ELG and EGB Wii Tennis Tournament

Emerging Leaders Group and the Emerging Green Builders

April 24, 2010 is National Rebuilding Day. Members of the Emerging Leaders Group and the Emerging Green Builders are working to raise funds to participate in the Rebuilding Together South Sound Build Day.

Rebuilding Together is a volunteer, charitable group, who repairs and rebuilds homes at no cost to low-income homeowners. Homeowners are typically those who are elderly, disabled, or families with children. Across the country on National Rebuilding Day, over 225,000 volunteers rehab approximately 10,000 homes and non-profit facilities. http://www.rebuildingtogetherss.org/

Thank you to everyone who participated and made contributions on December 9th to the ELG and BGB’s Wii Tennis Tournament fundraiser for Rebuilding Together South Sound. Thank you BLRB for providing the fantastic venue and pizza, and BCRA and McGranahan Architects for donating the beverages for the evening. We would like to give a special thank you to BCE for their generous donation that helped us to raise a total of $1000 for the evening, two-thirds of the way to our goal of $1500. Visit our blog to see images from the event! http://swwelg.blogspot.com/

The next tournament will take place in February to raise the remainder of the funds needed to meet our goal. Stay tuned for more information. Can you defeat First See, Chris Ackerman of Architects Rasmussen Triebelhorn?

Novis Tournament Champion: Lauren Grouws of AHBL
Champions Tournament Runner-up: Todd Parke of PCS Structural Solutions
Grand Champion: Chris Ackerman of Architects Rasmussen Triebelhorn

If you would like to donate to the program or be a volunteer on the build day, you can contact us at aiasww.elg@gmail.com

Model of downtown Chicago

the Chicago Tribune had a article today:
A model city: Chicago displayed in miniature
Chicago Architecture Foundation shows a scale model of the Loop and nearby areas
Click on the posting title to link to the article with pictures.

After seeing similar models in Beijing and Shanghai the Mayor Richard Daley urged the Architectural Foundation to build one for Chicago. The models footprint is 25'x35' covering four square miles of downtown including every building (more than 1,000) the tallest being 3'high Sears Tower.

Wouldn't it be great if every city had a scale model of the downtown to make it easier for everyone to see how new development would effect the urban fabric?

PECHA KUCHA

A group of designers and graphic artists have been working to bring a fantastic event called Pecha Kucha Night here to Tacoma. The first PK Night is Wednesday June 3rd at the New Frontier Lounge and we would really appreciate your support. Please spread the word!

Pecha Kucha (peh-cha ka-cha) is the Japanese term for chit chat or the sound of conversation. The event is devised and shared by Klein Dytham architecture and was conceived in Japan in 2003 as a place for creative people to meet, network and show their work in public. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, 20 seconds per image, giving 6 minutes and 40 second for each presentation with no go back or pauses and definitely no do-overs. Pecha Kucha nights now takes place in 200 cities across the world!

Some of Tacoma’s creative finest are set to present at Tacoma’s first PK Night. Volume 01 celebrates our hometown, the Dusty Jewel, the City of Tacoma and those who influence it.

Take a look at www.pecha-kucha.org for more information then click on the link to Tacoma’s site. You can also email the organizer at pechakucha.tacoma@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to present at a later PKN.

See also Facebook Group

And don't forget to follow ELG on Twitter! @EmgLeadGrp

- text near verbatum from Kate Burnham e-mail

T-town & ELG Happenings

There are so many things happening in this city. Sometimes keeping up with the various sites to keep your calendar full can be quite daunting. Having information spread throughout the web leads some to believe that nothing happens here until the last minute. It just seems that way because Tacoma has a problem with getting information out about events early enough for people to plan on coming!

We're trying to counteract that pattern via this blog but have been as good in our duties as we'd like. Let's try to change that! Here are some exciting events happening over the next week. If you know of more that those in the building industry might be interested in, shoot me an e-mail at oleary_caroline@hotmail.com and I'll get them posted.

Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County
Power Lunch with Liz Heath
"Liz will be speaking on how young professionals can benefit from being on a non-profit board. Liz Heath is considered the local expert on this topic."

Wednesday, May 27
12:00-1:00 @ Pacific Grill Events Center
$25 for members, $35 for non-members

View E-Vite at http://tinyurl.com/poe85o

Cascade Land Conservancy
Tacoma Community Stewards Campaign Kick-off Party

See Kelly's post below for additional information on this event. It's a great opportunity to make a difference in the future of Tacoma's built environment!

Artifakt
Multi-Genre Art Show

"Artifakt is a Seattle-based arts group and clothing designer that aims to promote up-and-coming artists and musicians in a variety of styles and genres. Artifakt's multi-genre art shows fuse visual and performance art to create a positive environment that fosters artistic expression and mutual appreciation."

Friday, May 29th
8:00 PM - 2:00 AM @ Robert Daniel Gallery, 2501 Fawcett, Tacoma

AIA/ELG/Habitat for Humanity
Build Day

The AIA Southwest Washington Chapter and the Emerging Leaders Group are teaming this summer to build with Habitat for Humanity Tacoma/Pierce County. All 2009 build dates take place on Saturdays; May 30th, June 13th, July 11th, and August 8th, and you do not need to be a member of either organization to participate.

If you have a desire to participate in any of this year’s build dates, please RSVP to Marianne Wombacher mwombacher@bcradesign.com so a roster can be started. You can also email Marianne with additional questions and location information. You must have completed the orientation prior to being able to build with us.

Saturday, May 30th
@ Larabee Terrace, Tacoma

Creative Class Happy Hour
First Ever!

See E-Vite at http://tinyurl.com/qf35c7

Thursday, June 4th
@ The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma

Tacoma Community Stewards Network

I have gone to a few of the Tacoma Community Stewards events where Tacoma citizen issues were identified then group leaders volunteered to head each issue to research, set goals, determine who would interested in the issue and how to achieve that goal to make a positive impact in the community.

The issues that were identified were:

- Turn surplus city property into community gardens and parks

- Link disconnected bike trails and walking paths into and through Tacoma

- Transform the Dome District into a vibrant, walkable and livable community


I think that as design professionals we can provide insight to help guide change within our community and this could be a positive group to be involved with.


The next event is next week on Thursday May 28th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Hub. At this event campaign leaders will present their research and plans and show how you can get involved to make the change you want to see in Tacoma.

I plan on going to hear what these folks have to say and talk with other neighbors that want to be involved in positive change in Tacoma and of course partake in some good food and beverages at the Hub.

- Kelly Myles Braun

Quality AutoCAD Masonry Details from the Masonry Institute of Washington

A number of weeks ago I went to a lunch-n-learn at Bellevue Community College that was put on by the Masonry Institute of Washington. They have created a new website www.masonrydetails.com where you can download masonry details for free in both DWG as well as PDF formats. The website is intuitive and very easy to navigate. There are brick, CMU & Stone details showing typical wall sections, parapet details, details around windows, expansion joints etc. Prior to providing the info on the website, the details are created and reviewed by both architects and masonry contractors. The idea is that the site will expand and more details will be added as well as more info will be added in the future with suppliers and possibly a forum.

www.masonrydetails.com seems to be a great resource to for masonry details to start from when developing construction document sets.


- Kelly Myles Braun

Young Professionals Network - Prospective Members Meeting

Tonight is the Young Professionals Network Prospective Members Meeting. Like Love Tacoma, this is another opportunity to network outside of the building profession. Click on the title of this post to learn more about the group. Hope to see you tonight!

- Caroline N. O'Leary

Habitat for Humanity

Today was orientation for Habitat for Humanity. Marianne is organizing the event(s) but you need not be a member of either ELG or AIA to participate, although you must attend an orientation prior to participating unless you've already worked with them.
The turn out was great. I estimate we had 40 people attend. Build dates are May 30th, June 13th, July 11th, and August 8th. ELG is also working on participating in the build at the Puyallup Fair this September. That event will be contingent upon Habitat for Humanity but we will let you know as soon as we find out.
If you're interested in working any of the above dates please e-mail Marianne at mwombacher@bcradesign.com.

- Caroline N. O'Leary

Love Tacoma!

I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Love Tacoma but if you click on the title of this post you can view their website, including photos from past events.

Kelly Braun (Myles) and I have attended a few of these events and really enjoyed them. The group is very lively and social and seems to consist of a large portion of the "creative class" in this city. What has been really great about it is expanding our network outside of architecture. We've met people from the Chamber of Commerce, realtors, Derek who started Exit133 (my personal favorite T-town blog, that is until we get this one rocking!), numerous young entrepreneurs, etc. All share one thing in Tacoma - we love it!

Check out their site and keep up with our calendar here to join us at the next event!

- Caroline N. O'Leary

SPACEBUSTER - Raumlabor Architects, Berlin

image courtesy of Arch Daily

image courtesy of Gothamist

image courtesy of Storefront for Art & Architecture

Spacebuster is a mobile inflatable structure...that is designed to transform public spaces of all kinds in to points for community gathering

The pavilion is made of a translucent plastic which allows the activities inside to be discerned by passers-by. This material also allows for those participants inside to maintain a connection to their context.

The dome itself is inflated by a generator which is contained within the back of the van, allowing it to be "installed" anywhere one can find the space for a van and the pavilion - parks, fields, city streets, etc. As an inflatable structure there is slightly more flexibility with site constraints as the foot print is moldable. I'm envisioning an alley which by definition is often very narrow in width. The footprint may as an area be the same size, as would the volume, but the form which the structure takes would be affected by the existing walls of the building which form the alley. As a design exploration it could be very interesting.

I can see the value in the project - small community gatherings, temporary self-initiated exhibits - yet as society has become more focused on sustainability, I must wonder, is the generator solar powered? Is the cradle-to-cradle footprint less than using an existing building? Would not a well designed "tent" which does not require energy to stay erect be a more honorable solution to an architectural "problem" which may not really be a problem? I will admit that I do wish I could have been there to photograph it myself - some of these images are very enticing!

I'd love to hear you thoughts.

- Caroline N. O'Leary

Information provided by: Storefront for Art & Architecture,
The Architect's Newspaper, Gothamist, and my favorite site with the most enticing photographs Arch Daily

My travels through the Worksource Unemployment office

Some of you were interested in my travels to the unemployment office, so here is a quick synopsis on what I am doing to try to get my ARE and LEED tests paid for by the unemployment office.... An excerpt from an email describing what I am doing below

You are correct Cheryl, its a need based benefit. So far to get where I am have attended a 2 hour orientation class, and a 1 hour class on just the EOC (Education Occupation C?) I have an application that I am filling out that I received from the last class that will get me in front of a counsler. I am told that from the time I fill out the application to the time I see a counsler is 3-6 weeks.

FYI - the EOC is a seperate agency that is responsable for worker retraining when you find yourself in a field of work that is not there anymore. It is one of the dozens of federal, state, and local agencies that make up the Worksource coalition. Because the number and type of agencies change per region, this resource is different depending on what region you live in.

Once I am there I will have to proove that I am in a declining or dieing profession and need to have new skills or be retrained. There is a specific website that shows the career survey that the state pulls this information from. Last I checked Architecture was in the stagnent catagory (the last research date was august of '08). This doesnt mean that I am dead in the water. I just have to proove that there are very few positions open and that there is a high competition for the positions that are out there.

I think that I can tell people that they can skip the orientation classes, and go right to the worksource office on Tacoma Ave, and ask for an EOC application. That would save ground from the route that I have taken. I will keep you updated on my travels through the unemployment office.

So I think that the bottom line of all this is to go to the worksource office on Tacoma AVE. (I think its off 11th) and ask for an E.O.C. application. Fill it out letter by letter and DO NOT leave anything blank without checking with the office first.

Revised IDP Guidelines

Associate Member,

Attached is a letter written by Harry Falconer of NCARB. There have been some updates to the IDP Guidelines which he briefly describes, and also states where you can download the revised documents.

https://portal.aia.org/sites/IDPCoordinator/Lists/Coordinator%20News%20Flash/Attachments/122/IDP%20Guidelines.pdf

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the IDP/ARE process.

Kate Burnham

IDP Auxiliary Coordinator
Associate AIA

McGRANAHAN architects
2111 Pacific Avenue, Suite 100 Tacoma, WA 98402
T: 253.383.3084
F: 253.383.3097
www.mcgranahan.com

kate.burnham@mcgranahan.com

Updating architectural licensing requirement in WA State

Hi Everyone,

Please see below for an email I received from AIA WA Council. They need your help in passing this bill. I don't know if anyone of you are aware but there is an urgent need to pass this bill. It's basically asking to update the current WA state licensing for those with no architecture degree to have 12 years of experience instead of 8 years. This is for those in the non-traditional path to licensing (high school graduate, non-architecture degree, etc). I don't know about you all, but it was frightening to hear that WA state licensing law has not been changed since 1985!!!

I hope you all will do your part in helping pass this bill. This bill affects us all.

Thanks,

Ha Pham

Dear members,

Many of you helped us by contacting your legislators to let them know about these important licensing bills: SHB 1634 and SSB 5529.

It worked! Because of you the bills moved out of Rules Committees. Now we need your help again – and even more!

Due to politics, the Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp, will not bring the House bill to the floor for a vote. He has also stated that when the Senate Bill gets to the House he will not call for a vote then either. These bills will die if the Speaker is not moved by his constituents to hear them!

We need you to call Frank Chopp at (360) 786-7920 or send him a letter. Click here to let him know that the public health, safety, and welfare are important! Urge him to pull SHB 1634 to the floor for a vote today!

Please contact your legislators again and let them know how important these bills are!

The state architecture licensing law, and prerequisites for qualification, haven’t changed since 1985. New technologies and current practice methods, such as sustainability, have significantly modernized the practice of architecture in the last two decades.

The AIA Washington Council has helped underwrite new legislation at the state level, SHB 1634 and SSB 5529, which would update the qualifications for licensing. This legislation is necessary to protect the public health safety and welfare in Washington State.

Please help us get this important legislation passed by calling or writing your legislator!

CSI Joint Meeting with Cascadia GBC - March 5, 2009

Tech Talk
by Dave Seifert of BCRA and Mark Bergquist, CSI, CDT of McGranahan Architects

Specifying LEED®

The following is a list of key points discussed by Dave and Mark during their "Tech Talk" last Thursday:
- Ask Owners for CIR (Credit Interpretations & Rulings) budget (each question costs $220).
- Revise Specification Section 01300 to require the Contractor have on staff a LEED® AP who is as responsible as the Architects AP.
- The Waste Management Credit is not difficult to earn in Washington. Many of the waste management companies already offer recycling. It is recommended that a list of suggested companies and a sample plan is included in the specification section. The most difficult part is getting the submittals.
- Add LEED® requirements to each applicable section which additionally refers back to charts, LEED® credits, and applicable reference section(s).
- An example was provided to display how a credit may be lost if a site/project is audited - "it does not matter whether one tube or 100 tubes of caulk are used or even found on site which exceed allowable VOC's, the point will be lost."
- Hold a LEED® Pre-construction Meeting and invite all those who will be affected by project and reporting requirements. In particular, be sure those who may not have had prior experience with LEED® attend.
- When notified by USGBC which credits are accepted and which are denied, do not accept the first answer if you feel it has been achieved. Some times it is a matter of stating or showing in a different way how the credit was achieved.

LEED® Dinner Program Round Table
by Dave Seifert of BCRA, Mark Bergquist, CSI, CDT of McGranahan Architects, Ken Schmidt of Lease Crutcher Lewis and Jeff Stroud of Mountain Construction

The following is a list of key points discussed during the LEED® Roundtable last Thursday:
- Subcontractors need to be brought up to speed on LEED® requirements and reporting procedures. They are the last link to a successful project.
- The most time-consuming part of a successful LEED® project is the documentation. Stay on top of the submittals and other paperwork. The subcontractors and suppliers must complete their portion and provide adequate documentation.
- LEED® Gold seems to add 5-10% cost and time to a project.

If you've got comments on any of the above or additional tips, feel free to add them in the comments or notify us via e-mail and we will add them.

-Caroline N. O'Leary, Assoc. AIA

Volunteer Opportunity + Free Zoo Admission

(image courtesy of Shark-Pictures.com)

Received this via the Tacoma Art Listserve. The contact information is at the bottom.

Volunteers needed to help create shark sculpture at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium as part of the EARTH DAY-Party for the Planet celebration SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2009. 10AM-4PM.


We will be creating a 12 foot+ tiger shark (life size) out of plastic grocery bags. I am making a metal frame and need volunteers to help cut plastic bags into strips and then help weave the bags onto the structure during the event.


This project is devised to help create awareness about all of the garbage ending up in our oceans as well as be a very neat sculpture that will be on display at the zoo through out the summer.

Volunteers will only need to commit to a 2 hour shift (but if you want to work more, great!) and you will get free entry into the zoo for the day's event. Lots of other groups and activities will be going on as part of the earth day celebration. Snacks also provided.


The event is 10AM-4PM.

We will need to meet at least once before the event so that everybody understands what will need to be done. We probably won't meet until the first week or so of April, but I want people to get this in their calendars now.

If you are interested in participating, start saving your plastic grocery bags and email me!

jps@jennevieve.com

Thank you!

Jennevieve Schlemmer

-Caroline N. O'Leary, Assoc. AIA

First blog of the year!!!

I wanted to say that I'm loving the events on the calendar! I didn't know there are so many things going on.

And I hope that everyone will be going to the WA State Board Round Table discussion on March 5th and not be tempted by the Green Drinks event.