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Newsletter

December 2024

Graphic by Martin Yeeles martinyeeles.com Ystudio.design

AIA California Desert 40th. Anniversary

January 1, 2025

Annual Meeting

AIA California Desert Annual Meeting Announcement



AIA California Desert proudly celebrated its Annual Meeting, where elections determined the new Board for 2025–2026. The event included in-person voting, presided over by current President Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA, who presented the proposed slate and the electronic voting results.

Richard Hobbs, FAIA, conducted the installation ceremony, swearing in Geoff Gregory, AIA, of Gregory Architects as the new President.

The newly elected Two-year Term Board members include:


Board Officers:

  • President: Geoff Gregory, AIA – Gregory Architects
  • Secretary: Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA – H3K Interior Design Studio
  • Treasurer: Tod Verwers, AIA, MAA – Todd Verwers Architects

Board of Directors:

  • Michelle Yeeles, Assoc. AIA – Y Studio Design
  • Bing Bu, AIA – INCLS (aka One Design)
  • Nader Ghassemlou, Assoc. AIA – Objekt Studio
  • Marina Acosta, Assoc. AIA – COD Faculty

AIA California Representative:

  • Lance O'Donnell, AIA – o2 Architecture

Executive Director:

  • Jorge Garcia, Assoc. AIA – Garcia Design Associates


Congratulations to all the newly elected leaders, and thank you for taking on these roles to support our local profession and community. We look forward to your endeavors in advancing architecture in our unique desert region! 

Membership

Renew Your AIA Membership by January 15, 2025  

Keep Your Benefits and Professional Connections Flowing!

As the new year approaches, it’s time to renew your AIA membership and ensure uninterrupted access to the exclusive benefits that empower your career and professional growth.  

From continuing education and networking events to advocacy resources and industry insights, your AIA membership keeps you connected to a vibrant community of professionals shaping the future of architecture. Don’t miss out—renew today to continue enjoying these invaluable resources. 

Renew your membership & get unlimited access to LU|HSWs for only $80.

Important Reminder:

Annual dues must be paid by January 15, 2025. Late renewals will not be prorated or discounted, so act now to secure your membership benefits for the upcoming year.  

Quick and Easy Renewal 

The fastest way to renew is online:  

Architect & Associate Renewals  

Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, inspiration, and collaboration. Renew today and stay connected with AIA California Desert!  


Join AIA
Renew AIA
 A Year in Review

Re-Cap of 2024

 

Our Annual Meeting was held at the office of Board Member Lance O’Donnell, AIA, of o2 Architecture on December 5th. Thank you to Lance and his staff for hosting us!

 

If you missed the meeting, here’s a re-cap of the year…

 

SOME OVERALL STATISTICS:

 

Membership increased!

50 members in January 2022 growing to 71 members currently.

 

Our first vendor sponsors signed up to be part of our Chapter. We welcome these folks and we look forward to growing our relationships in the future. Big thank you to:

 

Precision Property Measurements

Cameron Slatterbeck, Regional Director Southern California.


Pacific Stone Supply

Brandon Schaeffer and Julie Cieslikowski Evans,Owners.


Willis

Paul Holguin, Material Application Specialist.


 

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

 

 January

  •  Lots of behind-the-scenes transition work between Jorge Garcia and Florence Hagstrom to get our new Executive Director up and running
  • Publication of the first electronic newsletter by Jorge Garcia – which continued to be issued each month with new content

 

  February

  • Two participants from the office of o2 attended the AIA AEP (Academy of Emerging Professionals) in Sacramento and we provided stipends to both attendees
  •  Joint social event with AIA Inland CA chapter during Modernism Week. We met up at the PS Architecture and Design Museum for the Frey exhibit with a gathering at the Drift designed by o2 afterward
  •  Jorge Garcia attended the AIA Leadership Summit in Washington DC

 

  March

  • First joint office tour at the offices of Gregory Architects and Austin Ashley & Vance – both in Palm Desert. Thank you to members Geoffrey Gregory, Chiara Gregory and Austin Davis for hosting us!
  •  Lunch and Learn #1 at o2; Engineered Wood: A Carbon Solution by RedBuilt (1 LU/HSW)

 

April

  •  AIA / COD event – professionals and students presenting projects to each other at the College of Desert

 

 June

  •  Richard Hobbs and Jorge Garcia led that charge to re-open the relationship with Modernism Week for Fall 2024 and into 2025 
  • Lunch and Learn #2 at the Palm Springs Surf Club. Topic was Residential Human Centric Lighting sponsored by Lutron and Audio Visions (1 LU/HSW)

 

July

  • CD members entered design projects to the Inland California Design Awards program. Members Mark Daniels and Lance O’Donnell were award winners. Lance winning “Best in Show”
  •  Bowling event sponsored by Ashley & Vance. Overall high score kudos to Jorge, Todd and Austin      


 

 August

  • Jorge Garcia attended the Council of Architectural Component Executives in Minneapolis, MN

 

September

  • Thirsty Thursday Social at Grapefruit Basil in Palm Desert
  •  Presentation by Gaggenau at WDC in La Quinta

 

October

  •  Thirsty Thursday social and educational tour at Ocotillo Lodge (CEU credits available). Thank you to Board Member Todd Verwers for hosting us!

 

November

  • Social and educational lectures at Whitewater Preserve and at the home of New Board Member Nader Ghassemlou (CEU credits available). Thank you for hosting us!

 

PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS PRESENTED TO:

 

·        Bing Bu, AIA – Newly licensed architect! Congratulations!

 

·        Jorge Garcia, Assoc. AIA – Thank you for the inception of the monthly e-newsletters which have been sent out each month with new content, chapter history, promoting members and sponsors

 

·        Austin Davis – for creating the Thirsty Thursdays and for being our social coordinator. We wish Austin a farewell as he prepares to move back to Bend, Oregon. He will be missed!

 

·        Richard Hobbs, FAIA – who got us back into the fold again with Modernism Week and supported Jorge Garcia to get us qualified with 20 lectures earning CEU credits in 2025 and who has always been my personal behind the scenes mentor

 

 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2024 BOARD MEMBERS!

 

Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA – President

Geoff Gregory, AIA – Treasurer and President Elect

Lee Campbell, AIA – Secretary

Jorge Garcia, Assoc. AIA – Executive Director

Bing Bu, AIA - Director

Todd Verwers, AIAs - Director

Marina Acosta, Assoc. AIA - Director

Lance O’Donnell, AIA – CA representative and Past President

Molly Glaab – Student COD representative

Austin Davis – Social chair

 

Our 2024 Sponsors

A Big Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors


As we close out the year, we extend our deepest gratitude to our 2024 sponsors who trusted us and joined us on this incredible journey. Your support has been invaluable in empowering our local architects, providing essential learning opportunities, and creating memorable events for our members.


Your contributions have made a lasting impact and strengthened the bond between us, turning this partnership into a cherished friendship and a professional family.


Thank you once again for your dedication and generosity. We look forward to continuing this partnership in 2025, building on our shared success and camaraderie. Together, we shape the future of architecture in our community!

Celebrating 40 Years: A Look Back at Our Chapter's History

The 1997 and 1998 Board Members

40th Anniversary Celebration

SAVE THE DATE!


EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE…

STAY TUNED FOR THE OFFICIAL EVENT INVITATION IN EARLY JANUARY

FOR NOW, SAVE THE DATE!


AIA California Desert Chapter

40th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, February 15, 2024

3:00 - 6:00 pm

at The Black House

Designed by Cioffi Architect and founding Chapter Member James Cioffi





2024 AIA California Desert

Holiday Message

Kathy's Message

A Note From our President, Kathy Friedle...


And just like that…2024 is nearly over!


Hello California Desert Members!

 

As we are almost upon the end of the year, I wish you and your family a very Happy Holiday! It’s always so crazy at this time of year (project deadlines combined with the frenzy of holiday preparations), but try to take a deep breath and enjoy the little moments.


If you have traditions, cherish them. And it’s always fun to try new things - which may be so much fun they become your new traditions.


It’s been a pleasure to have been your President for the past two years. If you’ve been actively involved with the Chapter, you know it has not always been easy.


Sometimes I’d get frustrated by lots of (volunteer) work and not a lot of member participation. In my first year (2023) when most of us were new to the board, we had some growing pains.


That said, this board is a thoughtful, intelligent and all-around awesome group of tenacious professionals and we found our way and hit our stride.


I must say that in looking back at 2024, this has been a great year of growth for the chapter and I am optimistic about our future.


I’m happy to report that the current board is staying on and was voted in unanimously. We have two new incredible board members – welcome to Michele Yeeles and Nader Ghassemlou.


And last but certainly not least, I’m handing over the reins to our fantastic new California Desert Chapter President – Geoffrey Gregory! Geoffrey was our President-elect and treasurer.

We’ve been working together over the past year to have a smooth transition and Geoff is ready to take on the leadership of the Chapter and provide our membership with wonderful opportunities over the next two years.


Geoff has already kicked off our preliminary planning session for 2025 with lots of educational and fun opportunities for us. Stay tuned for great things to come!



Thanks,


Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA

President, AIA California Desert

 

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