Colorado Real Estate Journal - April 5, 2017
In March, volunteer and staff leaders from AIA Colorado joined over 200 AIA chapters from across the country at the annual AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference. Highlighted at this year’s conference were two recent initiatives tackled by the United Nations. The first was adoption of the New Urban Agenda, and preparing for the world’s population to double through sustainable urban development. The second was the Paris Agreement, a bold commitment among 134 countries to mitigate the effects of climate change and the built environment’s carbon footprint. Though both largely global in nature, AIA is focused on how it can impact efforts in local communities by arming members with the tools and resources necessary to lead the charge. Five thought leaders presented their perspectives on the work architects, along with community leaders and other stakeholders, can do to create sustainable communities. Peter Calthorpe, a founder of the Congress for New Urbanism, spoke about the inherent problems sprawl creates and the opportunities created by masterfully planned communities with urban cores. Jeff Speck, a city planner, urban designer and author, advocated for the economic, health and environmental benefits of creating walkable communities. Jean Carroon, FAIA, spoke to the wastefulness of abandoning and tearing down existing buildings, and the opportunities and increasing demand for adaptive reuse. Michael Berkowitz, president of Resilient Cities and managing director at the Rockefeller Foundation, spoke of the 100 Resilient Cities program’s efforts to prepare cities to sustain a variety of disasters. One theme prevailed – the opportunity to ensure healthy, vibrant and resilient communities of all sizes will be addressed through sound design and planning. This effort will require collaboration by architects, planners, developers, community leaders and stakeholders in all sectors. AIA Colorado equips members to tackle these issues collectively through the AIA community as well as in their own practices. The association provides education and forums on current trends, building design and technology solutions, the latest codes and research to help inform design decisions that will positively impact each building’s occupants and the surrounding community. AIA also advocates for public policies supporting architects’ and their businesses’ abilities to lead positive change in the built environment. For Brad Tomecek AIA, principal at the Denver based Tomecek Studio, AIA membership helps him to stay informed about the professional issues he cares most about. Tomecek attended this year’s AIA Grassroots Conference as AIA Denver President. He notes that many local, regional and national issues go unnoticed or without the time and attention they deserve. AIA helps put a spotlight on these issues, and creates opportunities for members to forge ahead on causes they care about. Additionally, AIA creates opportunities for small firms to better connect to the larger architectural community and provides chances to serve as a thought leader in a competitive space. “At AIA, the connectivity with other members who share similar interests and understand related professional issues is invaluable. This extended peer group has become a resource that I call on frequently as a small-firm practitioner,” said Tomecek. Tomecek, along with other AIA leaders at Grassroots last week, visited congressional offices to advocate for public policies encouraging support of smart design and growth in the built environment. For other firms, AIA membership is often viewed as both an opportunity for growth and a commitment to advancing the architectural profession as a whole. According to Joe Levi, AIA member and architect at OZ Architecture, his firm and others benefit through everything from event hosting to participating in government affairs initiatives. “This involvement has given OZ Architecture a voice in shaping the future of our industry, including advocating for licensure requirements, minimum wages, and accessory dwelling unit requirements,” Levi noted. “The value of cultivating an ongoing professional community is simple connectivity. We recognize that as architects, we are better when we put our heads together. Just as we collaborate with clients, key stakeholders, building users and neighborhoods, and the general public, so must we work to engage with each other. There’s a great deal to be learned from our fellow practitioners, and AIA presents the platform for that learning. “Architectural firms large and small benefit from their involvement with AIA through a strong network of professionals supporting the future of the industry, and through opportunities for the staff to develop into strong and effective architects who develop innovative and well designed buildings,” said Levi. “We see this as an opportunity as well as a commitment that firms of our size contribute to and support our profession.” Tomecek summed up the benefit of being part of an association of architects: “AIA Colorado invites input and advocates on behalf of all those in the profession.” AIA Colorado will continue to engage members and other professionals as we explore the intersection of current issues and the association’s longstanding view of architects as shapers and stewards of the built environment. Learn about AIA values and what we stand for by visiting https://www.aia.org/resources/50766-wherearchitects-stand-a-statement-of-our-va. See how AIA Colorado is equipping members in Colorado by visiting www.aiacolorado.org.