AIA Central Virginia is excited to bring community and resources to our small firm community with the launch of a local AIA CV Small Firms Exchange (SFx). Following the mission and vision of the AIA National Small Firms Exchange, The AIA CV SFx will look to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms.
From the national SFx description, the objectives of the AIA SFx are as follows:
1. Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.
2. Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information, from the AIA & elsewhere, that benefit small firms.
3. Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.
Our local Small Firms Exchange will be co-chaired by C.J. LaMora, AIA, Principal at Circle Square Cross Architecture and Dan Zimmerman, AIA , Co-Founder and Principal at Alloy Workshop. Dan is also the AIA National Small Firms Exchange Representative for Virginia.
C.J. and Dan know about running small firms. Circle Square Cross - a small 3-person firm first formed in 2021 during the pandemic with projects in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. - was founded on the concept of remote work and making sure that each member is happy and healthy in their personal lives before they come to work. CSC focuses on residential architecture of all scales from bathroom renovations up to custom single-family homes and 40-unit apartment buildings. Alloy Workshop - a design-build architecture & construction firm specializing in residential and commercial remodeling and custom homes - has been a staple in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Architecture practice space. Testimonials show how much Alloy Workshop cares about their clients and their employees. Each member of the Alloy team gets the service of the entire company for a day to work on personal projects!
Some thoughts from our co-chairs:
“The Small Firm Exchange has been a place for me to find community, resources, and sound advice as I was starting my firm. In moving to Charlottesville and noting that new firms didn’t have the same resource, it was important to me to find a way to create that space. It is my hope that we can create a forum in which we thrive together as a community and highlights the creativity and insight that Small Firms possess. “ C.J. LaMora, AIA
“I am interested in helping C.J.'s efforts to link resources at the National level to our local members and vice versa. I am a big fan of small firms and have been amazed by the breadth of work and expertise I've been exposed to during my involvement with SFx. “ Dan Zimmerman, AIA
JOIN US for our inaugural AIA Central Virginia Small Firms Exchange meeting - AND SHUFFLEBOARD!
Join us for the Kickoff meeting of the CENTRAL VIRGINIA SMALL FIRM EXCHANGE
Come compete in the Shuffleboard Showdown and get to know other CVA small firm members
WED October 30th, 5:30-7:30pm.
Hosted by Dan Zimmerman of Alloy Architecture and Construction (1101 Sherwood Road, Charlottesville VA)
Light fare and drinks curtesy of AIA Central Virginia!
*This event was originally the 16th, but now reschedule to October 30th.