AIA Atlanta! Inside the Public Architects Committee Workshops

By David F. Trevino, FAIA

We hope to see you in Atlanta! The Public Architects Advisory Group encourages all convention attendees to attend this year’s Public Architects Workshop. This year's workshop, chaired by David Trevino, FAIA, presents two insightful half day sessions, WE 106 and WE 309, on how architects and owners can add value to projects and facilities using an integrated approach incorporating BIM, CMMS, and FM. See below for more information about the workshops and the presenters. 

Public Architects and Design Awards

By Emily Marthinsen, AIA

Many projects selected for local, state and national AIA and other design awards are public buildings, landscapes and plans. The awards recognize the skill, creativity, thoughtfulness and - increasingly - innovation of design firms and individual designers responsible for these projects. Clients are, of course, always identified. Often, however, the role of the public architect who acts as client remains opaque. Yet this role is critical to a successful public sector project.

Public architects will have shepherded a winning project through complex review and approval processes, shaping project form and program, developing guidelines and assessing compliance, and advocating for new approaches to technical issues. Public architects’ behind-the-scenes work on award-winning projects is as variable as the projects. The essays following in this issue of Cornerstone describe how public architects work as integral team members, playing a key (and unique) role in client/professional interface.

Being a Strong Public Client

By Carol M. Warkoczewski, AIA, MSOLE

Photo credit © Carol M. Warkoczewski

As a public architect, how are you ensuring your project teams are delivering their best performances and you are receiving the best projects? The City of San Antonio has recently had a number of projects with bids that exceeded the construction budget. To understand why, we asked architects, contractors, and others for their input.

Physics Building Under Construction at Texas A&M- American School & University

By Vergel Gay, FAIA

Photo credit © Michael Graves: May 18, 2007

The new Mitchell Physics Buildings expresses the desire of Texas A&M University to further education in science, technology and related disciplines. The project was delivered utilizing the Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) delivery method. At $57 million, the two buildings combined contain just under 190,000 square-foot of space for research laboratories, lecture halls, small and large meeting rooms, classrooms and faculty, graduate student and staff offices.

SAME and AIA Collaborate in 2015

Kicking off 2015, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) formed a strategic alliance through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA agrees to facilitate collaboration and information sharing to enhance the profession of architecture in the Department of Defense and other related federal agencies, and to enhance the body of knowledge for architecture in the public and private sectors. Read more about the collaboration.

Both AIA and SAME serve professionals in the architecture field; SAME’s reach is slightly more diverse including engineering, construction (A/E/C), facility management and environmental entities. Together, this partnership will add greater value to the members of both organizations. See the most recent issues of the SAME Architectural Practices Committee Quarterly Journal to learn more.

2015 Thomas Jefferson Awards for Public Architecture

The Institute Honor Awards program recognizes achievements for a broad range of architectural activity to elevate the general quality of architecture practice, establish a standard of excellence against which all architects can measure performance, and inform the public of the breadth and value of architecture practice.

This year, two public architects, Thomas E. Lollini, FAIA, and Thomas Luebke, FAIA, were honored with the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture.

Read more about their extraordinary work and careers.   

Join PA for Their Convention Sessions & Reception

WE106 Complete Cycle of Design Excellence Integrating BIM, CMMS and FM
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 \ 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM \ Earn 3.75 LUs GBCI \ Georgia World Congress Center Room B405 \ Fee: $190

From concept to completion, this workshop guides you through the entire design cycle. You'll come away with a well-rounded knowledge of best practices for both private and public architecture, and the ability to create a smoother flow of information between owners, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. By staying up-to-date on the latest tools, technologies, and approaches, you'll be better equipped to create a cohesive AIA community. A hot breakfast will be served starting at 7:45am.

The range of topics includes:

• Recent research and developments in design and construction technology
• Technical elements
• Program management
• Communication and workflow
• The importance of BIM data to efficient operations of public facilities

WE309 Public Architecture and The Public Architect: Technology Implementations Issues
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 \ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM \ Earn 3.75 LUs GBCI \ Georgia World Congress Center Room B407 \ Fee: $190

This half-day workshop looks at the critical role technology plays in the profession of the public architect. You'll have the opportunity to explore:

• Ways to implement technology throughout the entire design process
• How technology can save you time and money
• How to identify and resolve technical issues

Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned architect who wants to get up to speed on new technologies, you'll leave this workshop with knowledge on how to practice more efficiently and effectively.

EV104 Public Architects Reception
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 \ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM \ Heery International; 999 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 300 \ Fee: $55

Expand your professional network in a relaxed, pressure-free environment. At the Public Architects Reception, attendants will enjoy food and drinks while meeting clients and practitioners specializing in public architecture. It's your chance to meet new contacts, catch up with colleagues, and share your latest projects.

SA115 Whose Line Is It Anyway: AIA Style Part I- What Owners Want from Architects in Getting the Job
Saturday, May 16, 2015 \ 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM \ Earn 1.00 LU \ Georgia World Congress Center Room B302 \ Fee: $0

This session brings together public and owner architects to discuss the intricacies of gaining work from the owner’s perspective. Topics to be discussed include selection criteria and processes, strategies to improve focus on proposals, do’s and don’ts of interviews, and other topics submitted by participants.

SA217 Whose Line Is It Anyway: AIA Style Part II- What Owners Want from Architects in Getting the Job
Saturday, May 16, 2015 \ 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM \ Earn 1.00 LU \ Georgia World Congress Center Room B302 \ Fee: $0

This session brings together public architects from various agencies and practices to discuss the intricacies of managing and retaining work in the public sector. Topics to be discussed include general business practices, roles and responsibilities within a public agency or developer, and other relevant topics submitted by participants.

Upcoming Knowledge Community Webinars

Design Principles for Smaller Dwelling Units
Monday, June 1, 2015 | 12:00 - 1:30pm ET | Learn more | Register now
Sponsored by AIA Housing Knowledge Community
Registration fees: Free

Achieving Collaborative 'IPD-ish' Delivery with Basic D-B, P3 or CM Contracts: Yes, There Is a Way...
Wednesday, June 10, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:00pm ET | Earn 1.0 AIA HSW LUs | Learn more | Register now
Sponsored by the AIA Construction Contract Administration
Registration fees: Free

The Architect's Role in Mitigating Climate Change
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 | 1:30 - 2:30pm ET | Earn 1.0 AIA HSW LUs | Learn more | Register now
Sponsored by the AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee
Registration fees: Free

LEAN Applications in Healthcare Design and Construction
Wednesday, June 24, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:15pm ET | Earn 1.25 AIA HSW LUs | Learn more | Register now
Sponsored by the AIA Practice Management
Registration fees: Free

Within Formal Cities: Learning from Informal Communities in South America
Monday, June 29, 2015 | 1:00 - 2:30pm ET | Learn more | Register now
Sponsored by AIA Housing Knowledge Community
Registration fees: Free