We have much to celebrate as we conclude our inaugural year. NOMA’s national signature program, Project Pipeline, was a major success this summer. As part of the southern region, we were host to well over one hundred campers, thirty from our chapter. I have promised to begin a year-round workshop for middle and high school students interested in learning more about architecture.
An ARE examination preparation class has been established for our members seeking licensure. We have developed several partnerships with organizations, design firms, and companies that have yielded opportunities to share information, resources, and revenue. We have reached out to NOMAS chapters in our Virginia design schools, providing support and guidance.
A major effort his year was the development of a strategic plan for our chapter, giving us a blueprint for the next three years. Our Finance Committee has developed a financial planning framework for the next fiscal year.
The strength of these achievements is in our board of directors and members who are to be commended for providing leadership to our organization. They have achieved much in a short period. Our upcoming planning retreat will provide the next steps to raise the bar for 2022.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Martín, AIA, NOMAC, NOMAF, NCARB President
Growing up in Jamaica, Joan Hunt experienced a scarcity of resources: regular power outages, frequent water shortages, showering from a bucket. She became sensitive to waste. Joan grew up in a conservative society where girls were encouraged to play with dolls and her boy cousins were given chemistry sets. Joan wanted the chemistry set. When Joan immigrated to the United States at an early age, she decided to become an architect.
Joan’s life experiences shaped her values and priorities as an architect. Her Oakland California firm Blinklab specializes in high-performance buildings and community design.
One of only 500, or so living African American women architects in the United States, Joan characterizes her demographic as the “minority of minorities”. She advocates to increase the numbers and believes it has to start very young. Parents and young girls need to be exposed to architects and see them in action, to develop a strong inner sense that leads them to say with confidence: “I can be an architect too”. Joan Hunt is an architect-advocate and former President of the NOMA-Oakland Chapter.
Sean Reilly, AIA
Unfortunately, it’s not just African American women licensed architects whose numbers are significantly too low. African American women and men licensed architects together comprise only about 2% of all licensed U.S. architects, even though African Americans comprise about 13% of the United States population. In 2017, the AIA Large Firm Roundtable established a goal to double that percentage to 4% by 2030. Four years into it, we’re still stuck at 2%. We have nine years left.
How can we double the number of licensed African American Architects in less than a decade when it has taken over 150 years to reach 2%? Does AIA Virginia have a role to play? The consensus of the AIA Virginia Board is: Absolutely! AIA Virginia is taking a holistic approach to diversifying our profession in Virginia, which is a critical piece of AIA Virginia’s Strategic Plan. We resonate with Joan’s instincts: parents and young African Americans need to be exposed to architects at an early age for some of them to make the connection and form an inner belief that says: “I want to be an architect”. The key is to create excitement and interest in pursuing architecture at an early age through outreach.
AIA Virginia will be undertaking the Alternative Pathways to the Profession Inclusivity Study, to focus on this issue and make recommendations for increasing the number of licensed minority architects, including African American architects in particular. Recently, the Board reached a consensus on the primary charges for the study. The Board will establish a stakeholder group this fall and commence this important work in January 2022.
The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding next month. NOMA builds community and provides space to shine the light on the voices of its members. Our profession needs NOMA and its members now more than ever. In 2020 AIA Virginia supported NOMA in its founding of the Virginia Chapter. One of NOMA’s incredibly valuable activities is elevating the voices of its members. Storytelling is a powerful medium. It is not possible to over-tell the stories of our minority architects to the world. Their stories need to be told in non-accredited architectural design programs, community colleges, and K-12 schools to show parents and their children that there is a way, a path to becoming an architect. Hopefully inspire some to believe: “I want to be an architect.”
History says, Don’t hope On this side of the grave… But then, once in a lifetime The longed-for tidal wave Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme.
from The Cure at Troy Seamus Heaney
Diversifying our profession to reflect society is a big, complicated issue that is incredibly daunting. AIA Virginia is dedicated to doing our part and the Inclusivity Study is a vital piece of our overall strategy. Collaborating, planning, and implementing the Inclusivity Study’s eventual recommendations will be hard, but then anything of lasting value usually is. It will require resilience and perseverance from all who take part. We need to do this and be successful if our profession is to remain relevant and of value to the society we serve. We move forward together with hope, courage, and commitment to create a more diverse, just, and equitable profession for all.
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!
Clelia P. Mayorga, AIA (Northern Virginia) Sangyoon Park, AIA (Northern Virginia) William Charles Zawistowski, AIA (Hampton Roads)
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
Saeed Dornajafi, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Georgia Kelly R. McElhaney, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA New York
AIA Virginia Allied Members
Matthew Lewis, Associate Principal, 2RW Consultants, Inc. Zachary Lette, Vice President, Land Planning and Design Associates, Inc. William Mechnick, President, Land Planning and Design Associates, Inc. Roland McPherson, Structural Engineer, McPherson Design PLLC Hessam Nabavi, Promotions Director, Virginia Ready Mixed Concrete Association
I take care of our office plants. Since we have big windows and lots of lovely northern and eastern light, the aloes and jade and funky grafted cacti are likely to do well, regardless of my tender and loving care. But still–I water them each week, check the soil, trim off the dead stuff, and occasionally re-pot them when they outgrow their surroundings. I look forward to this every week, this careful observation of living things that, magically, slowly, and consistently grow and change each week.
But my favorite is when I get to plant propagations–the little baby buds that plants send up through the soil when a plant is healthy and happy. These propagations are joyful little reminders that amidst the stillness of the soil, something magical is happening underneath–growth–that is invisible until it breaks the surface.
Michael Spory, Assoc. AIA
September is a month of transition, a switch from summer heat to autumn chill, and all the change that it brings. Design students return to school, settling into their studios, mapping out their schedules, and diving into projects. Firms are coming out of the juggle of summer vacation schedules, keeping projects afloat as best they can. Young professional architects are in the thick of projects, mapping out all that needs to be accomplished by the end of the year. September tilts forward, where the slow and often-invisible growth of the year starts to show itself.
Progress and growth can be difficult to see. In design school, you churn towards reviews and exams, sometimes struggling to see if any of the knowledge is really sticking. Professionally, staying on top of a dynamic design environment takes time and effort, let alone making space for mastering new skills while trying to take on more responsibilities, pass your exams, finish your hours, keep track of your time, and still manage to live a little outside of work. Sometimes it can seem endless, that churning without seeing tangible progress. But perhaps–like the windowsill plant–each week is a little more water, a little more sunlight, a little more knowledge and growth to be cultivated and observed. For architecture professionals at all stages of our careers, growth often happens little by little, in practicing small skills over and over, trying something slightly different, learning from the past. We learn by watching closely from someone we respect, then trying it ourselves. We grow by taking well-intentioned risks and using the good (or bad) consequences as learning opportunities.
As I water the plants today, I don’t see any new propagations, but I know they are waiting–somewhere–under the surface. And so I sit at my desk once again, look at the too-long list of things I don’t know how to deal with, and remember that growth happens in small bits, in tackling something challenging, in asking for help, in learning something new every day.
In solidarity and action, Michael Spory, Associate AIA spory@vmdo.com
The AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) seeks to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The group advocates for them within the AIA and outside organizations, promotes leadership development, and supports chapter roundtables and other small firm networks. Approximately 75% of all firms within the AIA are small firms (10 employees or less), which equates to 14,288 small firms represented within the organization.
The objectives of the AIA SFx are three-fold:
Advocate the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.
Curate and disseminate the most pertinent resources and information from the AIA and elsewhere that benefit small firms.
Inform the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas in which current resources/information are lacking.
AIA Virginia is looking for an enthusiastic member to represent our state in the SFx. This position is a one-year commitment renewable for up to five years total. Every month, this position will require four to six hours of your time and participation in up to two 1-hour calls. If you would like further insight into the service experience, you can connect with our current representative Colin Arnold, AIA at carnold@arnolddesignstudio.com.
Executive Vice President, Corey Clayborne, has pledged to travel around the state and visit firms, components, partner organizations, and universities.
Here’s his recent travel schedule:
AIA Local, Regional, and National Engagement AIA Mayors Innovation Project Meeting: Town of Blacksburg Virtual September 16
AIA Virginia Executive Committee Meeting Virtual September 21
AIA Virginia Community Dinner Norfolk September 29
AIA Virginia Board of Directors Meeting University of Virginia Charlottesville September 30 – October 1
AIA Richmond Honors + Awards Richmond October 7
Ambassador Engagement Legislative Reception with Del. Adams Richmond September 15
Preservation Virginia Board of Directors Meeting Virtual September 15
Legislative Reception with Sen. Dunnavant Richmond September 17
Legislative Reception with Sen. Reeves Fredericksburg September 18
Legislative Reception with Gov. McAuliffe Richmond September 20
Legislative Reception with Del. Hurst Richmond September 20
Legislative Reception with Del. Torian and Del. Bagby Richmond September 20
Lead Virginia Bristol and Southwest Virginia September 23-25
Presentation to the Commission on School Construction + Modernization Virginia General Assembly Richmond September 29
Legislative Reception with Del. Gilbert Richmond September 29
Presentation to the Virginia Municipal League Leesburg October 4
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified inequities experienced by women and other marginalized voices in the profession. But, it also revealed opportunities to create healthier, more supportive firm cultures.
The Virginia Women in Design team at AIA Virginia is planning programming during AIA Virginia’s annual convention, Architecture Exchange East this November. We want to hear from you.
How are you using 2020 as a catalyst to create a healthier, more supportive firm culture?
How have you taken advantage of other opportunities revealed from the pandemic?
Email your story to Cathy Guske at AIA Virginia, cguske@aiava.org if you want to be part of this important discussion.
Alternative Methods and Designs That Decrease Construction Time and Increase Housing Affordability
Have you 3D printed your shipping container tiny home yet? Me neither, but these new concepts – 3D printed homes, shipping container homes, and tiny homes – are the three horsemen of modernity ushering in new and creative design spaces to provide more affordable housing options to consumers. We will talk about each of these today.
For many of us, a 3D printed home is beyond the boundaries of our imagination, but at their core, they are concrete homes, and the equipment for 3D printing a home is almost like a souped-up concrete pump that you would see at a traditional construction site. 3D printers for homes still draw concrete and extrude it, but their computer systems articulate precise extrusion based on pre-programmed designs that tell the extruder where to lay the concrete. The VUSBC provides us with prescriptive requirements for concrete wall construction in Section R608 of the Virginia Residential Code, so code enforcement professionals have a framework from which they can begin to fulfill their enforcement duties despite the concrete being placed by robots instead of humans. Designs that appear to fall outside of the scoping of the Virginia Residential Code may require the work and consideration of a registered design professional.
So why would companies employ this technology? Well, for starters, the 3D printing company SQ4D was able to build a 1,900 square foot home near Long Island, NY in 48 hours, 8 hours of which was printing time. The 3D printing company ICON is able to print the concrete walls of homes for less than $4,000 in less than one day. The Virginia Center for Housing Research, Virginia Tech, Century Concrete, the Better Housing Coalition of Richmond, Alquist 3D, and RMD Construction recognize these benefits and, in a joint venture, have secured a $500,000 grant from Virginia Housing to construct a 3D printed home in Richmond, VA, which will be the first 3D printed home in Virginia. Construction of the home is currently underway.
Tiny homes are another newer housing option that provide smaller footprint living spaces for consumers looking to save time and money. The 2018 VUSBC, which became effective as of July 1st, 2021, provides permit applicants the opportunity to use the provisions in Appendix Q to construct a tiny home. These homes, which must clock in at 400 square ft or less in floor area, are permitted to have reductions in ceiling heights in habitable spaces (6’8” in tiny homes compared to 7’ in traditional homes) and bathrooms (6’4” in tiny homes compared to 6’8” in traditional homes). Appendix Q also has provisions for lofts being utilized as sleeping or living spaces, which must have a minimum dimension of 7’ x 5’ with a minimum 3’ ceiling height. This appendix also provides provisions for tighter stair geometry for accessing and egressing from lofts and provides the opportunity to utilize ladders and ship’s ladders for accessing and egressing from lofts in tiny homes.
Utilizing intermodal shipping containers as building materials in the construction of off-site constructed and site-built homes, as well as equipment shelters, modular data centers and a variety of other buildings and structures, is another trend that is becoming more common these days. While specific provisions for the use of shipping containers are beginning to make their way into the latest editions of the I-Codes, in 2019 the International Code Council and the Modular Building Institute published the “Guideline for the Safe Use of ISO Intermodal Shipping Containers Repurposed as Buildings and Building Components” which provides valuable technical information for the design, construction and approval of this new material. The 2018 editions of the VUSBC and the VIBSR include new language that makes it clear that a code official can utilize nationally recognized guidelines, such as ICC’ guideline related to repurposed shipping containers, as a technical resource when considering approval of code modifications or alternative materials, such as intermodal shipping containers. During 2019, DHCD worked with a modular manufacturer from Idaho to approve a couple of factory-built single-family shipping container homes that were installed on home sites and are currently occupied in the City of Richmond.
As always, the staff at the State Building Codes Office are available anytime to help professionals navigate these new territories. We can help answer code questions, evaluate new technology, and provide resources. State Building Codes Office: (804) 371-7150 or sbco@dhcd.virginia.gov
