Note: Everyone who votes will be automatically entered to win a $50.00 gift certificate at Peter Miller Books!
Voting Closed
Board Positions: AIA Seattle will fill four open seats on the Board of Directors for the term beginning in September of 2008. These four new board members will join a dynamic group of leaders that have worked hard over the past year to engage our members in plans for the future of our organization. Below, you can learn more about the nominees for these four board positions, and their perspectives in AIA Seattle’s 2008 priorities: Design, Sustainability, Advocacy and Young Architects.
Bylaw Changes: The election includes a proposal to make a number of changes to the chapter’s Bylaws. First and foremost are proposed changes to create four Board level positions for Allied Members. Allied Members come from the allied professions and industries, such as engineering, construction and real estate. Currently, there is an Advisory Council made up of Allied Members. Advisory Council members attend all Board meeting and events and play an important role in the Board’s process of setting policy. Over the years, Advisory Council members have made a significant investment of time and effort in the success of AIA Seattle. The proposal to disband the Advisory Council and include the
Partner and Director of Design, Mahlum Architects
President-Elect
Design
We need to begin by strengthening dialogue within our own design community. The new design salon series led by Jim Moore and the Committee on Design is a fantastic start. I hope that members take advantage of these community dialogues, so that they may expand over time. In addition, linking our efforts around sustainability and advocacy will bring the AIA’s voice to the public realm.
Sustainability
Buildings produce more carbon emissions than do transportation and industry combined. We, along with our clients, are responsible for the performance of these buildings and thus have a remarkable opportunity to make a difference. Through education, advocacy and outreach, AIA Seattle can positively impact the quality of our work, clients’ expectations for environmental performance, and the jurisdictional context in which we practice.
Advocacy
We need to be sitting at the table to have any impact on key regulatory issues. For this reason, AIA Seattle should encourage and support architects’ involvement in all levels of government. AIA Seattle can facilitate this by identifying key issues that are impacting our region, and assembling talented and committed architects to participate in related civic programs. Together we are stronger and our voice will be heard.
Young Architects
The demand for sustainable design, increasingly fast-paced workplace, growing use of alternative project delivery methods and new technologies are transforming our profession. In this rapidly shifting environment, mentorship can come from all levels. Young staff members not only need mentoring, but also offer the potential to be mentors. There is opportunity for AIA Seattle to turn the tables and provide a platform for discovery that opens the door to innovation and new ways of thinking. The next generation is our key.
Partner, Miller
3-year Director, Honors and Awards
Craig Curtis has practiced architecture for 24 years, 21 of them at The Miller Hull Partnership, where he shares design leadership with founding partners
Design
No matter what the topic of discussion, when we have an opportunity for dialogue with the public about matters that are important to us, we should promote the importance of good design. This means something different to each of us but by sharing our personal views in open forums about what constitutes good design we will collectively be a stronger voice.
Sustainability
We need to look beyond green building and find ways to have a broader impact through policy change; working with developers, building officials, government etc to cast a wider net. Through better public outreach we can also have broader impact through behavioral change, by making sustainable design easily understood and interpreted.
Advocacy
I served as a Washington Council AIA Delegate on AELC for about ten years, recognize the importance of advocacy and am a strong proponent of the mantra “don’t throw out the good in pursuit of the perfect”. We can build stronger bridges with various partner organizations with a balanced perspective of what is idealistic and what is achievable. These relationships are important to the health of our businesses, public perception of our profession and ultimately the potential for positive change.
Young Architects
At the current pace of change I feel 20 years is impossible to predict. However, we know enough about current revolutions such as sustainability and project delivery that we can provide ample opportunities for young architects in those issues, while looking for ways to allow them to educate us on what changes they see longer term. Good leaders are good listeners and I look forward to seeking opportunities for forums with
Associate, MulvannyG2
1-year Director, Associates
A recent transplant from the east coast, Michele graduated from Virginia Tech in 2006. Cities and urban architecture are her passion, though she still has plenty to learn about both as she works through IDP on her way to licensure. As the Associate member on the Board, she wants to make AIA Seattle more relevant to other young professionals to ensure the continued growth of our profession. As an Eastside resident, she wants to focus our efforts on both sides of the lake. She is excited to help our component develop as she embarks on her own career path.
Design
Last year, AIA Seattle shaped the Viaduct debate by issuing a position statement and mobilizing a speakers’ corps to participate in community meetings. This is a great beginning, but we need to do more. We need to reach out beyond the boundaries of
Sustainability
True sustainability is not only about clever technology; it’s about a collection of strategies that best balance lifecycle costs. As architects, we work as the liaisons of multi-disciplinary teams every day. We design solutions to complex problems in order to build better projects. We can apply these skills to the challenge of sustainability. AIA Seattle already supports forums for this conversation among design professionals, but now we need to include the public in this dialogue.
Advocacy
The public does not always understand the architectural profession and will not always invite our opinion where they may benefit from our knowledge and experience. We need to proactively offer our expertise in the civic arena, whether by participating in public hearings, by writing opinion pieces for the media, or by other means. AIA Seattle should not be afraid to offer its opinion on political matters when the public can benefit from our contribution.
Young Architects
Technology has become a driving force of change in architectural practice. Young professionals enter practice with fluency in new technology as a given. One challenge will be continually integrating new technology while keeping it a tool for design, rather than a means of design. Fewer young professionals are getting licensed, giving AIA Seattle a wonderful opportunity to help bridge the gap between education and practice, and to help answer the question, “what now?”
Manager of Facilities,
3-year Director, Development
Larry is the Manager of Facilities for Puget Sound Energy (PSE),
Design
Architects have a significant voice in shaping dialog and conversations about how we live, and the great satisfaction that comes from integrating design excellence with civic goals and purposes. We play a critical role in translating quality of life issues into structures and environments that provide for the highest social benefits and interests. The AIA should continue to demonstrate its commitment to our society and communities by promoting positive design dialog while becoming a catalyst for sustainable environmental solutions.
Sustainability
There is little question that buildings contribute to the vast percentage of energy usage. Architects, therefore, can play a significant role in reducing energy and carbon emissions by careful building design, integrating technology, encouraging sustainable behavior as well as selecting highly efficient systems. New information is continually generated and updated to reflect the most current thinking of our sustainable future. Through the process of continual learning, architects will continue to contribute to this dialogue. With the considerable resources of the AIA, this can be made possible for existing as well as new members.
Advocacy
Providing excellent civic design while ensuring an intelligent perspective in governmental decision-making is one of the greatest challenges facing the AIA today. Through professional organizations like the AIA, architects can speak with a strong voice and be supported by others in the profession. The AIA at all levels offers numerous resources to provide accurate information and educated opinions to the public and civic officials. The AIA should strongly support members involved in jurisdictional processes as well as encouraging and supporting members’ ascension to public office.
Young Architects
Twenty years is a long time, but it’s likely that the knowledge and skills of today’s architects will be of questionable relevance for those architects entering the profession in the future. As society and culture become more complex, the need for flexible and adaptable solutions will become more pressing. Sustainability will also become even more important as we cope and adapt to limited energy and other resources. The AIA can play a significant role by encouraging and supporting young professionals to take leadership positions in innovative design and contribute to public processes. By promoting continual education and learning, the AIA can chart a path towards a reasoned and sustainable future.
Fire Facilities Levy Program Manager, City of
1-year Director, Facilities and Development
David’s work is focused on public architecture, including work with a variety of public agencies: the City of
Design
We gain a sense of community when AIA Seattle is more than a collection of individual members. The chapter must continue to engage the greater family of design professionals who are our allies in consultant teams and on important issues of advocacy such as the importance of quality design. That larger community can speak louder and more forcefully when needed to engage the public on design related issues.
Sustainability
Reduced carbon emissions or reduced energy usage can be simple program requirements to some. To architects, they can be the inspiration for a larger conceptual approach that integrates sustainability throughout the built form. Sustainability is not new to the profession, but growing public interest focused on global warming and the environment have placed the profession in a unique position to provide a valuable service and to advocate for good stewardship of our resources.
The AIA has regained its voice in the recent debate over the future of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the
Young Architects
The chapter membership is diverse, but that is not always represented by the participants in events and activities. A vibrant AIA has to engage architects in a wide variety of practices at all stages of their careers. AIA Seattle should ensure that the broader architectural community is being served with special attention to young architects. As younger generations are exposed to a broader diversity of stimulus and information, AIA Seattle must continue to reinvent its services to offer dynamic programming appropriate to its membership.
