AIA MINNESOTA MATRIX NEWSLETTER
March 2022
|
|
What Stories Will You Help Create?
By Alicia Belton, FAIA, NOMA, AIA Minnesota President
|
|
We celebrate Black History and Women’s History months to honor those who have made meaningful contributions to our society. Uplifting Minnesota trailblazers like Clarence Wigington, Robert Morgan, FAIA, Emma Gruetzke and Elizabeth Close, FAIA remind us of the importance of recognizing those who broke barriers when there were few people of color or women in the profession of architecture. In this time of bridging understanding across race and gender within the profession, we have the opportunity to think about the design process to ensure that it is a more inclusive one. Using the Framework for Design Excellence, we can Design for Equitable Communities to address the systemic barriers that are still present today.
Each person has a story that is their own unique gift to the world. My story as a daughter of an immigrant mother born during a time when interracial marriages were just becoming legal has given me an understanding of being seen as “other.” There have been times when I have been mistaken for the admin for teams I was leading or as the help for fundraising events I have hosted in my home.
I share these stories to show the biases that impact behaviors and condition our responses – behaviors and responses related to how we engage with each other as people, and in the design process and the work of architecture. We can choose to use an inclusive lens to knit together the stories of the past, present, and future into the built environment. With a focus toward regenerative solutions, we can bring transformative healing and wellbeing.
As designers of physical space, we hold the responsibility of creating equity in the built environment. When I look at how the culture of architectural practice needs to change, I believe that centering equity in firms will translate into how we think about designing for the communities we serve. In a recent meeting of AIA Minnesota’s Community of Practice for Culture Change (CPCC), participants discussed a scenario where a project team had decided on a hybrid approach, with a blend of in-office and remote work. A senior male staff member who opted to work in the office every day expressed their frustration and took offense that a more junior female staff member was not there to print out work for review, requiring review of electronic files instead.
There was lots of nuance in the scenario to unpack, from workstyles, power dynamics, gender differences, and generation gaps. Bottom line is that, until we intentionally engage to see other perspectives, we will not be able to bridge differences to make systemic changes in our firms – and to work alongside communities with thoughtful and relevant design rooted in equity.
Marginalized people and communities have been weakened by the systemic injustices of historical policies and plans. We know the intentions of legislation like the 19th Amendment in 1920 to permit white women’s right to vote, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to end segregation, Loving vs. State of Virginia in 1967 to allow interracial marriages and the Fair Housing Act of 1968 to end discrimination in housing. These actions eliminated many barriers, yet their intended impacts have yet to be fully realized; the effects of policies like redlining and racial covenants remain present.
Whether your design tool is pen to paper or mouse to screen, let’s find a path of design that is infused with the stories of those who have been misrepresented, misunderstood, and just missing from the discussion. Let us, together, create more equitable communities.
What stories will you help create that bring about a more complete and inclusive narrative? It is a design challenge that we can each take on for the greater good of all.
|
|
Four AIA Minnesota Architects Elevated to Fellowship
Congratulations to Michelle Mongeon Allen, FAIA; Alicia Belton, FAIA; Peter Hendee Brown, FAIA; and Nathan Knutson, FAIA, for their elevation to the AIA College of Fellows in 2022. Learn more »
|
|
Pictured above: Bob LeMoine, AIA, 2019 Residential Emerging Talent of the Year Award Recipient
Do you know an emerging residential architect who deserves recognition for their achievements? Submit now for the AIA Minnesota Residential Emerging Talent Award! Deadline March 11, 12:00 pm CT.
The Residential Emerging Talent Award (previously the annual Emerging Talent of the Year Award) recognizes an emerging residential architect, licensed ten or fewer years, who demonstrates an innovative approach to design, the emergence of a unique architectural voice, and a developing master of architecture. Learn more »
|
|
Submit for the Inagural AIA Minnesota Next Gen Award
In keeping with AIA Minnesota’s mission to build and mentor the profession, the Next Gen Award is given to recent graduates of an accredited NCARB architecture program who have demonstrated early leadership potential or exceptional service to the AIA, the architecture profession, or the community at large.
AIA Minnesota members and Associate members who have graduated with an architecture degree from an NCARB accredited program in the last 5 years are eligible for this award. AIA licensure is not required to be eligible for this award.
Candidate submissions should demonstrate:
- Early leadership potential and exceptional service;
- Substantial involvement in a committee, knowledge community, or initiative of AIA Minnesota;
- Contributions to the profession of architecture through academic, professional, or volunteer efforts; and/or
- Significant contributions to the community through volunteering, activism, or leadership activities.
Submissions for the Next Gen Award will open April 1. Learn more »
|
|
Young Architects Award Open House
The AIA Minnesota Young Architects Award submission window opens April 1. Join us on April 7 for an open house with recent Young Architects Award recipients to learn more about submitting a successful entry. You'll also hear more about the Next Gen Award at this event. Watch for speaker details, coming soon!
YOUNG ARCHITECTS OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, April 7, 4:00
|
|
Sponsor a NOMA Foundation Fellow
We encourage all firms to consider sponsoring a NOMA Foundation Fellow for the summer 2022 program. Firms can apply to host a fellow by completing the Host Firm Registration Form by March 11, 2022 and will be notified of their selection no later than March 25. The NOMA Foundation Fellowship will accommodate on-site and virtual internships for the 2022 program. Firms will indicate their preference on the Host Firm Registration Form. Learn more »
|
|
Advertise in ENTER
ENTER Digital
Our ENTER digital publication is now published on a biweekly basis to allow our readers more time with each issue. This is a great vehicle to align with insightful articles and features that showcase architecture making a difference in the community. Ads, sponsorships, and advertorial opportunities start at $495 per week. Contact Pam Nelson for more information and to reserve your digital ads.
COMING SOON: THE ENTER PRINT ANNUAL
The future of downtowns. The state of mass timber construction in Minnesota. A mayor on affordability and design for public health. A photo-rich profile of Marshall, Minnesota. The value of systems thinking in creating culture change. The debut issue of the ENTER print annual – set to go to press in early April – features these and other in-depth articles exploring the challenges and opportunities in the work of climate action, equity, economy, and innovation in the built environment. Plus: Spotlights on new buildings and a special section on AIA Minnesota design awards.
Watch for your copy in the mail, and for details in upcoming issues of Matrix and the ENTER biweekly on purchasing additional copies for clients, collaborators, and friends. 170+ pages and designed to be read and kept. The publication will retail for $18.
There are a few remaining ad pages still available on a first-come basis. Contact Pam Nelson by March 6 to secure an ad spot.
|
|
NATIONAL INTERCULTURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (NILP) |
|
National Intercultural Leadership Program (NILP) to Launch in April 2022
AIA Minnesota is pleased to host this cutting-edge skill-building program for leaders, change-makers, and professionals in the architecture industry who wish to practice inclusive leadership and create lasting culture change among their firms and organizations.
Over nine virtual sessions, the NILP helps individuals expand their abilities to lead inclusively and develop greater intercultural competence. The program also strengthens participants’ effectiveness at creating a culture of equity and belonging. Register now as space is limited. Learn more »
|
|
COMMITTEE/KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT |
|
ENTER Committee
Do you have a passion for design for climate action, equity, economy, and innovation? And an interest in shaping content on those themes for a public audience? Come check out the ENTER Committee, which meets on the fourth Friday of the month at noon to assist the editor in identifying content for the biweekly e-newsletter and the annual print publication and brainstorming ways to promote ENTER and grow its digital and print circulation. The group is composed mostly of AIA members, but it also includes a few landscape architects and marketing specialists.
|
|
Leadership Forum 2022 Update
The 2022 Leadership Forum met again in February. In preparation for this session, each person took the Gallup’s Strengths Finder Assessment. Nancy Fisher, a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, guided the group to an increased awareness and appreciation for the talents of self and others. She also helped them explore the link between their strengths and different work styles and gain insights that will enable them to become more effective leaders.
Two weeks later a team of the cohort worked together to lead a 90-minute Coffee Talk where they discussed sections of the book, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, that focused on values.
March and April sessions will shift from an exploration of self to a focus on skill-building.
|
|
MINNESOTA ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION (MAF) |
|
2022 MAF Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Award
The Minnesota Architectural Foundation announces the 2022 Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Award competition details.
Application deadline: Friday, March 4, 2022
Competition dates: Thursday, March 10 – Tuesday, March 15, 2022
|
|
LAKE SUPERIOR DESIGN RETREAT (LSDR) |
|
Thank you to the speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making this year’s virtual Lake Superior Design Retreat a success!
Although not in person, LSDR attendees enjoyed the usual diversity of creative explorations from our five speakers. They participated in breakout room chats between speakers, and even raised an LSDR cocktail or mocktail together to celebrate the speakers, the event, and being together – virtually.
Pictured: Presenter Brian Alexander with emcees Steve Buetow, AIA, and Amber Sausen, AIA.
|
|
A'22 MN: THE MINNESOTA CONFERENCE ON ARCHITECTURE |
|
Save the Date for A’22 MN Conference on Architecture!
AIA Minnesota is eager to host the annual conference in person this year on November 9-11, 2022 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Watch future Matrix issues for more details!
|
|
NATIONAL & LOCAL CHAPTER UPDATES |
|
A'22 CONFERENCE ON ARCHITECTURE
June 22-25
Chicago, IL
Excitement is building! The architecture and design event of the year returns to Chicago. With the city as our backdrop, we’ll explore architecture’s ability to drive new thinking in one of the most design-forward, sustainable cities in the U.S. Get your ticket »
SUBMISSIONS OPEN FOR AIA AWARD PROGRAMS
AIA recognizes and celebrates the best buildings and spaces, and the people behind them, with some of the most prestigious awards in the built environment. Take a look at many of our awards that are currently open for submission, including the Architecture, Healthcare Design Awards, Interior Architecture and Regional & Urban Design Awards. Submit today »
AIAU CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
Master new skills that help you meet your firm’s business and sustainability goals through AIAU’s exclusive certificate programs. You’ll learn best practices from leading architects and firms on the core topics that will drive your projects, your career, and your firm forward. Complete all courses in a program to earn a certificate that shows your achievement. Certificates are available in AIA+2030, Materials, Resilience & Adaptation, and Business Foundations. Learn more »
2030 COMMITMENT REPORTS 2020 PROGRESS
2030 By the Numbers: The 2020 Summary of the AIA 2030 Commitment measures annual performance of the architecture and design community toward its goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030. It includes data from calendar year 2020 and suggestions for improving performance year to year. View the report »
FREE RESUME REVIEW
To help you navigate the current job market, we’re offering free expert résumé review services through the AIA Career Center. Simply visit your account overview page and scroll to the TopResume section at the bottom to submit.
MANAGE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
Update your contact preferences, education, licenses, career, and contact information online. Visit myprofile.aia.org.
|
|
The AIA Minneapolis Member Engagement Committee wants to hear from you. We’re looking for real-world topics on the ethical practice of architecture and scenarios where you’ve faced ethical decisions. What ethics-related topics are important to your practice? What ethical decisions have you encountered? How can AIA Minneapolis support you in addressing these issues? Provide your feedback here »
GOLF OUTING: SAVE THE DATE!
Monday, July 25, Majestic Oaks
Registration for golfers and sponsors will be available online in April.
MINNEAPOLIS PRESERVATION AWARDS: SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, 5:30 pm
Organizers of the Minneapolis Preservation Awards are pleased to announce that they are planning the 2022 Minneapolis Preservation Awards Recognition Party in May. This annual award program recognizes architects, developers, volunteers, enthusiasts, and preservation professionals that protect and celebrate the City's built history. The nomination process will launch in late March with nominations submitted electronically and completely free of charge. Learn more »
GOLF COMMITTEE
If you have an interest in golf, please join our golf committee to help us plan this year’s event. We meet virtually once a month from March through July. Contact Pam Nelson for more details.
|
|
LSDR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE
AIA Northern Minnesota is proud to have awarded 10 scholarships to architecture students to attend this year’s Lake Superior Design Retreat. The students represented schools from across the region, including the University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, Dunwoody College of Technology, Iowa State University, and University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
DRAUGHTING CLUB
Wednesday, March 2, 4:00 pm
Canal Park Brewery
|
|
Minnesota license renewals are due June 30, 2022. Architects must have 24 Professional Development Hours (PDH) accrued between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022. Two of these PDH credits must be Ethics credits.
-
Check here to see if you have carryover credits from the last license renewal (ethics credits do not qualify for carryover).
-
Check here under Continuing Education for the link to view your AIA transcript.
AIA Minnesota is planning seminars to be offered this spring to help you meet your CE requirement.
Announcements and registration information will be emailed to all AIA Minnesota members. This info will also be provided here, as available.
Four New On-Demand Webinars Available Now!
Providing HSW credits and 2.0 hours of ETHICS!
Still to come and available soon. When available, the link will be posted here.
- D4-71. Pathways to SB 2030: Three Minnesota Case Studies 1.0 HSW LU
|
|
COMMITTEE AND KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY UPDATES |
|
ARCHITECT LICENSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
|
Thursday, March 3, 12:00
Are you an NCARB Licensing Advisor for your firm?
Everyone knows that as the profession and technology change, both the AXP requirements and ARE format change; but does your office have who is a go-to person to make sure everyone is up-to-date? Is that person an Architect Licensing Advisor? Licensing advisors are a part of an online community where questions can be asked and information exchanged. Learn more »
Join the AIA Minnesota Architect Licensing Advisory Committee
The ALA Committee meets monthly to keep one another and our membership up-to-date on all things AXP and ARE. If you are someone who wants to help make the AXP experience smooth for others and provide support for those taking the Architecture Licensing Exams, please consider joining us. We welcome both licensing candidates and well as licensed architects. Contact Matt Wingard, AIA, Gary Demele, FAIA, or staff liaison, Deanna Christiansen.
Meet Your 2022 Licensure Goals
NCARB has put together the following resources to help you meet you licensing goals.
For more information and resources to guide your licensure, visit the AIA Minnesota website pages for AXP and ARE. |
|
|
|
CONGRATS TO EDEN GARTON, ASSOC. AIA, RECIPIENT OF ARE SCHOLARSHIP |
Eden Garton, Assoc. AIA, has been selected to receive AIA Minnesota’s 2022 ARE Scholarship. Application requirements included a 300-word essay defining the role of the licensed architect of the future.
The thesis for Eden’s essay is: “A single designer, nor a singular licensed architect, could tackle the challenges of the future, alone. Instead, an intricate network of diverse voices from a variety of professions must unify to confront climate change, social inequities, global pandemics and more.”
|
|
ARCHITECTURE IN THE SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
|
|
BUILDING CODES KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY |
|
Wednesday, March 9, 12:00 pm
Open forum. Bring your code questions, experiences, and updates to share.
|
|
Thursday, March 10, 12:00 pm
|
|
COMMITTEE ON EQUITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (EBE) |
|
Wednesday, March 16, 8:30 am
|
|
COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT (COTE) |
|
BOOK DISCUSSION: VISUAL DELIGHT IN ARCHITECTURE
Friday, March 11, 12:00 pm
Please join the COTE committee's March meeting for a book talk with Lisa Heschong. Heschong’s new work, Visual Delight in Architecture, examines the latest science on how natural daylight and window views interact with and shape the human eye and brain. It makes a compelling case that daily exposure to the rhythms of daylight is essential to our health and well-being, tied to the very genetic foundations of our physiology and cognitive function.
Many of you may be aware of Lisa Heschong through her previous work, Thermal Delight in Architecture. Please join us for a science-based, biophilia-inspiring presentation, followed by time for questions. Purchase a copy of Visual Delight in Architecture »
|
|
COUNCIL OF FIRMS KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY
|
|
Escalation in Construction Prices
Monday, March 14, 12:00 pm
|
|
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS COMMITTEE |
|
Tuesday, March 8, 12:00 pm (NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME)
|
|
Friday, March 25, 12:00 pm
|
|
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE |
|
Tuesday, March 15, 12:00 pm
The 2022 legislative session began on January 31. Join us for an update on key legislative topics, including the 2022 bonding bill, affordable housing, and building codes.
|
|
HEALTH DESIGN KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY
|
|
Thursday, March 31, 4:00 pm
|
|
HOUSING ADVOCACY COMMITTEE |
|
Wednesday, March 2, 12:00 pm
Join us for a recap of Search for Shelter 2022 and a discussion of housing policy bills moving through the Minnesota state legislature.
|
|
LAKE SUPERIOR DESIGN RETREAT COMMITTEE |
|
Monday, March 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
|
|
MINNESOTA DESIGN TEAM COMMITTEE (MDT) |
|
Wednesday, March 16, 4:30 pm
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
MDT is looking for team and co-leader volunteers for their upcoming visit to Silver Bay, MN, on May 19–21, 2022. The overall focus of this visit will be on downtown development, lakeside development, and strengthening connections between the different parts of the city. If interested, contact Steve Roos to learn more.
Help update the MDT Workbook! Contact Katie Kangas, AIA to learn how to get involved.
There are multiple ways to help develop new marketing and publicity resources for MDT. Contact Ann Mayhew to learn more.
|
|
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE COMMITTEE |
|
Tuesday, March 1, 12:00 pm
Tuesday, April 5, 12:00 pm
Submit now for:
The Residential Emerging Talent Award. Deadline March 11, 12:00 pm CT.
Home of the Month. Deadline April 1, 12:00 pm CT.
Mark your calendar! The Home of the Month public event will be on Thursday, May 5 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Homes by Architects Tour. Deadline April 8, 12:00 pm CT.
|
|
TECHNOLOGY IN ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY |
|
Thursday, March 24, 4:00 pm
The topic for the March meeting is Sustainability – How does technology assist the profession of architecture to address AIA Minnesota’s strategic priority: “Take immediate, bold action to help address climate change"?
All are welcome to attend. Previous TAP participation is not required. Firm leaders are encouraged to direct their AIA and non-AIA technical staff as well as tech-enthusiasts to join the TAP community.
If you would like to make sure you are on the TAP email list for 2022, email Deanna Christiansen.
|
|
WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE COMMITTEE |
|
Wednesday, March 9, 8:00 am
|
|
MacDonald & Mack Architects is now an official Woman-Owned Business Enterprise. |
|
WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! |
|
Benjamin Bourgoin, AIA
Marina Fooks, Associate AIA
Kalle Kutschera, Associate AIA
Hok Him Leong, Associate AIA
Ben Newby, Associate AIA
|
|
Jenny Smith, Associate AIA
Malakai Stern, Associate AIA
Jordan Strickland, Associate AIA
Christopher Utt, Associate AIA
|
|
|
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATION NEWS & EVENTS |
|
DESIGN IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD DISCUSSION SERIES (Online)
March 2 | March 29 | April 26 | May 10
UMN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE VIRTUAL LECTURE SERIES┃EXISTING TO REMAIN (Online)
March 2 and 28, April 4, 11, 18, and 22, 12:00 pm
While the prevailing design imaginary still privileges ground-up construction, practices that validate, activate, and recompose what is already here can perhaps engage more directly in the conflicts of spatial injustice and environmental change. Bringing together critical approaches to surveying, retrofitting, and circularity, the lectures reinforce calls to reorient architectural design’s temporal, scalar, and political range to that which endures.
-
Hütten & Paläste (March 2) Architectures of Openness: Strategies of Transformation
-
Local Works Studio (March 28) Habitual Design: Routines for Circular Building and Dwelling
-
Paulo Tavares (April 4) Trees, Vines, Palms, and Other Architectural Monuments
-
Everett L. Fly (April 11) Planning and Design: Beyond Myths, Materials, and Objects
-
Milica Topalovic (April 18) Associate Professor of Architecture and Territorial Planning, ETH Zurich
-
baubüro in situ (April 22) Reuse & Upcycling: Using the Example of Project K.118 in Winterthur, Switzerland
RECONSTRUCTING BLACK WORLDS: COUNTERNARRATIVE CREATION AS PRESERVATION PRACTICE (ONLINE)
Thursday, March 17, 3:30 pm
Speaker Dr. Andrea Roberts, Assistant Professor of urban Planning at Texas A&M University and Director of the Texas Freedom Colonies Atlas Project discussed the 557+ freedom colonies founded by formerly enslaved Texans.
DESIGN IN 7: 7 STORIES, 7 MINUTES
Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 pm
What can be shared in just seven minutes? Listen in as seven professionals from the fields of apparel design, architecture, graphic design, interior design, landscape architecture, product design, and retail share thought-provoking, inspiring, and often humorous tales from the design trenches. View the 2022 speakers and learn more »
|
|
UMN ONLINE RESOURCES
Visit the College of Design's online calendar for regular updates on activities.
UMN CAREER AND INTERNSHIP RESOURCES
Employers with jobs, internships, or smaller, project-based micro-internships are encouraged to post opportunities for students and recent grads at careerhelp.umn.edu.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Visit the AIA Minnesota Events Calendar for more information about upcoming events. For events not sponsored by AIA Minnesota, please check directly with sponsors for up-to-date information about cancellations, postponements, or virtual meetings.
|
|
Matrix is published
by AIA Minnesota.
|
|
AIA Minnesota President
AIA Minnesota Executive Vice President
AIA Minnesota Matrix Editor
APRIL Matrix editorial deadline is Friday, March 18.
MAY Matrix editorial deadline is Friday, April 22.
Get updates on events, activities, and the latest architectural news from AIA Minnesota and its chapters on social media. Don't forget to tag us on your news to share!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
