In September, thanks to a special arrangement with Washington Federal Savings and KIRO Newsradio, the AIA Seattle Saturday Seminar program will reach a sizeable new audience of potential clients considering an investment in residential design services. Tune in for announcements on KIRO Newsradio - perhaps to Tom Kelly's August 18 interview of AIA Seattle President Rena Klein AIA on his award-winning Sunday-morning program "Real Estate Today."

On each Saturday morning in September, a Washington Federal Savings loan officer will join a two-member team of AIA Seattle architects in presenting "How to Select & Work with an Architect," to offer supporting details on project financing. With AIA Seattle staff on hand to greet registrants and provide additional references and materials, the presenting architects will help attendees to envision the processes of design and construction. Drawing from "Clients FAQ" and responding to the questions of attendees tailored to their proposed projects, the presenting architects will outline project timelines and terminology, as well as responsibilities and mutual expectations of clients, architects, contractors, consultants, and other contributors to a residential project. "We know that clients will appreciate the added content on financing their projects," notes Rena Klein. "This program brings new access and new information to the public, and will help bring new and well-informed clients to architects. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with our financial community colleagues at Washington Federal Savings, and with KIRO Newsradio, in this excellent program."

Bulletins slated for regular airing in key spots in the KIRO schedule beginning mid-August supplement print flyers distributed at 30 Puget Sound area branches of Washington Federal, and at AIA Seattle, to provide details on the seminar, slated for locations throughout the Puget Sound Region (all seminars 9-noon; click below for location details and to register):

9/07 Ballard / Tacoma
9/14 Kirkland / West Seattle
9/21 Bellevue / SeaTac
9/28 Lynnwood / Queen Anne

As for the Saturday Seminars held each month at AIA Seattle, potential attendees register via the AIA Seattle web site or by phone or fax. Promotional materials available at Washington Federal locations and announced on KIRO Newsradio direct clients to the Resource Center for Architecture to review portfolios, and to the E-Source Center to view the web sites of AIA Seattle Affiliated Practices.

AIA Seattle Resource Center Chair Mark Travers AIA and Program Director Peter Sackett have recruited presenters from the trained corps of speakers, with special attention to architects who have offices or have done projects in the neighborhoods targeted for seminars. "This program promises to connect clients with the architects of their communities, as well as relevant financial resources, in a very direct and positive way," notes Mark Travers. Roy Whitehead, CEO of Washington Federal Savings, adds: "We're very pleased to have this opportunity to partner with AIA Seattle and to help expand the reach of the Saturday Seminars. We hope this program proves mutually beneficial."

Washington Federal, headquartered in Seattle, has 114 offices in seven western states. The company specializes in fixed-rate mortgages and construction lending for both spec and custom homes. In the communities it serves, Washington Federal makes loans for the purchase of new or existing homes, the construction of homes, land acquisition for residential development, remodel projects, and multi-family residential properties.

Questions? Please contact AIA Seattle Program Director Peter Sackett (206) 448-4938 x5.