Peter J. Exley, FAIA, elected 2021 AIA president-elect

The State of Michigan Board of Architects Rules Committee is currently reviewing several proposed Architects rules changes for discussion during the upcoming Board of Architects Meetings. One topic of interest is the proposed changes for PART 5 License Renewal and Continuing Education. If adopted, the State of Michigan would allow HSW credits for serving on local, state and national committees and boards, including AIA, qualifying up to 3 HSW credits per two-year cycle if specific conditions are met. Anticipated adoption timeframe for proposed rules is around 8 months.

See LARA public meeting notice attached for more information: https://aiadetroit.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/news_Architects_Public_Notice.pdf

For the first time at a local chapter-level, the AIA Center for Practice is bringing together a diverse pool of firm leaders to discuss the future of architecture practice. Pair up with like-minded professionals for this roundtable discussion facilitated by an experienced colleague. You’ll hear from peers about the most pressing issues in firm leadership development and explore different approaches to training, advancement, and performance evaluation. Share your most pressing issues affecting your firm’s prosperity and explore different approaches to business development, financial performance, innovative business models, leadership development, and workplace culture.

This enlightening discussion will leave you with concrete information, new ideas and connections to advance your practice.

Learn More Here

National Architecture Week 2019 aims to recognize and celebrate the ways architects positively impact our lives! During this week, we will be sharing AIA Detroit updates, articles, and photos that align with AIA National’s daily themes. You, too, can join the celebration and national conversation by sharing articles, photos, videos, and resources that align with the daily themes on your social media accounts! Use #ArchWeek19 and #blueprintforbetter.

NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE WEEK DAY 7: THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY

Computational Design represents a new design paradigm that our industry is struggling to understand. Whether it manifests as generating novel forms with grasshopper, automating BIM documentation with Dynamo, or parametrically exploring building performance using open source code, Computational Design is disrupting our profession. We recognize that greater computational power, data, and automation offer new ways of thinking about our design problems, but we often lack the skills required to leverage these newfound capabilities in our practices. Most architects feel more comfortable with a pen than with code–but innovation doesn’t stop, and neither will our competitors. Detroit firms must embrace technological change. We have the talent and the bold disposition required to innovate within the architectural profession, and we will accomplish more if we support each other. The AIAD TAP committee has a forum dedicated to exactly that. Join Computational Design Detroit (co.de.D), and participate in the conversation as we address disruption in Architecture.

Subscribe to the Technology in Architectural Practice interest group to stay up-to-date on upcoming Computational Design Detroit [co.de.D] programs and other news!

National Architecture Week 2019 aims to recognize and celebrate the ways architects positively impact our lives! During this week, we will be sharing AIA Detroit updates, articles, and photos that align with AIA National’s daily themes. You, too, can join the celebration and national conversation by sharing articles, photos, videos, and resources that align with the daily themes on your social media accounts! Use #ArchWeek19 and #blueprintforbetter.

NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE WEEK DAY 2: SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE

Detroit 2050: A Panel Discussion on the Future of Sustainability
A special Earth Day installment of our AIAD:COMMONS series will feature a panel of thought leaders with unique perspectives in the field of sustainability relative to the built environment. Hosted by AIA Detroit’s Committee on the Environment.

RSVP Here

DISCUSSION TOPIC
In less than a decade, the City of Detroit has seen rapid transformation of its inner core with renewed interest in public infrastructure and private investment. With a level of development not seen in nearly a century, Detroit is uniquely positioned to be a more sustainable and equitable city. And with the establishment of the Office of Sustainability in 2017, civic government is now playing a larger role in shaping what that future looks like.

This panel discussion will focus on both the current and future visions for sustainability in the City of Detroit. Looking many facets of design ranging from large scale infrastructure and development to block by block initiatives, how will the decisions we make now shape the future?

Learn More and RSVP Here

See the AIAD COTE 2019 Calendar Here

National Architecture Week 2019 aims to recognize and celebrate the ways architects positively impact our lives! During this week, we will be sharing AIA Detroit updates, articles, and photos that align with AIA National’s daily themes. You, too, can join the celebration and national conversation by sharing articles, photos, videos, and resources that align with the daily themes on your social media accounts! Use #ArchWeek19 and #blueprintforbetter.

NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE WEEK DAY 1: ARCHITECTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
The Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) works tirelessly to amplify the diminished voices of all citizens through a wide variety of design projects in Detroit and across the country. A resource for over 100 organizations, many of which are community-oriented and could not otherwise affect the positive change they seek, the center has made a lasting impact on the profession through its commitment to social responsibility. (more…)

As Integrated Design Solutions (IDS) celebrates its 20th Anniversary, the Board of Directors has elected Chuck Lewis to serve as the firm’s president. Chuck was one of the first to be offered ownership as IDS’ leadership began to transition 15 years ago. He has played an integral part in this transition planning and has been mentoring actively since 2003.

Chuck succeeds Paul Stachowiak, who has served as the firm’s President and Chairman since IDS’ inception in 1999. Paul is passionate about providing the opportunity to transition the firm and will be carrying on as Chairman to support the transition process. Paul Stachowiak, Chairman added, “We are extremely proud of our commitment to supporting the evolution of our firm in both leadership and vision. This transition has been carefully planned over the past two decades and it is rewarding to see the results of our efforts come to life. We believe the future cannot be predicted, but it can be designed.” (more…)

By Beau Frail, AIA and Samantha Szeszulski, AIA
This article was originally published on AIA National’s website HERE

How can emerging professionals build stronger communities and advance their professional development at the same time?

We’ve all seen issues in our communities that would benefit from design solutions. From providing affordable housing to creating more equitable public spaces, the ways designers can help are plentiful. Social impact design aims to address complex challenges through a community-driven approach that places the public interest at the heart of the design process.

Practicing social impact design means considering more than just the financial bottom line. Architects and designers incorporate elements of social and environmental justice and engage with the community to ensure many voices shape the project.

Emerging professionals are increasingly seeing the value this work has in their communities and how working on such projects can be meaningful for their careers. While social impact design has unique challenges, young designers can find leadership opportunities and personal fulfillment by incorporating it into their careers.

Here are different ways you can get leverage your skills to benefit communities and grow in your career: (more…)

The New 2017 Michigan Electrical Code; Administrative Rules Part 8, became affective as of January 4, 2019.  All projects being submitted for permit on or later than this date should be in compliance with the new electrical code.  The code is based on the 2017 NEC with some amendments made by the State of Michigan.  The Michigan amendments can be found at the state website. See the link below:

http://dmbinternet.state.mi.us/DMB/ORRDocs/AdminCode/1677_2017-001LR_AdminCode.pdf

Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
~Vince Lombardi

Every year during the holiday season the “red kettle campaign” begins, with volunteers at every Kroger, Macy’s and CVS in town. I’m often struck by the number of people that walk swiftly past, without a glance or offering of “thank you” to those frozen bell-ringers. We all know that every little bit counts – each and every penny, dime or dollar that is contributed helps the greater mission that organization stands for; doing the most good.

As I reflect on what AIA Detroit has done as an organization this past year, after committing to “doing the most good”, I am still astounded by the number of committee and volunteer hours; CEU credits; competitions, and networking opportunities we offered this past year. If you attended the Annual Meeting, you had the opportunity to see and hear about all the phenomenal work that we have done to increase the visibility and voice of architecture in Detroit. In my opinion, we have done better than simply “good”; we have been exemplary in the services provided to you, our members. And I say this, with a resounding applause, to the efforts of Lauren Myrand and Charlie Klecha, who contributed more than their share to making each of these services and events an outstanding success. There aren’t enough thank you’s in the world to signify our gratitude for their efforts. (more…)