I AM AIA | I AM AIA 

Don't Delay.  Renew your Membership for 2013 Today!

In order to efficiently handle the renewals of almost 80,000 members, we ask that you renew your AIA membership by January 15, 2013.  You can renew online here.   Membership has its benefits, don't forget if you take a Food for Thought class at AIA Austin, it is FREE.  Lots of other great benefits too, check it out here! 

Sustainable Design Credit Requirement Terminated
Recognizing that sustainable design practices have become a mainstream design intention in the architectural community, the Board of Directors has voted to allow the sustainable design education requirement to sunset at the end of calendar year 2012.  AIA members will no longer need to complete the sustainable design requirement to fulfill their AIA continuing education.  For 2013, AIA members are required to satisfy a minimum of 18 LUs per year.  Of this total, 12 must meet the Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) criteria.  However, TBAE still requires 1 SD learning unit.  More information about requirements  here. 

Thursday, January 10th @ 5:45pm 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex will bring together all programs, faculty and students of the Computer Science Department for the first time in the department's history. The complex comprises two buildings-Dell Computer Science Hall and a wing for research to the south-connected by an atrium. Their design emphasizes modern uses of materials found in UT-Austin's early buildings, which largely adhere to a Spanish Mediterranean vocabulary.  Design Architect Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, and Executive Architect STG Design. 

Sponsored by:

Austin Commercial 

STG Design

The Porter Company

More information and RSVP here. 

Tuesday, January 22nd @ 6:30 pm 

Purchase tickets and more information here. 

All committees are open to members and nonmembers, we encourage your participation.  Committee meetings take place once a month at the Austin Center for Architecture, 801 W. 12th Street, unless otherwise noted.

Members, send me your news!  Accolades, new projects, new hires, etc.   

In Memorium

Our thoughts go out to Jana McCann, AIA, 2013 President, as she mourns the loss of her father, John Peter McCann, on December 30th.  More information here.  

A Family's View of a Green Hospital
By Alan Oakes

Whenever Thomas Molina asked me if he was going to die, he would follow up the question with a small, simple statement: "I don't want to die." Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia just after his third birthday. The cancer went into remission, but he was diagnosed again when he was 11 years old-old enough to know what was happening and to ask time and time again the same question: "Am I going to die?"  Alan Bell, AIA LEED AP discusses the sustainable features of the Dell Children's Medical Center.  Read more.

My Beautiful City
by David Heymann, AIA 

"No one in Texas thinks of Austin as a real city, and as a city it is in truth a model of nothing. Invented almost from scratch as the capital, its consequent slight grandeur of scale has never been matched by its industry, and so it has had a vague pleasant lithium quietness. ... Then, really in the last ten years, that particular odd disembodied quality became desirable." To start the new year, an essay by David Heymann, on Austin then and now, and a heartbreak of a house commission.  Read more.

Home-Grown Eastside Lumber & Decking is Full Service to the Community
Eastside Lumber & Decking announces its pledge to community service by joining Austin Gives™. Austin Gives tracks and recognizes business philanthropy in metropolitan Austin. Eastside Lumber & Decking is a full service lumber yard in Austin offering expert advice, "hotshot" deliveries, high quality wood selection, and competitive pricing. Though only a 3 year old company, Eastside Lumber & Decking includes giving back in its growth plan.  Read more.

Modern for Less
A Central Texas home designed by Austin Architect Nick Deaver, AIA was featured in Dwell Magazine as part of their February 2013 issue, Modern for Less; 10 Houses, Countless Ideas for Affordable Style.   This article is part of Dwell's Houses We Love.

The 2,000 sqft renovation, also known as "Walkabout" is a modern galvanized metal and limestone complex for the owners of Olive Green Dog, an online green pet store. Important aspects of the new complex are a companion works studio, a cool limestone den, and porches facing morning, noon, and night.     

Since its launch in 2000, Dwell has been widely regarded as a leader in sustainable modern living, architecture and design.  More here.

Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects' M Station wins Urban Land Institute Award
Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects (h+uo) is pleased to announce that the Urban Land Institute has named their project, M Station, to its Development of Distinction list showcasing best practices in land use, awarding M Station an Honorable Mention in the New Development Residential category.  Read more.

Information from AIA.org and other related AIA resources. 

The format of the day will remain the same as last time... Morning advocacy training with David Lancaster and our contract lobbyists including legislative updates and Lobbying 101 and then afternoon appointments with legislators.  The day will begin about 9am and visits should be finished by 4pm.  Training is essential. 

TSA Call for Presentations!
If you have an insight, technique, or idea you're eager to share, this is your chance to communicate it to the Texas design industry.
 
Texas Architects is now accepting Continuing Education presentation submittals for next year's Convention in Fort Worth, November 7-9, 2013.
 
Submit online here. 

AIA National Convention

leadership for architecture...leadership beyond architecture
The AIA National Convention and Design Exposition is the industry's most comprehensive national event for architects and design professionals.  Nowhere else will you find so many opportunities to diversify and sharpen your expertise in such a convenient and cost-effective way.  

A corporate shoemaker who encourages the act of giving; an architect who challenges his profession to help those in need; and an elder statesman who has selflessly served others throughout his distinguished career.

Our keynote speakers at the AIA National Convention are leaders who, like you, build a better world-one day, one project at a time. Come to the AIA convention, and develop the knowledge and professional contacts you need to elevate your practice and your career.  More info here.