The AIA Small Project Practitioners Knowledge Community has assembled a roster of programs at this year’s AIA National Convention and Design Expo—to be held June 8–10 in Los Angeles—that will be of particular interest to architects who think big while doing small. The list includes seminars on best practices and documents, a market exchange, awards reviews, and more. Check it out and register today.

Preconvention Workshop

Creating Architectural Concepts Workshop (WE02): Find inspiration in your creative life to reinvigorate your design skills. Discuss and practice several contexts and methods for creating architectural design concepts and develop the verbal skills to express your visual thinking. Join presenters SPP Vice Chair Louis B. Smith, AIA, Ascent Design PC, and SPP Chair Lisa J.K. Stacholy, AIA, LKS Architects, for this workshop provided by the AIA Small Practitioners. (3.75 LUs. This workshop is limited to 75 people; registration fee is $125)

Seminars

AIA Documents and the Small Project (SA03): Discuss the types of contracts used to design and construct a small project. A panel of small-project practitioners, with differing views on the protection level and complexity an agreement should provide, will present a case study of an actual small project. Join a panel of small practitioners moderated by Thomas Stewart Shiner, AIA, as they discuss the type of contracts used and the contracts’ effect on the projects’ success. (1.5 LUs. Saturday, June 10, 8:15–9:45 a.m.)

Residential Renovation Market and Practice (SA35): Residential renovation is a growing segment of the economy, accounting for 40 percent of all residential construction and improvement spending in the U.S. and more than 2 percent of the nation’s economy. The average age of the American home is 32 years, and updating is best when using an architect’s unique skills. AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, and SPP Advisory Group Member Kevin Lawrence Harris, AIA, will lead the discussion on the trends and challenges of running a successful residential renovation practice and how to succeed in this expanding niche market. (1.5 LUs. Saturday, June 10, 1:30–3:00 p.m.)

Special Events

Best Practices for Small Project Practitioners (E17): Participate in a roundtable discussion led by SPP Knowledge Community leaders on current issues encountered in small-project practice. Discuss the unique challenges of successful small-project delivery; learn how to become active in SPP activities, initiatives, and leadership; and discover how to create collegial small-project practice forums in your area. (1 LU. Thursday, June 8, 3:00–4:30 p.m.—free, but registration is required.)

Small Project Awards Review (E21): Join the Small Project Practitioners advisory group members at the second annual Small Project Awards Review and Reception, where you will meet like-minded professionals at an event designed to recognize architects who are serving the small-project market with distinction. Learn from the exceptional design quality, talent, and innovation represented in these small projects while hearing comments from the award jury, honorees, and advisory group members. (1 LU. Thursday, June 8, 6:30–8:30 p.m.—tickets, $25.)

Media/Market Exchange (E51): Increase the effectiveness of your marketing materials and discover ways to distinguish your firm's services. Bring your brochures, business cards, Web pages, proposals, presentation materials, and other marketing tools for review by established marketing professionals. Learn through presentation and participation in small group exercises and review case studies while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. (Friday, June 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m.—tickets, $15)

The Small Project Practitioners Morning Seminar (E61): No matter whether you are a small-practice architect or just think like one, join the Small Project Practitioners at the 13th annual SPP Breakfast. Learn innovative approaches to the special demands of small-project practice; understand regional influences such as climate, economy, regulation, and culture that influence design in the Los Angeles area; and interact with your fellow practitioners nationwide to enhance your small-project delivery processes and design quality. (1 LU. Saturday, June 10, 6:30-8:15 a.m.—tickets, $30.)

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