Who can say what sparks inspiration, engagement, conversation, connections between a group of professionals all aspiring to a similar goal? Whether attributed to current social environment and economic infrastructure; a volatile political climate. Or the alignment of Mercury climbing farther away from the setting sun (according to NASA satellite tracking), #AIAGrassroots17 was an inspiring week of architects, design professionals, and AIA chapters across the country gathered to not only bring their ideas to the table, but to listen to others.

Attendees and presenters were talking about architecture in different ways than they have in the past. Members were passionate and engaged, forums and presentations were well-attended (as evidenced by the AIACC AEP and AIA New Jersey EPiC. More than 100 in attendance left our EVP, Paul W. Welch, Jr. walking to and fro gathering chairs for the standing-room-only event.)

AIA New Jersey EPiC

Below are a take-aways from two of the AEP Presenters from California. If you were in attendance, these will perhaps resonate, leaving you nodding your head in agreement excitedly remembering the trip two weeks ago. And, if you were not there, then these will serve you equally as well in their information, inspiration and passion. Bottom line: The current leadership is engaged in making the profession and association better. Whatever the current location of the stars and planets, members are ready to ignite the change needed in order to hold the organization to a  higher standard.

Ben Kasdan, AIA, Vice President of the Academy of Emerging Professionals:

Ben Kasdan, AIA

Since it is smaller and more intimate than Convention (now known as Conference on Architecture), it is easier to pull AIA National representatives aside for a quick conversation at Grassroots — as a few members of the AIACC AEP COA did with AIA 1st VP Carl Elefante, FAIA. In addition, I inevitably reconnect with other AIA leaders’ friends from across the country.

The educational sessions are relevant and targeted at leadership and component management. This year, the AIACC AEP joined forces with AIANJ’s EPiC to present a highly anticipated “Building an Emerging Professionals Network.” We hope the attendees left the session with practical tactics and strategies to employ in their home chapters in the next weeks, months, and year.

Despite the new “AIA SpeakUp Advocacy Conference” in the summer, Grassroots still gives architects the best chance to advocate on behalf of the profession with our congressional representatives. The AIACC contingency met with Senator Feinstein’s office again this year about redefining “infrastructure” to include community buildings, not just roads, bridges… or walls.

Washington, DC is a special place; one of the few American cities that was developed following a masterplan. There is so much history there and I always make a point of exploring some of the city and the visiting the amazing museums. I ended up walking the monuments after midnight the night before with other AIACC leaders: Jana Itzen, AIA, Britt Lindberg, AIA, Nicki Dennis-Stephens, Hon. AIACC, and Ian Merker, AIA. It was probably irresponsible to stay up that late, but it was worth it. Another favorite spot in the District is the courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery, with its Foster+Partners-designed undulated roof where Megan Dougherty, Assoc. AIA (whom you will read some thoughts below) and I prepped for our presentation between coloring portraits of Supreme Court Justice RBG for National Women’s Day.

Megan Dougherty, Assoc. AIA, AIA Regional Associate Director:

Megan Dougherty, Assoc. AIA

2. The support system found at AIA Grassroots is unlike any other. Some of the most passionate people in our organization are confined in a hotel together for almost a week. This creates intense bonding, leading to mentorship opportunities and career and life support.

3. I find that I tend to come away from many conferences inspired and energized, but when I walk away from Grassroots I’m also amazed at how productive we can all be in such a short period. This is a conference where decisions are made and seeds are planted.

Contact: Shannon Calder                                                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Assoc. Director of Communications

(916) 642-1718

scalder@aiacc.org

NEW YEAR; NEW PRESIDENT: JANA ITZEN, AIA

The American Institute of Architects, California Council, Announces 2017 President

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC), is proud to introduce 2017 President, Jana Itzen, AIA. She succeeds 2016 president Michael Malinowski, AIA.

The task of leading the nation’s largest AIA component is a humbling honor for Itzen, Principal and Founder of husband and wife Santa Ana architecture firm, Itzen. She knows it will be a challenge and she is excited to take the lead. She looks forward to continuing the focus of vision and proactivity within the AIACC.

Installed in November 2016, the architect was received by a crowd of more than 90 people—many of who were friends, family and longtime supporters. “I’ve been afforded many opportunities in my career and leadership because of those around me making room … I have reached where I am because I stand on the shoulders of others,” she said. Itzen hopes to be the shoulders for others to stand on as well. When asked about those present at her installation she said, “It was very humbling to be surrounded by so many friends, family and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career. I am continually encouraged by their support.”

“She is very proactive and passionate in promoting the value of design. I have every confidence she will lead with courage and dignity as we travel through the strategic initiatives she was instrumental in setting forth.” said Executive Vice President, Paul W. Welch, Jr., Hon. AIA.

Much like her firm, Itzen is curious and inspired by the human experience—their designs encompass the story of the individual. This serves her leadership sensibilities well as she can focus on collaboration forward thinking as it applies to the profession.

For more information on any of the above information—the organization, Itzen, or the AIACC, contact Shannon Calder, at 916.642.1718, or scalder@aiacc.org.

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The AIACC represents the interests of more than 11,000 architects and allied professionals in California.  Founded in 1944, The AIACC’s mission supports architects in their endeavors to improve the quality of life for all Californians by creating more livable communities, sustainable designs and quality work environments. Today, The AIACC is the largest component of the national AIA organization. For more information, visit www.aiacc.org.

How Much Do California Firms Support Their Emerging Professionals on the Path to Licensure?

Becoming a licensed architect is a career milestone, professional accomplishment, and the culmination of education, experience and examination.  In discussions with emerging professionals and with firm leaders, the AIA California Council heard different perceptions about the levels of support that firms provide to emerging professionals on their paths to licensure.  The AIA California Council, as part of its mission to promote licensure, conducted separate surveys of emerging professionals and of architecture firms throughout California to better understand in more tangible terms what emerging professionals and firm leaders respectively value about licensure and what each group thinks firms are providing to actively support and promote licensure.

15 questions were asked in both of the surveys. While there are areas of commonality, there are also areas where emerging professionals and firm leaders hold different perceptions.  Click here to view the full report and to see where the differences in perception were most pronounced.

This year, Ben Kasdan, AIA, the Vice President of the Academy of Emerging Professionals, received AIA National’s 2017 Young Architects Award. An award program which recognizes exceptional leadership as well as specific contributions made to the architectural profession, Kasdan has already shown initiative, leadership, passion and support for those on the path to licensure. Rather than regale you, the reader, with more rhetoric about the award and Kasdan’s many attributes, the AIACC thought it better to give you some personal insight as to what this award, and the profession means to him.

Emerging Professionals are the future of the profession, but in many ways they are also already the present of the profession. The talent, skill, and dedication exhibited by Emerging Professionals in California never ceases to amaze. Not only are Emerging Professionals making meaningful contributions to their communities but their designs also participate in the contemporary discourse of architecture in a significant way every day.

Photo Credit: Thomas Pellicer

The AIA California Council’s Academy for Emerging Professionals (AEP) exists to be the voice of Emerging Professionals in California and to advocate on their behalf. A important aspect of this advocacy effort is the celebration of the achievements by Emerging Professionals and their collateral supporters, and the AEP Awards one of the primary mechanisms by which that honor is bestowed on an annual basis. The AEP Awards are given to outstanding Architecture Students, Associate Members, Young Architects, Architectural Educators, Local AIA Chapters, and Architecture Firms in California.

Winning an AEP Award does not increase that winner’s contributions to the profession, but it does indicate an appreciation of their efforts in a public setting. AEP Award winners find recognition beyond their firms in a format that is readily accessible to all members. It reinforces a collective feeling of appreciation for the hours of hard work, myriad personal sacrifices, and altruistic intentions that have already been invested into one’s blossoming career, regardless of their professional title. Hopefully, the AEP Awards program serves as catalyst for encouraging even more great work, appreciation for future sacrifices, and heralded intentions for improving the profession and our communities.

Ultimately the AEP exists to promote the value of Emerging Professionals. The AEP Awards exist to highlight the value that Emerging Professionals’ contributions have already made in the profession.

For those of you headed to Grassroots 2017 next week, be sure to attend the presentation he, along with other cohorts, colleagues and peers are giving. And stay tuned to the AIACC website for our Washington, D.C. correspondence.

For the past 18 months, Senate Bill 1132, the bill that would allow those working on their architecture license to use the interim title “Architect-in-Training,” was at the forefront and a primary objective on the AIACC list of advocacy projects to pursue.

Here’s a quick map of the progress SB 1132 made in 2016:

Passed the First Hearing

Bill Advances.

Bill passes State Assembly

And then approved by State Legislature

However, the AIACC received the veto message from Gov. Brown on Sept. 25. In two succinct yet articulate paragraphs, the Governor declined to sign it. Click here to read the actual message, the letter that sits on the desk of our Director of Regulatory Affairs and Director of Legislative Affairs. He basically stated the word architect should be reserved for those who are licensed.

We had hoped, of course, that we would be able to convince him to sign the bill.  In addition to the petition signed by 270 Assoc. AIA Members supporting SB 1132, we delivered a letter signed by some principals of firms from the Oakland area, that the Governor would recognize, and Kurt was able to secure a fantastic letter from Barry Wasserman, FAIA, who was Gov. Brown’s State Architect in the late 70s and early 80s.

But, as Director of Legislative Affairs, Mark Christian, was informed by the AIACC contract lobbyist a few weeks ago, this governor has a history of not supporting new “licensing laws” (yes, this bill was not a new licensing law, but it dealt with a licensing law).

It’s been a long haul and arduous fight. Our members called and we rose to the occasion. We will continue to do our best to protect the interests of the architects and the profession. Perhaps this will be on trial again in 2019.

AIA Grassroots 2017, held Mar. 8 -10 proved to be a powerful and enlightening trip for many. Megan Dougherty, Assoc. AIA, who was a presenter, said, “Grassroots is one of my favorite conferences because it brings together passionate people from around the country and provides for great networking opportunities and leadership training.

The panel on which she participated, which also included California architect and Vice President of the Academy of Emerging Professionals, Ben Kasdan, AIA along with two other participants from New Jersey, and moderated by AIACC’s Nicki Dennis Stephens, sparked conversation, which is exactly what Dougherty was hoping for. “Our panel led to a great breakout session where we helped component leaders strategize their short term and long term goals for their component’s EP groups..

She was taken aback pleasantly surprised by the all the active active participation sharing.

But don’t just take AIACC’s word for it. Photos can be worth much more than words. Just look at the networking and sharing in progress and see for yourself.