Archi-Facts is a weekly e-newsletter provided by AIA Austin regarding upcoming events, continuing education classes, and architectural news. 

If you have information or an event that you'd like to include in the next Archi-Facts, please contact Elizabeth Humphrey for requirements.

This is a great "how to" for businesses looking to market themselves online leveraging the multitude of free or inexpensive tools available today. From Wordpress websites to social media and email platforms, leave this course with a better understanding of the tools and how to use them to promote your business online.

1) Learn to rethink your website: It's more important to start it than to finish it.

2) Learn to become a content producer: When you start publishing your content online, you establish yourself as an expert.

3) If you build it, they won't come: Your content is no good unless people know it's out there. Learn how to broadcast your content.

4) What does it really take? A cold hard look at what marketing resources your business requires and what options you have for getting things done.

Course provided by Tina Schweiger with Yellowfin Creative.

1 LU

Bring your own lunch
RSVP required here.

Join Garner Stoll, AICP for an update on the Imagine Austin plan.

From colorful and modern to historic and muted, Houzz's featured Kitchens of the Week in 2012 included just about every kitchen style, color and material available. Mixing inspiration and practical tips, the ideabooks showed beautiful kitchens that became a hit among Houzzers.

MYA's kitchen at the Robbs Run House has been selected as the #5 most popular kitchen in all of 2012 on Houzz! It was part of a strong showing for Austin, which is home to four of the kitchens on the top-20 list. The dynamic glass backsplash you'll see in the article was created by artist Laura Garanzuay of Austin. 

More here.

The UT Austin School of Architecture Career Services Office at The University of Texas at Austin invites you to participate in our 2013 Spring Career Fair & Interview Day.

This is your opportunity to meet and interview students from all programs within the School of Architecture: Architecture, Interior Design, Community & Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Design, and Urban Design.

WHEN: Monday, March 4, 2013 10am-5pm

Schedule: 10am-1pm Open Career Fair, 1pm-5pm Interviews (all in the conference ballroom)

WHERE: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center Ballroom (on-campus)

REGISTRATION: ends Monday, February 25, 2013 - or when all registration spaces have been filled. Space is limited. Interested employers register by completing the attached registration form.

FEES: $250 for-profit employers, $150 non-profit employers. Includes a draped table and chairs, parking validation, lunch and refreshments for up to two recruiters. 

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact Ray Easterlin at your convenience or 512.471.1333.

Voting session Tuesday January 29th
Item 30: consider and take appropriate action on the proposed civil and family court house project, including:
A. Update on current status and recommended follow-up action;
B. Governance structure; and
C. Process to procure of program management services (or owner's representative) and recommended evaluation team. (Judge Biscoe and Commissioner Eckhardt)

Work session Thursday January 31st at 1:30 pm
1.       Facilities master planning update.
2.       Capital projects planning and five-year funding analysis.
 
You can access the agenda and individual backup documents on the Travis County web page.

Wednesday, 30 January 2013
11:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
801 W. 12th Street
RSVP to Lauren Vienne.

Is starting (or finishing) the journey to become an architect one of your 2013 New Year's resolutions? If so, get the year started right by knowing the critical 10 steps to licensure and certification. We'll review everything you need to know to make your goal a reality.  Speaker:  Nick Serfass, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, PMP - NCARB Assistant Director of IDP:

-Establishing an NCARB Record
-Earning hours for the Intern Development Program (IDP)
-Taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
-Coordinating with your state board to earn a license
-Being mobile with the NCARB Certificate

The City of Austin's legal department has been working to update standard easement and restrictive covenant templates that are commonly required prior to approval of site plan or subdivision permits. The new documents will make the approval process more efficient by standardizing the legal provisions.

Please join us for our presentation on February 1st at 11:00 am on the third floor of One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road in Austin.  Contact Lynn Tozser with questions.

"An Insider's Look: Austin Energy Solar Programs"
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Abels on the Lake, 3825 Lake Austin Blvd
11:30am - 1:00pm
Earn 1 GBCI CE Credit.
This month's program includes a comprehensive look into Austin Energy's current residential and commercial solar energy programs, including the latest information on current (as well as discontinued) efficiency programs, the management strategy driving these programs, and understanding the role of Demand Response.  For more information and to register, click here.

February 15, 2013 - University of Texas Union
A full-day symposium of topics surrounding regional livability in central Texas, focusing on strategies and conceptual approaches to water conservation and management in relation to architecture, engineering, city planning, law, and social concerns.
Registration is $100 - Continuing Education Credits (CEU) will be offered
Register online and see a full list of CEU offered.
Keynote speakers:  Frederick Steiner, Assoc. AIA and Pliny Fisk.

February 28th - 9am
This panel discussion will provide an opportunity to hear how four U.S. cities revised their land development codes and what they learned through the process.

The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan was adopted by City Council in June 2012 with a directive to revise the land development code to promote a compact and connected city, preserve neighborhood character, promote household affordability, and protect environmental sustainability.  Learn more here.

Beginning February 1, 2013, TDLR will no longer accept new requests to perform Architectural Barriers (AB) inspections. While TDLR may continue to conduct some public sector AB inspections for state leases and other state agencies, the agency is getting entirely out of the private market, which already performs 96% of the required inspections. This will free up TDLR inspectors to focus on inspections that are best performed by agency staff, and creates more opportunity for the private sector Registered Accessibility Specialists (RAS).  

The RAS program is an example of a very successful "Public-Private Partnership." The 400-plus private-sector RAS's licensed by TDLR are more than capable of handling the additional workload, and TDLR welcomes the opportunity to help increase their market share. This move aligns with TDLR's credo of "Smaller, Smarter Government" and TDLR's Core Values of Innovation and Customer Service.

Five Technical Memorandums applicable to the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards requirements for safe harbor, wading pools, press boxes, private clubs, and employee break rooms have been issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
- TM 2012-05 Safe Harbor (19kb)
- TM 2012-06 Wading Pools (65kb)
- TM 2012-07 Press Boxes (82kb)
- TM 2012-08 Private Clubs (18kb)
- TM 2012-09 Employee Break Rooms (200kb)
You can see all Technical Memorandums issued by TDLR here.

Please note the email address for submitting questions to TDLR regarding compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards and Texas Government Code, Chapter 469 has changed to techinfo@tdlr.texas.gov. We give top priority to all questions we receive at this address but some responses may be delayed during the transition to the new email address.

The 8th Annual AEC Specialty Bowl brought to you by the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters is quickly approaching. This annual event brings together Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) companies in support of local mentoring efforts and we need you to participate by forming teams to raise pledges and bowl together on Saturday, March 2, 6 p.m. at Highland Lanes, 8909 Burnet Road.

Trudy's Bowl for Kids is a great networking opportunity and way to spend time with co-workers while supporting the premier mentoring program in Central Texas. Make sure your company isn't left out! Click here to create your team. To learn about sponsorship opportunities or to receive more information, contact Kate Garrett at 512-807-3615.

Firms currently registered include:
Datum Engineers, Inc.
Encotech**
Gensler
GS&C
hatch + ulland owen architects
HDR, Inc.**
IIDA
O'Connell Robertson**
Rogers-O'Brien Construction
Schneider HALLS Design
STG Design, Inc.
** Signifies Trudy's Bowl for Kids Corporate Sponsor

Please visit www.bowlforkidsaustin.org for complete event information.

Join Operation Finally Home and local Austin builders and trades to build a mortgage-free home for 24 year-old SPC Augustine "Augie" Pena in Jonestown.  Augie served with the Army Reserves in Iraq and returned home safely.  On his way to monthly duty, Thanksgiving weekend 2010, he stopped to help a stranded motorist on the interstate and was struck by a drunk driver.  Although he is now in a wheel chair he is not receiving military disability benefits because he was not on active duty at the time of the accident.  You can see more about his story and progress pictures of the ~1650 sf home on our Facebook page Operation Finally Home Austin.

Please help make this house a home by joining our Text to Give campaign on February 13.  Just text OFH to 85944 to donate $10 which will be used to purchase furniture for the home.  If you would like more info on this project and how you can help spread the word, please contact us at OperationFinallyHomeAustin@gmail.com .  Thank you for your support AIA!