aiaohio.org

AIA Ohio, established in 1933, works to organize and unite in fellowship the membership of the architectural profession; to promote the aesthetic, scientific, and practical efficiency of the profession; to advance the science and art of planning and building by advancing the standards of architectural education, training and practice; to coordinate the building industry and the profession of architecture to ensure the advancement of the living standards of people through their improved environment; and to make the profession of ever-increasing service to society.

Component leadership from across the state, region, and country assembled in Washington DC over the past several days to meet with congressional leaders, obtain continuing education, and to learn of new initiatives, efforts, or programs of the Institute.  AIA Ohio was well represented with leadership from every chapter in attendance and over twenty representatives from across the state.  The focus of the program was of course the economy, with AIA's Blueprint for Economic Recovery being the platform of issues presented to members of the House and Senate.

AIA Ohio, including members of our staff and Executive Committee, local chapter President-Elects, Regional Director, and our State and Regional Associate Directors, met with representatives of Senator Voinovich's office as well as that of Senator Brown and presented the need for each program.  Other leaders from throughout the state met with many of the local representatives or their staff to relay the need and importance of implementing programs that will encourage job growth in the hard-hit design and construction industry.  This year's program, and the issues discussed, are at the heart of the needs of our industry and membership.  Hopefully, with a continued effort on the part of the Institute, leadership, and members, this years program will be defined as an important piece of the economic recovery puzzle.

As many are aware, probably the biggest news from DC was not the issues, or the strategic plan, but rather, SNOW.  With descriptions of "historic", "shelter in place" and "near blizzard conditions", the Grassroots events and programs became less of a concern to many late Thursday, as efforts and energy were redirected to schedule earlier flights before the predicted 18"-26" arrived this evening.  With those conditions pending, the Institute presented the results of many, many months of hard work by the Institute Board and many members throughout the country, with a preview of the new strategic plan.  This plan, which will be more fully released to chapters in an online toolkit in about a month, includes a well thought-out matrix of goals and initiatives termed the "Weave".  At first review, this new services and goals driven plan appears to be one of the best planning efforts by the Institute in recent memory to define the Institute's direction, and the toolkit should be a great instrument for components to use to implement their own strategic path.

While we were saddened that the weather hampered this years program, we believe that all that attended were able to take home important and relevant information.   With this in hand, our leadership will be better informed on ways to meet the goals and initiatives of the AIA, and  our local components will be better able to serve our members and communities.

- Pay for Preservation: Increase funding to identify, evaluate, preserve and protect Ohio’s historic resources.

On Jan. 12th, a powerful 7.0 quake hit the impoverished nation of Haiti. There has been widespread major damage and a loss of life estimated to be between 45,000 to 50,000 (source: Red Cross). There are projections of 2-3M without shelter. Since then, Architecture for Humanity has launched an appeal to focus on the long term reconstruction effort.

Click here to learn how you can help: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/

Last Spring, AIA Ohio kicked off its first-ever Affordable Green Homes Competition.  This competition, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, sought to provide affordable green home designs that would benefit all 70 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Ohio.  There were three entry categories, Urban, Rural and Suburban, and competition entries had requirements of cost, sustainability, energy savings and environmental strategies.  Through a grant from AIA Ohio, first place winners in each category were given funding to create the construction documents necessary to allow Habitat for Humanity to start using these affordable green home designs, a process which has now begun.  To learn more about this successful AIA Ohio program, and to see the winning designs, click here.