|
AIA Pennsylvania
Phone: (717) 236-4055
Fax: (717) 236-5407
| |
|
|
|
AIA National Convention Overview
By: A. Stevens Krug, AIA, PE, CEM, LEED AP
2010 President of AIA Pennsylvania
PA Board Representatives at Convention (from L to R): Melissa G. Bernstein, Assoc. AIA; Caroline E. Boyce, CAE; William J. Bates, AIA; A. Stevens Krug, AIA; Richard DeYoung, AIA
I am pleased to report some of the AIA National Convention highlights from hot Miami. The June sun in Florida is beautiful if you are a palm tree. Being a mid-Atlantic boy, I headed for the 95 degree shade and stayed hydrated. In general, it was a fairly low key convention because of the state of the economy. The host chapter was wonderful and the south beach architecture was fantastic.
A. Stevens Krug, AIA presenting AIA Pennsylvania's IGCC resolution
The Pennsylvania contingent was very proud to sponsor the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) resolution, which passed with flying colors at the Business Meeting. As a result, there will be continued AIA support to develop the IGCC in collaboration with the ICC and ASTM. There will also be support to AIA components across the country to promote 2012 adoption of the overlay code in their respective communities. This will include monitoring and development of a toolbox by National's Community Public Sector Targeted Subcommittee. Pennsylvania Regional Director, Richard DeYoung, AIA sits on that committee. At the Large States Session there was great recognition to continue the AIA Pennsylvania momentum and seize the opportunity to lead in the international education and training of stakeholders.
I want to recognize and thank all the members of the AIA Pennsylvania IGCC Resolution Task Force for their thoughtful discussion and resolve in crafting the resolution. Lengthy conference calls and half a dozen editions paid off, listening and incorporating many angles and concerns. Certainly the IGCC has the potential to change our profession, become integrated in our every day work, and change the world. IGCC Task Force Members: A. Stevens Krug, AIA, Chairman (Philadelphia) William J. Bates, AIA (Pittsburgh) Melissa G. Bernstein, Assoc. AIA (Associate Director)
Elmer B. Burger, II, AIA (Pittsburgh)
Richard J. Cyman, AIA (Middle PA)
Sylvia B. Deye, AIA (Eastern PA)
Richard DeYoung, AIA (Regional Director)
Maureen Guttman, AIA (Past President)
David V. Hartke (Bucks County)
Bruce R. Johnson, AIA (Central PA)
Matthew R. Luttrell, AIA (Central PA)
Gary J. Matczak, AIA (Northwestern PA)
C. Allen Mullins, AIA (Northeastern PA)
Howard Quaintance, AIA (Eastern PA)
P. Richard Rittlemann, FAIA (Pittsburgh)
Denise Thompson, AIA (Philadelphia)
Roger Williams, AIA (Northeastern PA)
The resolution passed because you were diligent in reviewing and listening to the comments from our chapters and other states. The language was clear, concise, and direct. You all should be congratulated for your collaborative effort and ability to distill and combine many ideas into a well organized train of thought. Pennsylvania was recognized for our ability to gain support across the nation.
Five new AIA Fellows, with a connection to Pennsylvania, were inducted into the College of Fellows:
James Nelson Kise, FAIA (AIA Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania)
Michael Davis, FAIA (Pennsylvania State University)
Charles H. Boney, Jr., FAIA (University of Pennsylvania)
Nicholas Peckham, FAIA (University of Pennsylvania)
Peter Weismantle, FAIA (University of Pennsylvania)
New Fellows (from L to R) Peter Weismantle, FAIA, James Nelson Kise, FAIA and Michael Davis, FAIA with Harry R. Rutledge, FAIA, Pennsylvania Representative to the College of Fellows; Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA, AIA 2010 Gold Medal Winner and A. Stevens Krug, AIA, President
AIA Pennsylvania members and members from Carnigie Mellon University, the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, and Drexel Univesity joined together in honoring the new Fellows at the Pennsylvania reception. The interaction and reunion of classmates and alumni was rewarding. AIA Pennsylvania relationships with our schools were reinforced at all levels.
 Candance DeYoung, RA; Richard DeYoung, AIA, Regional Director; Nikola I. Doichev, AIA; Anne Swager, Hon. AIA, Executive Director, AIA Pittsburgh at the Pennsylvania reception Economy and Job Growth
The economic news from around the country continues to be sobering with mixed conditions from region to region. The efforts of the AIA to help create jobs in the stimulus program have helped, but will wear off after 2011. AIA continues to promote the blueprint, green job creation, dues payment plan, and support programs for unemployed architects. The Architectural Billing Index (ABI) has become a recognized gage for Wall Street.
Collaboration, Emerging Professionals and International Members
AIA continues to grow its collaboration with other groups and develop and support our emerging professionals and international members. These people are key to the future health of the architecture profession. Educational programs and training provide outreach to our diverse membership and communities at large. The notion that the citizen architect easily provides an opportunity for community leadership was promoted. An integrated media program has been announced to further reach our audience through many forms of communication.
Integrated Project Delivery
In conjunction with the national convention, AIA unveiled more of the IPD document series. Orientation sessions gave an overview of this family of documents. This series has been expanded to include specialty consultant and other teammate agreements, driven by a shared profit approach.
Click here for more information about the AIA Integrated Project Delivery family of documents. Building Information Management (BIM)
Building Information Management (BIM) systems were a feature of the show. There were numerous training and learning sessions on new products and versions.
2010 AIA Gold Medal Winner
In closing, one of the top features of the convention was Pennsylvania's own Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA being honored with the Gold Medal (the highest award given by the AIA).
Peter Q. Bohlin, FAIA accepting the 2010 AIA Gold Medal
We are happy to be able to call Peter one of our own! In 2008 we recognized his contribution to the profession with the AIA Pennsylvania Medal of Distinction.
I believe there were many positive accomplishments achieved and recognized. It was an honor to serve as AIA Pennsylvania's Delegate to the Convention. |
State Budget Update
The Pennsylvania state budget deal seems to be in place for passage as mandated by the Pennsylvania constitution by June 30. It's a plan that balances higher spending on public schools, prisons, pensions, and health care against cuts and personnel layoffs in many other areas.
The $28 billion plan includes a $250 million increase in basic education funding. That is less than Rendell had proposed, but is still a 4.5 percent bump.
To help offset the state's $1.2 billion deficit, Rendell said there will be steep cuts to state parks, environmental protection programs, health care centers and libraries, among other items. That, in turn, will likely translate into layoffs of about 1,000 state employees according to administration estimates.
The plan includes a $14 million reduction to the Accountability Block Grant program, which helps public schools defray the costs of prekindergarten and full-day kindergarten among other items.
If this budget passes today, it will be the first budget passed on time during Rendell's eight years in office. If past budgets are any indication, this might take more time to get everyone on board. Along with the budget, AIA Pennsylvania continues to work on legislation that will impact your business...
Green Legislation
House Bill 444 and Senate Bill 728, the High Performance State Funding Standards Act, sponsored by Rep. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny), passed the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. AIA Pennsylvania continues to work with SB 728 sponsor, Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) and environmental groups to help promote the business of architecture by actively supporting these bills.
House Bill 42, the Historic Preservation Incentives Act, sponsored by Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Northampton), passed the House of Representatives and is currently in the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee. This legislation is currently being negotiated between Sen. Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Rep. Freeman and the Governor's Office. AIA Pennsylvania has been asked not get involved directly in those conversations; however, we have been told that things are on the right track.
Professional Practice
Mandate Waivers - Senate Bill 250 (sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre)
This legislation was amended in the Senate as part of budget negotiations. The amendment extends the Mandate Waiver Program, but allows the Department of Education (PDE) to grant Section 751 waivers only when a school district in its mandate waiver application that intends to solicit both multiple and prime bids and will award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder. PDE could revoke a waiver if the school district fails to follow through on its stated intention.
We have already started to gear up for the new session with our coalition partners and continue efforts to improve the mandate waiver program.
Interior Designers John R. Hill, AIA, LEED AP spoke at a June 24th House Professional Licensure Committee hearing. He spoke on behalf of AIA Pennsylvania regarding House Bill 1521, the Interior Design Title and Practice Act (sponsored by Rep. Tim Solobay, D-Fayette). This issue continues to be a concern to AIA Pennsylvania and we will continue to work with our interior design coalition partners to stop this legislation.
To read a copy of AIA Pennsylvania's testimony, click here.
Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
On June 23, 2010 the Commonwealth Court held a hearing on the Request for Summary Relief filed by the Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA) to halt the implementation of the adopted 2009 International Building Codes. This followed the court's denial of a preliminary injunction request in March. The main object of the PBA is to stop implementation of the sprinkler requirement in the 2009 International Residential Code. AIA Pennsylvania filed an americus brief in support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the prelimiary injunction phase. We are now waiting for the court to render a decision.
The courtroom where the hearing was held.
 Robert Keaton, AIA Pennsylvania Government Affairs Manager with Roland Hall, Manager of Government Relations, Pennsylvania Field Office, ICC and Sara C. Yerkes, Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, ICC. |
Unlicensed Practice of Architecture
AIA Pennsylvania, as a service to its members, reviews, investigates, and files licensure complaints with the State Architects Licensure Board. If you suspect that a company or individual is practicing architecture unlawfully, there are links on our website to help you.
View the Licensure Act or "The Regs" - Pennsylvania Administration Code.
To determine if the person or company is registered in the Commonwealth, go to the License Verification page on our website. You can search the state's database by facility or individual.
To file a complaint, visit How to File Licensure Complaints on our website.
|
Members Corner
Each month we feature a new Q&A. If you have a question you would like answered, we would love to hear from you: awright@aiapa.org.
Q: AIA National requires that all registered architect members obtain 18 learning unit hours each year to fulfill membership requirements. What happens if I don't get all 18?
All active registered architect AIA members must successfully complete 18 learning unit (LU) hours each year, with at least 8 of the 18 LU hours relating to health, safety, and/or welfare (HSW). Of the 8 HSW, at least 4 credits must be in sustainable design (SD) topics.
A member who fails to meet the annual requirement will be given a nine month grace period. Any credit earned in the following year will apply toward the deficit. During the grace period, members are able to report retroactively any activities that were completed in the previous year.
A member who exceeds the annual requirement may carry up to 18 LU hours (including eight hours of HSW/four of SD) over to the next year. Carryover credit can be used for one year only; it is not cumulative. Only the number of credits needed to fulfill the annual requirement for the following year may be carried over. Extra credit may not be carried past the one-year limit.
Need to find courses to earn credits now? Check out www.aia.org for a listing of available courses.
|
Architectural Excellence Awards
Call for Entries
The submission deadline for the Architectural Excellence Awards is fast approaching. Be sure to get your submissions to our office by 5:00 pm on Friday, July 30th.
This year's submissions are electronic. For submission forms and other information, visit our website.
|
Architects Day and our annual Architectural Excellence Awards Ceremony in Harrisburg
September 21, 2010
We invite you to join us on September 21st for our annual Architects Day events. This year we have a full schedule and will be offering more continuing education credits.
Join your fellow architects for the day as you visit the state capitol and lobby on issues affecting your profession.
After the Architects Day events conclude, join us as we celebrate excellence in architecture with our Architectural Excellence Awards in the Capitol Rotunda.
|
Special Award Winners
The AIA Pennsylvania Board has selected the following nominees to be recipients of Special Awards at the Architectural Excellence Awards Ceremony on September 21, 2010:
Medal of Distinction
John D. Milner, FAIA and Mary Werner DeNadai, FAIA of John Milner Architects
Presidents Award
Maureen Guttman, AIA, Executive Director of the Governors Green Government Council
Government Award
State Representative Robert Freeman (D - Easton)
Contribution to the Profession by a Non-Architect
John Gallery, Executive Director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
The ceremony will be in the main Capitol Rotunda at 4:30 pm followed by a reception in the Lieutenant Governor's office. |
|
Call for Presentations - 2011 Convention
Design provides the foundation upon which every object and system is built. The design of a community or a building is an expression of aspirations, be they economic, cultural, social, or environmental. Sustainable design expresses these aspirations in the context of environmental factors beyond the project's property line, with the intention to engage, restore, or enhance a region's ecosystem.
The AIA 2011 Convention in New Orleans presents an opportunity to explore how innovative approaches to planning, design, and construction, along with evolutionary or revolutionary approaches to practice, collaboration, and partnerships can create more resilient urban ecosystems where cities of all scales contribute to a region's sustainability and regeneration.
To read more about the Call for Presentations, go to www.aia.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
