From the President: Sonia R. Jarboe, AIA
As 2022 begins to wind down, we are starting to plan for next year and, to kick that off, we held our annual leadership retreat on Nov. 12 at HDR's office in Arlington, Va. This is the first time the Board and Committee Chairs met in-person for a meeting since March of 2020. It was great to collaborate with new and returning leaders. We look forward to seeing more of the membership at in-person programs and events in the coming year.
This Fall, we have undertaken the very important task of creating a new strategic plan for the chapter to guide us through the next five years. Our current strategic plan expires at the end of the year which is to our advantage, as much has changed in the chapter and industry over the last 3-5 years. We set up a task force, sent out surveys and did a significant amount of market research and historical data and trend analysis. We are currently setting goals to support the future of the profession, optimize membership value and experience, activate and grow our current membership, foster connections, and promote the value of good design and the role of an architect.
Along with planning for the next few years, all committees are looking for new faces and perspectives to join their ranks. Committees are a great way to get involved, meet fellow architects, and learn more about the profession beyond your office. They are great ways to engage and are the foundation of leadership development within the Chapter. If you aren't ready for a committee role yet, but still want to get involved, consider teaching an ARE® Prep course. We are actively seeking for instructors. No worries if you have never taught before, we have mentors and lessons plans to help you.
A couple of additional points of interest before the year runs out: if you are in need of some end-of-year education credit, we hope you can join us for a free virtual AIA LU|HSW on December 1st from Noon-1pm. This session focuses on “Large Doors: How to Select the Right Door” for both commercial and residential projects. Secondly, several years ago, the Chapter started an AIA Northern Virginia Community Outreach Fund as a way for our members to give back to the community by supporting scholarships and public outreach programs organized by our chapter. Please consider
making a contribution to help increase the visibility of design excellence and keep the pipeline filled with students interested in architecture.
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Time to Renew Your AIA Northern Virginia Membership
Now more than ever, the collective voice of architects is essential for designing a better future for our country and planet. As natural facilitators and problem-solvers, architects can help create a better, stronger, and more equitable society with sustainable communities for all.
Each day, AIA members like you in Northern Virginia, plus those across the country and throughout the world, create the places where people live, learn, work, and play. To support you, your firm, and the architecture profession, AIA works for you at all levels to advance our nation’s quality of life and protect the public’s health, safety and welfare through advocacy, professional development, relationship building and public outreach.
Continue to be part of this global community and stand with AIA to enact positive change through design –
Renew your membership today!
If you would like to discuss ways to keep your membership viable in 2023, contact Lorin Boswell.
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A Childhood Home Reimagined
Convene Architecture
Alexandria, Va.
Photographs © Angela Newton Roy Photography
The challenge for this project was to redesign the client’s childhood home into a multi-generational space where the homeowner’s family and mother could live.
The design expands the original house and adds a single level apartment to age-in-place. The main entry was moved to a new stair volume located between the original home and new addition. The volume is set back from the adjacent two-story structures to maintain the rhythm of the single-family houses along the street. The volume is covered in dark vertical cladding revealing an angled cutout of natural wood siding that expresses the stair within and draws visitors to the shared covered entry.
Modern detailing merges the two homes with elements of the original house reinterpreted in the new design. The angled bay window references the dormers of the original house and the two-story forms are a series of gabled roofs reflecting the original home’s geometry.
The scale of the house is reduced in the backyard with a one-story addition that wraps the home. The two homes share outdoor spaces including an outdoor patio and pergola.
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The first floor of the original house provides a larger dining room and kitchen, with an adjacent guest bedroom and bathroom. A new living room with expansive windows, added at the rear of the home, provides natural light and views to the backyard.
The second floor of the original house was reconfigured to provide two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a library. The new stair hall connects to the addition where an office is located, as well as the primary bedroom suite with access to a private roof deck.
The apartment includes an open plan living/dining room and kitchen area with views to the backyard, as well as an ensuite bedroom and additional bedroom and bath for guests or a future caregiver. Age-in-place features include grab bars and a curbless shower in the bathrooms, as well as outdoor ramps.
A non-load bearing wall between the homes can be opened to one another if desired. There is also space for a future elevator. The house is tailored to the current and future needs of all three generations.
Visit Convene Architecture website: www.convenearchitecture.com.
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America ByDesign:
Architecture, a Six-Part Series on CBS
AIA continues to highlight and advance the work of architects. During conversations with members this year, many shared the importance of AIA promoting the value of architects to a larger audience. AIA recently engaged with America ByDesign: Architecture, a six-part series on CBS promoting American architectural innovation, ingenuity, and design excellence. All architects highlighted in the shows are AIA members. The series starts Saturday, November 12 at 7:00pm ET with new episodes every week.
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Season of Charitable Giving
As the year begins to draw to a close, the season of charitable giving begins. AIA Northern Virginia has numerous opportunities to which you can direct your donations. Our chapter has a 501(c)(3) fund for charitable contributions to help support scholarships and public outreach programs. The fund is managed by the Virginia Foundation for Architecture under a fiscal agreement with our chapter and allows individuals to make tax-deductible contributions towards specific chapter programs. Funds can be directed toward one of two options:
AIA Northern Virginia Community Outreach Fund
This option offers both a public outreach choice and an undesignated selection which permits the Chapter to direct the funds toward where the monies are most needed.
Past Presidents and Fellows Scholarship
Awarded as funds allow, this is a minority-directed scholarship that aims to support diversity and inclusion among students pursuing architecture as a career by helping to cultivate the future of the architecture profession. Anyone can contribute, including Past Presidents and Fellows.
Contributions to the fund are by check, made out to ‘The Virginia Foundation for Architecture, Inc.’ Funds may be directed toward a particular usage preference via the memo line, for example, ‘scholarships,’ ‘public outreach,’ or remain undesignated toward the general fund, which permits the funds to be applied where need is the greatest. Remember to include your name and address to receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes from the Foundation.
Please mail your check to:
The Virginia Foundation for Architecture, Inc.
Attn: Sharon Aponte
2501 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220
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The Climate Action Business Playbook
This new sustainability resource is key to building an architectural practice that embraces climate change mitigation and adaptation. Explore now to accelerate your firm's efforts to deliver projects aligned with the priorities for the climate. Learn more.
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Monthly CAE Firm Spotlight & Meeting
Nov. 17
Join the CAE NoVA committee for their November "Firm Spotlight." Josh Matthews, project architect at Marlon Blackwell Architects, will be presenting the Reels Building. One of the buildings forming part of the Thaden School, an independent middle and high school in Bentonville Arkansas. The building is a critical component of the school’s innovative curriculum and master plan, which shaped its overall campus. The Reels Building is an integral part of a larger site and building ecosystem that addresses local ecology, water, and energy use. "The down-to-earth building utilizes a traditional layout while playing with light and views. The siting is beautiful.” - Jury comment, AIA 2022 Education Facility Design Awards, Merit recipient. SIgn up now.
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ARE® Prep: Call for 2023 Teachers
Ongoing
Every January, the Chapter begins its highly-regarded ARE® Prep training for emerging professionals who are seeking licensure. Testing topics are: Project Management; Practice Management; Programming and Analysis; Project Planning and Design; Project Development and Documentation; and Construction and Evaluation. The Chapter is trying to deepen our stable of ARE® Prep course teachers, so whether you have recently passed your exams or took them years ago, if you are willing to teach one or more test topics, reach out via email with any questions you might have about teaching a future class session.
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DesignDC: The Sustainable City & Resilient City
Nov. 30 - Dec. 1
DesignDC 2022 is a new hybrid experience for members and design professionals throughout the region. Over two days of content, including a featured keynote speaker and a reception, followed by a day of virtual education with industry experts. Learn more.
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The AIA Leadership Summit 2023 (formerly Grassroots)
Feb. 14 - 17, 2023
The name for the former AIA Grassroots Leadership Event has been rebranded to reflect the event’s purpose and target audience—our leaders. The new name is The AIA Leadership Summit.
The event officially starts on Tuesday, February 14 at 2pm and ends on Friday, February 17 by 12pm at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C. Registration will be open in December.
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AIA 2030 Commitment by the Numbers
Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. And we’re running out of time to mitigate this. To dramatically reduce emissions from the built environment, the AIA 2030 Commitment program empowers firms to track and measure progress toward net zero carbon with transparency and accountability. Learn more about the progress firms made in RY2021 toward the goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030.
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The latest headlines in the industry: | |
American Institute of Architects: ABI Oct 2022: The Majority of Architecture Firm Leaders Think that Recent Graduates of Architecture Programs are Prepared for Practice
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Archinect: Explore the Process Behind UVA's Memorial to Enslaved Laborers
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The Month Ahead
Get the latest list of continuing education opportunities, committee meetings and activities, plus chapter events.
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November 17
Monthly CAE Firm Spotlight & Meeting
Join the Committee on Architecture for Education for our monthly committee meeting. November "Firm Spotlight" features Marlon Blackwell Architects presenting the Reels Building.
Learn more.
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November 24-25
Thanksgiving Holiday
In observance of Thanksgiving, we will be closed Thursday and Friday. Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!
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November 29
YAF Happy Hour
Join the Young Architects Forum (YAF) for an early
end-of-year Happy Hour at the Anchor Bar at the Fish
Market, 105 King Street, Alexandria, Va.
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December 1
Large Doors: How to Select the Right Door
While there are many options available for large doors, it is important to understand how to make the selection process go smoothly in both commercial and residential projects. This session offers 1 AIA LU|HSW. Presented by T.W. Perry.
Sign-up now.
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December 2
Construction Tour: The Rubell Museum & Gallery 64
Join us for a hardhat tour of an adaptive reuse site in DC featuring a museum and multifamily residential building. Presented by Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP and WIA. Learn more & sign-up.
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December 5
Women in Architecture Holiday Party
Join us for the WIA virtual holiday celebration. To end a wonderful year, we will be celebrating the committee history and listening to stories and lessons learned of past
co-chairs. Learn more.
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December 8
Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Annual Holiday Party
Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and mingle with architects and other design professionals. Presented by AjMadison, Architessa, Home & Design Magazine. RSVP.
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December 12
AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting
This meeting will be in-person. All are welcome to attend. Email [email protected]
for details or to participate virtually.
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December 15
Monthly CAE Firm Spotlight & Meeting
Join the Committee on Architecture for Education for our monthly committee meeting. Learn more.
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December 26
Holiday
In observance of holiday, we will be closed Monday. Have a wonderful holiday season!
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January 2, 2023
New Year Holiday
In observance of holiday, we will be closed Monday.
Happy New Year!
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An Opportunity to get Your Job Openings in Front of Additional People
Highlight your Open Positions in an upcoming issue of the CONNECT e-blast. Get more information.
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Feature Your Job Posting Here
Brief 1-2 sentence of position description.
Link to Firm Website to Apply.
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Looking for New Career Opportunities: Send AIA NoVA your Resumes
The Chapter maintains a resume bank for those seeking new opportunities. If you wish to include your resume in the resume bank, please send it as a PDF to [email protected].
If you are hiring and wish to see resumes from the resume bank, email your request to [email protected] and indicate what experience level you require, i.e. student, 0-4 years, 5-10 or 11+, and we will email you appropriate resumes.
An additional source for both employers and job-seekers is the National AIA Career Center.
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Little Known Northern Virginia Fact:
The First Actual Thanksgiving Happened in Virginia. In 1621, pilgrim and Native American alike gathered in Plymouth for what is widely regarded as the first celebration of Thanksgiving. Two years prior, however, on Dec. 4, 1619, a group of Virginians gathered to give thanks at the Berkeley Plantation. Take that, Massachusetts! Happy Thanksgiving!
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