December 18, 2023

Quinn Evans named 2024 winner of the AIA Architecture Firm Award

Daniel Roche | The Architect’s Newspaper

Photo by Justin Maconochie

“The greenest building is the one that is already built.” This mantra, alongside four decades of design excellence, earned Quinn Evans Architects the 2024 AIA Architecture Firm Award. The firm—with offices in Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Detroit; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Richmond, Virginia; and Madison, Wisconsin—has been recognized by the AIA for demonstrating a commitment to sustainable design, adaptive reuse, and social empowerment.

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Categories: AIA Detroit News  

Kimberly Dowdell Set to Make History as the AIA’s First Black Woman and Millennial President

December 13, 2023 | HOK

With a slogan of ‘#MoreIn24,’ Dowdell brings new energy and a fresh perspective to the AIA.

Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, 2024 president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is the first Black woman and, at only 40, the first Millennial elected to this role. She’ll be inaugurated as the 100th AIA president in a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 15. In her current position as a principal and director of strategic relationships at HOK, Dowdell brings a diverse background encompassing architecture, public service, development, and academia. This Q&A offers insights into her experiences and ambitions as AIA president.

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Categories: AIA Detroit News  
November 27, 2023

Michigan Adopts New Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical Codes

The State of Michigan is formally adopting new mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes effective March 12, 2024.

These include:

To learn more about these new codes, click the links above.

City of Detroit Project Wins 2023 National Planning Award

Lorynn Holloway | Quinn Evans

The Cody Rouge & Warrendale YOUTH-CENTRIC Neighborhood Framework Plan, with Quinn Evans’ Principal Saundra Little, FAIA, LEED AP, NOMA and Director of Diversity and Inclusion as Community Engagement Specialist, has been honored with the American Planning Association’s 2023 National Planning Award for Planning Excellence.

The annual awards are highly significant as they recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in urban and regional planning, serving as a prestigious platform to showcase innovative approaches that improve communities and influence policy discussions. They inspire and promote excellence in the field, driving positive change and raising public awareness about the importance of responsible planning practices.

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Categories: AIA Detroit News  
October 30, 2023

Meet this year’s CKLDP Co-chairs!

AIA Detroit is pleased to announce the 2024 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Co-chairs, Cynthia Saadeh and Rutali Joshi! Cynthia and Rutali were part of the 2023 CKLDP Cohort, and we are excited to have them onboard, guiding this year’s group of Scholars. 

About the Co-chairs:

Dr. Rutali Joshi is a Sr. Design Researcher at HKS. Her strong foundation in research methodology positions her to support the health practice by developing evidence-based design solutions that impact human experience, behavior, and safety. She has extensively conducted research in a variety of healthcare settings ranging from domestic violence shelter homes and homes for the aging population to emergency departments, inpatient settings, operating rooms, and ambulatory surgery centers. She is extremely passionate about translating complex research concepts and findings to actionable design strategies using visual means. She is a speaker at several national and international conferences and actively publishes in scholarly journals.

 

Cynthia Saadeh, a designer at Quinn Evans, brings a blend of architectural and interior design expertise to her work. She believes in the seamless fusion of these disciplines to craft innovative and sustainable structures and environments, paving the way for a brighter future.

Cynthia’s leadership philosophy revolves around collaboration and support. She knows that our field thrives when we work together. Cynthia firmly believes that personal and professional growth go hand in hand, which is why she is committed to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle alongside her career pursuits.

She lives by Heraclitus’ timeless wisdom: “Change is the only constant in life.” This reflects her adaptability and her unwavering dedication to progress and evolution.


Interested in the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program? Visit https://aiadetroit.com/ckldp-apply/ to learn more!

Categories: AIA Detroit News  

2024 AIA Detroit Board Nominees

Please join the AIA Detroit Board and membership at our 2023 Annual Meeting, taking place on Tuesday, November 14th, at AECOM in Detroit, beginning at 6:00pm.

This meeting will include the annual report to the membership and the election of the 2024 AIA Detroit Board of Directors. We will discuss what the AIA Detroit Board has been working on internally this year and reveal our new Annual Sponsor Package.  The Annual Meeting is one of the few times throughout the year that AIA Detroit can reflect on our progress and discuss the future of the organization with our members.

Food and beverages will be provided. We hope you will attend!

Those unable to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting may request an absentee ballot by emailing elections@aiadetroit.com with your name and AIA Member number by November 13, 5:00pm.  Absentee ballots must be completed by 12:00pm on November 14th. (You must be an AIA Detroit Member in good standing to vote)

RSVP Here for the 2023 Annual Meeting

GET TO KNOW THIS YEAR’S SLATE OF CANDIDATES…

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Categories: AIA Detroit News   Membership  
October 11, 2023

Apply for the AIA Detroit 2024 Scholarships!

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?
We are offering up to two scholarships: (1) $2,500 and (1) $3,000.  The 2024 scholarships are a joint program between AIA Detroit and AIA National, who awarded our component $1,000 in funding!

PURPOSE:
The scholarships are created to support and foster a diverse profession that is representative of our greater chapter community. AIA Detroit is committed to supporting the next generation of licensed architects and recognizes that diversity in the profession starts by diversifying the pipeline to the profession and supporting individuals along the long path toward becoming licensed architects.

The AIA Detroit Scholarships are being established to recognize deserving architecture students who will be attending a NAAB-accredited institution within our chapter boundary (University of Detroit Mercy and Lawrence Technological University) or whose permanent residence is in the AIA Detroit chapter boundary (Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne counties) and is enrolled in a NAAB-accredited institution elsewhere.

Scholarship funds can be applied towards tuition, books, and other educational-related fees.

The scholarships intend to support future BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or women architects as we aim to have our profession better reflect our diverse chapter community.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To be considered for selection, the following criteria must be met:
1. The applicant must be a Junior, Senior, or graduate candidate with at least one year left to complete their architectural degree.
2. The applicant must be a student enrolled in an architectural program at the University of Detroit Mercy or Lawrence Technological University OR A student whose permanent residence is in the AIA Detroit chapter boundary (Macomb, Oakland,
St. Clair or Wayne counties) who is enrolled in a NAAB-accredited architectural program outside of the AIA Detroit chapter boundary.
3. The applicant should identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or be a woman as we aim to foster a diverse profession that represents our greater chapter community.
4. The applicant should demonstrate enthusiasm and participation in areas of the built environment. Participation in school activities and/or leadership roles in other organizations may be considered.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
1. Applications must be received no later than December 1, 2023, by 5:00 pm EST.
2. Complete the biographical data section of the Application Form.
3. Upload official transcript(s) from all colleges/universities attended to be used for verification of year- not grades.
4. Upload (1) academic/faculty/personal letter of reference of your choice.
5. Write a 200-500-word essay to explain why you want to be an architect and should be a recipient of one of these scholarships.
6. Submit the Application Form for the 2024 Scholarship Jury to review.
7. The winning recipients will be contacted and there will be an announcement posted on the AIA Detroit Chapter website.
8. Questions regarding the application procedure may be directed to: scholarship@aiadetroit.com

Please complete the AIA Detroit Scholarships Biographical Data, essay, and upload your supporting documents HERE.

QUESTIONS: Questions regarding the application procedure may be directed to: scholarship@aiadetroit.com

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