Architecture on Tap - "Old is the new "New"

‘Old’ is the new ‘New’

Architecture on tap had its final talk for the year, but don’t kick yourself, I’m sure we will be back next year. Where were you though? This go round was focused on preservation architecture and the conversation really took the house down (see what I did there?)

 

Panelists this month were David Chase, AIA, Principal ArchiTexas; Wilson Fuqua, AIA, Principal J Wilson Fuqua & Associates; Nancy McCoy, FAIA, Principal Quimby McCoy Preservation Architecture, LLP; and Katherine Seale, Hon. AIA Dallas, Preservation Dallas.

 

The knee jerk question, “What makes a building worth saving?” seems to be the go to question when talking about preservation architecture. Our panel had mixed but agreeable answers. Good design although generally subjective can be recognized when done appropriately and responsive is one aspect. Association with an event or cultural significance can stop a wrecking ball, but what is most marketable nowadays is the green aspect (one of our last AoT discussions touched on the idea of not re-designing every time we touch a piece of property). Our environment is forever changing, so if we can pick up on the parts that warrant no change then a sense of place will become evident.

 

A common hindrance of preservation seems to be the word ‘politics.’ Now I don’t mean to lower tax rates and broaden the base, or lie to you, but politics seems to be a big hurdle for most projects of our built environment.

 

The conversation moved into adaptive use and adaptive reuse, but then we were let in on a developing hush-hush story about the Bishop Arts Market. If you are interested to hear more about what exciting new tidbits of information can be dropped at an informal talk about local architecture join us next year because this architectural keg is floated….no more on tap…..see what I did there?

Luke Archer

JHP Architecture / Urban Design

Intern Think Tank... Apply now!!!

On December 14-15, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is hosting its first Intern Think Tank in Washington, DC, to inform the future of internship and examine the current Intern Development Program’s (IDP) implementation and effectiveness. The Council Would Like Your Help! Do you know interns who are passionate about architecture, the profession, and enhancing the internship portion of the licensure process? If so, encourage them to apply for the Intern Think Tank! We are looking for 12 intern volunteers. To be considered, interns will need to: To write a 300 word essay on the “Why Internship and Licensure Matter” Meet the following qualifications: Unlicensed at the time of application, have at least six months of approved IDP experience (930 hours), and an active NCARB Record Available to travel and meet 13-16 December 2012 Willingness and ability to participate in approximately five (5) conference calls and conduct up to 10 hours of research throughout the next year Have not held an officer or other leadership position with any architectural collateral organizations (NCARB, AIA, AIAS, ACSA, or NAAB) They must also list a reference from one of the following groups: An NCARB Member Board Executive or Member An AIA Component executive or officer An architect registered in a U.S. jurisdiction References will only need to be available to answer questions about their intern applicant during the selection process (November 12-13) and do not need to submit anything at the time the intern submits his or her application. Learn more: www.ncarb.org/experience-through-internships/intern-think-tank

Interested in having your portfolio reviewed?

Future Architects and Current Architects... Are you interested in having your portfolio reviewed by some experts in the field? Join us, this week at the Dallas Center for Architecture. Click on the link below to register and find out more.
click here!

Please contact the associates committee if you have any questions or need any further information.
Thank you,
Dallas Associates Committee
Shannon Carpenter

Doomed densities don’t derail development… do they?

Our series of bar talks a.k.a. Architecture on Tap finished its three part discussion of “Exploring Urbanity” this past Thursday at The Mason Bar. The concluding topic was simply, “Housing,” and although the title was simply named, the discussion and ideas were far from.

Panelists this month included Kevin Sloan, Principal at Kevin Sloan Studio; Dennis Wilson FAICP, MRAIC, CNU-A, Principal at Townscape, Inc.; and J. Mark Wolf AIA, Principal at JHP Architecture
Urban Design.

We kicked off the discussion with asking our panelists what aspects of urbanism were most important to its success. This spurred discussion of past projects for reflection; one of which was Vitruvian Park (a fairly new urban infill project) which Mr. Sloan was a part of. Few models of direct urbanism are more recognized than multi-family over retail (live/play). The discussion then focused on this model’s success along with other approaches currently being utilized. One approach is the phasing of projects which although very appealing to developers can hinder the success of the urban feel of a place. Many parts contribute to the idea of urbanism as well as its success, and these ideas need to be addressed as early on in scope as possible.

T.O.D. or transit oriented development then folded into the discussion. The placing of housing developments along circulatory nodes of transportation is an amazingly successful, smart, simple way of promoting positive sustainable growth for Dallas as well as any other city. The expansion and utilization of DART depends upon well informed developers willing to take advantage of the failures of sprawl and the success of T.O.D.

Uptown became a point of discussion when Mr. Wilson mentioned his early involvement in its development. We took note of the appropriateness of this due to the fact that the discussion was taking place in a renovated bar located in uptown. What is the opposite of irony? …oh yea, anecdotes with successful outcomes.

Where do we go from here? The treatment of how a person perceives their urban environment is reduced to between the curb, the treatment of a building at grade, and the tops of the trees we walk by. Design professionals, city representatives and anyone else who reads this, take note of this and help promote this success of urbanism in Dallas. Annnnd come join us next time for drinks and an interesting discussion.

Luke Archer
JHP Architecture / Urban Design