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In This Issue

• President’s Letter

• Featured Project: Ocean Sundial

• Committee Spotlight: Design Awards

• Legal Article

• Professional Practice

• Featured Blogs

• Architect Directory: Add Your Firm

• Upcoming Events

• Job Postings

• Membership Update

• Just For a Laugh…

• 2024 Partners

Featured Project: Ocean Sundial

designed by Donald Lococo Architects

Photographs © Anice Hoachlander 



Issue 2 | 2024

From the President: Braden L. Field, AIA

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Summer Spotlight:

Highlighting Our Committees



Summer is in full swing! Schools are out, the days are longer, and the pools are open. Here at AIA Northern Virginia, we’re also in full swing and making great strides in our goals for the year. I started the summer attending a successful AIA24 national conference, where we elected new leaders, gathered with architects from across the country, and found inspiration in speakers and new products at the expo.


In our first summer newsletter, I want to highlight a critical part of our chapter’s success: our committees.


Part of what makes our most active committees successful is strong programming and continuity of leadership. If you’re looking for an established committee with regular events to check out, these are a great place to start:


Women in Architecture: WIA is one of our most active committees and continues to thrive under the leadership of Sunny Carroll, Assoc. AIA, and Rebecca Meyer, AIA. Upcoming events include a lecture series, book chats, and pop-up lunches. Stay tuned for more details!


Young Architects Forum: YAF continues to build momentum with exciting events led by co-chairs Alex Foster, Assoc. AIA and Elizabeth Parry, AIA. Their new "Dinner with an Architect" series has been a huge hit. Join them at Top Golf in July for the second installment of their successful Mentor Golf event. Sign up now!


Committee on Architecture for Education: Led by Zaira Suarez, AIA, the CAE spotlights interesting projects and firms in its monthly meetings, and is currently planning school building tours, focusing on improving school design in our communities. If educational design interests you, check out this committee.

We’ve welcomed several new committee leaders who are reinvigorating our chapter:


Josh McKenrick, AIA has restarted the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN), a tri-chapter partnership with AIA|DC and AIA Potomac Valley, focused on the single-family residential market.


Bill Robson, AIA brings new energy to the Legislative and Government Affairs Committee, connecting with area legislators and jurisdictions and exploring emerging issues that impact our practice.


Manoj Dalaya, FAIA now chairs the Fellows Committee, providing members with a structured process to identify and support deserving candidates in pursuing fellowship.


Our newest committee chair, Jin Park, AIA is eager to revive the Committee on the Environment (COTE), bringing passionate dedication to the cause with exciting plans already in the works for the rest of the year.


Several of our committees are focusing their efforts on major events coming up on the calendar:


Design Awards: Co-chairs Roland Lemke, AIA and J. Paul Lewis, AIA recently returned from presiding over the awards jury deliberation in Dallas. Join us at the National Museum of the United States Army on Aug. 22 for the gala to recognize the winners!


Canstruction: Nine teams are registered to create creative structures from non-perishable food items, supporting the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). The sculptures will be on display at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in early September. Thanks to Jay Scruggs, AIA and Grace Gan, AIA for continuing to lead this fun, charitable competition!


Schools Connections Committee: In one of several initiatives connecting our chapter with local architecture programs, the Schools Connections Committee is currently planning for the Interschool Student Design Competition (ISDC), a collaborative event that brings students from area’s architecture schools together for a weekend design charette competition. Connect with co-chairs Sonia Jarboe, AIA and Jess Somgynari, AIA to find out how you can help!


Finally, our Honors and Nominations Committee is now accepting nominations until July 12. Help recognize our outstanding members and allies who deserve to be celebrated. We’ll honor the winners at our annual Autumn Social in October.


As you can see, our committees are the heart and soul of our organization. They’re where most of our programming is developed and supported, they provide diverse leadership pathways and volunteer opportunities, and they offer a place for everyone to contribute. You can learn more and get in touch if you’re interested in participating. Enjoy your summer!

2024 Board of Directors


Executive Committee


Braden L. Field, AIA

President


Christopher S. Kehde, AIA

President-Elect


Anh Tran, AIA

Treasurer


Anna Barbour, AIA

Secretary


April C. Drake, AIA

Past President


Jaclyn S. Toole, Assoc. AIA

Member Ex-Officio

Directors

Allie Ditzel, AIA

Yuhui G. (Grace) Gan, AIA

Robyne Hamilton, Assoc. AIA

Sydney M. Huibregtse, Assoc. AIA

Roland G. Lemke, AIA

Joshua A.W. McKenrick, AIA

Gavin D. Myers, AIA

Rebecca Pantschyschak, AIA

Charles E. Swartz, FAIA

AIA Virginia Directors

TJ Meehan, AIA

Michael Schwartz, AIA

Featured Project

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Ocean Sundial

Designed by: Donald Lococo Architects


South Bethany, Delaware

Photographs © Anice Hoachlander 

Project partners include 

Linton Engineering and Quality Window & Door


By maximizing ocean sunrise to the primary communal areas, and then dialing back solar gains, a responsible solar heat gain is achieved.


The form of this vacation home for a family of 5 is derived from state guidelines mandating a 25% roof slope. However, instead of employing the common gable to address the roof slope, a sawtooth form addresses the requirement. By situating the peak of the saw tooth at the view, a 16-foot high by 20-foot wide panoramic view is achieved, rather than the expected triangular ocean views which would result from a gable roof form.

Read More

Show Us Your Work!


We are always looking for projects to celebrate and publish. There are three sections to showcase our members’ work: On the Boards - Featured Projects - Sketches. Complete this form or email your materials to aianova@aianova.org to be featured in an upcoming AIA Northern Virginia e-publication.

Featured Blog Posts

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WIA24 CONNECT Conference Event a Success!


Women in Architecture and allied fields from across the nation gathered for a happy hour at the Kimball International Showroom for WIA24 CONNECT on the evening of June 6 during the AIA Conference held in Washington, D.C. It was truly an unforgettable event as it provided a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old friends and colleagues while also forging new connections. We had attendees from AIA Chapters in Minnesota, Colorado, Boston, Charlotte, San Franciso, Georgia, Coastal Virginia, and New York in addition to those local with Northern Virginia, D.C., and Potomac Valley...

Read More

CRAN Committee Looking for Members


The Northern Virginia CRAN committee is one part of the tri-chapter Custom Residential Architects Network of the greater DC Metro area. Along with CRAN DC and CRAN Potomac Valley, CRAN NoVA plans events and networking opportunities for residential architects looking to learn and share with colleagues in the same field. Among the three chapters, each plans a quarterly event for all members to benefit from and attend, including house tours, continuing education programs and networking get-togethers. The events are also great opportunities to talk with other architects that are navigating the same challenges and trends of the residential design industry. In order to help facilitate those discussions, CRAN has a tri-chapter message board to ask questions and share information...  

Read More

Representing the Members: Voting at AIA24 


AIA24 brought a projected 15,000 architects to DC on June 5th-8th for the annual AIA Conference on Architecture and Design. The schedule and events included an extraordinary list of Keynote Speakers, architectural tours around the DC Metro area, and a broad range of seminars and workshops. There were also a variety of evening happy hours including great events hosted by our own AIA Northern Virginia Women in Architecture Committee and AIA Virginia.

Read More

Professional Practice: Legal Article

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The FTC's Sweeping Ban on Non-Competes:

What Does It Mean for Design Firms?

By Taylor T. Dolan, Esq. and J. Scott Shannon, Esq.

Lee/Shoemaker PLLC


Then the wake of state-specific bans on non-compete agreements, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently issued a final rule (“Final Rule”) prohibiting all U.S. for-profit employers from (1) entering into non-compete agreements with employees or independent contractors and (2) enforcing existing non-competes, with very limited exceptions. While legal challenges questioning the enforceability and constitutionality of the Final Rule have already commenced, design firms should gain an understanding of, and prepare to comply with, the Final Rule’s prohibitions...

Read More

Featured Committee: Design Awards

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The 2024 AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards have launched, and the jury sessions to review submissions are complete. After receiving more than 100 entries across seven categories, two juries were gathered at AIA Dallas on June 14 to review and deliberate on those chosen within each category. The jury was very impressed with the quality of work across all categories and gave spirited commentary in their support of each jurors’ preferred projects.

Read More

NoVA Member & Program Headlines

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Barbour Promoted to Principal 


Beyer Blinder Belle is pleased to announce the promotion of five Principals (including AIA NoVA Board Secretary Anna M. Barbour, AIA), two Senior Associates, and 11 Associates who have demonstrated consistent leadership within BBB and a commitment to furthering the firm’s mission. Congratulations!

DBI Architects Acquisition Finalized by GreenbergFarrow


GreenbergFarrow (GF), a nationally-known and respected architectural and engineering firm based in Atlanta, known for its retail sector designs, has announced the acquisition of DBI Architects, Inc. This strategic move underscores GF’s commitment to global leadership, expanding its portfolio and services. DBI is a renowned design firm recognized for its innovative projects across various sectors. Since its inception in 1973, DBI has offered a full range of architecture and interior design services, demonstrating broad expertise, while advancing the practice of design. DBI is also an emerging regional provider of design for multifamily and mixed-use development. The firm’s location in the DC Metro region has positioned DBI to address the needs of a robust and growing market. Learn more. 

Findley Elected Chair of the Virginia Board of People with Disabilities


Dennis Findley, AIA, was elected Chair of the Virginia Board of People with Disabilities, the state’s largest board. He is a passionate advocate in the General Assembly, leading a six-year effort culminating in 2024 legislation that allows disabled Virginians to retain meaningful life jobs and essential services after a parent’s death. Learn more.  

Little’s New Office Opens 


Little Diversified Architectural Consulting’s DC-area team announces their new office space in Tysons Corner has opened. Following Little’s acquisition of Hughes Group Architects last year, the team was operating from offices in both Arlington and Sterling, VA. This move marks a significant milestone, allowing their team to collaborate more closely, innovate together, and better serve their clients. The new location is at 1753 Pinnacle Drive, Suite 1100, McLean, VA 22102

Linton Engineering, LLC and Bennett & Pless, Inc. Merge



Bennett & Pless, Inc. and Linton Engineering, LLC have combined forces and merged to extend high-level structural engineering services beyond the southeast and into the Mid-Atlantic region. Dave Linton, PE, Founder of Linton Engineering said, “This merger with the largest structural engineering firm in the southeast gives us a combined structural engineering strength and broad experience across nine office locations that will enable us to continue to push to become the go-to firm for innovative and complex design work.” Learn more.  

ATTENTION FIRMS!!!


Do you have news to share with the AIA Northern Virginia Community? Complete this form to have your announcements included in an upcoming chapter publication.

Professional Practice

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City of Alexandria's Solicitation for Architectural Services


The City of Alexandria's Office of Housing is preparing to release a Solicitation for Architectural Services to support our Residential Loan and Grant programs. We hope to establish multi-year contracts with 4 to 6 architectural firms to support these programs. Our projects would be assigned on a rotating basis. These programs provide funding to help owners make health or safety repairs, improvements that extend the life of their property, and/or make their homes more accessible for owners with physical disabilities.

Interested architectural firms are encouraged to register with the City of Alexandria’s Vendor Self Service website to be notified when the Solicitation has been released.



Questions can be directed to Art Thomas, Housing Program Specialist, by email or phone at (703) 746-3091. 

Symposium: The Architecture of Charles Goodman 


Join the Friends of Hollin Hills and AIA Northern Virginia for an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Charles Goodman this September during a three-day event celebrating the architecture, preservation and liveability of Goodman’s works through panels, discussions and building tours. Learn more.  

Save the Date for BWA Brunch


Join the Black Women in Architecture (BWA) group for a brunch. Whether you choose virtual or in-person, add Sept. 15, 2024, onto your calendar to participate. Proceeds support the BWA Network, the Desiree V. Cooper Memorial Scholarship, and other programs. Additional details and tickets available soon. Learn more.

Apply to the NAC & YAF Advisory Committees 


The National Associates Committee and the Young Architects Forum are looking for volunteers who want to be a catalyst for change and positively impact the architecture profession. It’s a great opportunity to develop leadership skills, network with peers, and advocate for the profession. The deadline to apply is July 8, 2024. Learn more. 

ABI May 2024: Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Continue to Soften


Business conditions remained soft at a majority of architecture firms around the country in May. The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score declined to 42.4 for the month, as more firms reported a decrease in billings in May than in April. In addition, there is increasing softness in the pipeline of new work coming into firms.  Learn more.

AIA Headquarters to Become the Global Campus for Architecture & Design


The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is proud to announce the reimagining of the organization’s headquarters as the AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design, serving as a new home base for the world’s architects and designers. Learn more about the AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design.


The campus renewal follows AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, which seeks to inform progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. The design electrifies all building systems, while incorporating on and offsite renewable energy to fully decarbonize the campus. A suite of amenities — including drop-in coworking space, meeting facilities, and VR/media lounges — will be available to members and staff alike in this new model for an energy-efficient, adaptable, post-COVID, workplace and gathering space.


While construction continues, AIA will share updates with relevant information, including a timeline on project completion. AIA unveiled schematic design plans in 2022 to fully renovate its national headquarters to be a model of sustainability, equity, and collaboration.

Membership Update

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Membership CE Audits for 2023 are Underway


As Summer begins, it is time to turn your attention to the annual AIA Continuing Education (CE) requirement minimums. All architect members must annually complete 18 learning units, of which at least 12 must be HSW qualified. Emeritus members must complete at least 1 AIA LU, |Elective or |HSW, annually as well.


A good strategy is to set a goal of earning 2 credits each month so when your schedule gets hectic around vacations, back to school, holidays or a major life event, you don’t fall behind. 


AIA Continuing Education audits are real and have already begun for selected members’ 2023 CE requirements. Any missing education requirements must be supplemented by the end of September 2024, in order to remain a member in good standing. Don’t wait to get your credits and check in on your AIA transcript periodically to ensure your sessions are accurately recorded.


If you have any questions about the above annual educational requirements, or about how to clear AIA CE audit, contact your Membership Director, Lorin Boswell.

Congratulations to Our Recently Licensed Members!


Scott R. Bennett, AIA, Dewberry Architects Inc.

Sarah E. Brummett, AIA, Page & Turnbull, Inc. 

Congratulations to Our New Emeritus Members!


Patrick Donohue, Assoc. AIA

Richard F. Fanelli, AIA

J. Patrick Halpin, AIA

Geoffrey G. Kimmel, AIA

James Latham, AIA

Robert K. Volpe, AIA 

Welcome New Members


Ahmed Abdelazim, Intl. Assoc. AIA,

Diaa Architects

Ramesh Addanki, Assoc. AIA,

Intellisoft Technologies Inc.

Darshika Agrawal, Assoc. AIA,

Samaha Associates PC

Adam Alford, Assoc. AIA, GWWO Architects

Zeena Adli Al-Nasser, AIA, SWSG, PC

Darshika Agrawal, Assoc. AIA,

Samaha Associates PC

Kelly Antonios, Assoc. AIA           

Mahamudul Hasan Asif, Assoc. AIA,

Samaha Associates PC

Ramon Balderas, Assoc. AIA       

Shubham Chuhadia, AIA,

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

Diego Cuadros, Assoc. AIA,

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

Laura Debonis, AIA, Gensler

Amy DesJardin, Assoc. AIA,

Cunningham | Quill Architects

Diego Diez de Medina, AIA, Gresham Smith

Robert P. Dunning, AIA,

Dunning Group Architects, LLC

Lourdes Escobar, Assoc. AIA, BKV Group, LLC

Washington Fajardo, Intl. Assoc. AIA,

Inter-American Development Bank

Mateusz Gawad, Assoc. AIA       

Aziz A. Ghani, Assoc. AIA, Jacobs

Fanny M. Gonzalez, AIA, Hickok Cole Architects

Veronica Guzman, Assoc. AIA    

Beverly Harris, Assoc. AIA            

Marisol Hernandez, Assoc. AIA  

Matthew B. Hill, Assoc. AIA

Parul Jain, Assoc. AIA

Alkananda Y. Jakkaraju, AIA

Christiana Johnson, Assoc. AIA,

Evergreene Homes

Shabnam Kavousi, Assoc. AIA,

Longhouse Architects

Patricia Kettle Elzinga, AIA, STV inc.

Silika Kona, Assoc. AIA,

E4H Environments for Health

William Kopp, Assoc. AIA             

Katharine Lafsky, AIA     

Alejandra Landaverde, Assoc. AIA            

Aimee Michelle Latour, Assoc. AIA           

Hee Lee, AIA     

Kevin Lee, AIA, StudioMB

John E. Linam, Jr., AIA,

John Linam Jr., Architect, PLLC

Todd Martin, AIA, Hickok Cole

Jennifer T. Matthews, Assoc. AIA

Angelo J. Messina, Assoc. AIA

MacKenzie Miller, Assoc. AIA

Ishanah Mistry, Assoc. AIA          

Chau M. Nguyen, Assoc. AIA, KGD Architecture

Michael Osysko, AIA, SK+I Architecture

Swapna Parab, AIA, AtkinsRealis

John C. Peck, Assoc. AIA, Bassetti Architects

Jacalyn Prasnikar, AIA

Widya Ramadhani, Assoc. AIA,

Perkins Eastman

Elizabeth Richards, Assoc. AIA   

Ellie Richards, Assoc. AIA

Jesse Robeson, AIA, KTGY

Christopher M. Rose, Assoc. AIA,

Karn Charuhas Chapman & Twohey

Rob Sabbir, Assoc. AIA

Andrew Schulman, Assoc. AIA   

Guido Seoanes, Assoc. AIA,

Moody Nolan

Masoud Sharikzadeh, AIA

Julia Katherine Stokien Hunter, AIA, KieranTimberlake

Stephanie Stubbs, Assoc. AIA,

National Institute of Building Sciences

Catherine Swaniker, Assoc. AIA,

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

Daniela Vargas, Assoc. AIA          

Andrew Vargo, AIA

Robert K. Volpe, AIA

Ami Willis, Assoc. AIA, MW Architects

Erika Workman, Assoc. AIA,

Architecture Incorporated

Hyojin Yi, AIA, j.y.lee architect LLC

Upcoming Events

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The Month Ahead


Get the latest list of continuing education opportunities, committee meetings and activities, plus chapter events.

View Next Month's Events

 

Regional Calendars

 

AIA|DC

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AIA Branch Museum

A BIT

OF

HUMOR...

How are architecture students told to leave?


They are shown the dooric. 


AIA Northern Virginia | PILLARS


The views expressed in the articles and advertisements in AIA Northern Virginia's PILLARS are those of the authors and may not reflect the official policy of the AIA Northern Virginia Chapter. No endorsement of those views or advertisements should be inferred unless specifically identified as the official policy of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. 

Contact


Jaclyn S. Toole, Assoc. AIA, Executive Director

Lorin Boswell, Membership & Program Director

Jody Cranford, Partnership Director

Tiffany Bass, Communications Coordinator

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