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AIA Ohio Board Member List   2010 Convention Call for Presentations    2010 AIA Ohio Honor Awards Call for Entries

The sun and warm temperatures of last week have given way to dreary overcast skies and early spring rain, but at least the snow has melted and it is “officially” spring.  It seems like only a few days ago that we were working through the December holidays to plan for this year’s events, but yet I realize now that nearly a quarter of the year has passed and while we have worked toward achieving many of our goals, we still have a lot of work ahead of us.

The annual Grassroots in Washington, D.C. was interesting in more ways than one.  I think for many, the single most remembered feature of the event will be either shortened, or in some cases extended stay, because of the snowstorm that paralyzed Washington on Friday afternoon.  I hope however, that most came away with a feeling of the real energy that Grassroots always evokes.  This year’s “Blueprint for America” issues related perfectly to the needs of our members and our profession, and the unveiling of the “Weave”, as part of the Institutes new strategic plan, showed the thought and effort that AIA leadership, with the input of many components, invested in this effort.

Our work here in Ohio continues to move forward in a variety of different directions.  The AIA Ohio Strategic Alignment Task force will, by the time you read this newsletter, be off and running.  In early November of 2009, this task force was started to help provide input to the board on many issues facing AIA and our various components throughout Ohio.  Since that time, we have been working to develop and prepare questions that seek input on these issues and establishing a format for recording responses so a comprehensive report can be prepared for the Board. Under the direction of Terry Welker, AIA, who has volunteered to chair this program, I believe a wealth of information will be gained to help our organization move forward in working our own strategic plan into the Institutes’ Weave. .  The board has also created a Communications Committee and an Advocacy Committee this year to help explore new avenues in both areas, but to also help implement the suggestions of the Task Force.

At our most recent board meeting, held at Kent State University, the board approved a new legislative initiative that will begin in mid summer and will include AIA Ohio’s effort to inform candidates throughout the state of issues that we, as an organization and profession, believe are important.  We hope that with this effort, we will be able to educate both challengers and incumbents on who we are and where our concerns lie.  As the faces of our representatives change to a new assembly at the beginning of 2011, this effort will introduce AIA to many of the new potential members of the legislature and will better position AIA to be active in issues of advocacy in the coming years

In February, we held the first quarterly President’s Conference Call, which is an effort to allow all of the component presidents in the state to discuss issues that are of common interest or concern.  We hope to continue this through the year and I believe information exchanged will benefit all.  In early April, AIA Ohio will be host to a regional associates retreat to be held at the AIA Columbus new Center for Architecture.  Plans continue to develop and we hope to have representatives from every component throughout Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky attend.

President-elect Steve Shinn, AIA, is working on plans for this year’s AIA Ohio Grassroots which will focus on issues affecting firms and specifically on member needs.  More information will be available in April as the planning for this May 21^st event continues.  The planning for the 2010 AIA Ohio Convention in Toledo continues and as always, we know that the AIA Toledo chapter will provide a great event for all.  Some information on the convention, to be held Sept 30 to October 2, is available on the website.  Please check back often for updated “Toledo Fun Facts” as we continue through the year.

Steve Shinn, AIA, and I had the pleasure of visiting AIA Cleveland at both a chapter meeting and board meeting earlier this month.  We are grateful to the membership and the board for including us in their program and for the opportunity to talk with the many friends and members of the chapter.  We look forward to meeting with all of the chapters in the next few months, with visits to Dayton and Columbus scheduled in early April. 

Finally, while this year’s efforts have taken a lot of more time and energy than what I imagined, I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to work with the staff, board and members throughout the state.  We all understand that this is a challenging time for our profession, and for our organization, but we hope, and believe, that our energy and efforts now will make us a stronger AIA.  

            AIA Ohio Gold Medal Award

            AIA Ohio Gold Medal Firm Award

            AIA Ohio Mentor Award

            AIA Ohio Public Service Award

Even in difficult times, there is a lot of exciting architecture taking place by Ohio architects, and we hope that you will choose to participate in these programs. 

Please note, the Call for Entries for the AIA Ohio Design Awards will be opened separately, in April.  AIA Ohio is opening the Call for Entries for the Honor Awards earlier, to give more time to prepare submissions.  The submission for AIA Ohio Honor Awards is an electronic format.  To submit for the AIA Ohio Gold Medal or Gold Medal Firm Award, you will NOT need to request a submission binder. 

Please be aware of the following dates:

June 4, 2010:           Submissions for Gold Medal, Public Service and Mentor awards are due at the AIA Ohio office by 5 p.m.

June 15, 2010:         Honor Awards Sub-committee meets to vet candidates for the AIA Ohio Gold Medal Award and the AIA Ohio Gold Medal Firm Award.  The Sub-committee may submit no fewer than two candidates for each award to the board for voting.

July 1, 2010:            Design Awards entries are due to the AIA Ohio office

July 16, 2010:          AIA Ohio Board meets to vote on finalists for AIA Ohio Gold Medal and AIA Ohio Gold Medal Firm Award, and chooses the winners of the Public Service and Mentor Awards

Oct. 1, 2010:            AIA Ohio Awards Banquet, when the 2010 Design and Honor Award winners will be recognized. 

Please note the following:

v  There are no binders for the Mentor and Public Service Awards.  Submissions should be made using the appropriate form(s) and attaching any applicable materials. 

v  A link to the AIA Ohio Awards Call for Entries can be found by clicking here.

v  Questions should be directed to Kate Brunswick at AIA Ohio, kate@assnoffices.com.

AIA Ohio 2010 Convention Planning Underway

The theme for the AIA Ohio 2010 Convention is A Shared Visionand the members of the planning committee are working hard to ensure that their vision is shared with you.  The convention will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2010, in Toledo, Ohio.  The newly renovated Park Inn will be the host hotel and the exhibits will be at the Seagate Centre. 

Every year, the AIA Ohio Convention is opened with our Icebreaker Reception and 2010 will be no exception.  Our vision this year is a “Taste of Toledo”, which members will enjoy at the Maumee Bay Brewing Company in the historic Oliver House.  Enjoy locally brewed beers and Toledo cuisine while attending this fun networking and social event. 

Professional development is a major part of the 2010 Vision, incorporating sessions in the areas of Sustainability, Emerging Professionals, Longevity of the Profession, Design, Surviving Difficult Times/Practice Management, Infrastructure, Health Care, Schools, Liability, and more.  The Call for Presentations is still open – submit your session to show your peers YOUR vision today. Submission deadline is March 31, 2010

Awards and recognitions are a large part of AIA Ohio’s Vision, and this convention will showcase our 2010 award winners in a venue unique to Toledo, Ohio’s “Glass City”.  The Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, designed by Tokyo-based SANAA, Ltd, will be a stunning setting for the AIA Ohio Awards Banquet. 

Once contracts are finalized, AIA Ohio will be announcing an exciting design speaker and several other general session speakers who will have us all re-examining our Vision of Architecture’s place in the world.  In the meantime, keep working on your Vision and plan to attend the AIA Ohio 2010 Convention in Toledo!

 Toledo Fun Fact:  The awe-inspiring beauty of the Peristyle Theatre at the Toledo Museum of Art was mirrored after the ancient Greek theatres.

Amy Kobe, Executive Director
 

Continuing Education must be completed before renewing license!

 Now that the Ohio Architects Board has ended the renewal period for architect licenses, random Continuing Education audits have begun. Audits are also conducted in connection with enforcement investigations and when renewing after December 31.

 Unfortunately, a pattern of non-compliance is being observed. Falsification of the renewal application and/or failure to complete the Continuing Education requirement is subject to discipline by the Board. Several licensees have been fined $500 as a result.

 Some examples of typical errors:

 An architect submits a renewal and answers “Yes, I have completed the Continuing Education requirements” on the renewal application. Upon audit, it is revealed that no hours at all have been completed, or there are insufficient hours. Licensees are responsible for ensuring they have the correct number of hours prior to renewing.

• Licensees submit activities that took place in a previous renewal period. The audits cover the period from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009 and the activity took place in 2007…or earlier.
• No documentation is submitted for the activities claimed. Certificates of completion or an AIA transcript are required with an audit.
• Ineligible activities are claimed, such as public service not related to the profession of architecture (such as Chamber of Commerce activities) or programs not related to architecture, such as non-profit board member development activities.

 The Board urges all registrants to review the Continuing Education rules, which are available as a PDF on the Board’s website at http://www.arc.ohio.gov/conted.stm

Public Hearing May 7 on New Architect Rules

A public hearing will be held on May 7 on two rule changes. The hearing will take place during the 9:00 a.m. Board Meeting at the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St., in Columbus. The changes update the rules that regulate architects and architecture firms. It is expected that the rules will go into effect in late June.

Among the proposed rule changes:

• The renewal fee for Emeritus architects will be eliminated.
• The firm ownership rule will be clarified; a change in wording will clarify that only legally formed entities, such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and professional associations are required to obtain a Certificate of Authorization. Sole proprietors not registered with the Ohio Secretary of State will continue to remain exempt. Incorporated sole proprietors are required to obtain a certificate.

For more information, or a copy of the proposed rules, contact Amy Kobe, Executive Director, at amy.kobe@arla.state.ohio.us or at (614) 466-1327.

About the Board:

The Ohio Architects Board of is dedicated to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the State of Ohio by:

• Establishing and maintaining standards for architectural registration, practice and professional conduct;
• Enforcing the laws and rules governing the practice of architecture in the State of Ohio;
• Communicating with and educating the public and the profession concerning the practice of architecture.

AIA Ohio Valley Region Emerging Professionals Retreat Planned for April

by Greg Spon, Assoc. AIA 
  The AIA Ohio Valley Region Emerging Professionals Retreat will take place April 9-10, in Columbus, Ohio.  This is an annual event started by AIA Ohio in an effort to bring together emerging professionals from throughout the region to discuss issues and provide networking opportunities.

This year, PPI Inc. will donate 25 ARE Review Manuals, one for each retreat attendee.  PPI is also sending PPI ARE Exam Prep catalogs for distribution among the chapters.  AIA Ohio would like to thank PPI for their generous support.

The retreat begins on Friday, April 9, at the Columbus Center for Architecture.  Several members of the AIA Ohio board of directors will be on hand to present to attendees on topics ranging from programming for emerging professionals, to NCARB, IDP and the State Board of Architects, to Making the Right Impression.  Retreat attendees will enjoy dinner and networking on Friday evening. 

 Saturday morning the retreat will reconvene with presentations from the College of Fellows, and discussions on social media and the ARE exam. 

 For more information, contact AIA Ohio’s Associate Director, Greg Spon, at Gregory@phillips-sekanick.com. 

As the 128^th Ohio General Assembly heads toward an expected late May recess, many legislators have already focused on summer campaigns and the fall election.  Some House members have filed for Senate seats and vice versa.  Others are seeking jobs outside the legislative arena. 

Here’s a current summary of architect’s issues:

Construction Reform:

All indications are that further construction reform has been sidetracked by language in the compromise Budget-fix bill that created three University pilot projects (large, medium and small) using different alternative construction methods (Design/Build, Construction Manager at Risk, General Contracting and Design Assist) all of which will be LEED certified, use maximum EDGE requirements and be monitored throughout.  However, some legislative leaders are talking about further revision, even yet this year.  Senate President, Bill Harris would like to consider a separate bill later this year.  Some have even suggested adding further revision to the upcoming Capital Bill.  But Rep. Szolllosi, a union lawyer has said much more work needs to be done and the issues are too complex to be considered in conjunction with the Capital Bill.  Bottom line:  another construction reform bill could be introduced and studied in the Senate later this year, but, even if it passed the Senate, unless Rep. Szollosi changes his mind, the House wouldn’t be expected to act… especially if the unions and the Legislative Black Caucus remained opposed further change.

The following projects have been announced as construction reform pilots:

Central State University – Emery Hall Renovations – Phase IV: $1.75 Million 

This project is to preserve and restore Emery Hall, one of two remaining historical structures on the original campus of Wilberforce University. Constructed as a women’s dormitory in 1913, the building is included in the national historical register to preserve Emery Hall’s significant place in history.

This portion of the project will use the construction delivery method of “construction manager at risk.” Contracts for mechanical, electrical and plumbing will be awarded using an open competitive bid process based on complete design documents.

Ohio State University – ProjectONE Core Phases: $658.3 Million 

ProjectONE is a $1 billion undertaking that will transform the medical center campus with a central tower housing a new Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute; a new Critical Care Center designed to facilitate better patient care and enhanced by integrated research and education space.

Each phase will use one or more alternative methods of construction delivery authorized by HB318, including construction manager at risk and “design assist.”

University of Toledo – Center for Biosphere Restoration Research – Bowman Oddy Laboratories Building and Wolfe Hall Renovations: $7.8 Million

The University of Toledo (UT) plans to renovate a 21,291 square foot space in the Bowman-Oddy Laboratories Building and Wolfe Hall to create a facility for the Center for Biosphere Restoration Research (CBRR) and related “domino moves.” The CBRR will house the research teams of 13 faculty from UT’s Department of Environmental Sciences, dedicated to research and education “needed to secure an environmentally sustainable future.”

The entire project will use the construction delivery method of construction manager at risk. Renovation will include new air and plumbing systems and wholesale reconfiguration of non-load-bearing walls, new finishing work, and new laboratory cabinets and office furniture.

The three Construction Reform Demonstration Project proposals will go before the Controlling Board on April 5, 2010.

Sustainability

House Bill 7, which would set sustainability standards for state construction projects, passed the House by a party-line vote of 54-42.  As it cleared the House, it contained an amendment suggested by AIA-Ohio’s Committee on the Environment. The amendment broadened the scope of the bill by setting multiple standards.  During the House floor debate, Republican representatives raised concern about applying the proposed new standards to rehabilitation projects as well as new construction, which they contended would prohibitively raise rehabilitation costs.  Some lawmakers said they felt the proposed new standards were excessive and others wanted to clarify that they only applied to projects funded by at least 20% state money.  The Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee has held one hearing on the bill.  Currently AIA-Ohio’s COTE Committee and Executive Committee are reviewing AIA-Ohio’s position on the bill.

Registration Board Licensing Bill

The Senate passed SB 183 and the House Civil and Commercial Law Committee is currently holding hearings on it.  The bill would move a grandfather exemption within the requirements of the Architects Law granted to certain corporations.  The provision allows firms operating for many years to be passed to relatives of original founders without having to meet the strict ownership requirements.

SB183 would move the grandfathering provision to the section dealing specifically with ownership requirements.  This will narrow the grandfathering provision to make sure that a company can keep passing down a firm from parents to children. However, the new location of the grandfathering provision will still ensure that a company uses licensed architects to provide architecture services.

Park District Building Departments

The Ohio House Local Government/Public Administration Committee took sponsor testimony January 20 on SB 151 which would add park districts to the existing list of political subdivisions permitted to create a building department.  The bill’s sponsor, Senator Grendell says the bill would save taxpayer money by allowing park districts to avoid the lengthy process of having building projects approved by a state, county or city building department.  He acknowledges that most park districts would be too small to take advantage of the bill, but larger ones, like the Lake County Metroparks District, which operates a working farm, could benefit from the bill.

However, Rep. Chandler, the chairwoman of the committee, isn’t buying that.  She says that creating a building department would be duplication of effort, and that the cost of filing fees isn’t likely to exceed the cost of training or hiring a building inspector. She also says that sometimes the reason the application process is delayed is because the proposed building doesn’t meet code requirements, and suggests that allowing parks to approve their own buildings would be like “asking the fox to guard the henhouse.” Chandler says the committee should look at current building codes and consider revising them so as not to prohibitively affect parks.

Renewable Energy Bills

The Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee is considering bills that would affect the future energy use.

SB 232 introduced by Sen. Chris Widener, FAIA is aimed at making Ohio more competitive with surrounding states in attracting renewable energy projects that create “green-collar” jobs.  A similar bill was introduced in the Ohio House by the Strickland administration March 15 as HB 464 and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.  It’s not identical to SB 232, but negotiations aimed at folding some of the House bill’s provisions into SB 232 are on-going.

During the past four years, Ohio has built no wind farms while neighboring states have been hard at work with these totals: Michigan, three; Indiana, six; Pennsylvania, 11 and West Virginia, two.  One reason: Ohio’s current effective tax rate for renewable energy technologies is up to eight times higher than neighboring states competing for the same projects, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Widener’s plan would allow companies that want to build renewable energy generation facilities such as wind projects to pay an annual fee based on how much energy they generate instead of tangible personal property taxes. This would bring Ohio tax rates for such projects in line with other states. 

SB223 would expand the municipal solar energy revolving loan program to include alternative energy projects such as wind, solar, geothermal and weatherization.

HB113 is another energy bill that passed the House in December and is awaiting Senate hearings.  It would authorize school boards to treat on-site renewable energy generation measures in the same manner as they treat energy conservation measures and to enter into installment contracts subject to specified terms of payment.

DAS Adopts Revised Energy Rules

The State Architect’s Office has adopted rules that modify Chapter 123:4 of the Ohio Administrative Code. These rules respond to H.B. 251 passed by the 126^th General Assembly that required energy efficiency standards for state-funded buildings.

In the proposed rules, standards have been established for energy consumption of buildings owned and leased by state agencies, life-cycle cost analysis, certification of building operators, tracking of energy consumption, and procedures to authorize building managers to administer energy installment payment contract projects.

The consumption standard utilizes the Architecture 2030 goals, which were recently adopted by the National Governors Association. This standard for new construction starts with the effective date of the rules at 50 percent reduction from the average commercial building energy efficiency and increases the reduction percentage incrementally until the year 2030, when the standard stipulates buildings must be designed as net zero fossil fuel emitting. The standard for renovations establishes a 50 percent reduction and does not increase over time.

Re-appropriations Bill Passes Without Major Changes

By the time you read this the Capital Re-appropriations will have passed both the House and Senate and either on its way for the Governor’s signature or already signed. The bill mostly reauthorizes spending for ongoing capital projects during fiscal years 2011 and 2012, but also includes $525 million in new appropriations for bond-backed expenditures by the Ohio School Facilities Commission and $145 million for the Ohio Public Works Commission.

The bill, which impacts some 1,200 projects, was enacted without any major changes or controversial provisions.  Indeed, Sen. John Carey (R-Wellston), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has said that was the gist of an agreement between the Senate president, House speaker and governor.

The Capital Bill, which will provide state construction financing for the next biennium, won’t be acted upon until fall.

Two Bills that Aren’t Expected to Move Include:

HB 37, which would require DAS to maintain a list of irresponsible bidders.

SB 14, which would establish licensure for home inspectors.

Widener named Vice Chairman of Powerful Senate Finance Committee

AIA-Ohio Past President, Senator Chris Widener, FAIA, has been named Vice Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee.  Chris also serves as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee and sits on the Senate’s Insurance, Commerce and Labor and Ways and Means and Economic Development Committees.  

Because of Chris, the voice of architecture is present on most important statewide issues!

Prevailing-wage penalty required

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled March 2, that the Penalties for Violations of Ohio Prevailing Wage Law are Mandatory, unless the violations were clerical errors (Bergman v. Monarch).  Justice Cupp (former State Senator) wrote the majority opinion. 

PAC Fundraising

AIA-Ohio component volunteers are now soliciting contributions to the AIA-Ohio Political Action Committee (PAC).  Total contributions received via this program to date are $5,235.  Kudos to AIA Toledo, for raising the largest dollar amount:  $1,840, or 35 percent!  Dollars contributed will fund the “Triple Play” program that introduces architects to their elected representatives on a favorable basis.  This effort has been led by Dave Brehm, AIA, from Columbus.  Other committee members include: Rob Habel, AIA; Marcene Kinney, AIA; Jack Bialosky Sr., AIA; Alan Moody, AIA; Gregg Strollo, AIA; Joe Vetter, AIA; and Tony Damon, AIA.

The “Triple Play” program leverages Ohio’s campaign finance law that allows individuals to take up to a $50 tax credit (or $100 on joint returns) for personal contributions made to the campaigns of state office holders.  Our AIA-Ohio PAC matches the member’s contribution and sends a letter to the candidate asking him/her to use the contributing architect as a sounding board for design/construction legislation. 

Your contribution to the PAC will assure the continuation of this important program.

You may send your personal check for any amount to AIA-Ohio PAC at the AIA-Ohio office.

Effective 1 July 2009

Interns employed or not, may earn 16 minimum (core) training hours in Training Area 15 – “Office Management” by reading the NCARB Professional Conduct Monograph and passing the related quiz.

Interns may access the NCARB Professional Conduct Monograph at no charge through My NCARB Record.

Log on to My NCARB Record to take the online quiz.

Upon passing of the quiz, “My Supplementary Education” in the e-EVR will be updated by NCARB to reflect the training hours earned within 4-6 weeks.

Note: Interns taking the NCARB Professional Conduct monograph for IDP training hours will not be eligible to repeat the Professional Conduct monograph for professional development units (PDUs)/continuing education credit (CEUs)

Melissa Vitteri Sieg, AIA LEED AP

AIA Columbus Associate Director

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been around for years. When it became the trend in the Construction Industry, some embraced it almost immediately. Others wanted to wait it out and see how the more adventurous would do first. It seems to be everywhere nowadays. But what exactly is BIM? It is a computer-aided process that generates and manages building data information throughout the life cycle of a given structure. True or not, this proposed function sounds suspiciously broad to many professionals. In more practical terms, BIM is currently used with the upgraded Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in 3D; game changer in design and construction management. There are several programs that can offer BIM integration.

Today, we have building proposals and client requests wanting us to work with BIM. And sometimes, even more specifically, we are told in which BIM program the work has to be. It’s definitely a different way of working with building information. It offers team sharing flexibility, interdisciplinary coordination, the obvious 3D advantages, not to mention all the possible 4D, 5D, and green analyses you can imagine. Those of us working with BIM couldn’t do without it now. It seems intuitive and direct -at times.

On the other hand, those faced with the decision of picking one BIM product, usually pick between two of the most popular options in the US market: ArchiCAD (by Graphisoft), and Revit (by Autodesk).

Which BIM can work for you?

The answer: It depends. It is hard to say which program is better without comparing them side by side. After working with both, I would hand pick features of one and implement them in the other to create a sort of super-charged version to meet my specific needs. Each program comes with a set of particular advantages that you can tap depending on your delivery model(s). Definitely, be informed before moving along.

When is it a good BIM time?

Typically, a learning curve moves at a positive exponential rate.  And there is no difference when learning this program. Account for additional upfront time, a new design process with your team, and new delivery outputs. There are transition bumps along the way.  New is different, but can also be more efficient. Be in a change-ready mindset.  Anytime something new is put into place, there is going to be an interval of integration time involved.

The same old still works.

Yes. And same in, same out. These are changing times in a market where distances seem to be shrinking. Competition is everywhere, more so than ever. BIM is becoming an industry standard. That being said, it is likely we’ll have a standardized interchangeable platform in the near future. Similar to the interchangability of word documents in PCs and Macs,  this platform would allow all types of BIM products to co-exist and extrapolate data without losing information.  This could be achieved within a common frame.

The more we engage in BIM, the more we will multiply its advantages for the benefit of the industry and our services. I believe BIM is still in its infancy and that the best of it is around the corner. There is still work to be done in the BIM-sphere.