Superstar

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It isn’t often that you have the unique privilege of watching a superstar grow before your eyes, close-up and personal. I met one several years ago at a conference in Chicago. He had just been selected as what was then called, the Intern Development Advisor for the Commonwealth of Virginia. We quickly became close friends; he came to my office to introduce my employees to the IDP process and later came to Hampton University to share the nuances of the IDP with my students. He and his amazing wife became supporters of our program and efforts to advance opportunities for them in our profession. I tried to hire him, but he turned me down and, instead, took a position with AIA Virginia.

Robert Easter, FAIA

Later, he convinced me that I should get involved in the leadership of AIA Virginia, and after I succumbed to his prodding, he soon afterward shared that he was ‘moving on up to the east side.” Yes, R. Corey Clayborne has been a superstar in the making from the moment I met him. To borrow a verse of the Bible, “eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, neither has it entered into the hearts of humanity, what God has prepared for [Corey].”

I didn’t want to wish him well before he left us, because, with each passing day, I hoped that he would change his mind and continue his journey with AIA Virginia, at least for as long as I had this role. But truth be told, Corey is destined for stardom, because he is a man of vision, passion, and leadership that should be allowed to grow and impact as large an audience as possible. At AIA, he has a platform that will allow the work he has done in Virginia to touch more lives and influence our profession and our organization to a higher level of service and responsiveness.

So with this month’s newsletter, I want to give Corey a presidential farewell for a job well done and offer the wishes of our state component that he achieves the success and fulfillment associated with his massive potential to do good and great things. We have been well served by Corey, and his service has provided him with a stepping-stone to do more and better.

AIA Virginia will continue to flourish because we are blessed with talented and capable leadership at every level, and in every component.  No other state can boast that they have a Helene Dreiling, FAIA to fill the gap and help us discover the next superstar. She was at the helm when we found the last one!

We are going to miss Corey’s involvement at AIA Virginia. On behalf of the AIA Virginia, I wish my dear friend and brother, along with Sara and their two children, great days, months, and years ahead. Our only demand is that he never ceases being a superstar in servant leadership. We are proud of you.

Robert L. Easter, NOMAC, FAIA
2022 AIA Virginia President

Aspen Trees and AIA Virginia

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“In nature we never see anything isolated, but everything in connection with something else which is before it, beside it, under it and over it.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yes, Colleagues and Friends, I have returned! Actually, I was quite honored to be asked by the AIA Virginia Board of Directors to facilitate a smooth and successful leadership transition between the incredibly dedicated and accomplished R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA, and your new chief executive. This places me in this spot until December and I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months, especially at Architecture Exchange East in early November.

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA
Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA

Some years ago when I ran for the AIA presidency, I introduced the concept of ‘the aspen effect’ as a way of imagining the AIA. That analogy became the foundation of my leadership tenure as well as the inspiration for other roles and initiatives since. It occurred to me that I might share this analogy with my Virginia peeps, and explain how wonderfully well this applies to us here at AIA Virginia.

Above the ground, aspens stand tall and sturdy as individual trees, but below grade, they are interlinked through their elaborate root system. (This is why one never sees an aspen tree standing alone; they are always in groves.) Similarly, AIA Virginia serves as the web of nourishment and enrichment for its members, helping them to survive and thrive. Aspen trees are sometimes brilliant in a burst of fabulous fall color; at other times, they ‘quake’ under the force of a powerful wind. However, no matter what their environment imposes on them, aspens are always supported by their strong network of roots, depending on that interconnectivity for their well-being and vibrancy.

The AIA Virginia I know IS that nurturing wellspring of support. The connector. The network.  The collective. Moreover, in every decision we make and every action we take, we should assure that we are advancing the profession as well as positioning our members as valued contributors to community and society.

The dedicated leadership and devoted staff team of your professional society within our state hold the professional vitality and economic viability of each individual member in Virginia foremost in their minds. For my part, as the organization’s chief executive for these next few months, I shall encourage us to apply ‘the aspen effect’ to nurture an organizational and cultural outlook that focuses on the professional wellbeing of each and every member.

Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA
Interim Executive Vice President
AIA Virginia  

Highlights from the June Board Meeting

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MEETING RECAP

AIA Virginia | Board of Directors
June 17, 2022
In-person + virtual meeting

Motions Made and Approved:

The Board of Directors of AIA Virginia voted as follows:

  • Approval of the April 27, 2022 Board of Directors Special Meeting Minutes
  • Approval of the May 19, 2022 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
  • Approval of the Consent Agenda
  • Approval of investment report and recommendation to move a limited portion of financial assets
  • Approval of the Treasurer’s report
  • Approval of the recommendation of the Finance Committee to not contribute any additional fiscal year-end monies to the Financial Contingency Fund
  • Adoption of the FY2022-2023 Budget
  • Approval to hire the Financial Auditor
  • Approval of the At-large Director election policy
  • Approval of the Job Board posting policy
  • Approval of Knowledge Community Grant recommendations

Motions Made and Approved in Closed Session:

The Board of Directors of AIA Virginia voted as follows:

  • N/A

Written reports were provided for the following consent agenda items:                                             

  • Design Forum Recap                                                                                      
  • Architecture Exchange East Update
  • PAC Update                                                                                                               
  • Membership Update
  • Amber Book Program Update
  • Emerging Leaders in Architecture Update
  • Disaster Assistance Committee Update
  • Design Awards
  • AIA Virginia President’s Town Halls Update
  • HousingX Conference Recap
  • Mayor’s Innovation Project – Town of Blacksburg
  • AIA Annual Meeting and Voting
  • Advisory Council Rosters                                                                                
  • Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – May 9                                            
  • Executive Committee Meeting Minutes – May 16                                                                   

Members may request a copy of these written reports by emailing AIA Virginia Interim Executive Vice President, Helene Combs Dreiling, FAIA at hdreiling@aiava.org.

The next meeting of the AIA Virginia Board of Directors will be held virtually on August 5, 2022.

YAF at A’22

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This year was my fifth consecutive attendance of the AIA Conference on Architecture, not including the last two years when it was canceled. Between the pent-up demand for connection, climate change, economic and industry upheaval due to the pandemic and supply chain issues, and national conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion, this year felt different. This year was a clear departure from a simple collection of seminars to get CEUs (though you could still do that). The AIA Conference on Architecture and the new CEO, Lakisha Woods, have embraced these national conversations and tackled them head-on. The energy was high and left me feeling invigorated and excited for the future of my profession and my role within it. I hope that all emerging professionals and young architects look into attending next year in San Francisco. These are my recommendations for programming that are good for EPs and YAs:

  • Mini MBA – Co-hosted every year by the YAF and Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT)
  • Tours
  • Emerging Professional and Young Architect networking events
  • Keynotes with well-known speakers on topical issues (this year we had Barack Obama!)
  • You can volunteer a minimum of 8 hours to get free registration if cost is an issue

I also attended sessions and roundtable discussions on practice innovation, design for climate action and climate justice, and heard Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMA, LEED in an empowering discussion of dismantling injustice in the industry and celebrating great works of women and diverse designers and architects. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report has listed “youth disillusionment” as one of the “top blind spots” that could cause significant negative impacts in the coming years. But we are in a unique position to make things better as architects, designers, critical thinkers, and community change makers. Join me in pushing forward. 

In case you missed it:

  1. COF Quarterly publication
  2. “Now YA Know”, the YAF newsletter attached
  3. Get to know your YAR / YARD on our social media channels is live! Remember to follow us below.

Opportunities:

  1. AIA Young Architect Award call for submissions (open now thru 9/15/22)
  2. Connection call for articles Due 7/29
  3. Call for Volunteers (YAF Advisory Committee – coming out soon)

Follow the YAF:

Stay up to date on the latest news:

  • Twitter: @YAF
  • Facebook: @AIAYAFNational
  • Instagram: aiayaf
  • Linkedin: AIA YAF
  • AIA Knowledge Net (most comprehensive) 
  • Quarterly YAF Publication “Connection”. Links from Knowledge Net, also available HERE.

Feel free to connect with me, too. What are some ways your firm is working with emerging professionals and young architects? Send me an email or a message on LinkedIn!
As always, I’m here for you.

Carrie Parker, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Associate Vice President at CannonDesign
Young Architect Representative for Virginia to the Young Architect’s Forum, 2022-2024
carrieleeparker.aia@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/carrieleeparker

New Members

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We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined the ranks of AIA Virginia.

New Architect Members

Jeremy Busse, AIA   (Northern Virginia)
Tyler Pitt, AIA   (Central Virginia)

New Associate Members

Mira Abdalla, Assoc. AIA   (Central Virginia)
Seyedmohammad Ahmadshahi, Assoc. AIA   (Northern Virginia)
Ryan Anderson, Assoc. AIA   (Northern Virginia)
Kathleen Clark, Assoc. AIA   (Richmond)
Abdulelah Daiwaly, Assoc. AIA   (Northern Virginia)
Aria Hill, Assoc. AIA   (Hampton Roads)
Tyler McDaniel, Assoc. AIA   (Blue Ridge)
Debargha Sengupta, Assoc. AIA, AICP, LEED AP (Northern Virginia)
Adrianna Spence, Assoc. AIA   (Northern Virginia)
Kelley Wisenauer, Assoc. AIA   (Hampton Roads)
Thomas Wyatt, Assoc. AIA   (Central Virginia)
Zhipeng Zhang, Assoc. AIA   (Blue Ridge)

New/Renewed Allied Members

Jim Jenkins, Region Sales Manager, Huber Engineered Woods

View all of the AIA Virginia Allied members

Newly Licensed

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We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following member for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you an architect!

Haley DeNardo, AIA (Northern Virginia)

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

Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Michael Hammon, AIA at mhammon@glaveandholmes.com

AIA and mindful MATERIALS Partner

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The AIA and mindful MATERIALS have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance holistic product specification.  

The goal for this partnership is to deepen collaboration and provide resources, education and support to continue to grow AIA’s Architecture & Design Materials Pledge, a significant member engagement program within AIA’s climate action initiatives, in-step with similar industry initiatives.  With more than 162 firms signing the pledge to date, this collaboration will also bring critical clarity to firms seeking to take action to achieve their pledge commitments, by recognizing a common framework for defining product sustainability as established by the mindful MATERIALS Common Materials Framework (CMF).         
The A&D Materials Pledge established an industry vision for the ‘north star’ of building product sustainability, allowing architects and designers to publicly commit over time to demanding and specifying products that disclose and reduce their impacts across five categories of sustainability: Climate Health, Human Health, Ecosystem Health, Social Health & Equity within a Circular Economy. Other stakeholder materials pledges have since followed suit, pledging to support these same categories of health in producing and selecting building products.  

It is critical that these pledges recognize a consistent definition of what constitutes each one of these five categories of health and sustainability, to support industry alignment in reducing the embodied impacts of building materials. To support this need, mindful MATERIALS established a diverse, cross-stakeholder industry group of materials experts to build a Common Materials Framework. Participants reviewed existing sustainability certifications, labels and mapped and organized how factors within each contribute to meeting those ‘buckets’ of health defined in the pledge. This consistent foundation of knowledge will support the creation of meaningful and aligned metrics, tools and accountability.  

As of June 2022, mindful MATERIALS has completed version 1 of the Common Materials Framework and will be digitizing that framework and integrating it into its cloud-based database by Greenbuild and working with other tech platforms to recognize the CMF, allowing for achievement of the materials pledge and more consistent decision-making regarding sustainability wherever architects and designers are working.  

“This partnership is an important step for AIA’s members and our building product manufacturing partners as we rally around a consistent, holistic approach to sustainable product specification,” said AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE. “Industry consensus around what constitutes a sustainable material will accelerate transformation within firms and create business development opportunities for manufacturers.”  

New opportunities for AIAU CE courses for member education and knowledge in this area and BPMs/CE Providers to expand course offerings in this area developed by both mindful MATERIALs and AIA.  

“We can no longer ignore the ‘why’ behind materials sustainability in the built environment. Science has proven the enormous and complex impacts of materials supply chains, and geographic and social inequities exacerbate those impacts unequally and unfairly,” says Annie Bevan, CEO of mindful MATERIALS. “But while the ‘why’ may be clear, the ‘how’ of drastically reducing the embodied impacts of our built environment has been our biggest challenge. This partnership by AIA and mindful MATERIALs and the Common Materials Framework is a critical step to changing this.”  

There has been an incredible breadth and depth of work done to date to highlight unsustainable practices, and to help identify more sustainable products through various ecolabels and standards. Adoption of the Common Materials Framework will only accelerate that progress, by amplifying that work and making it easier for architects and designers to consistently identify and find sustainability products so they can make sustainability standard for every building.  

“This collaboration is so exciting because it recognizes that the only way to meaningfully reduce the impacts of buildings through materials, is together,” added Bevan.  

About mindful MATERIALS  
mindful MATERIALS’ mission is to reverse the embodied impacts of the built environment by driving the use of regenerative and restorative building products that meet an industry-aligned framework for health, sustainability and resilience, the Common Materials Framework.  

Mindful MATERIALs furthers its mission through a global cross-sector collaboration hub to develop and drive adoption of the common materials framework, which is digitized through its curated digital materials library and connected to industry tools, resources, education and advocacy for the greater benefit of all.  

To learn more about mindful MATERIALs and the Common Materials Framework visit www.mindfulmaterials.com.

Represent Virginia on the AIA Small Firm Exchange

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The AIA’s Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is seeking state representatives. Use your voice and experience to advocate for small firms within the AIA and beyond. See the complete position description. Virginia’s representative position is currently vacant.

Commitment

This position is a 1-year commitment, renewable for up to 5 years total. 

Every month this position will require up to 4-6 hours of your time and participation in two 1-hour calls.

Timeline

Applications accepted through Oct. 1, 2022 

Notifications sent in December 

Positions begin every January

Submit your application.

Questions? Contact kathleenmccormick@aia.org before completing the application.

Change of Seasons

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It is hard to believe that it has been five years since I took this position in June 2017. I knew the career opportunity as AIA Virginia Executive Vice President was going to be special, but you honestly never know how great something will be until you immerse yourself in it. As I look back over my tenure, we built something magnificent together that I know will live on in future seasons of leadership.

This role has afforded me the privilege to meet so many of our approximate 2,500 members around the Commonwealth. I have seen the great work that you are producing and how you are shaping your community as architects and designers. I have recruited many of you who are too talented to sit on the sidelines to serve on various committees to move AIA Virginia forward in a beautiful way.

There is so much that I am proud of as I put this pen down for the final time.

Let’s start with the People. Without them, accomplishments whether big or small are not possible. Let me take a moment to highlight the powerful staff team at AIA Virginia. All I can say is small but mighty. Our body of work is on par with the biggest states in the AIA and our staff is half the size.

You may ask, “how did we do that?”

It is from a servant leadership mentality that we have for each other blended with a relentless pursuit of self-improvement. We all bought into that system and what you see is what you have received. If I could take a moment to brag about them, each one is growing beyond what they had ever envisioned for themselves ranging from obtaining a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential to completing college degrees to speaking at national conferences! I am so thankful for each one of our staff members that I have worked with both past and present.

To the six presidents I have had the honor to get to know and who welcomed me as their business partners during their year of presidential leadership:

Bill Brown, AIA
Eric Keplinger, AIA
Rob Reis, AIA
Beth Reader, FAIA
Sean Reilly, AIA
Robert Easter, FAIA

What no one tells you when you take this role is how close of a relationship you form with your Presidents. And my is that true! As President of the Board, there are a lot of demands and expectations. It is truly a year of service and there are often defining moments where I am sure that they ask themselves what they got into. Every single one of these men and women not only survived but thrived in their year. And each of these individuals knows there is nothing that I would not do for them as they have become just like family members to me. And what they all have in common, though they are different and unique individuals, is that they have hearts of gold. And that is a prerequisite for a successful President because it is never about them. It’s about leading the organization to successful outcomes for the benefit of our membership.

And then there is a host of others where it would be impossible to name but you know who you are. You may feel like your contribution was not large. But let me tell you, regardless of the size or breadth of your support, it moved us forward.

When I think about my most proud moments, it is really difficult to narrow it down to a simple newsletter article. So, I boiled it down to a couple of overarching themes:

  • Our relevancy as architects and the profession of architecture to the general public and our state and local leaders has grown exponentially in the last five years. Today, we are now invited to present on the built environment to organizations that support mayors, local elected officials, procurement professionals, and members of the General assembly. We have truly become a go-to source that is credible, knowledgeable, and authentic. Architects SPEAK UP!, our community dinners and transformation of the Political Action Committee (which has literally grown tenfold in my tenure and would not be possible if you all did not believe in our advocacy work) have allowed us to do that.
  • A model of excellence in our continuing education through our signature events. We continue to bring you the most prolific domestic and internationally acclaimed architects for design inspiration. Many times, you must go to New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago to see the names that we bring to you right here in Virginia.
  • Continuing to invest and cultivate our next generation of leaders. We have shifted the model of our nationally respected Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA) program to a “for us, by us” model. This legacy program is now run and executed by its alumni. Now with over 200 graduates, the impact that these men and women are making in the world is unmatched. Our Operation: Reach, Retain, and Develop mentorship program with AIAS National was cobbled together quickly during the pandemic for temporary purposes and has now blossomed into a value-soaked program that I suspect will be around for years to come.
  • We became a model of a strong and growing nonprofit. Over the course of my tenure, we really had to change our financial practices as an organization. That takes confidence and courage from the Board to have trust in the various strategies that were employed. Without going into great detail, I am proud to say that today we are an organization with a financial reserves balance that aligns with that of non-profit best practices. We have retooled our governance structure to one that allows it to be more efficient and effective while opening the door of inclusivity to so many members who have a desire to serve. That was hard work, but we did it!

So, as I bring this to a close, the work as Executive Vice President is never done. You could serve for 20 years and still feel like there is more to be accomplished. But there is a season for everything. And as this particular season comes to a close, a new one will flourish and the organization will be taken to even greater heights. I am excited to take this body of work that we have accomplished together and explore how it can be scaled for national impact in my next season. Remember that I am still an AIA Virginia member and I look forward to reuniting with so many of you at the signature events.

I am wishing all of you many blessings and prosperity. Until next time.

In service,

R. Corey Clayborne, FAIA, NOMA, MBA, CAE
Executive Vice President

Proud

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June is Pride Month. It is a time to remember the movements and celebrate the achievements toward social justice for our LGBTQ colleagues. We at the American Institute of Architects – Virginia must join that memorialization and celebration. Movements are often born out of struggle, riot, and revolution. Pride month commemorates the struggle for freedom and justice denied a segment of our population whose history includes the Stonewall riots, as well as demonstrations in large cities across the country. Today, there are still efforts to restrict bathroom use, politicize scholastic sports, determine who has equal access to health care and upend marriage equality.

Robert Easter, FAIA

When I was president of NOMA, the AIA held its first Diversity Conference. Organizations representing architects and designers of color, and women, including those who were gay and lesbian were invited by Jean Barber, the AIA’s Director for Diversity to plan a three-day conference focused on the issues impacting the many and varied interests of these communities. That conference highlighted me. The fact that injustice and bigotry imposed on any one segment of our national family is injustice imposed on us all.

We’ve done little to distinguish ourselves as full proponents of equal justice for all; our personal biases and political affiliations often lead us to marginalize our colleagues for simply being themselves. My faith teaches me that all are created by an intelligent Being who created our diversity and who delights in our multiplicity. It was that Creator who first displayed a rainbow as a symbol of divine love for all of humankind.

Our nation was born out of a struggle for freedom. At the same time, it has prospered through division and subjugation. For people of color, people of various religious backgrounds, and people of differing sexual orientations, that struggle has been real and each community is often left to fight their battle alone. As we learn more about each other’s struggles, I hope that we also learn to work together to tear down the boundaries that restrict access to the opportunities that our profession offers.

Architecture has the tremendous potential to bring life-affirming change to communities. When we seek to understand those who live in the communities we are charged to impact, our design work can give a voice to the unheard, hope to the helpless, and understanding to those who feel unseen. Architecture can make a difference when architects choose to be catalysts for just change.

I hope that we will listen and open our hearts as our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer colleagues will help us define the parameters where we are truly advocates for justice. Every American is constitutionally guaranteed this protection and, every architect deserves no less.

Robert Easter, FAIA
AIA Virginia President