Spring Newsletter 2022
Letter from the president
Optimism is our superpower. Where clients see problems, we find solutions. When inflation drives up steel costs, we use cross laminated timber. When climate change seems too big a problem to confront, we commit to our 2030 goals, design for improved building performance, and help our clients plan to harvest renewable energy. Two years in a pandemic proved that we can make big changes when we have to - like changing how and where we work, transitioning to home offices, and virtual client engagement, collaboration, and administration. Architects do best when we navigate choppy waters with the same approach we bring to our projects: let the limits inspire the solution.
This time has also proven our teams are full of heroes. While our profession gives awards for design excellence and interview 'starchitects,’ most people in our firms work ‘behind the scenes’. Our projects and firms succeed because of their time, talent, and attention, but they’re rarely celebrated. This year, we’re launching Cornerstones, a newsletter feature celebrating an individual in our community who does incredible work in a critical role you have never read about. This issue, we talk with President-Elect Sidney Griffin AIA NOMA, about the role of technology support in the profession, working for the client, and his path to leadership.
I’m lucky to serve our community with an incredible board, and I’m so thankful for the leaders before me that made AIA Central Virginia a success. As a member services organization, the AIA’s job is to serve you, by providing opportunities to learn and connect, resourcing your team do their best work, and celebrating your accomplishments. Our goals for this two-year term are to connect with you in person, learn what you and your team need to thrive, and - if it’s in our power to do so - give it to you.
I can’t wait to shake your hand and toast your success this year!
- Shawn Mulligan, AIA NCARB
Cornerstones INTERVIEW - sidney Griffin, AIA NOMA
“If you don’t celebrate people and give them a reason to feel proud about their work, you’ll lose them.” After twenty years as a BIM Manager and Director of Digital Design, Griffin knows better than most what’s really required for design firms to do great work, and the toll it can take on staff, and he has some thoughts about how to make things better.
In our first Cornerstones interview, we focus on technology support, Griffin’s new role as the first BIM Project Manager for the University of Virginia’s Geospatial Engineering Services, the future of integrating technology and buildings, and how serving our clients well and becoming a more inclusive profession could go hand in hand.
- Shawn Mulligan, AIA NCARB
emerging professionals - make a difference for kids!
Kicking off in-person events for 2022, The Emerging Professionals group toured the newly renovated C4K Clubhouse in the IX Building. C4K, formerly Computers 4 Kids, serves the community by pairing mentors in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) fields with interested middle and high school students. C4K wanted the renovation to create a highly adaptable maker-space to facilitate student-mentor creativity, improve lighting and acoustics and integrate the new space with their re-branded identity. The 3,000 square foot renovation was a collaborative community effort with architects and designers from several local firms graciously donating time to make C4K’s aspirations a reality.
Having served as the core architectural team coordinating a broad pool of volunteers, Hayley Owens (VMDO) and I were able to run through the history of the project while orienting the group to some of the more site-specific constraints and our subsequent design solutions. Kala Somerville and Colin Learmonth, C4K Executive Director and Director of Operations respectively, were on hand to introduce the group to C4K, offer additional context and thank everyone who contributed to the success of the project.
After the tour, we continued our discussion over delicious Brazos tacos. Triple Pickle for the win!
- Blake Walker, AIA
AIA Central Virginia Emerging Professionals meet each month to learn from local creative businesses and non-profits while growing in the practice of architecture. If you, or someone you know, wants to get involved, contact me at: bwalker@dgparchitects.com.
Emerging Professionals visit C4K in Charlottesville
vanoma board visits charlottesville
This month, the Virginia Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (VANOMA) held an Open House at VMDO Architects in downtown Charlottesville. This was the last in a series of four Open House events across the state to present the organization, introduce board members, and encourage increased membership and participation.
After socializing and refreshments, VANOMA President Ken Martin introduced himself and asked everyone in attendance do the same, including board members from VANOMA and AIA Central Virginia, representatives of local firms, University of Virginia and James Madison University faculty, staff, and UVA's student-led NOMAS chapter. Ken gave a short presentation on the history of NOMA, the Virginia chapter, and the work they do to uphold NOMA’s mission "to foster justice and equity in communities of color through outreach, community advocacy, professional development, and design excellence." Black representation in the profession has stalled at 2% for decades, and Black women only represent .4% of licensed architects. Project Pipeline, a NOMA program that encourages young people to affect change in their communities through design, has a goal to bring inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and excellence to our profession, and double the number of licensed Black architects by the year 2030.
Ken Martin, VANOMA President speaks at VMDO Architects (image by VANOMA)
Today NOMA chapters serve 25 states and the District of Columbia – a far cry from its founding in 1971 when 12 African-American architects attended the AIA National Convention in Detroit and recognized the need for an organization cater to the specific needs of minorities in architecture. Though the Virginia chapter of was just organized in 2021 it has already achieved recognition as the 2021 Chapter of the Year for Large Chapters and a Five-Star rating.
After the presentation, VMDO led tours of their office, capping an inspiring evening of conversations between promising students and established veterans in architecture. I felt instant camaraderie, support, and hope for the future of our profession. If you’d like to know more about membership in VANOMA (all are welcome!) or how to participate in Project Pipeline as a student or mentor, visit the VANOMA website at www.vanoma.org.
- sidney griffin, AIA noma
Closing reception (image by VANOMA)
news and upcoming events
AIA Central Virginia
Join AIA CV for a Spring Social, WED MAR 16th, 5:00 - 7:00pm at Selvedge Brewing at the Wool Factory at Woolen Mills in Charlottesville. The weather’s nice, let’s raise a glass to a new year!
New Board, New Leaders! AIA Central Virginia’s new board met in January to set an agenda for our two year term, and welcome our new Board Members Sidney Griffin AIA NOMA, and Blake Walker, AIA. More on the board here.
AIA CV Scholarship Grant deadline extended to FEB 25th! UVA and JMU architecture students can apply to win two $1,000 undergraduate and $2,000 graduate scholarships. Winners will be announced in March. Details and requirements here.
Emerging Professionals tour of C4K (Computers for Kids). THU FEB 17, 12:00pm, tour the EP-led renovation of C4K (945 2nd St SE, Charlottesville VA) then join the EPs for lunch at Brazos Tacos. More about the EP Group here.
VANOMA board Open House at VMDO Architects. Join Virginia NOMA (VANOMA) for an open house in Charlottesville! 200 Market Street, Charlottesville 22902. FRI FEB 2/25, 5:00pm-7:00pm. In-person event, masks required. Details here.
Cville Revit User Group (RUG) presentation WED MAR 09, 5:45pm – 7:00pm. Don’t Silo When you can dRofus! dRofus is a unique planning, data management and BIM collaboration software that enhances workflows for all project stakeholders throughout the building lifecycle. Register here.
AIA Virginia
New Board, New Leaders! AIA Virginia’s new president, Robert Easter, FAIA, expressed gratitude for his election as the President of AIA Virginia, and his eagerness to help make 2022 an outstanding hear for Architects in the Commonwealth. More here.
General Assembly Update AIA Virginia is actively tracking hundreds of bills in this year’s General Assembly to ensure the interests of members and the profession are engaged. Of primary interest is HB 429, carried by Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax) which drastically simplifies the Virginia Public Procurement Act regarding architectural and engineering term contracts, and support of the bipartisan Commission on School Construction and Modernization. See more here.
VA NOMA online spotlight presentation with Burt Pinnock Join Burt Pinnock for a presentation on his work and the W&M Memorial to the Enslaved. THU FEB 17, 7:00pm, online. Register here.
AIA National
Grassroots ’22 AIA Grassroots, the AIA’s premier leadership training event, is virtual this year, February 22-24. This all-digital, inclusive event is packed with sessions and keynotes from some of the most exciting voices in architecture, design, business, finance, sustainability, and management. It’s on us to design a better world - let’s get there, together. Learn more & register here.
AIA National ’22 AIA National Convention is being hosted in person in Chicago this June 22-25. Tour Chicago’s rivers, architectural masterpieces, and learn about new products and services at the Expo. Register by April 13 for early bird rates.
YAF Now YA Know AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) has a new bi-monthly newsletter, check it out.
Got something to share?
If you have something to celebrate, a story you want to tell, or you want to arrange or our Members to tour your project - please reach out by email, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
ready to pitch in?
AIA Central Virginia is an all-volunteer board, and we appreciate all the help we can get - from organizing lunch-n-learns, to reviewing student portfolios, or cleaning up after a party. When you’re ready to pitch in, please email us!