Colorado Architecture News | 11.15.23

ENGAGE 2023 Practice + Design Conference Begins Today!

We’re at Keystone Resort enjoying presentations about Artificial Intelligence’s role in our workplace, hearing keynotes from Tom Kundig, FAIA, Dave Goldberg, FAIA, Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, and Laura Britton, AIA, Dean Maltz, AIA, and Greg Kingsley, Ph D, PE, and learning from 12 separate Innovation Labs.

Bummed to be missing out? You’re welcome to join us as there are a few walk up registrations available.

2024 AIA Colorado Call for Volunteers 

AIA Colorado seeks member volunteers to serve on committees that embody the mission, vision, and values of the organization. Deeper involvement with AIA Colorado is a great way to build your leadership skills, gain experience outside your workplace, network with peers, and even meet clients. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics. Included is the opportunity to share your suggestion for a new proposed member group. Learn more about each committee’s responsibilities, goals, and anticipated time commitments for this upcoming year. The call for committee volunteers is open now through December 3rd.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

For those looking to level up their leadership skills, this is it. Each year, the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program accepts 16 future firm leaders to collaborate, learn together, and develop in their careers. Applications are now open until December 11th.

ASCEND Mentoring Program

The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply no later than December 11, 2023.

2023 Compensation & Benefits Report

We have printed and bound copies of this year’s report at the AIA Colorado office. Current members are welcome to view the report and will need to make an appointment with staff in order to view the report at the AIA Colorado offices. Please email membership@aiacolorado.org to make an appointment.

Trojan Arena Tour – School District Eight

November 21st, join AIA Colorado South members and CRP Architects for a tour of the newly constructed Trojan Arena. This tour has been approved for 1.5 LU|HSW.

Mayor’s Design Awards – Last Chance To Nominate A Project

Mayor Mike Johnston and Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards. The nominating period will be open through the Fall, and Mayor Johnston will present the first Mayor’s Design Awards of his administration in early 2024. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, November 17, 2023. Start a Nomination

Denver Important Building Code Dates To Remember

January 1, 2024 – Any building permit plans submitted on or after this date must have partially electrified space and water heating systems for all commercial, industrial, and multi-family projects. For requirements, see Denver Energy Code C403.2.4 for space heating and C404.10 for water heating.

February 1, 2024 – Any building permit plans submitted on or after this date for all commercial, industrial, and multi-family projects must document compliance with both Accessible EV Installed spaces and Universal EV Installed spaces as required by Chapter 11 of the Denver Commercial Building Code. View a Summary of These Requirements

Denver Adaptive Reuse Projects May Qualify for Assistance

Denver is piloting an adaptive reuse program in two locations: Upper Downtown and East Colfax Avenue. These pilot programs will support projects undergoing conversion to a new use or purpose by providing direct assistance to business owners, developers, and property owners as they navigate the City and County of Denver’s review and permitting system. More details on the program here.

City of Westminster has proposed adoption of the 2021 ICC Building Codes

Westminster’s full code update proposal is available for review on the city website, which includes 2021 versions of ICC building codes as well as the latest version of the NEC and the Colorado Electric Ready and Solar Read Code published by the state. The city is requesting input from the public and comments or questions regarding the proposed changes can be submitted using this survey link. A digital version of the I-Codes is available here. The State of Colorado Electric Ready and Solar Ready Code is available to view here. The city will also be hosting a live webinar on Tuesday, December 5th to answer questions or take comments regarding the proposed amendments and adoption. Use this link to register.

NOMA Celebrates Record-Breaking Annual Conference in Portland

On October 11-15, the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) gathered over 1,500 members, supporters, and students in Portland, Oregon, for its annual conference. Read More at Architectural Record

American Institute of Architects Announces New Chief Advocacy Officer

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is excited to announce the appointment of Alexander Cochran, ESQ., as the new Chief Advocacy Officer. Read More

The Rise of Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, to 2024 AIA President Shows There Is Still A Long Way To Go For Black Women In Architecture

They have worked for decades to make their way in a profession that remains overwhelmingly white and male, but there are signs of change. Read at NY Times

Best Practices For Enhancing Drawings And Specifications

Why are accurate construction specifications so important? Clear and concise drawings and specifications prevent unnecessary RFIs, change orders, rework, and other delays. Here are tips to improve the process from AIA partner Deltek. Read at AIA

Top Five Ways To Recruit And Retain A High Performing Team

Jennifer Keegan, AIA, Director, Building & Roofing Science at GAF, and her colleague Andrea Wagner Watts, Building Science Education Manager, share their best practices for attracting – and keeping – top AEC industry talent. Read At AIA

COP28: AIA to attend the 2023 United Nations Conference on Climate Change

In 2021, AIA was granted nongovernmental organization (NGO) observer status by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and sent six delegates to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), an annual gathering of world leaders who are parties to the UNFCCC, in Glasgow, Scotland. In 2023, AIA will have an eight-person delegation at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, emphasizing the importance of the built environment in three critical areas.

Read More

2023 Justice Facilities Review Awards

The year’s best in justice facility design, presented by the AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice. See Award Recipients

Greenwashing In Architecture: Identifying False Sustainable Strategies

Amid our ongoing battle against climate change, the need for authentic decarbonization strategies has never been more urgent. Read at Arch Daily

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, KL&A Engineers and Builders, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

KL&A is a firm built around the idea that structural engineers should return to a master builder role by taking ownership of structural systems. A collaborative approach and project centric behaviors are our differentiators, facilitating a more engaging design and construction process. Our philosophy of personal responsibility has generated a corporate culture of problem solving and innovation. We are engineers first and foremost, which we leverage on our steel detailing and steel construction projects. We also take great pride in our sustainability efforts, utilizing mass timber to minimize embodied carbon in our structures, and providing Life Cycle Assessments on our committed projects.

Learn More About KL&A Engineers and Builders

Looking for Additional Resources?

View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.