MAY 2020
Join AIA Louisiana for “Current Insurance and Legal Issues Arising from COVID-19”
Conference Call
Join us for a call on current COVID-19 related business issues….projects, “reopening” (current office environments), workers comp for remote working employees, job site issues, issues within contracts, business interruption, issues with beginning a “new normal”. Registrants will have the opportunity to submit questions prior to the presentation. Limited capacity.



REGISTRATION: FREE/AIALA Member | $25/Non-Member

DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 14, 1:00PM-2:00PM
Join AIA Louisiana for
“Coffee and Conversations”
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Understanding that there are challenges all firm leaders are facing, we invite you to participate in a call with colleagues also facing many of the same. The AIA Louisiana staff and various Board Members will also be on the calls, and a variety of topics will be up for discussion as well as general time for questions amongst each other.

This particular call will also include a member of the AIA National Advocacy Team and will have a focus on a rundown of relief packages and advocacy updates both at a Federal level as well as a state level as related to COVID-19. Gain an understanding of both what’s available to you, and your firm, as well as efforts being made on behalf of Architects.

Coffee and Conversations
Tuesday, May 19th
8:00AM-8:45AM
Email to register and receive call-in details (PRIOR TO TUESDAY)

Re-Occupancy Assessment Tool
Architects and allied professionals are in a unique position to coordinate a range of mitigation strategies that, in aggregate, reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 within non-health care settings. The goal of this assessment tool is to promote best practices that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public while creating opportunities for businesses, schools, restaurants, and other non-essential facilities to provide services. 

This document provides architects, private clients, and civic leaders a framework of strategies for reoccupying buildings and businesses that are in the process of transitioning from being fully closed to fully open; including: 
  • baseline parameters for re-occupancy
  • architectural and engineering strategies for site and site arrival, building envelope, fixtures and furnishings, plumbing and HVAC
  • administrative policies and procedures to reduce the spread of pathogens and support physical distancing
  • policies and procedures related to PPE
Open Safely
The Governor has announced the activation of Open Safely which is an online portal for existing closed businesses to and declare the intention to reopen under the restrictive measures.

When you visit this link and complete the quick process, you will receive the current life safety and COVID mitigation standards along with a placard to post. The business will then receive real-time updates on changes to include when opening is allowed for the specific type of business.
Action Alert
Louisiana Capitol from air
HB 758 - Representative Zeringue (R- Houma)

This bill moved from committee Monday afternoon and is due to be heard on the House floor during their next meeting. (TBD as things are in flux with COVID-19 though the full House and Senate do return Thursday/tomorrow evening).


We need you to act now:

Contact your Representative by clicking the link below and ask them to vote  AGAINST HB758 by Representative Zeringue.

  • The Issue Brief for HB 758 can be found here

  • House Bill 758 can be found here

Feel free to use the suggested text below for your email and links to contact your state representative are also provided below.

  • The link for the emails of all House members can be found here

  • Find your individual legislators here

  • Copy/Paste text below into your personal email:

  • I am opposed to HB 758. The current language gives all public bodies unilateral authority to circumvent the claims process included in public contracts for design and construction services.

Please let them know that you are against HB 758! 
Emerging Leaders
Have you thought about honing your management and leadership skills? What about making some great networking contacts? Do you know an emerging leader in your firm? There’s a GREAT program you need to know about!....and the ROI makes it an amazing deal!

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Louisiana and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Louisiana are pleased to offer an Emerging Leaders Institute series, a leadership and career development program for individuals committed to developing both their professional and personal leadership abilities.

REGISTRATION 

Now open with only 20 spots available. With no fewer that 32 continuing education credits available, AND FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION, that’s an incredible deal for the investment! REGISTER HERE

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Beginning in July, and continuing through the fall, the Emerging Leaders Institute will be comprised of three (3) sessions to be held in the Baton Rouge area. In order for the program to provide maximum benefits, participants are highly encouraged to commit and attend ALL three (3) sessions. Participants are eligible to earn no fewer than 32 AIA HSW/PDHs/LUs with full participation. Certificates to be awarded and participants to be recognized during AIA Louisiana State Conference Award Banquet (Registration to the conference included in registration.) READ MORE
2020 AIA Louisiana Awards Program
To recognize excellence in architecture, AlA Louisiana would like to announce the 2020 Design Awards Call for Entries is OPEN!

Any architectural project completed within the last 5 calendar years (January 2015) which has been produced by, or in collaboration with, a member firm of AIA Louisiana is eligible for submission. Projects may be located outside of Louisiana but must be submitted
by an AIA Louisiana member. The cost is $200 per entry.

Our schedule is as follows:

April 15, 2020 – Call for Entries Open
June 18, 2020 (4:00 p.m. CT) – Entry Forms and Fees Due
July 16, 2020 (4:00 p.m. CT) – Deadline for Submissions to be uploaded.
July 30, 2020 – Submissions sent to Design Awards Jury
September 25, 2020 – AIA Louisiana Awards Luncheon
2020 AIA Louisiana Professional Achievement
The AIA Louisiana Professional Achievement Awards recognize individuals for their excellent work and service to the profession, and their dedication to the practice of architecture. Participation in each category is limited to current membership in AIA Louisiana.

It is through the recognition of excellence and distinguished service that we promote the value of the profession as a whole. Please help us recognize the efforts of your peers.

DEADLINES
The submission deadline for AIA Louisiana Professional Achievement Awards is  August 3, 2020, 4:00 p.m. All deadlines are strictly observed.

Click images below to learn more about each award and to apply.
ASSOCIATES AWARD
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS AWARD
BLOCKBUSTER ZOOM CONFERENCE
The AIA Houston Small Firm Roundtable is putting together a blockbuster Zoom conference for May 28 & 29 and AIA Louisiana is partnering in the event. What does that mean for you?....you have access to great content and part of your registration fee stays right here in LA! The registration link and the most up to date information (as speaker details are still being confirmed) can be found on the AIA Houston website. Attendees can choose to attend either one day or both days, and any AIA member, regardless of chapter, will receive the member rate. Some of the well-known presenters confirmed so far include:

DATE: May 28 & 29
AGENDA: Draft Agenda Here
REGISTER HERE

  • Phillip G Bernstein, Associate Dean and Senior Lecturer, Yale School of Architecture on the Evolution of Practice
  • Simon Goodhead, COXE Group, national business consultancy for architecture firms on Leading a Team Through a Crisis
  • Dan Hart, EVP of Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, and Co-Chair, AIA National COVID Task Force on Business Practice Resources
  • Enoch Sears, Business of Architecture, on the "New" Business of Architecture
  • Emily Grandstaff Rice, AIA National Board Member and founding chair of the national Equity & The Future of Architecture Committee on Maintaining Work/Life Balance.
  • Michele Russo, AIA Managing Director of Research & Practice, on the Economic Outlook Ahead
Want that PPP loan forgiven? Accounting tips you need to ...

Following public controversy related to several large national businesses receiving multimillion PPP loans, the Small Business Administration will now audit certain multimillion-dollar loans. Borrowers who are private companies with adequate...

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Architecture Firm Best Practices, Resources & Templates for Communications and Temp Policies in Response to COVID-19
Review or contribute to a living document of resources that compiles guidelines and examples of how architecture firms are adapting to keep their practices open during the pandemic. (Created by the team at Practice of Architecture)
Covid 19 Architecture Firm Best Practices,...

Architecture Firm Best Practices, Resources & Templates for Communications and Temp Policies in Response to COVID-19 As architects scrambled to adopt policies in a rapidly changing environment due to COVID-19, the team at the Practice of...

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AIA Knowledge Communities
Next month we're hosting two free live courses on the Living Building Challenge Affordable Housing Pilot program and how code changes may lead the way to Net-Zero Hospitals. Knowledge Community (KC) members are discussing the impact of COVID-19 on many community discussion boards. Be part of the conversation and connect with your peers— join one of the 21 KCs today!
Opportunity to increase resilience in building codes
Application Deadline Approaching for AIA Members Wishing to Participate in ICC Codes Development Process 
There is a deadline fast-approaching on an opportunity for architects to help shape the future of our built environment. The International Code Council (ICC) is accepting applications to serve on its 2021/2022 Code Committees during the next code cycle to develop the 2024 editions of the ICC International Codes. 

These committees will have a significant influence on the content of model codes. As an architect, you are eminently qualified to serve in this way. The task of being on a code committee uses the skills and knowledge you already have. 

What are you passionate about? You have the potential to make a big impact in the following areas:
·    improving building resilience?
·    furthering sustainable design?
·    shaping how existing buildings are repurposed?
·    making schools safer?

Your service on an ICC committee will allow you to help craft model codes that ensure the health, safety and public welfare in communities across the country.

Last cycle, the AIA, along with Architecture 2030, was successful in getting the Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix in the energy code. This voluntary appendix provides local jurisdictions a credible, standardized, consensus-approved option for pursuing their own goals for decarbonization in their built environments. Moving forward, it will be necessary to defend the appendix from changes which may weaken it or make it less adoptable.

This will also be the first code cycle since the COVID-19 outbreak. Added importance will be given to code changes that address ventilation, spaces for safe person-to-person interaction, contact surfaces, etc. 

Check out these resources for more information on the code development process and what serving on a code development committee entails.

AIA Code Network Webinar (60 minutes, 1.0 AIA LU|Elective) 

Again, applications for the ICC Code Committees are due June 1, 2020 (this includes applications for both 2021 Group A and 2022 Group B committees). Application forms are available here (use the links under “Codes Committees”).

Those selected to one or more of these ICC Code Committees are authorized to travel at ICC’s expense when participating at the Committee Action Hearings in April 2021 and/or April 2022. We particularly encourage any AIA members who are employed by a government entity involved in construction regulation (e.g. code officials, plans examiners, etc.) to submit applications in the General Interest (G) category.

For complete information visit the ICC Call for Committees webpage.

Should you have questions, or if you do decide to apply for one or more ICC code committee, please send us a note at codes@aia.org with a copy of your application.
 Design Opportunity in Illinois
The Capital Development Board is pleased to announce the publication of a Notice of Intent for an exciting new project in conjunction with University of Illinois and the Discovery Partners Institute.

•. The design team for this significant new project will be selected through a multi-stage QBS selection process under CDB’s new Excellence in Design Program that will include a conceptual design competition.

•. All interested firms must be prequalified with CDB prior to the Stage I submittal deadline.

 

MORE DETAILS: VIEW THE NOTICE OF INTENT: 

For information on CDB’s Excellence in Design Program Click Here
Structural Technology for Intern and Practicing Architects
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Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design is offering a webinar on the “Structural Technology for Intern and Practicing Architects” on May 30 and 31.

The webinar instructor is Dr. Mehdi Setareh, Professor of Architecture at Virginia Tech School of Architecture and Design. He will go over the material to prepare intern architects for the Architecture Registration Examination. In addition, it offers 20 AIA HSW/LU hours.

Here is the link to the program:

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