AIA Michigan 
May  2017


Champion the profession. Nurture our chapters. Build Michigan better. 
President's Message

I hope that I will see all of you on Friday June 16th at the Roostertail in Detroit. 
 
The reception begins at 5:30, program at 6:30, strolling dinner at 7:30. It promises to be a festive evening with a great riverside atmosphere, tasty food and beverages, and lots of camaraderie. You can look forward to a strong program that will honor both emerging and seasoned colleagues, and will feature for the first time a people's choice award reveal. From the young architect of the year, to the gold medal winner, from the recognition of our new fellows, to the student gold medal winners and our allied 'friends of the built environment,' from unbuilt projects to major new buildings of national stature, to some great historic preservation, it will be an opportunity to celebrate many amazing achievements.
 
More importantly, this is an occasion to celebrate great design in general, and the impact that our work has on our communities. Beyond those who will be recognized specifically through our awards program, all of us are playing a role everyday in the re-birth of great design and innovation in our state. As noted by John Gallagher in the Free Press last week in a quote focused on Detroit that I know resonates all across our state as well, "Back in the mid-20th Century, Detroit ranked among the world's centers for design excellence. Ford produced the first Mustang, architects Eero Saarinen and Minoru Yamasaki crafted buildings of lasting beauty, and Motown music was charting hit after hit. Detroit's design community has seen its ups and downs since then...But lately Detroit has enjoyed a renewed interest in good design. Everything from bold new modernist architecture to locally designed clothing, vehicles, murals and other public artwork have all inspired interest."
 
So, let's get dressed up, have a great time, and remember its not just an architecture prom, we all deserve a night to celebrate our ability to inspire and uplift all those around us who live in our work.

 
Will Wittig, AIA

Executive Director's Message
 
Cathy Headshot
Save the Date - AIA Michigan and AGC of Michigan Mid Summer Conference August, 3-5, 2017. Information will be online soon!
  • Understand the 2017 AIA Owner/Architect Agreements: This free webinar will provide insight into the newly revised 2017 Owner-Architect agreements. Presenters will also discuss the new Sustainable Projects Exhibit and explore how it can provide a positive impact on the health and safety of building occupants. June 1, 2:00-3:00 pm, ET; Earn 1.5 LU HSW

AIA's new Foresight Report offers an environmental scan looking at trends that could transform our profession. Digital copies are free for members. Download today. Two new tools are also available for members only: a PowerPoint deck with select data points to use and a strategic foresight planning workbook.

Film challenge seed film: Midtown. A Blueprint for Better. This year's I Look Up Film Challenge shines a light on the powerful social impact of architects and their work. Watch the newly-released seed film.
 

We still need AIA Mentors for the AIA Michigan mentoring network. If you are interested, please contact Evelyn Dougherty - evelyn@aiami.com
 
Cathy Mosley, Hon. Aff. AIAMI

Emerging Professionals Corner
Matt Guinta, AIA
At National Convention, Michigan has always had a strong contingent attending yearly.  I had the pleasure to meet with faces new and familiar at our AIA Michigan reception. Architects that hail from our fair state and some who have moved on to warmer climates were more than friendly, sharing many stories of shared pasts and exciting futures.  
 
But, why go to convention, if not more than socialize? What is the value of convening with over 10,000 architects from across the country? Most don't have ties to the Great Lakes State and hold little direct business development value.
 
Well. Do you still like to "nerd-out" on architecture (and get those HSW credits)? Do you like to have "fun" while experiencing your specific passions in and outside of the profession?
 
It's a smorgasbord of everything that we "archi-nerds" could possibly be interested in. We had fantastic keynotes. Our organization promoted greatness; seeing the posthumously awarded AIA National Gold Medal to Paul Revere Williams, FAIA. Never have I been more proud of our organization, which needed to honor such a brilliant and impactfu l architect. 
 
The University of Detroit Mercy's Detroit Collaborative Design Center being recognized with the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award is a momentous occasion to celebrate. As an alumnus of the aforementioned institution brings much personal pride. Nationally, it brings into conversation the value of socially sustainable design and the dynamic response that is coming from Michigan Architects.  
 
For many, Orlando was all about the tours. I was tempted to get a behind the scenes look of Walt Disney World's Utilidor, perhaps a day trip up to historic St. Augustine or the Rossetti guided tour of the Daytona Speedway. Like so many, these had filled up (full disclosure, I volunteered as a tour host in exchange for registration).  
 
I had the great pleasure to visit Santiago Calatrava's Florida Polytechnic University IST Building. Our tour was led by the campus architect who has worked from selection through management. The building's dynamic shading system and inspiring design was de-mystified. Our photographs looked great, including the well-staged alligator.
 
The second tour hosting duty was by far the most active of convention. Myself and many spandex cladded cyclist architects were led through Orlando seeing many of downtown's significant buildings, public spaces, and new commuter rail line. After a healthy 9 miles leading us past graceful homes, large hospitals, lovely parks, and an unexpected arboretum. We ended our tour in tony Winter Park where a vibrant farmers market and walkable downtown greeted us.  Needless to say, I was surprised by the progress of urbanism in Orlando. Learning about urban planning is much more interesting in the out-of-doors, and preferred to a panel presentation.
 
So, what is there to do at convention?  More than enough to keep even this Young Architect busy and exhausted.  Why attend?  It sustains and informs inspiration for the next professional exercise at the office.  That is, as long as I don't need to wear those spandex bike shorts.

Monthly Highlights

Please click here to register!

Grapevine

  • Quinn Evans Architects, an award-winning architectural and planning practice, has announced that the firm will acquire Baltimore-based Cho Benn Holback + Associates, effective May 1. Established in 1979, Cho Benn Holback + Associates is a 30-person architectural and planning firm located on N. Charles Street in downtown Baltimore
  • The Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) Metropolitan Detroit Chapter is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Saba, former Business Manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 80 (as of April 30, 2017) to the position of Executive Director effective May 1, 2017. Saba brings over twenty seven years of construction industry administration experience to SMACNA Detroit
  • Frank Frost, Associate AIA is now Frank Frost, AIA - Congratulations Frank!
  • Randi Marsh, Associate AIA is now Randi Marsh, AIA - Congratulations Randi!


New Members!
 
Members who joined, rejoined or transferred to AIA Michigan in March!

March 

Lisa Franzoni, Assoc. AIA
Bernard Grant, Assoc. AIA
Kimberly A. Nye, AIA
Carla Pareja, Assoc. AIA
Brenda Rigdon, AIA
Morley S. Stevenson, AIA
Andrew A. Stone, Assoc. AIA
Tresna L. Taylor, AIA
Rebecca Willis, Assoc. AIA
Keith A. Logsdon, AIA                    
Nathan S. Lohrer, Assoc. AIA
David Michael Murphy, Assoc. AIA

Welcome to AIA Michigan and we look forward to meeting you at future events!!
In This Issue
AIAU is a place for architects to learn and earn continuing education credits.
Upcoming Events!

  
SGN 2017 Annual Meeting
Westin St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
June 14-16, 2017
 
AIA Michigan Honor Awards
The Roostertail- Detroit
June 16, 2017

SpeakUp 2017
The Curtis Hotel
Denver, CO
July 19 -21, 2017

Contact the Staff

Cathy Mosley, Hon. Aff. AIAMI
Executive Director of AIA Michigan: 
Events and Programming, Finances, Communications, Membership, Government Affairs, Sponsorship
 
Evelyn Dougherty, Hon. Aff. AIAMI
Operations Director: Event Planning and Registration, Documents, 
Continuing Education, Membership, Job Board
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