The American Institute of Architects has joined forces with commercial construction information provider CMD to provide members with a wealth of insider knowledge on the construction industry. This intel comes courtesy of a new tool, Insight for Architects, available exclusively to AIA members. With Insight for Architects, members can access hundreds of thousands of construction projects across the U.S. and review market analytics. Architects can also use the tool to view thousands of pre-bid projects, track desired projects, and stay on top of trends and forecasts. 

Why it works for members: Having such an in-depth resource is already a boon for architects scoping out the U.S. commercial construction scene, and the tool's exclusivity also creates a competitive advantage for AIA members. "CMD's technology and data, accessed through the Insight for Architects tool, will provide firms both large and small with a strategic view into new opportunities and the competitive landscape," according to CMD CEO Graeme McCracken.

In accordance with the recent adoption of 902 KAR 20:008 incorporated in the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General will increase the licensure fees, and plan review fees, for hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care facilities.  The new fees will be effective January 5, 2015.  In addition, the fees for review of plans and specifications for construction or renovation of health care facilities will increase from $.05 per square foot, or $100 minimum, to $.10 per square foot, or $200 minimum. 

To view the fees for all health facilities licensed by the Office of Inspector General, a copy of the new fee schedule may be downloaded -  click here.

Most of the fees listed involve initial or annual licensing fees that would be more of interest to healthcare providers. The revised plan review fees are noted at the end of the fee schedule.  

The Office of Inspector General is currently in the process of installing the revised Program Review Fee Worksheet for plan submittals on their website. For now, a PDF file of the revised Program Review Fee Worksheet is available - click here.

The types of health care projects, either renovation or new construction, that are reviewed by the Office of Inspector General include the following:

• Hospitals
• Nursing Facilities
• Personal Care Homes
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Psychiatric Hospitals
• Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF's)
• Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID's)
• Comprehensive Physical Rehabilitation Hospitals
• Residential Hospital Facilities (those that contain isolation rooms)

Questions regarding the plan review fee increase may be directed to Harold T. Snider, AIA at the Office of Inspector General, 502-564-7963, extension 3296.

Congratulations to Reese Reinhold Designs of Lexington, whose Triangle Park project was a Gold Winner in the Paving and Landscape Architecture category the 2014 Brick in Architecture Awards program, featured in the December issue of Architect magazine.

Welcome New Members: (since December 1, 2014)

• Veena Reddy, AIA, K. Norman Berry Associates, Louisville
• Marc A. Van Steenlandt, AIA, Studiomarc Services, Inc., Danville
• Tyler R. Watkins, Assoc. AIA, WorK Architecture + Design, Louisville

AIA Kentucky and the local AIA chapters are now utilizing a shared online design calendar called Design Ffunnel, which is also available for use by other design organizations in Kentucky. We'll post information about conferences, chapter events and other "happenings" of interest to the architectural community. A sampling of upcoming items to check out on the calendar:

• Jan. 13 - AIA/CKC Building Tour, Louisville
• Jan. 14 - Bluegrass ASHRAE CE, Lexington
• Jan. 15 - AIA/EKC Planning Meeting, Lexington
• Jan. 15 - AIA/EKC Thursday CE, Lexington
• Jan. 23 - UKCOD Lecture Series, Lexington
• Mar. 3 - AIA/CKC-Louisville CSI Trade Fair, Louisville
• Mar. 4-6 - AIA Grassroots Conference, Wash DC
• Feb. 19 - AIA/CKC CE Program, Louisville
• Mar. 6 - UKCOD "Rebranding Historic Preservation" Symposium, Lexington
• Mar. 20-21 - Northern Ky Restoration Weekend, Covington

• RSVP NOW for January Program: Southwest Library Presentation and Tour
• Gauging Interest for Creating ARE Study Groups
• 2015 AIA/CKC Membership Grant Applications Are Still Available
• AIA/CSI Trade Fair: Call for Drawings and Models for Display at the Show
• Upcoming Events

PO Box 701092

Louisville, KY 40270-1092

Jan. 15 - AIA/EKC Annual Planning Session, 4 to 6 p.m. at RossTarrant Architects office, 101 Old Lafayette Ave.  Any chapter members interested in getting more involved in the chapter, or just learning more about the opportunities, are encouraged to attend! Direct inquireis to President Roland Mueller, AIA. 

Jan. 15 - Thursday CE Program: Topic TBA. Noon to 1 p.m. at Commerce Lexington, 330 E. Main St., Lexington.  1 AIA LU HSW.  

Mar. 20-21 - Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend, Covington. The program will include a Chapter 34 code seminar presented by Wayne Meyer, AIA. The other pending courses are:  

• Controlling and Accommodating Change in Your Community Through Section 106
• Brownfields Basics
• Historic Building Assessments

View More details.

"Look Up" the first phase of the AIA's public awareness campaign, launch on December 12! Watch the video here and share it with your friends, family, and colleagues. Then, follow the campaign across AIA social channels using #ilookup. Let's help people and communities everywhere better understand what we do and why our contributions to society matter.  

The wait is over. Registration is now open for AIA Convention 2015, one of the largest and most exciting annual gatherings of architects and design professionals in the U.S.  This year's schedule is incredible: President Bill Clinton's day one keynote address. 300+ career-changing workshops, seminars, tours, and events led by visionaries, grassroots champions, change agents, and rising stars. A dynamic expo floor turned into a temporary built environment with hundreds of exhibitors, first looks, and surprises. See what AIA Convention 2015 is all about.