AIA Grassroots 2011: Leadership & Legislative Conference Recap - Design I Vision 

By: Chris Dawson, AIA

Rich Gribble and I attended Grassroots in D.C. from 2/2 thru 2/4 on behalf of AIA Central PA. We arrived Wednesday afternoon in time for the opening session and a review of four issues we would be advocating for during our meetings with congressional staff on Thursday:
- Unfreeze credit / restore liquidity in lending;
- Remove regulatory burdens for small businesses / namely the recently expanded Form 1099 requirements;
- Expand the Building Efficiency Incentives Act;
- Reform federal transportation legislation by going beyond funding for roads and bridges to support mass transit projects.

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Lessons Learned by a Yeoman Architect 

By: James A. Mehaffey, AIA

You've all heard of Dueling Banjos, but have you ever heard dueling accents? Several years ago I overheard a conversation between two people of diverse backgrounds discussing specification coordination. I did not take notice of anything out of the ordinary until Division 8 and the topics of doors. The names below have been changed to protect their identities.

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Spring is for Photography 

By: Scott Butcher, CPSM

As the short, cold days give way to longer, milder days, it's time to evaluate your photography needs. For many of us, the Great Recession - which continues in the design and construction industry - has led to a reduction or total elimination of photography budgets as we all have looked to trim expenses. However, the need to obtain quality photography of our projects is still as important as it has always been, and perhaps even more important in this competitive environment in which we operate. Read Full Article

Scott Butcher, CPSM, vice president of JDB Engineering and member of the AIA Central PA Board of Directors, is currently writing a book about central Pennsylvania architecture. The book, which will be released by Schiffer Publishing early next year, will feature architectural styles found in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York Counties from the early 18th century through late 20th century. Do you know of a local building that is either an exemplary example of a particular style or a unique interpretation of it? If so, Scott would appreciate your input. Email him directly at sbutcher@jdbengineering.com.

Holly Williams Leppo, AIA, has been selected as one of the Central Pennsylvania region's 25 Women of Influence of 2011. This award is presented by the Central Penn Business Journal to a group of women chosen on the basis of significant career accomplishments, leadership and mentoring, and community involvement.

A luncheon in honor of the award recipients will be held at the Hilton Harrisburg on Monday, May 16, and all honorees will be profiled in a supplement to the Central Penn Business Journal to be published on May 20.

Holly is a registered architect, certified interior designer and LEED Accredited Professional. She is a vice-president of SMB&R, Inc. in Camp Hill, and serves on the Board of Directors of AIA Central Pennsylvania. She also volunteers as a member of the selections committee for the Steele Architectural Scholarship awarded by the Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

Outside of her practice, Holly has written five technical review guides designed to prepare candidates for the Architectural Registration Exam, all published by Professional Publications, Inc. of Belmont, California. She is also the author of PPI's LEED Prep series of texts for the LEED Green Associate and Accredited Professional exams.

Young Architects Forum 

The Young Architects Forum is pleased to announce that we are in the process of organizing many events and contests that will take place in 2011. We expect this to be a great year for our organization and look forward to networking with all of you and expanding our reach to include new members in Central Pennsylvania. Some details about our upcoming events are below and, as always, feel free to email Tammie Fitzpatrick (tammie@lefevrefunk.com) or Holly Williams Leppo (hwleppo@smbr-inc.com) with any questions you may have.

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Spring Lecture

 

Our 2011 AIA Central Pennsylvania Spring Lecture will be held Thursday April 21st at 7pm at HACC York's Glatfelter Community Room in their CyTec Building (2161 Pennsylvania Avenue). Sebastian Schmaling, AIA will be presenting the work of his firm Johnsen Schmaling Architects based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Johnsen Schmaling Architects enjoy "pushing ourselves into new conceptual territory...in scale, materiality, fenestration. We are very concerned about not resting on one's previous thoughts." The work percolates with ideas that are at once playful, coherent, and practical.

Our lecture series is not possible without the support of our sponsors and we are actively looking for sponsors to support our 2011 Lecture Series. Please consider supporting the Lecture Series with a sponsorship.

PAC Breakfast of Champions 

On Wednesday March 2nd, AIA Central Pennsylvania held a Breakfast of Champions event for The Honorable Jeffrey Piccola, State Senator (R-15 Dauphin (part) and York (part) Counties) at the AIA Pennsylvania offices in Harrisburg. Senator Piccola is Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committees.

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