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General Assembly Parting Shots
We've survived the Legislature's last days when dangerous deals get done since we appear to have a budget deal. Legislators have used up their per diems; many need to rev up their election campaigns; and the most contentious issues are left till last, especially balancing the budget. Under a similar circumstance several years ago, the infamous "professional privilege tax" was spawned. Our early successes in redefining the architect's role during construction continued, with the exception of Sunset legislation to extend the A/E Board of Licensing Examiners. That Board is in wind-down because of our inability to persuade the Senate to adopt the House version of the Board's extension. At stake is AIA's ability to nominate architects to serve on the Licensing Board. Negotiations will continue over the summer.
Personal Opinion/Recommendation re Congressional Race - Roy Herron
Political opinions always offend someone... even so, this link strikes me as a special enough opportunity to pass along to our West Tennessee neighbors. State Sen. Roy Herron, Dresden, TN, is a long time state legislator who has worked with uncommon compassion, intelligence and integrity; and he is running for John Tanner's Congressional seat. He is seeking interns to work in his campaign, and this linked description strikes me as a great opportunity for some folks.
Sign-up to volunteer.
Connie Wallace, Hon. AIA
Executive Vice President
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"BP wants Twitter to shut down a fake BP account that is mocking the oil company. In response, Twitter wants BP to shut down the oil leak that's ruining the ocean."
-Jimmy Fallon
Changing of the Guard
As announced, State Architect Mike Fitts, FAIA, has retired. AIA Tennessee will host a party to celebrate Mike's career on Wednesday, August 4, during our state convention. Governor Bredesen has appointed Alan Robertson, AIA, as acting state architect. Anne Martin Clarke, Real Property Administration, is leaving to join her husband in Knoxville; and engineer Matt Ingham has been appointed to succeed her.
AIA's Flood Disaster Response
Carol Pedigo and AIA Middle Tennessee have taken the lead in our latest efforts which span four important directions:
- Educating our members, government and non-profit entities on working successfully with FEMA and other bodies in maximizing recovery dollars, negotiating the paperwork and generally learning from New Orleans experiences. AIA Louisiana and New Orleans architects have been so generous in offering their expertise, and a workshop is planned in Nashville on June 23.
- Recognition as an essential team member in disaster recovery. AIA Middle Tennessee has been invited to participate in a series of community forums for business leaders, and this is a great step forward.
- Community assistance in long range planning and visioning. AIA Middle Tennessee's AIA150 successes with three communities have paved the way for a post-flood role. Currently, Carol is receiving requests for assistance from cities surrounding Nashville.
- Volunteer assistance in building inspection for habitability - this is the toughest nut to crack and we are not certain why. Despite a lot of effort, I suspect we have not formed the best government alliances; but we have identified new contacts and are hopeful of new progress.
Jack Potter, AIA, Hart-Freeland-Roberts, is chairing our statewide effort. To sign up to help, fill out the volunteer survey here.
AIA Architect: The Complete Package
When ? August 4-6, 2010
Where ? Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center, Murfreesboro, TN
Change... courage... adaptability... toolkits... design excellence...
These are the topics that will sustain us in these uneven days. Our convention will salute your indomitable spirit and shine a light on some of the stars in our profession-those like Lake|Flato partner Matthew Morris; UT's Tricia Stuth + Ted Shelton; Danny Wicke from Auburn's Rural Studio; Merrill Elam; Todd Walker and Barry Yoakum, from archimania. Meet Tennessee's Hot Young Designers, tour the Tennessee Residence and Conservatory, Middle Tennessee Medical Center and MTSU campus. Visit our exhibitor showcase, connect with old and new friends; and send Mike and Polly Fitts out with a bang as they embark on the rest of their lives. Simply put-three days you cannot miss, regardless of where you are.
Our program schedule will be posted within 10 days. Meanwhile, you can reserve your hotel room by contacting Embassy Suites and requesting a room in the AIA block. Embassy Suites reservations: 615-890-4464.
Share it. Show it. Sell it.
You know what I'm talking about-your other side job: painting, photography, harmonica playing; jewelry, furniture, old fashioned clogging; sculpture, ceramics, turkey calling. Show us what you're making on the side, then share it with everyone at the state convention and sell it for the benefit of TAPAC. Open to all AIA members and their friends, family or band.
Email submissions to cmathias-fisher@sdrarch.com by July 1.
Masonry Institute of Tennessee Design Awards Call for Entries
Please access the "Read More" link to receive MIT's design awards entry form. This may be the only copy you receive, so bookmark the info!!
UT Welcomes New Landscape Architecture Program Chair
 Ken McCown, a former associate professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at Arizona State University, has been appointed chair of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, graduate landscape architecture program. McCown's expertise centers on issues relating to design, planning and sustainability. His background is in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design; and he uses this background to solve contemporary issues such as the integration of buildings and landscapes, the incorporation of habitat and water quality into urban design, and most importantly, connecting people to the landscape through design.
The UT Knoxville landscape architecture graduate program -- a joint collaboration between the College of Architecture and Design and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources -- welcomed its inaugural class of students in fall 2008. The first of its kind in the state, the program was accepted for candidacy status with the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB) and will remain a candidate program until the first class graduates. After the first class graduates in spring 2011, the professional degree program will be reviewed for accreditation.
UT Celebrates Solar Decathlon Project Launch
UT's Team Living Light is one of only 20 teams chosen to design and build a marketable, functioning, solar powered house for the international contest in October 2011. Inspired by Appalachia's cantilever barns, the design must accommodate its transportation and installation on the National Mall site in Washington DC.
The project involves more than 100 students and faculty members from the College of Architecture and Design, College of Engineering and School of Art. The team will compete against groups from Purdue University, The Ohio State University, University of Maryland, as well as institutions in New Zealand, China, Belgium and Canada. Over the next year, the interdisciplinary team will test and create new innovations in building materials, information technology, energy efficiency and home design to best demonstrate sustainable energy resources. The house's energy source must power its appliances and heat water.
Along with being on display, the house will be part of 10 competitive events which judge design excellence, sustainability, energy production, solar energy efficiency, consumer appeal and cost-effectiveness. Visitors to the mall will be able to tour the houses and learn how energy-saving features can help them save money.
Team Living Light must also recruit sponsors and in-kind donors to support the effort. For more information, visit http://sd2011.utk.edu/ or http://www.solardecathlon.gov/.
Competitive Health Insurance Program for AIA Employee Groups
One of the most frequently requested member benefits is access to affordable group health insurance. Historically, it's been the toughest to deliver. Trustmark Life Insurance Company, an A- rated insurance company has offered healthcare for more than 50 years; and they've just executed a contract with AIA.
Advocacy Efforts
Follow the "Read More" link for an excellent summary of AIA National's advocacy efforts on your behalf, as well as a summary article on the official approval of the Architect of the Capitol.
Seeking Small Business Relief
Recognizing that even with the Recovery Act, many architecture firms are still struggling, the AIA launched the second phase of its Rebuild and Renew campaign in October. A Blueprint for Long-Term Prosperity focused on freeing up credit, helping small businesses, and laying the groundwork for sustainable development. Already the plan is seeing results; the House passed small businesses credit legislation backed by the AIA and legislation currently moving through Congress includes funding for school construction and transit facilities.
Knowing that high taxes slow recovery, the AIA is pushing for extensions of tax incentives that spur building. Both an extension of the $8000 homebuyers' tax credit and provisions that allow businesses to carry back losses in 2008 and 2009 to previous years' tax returns became law this fall following aggressive grassroots lobbying by the AIA and others. The AIA is leading the effort to expand the energy efficient commercial buildings tax deduction. It helped to secure a one-year delay in the three percent withholding tax on government contractors as a part of stimulus. And working with its allies in the engineering community, the AIA has successfully convinced the federal government to reform procurement rules that require a ten percent retainage on A/E firms that do business with the government.
And on health care, the AIA has joined with its allies in the small business community to oppose provisions in health care reform that would place undue paperwork burdens on small firms, and it has briefed top policymakers on the role architects play in designing first-class hospitals and health facilities.
Gresham, Smith and Partners Becomes First EDAC Advocate Firm To Accredit its Healthcare Design Team
Ken Priest, AIA, executive vice president of Healthcare, Gresham, Smith and Partners, announced that GS&P is the first firm to fulfill the EDAC (Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification) Advocate Firm commitment of having at least 25% of its healthcare design team EDAC accredited. The EDAC program was developed as a way to educate and assess individuals on their understanding of how to base healthcare design decisions on credible research evidence and project evaluation results.
Partner Patrick Gilbert, AIA, GS&P announced the receipt of two awards in the 35th Annual Metropolitan Historic Commission Preservation Awards. Design renovations and conversion of Nashville's American Trust Building into Hotel Indigo were awarded in the Commercial Buildings category. Renovation of the Fall School Building on behalf of the Church of Scientology was honored in the Religious Buildings category. The awards ceremony was held on May 11 to coincide with National Preservation Month being celebrated this month.
Street Dixon Rick Receives Award
Street Dixon Rick Architecture just won a design/preservation award for new construction for St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Franklin, from The Heritage Foundation, Franklin, TN.
About Us
 The Mission of AIA Tennessee is to shape the professional environment in Tennessee so that architects, clients, the building industry and the public at large understand and appreciate the value we bring to the community.
You can visit us online: aiatn.org
or write us:
PO Box 60128
1105 Gartland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
Phone: 615-255-3860
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| June 2010 |
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HIGHLIGHT
The 2010 AIA Tennessee Convention: AIA Architect - The Complete Package | More
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