The AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable welcomes all to a half-day Forum including a community design workshop, exploring opportunities for engagement of design professionals of all generations with community groups and civic leaders, to assist in the creation of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The diverse environment of the South Park community offers a unique laboratory with special prospects for positive community design achievement.

This Forum reflects the Diversity Roundtable's intention to reach out to youth from diverse communities to engage them in the power of design – through support of Denice Hunt K-12 Internship recipients at the UW College of Architecture & Urban Planning, among other programs, in the spirit of AIA150: "In 2007, the Members of The American Institute of Architects will mark the AIA's 150 years of service to the profession and the nation by working with their communities to create a better future by design." Attendance at this Forum will broaden understanding of and participation in addressing issues facing the South Park community, occupying critical sites in the Duwamish River Watershed adjacent to Boeing's main facility.

Background: In 2005, Denice Hunt K-12 Intern Greg Squires, with Mark Haizlip and students at Concord Elementary, worked together to create a garden shed at Marra Farm, in Seattle's historic, diverse, and proud South Park neighborhood. In June 2005, AIA 2007 President RK Stewart FAIA joined others in AIA Seattle's annual Solstice Procession (pictured below) brought AIA and community leaders to key South Park sites.

Forum Agenda:
Noon Registration
PLEASE NOTE: no lunch provided on site. Please feel free to bring your lunch, or plan to stop by Muy Macho Mexican Grill, 8515 14th Ave S
12:30pm Welcome & Introductions
… M. Mario Campos AIA, AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable Chair, AIA national Diversity Committee
… Peter David Greaves AIA, AIA Washington Council President 2007, AIA Seattle AIA150 Champion
… Clarence Kwan AIA, AIA national Diversity Committee 2006 Chair

12:45pm "What We Learn from Marra Farm"
… "Working with the Community/The Garden Shed:" Greg Squires (Denice Hunt K-12 Intern 2005) & Mark Haizlip
… Steve Badanes, UW Professor of Architecture
… Lee Harper, Assistant Director, Fremont Public Association

1:45pm "Recent Experience Working with the South Park Community"
… Opportunities in South Park: Mark Johnson, Jones & Jones
… The South Park Library/Working with the Community: Mary Johnston AIA, Johnston Architects
… The Bridge: Geoff Belau
… South Park Leadership in Duwamish River Cleanup: Cari Simson & BJ Cummings, Duwamish River Clean-up Coalition

3pm "Community Futures Workshop: Addressing South Park Environmental and Community Design Issues"
… M. Mario Campos AIA, Facilitator
… Peter David Greaves AIA, AIA Washington Council President 2007, AIA Seattle AIA150 Champion
… Clarence Kwan AIA, AIA national Diversity Committee
. The Hon. Richard Conlin, Seattle City Councilmember
… The Hon. Dow Constantine, King County Councilmember

5:30pm Closing Reception

REGISTRATION CLOSED

Click above for secure online registration.
Thanks to sponsorship by Jones & Jones and Johnston Architects, AIA Seattle welcomes South Park residents as guests, by advance reservation. Please contact AIA Seattle Events Coordinator Lisa Duncan, 206.448-4938x106 to request complimentary participation.
THANK YOU.

Lunch break in the shed-in-process at the Marra Farm Garden Party 5/14/05 (photo by Clarence Kwan):
Row 1: Their mom with Adam & Sammy; Denice Hunt Intern Greg Squires
Row 2: Jennifer the agro-anthropology student, Marga Rose Hancock, Eric Higbee
Row 3: Dave, Woody, and Suzanne Haizlip; Mario Campos
Row 4: Mark Haizlip

Background:
Members of the AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable, in partnership with colleagues at the UW Department of Achitecture and Fremont Public Association, have undertaken a series of events and projects in Seattle's historic, diverse, and proud South Park neighborhood, centered at Marra Farm.

These efforts follow in the path initiated by 2005 Denice Hunt K-12 Intern Greg Squires and his project partner Mark Haizlip in a garden shed design/build project for Marra Farm undertaken with students at nearby Concord Elementary School (as pictured above). In June 2005, the AIA Seattle Summer Solstice Procession included a "Natural & Community Wonders" Tour of South Park, including the Duwamish Watershed Restoration, downtown South Park, and Marra Farm

Clarence Kwan AIA of the AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable, also a member of AIA's national Diversity Committee, advises that the Roundtable also plans to launch a project bridging design professionals with the local community, and encourages all AIA Seattle Members to take part all along the way. Watch for details soon on this exciting project with 'AIA150' implications.