AIA LA SEPTEMBER - State Conference Early Bird Registration ENDS WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 2022

State Conference

The Early Bird Discount ends Wednesday, Sep. 7th

Ahhhh, the fresh air, the relaxing sounds, the joy of being out of the office but still productive!… Conference at the beach sure is hard to beat. Have you checked out the sponsorship opportunities? Prices go up on Sep. 8^th.

You won’t want to miss this…

S’mores night (bring the kids!)
70’s/80’s Bingo Bash (It’s themed, so pack those clothes you’ve been dying to wear! Rounds for kids and adults.)
Honor Award Evening (of course we must have something just for the “big kids” too)
Yes, there will be plenty of continuing ed and serious stuff too!

REGISTRATION >>

BROCHURE >>

RESERVE YOUR ROOM>>

BE GROOVY | BUY YOUR BINGO CARDS EARLY >>

AIA LOUISIANA ELECTION

OF OFFICERS FOR 2023

Nominations are open! Are you interested in running for a state office? Below are the current nominees for open positions, and the election will be held during the AIA Louisiana Annual Business Meeting on Friday, October 7, 2022, 1:30 p.m., The Lodge at Gulf State Park (Ballroom I)

Download Current Nominees >>

President-Elect Fritz Embaugh, AIA will be the 2023 AIA Louisiana President

I look forward to serving AIA Louisiana as President in 2023. As CEO and Director of Operations for PlusOne Design | Construction, I am a licensed architect and general contractor in Baton Rouge, LA. Prior to starting PlusOne in 2005, I enjoyed a vast and varied career in the architecture and construction worlds, with experience ranging from construction management to municipal business development. I learned the building industry from a multitude of perspectives, solidifying my love for both architecture and construction. As a National AIA Award-winning firm, the PlusOne team leverages both areas of expertise to create smart, responsive design, while simultaneously ensuring it translates completely into the built form.

As AIA Louisiana President, my desire will be to serve both the state of Louisiana and the profession of architecture by focusing on two overarching goals: elevate the awareness and reputation of the profession through public awareness, legislative engagement and community involvement to help expand the need for, and influence of, architects; and advance the charge to address those most affected by the ravaging effects of flooding, hurricanes and coastal erosion and the important role that architects can serve in this effort.

As incoming AIA Louisiana President, I am honored to lead our membership and our profession, and to make the type of indelible mark that only a group of architects could make.

FOR THE OFFICE OF

PRESIDENT-ELECT

The nominee elected to this office will become President of AIA Louisiana in 2024

MARK HECK, AIA

Mark Heck, founding principal of Studio Rise LLC, began his architectural training at the age of fifteen under his grandfather. He earned his Master of Architecture from Tulane University in 2006. He is licensed in Louisiana and NCARB certified. As a New Orleans area native, Mark takes pride in this community. This has led him to engage through several board positions including the New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor, Foundation Preparatory Charter School, and Bywater Neighborhood Association, participate in volunteer work and other civic minded opportunities. These experiences led to his mindset as a design professional who views projects as opportunities for growth and success, not just for the client but for the greater community. With past projects including public elementary schools, the expansion of a creative arts high school, several residential projects, large scale multifamily development, countless adaptive reuse and historic preservation projects, Mark has a diverse portfolio that allows him to switch scale and design for the needs of the client and community.

Mark participated in the AIA LA Emerging Leaders program in the summer of 2021. This experience led him to elevate his engagement in AIA New Orleans and AIA Louisiana. He currently serves on both the AIA New Orleans and AIA Louisiana Board of Directors as the AIA New Orleans Director. Additionally, he is an active member of Urban Land Institute where he sits on the committee for the ULI Louisiana Emerging Trends conference, having co-chaired in 2021/2022. He truly believes that architecture provides our profession the opportunity to impact communities on a daily basis.

Candidate Statement

While new to engagement with AIA Louisiana, I am an experienced professional with a diverse background of community engagement. Having sat on several boards and being President of my neighborhood association has provided me the opportunity to understand the importance of being a leader while also listening to voices of the group you represent. After participating in the AIA LA Emerging Leaders program, I realized the importance of focusing my efforts on representing the profession in more than practice. I worked for an established firm for over 15 years before founding our new

architectural practice. I feel this transition allows me to bring a perspective of what firms and architects of all scales need.

My focused goal of taking a leadership position with the AIA Louisiana Board of Directors as VP/President Elect is help continue to keep our profession in the forefront of professional standing. We have all experienced a client asking why they need an architect or why they need to pay us a reasonable fee. My hope is we can reinforce the multifaceted skills and knowledge we utilize to help the general public, developers, legislators, etc., understand why we are more than just a stamp needed to make a permit submission.

I look forward to continuing working with my fellow members of the Board of Directors to continue to build a stronger AIA Louisiana.

FOR THE OFFICE OF

Secretary/Treasurer

The nominee elected to this office will become Secretary/Treasurer of AIA Louisiana for

2023-2024

Marianne Graffam, AIA

Marianne Graffam is a graduate of Tulane University School of Architecture. Originally born in Seoul, South Korea, she grew up primarily in Ocala, FL prior to her time at Tulane. Marianne has spent parts of her career in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, and Honolulu, Hawaii. Since 2012, she has been practicing in New Orleans and joined EskewDumezRipple in 2021 as an Associate and one of the firm's healthcare experts. Marianne is a proud proponent that architecture and design should follow the scientific process in order to address a problem and question a hypothesis to achieve outcomes that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but functionally beautiful.

Marianne is an advocate of using our skills and talents to be active contributing members of our community. She has served on the board and continues her engagement with the non-profit unCommon Construction and engaged with STEM NOLA activities. Since 2009 she has served as a city organizer for PechaKucha Nights in Tacoma and New Orleans with over 30 successful events. Marianne has recently served as the Vice President on the AIA New Orleans Executive Board.

Candidate statement

I believe that our impact on the world around us goes beyond the built environment. It is our responsibility, as architects, to move the profession forward through engagement, practice, and mentorship to be stewards and contributing members of society.

As Secretary/Treasurer for AIA LA, I hope to serve the members of our state and be an advocate of our profession and the AIA by exploring ways to encourage more member engagement and lead by example for the next generation of industry leaders.

While AIA Louisiana is saddened to learn of his passing, we hope you will celebrate his life: