Summer Newsletter 2023

SUPPORT THE AIA VA PAC

Each year AIA VA hosts the ‘PAC Challenge’ to raise awareness about the work of the AIA VA PAC and funds for their important work. AIA CV has won 4 of the last 5 years - receiving $1,000 each time to fund Architecture Week Events - but we’re falling behind this year!

We need your help! Please:

• Invest in the PAC here - you can donate as a member or a firm, every dollar counts.

• Spread the word: like AIA PAC posts and encourage your peers to donate.

about aia va pac

Through the AIA Virginia PAC, we support candidates who understand the architecture profession. When these candidates win, they bring that understanding to the General Assembly and to issues that are important us and the built environment.

Our policy makers and politicians are the stewards of our built infrastructure. The work that they do impacts the work that we do in so many ways. Every day, they’re called upon to make important decisions that impact the design of our communities — procurement, funding, zoning, transportation, preservation, taxation.

They need our advice. Architects and designers are perfectly positioned to be the authoritative resource for design, building, resiliency, sustainability and related policy issues. If legislators aren’t getting advice from us, they’ll be getting it from
someone else.

A strong PAC is critical to our advocacy efforts and is completely funded by donations from members just like you. Remember: membership dues will never be used to support a political candidate. Read FAQs about our PAC giving.

> PLEASE Invest in the PAC Today!

ARCHITECTURE WEEK!

This May, the Board was proud to host our first in person Architecture Week in 4 years! Our wonderful members showed up and had a blast - with over 70 people in attendance for two building tours and a movie night. Thanks to everyone who helped make it possible, especially the Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Landscape Designers, and Owners who led us through their inspiring projects.

Enjoy a few images and a brief description of the festivities:

TOUR of the Award Winning CODE Building (1 HSW | LU, TUE MAY 23)
Thanks to Fred Wolf / Wolf Ackerman), Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect, and Hourigan Construction for leading an incredible tour of the Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (CODE) building - winner of the 2023 AIA National Honor Award and certified LEED Platinum. This 10-story 215,000 SF commercial office building on Charlottesville’s historic pedestrian mall includes a 15,000 SF co-working suite, auditorium, and retail food stalls - and it’s a case study in green building.

We learned how the design improves occupant health and recycles over 45% of the stormwater on site - while reducing its carbon footprint and energy use relative to industry benchmarks. After the tour we enjoyed a reception in the CODE Lobby - thanks to Mudhouse and Pearl Island Catering for the tasty food and drinks!
> Read full description here

MOVIE NIGHT at the Violet Crown! (THU MAY 25)
We were excited to bring back Movie Night with a private screening of The Human Shelter at the Violet Crown. We enjoyed popcorn, drinks, and snacks before hearing from The Haven ‘s Ocean Aiello, Community Engagement Coordinator, about the important work they provide as a multi-resource day shelter and housing resource center in downtown Charlottesville.

TOUR of Apex Plaza, a Net Positive Mass Timber Project (1 HSW | LU, TUE MAY 30)
We had a wonderful visit at the Apex Plaza, thanks to William McDonough + Partners, Staengl Engineers, Hourigan Construction, and the incredible team at Apex Clean Energy! Thanks for welcoming us into your space and providing such an in depth tour!

Members heard about all stages of the project development, learned about the joys and challenges of mass-timber construction and designing a net-energy-positive office building. and a delicious reception by Pearl Island Catering provided a delicious reception, and we were happy to see so many members and provide them 1 HSW LU credit!
> Read full description here

EMERGING PROFESSIONALS

Springpoint + line and grade

The EPs enjoyed a wide-ranging conversation with Dan Heyer (Principal and Civil Engineer at Line and Grade) and Craig Swift (Owner and Structural Engineer at Springpoint Structural), from firm culture, how to respond to adversity, being comfortable saying “I don’t know”, to how to win work (hint: it’s all about relationships). Special thanks to the incredible team of Emerging Professionals they brought from their office to discuss their work and career experience!
> Read the full story here

ERWIN-RAMSEY FELLOWSHIP

On July 14th Jo Blount (M.Arch ’25 and Executive Assistant, Cville Public Housing Association of Residents) culminated the fifth year of the Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship with a workshop focused on the long-term accountability and success of Charlottesville’s rezoning.  

This marked another outstanding year of the Fellowship program, which is hosted by BRW Architects. The Fellowship’s mission is to “deepen architectural contributions to the town of Charlottesville where the firm has worked for nearly 40 years.” Each year’s Erwin-Ramsey Fellow has raised the bar for architectural community work and scholarship that is directly informed by affordability, equitability, and Charlottesville’s socioeconomic landscape.

In just under a month, Jo developed a tool for continuing resident engagement around Charlottesville (re)zoning and affordability. Her goal was to build on the existing resident engagement initiatives which have already taken place throughout the rezoning process. By building on that existing foundation, Jo created a “road map” for community members to continue to shape the development taking place around them in relation to Charlottesville’s Comprehensive Plan.

A workshop highlight was learning about the tools for accountability being used by other cities in the U.S. These tracking tools are helping to ensure local development meets the affordability and resident outreach goals articulated by their local governments. This idea was picked up by several workshop attendees as a real possibility for Charlottesville. The workshop also sought community feedback on the physical pamphlet itself. Attendee feedback will now be incorporated into the final product which will eventually include a web-friendly version.

The event was held at the newly renovated Crescent Hall community meeting space. It was important that a workshop focused on community outreach take place in an accessible location for public housing residents. In attendance were PHAR and BRW staff, public housing residents, and a number of other representatives from Charlottesville’s affordable housing community.

Also in attendance was the inaugural 2019 Erwin-Ramsey Fellow, Amanda Harlow, who is currently Residential Planning & Design Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville.

The Erwin-Ramsey Fellowship was established in 2019 by BRW Architects Principals Bruce Wardell, AIA and Kurt Keesecker, AIA. The Fellowship is hosted annually by the firm and is open to 4th year and Masters candidates at UVA. The work produced by previous Fellow can be found in greater detail on the BRW Architects website.

BRW would like to thank Jo for a spectacular 2023 Fellowship and CRHA and Crescent Hall for the use of the community meeting space.

THE HAVEN - RADICAL HOSPITATLITY

The Haven is a multi-resource day shelter and housing resource center in Charlottesville that endeavors to end homelessness in the greater Charlottesville community.

Motivated by radical hospitality, we strive to be the point of entry for people seeking stable housing. We open the doors wide for any and everyone, no matter their circumstances. Every day, our trained staff and dedicated community volunteers come together, working side by side to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring for our neighbors.

Ocean Aiello joined AIA CV Members at the Violet Crown Theater on May 25, and delivered a version of this speech:

History

At the time of The Haven’s inception, the closest thing to a day shelter was the public library. Still the case in many communities, it’s a place where you can warm up, cool down, and find water without having to purchase something, or fear of harassment.

That was the case when a grassroots group of downtown Charlottesville stakeholders – librarians, local residents and church members – came together determined to start a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Hollywood film director/UVA alum Tom Shadyac in town, purchased and renovated what was then First Christian Church with the primary goal of being a one-stop-shop for people experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty to get their basic needs met.

We officially opened our doors in 2010 with the purpose of offering a safe, low-barrier, non-judgmental place to eat a hearty breakfast, showers, laundry, computers, mail services; every single day of the year from 7am-5pm. In 2022, more than 440 unique human beings used Day Shelter services and the kitchen served over 17,000 locally-sourced breakfasts.

The day shelter is a central meeting place for community partners: where folks can get help procuring a photo ID (without a photo ID, you cannot rent an apartment, apply for a new job, or apply for public benefits), meet with UVA medical staff at our weekly clinic, access basic hygiene items, and receive referrals to other critical resources such as clothing, bikes, eyeglasses. What we do best: help people feel human again.

Homelessness is an incredibly dehumanizing experience- living extremely public existence as well as being isolated from most parts of mainstream society (note: street homelessness is only one “type” of homelessness, although often the most visible. The reality is, there are MANY individuals and families doubled up or tripled up with family and friends, sleeping in cars, paying for hotel rooms, staying in overnight shelters that are often invisible to the public eye).

Housing First

This informs the unique principles that we endeavor to embody in all our work at The Haven. We respond to individuals with radical hospitality, unconditional positive regard, and a commitment to the principles of the Housing First approach. We strive to be anti-racist, trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based. I’ll dip into one of those principles, which is the overture to everything we do: Housing First.

Here’s what we know about Housing First: We know everyone can thrive in housing. We know that it is much easier to care for chronic conditions, find childcare, access mental health supports, reconnect with the community, when you have the foundation of a safe and stable place to live. We know that research from the National Alliance to End Homelessness shows that communities realize a net savings in $20-30k in community resources per year for every person experiencing homelessness the community houses. Housing First asserts what we already know: that housing is the solution to homelessness.

Haven Housing Department and Programs

While the work of our Day Shelter is essential to community health and wellbeing, people who are only sheltered are people who remain homeless. Recognizing this, The Haven opened our Housing Department so we could assist people in exiting homelessness as quickly and safely as possible via the Rapid Rehousing Program.

The program provides rental subsidies, in accordance with the Housing First model, to community members experiencing literal homelessness. Literally homeless people are people who sleep in shelters, in cars, in buildings not fit for human habitation, or outside. Our Housing Advocates build relationships with local landlords, navigate housing, and provide stabilizing case management, because we know that housing first does not mean housing only. Every year, we help more than 50 people exit literal homelessness through this Rapid Rehousing program.

In addition to managing the region’s Rapid Rehousing program, we also administer Homelessness Prevention fund to help community members at imminent risk of homelessness maintain housing. Funds to cover the cost of a security deposit at a new residence or pay rental arrears at their current unit, among other things. Critical, less visible piece to ending homelessness. Every year The Haven helps almost 100 people avoid experiencing homelessness through the Prevention Program.

Both of these programs are funded with federal and state dollars. True to our commitment to meet people where they are, The Haven has created our own, privately supported, Haven Housing Fund to support community members who do not qualify for other programs, to successfully leave homelessness.

Many don’t need supportive services, typically have encountered catastrophic life events (losing job, illness, losing primary earner), re-entering after incarceration, need a one-time burst of financial assistance. The Haven Housing Fund moves 50 people out of homelessness in Charlottesville each year.

Closing

Homelessness is varied and unique and no individual’s experience is the same. Everyone we meet is moving from a point of crisis to stability. I hope you take something away from today, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS

AIA Central Virginia > calendar

Cville Revit User Group: Roundtable Workshop, WED SEP 13, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30pm.
Together we will walk through the challenges we face when modeling walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs to represent real-world construction methods. We will address techniques to work within the limitations of the software for optimal graphic output. This is a great opportunity to develop BIM modeling skills to improve the quality of construction documents in any type of AEC firm on any type of project. Lastly, we will look at new BIM technologies and assess if the solutions they provide outweigh the cost of implementing the product.
> Full information and registration here

VANOMA: Spotlight Featuring Mira Abdalla of VMDO, THU SEP 21, 6:00 - 7:30pm. Join us in-person at VMDO in Charlottesville, Virginia for this month’s VANOMA Spotlight, featuring Mira Abdalla. Mira is a designer at VMDO as well as an active participant of the AIA Virginia Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA) Class of 2023. Registration is required for all attendees. Click below to reserve your spot for the event!
Note, optional virtual attendance is available via Zoom.
> More information here

UVA: New Frontiers in Black Placemaking, MON SEP 25, 5:00 - 6:00pm.
Panel with Dr. Ashley Adams, Denise Kadara, Dr. Timothy E. Nelson, La Barbara James Wigfall; Moderated by Dr. Andrea Roberts — Part of the 2023 Sara Shallenberger Brown Cultural Landscapes and Sites Symposium. A companion exhibition, Afrotopias of the West is on view in the Campbell Hall Corner Gallery, September 18–October 27. 
> Full details here

ELA Applications to AIA CV, DUE OCT 2, 2023.
ELA is an intensive program of educational sessions structured around presentations, discussions, team exploration, analysis, consensus-building, collaboration, and case study activities undertaken over the course of a year by a small cadre of participants selected for their potential to be outstanding contributors to the profession and the community. AIA CV selects one member to attend ELA before applications are due to AIA VA (on NOV 10th) - apply now!
> Learn more here

Cville Revit User Group: Roundtable Workshop, WED NOV 8, 2023, 12:30 - 1:30pm.
Together we will walk through the challenges we face when modeling walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs to represent real-world construction methods. We will address techniques to work within the limitations of the software for optimal graphic output. This is a great opportunity to develop BIM modeling skills to improve the quality of construction documents in any type of AEC firm on any type of project. Lastly, we will look at new BIM technologies and assess if the solutions they provide outweigh the cost of implementing the product.
> Full information and registration here

AIA Virginia

CSI VA, CVCSI Exam Prep , EVERY TUE 8/1 - 10/31, 8:00-9:00pm.
CVCSI, CDT Registration / Construction Documents Technology Course Series. The course is a fundamental comprehensive study of the standard: writing, interpretation, enforcement, and management of construction documents; and the roles and responsibilities of members involved in the project delivery process, from project conception through to facility occupation and life cycle activities.
> More information here

ELA Applications OPEN, DUE NOV 10, 2023.
ELA is an intensive program of educational sessions structured around presentations, discussions, team exploration, analysis, consensus-building, collaboration, and case study activities undertaken over the course of a year by a small cadre of participants selected for their potential to be outstanding contributors to the profession and the community. Facilitators and mentors who are established leaders in the building, finance, non-profit, development, university, legal, consulting, and design professions and in the community at large develop and deliver the sessions, designed to provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills related to specific areas of leadership and practice.
> Learn more here

2023 ACE Virginia Forum: Keys to the Virginia Building Code, SEP 14, 2:00 - 5:00pm.
Join us on September 14 in Lynchburg to hear from local government building officials about concerns/issues with implementing the building code. Bring your questions! This event will help the AEC industry build relationships with building officials and offers networking with peers and colleagues.
AIA Member Ticket $75 | 2 LU|HSW
> Register here

ArchEx ‘23: Save the Date, NOV 1-3 in Richmond VA!
Architecture Exchange East is bringing together the brightest minds and most engaging speakers for AIA Virginia’s annual reunion of the profession.  Mark your calendar for Nov. 1-3, 2023! Reconnect with your industry peers and forge new relationships at Architecture Exchange East. Get inspired by new work, emerging research, and the latest technologies.

Visions for Architecture 2023 will be held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Hippodrome in Richmond. A cocktail social will follow the awards celebration.
> Details and Proposal Form here

AIA National

AIA Updates Framework for Design Excellence New updates to AIA’s premier design resource aim to create a built environment that is healthy, resilient, equitable, and zero carbon. This represents the “highest principles of architecture,” according to Allison Anderson, FAIA, 2022, chair, Framework for Design Excellence task group on the Committee on Climate Action and Design Excellence.  The Framework acts as a set of questions architects can ask of themselves or their clients to result in better buildings.
> Learn more here

YAF Connection AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) has a new newsletter
> Check it out

YAF Mission 2130 Charette Findings Mission 2130 was an application-based attendee event organized by the Young Architects Forum (YAF) held at the August Wilson Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The summit sought to respond to critical issues present in the profession that early career architects are uniquely poised to answer. Mission 2130 hosted 50 architects and industry professionals from across the nation to address challenges the profession will face in the next 100 years, focusing on Architecture, Society, and our Planet. This document is a report outlining the findings from the Summit.
> Check it out

MillerKnoll Scholarship 2023 MillerKnoll will sponsor emerging professionals seeking licensure to attend the 2023 Healthcare Design Expo and Conference (HCD), the fall conference of the Center for Health Design (CHD)/AIA Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH). The conference will be held November 4-7, 2023.
> Check it out