AIA-NJ Members Featured on PBS Special on Green Building

TRENTON, N.J. (April 19,2009) — Two members of the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) will be featured as “green-building pioneers” on a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television feature on green builders.

Deane Evans, FAIA, executive director of the Center for Architecture and Building Science Research at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J., and David E. Cohen, AIA, of DEC Architect in Princeton, N.J., will be featured on “Green Builders,” which will air multiple times on local public television stations this month.

Web Site Feature Will Address Issues in the Architecture Community

New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) Launches Blog in Observance of National Architecture Week

AIA Hosting Facebook Event to Celebrate National Architecture Week

National Architecture Week (April 13-19) was created to encourage a public dialogue about architecture. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is using social media to open and foster greater participation by the public and AIA members to employ design thinking to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

All week AIA is hosting National Architecture Week on Facebook as a catalyst for public celebrations and conversations around the nation about the impact that architecture has on our lives. Visit and share with your colleagues – post your thoughts, photos, videos, and relevant links.

Each day during National Architecture week has a special focus:
· Monday, the 13th – Community Revitalization
· Tuesday, the 14th – School Construction
· Wednesday, the 15th – Affordable Housing
· Thursday, the 16th – Sustainability
· Friday, the 17th – Inclusiveness
· Saturday, the 18th – Historic Preservation
· Sunday, the 19th – Future of the Profession

If you already have a Facebook account, go to the homepage and type “Virtual National Architecture Week” in the “search” box. That will take you to the site hosted by the AIA. Once there, view the resources, add resources of your own, and participate in the conversation. If you are not already on Facebook, it’s easy to join and it is free. Google “Facebook.” After you create an account with your own password, you will be able to participate.

Scholarships Offered for Young Architects

From AIA YAF Connection – April 15, 2009
By Camilo Parra, AIA

Two practice specialty groups are offering scholarships to emerging professionals for their Fall conferences this year. The Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) is holding their Fall conference in New York City on October 23-25. The Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) is having their conference, Health Care Design 09, in Orlando, Fl, October 31-November 3.

Read about these opportunities and get the details on how to apply for these scholarships.

Federal Stimulus benefits for Architects

A Note form the AIA State Government Network Representative:

Coupled with the Federal Stimulus Package will be opportunities for Architects. Elaine Howley, Editor of the new privately released Guide to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, says “A lot of designers are put off by the term ‘shovel-ready. They think this bill isn’t really for them, but that’s not necessarily the case…. Many government entities are moving projects out of their current capital programs so that they can be funded through the stimulus plan. This could free up more funds for new long-range projects with more intensive design and engineering demands.”

The Federal stimulus Bill could be very beneficial to Architects that act to capture this work. Time is of the Essence because many public entitites have 180 days after the bill was enacted to secure Contracts for these services. So contact agencies to offer your design services to assist them in planning how they may best spend this money quickly. There are also many opportunities for Green Design and Construction Supervision services.

From Arch Record:
http://archrecord.construction.com/news/daily/archives/090409guide.asp

THIS WEEK IN TRENTON – APRIL 3, 2009

Legislative Action
This week the Assembly Budget Committee held a public hearing on the Governor’s budget proposal. The hearing focused on economic development, public safety, transportation, environment and arts, history and cultural issues. Next week both the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee will receive a budget overview and revenue forecast form the Office of Legislative Services and a budget overview from the State Treasurer.

Governor Signs Legislation on Energy Master Plan
Governor Jon Corzine this week signed three pieces of legislation that will help support both cogeneration projects, and the development of solar energy and wind energy installations.

The Governor signed A1558/S2265 which requires developers to offer solar energy systems in certain new home construction. It also provides that the Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Board of Public Utilities, would be required to adopt standards on technical sufficiency of the solar energy systems to be installed. He also signed A2550/S1299 which permits the location of certain wind and solar facilities in industrial zones. Finally, Corzine signed A2507/S1932 which authorizes the Board of Public Utilities to use Retail Margin Fund monies to provide grants for combined heat and power production, energy efficiency projects and programs promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. This money will primarily be used to develop cogeneration facilities, and will provide a $450 rebate for every kilowatt of capacity installed.

Environmental quality and reducing the impact of greenhouse gasses has been an ongoing goal of the Corzine administration. The Governor also signed the Energy Savings Improvement Plan into law, making it easier for municipalities, among other entities, to retrofit municipal buildings and schools with energy-saving measures with no up-front costs. In 2007, New Jersey passed the Global Warming Response Act, which requires a reduction in carbon emissions to our 1990 level by 2020, and 80 percent below the 2006 level by 2050.

Assemblyman Eric Munoz Dies
Assemblyman Eric Munoz, a Republican who represented the 21st district, died suddenly on Monday from complications following surgery related to a ruptured aorta. Munoz died at University Hospital in Newark, where he worked as a professor of surgery and a trauma surgeon since 1988. He served as a member of the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee and the Assembly Human Services Committee.

Munoz was sworn to the Assembly in May 2001 filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Kevin O’Toole. He was elected to a full term that November and was re-elected in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He was chairman of the Summit Republican Committee from 1998-2004 and served on the Summit City Council from 1995-2001.

Munoz was born in the Bronx but grew up in Colts Neck, New Jersey. He received a B.A. at the University of Virginia in 1969 and graduated from Albert Einstien College on Medicine in 1974. He received an M.B.A. in finance from Columbia University in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and five children.

Republican members of the County Committee in the 21st district will meet to select Munoz’s successor within the next 35 days.

State-Funded CAD and BIM training for unemployed Architects

A state-funded program offers those who were recently laid off and are collecting unemployment in the state of NJ access to free CAD and BIM training.

For eligible New Jersey residents, Robotech offers a comprehensive training program approved by the Department of Labor for unemployed architects, interior designers, engineers, draftspersons or those interested in the architectural and engineering fields. The 10-week program includes Autodesk’s CAD and BIM applications such as AutoCAD, Revit Architecture and 3D Studio Max, conducted under NJ state Dept. of Labor supervision at our Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC) located in Hoboken. The course is provided at no cost to applicants who qualify for this program.

Check out our website for further details at http://www.robotechcad.com/content/training/DOL.htm

Interested candidates should contact Robotech’s training coordinator, Cissie, at 201-792-6300 or by email cissie@robotechcad.com. She will guide any interested candidates through the qualification process. Time invested to qualify will surely prove to be well worth the reward.

Scholarships Available

The AlA New Jersey Scholarship Foundation is seeking qualified applicants who are currently attending Schools of Architecture to award scholarships to recognize scholastic achievement, demonstrated talent, and potential for success in the profession of Architecture. Multiple scholarships are awarded each year ranging from $2000 to $5000. Eligibility guidelines and applications can be found on the AIA-NJ website:
http://www.aia-nj.org/about/scholarship.shtml

Deadline for applications is Monday, June 9, 2009. Scholarships awarded by the AIA-NJ Scholarship Foundation are generated from contributions and fundraising efforts of AlA New Jersey members and private individuals. Many donations are made in remembrance of a member architect by family, friends or colleagues. If you are interested in making a donation contact AIA New Jersey.

SMITH RENEWABLE ENERGY PACKAGE SIGNED INTO LAW

PISCATAWAY — A package of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which will promote renewable energy usage throughout the State of New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Corzine at the Busch Cogeneration Facility at Rutgers University’s Busch campus.

“Today, the Governor has taken a strong step forward in promoting clean, sustainable energy and New Jersey’s burgeoning green economy,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “As we continue to work to put New Jersey on strong financial footings during this national economic crisis, we need to look to alternative energy production as a valuable part of that, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and creating hundreds of new green collar jobs in the Garden State. These new laws will lower utility bills, advance renewable energy production, and serve as incentives to business growth in the State.”

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