The 3rd biennial Art of Practice conference was held on June 23, 2023, in Charlottesville. Participants enjoyed economic discussions with Sonya Ravindranath Waddell, Vice President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Attorney Joseph Cooch of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, and Matt Laird of Atlantic Union Bank. A peer panel of Charles Piper, AIA, Jeanne LeFever, AIA, and Stephen Halsey, AIA, discussed how their firms adjust to shifting economic conditions and finally, the firm size roundtables also met to discuss the topics of the day and other relevant issues to their firms.
At the Art of Practice conference held last month, keynote speaker Sonya Ravindranath Waddell, Vice President and Economist, Regional and Community Analysis invited the architects of Virginia to sign-up to be a survey panelist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
By participating, you can inform monetary policy-making and get access to information from Fed economists.
Responding to their business survey will take about 7 minutes each month, be confidential and your personal information and responses will never be shared.
To sign-up you can email the survey director Jason Kosakow at jason.kosakow@rich.frb.org or scan the QR code on this page.
We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you architects!
Have you recently passed the ARE? Upgrade your membership to Architect using this AIA form. or send an email to your Member Services Director, Cathy Guske, cguske@aiava.org
Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has 60-day Amber Book subscriptions for $50 here>>
Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, Assoc. AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com
As a Design Principal and Design Director at Hanbury, Rob provides design leadership across the firm and his award-winning designs throughout the United States and abroad include a wide range of project types in higher education, government, and corporate-commercial sectors. Rob values simplicity, clarity, and restraint as traits of design that not only stand the test of time, are loved and endure, and ultimately matter. Often working with diverse stakeholders Rob guides a process that is inclusive, collaborative, and focused on the unique qualities that define each opportunity.
Rob served on the AIAVA BoD from 2012 to 2020 and as President in 2019. Prior to that, Rob was an AIAHR board member for five years, annually chairing Architecture Week, facilitating the Design Awards program and the Annual Speaker Meeting, and bringing Pecha Kucha (peh–CHAK-cha) Night to Hampton Roads.
Originally from Minneapolis, Rob and his wife Lily – also an architect – have two daughters, Olivia and Ruby. After many years in Norfolk and officially ‘flat landers’, they love the beach, the surf, and life in Hampton Roads.
Where did you go to architecture school?
Iowa State University, Ames, IA Harvard Graduate School of Design, Cambridge, MA Otaniemi Technical Institute, Helsinki, Finland
What do you think it takes to be an architect? Curiosity, resiliency, a dose of subservience, and the belief that what we love to do really matters.
Is there an architect that particularly inspires you? Many. I work with them every day.
What are you currently reading? The New Yorker. My Saturday afternoon respite. I am also reading The Soul of America by Jon Meacham. I’ve always had diverse interests and reading is one of the ways I satisfy that.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had? I love to eat and have had too many astounding meals… so maybe it’s more about the circumstances than the meal itself. One of my favorites – a late afternoon lunch on the 2005 Hanbury International Design Retreat – a perfect day under a vine arbor in Switzerland with the Swiss architect Franco Morrow after touring several of his amazing buildings. I don’t recall the food exactly, but one of the best meals I’ve ever had. “Fantastico!” F Morrow
Why do you volunteer with AIA? When my wife Lily, daughter Olivia and I relocated from Washington, DC to Norfolk in 2005, leaving family, friends, and Georgetown behind, other than the handful of colleagues I interviewed with at Hanbury, we knew absolutely no one. So, by getting involved with the AIA Hampton Roads Board I initially saw an opportunity to plug in and meet like-minded people, which quickly advanced to supporting activities and events that I found interesting or compelling – the AIAHR Speaker Series and the opportunity to personally host James Timberlake, Ann Beha, and Neil Denari… a regional workforce housing design competition associated with the Celebration of AIA 150… the Design and Honor Awards celebrations… Architecture Week and the first of several Pecha Kucha events.
When joining the AIA Virginia Board in 2012 I did have one ‘immediate mission’ – raising awareness around the use of the ‘intern’ title for architecture graduates not-yet-registered. One of my not-yet-registered Hanbury colleagues, after masterfully presenting a project update was asked by our client, who was curiously eyeing my colleague’s business card with the presentation still pinned up behind us – “as an intern… are you paid for this work?” Wow… it struck me how vague, demeaning, and often inappropriate the intern ‘title’ was.
I want to say that I’m responsible for the AIA adopting the use of “architectural intern” or “intern architect” for graduates of NAAB-accredited degree programs, but before I could do anything AIA National, way ahead of me (imagine that…), was already implementing this change. Needless to say though, as I served a steady stream of opportunities to have a voice with colleagues in planning AIAVA events and initiatives, evolving member services, or championing public policy and regulation were satisfyingly at hand. And out of the gate to see an issue addressed so skillfully and expediently both assured and inspired me.
A’23 Recap and What’s Ahead Some reflections on A’23 and what’s coming up at AIA Virginia from our President, Mitch Rowland, AIA. More>>
Art of Practice Join us June 23 in Charlottesville at The Art of Practice Conference to connect with other firm leaders and build your network of support for now and the future! We will have an in-person meeting of the firm-size roundtables. More>>
AIA Virginia Honors Due Friday Do you have a colleague who deserves recognition? Is there a firm with a great culture that consistently produces incredible work? Is there a building that has captured your heart? Consider nominating them for an award in AIA Virginia’s 2023 Honors Awards program. More>>
Thank You Please help us give a big “Thank You” to Michael Hammon, AIA. Michael has been our NCARB State Licensing Advisor for the past 4 years. More>>
Welcome These New Members We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined AIA Virginia. More>>
Call for Entries: Design Awards Entries to the 2023 Design Awards program are being accepted through June 28th. AIA Virginia’s Awards for Excellence in Architecture (also known as the Design Awards) recognize outstanding design, built and unbuilt, from the past seven years. More>>
Robinson New State Licensing Advisor Please help us welcome Gina Robinson, Associate AIA, as our newly appointed NCARB state licensing advisor. More>>
PAC Award Update See who’s got the early lead in the PAC Award contest for 2023. More>>
Newly Licensed Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure. More>>
Are You Ready to Get Licensed? Just a few licenses remain. AIA Virginia associate members can get a 60-day subscription to the Amber Book for only $50. More>>
Meet the Fellows Which AIA Fellow said being an architect requires “a natural curiosity in our surroundings, a love of building things, and pleasure in working with people collaboratively”? More>>
Explore the Resilience Design Toolkit Developed through collaboration with the AIA Resilience & Adaptation Advisory Group, the toolkit offers members a flexible step-by-step process to quantify the financial impact of resilience strategies, align client expectations, and build high-performance buildings ready to face future challenges. More>>
Today our beloved Member Services Director Cathy Guske celebrates 19 years at AIA Virginia! As our staffer of longest standing, Cathy holds valuable institutional memory and naturally is considered a friend by members and staff alike.
Cathy came on board in 2004 as sales administrator, handling the creation of marketing materials and display ad sales for our member publications – back when Inform as well as a member directory was printed – and sales related to the annual conference we now know as Architecture Exchange East. A decade later she took over as communications manager, and then in 2017 was named to her current position. In 2014 she was recognized with honorary membership in AIA Virginia.
In addition to the responsibilities of her position, Cathy serves as staff liaison to the Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) and Member Services Advisory Council along with the administration of the Emerging Leaders in Architecture program.
“Cathy is key to keeping the AIAVA ship sailing smoothly,” acknowledges Executive Director Paul Battaglia, AIA. “Her vast knowledge and enthusiastic support have been key to my successful transition into my relatively new role here.”
Cathy has also volunteered with the Branch Museum of Architecture and Design during her AIAVA tenure, is active in her Redeemer Lutheran Church community, and enjoys a variety of craft activities. She holds a journalism degree from Iowa State University.
Congratulations, Cathy! We look forward to celebrating an even bigger anniversary next summer!
The AIA Virginia PAC is one of the sharpest tools in our advocacy toolkit. The AIA Virginia PAC Award celebrates the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC. The winning component goes home with $1,000 cash for Architecture Week/Month and the award trophy presented at Architecture Exchange East in November.
Current Leaderboard: AIA Hampton Roads – 90 points (only Board of Directors at 100%) AIA Blue Ridge – 60 points AIA Central Virginia – 20 points AIA Richmond – 20 points AIA Northern Virginia – 0 points
Points are accrued in three areas: local component Board participation, the percentage of local component’s membership who have invested in the PAC, and the total amount of money invested by the members of the local component.
Points are allocated as follows:
Local component Board participation a. Did 100% of the Board of Directors invest in the AIA Virginia PAC? i. Yes = 20 points ii. No = 0 points
Percentage of local component members who have invested in the AIA Virginia PAC i. Component with highest % = 40 points ii. Component with second highest % = 20 points iii. Component with third highest % = 10 points
Average investment per member from the total local component membership i. Component with highest average investment/member = 40 points ii. Component with second highest average investment/member = 30 points iii. Component with third highest average investment/member = 20 points iv. Component with fourth highest average investment/member = 10 points v. Component with fifth highest average investment/member = 0 points
Scoring will be closed on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
I’ve wanted to be an architect ever since roaming the houses under construction in my growing suburban neighborhood at 12. After a summer in Europe during college, my interest in architecture expanded to its heritage. A fifth-year college thesis in historic preservation resulted in a job with the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Following apprenticeship and registration, I took time to seriously study architectural history in graduate school. The normal rotation through several architectural firms ended in starting my own architectural practice in Richmond, specializing in historic preservation. During that 18-year practice, I accumulated a list of over 200 projects and served a year as Historic Architect with the Taliesin Preservation Commission in Spring Green, WI. In 2005, I began a 17-year career as Historic Preservation Architect at the University of Virginia where I managed preservation projects in the Academical Village, the President’s House at Carr’s Hill, and the Rotunda. Since retiring in 2021, I’ve been a full-time consultant providing preservation services to small nonprofits.
Where did you go to architecture school?
Bachelor of Architecture degree from Virginia Tech in 1975 Master of Architectural History from the University of Virginia in 1982
What do you think it takes to be an architect?
A natural curiosity in our surroundings, a love of building things, and pleasure in working with people collaboratively.
Is there an architect that particularly inspires you?
As any mid-century kid with an interest in architecture, I worshipped Frank Lloyd Wright. I still have my tattered copy of a 1960 compilation of his writings, heavily noted and highlighted. And even now, knowing the emotional price some apprentices paid serving Wright, I still study his work and always learn something.
What are you currently reading?
As usual, there are several at once, including The Need to be Whole by Wendall Berry; Architects of an American Landscape, a biography of F.L. Olmsted and H.H. Richardson by Hugh Howard, and; A Gathering of Old Men by Earnest Gaines.
What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
My next one shared with other people.
Why do you volunteer with AIA?
I have volunteered with nonprofits and local governments for close to 25 years. Since retiring in April 2021, I’ve been working full-time providing pro bono preservation services to small regional nonprofits with historic African American buildings. This consultation has resulted in the award of federal grants for four projects and approval by the state for another two. My commitment to this type of work came with the realization that my 50-year career as a preservationist was focused on the historic resources of white Americans. Only recently have important sites of African American culture begun receiving the attention they deserve. Particularly vulnerable are small, rural African American communities, with limited resources, struggling to save their historic schools, churches, and farmhouses. My small, inadequate contribution is a personal attempt to repair an injustice that ignored or undervalued the landmarks of Black culture that are now disappearing due to this long inattention. The friends I’ve made while doing this work is completely unexpected, and a blessing.
The Architect Licensing Advisors Community is a group of individuals committed to assisting licensure candidates and architects as they navigate the path to licensure and reciprocity. Architect licensing advisors provide guidance throughout the licensure process by facilitating the flow of information to architecture students, licensure candidates, and architects.
The program is led by NCARB and jointly supported by the American Institute of Architects. The AIA Virginia Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Gina Robinson, Associate AIA as Virginia’s Architect Licensing Advisor for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2023.
Get to know our new licensing advisor below! And if you are on the path to licensure and have any questions, please reach out to Gina at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com or Cathy Guske at cguske@aiava.org.
Gina Robinson Senior Design Coordinator at HDR Associate AIA, WELL AP A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Gina brings over 15 years of experience to her current role as Senior Design Coordinator with HDR in Arlington, Virginia. Though the first years of her career through the Great Recession were challenging, she gained early experience in Charlotte, NC, and Suzhou, China, before settling in Northern Virginia in 2014. Since joining HDR in 2015, she has come to specialize in public sector projects, working with large, multidisciplinary teams on complex deliverables.
After her time working overseas, Gina was eager to engage with other professionals after her return to the US and became an active participant in the AIA Northern Virginia Women in Architecture committee, regularly attending events and even volunteering to help plan the Women’s Leadership Summit that took place in 2017.
Over the past five years, Gina has developed her focus on mentorship and advocacy, focusing on increasing diversity and transparent communications to emerging professionals as they begin their careers in architecture. After serving two terms as Associate Director on the AIA Virginia Board of Directors, she participated in the Honors Committee Diversity Task Force and most recently in the Inclusivity into the Profession Task Force, both also facilitated by AIA Virginia. These experiences, combined with her background and early career obstacles, have motivated her to become actively involved in recruiting for HDR. Gina has participated in career fairs, interviews, and has supervised summer interns and young professionals as they begin their careers.
