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DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
TIME: 5:00- 7:00 PM
LOCATION:
Ocotillo Lodge, 1111 E Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264
1.5 AIA LU's
Join us for our “DeserTecture Tour”of the iconic Ocotillo Lodge, designed in 1956 as a collaboration between the Alexander Construction Co. and the Architectural firm of William Krisel and Dan Saxon Palmer.
Our Own AIA California Desert Board Member, Todd Verwers, AIA, MAA , will lead us on a tour of the property and share with us his experience renovating and restoring his unit, which was featured on the Modernism Week Tour in 2024.
Enter at the main entrance (look for the guy dressed in a Rat Pack era suit)
Head for the Sunshine Bar for some drinks and snacks followed by a guided tour of the property (Tour Starts at 5:30 pm)
Tickets are limited to 25, Reserve your spot before they’re gone!
$15 per person for AIA members
$20 per person for non-AIA members
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore and celebrate the legacy of mid-century modern architecture.
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Modernism Week — October
October 24–27, 2024
Immerse yourself in the world of mid-century architecture, arts, and culture at Modernism Week — October. This four-day celebration offers a unique opportunity to explore the iconic homes, neighborhoods, and landmark estates that define the region's architectural heritage.
Take part in our popular bus tours to see celebrated mid-century buildings up close, attend informative presentations from industry experts, and enjoy a range of curated experiences. From live music performances to stylish dinner and cocktail parties, there's something for everyone who appreciates the timeless elegance and innovative spirit of the mid-century era.
Don’t miss out on this exceptional weekend of discovery and celebration!
As you browse the event offerings, keep an eye out for those marked “AIA Approved Continuing Education”, which will allow you to earn learning units. It's a perfect chance to enhance your professional development while celebrating the iconic style that shapes our desert landscape.
Take part in our popular bus tours, attend engaging presentations from industry experts, and enjoy a range of curated experiences, from live music to stylish dinner and cocktail parties.
Let’s come together as a chapter to support this initiative by attending, learning, and showcasing our ongoing commitment to Desert Modernism—an architectural legacy we’re proud to carry forward.
Visit the Modernism Week website to sign up and join us in honoring this incredible tradition.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Welcome to our New Members!
Charlotte G. Clement,
Assoc. AIA
DHS, CA
John Greenwood, AIA, LEED AP
PVG Architects
Palm Desert, CA
Antony Cioffi, Assoc. AIA
Cioffi Architects
Palm Springs, CA
Scott Schwartz, AIA
FORM64 Architecture
Palm Springs, CA
Lane Williams, AIA
Palm Springs, CA
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AIA California Desert Announces Collaborative Internship Program for COD Students
We are thrilled to announce that AIA California Desert is planning on joining forces with the Palm Springs Architectural Alliance (PSAA), Coachella Valley Preservation (CVP), and Preservation Mirage in a collaborative effort to support and nurture the next generation of design professionals. This partnership aims to provide students from the College of the Desert’s (COD) Architectural Program with valuable internship opportunities at member and non-member firms across the valley.
This holistic internship program will offer students hands-on experience in architecture and design, giving them early exposure to the profession. Our hope is to inspire these young talents and encourage them to pursue careers in architecture and design with even more passion and dedication.
We are excited to have Olympia Pilafidis and Marina Acosta, (AIA California Desert Members) current faculty members of COD, as part of this initiative, along with our long-time friend and mentor, Mr. Bert Bitanga, a former professor for many of us during our own days at COD. They will continue to act as liaisons, helping to guide and shape this exciting journey.
Special thanks to Dick Burkett from PSAA, Robert Zafran from CVP, and Nathan Jacroux and Phillip Monaghan from Preservation Mirage for their enthusiasm and commitment to this initiative.
We look forward to this partnership as we collectively work to inspire and cultivate future leaders in architecture.
In the Meantime if your office is interested in having interns from COD, Please contact us.
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Monterey Design Conference | |
Monterey Design Conference
October 25 - 27, 2024 | Asilomar Conference Grounds, Pacific Grove, California
Every two years, the Monterey Design Conference brings together a diverse blend of globally recognized speakers to inspire and educate – all in scenic and vibrant location. In a retreat setting, MDC is your chance to step out of the everyday and into a creative space, networking with colleagues and re-connecting with the ideas and motivations that drew you to the profession from day one.
Speakers inspire creativity by sharing their stories, showcasing innovative projects, discussing design philosophy, encouraging risk-taking, exploring cross-disciplinary collaboration, addressing societal challenges. Their insights and experiences can ignite new ideas and perspectives, motivating you to approach your own creative endeavors with passion and purpose.
Pick-Up A Year’s Worth of Learning Units;
Attendees typically receive up to 22 AIA CE credits throughout the event
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Celebrating 40 Years: A Look Back at Our Chapter's History | |
The 1993 and 1994 Board Members | |
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Thirsty Thursday Grapefuit Basil Sept. 26th
Our recent **Thirsty Thursday** at Grapefruit & Basil was a fantastic evening filled with lively conversation and camaraderie. It was wonderful to see so many of our members and friends in attendance, including **Joseph Parc**, **Tristan Phillip**, **Olympia Pilafidis**, and **John Greenwood**, among others.
As always, we’re thrilled to bring our community together in a relaxed, informal setting to catch up, connect, and support our profession and chapter. A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this fun event!
Stay tuned for details about our next **Thirsty Thursday**—we hope to see you there, so stop by and say hello!
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October 1, 2024
WDC Breakfast and Presentation
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Special Presentation and German-Themed Breakfast at WDC
A big thank you to our friends at **WDC** for organizing a special presentation and hosting **AIA California Desert** members with a delicious **German-themed breakfast**. Our attendees enjoyed freshly prepared coffee on their Miele Expresso Machine and breakfast before heading to WDC's stunning conference room with views overlooking their amazing showroom.
We are especially grateful to Darleen Slater for her incredible hospitality and for putting together this wonderful event for our members. It was a great opportunity to connect, learn, and enjoy a beautiful morning together.
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We are proud to announce that our board member, Lance O'Donnell, AIA, Principal of O2 Architecture, has been awarded the Director's Choice Award at the 2024 Concrete Masonry Design Awards. Presented by the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada (CMACN), this prestigious award was announced on Friday, September 27, 2024.
The Concrete Masonry Design Awards Program recognizes exceptional architectural design that skillfully incorporates concrete masonry within a building’s envelope. In addition to celebrating design excellence, the program also honors the contributions of designers, builders, structural engineering firms, concrete masonry suppliers, and project owners.
This program is co-sponsored by AIA California , and we are thrilled to see Lance's outstanding work recognized at this level. Congratulations again to Lance and his team for this remarkable achievement!
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If you have a Story you want us to share please send to jorge@aiacdc.org | |
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Upcoming Event: Preserving the Past, Flowing Forward
Hosted by AIA California Desert Chapter and AIA Long Beach/ South Bay
Join us this November for an exciting event in collaboration with our neighbor chapter of AIA Long Beach/South Bay, that explores the historical significance, cultural value, and current environmental conditions of the White Water Reserve. Preserving the Past, Flowing Forward will introduce architects both AIA members and non-membersto the area's rich legacy while offering inspiration for sustainable design rooted in the natural landscape.
This event will be a unique opportunity to connect with fellow architects, environmental experts, and local historians as we explore the intersection of architecture and conservation. Stay tuned for more details about speakers, registration, and the full event schedule.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌿
Save the Date: November 16
Location: White Water Reserve, California
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A Note From our President, Kathy Friedle...
Hello California Desert Members!
Well it's almost Halloween - the official start of "Fall" here in the desert and that means that the much anticipated "season" is upon us!
As we wind down 2024, your board has put together several opportunities to meet and learn each month. We welcome you to join in and spend some time with other members.
Here are three important dates for your calendar:
- Wednesday, October 23rd (5-7 pm) - tour and social at the historic Ocotillo Lodge led by board member Todd Verwers
- Saturday, November 16th (10:30 - 3:00 pm) - tour & hike at Whitewater Preserve, tour of a local stone sculpture yard in DHS and a social at member Nader Ghassemlou's home
- Thursday, December 5th (5-7 pm) - Annual meeting at the office of board member Lance O'Donnell.
At the annual meeting, we will be voting on the board for 2025. If you'd like to nominate yourself, please reach out to Jorge Garcia. New board members and new ideas are always welcome.
Enjoy the cooler temperatures and I look forward to seeing you at our events!
All the best,
Thanks,
Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA
President, AIA California Desert
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73733 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 203, Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.272.9222
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