From the President: Sonia R. Jarboe, AIA
With February almost over, we are coming up on the two-year anniversary of the pandemic and a lot has changed. Along with each of you and your firms, the Chapter has had to learn how to function remotely and still provide the high-quality programming our members have come to expect. Fortunately, the current number of COVID -19 cases in our area is declining, and we are cautiously optimistic as we look forward to new opportunities and programs in 2022.
Chapter House:
For the past two years, the Chapter House has sat vacant due to the pandemic and staff has been working from home. With our lease up coming up for renewal in April, and after careful consideration, the Board of Directors voted in January not to renew the lease. Instead, we are going to take advantage of this opportunity to conduct a programming analysis. An important part of this evaluation is to identify staff and member needs for a Chapter House over the next 3-5 years in order to determine what comes next. While we go through strategic planning and a search for new space, staff will continue to work remotely. Please take a few minutes and respond to a short survey about our new chapter house needs and location.
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Upcoming Events:
While we continue to move forward cautiously, we are planning many wonderful events this year, some virtual and some in-person. In February, the School Connections Committee (SCC) organized virtual portfolio reviews for WAAC student. In March, our Committee on Architecture in Education is planning a building tour of a NetZero and WELL school. Women in Architecture is working on their annual lecture series that will start this Spring. The Young Architects Forum ARE® Prep sessions kicked off earlier this month and continue through July; they are also hoping to restart their Happy Hours soon. Further out in late Summer and early Fall, we will have the Design Awards Gala, the Interschool Student Design Competition and the return of 360 Mentoring. We are also working on additional continuing education opportunities. You can always see what’s coming up on our calendar.
While we don’t know where the next year will take us, we do know that we will come out of this stronger as a chapter. I look forward to seeing you, virtually or in-person, at some of the upcoming events.
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Don’t Get Left Behind –
Confirm your Membership Renewal Today!
Are you SURE you renewed your membership for 2022? Are you absolutely positive? As we approach the membership renewal deadline on March 31 at 5pm, we want to be certain that your membership benefits and services continue uninterrupted for 2022.
You can quickly and easily confirm your renewal. If you or your office manager didn’t renew your membership yet, you can renew online today. You can also renew by mail, following the instructions on your invoice, or via phone at (800) 242-3837 (option 2).
We are here to help and can work with you to resolve any issues you may encounter. Get in touch with our Membership Director, Lorin Boswell, to assist with your renewal. Thank you for choosing to be a member of AIA Northern Virginia.
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ShrED Event at the Chapter House
March 17, 2022 from 4-7pm
Be sure to RSVP
Join us this St. Patrick's Day for a final Open House at 1101 Duke Street. We have been sorting, recycling and packing and have uncovered some items you may want to take home with you!
Stop by, meet Jaclyn, our new Executive Director, network with colleagues you haven't seen in awhile, bring firm and/or personal items that need to be shredded and enjoy a beverage to celebrate AIA Northern Virginia's next chapter.
We are still being cautious while getting together so please bring a mask. Masks are required while inside the Chapter House.
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Blackboard
SmithGroup
Reston, VA
Photographs © Judy Davis, Architectural Photographer
Connectivity, movement, and a physical sense of workplace community were the essential design goals for this education software company’s new 50,000-square-foot flagship office. Split across the upper two floors of a 12-story building, the grand connecting stair becomes more than just a means of circulation, but serves as the main entry and gathering hub for the location’s 300 employees.
To celebrate the company’s education focus, which spans K-12 to the university level — “We are an education company that leverages technology” the client likes to say — the design team chose a traditional but contemporary palette that plays off the school motif. Sophisticated oak millwork and finishing trim give the spaces a collegiate feel, while whimsical pops of color — such as school bus yellow accent walls, and furniture is upholstered in houndstooth and plaid fabrics.
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Work tools, such as whiteboards are out in the open and showcase the company’s innovations, with a twist: playing off the company’s name — Blackboard—these modern day “chalk boards” are finished in black glass. Non-traditional space adjacencies also provide employees ample opportunity to get up from their desks and out of their offices to meet face-to-face with colleagues during the day. The resulting office look and feel is traditional but playful, ever creating an atmosphere for collaboration.
Visit SmithGroup's website: www.smithgroup.com
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The latest headlines in the industry: | |
Bisnow: New Funds for Black Developers Fronting Millions for Success
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Archinect: White House seeks to promote sustainable construction materials with new task force
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The Month Ahead
Get the latest list of continuing education opportunities, committee meetings and activities, plus chapter events.
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March 7
Women in Architecture Committee Meeting
Please join us on the first Monday of each month to plan upcoming events for Women in Architecture. Learn more.
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March 9
Women in Architecture
Book Chat
This is a shame-free book club: You do not need to have completed the book, merely show an interest in it. Sign up now.
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March 10
Fire Door Systems, A Guide to Code Compliance
Earn 5 AIA LU | HSW or ICC CEU credits by attending this continuing education opportunity. FREE! Register now.
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March 17
Committee on Architecture in Education (CAE) Meeting
Join the Committee on Architecture for Education for our monthly committee meeting. Learn more.
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March 17
ShrED Event
Meet our new Executive Director, celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a beverage and shred your documents. RSVP now.
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March 19
ARE® Prep: Practice Management (PcM)
Learn from a professional and use that knowledge to prepare for the ARE®. This session offers 6 AIA LU | HSW credits. Register now.
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March 24
Innovative Pavers for Projects of Distinction
Earn 1 AIA LU | HSW credit by attending this continuing education opportunity presented by Hanover Architectural Products. Register now.
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March 31
Legislative & Government Affairs Committee Meeting
Join us virtually for the first quarter meeting to plan events for the coming year. Come and be a part of this growing committee and lend your voice to advocacy! Register now to attend.
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New Opportunity for Firms to Feature Open Positions
To expand the visibility of our Job Board, for a nominal cost, we will begin offering firms the opportunity to highlight an open position in an issue of the new CONNECT e-blast. Get more information.
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Feature Your Job Posting Here
Brief 1-2 sentence of position description.
Link to Firm Website to Apply.
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Looking for New Career Opportunities: Send AIA NoVA your Resumes
The Chapter maintains a resume bank for those seeking new opportunities. If you wish to include your resume in the resume bank, please send it as a PDF to jobs@aianova.org.
If you are hiring and wish to see resumes from the resume bank, email your request to jobs@aianova.org and indicate what experience level you require, i.e. student, 0-4 years, 5-10 or 11+, and we will email you appropriate resumes.
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Little Known Northern Virginia Fact: Arlington played a big part in the Wright Brothers’ success. They tested their early flying machines in Arlington and taught those in the military about how to fly. If not for those tests, the idea of flying may have remained a novelty rather than a reality for the Wright Brothers and so many others who were interested in and invested in flight. | | | | |
