E-NEWS
March 6, 2017
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March 2017  

Although the official start of the season is a couple weeks away, the warm temperatures that we've been experiencing certainly make it feel as if spring has sprung... and boy are things hopping for AIA Kentucky!

This week alone is filled with advocacy efforts, both locally and nationally. We will host our annual legislative breakfast at the Capitol annex tomorrow morning and then we are off to D.C. for AIA's annual Grassroots conference. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for updates on these events.

Are there other platforms that we should be using to communicate effectively with our membership? Briefly answer our Survey Question of the Month and let us know how best to reach out to you! 
In This Issue
KY BOA Revises CE Requirements

In an effort to streamline the process of tracking continuing education for Kentucky's architects, the KY Board of Architects recently revised the annual requirements for license renewal.  A minimum of twelve continuing education hours (CEH), all on relevant topics addressing health, safety, and welfare, are required for annual renewal. In addition, required CEH shall now be acquired during the period beginning January 1 and ending December 31 of the previous calendar year. For additional information on these requirements, visit the BOA website   

January Board Breakfast at KNBA
AIA Kentucky - On Your Radar

March Breakfast with the Board
Once again, AIA Kentucky's leaders invite you to join them for breakfast and fellowship prior to their next board meeting on Tuesday, March 21. This will take place from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., at the Living Arts & Science Center in Lexington and all of our Architect, Associate, and Allied members are welcome. We simply ask that you register ahead of time so that we can plan accordingly. Sign up here, by March 17. We look forward to seeing you there!

More Website Updates 
We hope you have had a chance to explore the new AIA Kentucky website and we hope you will visit periodically as we continue to develop this resource and post new content. Be sure to visit our recently added Job Board and our Business Center, where you can find RFP's/RFQ's, Competitions and Grants and Insurance Information. And speaking of competitions, don't miss your chance to participate in the AIA National Photography Competition. Winners will receive national recognition at the A'17 Conference on Architecture!

Coming Up - 2017 Honor Awards
2017 is on track to be a fantastic year for the AIA Kentucky Honor Awards program, as some exciting improvements are well underway. The staff is working on some significant changes to the submission guidelines and jury instructions, which we hope will allow for more freedom and creativity in the submission process and a greater number of projects selected. PLUS, we have added a category for the submission of Unbuilt Work!

This year's program chair, Wayne R. Estopinal, AIA is putting together a fantastic jury out of Atlanta, Georgia, so we hope that you will help us to make this year's awards program the best ever. Be thinking of projects (completed between 2007-2017) that you can enter and watch for our Call for Submissions, coming in early May!


Member News

Firm News
Studio Kremer Architects Inc. announced last month that it would be moving from its longtime home on Ruckriegel Parkway in Jeffersontown to renovated office space in 1231 S. Shelby St. After more than a decade at the J-town site, the relocation comes in the midst of Studio Kremer's 20th anniversary. The new space, once open, will foster a collaborative atmosphere with shared workspaces and conference areas. The firm will have about 12,000 square feet of space it can grow into as needed.

Louisville's Business First Magazine recently featured an article on Aric Andrew, AIA, President and CEO of Luckett & Farley.
Read Article   
 
Employment and Achievements

In recognition of his leadership and significant contributions to the success of the firm, GBBN Architects has named Chad Burke, AIA as Shareholder and Principal. Chad is a designer and project manager on the firm's Community Development team and a dedicated mentor that is committed to the development of younger staff.

GBBN also congratulates the following new associates:
  • Chris Bowling, AIA
  • Matthew Plecity, AIA
  • Carl Price, AIA
  • Zachary Zettler, AIA

TEG Architects
is pleased to welcome Sean Abercrombie, AIA to their architectural team. Sean is a registered architect with more than 16 years of professional experience working on a variety of commercial, health care, higher education, hospitality, sports and transportation projects. A recent transplant to Kentucky, Sean is a graduate of Ball State University where he focused on Architecture and Environmental Design.

Congratulations to Ryan Clark, AIA on recently completing the Architectural Registration Exam! 
   
Welcome New and Returning Members:
(since January 1, 2017)
  • Blake T. Graham, Assoc. AIA, JRA Architects, Lexington
  • Brandon E. Harvey, AIA, Denham-Blythe Company, Lexington
  • Elisabeth K. Hunt, AIA, Lord Aeck Sargent, Lexington
  • Jamie Lam, Assoc. AIA, Martinez+Johnson Architecture, Jersey City 
  • Patcraft, New Allied Friend, Dalton, GA
  • Carl G. Price, AIA, GBBN Architects, Cincinnati
  • Tandus Centiva, New Allied Sponsor, Prospect
  • Terracon, New Allied Sponsor, Louisville/Lexington

Calendar of Events

AIA Kentucky and local chapter events are consolidated on a single calendar accessible via the AIA Kentucky website . We'll post information about conferences, chapter events and other "happenings" of interest to the architectural community. A sampling of upcoming items to check out on the calendar: 
CKC/CSI Trade Fair on February 21
CKC News

View the latest edition of the AIA Central KY Chapter E-News for information about the following:
  • IDP/AXP Site Visits
  • Upcoming Programs and Events
  • Member Announcements
For information on AIA Central Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow CKC on Facebook or   Twitter.

Lexington EP Meet-Up at HopCat
EKC News

View the latest edition of the AIA East KY Chapter E-News for information about the following:
  • New EKC Website
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • CoD AIAS and EP News
  • Upcoming Programs and Events
For information on AIA East Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow EKC on Facebook or Twitter.

NKY News

View the latest edition of the AIA Northern Kentucky E-News for information about NKY Restoration Weekend.

You can also visit the new AIA Northern Kentucky website periodically for information on NKY news, events and activities.

CoD News

Talks and Exhibitions
Singularities - an exhibition by UK College of Design architecture professor, Mike McKay - is now on display at the UK Art Museum. The exhibit runs through April 23.
 
Make plans to attend the annual Historic Preservation Symposium, held each year through the College of Design at the University of Kentucky. This year's event - "Conflict, Violence and Preservation: Interpreting difficult history" - will be March 31 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Singletary Center on UK's campus. The event is free and open to the public, with the opportunity to attend a paid luncheon at the Hilary J. Boone Center. The cost of the luncheon will go toward a scholarship in the HP program.
 
University Career and Internship Fair
The 2017 University of Kentucky Just in Time Job and Internship Fair is the last opportunity in the spring semester for employers interested in meeting with UK students to fill both full-time and internship opportunities. Open to students in all majors for employers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations who are seeking students and alumni for full-time entry-level positions and/or internships. The fair is for ALL Majors and Degree levels. An opportunity to interview interested applicants at the James W. Stuckert Career Center the following day or later in the semester will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Register Here
   
2/11 ARE Workshop Hosted by KPFF
AXP/NCARB News

ARE Prep
The participants in Sights on Success 2.0 met for the second time at our workshop in Louisville on February 11. This workshop was hosted by Greg Buccola, of KPFF Engineers. Greg spoke at length about seismic design and other structural concepts. Then James Troutman, of Shrout Tate Wilson, reviewed mechanical design with the group. We are so thankful for the support of these valued allied members who have given their personal time to help our EP's prepare for licensure!

New Path to Certification for Architects
If you didn't get a degree from a NAAB-accredited program, but have spent years accumulating Architectural Experience Program-worthy hours, you may now receive an official NCARB certification. Read How

A separate certification option for U.S. architects without an architecture-related degree is expected to launch later this spring.

AIA National News

A'17 Conference on Architecture
Going to Orlando? AIA Kentucky is partnering with the UK College of Design to host a reception for Kentucky members and CoD alumni to gather while they are in town. Please help them to plan for this event and let Janet Pike know if you will be there!

You may also want to attend AEC Cares' seventh annual blitz-build, "projectOrlando", which will take place on April 26. See Details 

Economics
The January Architectural Billings Index (ABI) indicated that billings were off to a flat start in 2017 - just slightly down from the previous month.
 
Also in January, the Institute released their State Economic Profiles - a collection of economic indicators that can be used to inform business decisions. The data, which is updated each January and July contains national, regional, and state indicators such as employment and gross domestic product and is focused on each state to better inform your understanding of policies affecting the industry. View Kentucky data here and see how it compares to the rest of the nation.

Strategic Council
The 2016 Journal of Work by the AIA Strategic Council was recently published and is now available. Nine study groups worked throughout last year to collect research, analyze data, and make recommendations to the AIA Board of Directors. View the Report

Knowledge Community Opportunities

A full list of Knowledge Community events is always available at network.aia.org/RoundUp

The Last Word

Our focus in March is advocacy on behalf of the profession, both in Frankfort (Legislative Breakfast tomorrow) and in Washington (Wednesday thru Thursday of this week). In both cases we are taking the message to our elected leaders to emphasize the value of architects, what we do and what we stand for.
 
If you're not reading the weekly Legislative Update we send out each Monday that summarizes what's happening in Frankfort, you should be. This week we're pushing back against a bill (House Bill 360) that will exempt some "agritourism" buildings from requiring architectural services if they're less than 6,000 sf or have occupancy up to 400 people. Sounds like a bad idea, you say?   Not to some. While the legislation is very narrowly written and we hope would not be far-reaching in its application, the precedent it sets for exemptions not only weakens the architects licensing law but also hinders enforcement of the Kentucky Building Code - both of which are in place to protect the public. We must remain diligent in voicing our commitment to protecting health, safety and welfare in the built environment, especially in public assembly buildings. View our position statement. This bill passed the House last Friday (a new version that was introduced on Wednesday) and is now headed for consideration in the Senate. Stay tuned for developments as the week progresses.
 
State and local chapter leaders have appointments on Wednesday on Capitol Hill in the Washington DC offices of both Kentucky's Senators and several Congressmen. AIA has assigned a key issue to us for each visit, in our case Infrastructure and Taxes. This will give us the opportunity to focus more directly on key initiatives that impact you and your practice. You can view the AIA Issue Briefs on these two areas (and others) here. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see links to all the Issue Briefs.
 
All that said, advocacy on the profession's behalf is among AIA most critical roles, and your engagement is more important than ever. Whether you like to get involved in politics or not, as the saying goes, "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu."  
 
Here's to a productive March!
Janet D. Pike, Hon. AIA
Executive Vice President
859.223.8201


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