President’s Message – July 2013

Is it me or is time accelerating?   July will be gone next week, leaving five months to my presidency.  This experience has been great. I recommend to everyone to get involved with the AIA at the section or state level. We are always looking for our members to become a part of the leadership. Start by joining a committee. An organization is only as strong as the people who participate.

Having returned from the convention in Denver and learning of the goals of the AIA for repositioning of the association is inspirational. We are looking toward our members for ideas to steer the AIA in a new direction. We have Kurt Kalafsky, president elect, leading AIA-NJ in this process. We also have Verity Frizzell and Terry Durden volunteering their time as ambassadors to the AIA National. AIA NJ will be well served by their efforts. The Convention offered key note speakers above any that I have heard before. You can hear the speeches on the AIA web page and it will be time well spent. The continuing education seminars are always of interest, with plenty to choose from. The tours are always a great way to learn new things about people and places.  I need to thank Kurt Kalafsky and Judy Donnelly for organizing the NJ Fellowship Reception, sponsored by Andersen Windows. I always find it enjoyable to spend time with old and new friends from NJ. Next year the convention is in Chicago and I am looking forward to it.

To bring everyone up to current regarding the funds provided by AIA-National for Sandy Recovery, a portion of the money was used to provide a Master Plan for the rebuilding of Camp Osborn.  Camp Osborn is a section of 105 homes in Brick Township, New Jersey, that was decimated after Superstorm Sandy seven months ago.  It was a former fishing camp from the ‘20s that was more recently a summer destination for dozens of families.  The three-acre site was devastated by flooding during Superstorm Sandy, then, fueled by a natural gas leak, burned nearly to the ground immediately following. What remained were charred remnants of 68 cottages located on the barrier island in Ocean County, one of the hardest hit areas in the state.  The township welcomed AIA-NJs offer to develop a preliminary master plan to restore the community. We created a Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) made up of architects, planners and engineers to address the challenges of rebuilding and to hold informational workshops for the residents. Members of the SDAT team Paul Barlo, AIA, Jeffery Carr, PE, Richard Culp,  AIA, Thomas Dallessio, PP,  Terry Durden, AIA, Verity Frizzell, AIA, Jason Kiliwinski, AIA, Laurence Parisi, AIA, Rick Tokarski,  AIA and myself readily volunteered our time, working pro-bono to help the residents of this devastated area. Incidental and logistical costs for the SDAT were funded by the grant. The first workshop was held in late April. Speakers addressed flood regulations and sustainable design issues during morning sessions. Afternoon sessions consisted of homeowners meeting with architects and planners in small groups to brainstorm rebuilding ideas.

Many of the challenges are unique to Camp Osborn. For instance, the structures all sit below the advisory flood map elevations, which are scheduled to be revised by FEMA this summer. They, therefore, all need to be raised some five to seven feet. The cottages are part of a homeowners’ association, meaning all rebuilding decisions must be made first by that governing body.  Most of the cottages have been handed down from generation to generation, as a result, many residents did not have flood insurance and many do not have the means to rebuild. Most bungalows were less than 1,000 square feet of living space, set close together, separated by just a few feet of sand and gravel. There’s a wonderful sense of community that Camp Osborn offered to its longtime summer residents, and they want to maintain that. The architect’s presentation was met with great acclaim by the residents. One of the residents wrote, “Please pass along to the volunteers my sincerest gratitude and appreciation for all your efforts.”

The associations put the plan to a vote in mid-June and it was approved as their design concept.

This project has been one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had as an Architect.

The final results of our effort are posted on AIA-NJ web site under Sandy Recovery. The power point is in a pdf format along with the text. Please take a look.

Thanks,

Jack A. Purvis, AIA

BUILDING LEADERSHIP by GETTING INVOLVED

By Jerome Leslie Eben, AIA

AIANJ Regional Director, ’11-‘13

Right up front, I want to recognize and proclaim my heartfelt thanks to AIANewark and Suburban Architects for helping build leadership, through great support for  OUR Emerging Professionals and next generation of architects!  Just before the Convention, I delivered a substantial check from this AIA Section to the Board Class of ’13.  This class as a project during our time on the National Board has championed the EP’s. With the help of this donation, the Original Thirteeners as we are fondly referred by will allow this now continue to raise funds after we leave our service on the National Board.  Last month we were able to fund the cost of 6 EP’s to the Convention.  AIA Newark and Suburban’s donation is making that possible for the future and I wanted to publicly thank them here.  Should any members or remaining sections of the Chapter, or the Chapter itself wish to do the same, please do not hesitate to contact me.  It would be my extreme pleasure to deliver checks at the September and December Board Meetings.

I am a fan of the author David McCullough, who has spoken at a previous AIA Convention and is an award winning author of American History.  His books have spotlighted many of the early leaders of our great country.  The underlining premise of these men and women has been the leadership they exhibited, sometime under great problems before them.  A favorite quote of mine comes from our 6^th President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, and is as follows:

“If your actions inspire others to dream more,

learn more, do more, and become more,  you are

A LEADER!”

This just past Convention was about BUILDING LEADERS and nearly 90 AIANJ members attended.  Mickey Jacob, FAIA as the current AIA President said it best in the Convention’s brochure: “Leadership speaks to the core values of our profession….the daring to dream of more livable, safe, and sustainable environments…the learning of new skills to turn dreams into something that captures the hunger of our clients and the public for a better quality of life…and the passion to transform concepts into action that makes a positive difference.”

The American Institute of Architects is all about leadership and that is why I have been a strong supporter of our Sections and the Chapter to send as many of their officers and directors to the annual AIA Grassroots Conference which normally occurs early in the year in Washington, DC.  Here in AIANJ, the President-elect has his or her own leadership event, normally just before their installation as President. I would urge the Sections to send as many of your emerging leaders to this event as well.

Leadership can be defined as follows:

1. An opportunity  for you  (every member) to combine your expertise, experience and ethics to lead a team toward a successful outcome around positive actions
2. A development of a set of traits skills that include, but are not limited to exemplary professional behavior, effective communication skills that includes active listening, collaboration and thoughtful decision making

The AIA mission is to advance leadership development across the full spectrum of individual architects over the course of their careers. Organized leadership events support, connect and mobilize the members in taking on or expanding current roles of leadership within the AIA and hopefully extend to the communities in which they live and work.  The opportunity one gains in getting involved, leads to leadership to serve the profession. This means that as a leader you can guide, mentor or educate another colleague within the organization.   You can extend the leadership learned skills to help others outside the profession recognize the value and expertise an architect brings to the table in community discussion.

In over 40 years as a member, I have found that leadership is diversified and in the continued commitment developing this skill has deepened my passion for a lifetime of leadership in the profession and in my community.

While I have numerous certificates of appreciation, the one I appreciate most is entitled Judy’s #1M.  It was awarded to me in 2010 by Judy A. Donnelly, AIA, at the end of her term as President of AIANewark and Suburban Architects.

I cannot promise certificates, but I can promise that by taking the challenge to build your leadership skills with involvement at whatever level you choose in our organization, you will find a unique and very personal journey to professional achievement.

Thank you,

 Jerry

Hurricane Sandy Small Business Recovery and Matchmaking Summit

AIA Repositioning Ambassadors

Congratulations to AIA New Jersey members Verity Frizzell, AIA, and Terry Durden, AIA, for being named AIA’s Repositioning Ambassadors.

The AIA has chosen ambassadors to speak, facilitate, and champion the AIARepositioning Initiative by drawing together members at all levels.   As “ambassadors” Verity and Terry will act as AIA-NJ’s liason’s to AIA national during the repositioning process over the next year.  They will attend their first national meeting with other representatives from around the country in Atlanta the end of July.

To see the full list of the AIA Repositioning Ambassadors go to AIA.org:

http://www.aia.org/about/repositioning/AIAB099325

8th Annual Photography Competition

The 8th Annual AIA West Jersey Photography Competition

2012 AIA-WJ Competition Best Entry recipient Robert Auld, AIA – “Column Caps”

 

The 2013 competition has opened for submissions.  Winning entries will be used in the AIA West Jersey 2014 Calendar that will be distributed to members and affiliates. Images of the winning entries will shown at AIA-WJ events including the Annual Inaugural Gala to be held in January, 2014. From the winning entries, three cash awards will also be presented.

ELIGIBILITY: Competition is open to all AIA members and affiliates, students and the general public.

CATEGORIES:
Color
Black & White

AWARDS:
A minimum of 13 winners will be chosen for inclusion in the calendar, in addition the three following awards will be presented with cash prizes:

Best Overall Entry   – $ 250 prize
Best Color   – $ 150 prize
Best Black & White  – $ 150 prize

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY: • Entry Fee is nonrefundable for up to (5) prints per entry: $25.00 Members & Affiliates, $15.00 for Students & Associates, and $40.00 non-members

• FEE and completed Entry Form MUST accompany all images entered.

• Unlimited number of entries.

• Subject must have an architectural theme or contain an element of the human-made environment. Photographic interpretation will be judged, not the architecture. Location of images is unrestricted.

• Entries must have been taken and owned by the participant.

• Entries may be submitted in either mounted print or digital format. Print entries MUST still include submission of digital images. Digital Only submissions MUST include additional $10 per entry (each entry includes up to 5 images).

• Mounted prints are to be 8×10 images mounted on 11 x 14 presentation quality white mat boards (No Foam Core), attach a sealed envelope with the following information taped to the back of each mounted print: name, address, phone number, print title, location of image or description.

• Digital images must be on CD. Photographs may be originally shot in digital format or may be high resolution scans of 35 mm (4 x 5 or 2 1/4” formats). Images should be scanned at 300 dpi (ppi) at the final output size and saved as a JPG or TIFF file, maximum size 10 MB.

• Participants grant reproduction rights and permissions to AIA West Jersey to use all submitted images (in either print or electronic form) for organizational calendar, website, exhibition, publications, fundraising and promotional purposes. All mounted print entries become property of AIA West Jersey.

• Submission of entry implies acceptance of all above conditions.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Entry(s) must be received by August 7, 2013

MAIL ENTRIES TO: AIA-WJ Photo Competition c/o Ignarri-Lummis Architects 601 Chapel Avenue East Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

ADDITION INFO or QUESTIONS – photo@aiawestjersey.org   or  856-234-7367

Click to Download 2013 Photo Entry Form

Viewpoint of Post-Sandy: The Effect of the Urban

NJIT on Tuesday, July 9th hosted a unique event Post-Sandy.  Attendee Mindy Thompson Fullilove wrote the following recap for Rooflines: The Shelterforce Blog.

Below is excerpts from her writing, click on link to read the full article.

Where’s the Map for Social Inequity?

I spent the day at a workshop on July 9 called, “Post-Sandy: The Effect on the Urban,” held at New Jersey Institute of Technology College of Architecture. This rare meeting of the Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey sections of the American Institute of Architects was the first time architects from this large a region assembled to work on a problem.

…

What I got from this day of rich discussion and problem-investigation was that Sandy has awakened new willingness to collaborate across lines. This is a great breakthrough because the problems of water can only be solved through big discussions. Architects will be playing a key role in those conversations and their willingness to gather as a tri-state area will be of great import. Henk Ovink, from the Netherlands, joked that Americans know everything about security, but, he said, “When it comes to water, you don’t care.” Everyone laughed, but the point hit home and the group assembled was keenly aware that we have to care, and we have to work together.

But water isn’t the hardest part to tackle. The social equity issues that Damon Rich urged us to examine are barely considered. There is no system for thinking about the resolution of inequity. Having a map of a flood zone is an excellent tool for discussion, but there is no map of social inequity to help us visualize how those issued played in the cities of New Jersey. And it is at play, to the detriment of us all. Becoming able to see this, in practical ways that help us integrate it into better planning, is an urgent task for this Post-Sandy era.

Read full article …

WIA-NJ Summer Social and Mentoring

WIA NJ would like to invite you to our summer social event focused on mentoring. Please join us on Tuesday, July 30^th for food and drinks in Red Bank, NJ.  All details can be found below.

 

Note – you must RSVP by July 26^th.

WIA NJ  presents “Mentoring”

 

Date:

Tuesday,  July 30^th  6pm -8pm

 

Location:

Front Street Trattoria

31 West Front Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

http://www.frontsttrattoria.com/

732-747-9569

 

Parking:

Parking adjacent to the restaurant in the large municipal lot which is free after 6pm.

Food and beverages will be served.

 

RSVP:

Required by Noon on Friday, July 26th to Joyce Raspa: joyceraspagore@yahoo.com