AIA Michigan E-NEWS

 
Stephen Smith, AIA
2008 AIA Michigan President
2008 President Report

As we look outside at the weather, it's hard to believe that spring is here and a change of season is coming. The thing about change is that it can be hard to detect when we look for it and want it, but it often sweeps across us with little, or un-noticed, announcement when it comes. And change is accelerating in our lives and in our profession. By its nature, it always acts differently than it did before, making it often surprising and sometimes insidious.

2008 is AIA Michigan's year of "Designing the Future", so it's timely to look at what is happening around us and think about how we can design the changes we would like to see.

After all, Architects specialize in making change in our built environment, so who better to take a lead in the discussion? In case you haven't yet noticed, AIA Michigan is focusing on our emerging professionals this year, those who will be part of, as well as recipients of, the change that is in store for us in our future. So let's look at some of the winter's highlights, as we make the change into spring.

In January, at AIA Michigan's annual Leadership Retreat, leaders from chapters across the state and the AIA Michigan board gathered to discuss this year's focus and share plans for activities that will bring the benefits of that focal theme to our members. The summary of the AIA Michigan 2008 focus is located below (link to AIAMI 2008, included in newsletter).

The abilities and willingness of our members, especially young members who are relatively new to the American Institute of Architects, to jump in and actively participate in the pursuit of the organization's goals is heartening. These emerging professionals are more dedicated than ever, are naturally conversant in new means of communication, and adept with the evolving tools that will be changing the face of the profession. Find an example of one such communications medium at the recently formed AIA Michigan Facebook Group. Members are welcome to join and contribute. Simply go to www.facebook.com.

At the AIA National Grassroots Conference in February the form of the annual national leadership and networking event in Washington DC was different than in previous years. Congress was not in session during the conference, so Capitol Hill visits to our congressional representatives and Senators couldn't be scheduled. In place of legislative visits and lobbying, the conference provided a variety of seminars and workshops on leadership issues that affect members and chapters throughout the nation. Representatives from Michigan AIA chapters around the state took advantage of conference sessions, met kindred spirits from across the country, and saw the AIA National headquarters up close.

Of special interest to me was a workshop on dealing with the intergenerational work place. The impact of having, for the first time in history, as many as five different generations working together in the same profession and in the same working environment has more widely spread implications than one could imagine. Mentoring, both "up'" and "down" between generations, will be increasingly essential for continuing success in architectural practice. In the United States it is projected that one new entrant to the work force will be available for every two to three retiring individuals over the next three decades. The effect on the architectural profession will be every bit as profound as it will be on society at large. The technical and social implications can only be dealt with through a strong vision of how we will redesign our world to meet the challenge. Trying to see the world from the points of view of generations other than our own will be integral to establishing a shared vision for success.

Other conference sessions treated issues such as effective communications, member service, facilitating registration of new architects, and a host of topics arrayed around effective leadership in the AIA. When the inevitable question is once again asked, "What has the AIA done for me lately?" your chapter leaders that attended the AIA Grassroots Conference will be in a good position to let you know.

The AIA Michigan Government Affairs Committee continued to be one of our most active committees, meeting with legislators, working with our lobbyist in Lansing and appearing in front of House and Senate committees, sometimes with less than a day's notice. All this is to make sure that architects have an active voice in the workings of our government that affect our profession and the quality of our built environment. By now you have probably seen a newly launched government affairs newsletter that will be appearing bimonthly in your email inbox. This will provide an update on issues of concern to all architects, AIA members and non-members alike. Remember that you can be part of the government affairs effort at our annual Architects and Engineers Legislative Day on April 15th in Lansing. Register as far ahead of time as you can so that a personal appointment can be set up with your Representative and Senator. Follow up on the announcement when you get it and respond when you are called.

Watch for opportunities to take part in activities with your fellow architects, of all ages, in the upcoming months. There is an AIA National Committee on Design Conference coming to Detroit in April, the emerging professionals have innovative events planned and AIA Michigan is placing an emphasis on making your membership in the AIA more valuable with every passing season. Remember, the future isn't about us; rather, we're about the future!

AIA Michigan 2008:
Designing Our Future through the AIA

In 2007, AIA Michigan, along with components nation-wide, celebrated the 150th year of the American Institute of Architects with the theme of "Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future".

In 2008, it is our AIA Michigan goal to take charge of designing the future by actively seeking out and engaging those who will be most involved in the shaping of the built environment in the 21st Century: Architecture Students; Intern Architects; the current cohort of young Registered Architects; and all young people engaged in the architectural profession, including those in allied and non-traditional facets of practice.

AIA Michigan activities will target the schools of architecture, AIAS chapters, Associate AIA members, young architectural professionals (who may or may not yet be involved in the AIA) and all architectural professionals who have the capacity to make an impact on the development and mentoring of future architectural professionals. In keeping with the strategic structure of AIA Michigan, the Public Advocacy, Education and Fellowship activities throughout 2008 will be the framework for this outreach to the up-and-coming members of the profession.

The American Institute of Architects is THE voice of the architectural profession and THE resource for its members in service to society. It is thus essential that the AIA lead the way in facilitating the transition of young architectural professionals into positions of responsibility for designing the future. All Michigan Architects are welcomed and invited to participate

Committee on Design Conference



Committee on Design Conference - Design Parallels: Architecture, Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Interior Design

April 3 - 6, 2008 -
Location: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center

Join the AIA Committee on Design for a conference exploring design analogies and parallels through architecture, the automotive industry, industrial design, and other design professions. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour sites that will serve as case studies in Detroit’s legacy of design, including:

Ford and General Motors manufacturing facilities designed by Albert Kahn
Sustainable design adaptations to the Ford River Rouge Plant by William McDonough + Partners
Cranbrook Academy of Art, designed by Eliel Saarinen, with buildings by Steven Holl,
Tod Williams + Billie Tsien, and others
Lafayette Park by Mies van der Rohe
Breuer Library in Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Detroit Renaissance Center, designed by John Portman, with recent renovation and expansion by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, SmithGroup, and Ghafari Associates

Online registration:

 

http://aia-timssnet.uapps.net/timssnet/meetings/tnt_meetings.cfm

Print registration form (.pdf):

 

http://www.aia.org/SiteObjects/files/CODSpring08RegForm.pdf

Event Web site:

 

http://www.aia.org/br_cod_parallels08

Design Parallels:

 

http://aiami.com/events/aiami/comondsn/040308_DesignParallels_postcard.pdf

 

Charles Merz, FAIA
2008 Fellow

2008 Fellow Charles Merz, FAIA

Merz the owner of the Detroit-based architectural and urban design firm Merz & Associates, was among 116 architects nationally elevated to AIA's prestigious College of Fellows. This honor is awarded to members who have made contributions of national significance to the profession. There are fewer than 2,600 AIA members who have received the fellowship in the college's 56-year history. The distinction is bestowed on architects with at least 10 years of membership in the AIA and who have made significant contributions to architecture in a number of areas. New Fellows will be invested in the College of Fellows at the 2008 AIA National Convention and Design Expo in Boston on May 16.

A graduate of Wayne State University, as well as the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Merz has dedicated himself to the advancement of the architectural profession by fusing art, landscape and architecture for the enjoyment and education of the public. The distinguished creator has been the recipient of more than 48 regional design awards and two national awards for major urban plans resulting in built environments.

He has made his mark in the community, providing tours and lecturing to schools and groups. Merz also has been included in national and international exhibits and coordinated three design competitions for monumental sculpture. He researched and designed a booklet, "A Guide to Historic Rivertown," a self-guided walking tour of Detroit's riverfront - featuring historic and original ink sketches. He has exhibited at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Artist's Market, and was the curator for an architectural exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum.

Merz's interdisciplinary expertise earned him an appointment by former Michigan Governor James Blanchard and private groups to establish major, dramatic commemorative monuments. Utilizing AIA guidelines for design competitions, he created three sculptures, two in Detroit and one in Lansing. Merz is currently working on a fourth, "The Veterans Memorial Park of Detroit."

As AIA Detroit Education Committee Chair, he started successful public tours of historic buildings and began tutoring sessions preparing intern architects for their registration exam. The latter evolved into a local AIA program. Merz has also taught at Lawrence Technological University and the University of Detroit Mercy.

Call for Fellowship Nominations

The AIAMI Fellowship Committee is considering nominees for the election to the College of Fellows. The FAIA distinction is on of the highest honors bestowed upon an architect. Fellowship recognized the achievements of the architect as an individual and elevates him or her before the public and the profession as a model architect who has made significant contributions to architecture and society. To be considered for the College of Fellows, an individual must have been and AIA member for at least ten years. Send your resumes and potential reasons for fellowship and in an email to rziegelman@lzarch.com


13th Annual Legislative Briefing and Reception - Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Legislators traditionally give credence to those constituents who actually travel to Lansing and make a personal visit with them and their top staff members. Legislators want to know and discuss issues that are important to their constituents. Face-to-face meetings educate legislators on our issues and help them to make informed decisions when it comes time to vote on a piece of legislation.

We urge firms to send several people (preferably from different Senate and House districts, and at least one young associate or intern) so that we can send a powerful voice to our State Legislators. Become active, form a relationship with your legislators, and make your voice heard!

Cost: Legislative Day and lunch are free.
Donations of $75.00 by personal check to the PAC of your choice are appreciated

Location: Mackinac Room
5th Floor, Anderson House Office Building
124 N. Capitol, Lansing, MI 48909

8:30 - 9:00 a.m   Welcome reception with light breakfast served
9:00 - 9:45 a.m.   Legislative update and briefing
9:45 - 10:15 a.m.   Introduction of Association Officers on Senate Floor
10:30 - Noon     Meeting with State Representatives
Noon - 1:30 p.m.   Luncheon Reception with Legislators
1:30 -  4:30 p.m.   Meeting with State Senators

Link and Additional Information Legislative Day Flyer
Registration Form for 13th Annual Legislative Briefing & Reception

You can also access the State of Michigan’s website to obtain information on your Legislator at: www.michiganlegislature.org
FIRM NEWS / GRAPEVINE


Firm News/Grapevine:

NSA Architects, Engineers, Planners was recently named to ZweigWhite’s 2007Hot Firm Listof 200 fastest growing U.S. architecture engineering and environmental consulting firms...Victor Saroki, FAIA, an award-winning architect and alumnus of Lawrence Technological University, has been named to the private, 4.500-student university’s board of trustees...HKS, Inc., a top-three architectural firm, promoted Steve Jacobson, AIA to associate principal/senior vice president. John Avdoulos, AIA and Gordon Peck, AIA were promoted to vice president. In addition, Dave Carpenter, AIA, Dan Connelly, AIA, Bill Filip, AIA, Paul Fisher, AIA, Bob Miller, AIA, LEED AP, and John Pypa, AIA were promoted to associate...The American Institute of Architects has selected Detroit as one of nine cities that will receive a sustainability audit from a Sustainable Design Assessment Team later this year...Celeste Novak, AIA Joins GreenWorks Studio a sustainable design firm, Novak will be based out of the Detroit office.

Gerald Eugene Harburn, AIAE - of Flint Twp., age 76, died Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at the Durand Senior Care and Rehab Center from complications of Parkinson's Disease.

He was a longtime Flint resident and graduated from Flint Technical High School. He went on to graduate from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1954 with a degree in Architecture followed by a Masters degree in Architecture there in 1957. He was a member of the Flint Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Following his time at the University of Michigan, he worked for famed New York architect Eero Saarinen and was one of the architects who worked on design of the St. Louis Arch in St. Louis, MO. Thereafter he moved back to the Flint area community and he worked for a Flint area architectural firm before joining with his longtime friend and partner, James Tomblinson to form what is now known as THA Architects and Engineers, and was later joined by several other partners.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy. Gerald is survived by: sons, Todd (Shirley) Harburn of Okemos, MI, Tadd Harburn and special friend Julia Black of Fenton.

AIA AND MEMBERSHIP
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Please visit Exploring a career in architecture begins with a visit to ARCHcareers.org, the official careers Website of the profession. The site is a guide to the “Three E’s” that are needed to be an architect: Education, Experience and Examination.

Visit ARCHcareers.org to get started

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Peterson Prize 2008 - Measured Drawings Student Competition
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) of the National Park Service, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia and The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announce the 2008 Charles E. Peterson Prize, which annually recognizes the best set of measured drawings prepared to HABS standards and donated to HABS by students.

The prize honors Charles E. Peterson, FAIA, founder of the HABS program, and is intended to increase awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of historic buildings throughout the United States while adding to the permanent HABS collection of measured drawings at the Library of Congress.

To date, more than 2,000 students from 68 colleges and universities have participated by completing more than 500 entries and almost 5,000 sheets of measured drawings. The students have worked alone and in groups, in required courses, electives, independent study and summer institutes. They have been, for the most part, architecture students in addition to architectural history, interior design, and American studies majors.

For more information visit www.nps.gov/history/hdp/jobs/peterson.htm Deadline June 30, 2008.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU
START AT 9AM SHARP AND
END AT 9PM DULL!

What To Do When You Start At 9AM Sharp And End At 9PM Dull!
Walt Stasinski, MEd, MPH - 248.649-8604 - www.waltspeaks.com - Reprinted with permission

Do you know how many times we laughed when we were ten years old? 250 times a day! When we were kids, we laughed all the time and we said the cutest things. In Readers Digest, Kathy Stitt tells us she was playing tooth fairy when her daughter, Shelbey, suddenly woke up. Shelbey saw the money in her mother's hand and shouted, “I caught you!” Kathy froze and tried to think of an explanation for why she, rather than the tooth fairy, was putting the money under her daughter's pillow. Shelbey's next words let her mother off the hook. “You put that money back!” she said indignantly. “The tooth fairy left that for me!”

Do you know how many times we laugh as adults. 15 times a day. And that's on a good day, isn't it? How did we go from 250 times a day to 15 times a day. What happened to us? As adults, we become more serious, don't we? But life is too important to take yourself seriously. It takes 26 muscles to smile and 62 muscles to frown. Why not make it easy on yourself?

Learn to laugh at yourself. Laughing at yourself in a healthy way is a sign of strength.
It use to bother me when I started getting bald spots until I learned to use humor to deal with it. I don't look at it as baldness anymore. I now look at it as more face. You know, you don't really lose your hair. It just starts growing out your ears instead. When you're able to laugh at yourself, your flaws start to disappear. And you feel better about yourself.

There are 4 stages in life -

Stage 1: You believe in Santa Claus.
Stage 2: You don't believe in Santa Claus..
Stage 3: You dress up like Santa Claus
Stage 4: You look like Santa Claus

As adults, we keep getting older. Why didn't anyone warn us about this when we were kids? You know you're getting older when people call you at 9pm and ask, “Did I wake you up?” Remember as a kid how you hated to take a nap and now as an adult, you can't wait to take a nap. You know you're getting older when you stoop to tie your shoes and you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.

You know you're getting older when

1. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
2. Dinner and a movie is the whole date, not just the beginning.
3. You start watching the weather channel.

When we laugh at our imperfections, they become trite. They don't seem significant
anymore. Most importantly, we stop taking ourselves so seriously.

Laughter makes you feel so good, don't wait for something funnyto happen. Create your own humor. Turn life into laughter. At first, this may seem awkward, but with practice, you will get better at it. How do you turn life into laughter? I'm glad you asked. One technique is to interpret things in more than one way. Look for the humorous side of what you see and hear.

A dry cleaners had this sign in front of their building, “38 years on the same spot.” This sign has both a serious interpretation and a funny interpretation. Now, you try it. Newspaper headlines, “Toilet seats stolen from police department. Police having nothing to go on." See, you're starting to get the hang of it. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel. And the best part is you will be laughing more often each day.

Life is Too Important to Take Yourself So Seriously!

LECTURE SERIES

 

  
 UNIVERSITY Link for more Information.
Andrews University  www.arch.andrews.edu
Lawrence Technological University  www.ltu.edu
University of Detroit/Mercy www.arch.udmercy.edu
University of Michigan http://www.tcaup.umich.edu

QUICK CALENDAR LINKS

 

Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD)
  http://ww2.esd.org/calendar/eventresults.asp
Michigan Chapter AGC Calendar
  http://mi.agc.org/Member_Services/calendar_of_events05.asp
Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE)
  http://www.michiganspe.org/mspechapcal.htm
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACECM)
  http://www.acec-mi.org/Calander.asp?id=71&dev
MIOSHA- Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
   www.michigan.gov/miosha
SMPS Upcoming Events
  http://www.smps-mi.org/events.asp?event_id=84
Department of Environmental Quality
  http://www.michigan.gov/deq
National Preservation Institute Seminars
  www.npi.org
Main Street Oakland County Workshop Series
  www.mainstreetoaklandcounty.com
  Revitalization and reuse are "Green" initiatives. All of our historic downtowns contain buildings with one, two or more upper floors. While some have been reused, many remain vacant and unproductive. These three workshops will focus on the reuse of upper floors, by looking at examples from other parts of the county, destroying code myths, learning about new codes and a variety of financial resources to make projects possible

2008 UPCOMING EVENTS


 

Please check the Website for updates throughout 2008 at www.aiami.com
APRIL
  1 PUI Professional Liability Seminar - Grand Valley State Univ. www.profunderwriters.com
  2 PUI Professional Liability Seminar - Michigan State Unvi.. www.profunderwriters.com
  3-6 AIA National Design Committee Conference Detroit - see article
  7-13 AIA Architecture Week
  11 Resuscitating a Dying World - the Architecture 2030 Challenge
Edward Mazria, AIA - Chicago, IL for info www.architecture.org
  15 Legislative Day, House Office Bldg. Mackinac Room
Day Long Event - AIA Michigan Business Meeting 4-6 p.m.
  24 Plante &Moran / SMPS Spring Executive Series: The Generational Imperative In The
Workplace And Marketplace 7:30 am - 12:00 pm - www.genimperative.com
MAY
  2 AIA Michigan Design Awards & Recognitions, Inn at St. Johns, Plymouth
  7 AIA/CES Provider Workshop - Location: The Skyline Club, Southfield
Hosted by AIA Michigan - www.aia.org/ces_08events
  8-10 Michigan Historic Preservation Network 28th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference - Preserving History, Conserving Energy, Dearborn Inn
  15-17 AIA National Convention Boston, MA - Register today at www.aiaconvention.com
JUNE
  5-8 MSPE Annual Conference Crystal Mt.
  19 AIAMI Board of Directors, Holland, MI - Grand Valley Herman Miller
AUGUST
  7-9 AIA Michigan Mid Summer Conference, Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island
  11 Tech Invitational 5th Annual Golf Outing to support Lawrence Technological University Meadowbrook Country Club
SEPTEMBER
  12-13 Design Conference, Camp Hayo Went Ha, Torch Lake
  17 AIA Michigan Educational Facilities, Golf Outing, Traverse City
  18-19 AIA Michigan Educational Facilities Conference, Grand Traverse Resort, Acme
OCTOBER
  13-15 Creative Cities Summit 2.0 - Location: Detroit, Michigan www.creativecitiessummit.com
  16 AIAM Board of Directors, Saginaw Valley, Zehnders, Frankenmuth
  21 AIA Detroit Annual Meeting
NOVEMBER
  21 AIA Detroit Design Awards & Recognitions - DIA
DECEMBER
  9 AIA Detroit Transition Board Meeting, Beaubien House
  11 AIA Michigan Board Transition Board Meeting, Beaubien House
Holiday Open House Beaubien House
   

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