Date: May 2, 2014
Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00pm
Led by: Marcy Giannunzio, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CDT, & Mindy Goodroe, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Session 9 PDF
Agenda
Speakers

Summary

Presentation: AIA|DC’s Advocacy Committee

Presented by: Carolyn Sponza, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Carolyn Sponza kicked off Session 9 with an informal discussion about the impact and role of architects in public policy and advocacy at its most local level. Together with her colleagues on the AIA|DC Advocacy Committee, Carolyn interfaces with the local regulatory agencies and government groups to bring attention to local regulations, practices, and policies which matter to the practitioners of architecture in the District of Columbia. These issues range from requirements for professional licensing to the city’s approach to transit-oriented development.  The CKLDP participants were particularly impressed by two major accomplishments of the committee over the past year – the hosting of a mayoral candidate forum in which all the democratic candidates participated to discuss issues of interest to the architecture and design community, and the roll-out of ANC Process Workshops focused on training ANC commissioners throughout the city on matters of zoning, design, and the public realm.

Presentation: AIA Advocacy

Presented by:   Adam Melis, AIA Director, Political Affairs & Engagement and Andrew Goldberg, Assoc. AIA, AIA Director, Government Relations and Outreach

Adam Melis and Andrew Goldberg direct a large portion of the AIA’s public policy and advocacy efforts on the national level, and provided a tag-team presentation outlining both the AIA’s involvement on these fronts and the need for architects to be engaged in these efforts. There are two main groups of issues that architects should concern themselves with – business issues such as small business regulations, liability, permitting, permitting, procurement, education, licensing, taxes and healthcare; and built environment issues such as zoning, development, resources conservation, and building codes. To a large degree politicians listen to people who are actively involved, participating and leading in the advocacy process – hence, the more involved and outspoken architects are as a group, the more power we have to influence policy, legislation, and practice.

Please join AIA|DC in celebrating the inaugural class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program at the District Architecture Center.

Date: April 4, 2014
Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00pm
Led by: Ana Baker, AIA & Jason Kasparek, Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C, APX

Session 8 PDF
Agenda
Speakers

Summary

Session 8, Beyond Green, was a dynamic afternoon that provided information on the next era of sustainable design in a variety of formats.  This session planned by Ana Baker, AIA of Cunnigham Quill Architects and Jason Kasparek, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP or ZGF Architects, posed the important questions of what is next in green design and construction, and how do we go beyond LEED and the conventional approaches to sustainability.

Bill Browning of Terrapin Bright Green kicked off the conversation with a presentation on his research and project work that was influenced by the ideas of biophilia, which looks for connections between humans and other natural systems and patterns.  Commonly referred to as biomimicry, this process looks to nature for inspiration and solutions for design problems. He had the group glued to his presentation as he outlined the 14 patterns that inform the built environment, and how design benefits from incorporation of these principals.

Diane Sullivan, senior urban planner of the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and Otto Condon, AICP of ZGF Architects next spoke on a case study, the SW Ecodistrict.  Have you ever wondered how to transform an enclave of mid-century modern federal buildings into a vibrant thriving 24-7 community where people, live work, and play that reduces greenhouse emissions and creates new sources of renewable energy?  NCPC and the extended team of partners and consultants are trying to answer that question (and many more) as they attempt to achieve their goals set out by Executive Order 13514.

The group then had a tour of the USGBC headquarters.  The office space is a showcase of sustainable materials and design approaches and showcases the newest LEED evaluation tools.  One of the most intriguing aspects of the tour is the new LEED dynamic plaque. This plaque is coming soon to a project near you and the USGBC headquarters has the first prototype installed so they can see if their facility is successful at meeting their energy and water reduction goals.

The final part of the session was a round table panel of leaders in the field of sustainable design moderated by Ana and Jason.  The panel represented a range of interests and roles in the discussion – large and small design firms, engineering firms, general contractors, and academia.  Panelist included David Bell, AIA, LEED AP, Founding Principal and President, Bell Architects, Chris Grech, RIBA, Director, Master of Sustainable Design Program, Catholic University of America, Anica Landreneau, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, Principle, Director of Sustainable Consulting, HOK, Bungan Mehlomakalu, PE, LEED AP, Principal, Integral Group, and Apryl Webb, LEED AP, AVS, Preconstruction Manager, Skanska USA Building. A great discussion took place, engaging the audience, and addressing the future trends of the profession.

The theme of resilience and how our designs need to respond, change and stand the test of time was prevalent in all of the sessions and provided the group with a new way to look at the future of sustainable design.