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AIA Michigan Newsletter
November 2013 |
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Opportunities to sponsor the
AIA Michigan Monthly E-Newsletter are now available!
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President's Message: |
 Dearest members,
Before working with my dear partners and friends Lorri Sipes and Gene Hopkins, I had the same narrow view of preservation that so many people have: that preservation is not architecture, not design; only repairing old buildings to hold something rigidly in a point in time.
I have learned over the past 15 years that preservation is much more. Preservation is also a state of mind; a belief in a set of values which revolves around respect for those who came before us, understanding of why the historic asset is important and understanding of those character defining elements which make it something worth taking care of as it evolves into the future. Great preservation retains and enhances character defining elements while letting the historic asset evolve. Great preservation is great design and holds unique challenges. Very modern bold interventions can be entirely appropriate if done sensitively and with empathy.
This makes Preservation a great analogy for effective change in AIA Michigan. It's no easy task to balance respect and stewardship for AIA Michigan's rich heritage with adapting and expanding the organization for meeting the needs of members today and into the future however it's a design challenge we embrace!
Staff and leadership have embraced this mindset as we have tackled AIA's Repositioning Initiative. It is up to us to understand all the wonderful things that AIA Michigan is and the characteristics that make it unique, then to make bold changes to move toward more relevance for members without "mucking up the good stuff".
The board has spent the year studying the organization to understand whether the current committees and committee structure is relevant in light of AIAMI's strategic plan and the repositioning initiative. This work continues into next year with relevance always as the over-arching goal; taking what was learned and strengthening or sun-setting committees where most of the value to the member lies.
So in the same way that the most successful preservation project facilitates the evolution of a historic building while celebrating its legacy, so AIA Michigan is changing and moving forward while preserving the same values of fellowship, knowledge and advocacy that it was founded on.
Cheers!
Tamara E. L.Burns, AIA |
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Executive Director's Message: |
 Happy November!
This month has been productive, and I am not bragging about my holiday shopping! We have booked the Ponchatrain Hotel in Detroit for the Leadership Retreat, (Jan. 31st-Feb. 1st). At this event, the AIA Michigan Board gathers to learn about effective leadership and board roles as well as to talk about the big issues we will tackle in 2014. Although the membership does not attend this event, please contact me with any ideas or areas of focus that you want presented during the Retreat and I will be happy to bring your voice to the table. I look forward to this time each year to refocus and I know 2014 won't disappoint!
Although the Health Facilities Planning Seminar is not until March 20-21st of next year, planning for this huge event is already in full swing! We have already confirmed a dozen sponors so if you or your company are interested in this marketing opportunity, please contact me ASAP as sponsorship availability is limited. There is also a Call for Project Presentations currently active so if you would like a project featured at the event, click here for the submittal criteria and regisitration information.
Don't forget that our Holiday Open House is December 5th! This year we are co-hosting the event with AIA Detroit and there will be food, drinks and lots of merriment. For details about the event and our donation program for Camp Hayo-Went-Ha, click here.
I hope you are all having a productive month and I will see you at our Holiday Open House on Dec. 5th! |
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Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fundraiser: Monday, Nov. 25th! | | Taking a cue from AIA National's involvement with the disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, we would like to make the membership aware of this upcoming fundraising event:
"Super Typhoon Haiyan is one of the worst storms to ever hit land. USAID indicates the typhoon killed nearly 4,000 people, making it one of the deadliest in Philippine history. Upwards of 4 million individuals are still displaced, and trying to survive in a state of calamity.
We have come together to build solidarity between Detroit and the Philippines, and invite you to join us! We launched this Patronicity crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for three organizations supporting relief efforts in the Philippines: All Hands Volunteers, International Rescue Committee, and World Food Program USA.
On Monday, November 25 from 6-10pm, we will hold a fundraiser event at Firebird Tavern in Greektown to bring the community together in support of our Filipino family. Join us for appetizers, desserts, cash bar, and music by DJ Peter Croce. We aim to raise at least $1,000, but there's no limit to what we think Detroit can do."
Click here for the Patronicity event page with all the details or click here for the Facebook event page to share the event with your friends and coworkers. |
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Holiday Open House: December 5th! |
 | | Please visit our website for details and we hope you will join us on Decemeber 5th! |
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Reminder: AIA National Small Firm Round Table: One Seat Available! | |
The Small Firm Round Table focuses on the needs of small firms and is charged with reviewing the existing benefits and services offered by the AIA. Our mission is to further the special and unique interests of architects practicing in small firms and architects as sole practitioners by working with and through the American Institute of Architects. Secondly, it is to act as a central body to promote the creation, and to facilitate and coordinate the efforts of additional Small Firm Round Tables at the component level.
Currently, there is one seat vacant on this vital committee available to any qualified AIA Michigan member. The committee meets via conference call once a month and in person twice a year (your travel expenses would be covered). If you would like more information about the position, please contact the office or Jeff Ferweda, AIA. To learn more about the Small Firm Round Table, click here. |
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The Grapevine |
- Alan Cobb, FAIA has been named President and CEO of Albert Kahn Associates. Congratulations, Alan!
- Terrance "Terry" Sargent, AIA, of Lord Aeck & Sargent Architecture was named the 2013 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the AIA Huron Valley Chapter for his dedication to the profession and the AIA. Congratulations, Terry!
- After years of designing significant projects in China for both U.S.-based and Chinese clients, SmithGroup JJR has opened a new office in Shanghai.
- ROSSETTI was recently honored with the 2013 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility. This prestigious award, part of the national "When Work Works" project administered by Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), recognizes employers of all sizes and types in Michigan and across the country.
- ROSSETTI's design of the ProShop at CenturyLink field was honored by ENR Magazine with an Award of Merit in the Northwest Sector for Office, Retail, or Mixed-Used Developments.
- Dale C. Jerome, AIA, President of French Associates, Inc. of Rochester, MI recently received the Certified Educational Facility Planner (CEFP) designation, a mark of excellence developed to reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities of a competent educational facility planner.
- This month, Damian Farrell, AIA's "Damian On Design" radio show guests include: Nawal Motawi from Motawi Tiles, Dawn Zuber, AIA, who will talk about CRAN (Custom Residential Architectural Network) and Robert Adams, Asst. Prof. of Architecture at UofM and partner in Adams + Gilpin Design Studio where they have designed a very unique handicap ramp. You can also watch many of Damian's past segments on his Youtube page.
- Neumann/Smith's design of CMU's two new graduate student halls has achieved LEED Platinum status, making it one of the first university-owned student housing facilities to earn the highest possible LEED rating.
- Sean Conklin, Associate AIA, is the new Project Manager on the Production Team at MAYOTTEgroup Architects in Lansing.
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New Members! | |
Welcome to our new members who joined, rejoined or transferred to AIA Michigan in October 2013:
Graham A. Forbes, AIA; Kevin Simpson, AIA; Leeann J. Boerger, Assoc. AIA; Sean L. Conklin, Assoc. AIA; Nathan A. Fritz, Assoc. AIA; Eric R. Henry, Assoc. AIA; Vinay Shah, Assoc. AIA; Samantha N. Szeszulski, Assoc. AIA; Peter C. Smith, Associate AIA; Pamela J. Barrett, AIA; James Furkis, AIA
Welcome to AIA Michigan and we look forward to meeting you at future events!!
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Greg Graczyk, AIA: 1956-2013 | |
We regret to announce the passing of Greg Graczyk, AIA, an LTU alumus and proud member of The American Institute of Architects. We offer our condolences to Greg's family, especially his wife and son, Steven, as well as to his SHW Group team members. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Steven Graczyk, for his college education. |
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Upcoming Events | |
- December 5, 2013: AIA Michigan Holiday Open House, co-hosted with AIA Detroit, Beaubien House |
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Is there something new you want us to know about you or your firm?
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