources, and volunteer opportunities can
be found at AIA National’s website.
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Firm Survey Report
The AIA Firm Survey Report is the only report that covers the full complexity of firms that power
the architecture and design profession. With data from more than 500 firms, this essential
resource includes metrics to measure practice, evaluate performance, and set strategy. Free for
AIA Members.
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Healthcare Design Awards
The Healthcare Design Awards showcase the best of health care building design, health care
planning and health care design-oriented research. The awards highlight the trends of health
care facilities and the future direction of these facilities. Projects should exhibit conceptual
strength that solve aesthetic, civic, urban, and social concerns as well as the requisite functional
and sustainability concerns associated with a health care setting.
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Insurance and Bonds as Risk Management Tools for Construction Project Owners
An AIA Contract Documents Webinar taking place February 23rd from 11am – Noon. Learn about
various types of insurance coverages and about payment, performance, and warranty bonds
owners should consider for each construction project.
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A’23 in San Francisco
A’23 – AIA Conference on Architecture is heading to the Bay Area June 7-10, 2023. Get the
lowest hotel rate by booking your room in the AIA hotel block today.
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