Columns - the AIA Arkansas Newsletter, March Edition

The Ides of March are almost upon us; and the first quarter of 2013 will be gone before we know it. Are you ready for Spring? We certainly are looking forward to warm sunshiny days!

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ~Anne Bradstreet

ENJOY!

As always, use the links on the left or simply scroll down the page to see what has been and what will be going on with AIA Arkansas. If you have news you would like to share that meets the submission guidelines, please submit it to Joie Ketcham. The next deadline is April 15th.

Off to a Good Start

A Message from the President

I hope your New Year is going well; completing on-going projects, new projects started, more on the horizon and a positive attitude in your workplace. I like to think things have finally turned the corner. Let's just hope our political leadership can find a way to keep things moving in the right direction.

Your AIA Board of Directors met in January at the annual planning retreat where we welcomed new members, inducted new officers and had a good discussion on what our organization has accomplished in the past year and how to better serve the membership going forward.

One of the issues discussed was how the ABA wants to address the compensation to those of you that do work for the state and how civil engineering services (fees) might be part of the Architects' compensation. There is a committee currently participating in that discussion.

Section leaders had an opportunity to describe their goals for the coming year. The Central Section, with the birth of studioMAIN and the ongoing relationship with the Arkansas Arts Center and other design collaborations is setting a high standard for awareness of the role architects can play in creating better communities. Other section listed many opportunities for professional advancement as well as fellowship and fun. Please take advantage of their efforts to organize these events.

The convention this year in Northwest Arkansas promises to be a fantastic opportunity for those of you in other parts of the state to catch up on all the growth in NWA. Speakers are currently being contacted and will no doubt provide us all with a fresh perspective on current architectural trends. Between the featured speakers, allied seminars, trade show, art exhibition, and architecture tours this year's convention promises to be a real winner. And with the proximity to the Fay Jones School of Architecture, expect more student involvement.

Later this month some of us will be off to Washington, D.C. for the Grassroots conference. This event will provide us with an opportunity to meet with our Arkansas Delegation of Congressmen and Senators. We will do our best to communicate to them the issues that affect our profession. Most of those issues can be boiled down into how they can support small business as well as economic support for growth in our communities. One issue that I personally will put forward has to do with climate change and what energy policies they support.

I look forward to updating everyone about AIA National's initiatives and what our legislators had to say in the next newsletter.

Stay tuned,

David McKee, AIA
2013 AIA AR President

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MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATES

We are in the process of preparing the 2013-2014 AIA Arkansas Membership Directory. Please be sure to log in to your record at www.aia.org and verify that your information is correct. Please make any necessary changes. Be on the look-out for a post card reminder with instructions on how to log in and update your information. Please complete any updates by March 31st. Better yet, log in now while you are thinking about it! All you need is your AIA member number.

Update Now!

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MEMBER NEWS

AIA AR to Receive Excellence Award at Grassroots Conference

AIA Arkansas is slated to be recognized at the upcoming AIA Grassroots Leadership & Legislative Conference as a recipient in the Membership: Outstanding Single Program category. We are being recognized for our Milestone Presentation to newly licensed architects as they meet a milestone in their architectural career. See below, an excerpt from the congratulatory letter we received.

"The jury was impressed with the chapter's focused effort to reach out one-on-one to newly licensed architects within the state. The program excites interest in the profession and connection to the AIA. The primary goal of the program is noted as membership recruitment and retention and is cited as being a contributor to the high retention rate of AIA architects. The program's accomplishments, including an average of 16 newly licensed architects being recognized annually, of which 12% are not members currently and 88% are currently members of AIA, with a 95% overall membership retention is admirable."

AIA AR Swears in New Officers

David McKee, AIA (President); Wesley Walls, AIA (Vice President); Mark Cahoon, AIA (Treasurer); Tim Maddox, AIA (Secretary) and Michael Lejong, AIA (Past President); being sworn in by George Krennerich, AIA (ASBALAID President)

Architects, Engineers See 'Positive Signs' in Private Sector, Growing College Enrollment

by Jan Cottingham

After five lean years, architectural and engineering firms are seeing business pick up, even in the once-moribund private sector.

But lessons learned during the downturn still inform their operations, said David McKee, president of the Arkansas chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

ATU Approved Architecture Firm for New Facility on Campus

The Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees approved the hiring of AMR Architects, Inc., of Little Rock to serve as the architecture firm for the construction of a planned new student support and administrative facility on the Russellville campus.

Brackett-Krennerich Transitions Leadership

Jonesboro based architectural firm Brackett-Krennerich & Associates Architects recently experienced a leadership transition. Former principal Jerry Brackett, AIA has stepped down as owner after 35 years in this position and will continue his involvement with the firm as a senior advisor. Jeff Herren, AIA, LEED AP BD+C and Kyle Cook, AIA have joined George Krennerich, AIA as principals to continue leading this accomplished firm into the future.

Secretary of State Martin Announces Final Capitol Arts & Grounds Commissioners

Back in January, Secretary of State Mark Martin announced the final two appointments to the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission this week. "With these two new appointments, we have filled all the vacancies on the commission," Martin said. John Lane, a member of the American Institute of Architects, is owner of Lane and Associates Architects of Fort Smith. The Arkansas Chapter of the AIA recommended Lane. Dave Roberts is Vice President of Planning for Crafton Tull in Little Rock. The State Board of Architects, Landscape Architects and Interior Designers recommended him. "I appreciate Mr. Lane and Mr. Roberts for their willingness to serve on the commission," Martin said. "I look forward to working with both of them and utilizing their expertise on the Capitol campus." The Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission is comprised of 10 members who evaluate proposals for monuments and other art in the Capitol and surrounding grounds.

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Architect & Associate Members

Cory A. Amos, Assoc. AIA (Fayetteville)
Charles Jackson Henry IV, AIA (Fayetteville)
Mark Horne Jr., AIA (Fayetteville)
James H. Little IV, AIA (Jonesboro)
Tanner Sutton, Assoc. AIA (Siloam Springs)
Micah P. Whorton, Assoc. AIA (Bentonville)

Allied Members

Integrated Solutions Group Inc.

Springdale, AR

Marcus Cloud

(479) 925-0507

mark@isgnow.net

Blue Ribbon Partner

Neenah Foundry

Little Rock, AR

Pat Risley

(501) 858-9329

pat.risley@neenahenterprises.com

Blue Ribbon Partner

Facility Design Marketing

North Little Rock, AR

Katie Escovedo

(501) 247-6831

katieescovedo@hotmail.com

Basic Allied Member

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ASSOCIATE NEWS

Cloud-Based Solution Provides Access for 64-bit Computers

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is beta testing a cloud-based service that will allow customers with 64-bit Windows operating systems and Macs to access the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) Practice Programs software.

Earn an Hour Towards IDP

Title: Designing Your Future: Creating Value in Your Career

Presenter: Martin Smith, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Assoc.

Date and Time: Tuesday April 2nd 11:30-1pm

Location: University of Arkansas Student Union (Room TBD)

This presentation will be worth 1 AIA LU that can be used as an hour towards IDP. You may also, they can watch this video created by the AIA.

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POINTS OF INTEREST

AIA National Convention Room Block Through AIA Arkansas

Discounted room reservations are available through AIA Arkansas. We have blocked a group of rooms at the Embassy Suites (connected to the convention center). The room rate begins at $219 per night. The block is limited so contact the AIA Arkansas office ASAP if you are interested in taking advantage of one of these rooms. Register Now for the 2013 AIA National Convention

Call for Entries

Gulf States Region - 2013 Honor Awards Program

Click below for the call for entry for the 2013 Awards program. The deadline for the entry form (not submittals) is March 15th. Actual submittals are due April 18th.

AIA Arkansas Sponsors in part, Bauhaus Exhibit

Bauhaus twenty-21: An Ongoing Legacy - Photographs by Gordon Watkinson

Organized by Foto+Synthesis Incorporated

May 24 - September 22, 2013

This exhibition conveys the architectural history, design and enduring philosophies of the Bauhaus, a German expression meaning "house for building" and the name of an important German School principle of architecture and design. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on Bauhaus design philosophy as it relates to architecture and its relevance in today's society. The Bauhaus school was founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 and introduced principles that shaped the foundation of modern architecture. Conceived as a project encompassing architecture, design and photography, Bauhaus twenty-21 not only conveys the architectural history, but also illustrates the enduring philosophies of the Bauhaus. The exhibition is comprised of 77 photographs, plans and elevations and furniture that capture the essence of Bauhaus design and its influence on modern architecture and design.

The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas invites you to

Submit Nominations for Arkansas's 2013 Most Endangered Places List

Save the Date

May 1-3, 2013

Arkansas Preservation Conference

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Architect - Program Coordinator,

Main Street Arkansas

The Main Street Arkansas Architect will work with property owners to provide architectural design assistance rooted in historic preservation-based best practices.

Click here for details.

Project Architect

Cromwell Architects Engineers

The position is for a detail oriented and dedicated Project Architect to work on diversified project types. Architectural registration required. Must have 8-15 years commercial building design/production experience, proficient in AutoCAD, REVIT and/or MicroStation. Experience with construction documentation a MUST. Successful candidate must have excellent people skills for one-on-one client interaction as well as practical field experience. Send resume to: Cromwell Architects Engineers, Attn: HR, 101 S. Spring Street, Little Rock, AR. Email: hr@cromwell.com. EOE M/F/D/V

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AIA CONTRACT DOCUMENTS

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AIA NATIONAL NEWS LINKS

Strong Surge for the ABI in January

As the prognosis for the design and construction industry continues to improve, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is reflecting its strongest growth since November 2007.Components are encouraged to publicize the data to their local media so that AIA becomes the authoritative source of economic trends in the building industry.

Successful practice management requires knowing your business.

Comparing business practices and firm performance are keys to managing a successful practice. With the new AIA Firm Survey report, we've collected the data points you need to gain valuable insight and information on today's architecture marketplace.