Summer is here and I hope you are getting out and enjoying some of all that we have to offer in the Bay Area!
In the first newsletter, I talked about being inspired by attending Grassroots in Detroit on behalf of Chapter Board of Directors and members. That first quarter I felt that way after other events, as well, such as the Mentorship Speed Dating where I heard so many great conversations getting started between the Seasoned Professionals and the Emerging Professionals. This Spring Quarter, there also were chapter events and activities that energized me as I help plan for our chapter as the year goes forward. For instance, we had a Tour of the SF Transit Center project and, although we were a small group, we were a diverse group: seasoned professionals like me and some young people, too!
The other inspiring, engaging event that took place this Spring was the shared event in May with AIA Santa Clara Valley. If you missed it, it was Takashi Yanai, AIA, speaking to our two chapters about 2015 AIA Firm of the Year, Ehrlich Architects — now known as Ehrlich ∙ Yanai ∙ Rhee ∙ Chaney — of which he is a partner. We shared this with our chapter neighbors to the south and picked up a few ideas for how they do things. For instance, at their meetings, I like that they informally ask and recognize New Members, Fellows, or Newly‐Licensed attendees! Watching our two chapters connect and talk about work, architecture, and design, and ask questions about projects and process – that’s what the AIA is really all about. This is how we keep Architecture relevant and how the AIA benefits us and our profession. No wonder I find these events to be inspiring!
Things to come this quarter
If you missed the May event in Palo Alto, there are many other AIA SMC events you can attend with our chapter members, such as our monthly Fellowship dinner/speaker events. Which leads me to the second part of my newsletter: I want to point out upcoming events but also let you know about ways you can get involved or stay involved with the chapter.
DESIGN AWARDS: Call for Entries to open August 1st. Please consider entering a project or reaching out to Architects regarding buildings in our county that qualify for consideration.
Qualifications for projects to be submitted:
- Project construction must be completed
- Project to be designed by a San Mateo County Architect but it can be located at any location, not only San Mateo County
OR - Project to be WITHIN San Mateo County but can be designed by licensed Architect from any county or state.
SUMMER HOME TOUR: The Silicon Valley Home Tour on Saturday, August 6th is another shared event with AIA Santa Clara Valley. We will need Volunteer
Docents to help that day. Each of the 4 homes will need people in shifts to be stationed at areas of the house. If you know of someone that would be interested, let us know. And check our AIASMC website for Ticket Sales!
SUMMER SOCIAL & BARBEQUE: Save the Date for The Annual Summer BBQ and Social at Runnymede Sculpture Farm in Woodside: Friday, August 26. We could use some help with set‐up and clean‐up — contact René to sign up. Come early to walk the trails to see the sculptures! Our thanks go out to Adolf Rosekrans for allowing the chapter and AIA friends to gather there again this year!
On another note, Mark Christian, Hon. AIACC, Director of Legislative Affairs, reported that SB 885, the bill to change the duty‐to‐defend obligation in California, passed the State Senate on a 26–4 vote. This legislation would prohibit clients from requiring design professionals to pay the client’s legal bills when the design professional is not at fault. Mark credits the success so far to the response to his CALL TO ACTION on this issue and noted that over 1,000 calls, letters, or emails were made to State Senators from AIA members. Mark wrote to the AIA members:
“SB 885 is actively opposed by public and private sector owner groups, contractor and subcontractor groups, and the construction unions. SB 885 would not have passed the State Senate without you and your colleagues getting involved and sending messages to your State Senators.” This now goes on to the State Assembly.
You can reach me or René Peraza, our Executive Director, to get connected to any of these activities at: [email protected] or [email protected]
I look forward to seeing you at the next AIASMC Chapter event!
Thanks,
Margaret Williams, AIA | President AIASMC