Colorado Architecture News | 04.19.23

Our community has the ability, opportunity, and responsibility to advance:

• A culture of belonging marked by justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Environmental stewardship to mitigate climate impacts and protect resources.
• Attainable housing so our clients, our workforce and all our neighbors can live here.

AIA Colorado celebrates a new set of Imperatives to help guide and direct our attention and energies. Coupled with the new mission statement that more accurately and succinctly describes AIA Colorado’s purpose, we’re honored to share his with you.

2023 Design + Honor Awards: New Design Size Categories and New Honor Award

New to the Design Awards are a refinement of size categories. The categories are now:

• 5,000 SF and under
• 5,000 SF – 15,000 SF
• Over 15,000 SF.

What was previously called “Renovation” has now been separated into “Historic Preservation and Restoration” and “Renovation and Remodel”. These new categories and classifications will help to show an even greater breadth of design excellence here in Colorado.

Additionally, there is a new Honor Award called the Impact Award. This new award “Recognizes a group or organization in Colorado that has made a positive impact on Colorado communities and significantly contributed to the advancement of architecture and/or enhanced the role of practitioners” and will be awarded by the AIA Colorado Board.

SB23-213: Members Weigh the Pros and Cons of the Land Use and Housing Bill

This year’s legislative session has produced one of the most contentious bills we have ever seen that affects the architecture profession in SB23-213: Land Use. Read our new article to learn more about this bill, what’s changed since it was introduced, and hear member perspectives.

J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Youth Engagement Opportunities

The J.E.D.I. Committee is tracking youth engagement opportunities, including classroom speaking opportunities, office tours, project site tours, and design camps and has opportunities for architects, architectural interns, and allied professionals to share their journey with students.

Tour of Kinship Landing in Colorado Springs

Join AIA Colorado’s South Members on Wednesday, April 26th at 4pm for a tour of Kinship Landing boutique hotel led by Echo Architecture.

Western Slope Architectural Event and Happy Hour

Join members from the West on April 27th at Alan-Bradley Window & Doors in Eagle for Continuing Education courses followed by a social happy hour. Choose 2 courses of Continuing Education from a variety of AIA CES providers offered. Please RSVP and sign up for courses in advance.

Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community -Happy Hour at MOA Architecture

On May 2nd at 3pm, join the Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community for a happy hour networking event hosted at MOA Architecture. Open to AIA Colorado members.

Tour the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum

On May 11th at 3pm, join the AIA Colorado Board and members from the South Section for a tour of the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum. Open to AIA Colorado members followed by a social happy hour at COATI.

We mourn the recent passing of Bill Deno, FAIA. He was an active member of our AIA and University of Colorado Boulder community.

“Bill was a steadfast guardian of architectural design standards at UC Boulder. The exceptional continuity and quality of the campus visual experience is his wonderful legacy.” – Gregory M. Friesen, FAIA

To learn more about Bill’s many accomplishments, please view his portion from the AIA History Committee Video.

NEXUS National Mentorship Program Applications Open for the Month of April

NEXUS’s goal is to support equity and access to architecture as a profession. If you are new to the field, have plateaued in your growth/development, or are an associated professional who has always wanted to be an architect, this program provides a wealth of resources to help navigate your career. Young professionals are connected with highly esteemed AIA Fellows who have practiced, researched, authored, and experienced the gamut of the field of architecture. More info and to Apply here

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.

What’s new at A’23?

These five things will have a big impact on your A’23 experience. Read more

Young Architects Forum April Newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Read more

AIA honors cutting-edge designs with 2023 Education Facility Design Award

The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is recognizing 13 projects for state-of-the-art designs of schools and learning centers. Read more

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, Humboldt Sawmill and Allweather Wood, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

Humboldt Sawmill Company, LLC manufactures redwood and Douglas-fir dimensional lumber, timbers, and uppers at the company’s sawmill in Scotia, California. Allweather Wood, LLC is the largest waterborne preservative treated lumber and plywood manufacturer in the western United States with five manufacturing facilities, including a facility in Loveland, Colorado. View company website.

Looking for Additional Resources?

View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.