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In This Issue
• A Message from the President
• On the Boards Feature
• You've Been Served...Now What?
• Upcoming Events
• Local Programs
• 360 Mentoring
• NoVA Headlines
• Professional Practice
• Membership Update
• Annual Sponsors
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On the Boards: The Douglass, Bridge District
Photo Credit: ZGF Architects LLP
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From the President: Sonia R. Jarboe, AIA | |
The Douglass, Bridge District
ZGF Architects
Washington, DC
Photo Credit: ZGF Architects LLP
The Douglass is the first phase of the Bridge District, a new mixed-use community on the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC. The multifamily building will serve as the cornerstone of the new community; transforming largely undeveloped land into a thriving, high-density mixed-use neighborhood with residential, retail, entertainment, and office spaces. It consists of approximately 1 million square feet of residential, amenity, and retail space, including 758 units, 12% of which are affordable.
The project puts wellness at the forefront, targeting LEED Platinum and aiming to be the first ILFI Zero Carbon multifamily building in DC. Designed with the pandemic in mind, the building supports work from home with flex spaces, phone rooms, rooftop terraces, and private balconies on 85% of the units. The Douglass also offers direct links to trail networks and picturesque waterfront views across the river to Capitol Hill and the National Mall, promoting healthy living and indoor-outdoor connections.
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The ground level will be activated on all four sides to establish character and provide vibrant pedestrian activity for this new community. Vital retail services including grocery, dining, and service retail will support both the residents living in the apartments above and in the historically underserved neighborhoods of Southeast DC.
The Bridge District is poised to become the latest contributor to a series of robust and walkable waterside communities, continuing a 20-year trend of DC’s return to the river.
Visit ZGF Architects website: www.zgf.com
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Show Us Your Work!
We are always looking for projects to celebrate and publish. There are three sections to showcase our members’ work: On the Boards - Featured Projects - Sketches. Complete this form or email your materials to aianova@aianova.org to be featured in an upcoming AIA Northern Virginia e-publication.
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You've Been Served!
…with a Subpoena, what now?
By Alison Mullins & Luke Marston
Shannon Mullins & Wright LLP
One of the most frequent contacts a design professional will have with the legal system is a subpoena. A subpoena can mean two things. First, it can function as a legal document that binds the recipient to appear as a witness for a court proceeding or deposition. Second, a subpoena can ask the recipient to provide some type of tangible evidence, i.e. documents, drawings, photographs, etc. This is called a subpoena duces tecum. This article will discuss subpoenas duces tecum asking a design professional to provide documents for an ongoing lawsuit.
To be valid, a subpoena duces tecum must:
• Be related to an ongoing litigation and issued by an attorney representing a party in a civil case or from the clerk of court; and
• Include the name of the court issuing the subpoena, the name and contact details of the party who initiated the subpoena, the names of the parties involved in the suit, the docket number of the case, and most importantly, the proper name and address of the individual or company being served.
Why was the Subpoena Issued?
When a design professional receives a subpoena to produce documents, it can be confusing and worrisome. However, stay calm and read the subpoena in full. Reading the subpoena in full will assist the design professional to understand why they are receiving the subpoena. Receiving the subpoena can mean the requesting party simply needs more background information to support their claim or defense. Alternatively, the requesting party may be trying to find evidence to bring the design professional into the litigation. This creates some degree of risk, which is why we strongly recommend a design professional that receives a subpoena should notify their professional liability insurance provider promptly.
To Whom is the Subpoena Directed?
The design professional should ensure that the proper design professional is listed. Sometimes at the onset of a new lawsuit, requesting parties will send several subpoenas to several parties to try and get as much information as possible and may mistakenly list the wrong party. Other times, the subpoena will be directed to an individual at the firm, not the design firm itself. This creates a host of issues regarding what documents are the individual’s versus what documents belong to the company (but that is for a different day).
What is Produced?
Once the design professional reads and understands the subpoena, they can begin identifying and collecting documents that are within the scope of the subpoena. In the section of the subpoena that identifies the documents requested, pay particular attention to what types, forms, and date ranges of documents the subpoena is requesting.
When complying with a subpoena requesting documents, the design professional has a couple of duties. First, there is a duty to provide the documents requested, provided that this process is not overly burdensome, and the documents are accessible. Typically, documents may be produced either in hardcopy or electronically. However, if the subpoena requests a massive number of documents, the court may decide that the subpoena can be satisfied by making the writings and documents reasonably available for inspection by the requesting party.
Second, there is an ongoing duty that remains even after the initial process of document production. If at any point during the law suit the design professional learns that the documents, they provided are either incomplete or incorrect in some material respect, they must promptly and accurately supply the missing or new document(s) to the requesting party.
Conclusion
Design professionals will likely encounter subpoenas requesting documents at some time in their career. While such documents can cause some to be alarmed and others to not be big deal at all, the requirement to respond is the same. There is no need to do it alone. Contacting your professional liability insurance provider (and/or attorney) as soon as practical is the best step to take after being served with a subpoena.
Alison Mullins is a Founding Partner at Shannon Mullins & Wright LLP, and is a Supporting Partner of AIA Northern Virginia Chapter. She may be reached at amullins@smw.law or by calling 571-620-1934. Alison focuses her practice on all aspects of construction law. In particular, she often represents architects, engineers, and others involved in the construction industry.
Luke Marston is a Law Clerk at Shannon Mullins & Wright LLP. He is currently in his second year of law school at George Mason University.
This article is not intended to provide specific legal advice, but instead as general commentary regarding legal matters. You should consult with an attorney regarding your legal issues, as the advice you may receive will depend upon your facts and the laws of your jurisdiction.
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NoVA Member & Program Headlines | |
Anna Barbour, AIA Chosen for Next to Lead
Congratulations to AIA Northern Virginia member, Anna Barbour, AIA as one of seventeen selected participants into the inaugural Next to Lead cohort. Next to Lead is a new pilot association leadership program that removes barriers to AIA leadership positions for ethnically diverse women. It isn't just leadership training. This two-year program is designed to teach essential leadership skills alongside successful, diverse women leaders with decades of experience. It includes a leadership impact capstone - a volunteer leadership opportunity within AIA where you'll serve on a collaborative project developed with a local or state component or with the AIA. Read more.
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More Permits Moving to Permit Arlington
Starting on Tuesday, June 28, applications for the following permits and inspections must be submitted online through Permit Arlington:
• Residential building permit
• Commercial building permit
• Electrical permit
• Elevator permit
• Fire protection systems permit
• Mechanical permit
• Plumbing/gas permit
• Land Disturbing Activity (LDA) permit
• Periodic elevator inspection
• Cross connection control report
Inspection functions (scheduling, checking results, etc.) for building permits and trade permits will no longer be available through the automated phone system or Inspection Detection tool. All functions will move to Permit Arlington. Learn more.
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Leadership Alexandria
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce announces Leadership Alexandria, a dynamic nine month civic-based leadership development program to new and established leaders in Alexandria. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from and speak candidly with the elected officials, public and private sector heads, change makers and innovators who make Alexandria run, as well as experience a leadership development program which delivers new insights for personal and professional growth. In addition, participants will develop lasting friendships with their classmates.
We’re looking for established leaders currently making strong individual contributions in business, government, nonprofit and other realms, who desire to expand their impact, both within their spheres of influence and beyond.
The application deadline is Thursday, June 30th.
Get more information and apply now. If you have questions, contact Maria Ciarrocchi.
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Calling all Exceptional Designs!
Beginning Monday, June 27, Fairfax County will be accepting submissions for the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards. Superior works of architecture, site design and landscaping, and green building projects completed in Fairfax County since January 1, 2017 are eligible for nomination. The awards aim to celebrate and raise awareness of outstanding planning and design projects among design professionals and the general public. Submissions must be sent by email or mail by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022. Take a look at the submission categories, requirements and the entry form on the awards webpage to learn more.
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Inaugural 2022 Design Excellence Awards by Home & Design
Home & Design is pleased to announce our first annual Design Excellence Awards. We’d like to invite you to submit your most exceptional work finished after January 1, 2020. Following a blind judging by a panel of professionals, the winning projects will be published this fall in Home & Design's 2023 Idea Book, and recognized soon after at a special celebration.
Deadline for submissions: July 8, 2022
Project Categories:
• Architecture
• Custom Build
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture/Design
• Kitchen Design
• Bath Design
• Remodel/Design-Build
Designer/firm must be a professional located in DC, Maryland or Virginia. Residential projects only.
Projects must be finished after January 1, 2020.
The entry submission process is completely online.
Please contact Jerry Parks at jparks@homeanddesign.com with any questions regarding the entry process.
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ATTENTION FIRMS!!!
Do you have news to share with the AIA Northern Virginia Community? Complete this form to have your announcements included in an upcoming chapter publication.
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AIA 360 Mentoring: Towards a New Practice
Coming soon this fall: AIA Northern Virginia, AIA DC, and AIA Potomac Valley are teaming up to offer a tri-chapter mentoring program. This year’s theme, “Towards a New Practice” will focus on what it takes to be an architect in a post-pandemic world. Content will focus on hiring and retention, balance at home and in the office, mental health, and flexible work environments. AIA 360 Mentoring is a year-long program where participants with a broad range of experiences develop non-hierarchical relationships with other architectural professionals in a safe and nurturing environment. Groups of 5-6 individuals will be paired to meet up in between full-group general sessions with programing provided by the Chapters. Look out for more information and registration later this summer.
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NCARB ARE® Update
NCARB has recently announced a full-length, fully scored practice exam for each division of the ARE®, available in either Test or Practice mode. All questions are based on objectives outlined in the ARE® 5.0 Guidelines. The practice exams are available for free to all candidates with an active NCARB Record and active exam eligibilities. Find them by logging in to your Record, navigating to the Exams tab, and going to your Practice Exam Dashboard.
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ABI May 2022: Business conditions at architecture firms remain strong despite economic headwinds
While the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 53.5 for the month means that fewer firms reported an increase in billings in May than in April (when the score was 56.5), the majority of firms reported billings growth for the 16th consecutive month. In addition, both inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts ticked up this month, indicating that there is still both strong interest in new projects and a substantial number of projects in the pipeline for which contracts have already been signed. Read more.
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ARE® Prep Sessions - Still time left to register!
Make 2022 the year you get licensed! Join a determined group as we help to prepare them for the ARE® Prep exams. Learn in a virtual group & study and test when you’re ready! Register today!
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Looking for New Career Opportunities: Send AIA NoVA your Resumes
The Chapter maintains a resume bank for those seeking new opportunities. If you wish to include your resume in the resume bank, please send it as a PDF to jobs@aianova.org.
If you are hiring and wish to see resumes from the resume bank, email your request to jobs@aianova.org and indicate what experience level you require, i.e. student, 0-4 years, 5-10 or 11+, and we will email you appropriate resumes.
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The Month Ahead
Get the latest list of continuing education opportunities, committee meetings and activities, plus chapter events.
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June 28
ADUs in Fairfax & Arlington Counties
Review and discuss the zoning and planning requirements in NoVA to increase affordable housing options and density while maximizing occupant comfort. Register Now.
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June 29
WIA Sweatworking:
HITT at MADabolic
Offered in collaboration with AIA|DC’s WLI. Come and join us for these fun In-Person events! This year’s proceeds will benefit the Capital Area Foodbank. Learn more.
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June 29
WIA Sweatworking:
Happy Hour
Offered in collaboration with AIA|DC’s WLI. We sweated together this month, now let's unwind and celebrate with happy hour. Learn more.
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July 11
AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting
Meetings are currently virtual. All are welcome to attend. Email aianova@aianova.org
for the participation link.
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July 15
Design Award Committee Meeting
The committee meets monthly to discuss and produce the annual chapter design awards. Learn more.
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July 16
ARE® Prep: Project Construction & Evaluation
Learn from a professional and use that knowledge to prepare for the ARE®. This session offers 5 AIA LU | HSW credits. Register now.
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July 19
Sustainability in Architectural Design
Earn 1 AIA LU | HSW credit by attending this continuing education opportunity presented by
Loewen Windows and Doors.
Register now.
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July 21
Committee on Architecture in Education (CAE) Meeting
Join the Committee on Architecture for Education for our monthly committee meeting. Learn more.
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Did you hear about the architect who only had aluminum sheets for stationary?
His plans were foiled.
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