Architects League: Architectural Tour of Turkey

AIA NJ members just returned from a tour of Turkey 9/10 thru 9/19/2015!

This an Architectural Tour of Turkey arranged by the Architects League of Northern NJ for AIA NJ members. The tour was pre-approved Continuing Education program for 27 LUs. The following is a highlight of the trip.

Day 1 – Istanbul, meet with architectural tour director on the Pierre Loti Hill view of the Golden Horn and embark on Bosphorus Cruise From the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, new luxury villas In contrast with old Ottoman Houses and the Rumeli Fortress. Visit Egyptian Spice Market, that was built in the 17th century A.D. and also the Rustempasa Mosque with its beautiful Iznik tiles. The mosque was built in 1560 by the imperial architect Sinan for the son in law of the grand vizier of Suleyman the Magnificent.

Day 2 – Istanbul Architectural tour of “Sultan Ahmet Square”, the heart of the “Old City” from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia Sophia, the Church of the Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome.  Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Visit the Underground Cistern. 6 hours

Day 3 – Istanbul, architectural tour of the Kariye Museum (Chora Church) with its 14th century mosaics and frescoes with scenes from the Bible. The Istanbul’s Byzantine City Walls that were for the most part built during the 5th century by Emperor Theodosius and are 8 km long. Topkapi Gate takes its name from the time of Fatih (Mehmet). At the end of the walls on the Marmara Sea side of the city walls view the Castle of the Seven Towers. It was used as a prison during Byzantine and Ottoman times. Explore the “Selamlik” chambers of the 19th c. Dolmabahce Palace.

Day 4 – Visit of the historic Archaeological museum and Architectural walking tour in Istiklal Streetd for over 150 years has been the center of the nightlife of the city. During daylight, visit Armenian and Romaic churches, ancient districts, In the Byzantine period. It was in the Byzantine period that the area began to be called Galata and a fortress was built by Emperor Theodosius II. Galata was a Genoese colony from the 6th to 15th centuries.

Day 5 – Cappadocia, visit to Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. Visit Pasabagi (Monk’s Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. To Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak River, the longest river of Turkey. Then to Goreme Open Air Museum chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on the walls. Visit Uchisar Castle.

Day 6 – Cappadocia, start with a hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia Valley, visit to Rose Valley, one of the most beautiful trekking valleys in Cappadocia, and explore the famous rock- cut churches by hiking through the valley. Rest in Cavusin, an old Greek village, known for its Christian houses and churches. Visit Ortahisar Castle, and visit Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians lived in fear and faith.

Day 7 – Cappadocia, to Ihlara Valley, created from the ashes of the volcanic Mt. Hasan. which is watered with Melendiz River by Belisirma, proceed to Selime with hollowed out citadel and churches where fairy chimneys rest on the steep hillside. Stop at Yaprakhisar village, visit to Derinkuyu Underground Village where dwellings with stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches and wineries were used as refuges for the Christian communities.

Day 8 – Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour: A tour the famous ruins of Ephesus, an important cultural center of the ancient world, and explore 2,000 year-old Marble streets, a theater, the Library of Celsius, a gymnasium and Hadrian’s Temple. Also a short drive to see St. Mary’s stone cottage where it is believed Virgin Mary spent her last years accompanied by St. John.

Day 9 Izmir – Discover Izmir with a visit of the Archaeological Museum, Walking tour through the ancient Agora, and the iconic clock tower at the Konack Square.

WORKING WITH THE MEDIA – Press Release Boilerplates

In our year end review of the 2014 activities of the AIA New Jersey Public Awareness Committee, we asked you to stay tuned for tools that will help you make a splash in the press. Below is the fourth in a series of articles that will help you in that regard. With your help, we hope to be able to leverage our strength in numbers to help promote architects, architecture and AIA-NJ.

Our previous installments of Working with the Media discussed ways in which you, in a personal or professional context, can begin to build a bridge with the editorial staff of your local or regional publications. This included some strategies as to how to introduce yourself (and your expertise) to the outlet, along with a brief guide for writing an effective letter to the editor and a primer on packaging newsworthy projects into a formal press release that you can distribute to relevant media.

One component of most press releases is referred to as the “boilerplate,” because of its repeated usage in various announcements put out by the company or organization. A firm’s boilerplate is generally a brief overview of the company as a whole, which is approximately a paragraph in length and provides context about the company’s core competencies. Content-wise, it includes general company information, such as size and scope of the client base and service offerings, as well as any affiliations or accolades of note.

For demonstrative purposes, below is the boilerplate language that AIA-NJ uses on each press release it issues:

Founded in 1857, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional organization that helps architects serve the public’s needs and builds awareness of the role of architects and architecture in American society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its 300 plus local chapters represent 86,000 licensed architects and allied professionals. The organization’s local chapter, AIA New Jersey, has served as the voice of the architecture profession in the Garden State since 1900. Based in Trenton, AIA New Jersey has 2,000 members in six local sections. For more information, please visit visit www.aia-nj.org .

As the above example exhibits, a boilerplate should give a brief description of the organization and its relevant history, while also promoting the any notable accomplishments of its membership.

In your boilerplate, it’s also helpful to reference AIA-NJ to help contextualize your company for the reporter. Because most industry reporters in the region have a built-in familiarity with AIA-NJ, this description helps to codify the announcement with their prior coverage of architecture. See below for a potential example from a member firm:

[NAME] is a licensed architect and a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) with a focus on the design and implementation of sustainable residential and commercial buildings. With over 20 years experience in the region, [NAME] continues to uphold a commitment to meticulous, detail-driven design. For more information, visit our website at www.Name.com

Composing this sort of tailored, purposeful summary has a distinct value beyond press releases. Once completed, this brief company overview can also be used in other contexts, from the “About Us” section of your firm’s website to providing succinct descriptions to potential clients on the firm’s core competencies. The boilerplate language is also natural content for use on social media channels or marketing materials.

If you would like to read the previous articles in this series, please see the following links:

Building Relationships

Writing a Letter to the Editor

Composing a Press Release

Kyle Kirkpatrick
Account Supervisor
Beckerman PR Real Estate Team

Bruce D. Turner, AIA
Chair, AIA New Jersey Public Awareness Committee

Additional Dates AIANJ Code Seminar

AIANJ Code Seminar – Additional Sessions Dates

The scheduled seminars for the adopted 2015 International Building Codes and the 2014 National Electric Code are sold out for next week.  A second set of the seminars are in the process of being scheduled now.

Save the Dates:   February 3rd & 4th, 2016

Registration will be open soon, if you were unable to attend the September seminars please call AIANJ and we will put you on the reserve list to be one of the first to register for the February sessions,  Please call:  609-393-5690

AIANJ State Convention

AIA New Jersey State Convention Highlights to Include Michael Graves Retrospective, Annual Design Awards and Tours of Architectural Gems

WHAT:  The biggest names in New Jersey architecture will meet for a two-day convention, highlighted by a panel review of AIA-NJ’s annual design award submissions. In addition to the Design Awards dinner and keynote presentations from several prominent architectural leaders, the convention will feature: Various seminars and roundtables; a trade show; tours of local architectural gems – Wyndham Worldwide Headquarters, Craftsman Farms and the Hebrew Academy of Morris County; and a retrospective on the life of Michael Graves. The two-day event will feature the review of the first-ever student design competition, with New Jersey architecture students vying for a cash prize and recognition of design excellence.

WHO:
 Friday Keynote: Shirley Blumberg, Founding Partner of KPMB Architects, on the          topic of “Five Significant Architectural Challenges: Diversity, Inequity, Environment, Building Community and Limited Financial Resources”

 Saturday Keynote: Michael Michalowicz, Wall Street Journal and MSNBC commentator, on the topic of “The Pumpkin Plan”

 Student Keynote: Obiekwe M. Okolo on the topic of “Kanye Architecture: Just West of Insanity”

 Saturday Roundtable “Discussion with the Deans”:

Thomas R. Fisher, Assoc. AIA, Dean and Professor of Architecture of the College of Design at the University of Minnesota;

Urs P. Gauchat, Hon. AIA, Dean and Professor of Architecture of the NJIT College of Architecture and Design;

Tom Hanrahan, Dean of the School of Architecture at Pratt Institute

WHEN:
 Convention – Friday, October 23, 8:00 a.m. – Saturday, October 24, 4:45 p.m.

 Trade Show – October 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
 Tours:
Hebrew Academy of Morris County, October 23, 10:45-12:15

Wyndham Worldwide, October 23, 2:15-3:45 p.m.

Craftsman Farms, October 24, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

 Design Awards Dinner – October 23, 6:30-10:00 p.m.

 Retrospective of Michael Graves Work – October 24, 3:15-4:45 p.m.

 

WHERE: Hanover Marriott, 1401 NJ-10, Whippany, N.J. 07981

REGISTER: Go to www.aia-nj.org  for more information

or Click Here

A.R.E. Structural Systems Seminar

The Architects League of Northern New Jersey presents an A.R.E. Structural Review Seminar, October 2, 3 & 4.

AIA South Jersey & AIA West Jersey Joint Meeting

Tuesday September 19, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Annata’s, Hammonton, NJ

Using Social Media and Houzz to Promote Your Business

AIA NJ State Convention: PRACTICING IN THE NEW NORMAL

PRACTICING IN THE NEW NORMAL

October 23 – 24, 2015

AIA NJ will be hosting the 2015 AIA NJ State Convention at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany from October 23 – 24, 2015. The two day event will include keynote addresses by Shirley Blumberg of KPMB Architects based in Canada, a retrospective of Michael Graves work and contributions to the field of architecture, Mike Michalowicz, author of the Pumpkin Plan and a discussion with Deans from leading Architecture Schools around the country.

Speakers will offer a broad range of topics from design to business administration throughout the two days. A Friday-only Trade Show will unveil the latest products and technology in the field.

Three tours have been scheduled: Hebrew Academy of Morris County , now known as Gottesman RTW Academy – Tour the newly renovated building complex that is a LEED building/complex designed by KSS Architects; World Headquarters of Wyndham Worldwide, both LEED accredited buildings designed by Gensler; and Craftsman Farms – Tour the Log House at Craftsman Farms, Gustav Stickley’s rustic country estate.

New this year will be the Design Awards Dinner where winners of the 2015 Design Board Competition will be announced and honored.

Mark your calendars now for the two-day convention that has the potential of 13 CEU credits. Network with fellow architects in the region and support AIA New Jersey.

To register, visit the event website.

Bridging the Hudson – Emerging Professionals Networking Event

AIA-NJ EPC (Emerging Professionals Committee) is hosting a networking event on 9/25 in NYC.

Bridging the Hudson will look to bring emerging professionals from both sides of the Hudson River together.  Emerging Professionals from AIA, ASLA, IIDA please join us.

If you are an emerging professional interested in learning more about these organizations, join us.
Friday, September 25, 7:00 – 11:00 pm

Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible – Wikhahn, Delta Light, and D’apostrophe.

Find out more information or register – Click Here.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the event organizer, Nick Caravella, at nick.caravella@gmail.com.

AIANJ Code Seminar – Space Limited

Update 9/1/2015 –

Tuesday, September 22, 2015, session SOLD OUT

Space still available in Wednesday, September 23, 2015, session.   Reserve your spot today.

 

DCA Launches Electronic Plan Review System

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) has two upcoming webinars scheduled for those interested in learning more about the newly launched ePlans.  See more information below or go to www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/ePlans.html

NJ Department of Community Affairs Launches New Electronic Plan Review System Online System Streamlines and Modernizes the State’s Plan Review Process
The DCA is offering webinars for anyone interested in learning how the ePlans online application and upload process works.   When   Wednesday September 16, 2015       and   Wednesday October 14, 2015       Both webinars run from 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

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Testimonials

 

American Dream Project 

East Rutherford, NJ

“The ePlans system has many great benefits including the ease of filing for plan review. The system saves money both in printing and in space requirements and eliminates multiple bundles of hard copy plans to print and deliver.”

 

 

Tom Valente, Construction Manager

PCL Construction Services, Inc.

 

“The electronic filing system has been terrific for us. The comments come in a cleaner form, are well organized, and the change marks require very little clarification.  It truly has made our jobs easier from this end.”

 

Anthony Cappuccio, President Boardwalk Design and Development

 

Campus Town

Ewing, NJ

“It’s great to have so much information available, especially about the status of the review. Staff was really helpful whenever there was a question and got back to us quickly.”

 

Lynda Rothermel, Campus Architect

The College of New Jersey

 

 

 

Dear Industry Partner:

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) has launched ePlans, a new web-based electronic plan review system, which eliminates paper-based building and code review processes and reduces the amount of time between plan submission and final approval.

We invite you to attend an informational webinar to learn more about ePlans and how you can benefit from using the new system. The webinar is being offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 16, 2015 and October 14, 2015.

ePlans provides a number of benefits and cost-saving measures for both the building community and the Department including:

•       24-hour access to the system from any computer

•       Elimination of the need for paper plans to be manually printed and delivered

•       Reduced printing costs

•       Transparency and auditability

•       Reduced turn-around time to review plans

 

The Department will require mandatory usage of the ePlans system by December 31, 2015.

 

ePlans will be extended to all building projects that require plans from a licensed architect or engineer. When a citizen (architect, engineer, contractor, owner) submits an application for a construction or land use permit requiring drawing plans and other documents, the Bureau of Construction Project Review will use ePlans to complete the initial review. Required changes are noted on the files and then communicated to the applicant, who can re-submit corrected plans electronically, 24/7, from the convenience of any computer. The review cycle continues until all the regulatory requirements are satisfied and the DCA grants approval for the plans.

For more information about accessing DCA’s ePlans system, or to register for the upcoming ePlans webinar, visit:

 

www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/offices/ePlans.html

 

Click here to download a digital version of the ePlans brochure.

 

Please feel free to share this invitation with interested parties.

 

 

 

 

 

For More Information:

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs

Division of Codes and Standards, Bureau of Construction Project Review, State Buildings Unit

Questions? Call (609) 292-8134 or email the Help Desk at HelpDesk@dca.nj.gov