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AIA Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 236-4055
Fax: (717) 236-5407
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Architectural Excellence Awards -
Presentation Boards:
Boards are due to AIA Pennsylvania by 5:00pm
on November 7, 2008
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Architects Day at the State Capitol and Annual Awards Program
Join your colleagues in Harrisburg, Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at AIA Pennsylvania's Annual Architect's Day and Annual Awards Program.
We will be visiting our State Representatives and Senators offices to discuss current legislative issues. Later in the day, we will celebrate Architectural Excellence in Pennsylvania with the presentation of the 2008 Awards Program.
All members are invited to participate! AIA Pennsylvania will even schedule your legislative appointments. Please take a one day break from your busy practice to participate in Pennsylvania Architects Day and play a part in advocating for our profession, our communities and our Commonwealth.
For detailed information and to register, please visit www.aiapa.org. |
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Lobby Training Sessions:
Tuesday, November 12 at 1:00 pm
Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am
In preparation for Architect's Day (November 18), we have scheduled two lobbying training sessions which take place via conference call. The dates for these training calls are:
Tuesday, November 12 at 1:00 pm
Wednesday, November 13 at 9:00 am
These calls last about 20-30 minutes. To participate, please email Fran Harris at fharris@aiapa.org for details. Issues we will be focusing on during our lobbying visits:
*Thanking legislators for the passage of HB1096 (Act 106, 2008) which establishes the UCC Review & Advisory Council. This Council will evaluate proposed revisions to the UCC and make recommendations to the Department of Labor & Industry and the Legislature. It will also review new and amended provisions contained in triennial revisions of the codes issued by the International Code Council to any of its codes.
*Thanking legislators for the passage of Special Session HB1, signed by Governor Rendell on July 9 (now Act 1 of 2008). The Act incorporates high-performance building incentives allocating $25,000,000 for loans or grants, as well as, several other energy related programs. Homeowners and small businesses will be eligible for incentives to build energy efficient structures or renovate existing buildings to improve energy efficiency.
*Legislation requiring that the design, construction and renovation of buildings that receive a State appropriation must comply with specified energy and environmental building standards. It is known as the High-Performance, State-Funded Buildings Standards legislation. A bill was introduced in the 2007-2008 session, but failed to make it through. We will be re-introducing this legislation early in the 2009-2010 session.
*Historic Preservation legislation, which had extensive support in this past session, would preserve the heritage of Pennsylvania in both the commercial and residential building sectors. This legislation would provide funding for incentives for residential and commercial historic rehabilitation and will be re-introduced in the 2009-2010 session. |
AIA Pennsylvania Announces
Special Award Winners
Medal of Distinction Award
This is the highest award bestowed by AIA Pennsylvania upon a living AIA Pennsylvania member. Recipients have made contributions to architecture that transcends local boundaries and has been of benefit to the profession and citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA is founding principal of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson which has offices in Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco. "Peter Bohlin has spent more than four decades improving the Commonwealth and the world. His work has included the Liberty Bell Center, Grand Teton National Park Discovery and Visitor Center and the Apple flagship stores across America, Europe and Asia. His approach to design makes us learn about ourselves, our culture and our environment." said Frank Dittenhafer, II, FAIA, Chairman of AIA Pennsylvania's Awards Committee.
Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect Award
This award goes to an individual, corporation, association, or other group for their direct contributions to the profession of Architecture.
Anne d'Harnoncourt will be receiving the award posthumously. She was the former Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. "Anne d'Harnoncourt developed the Philadelphia Museum of Art into an internationally acclaimed world class museum. She oversaw the Museum's Master Plan and first major expansion of the main building in the 21st century. She was a great proponent of excellence in architecture, supporting it through the Museum's exhibition program showcasing the work of such architects as Louis Kahn, Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, Richard Gluckman and Frank Gehry." stated Frank Dittenhafer, II, FAIA.
President's Award
The Honorable Carole A. Rubley, 157th Legislative District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives is being recognized by the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors.
"Representative Rubley is being recognized for her contributions to responsible land use, conservation of natural resources and leadership in promoting high performance green buildings in the Commonwealth" said Elmer B. Burger, II, AIA, LEED AP, President, AIA Pennsylvania.
The awards will be presented at the annual Awards Ceremony, Tuesday, November 18th in the Main Capitol Building Rotunda in Harrisburg at 4:30 pm.
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Legislative Update
Uniform Construction Code
AIA Pennsylvania has been instrumental in moving House Bill 1096 through both the House and Senate for passage. Now Act 106, it establishes the UCC Review & Advisory Council. The Council will evaluate proposed revisions to the UCC and make recommendations to the Department of Labor & Industry and the Legislature. It will also review new and amended provisions contained in triennial revisions of the codes issued by the International Code Council to any of its codes.
House Bill 2629 was also passed in October. It amends the Health Care Facilities Act and will require the Pennsylvania Department of Health to promulgate regulations that define a "small residential hospice" as a facility licensed for 22 or fewer beds (larger institutions would be required to meet the institutional health-care facility standards). This bill would have permitted a small residential hospice facility to comply with the National Fire Protection Association's "Life Safety Code" standards for residential and boarding care rather than the Health Care Facility standards. AIA Pennsylvania engaged Senator Pat Vance to amend the bill to ensure that it would comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
Green Building Legislation
As we reported in July, green building legislation was passed in Special Session House Bill 1, now Act 1, after being signed by Governor Rendell on July 9. The Act incorporates high-performance building incentives allocating $25,000,000 for loans or grants, as well as, several other energy related programs. Homeowners and small businesses will be eligible for incentives to build energy efficient structures or renovate existing buildings to improve energy efficiency. The regulations for this program are currently being developed with the implementation taking place sometime in 2009.
Special Session House Bill 4 (Rubley) is legislation that would require that the design, construction and renovation of buildings that receive a State appropriation must comply with specified energy and environmental building standards. It is known as the High-Performance, State-Funded Buildings Standards legislation. Unfortunately, this bill stalled in the General Assembly during the 2007-2008 session. AIA Pennsylvania plans to reintroduce the bill early in the 2009-2010 session.
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Breakfast of Champions
The Pennsylvania Architects PAC (PA PAC) held two additional Breakfast of Champions events. On September 30 in Pittsburgh, at the firm of Rothschild Doyno Collaborative, we honored Rep. John Maher (R-40, Allegheny, Washington). At this event, sixteen AIA Pennsylvania members engaged in a lively discussion with Rep. Maher on a number of issues. A check was presented to Rep. Maher at the conclusion of the Breakfast. This event also raised additional funds for the PA PAC.
From L to R: Robert F. Keppel, AIA, PA PAC Chair; A. Stevens Krug, AIA, AIA PA Board; Senator Dominic Pileggi, Senate Majority Leader; Joseph A. Castner, AIA, AIA PA Board; James F. Bogrette, AIA, President, Philadelphia Chapter
On October 15, another Breakfast of Champions was held at the firm of Casaccio Architects in Havertown, just outside of Philadelphia. The PA PAC honored Senator Dominic Pileggi, (R-9, Chester, Delaware), Majority Leader of the Senate. Eighteen AIA Pennsylvania members shared their views with Senator Pileggi on current issues that are a focus of architects in Pennsylvania. Once again we presented a PA PAC check to Senator Pileggi while raising funds for the PAC.
Take a proactive part in the process and become a member of PA PAC. To contribute online, or for more information, please visit our website at www.aiapa.org.
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| Marywood University in Scranton, PA
Announces New Architecture Program
Marywood University will open the region's first School of Architecture in fall 2009, with an emphasis on environmental stewardship and "green building" principles of design.
Marywood University School of Architecture, Sister Anne Munley, IHM, Ph.D., President, announced that the Marywood University Board of Trustees has approved plans to welcome the first class of students to the School of Architecture for the 2009-10 academic year beginning in August 2009. "Renovations will begin immediately on the University's former Health and Physical Education building to create a spacious, state-of-the-art School of Architecture, facility adjacent to Marywood University's highly acclaimed art studios and galleries," Sister Anne announced.
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| UCC Manuals Still Available
Why do you need a copy of the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Manual?
As practicing architects in Pennsylvania, you are expected to design safe structures. That usually translates to structures designed to meet the requirements of the building codes in the Commonwealth. The UCC is based on the International Building Codes. Pennsylvania has essentially adopted the set of International Building Codes, but with some significant changes. To provide the level of service that your client needs to have, you have to understand the regulations that implement the UCC and understand how they modify the International Building Codes. This is why we have published this manual.
$50 Members, $65 Non-Members
Contact Alyssa Wright at awright@aiapa.org to get your copy. | |
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