Speed Portfolio Review

It’s always nice to keep that portfolio fresh. As your design interest changes so do your graphic styles and presentations as well. This Thursday head down to the Dallas Center for Architecture, spend 10 bucks, and have your portfolio reviewed by professionals around town. Think speed dating. But in the end you actually come out ahead. You’ll sit down for 10 minutes or so and discuss your current work with someone who has seen what’s out there. You’ll get honest and instant feedback. Whether you are looking to land a position or just wanting to keep your portfolio up to date, this event would be a great addition to your week.

What: Speed Portfolio Review

When: Wednesday, July 27^th - 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Where: Dallas Center for Architecture

Cost: $10

Architecture on Tap, The Re-Cap

Last Thursday, the AIA Associates held their Architecture on Tap series at Cretia’s, which focuses on relationships within the design industry. From the dim lit bar in the back room, following a few rounds of authentic Italian pizzas compliments of Schmidt & Stacy, we had an intimate conversation led by local architects and engineers. Our panel included; Britt Feik of PageSoutherlandPage, Garrett Brown of Summit Consultants, Stephen Price of Datum Engineers, Regina Stamatiou of Corgan Associates, Matt Leyman of Beck Group, and David Schmidt of Schmidt & Stacy. After the introductions, we jumped straight into a lengthy discussion on communication. Every one of our guests stressed the importance of communication in our field. Britt Feik brought up the downside of E-mail communication. E-mail has become an easy way to send thoughts, however, we have become so reliant on that tool that we forget about the basics of human face to face interaction that truly help us solve problems. When we start to lose these interpersonal encounters, we lose focus on what we are trying to accomplish. Another important point was stressed; ASAP does not mean anything. Instead, one should always give a specific time and date of his or her needs. ASAP orders will get pushed to the back of the line in order to meet set deadlines.

Following the question and answer portion regarding communication, the panel delved further into the Botanical Research Institute of Texas project that half of them had collaborated on. Using that project as a jumping off point, we learned about the ability to use BIM modeling to solve complex problems in a 3D environment. While the jury is still out on whether BIM is better, we learned interesting ways that the team communicated through their models. From the architect, to the engineer, to the construction team; each group worked with each other to solve the little problems that are very important to achieving LEED Platinum rating. The team also explained that they pushed each other beyond their capabilities to do the best job that they can do. When you are lucky to have a client that is willing to go the extra mile, the design team should push each other to come up with the best, most innovative solution they can build. Matt Leyman explains, “You get out of it what you put in.”

Overall, the conversation gravitated towards the honest truth: we are all in this for the same reason. We are here to build for our clients and do the best job that we can do as a team. We must set our personal issues aside and work toward the common goal. As Matt Leyman said, “We are building America.”

Join us next time as we discuss the relationship between architects and interior designers. See you the August 18^th!

Architecture on Tap!

When: Thursday July 21^st, 6-8 pm

Where: Cretia’s, 4900 McKinney Ave. (free valet parking)

Price: Pre-Register $12
http://aiadallas.affinisca​pe.com/cde.cfm?event=35688​6

$15 at the door (Cost includes 2 drink tickets and food)
Cash or check only at the door

Don’t plan on working late this Thursday because The Associates Committee would like to invite you to the Architecture on Tap: Summer Series. This summer we will be concentrating on relationships between architects and various disciplines. This Thursday, July 21^st, we will have a discussion on Engineers and Architects. The event is sponsored in part by Schmidt & Stacy. Price of admission includes pizza appetizers and two drink tickets.

Our panel includes:

Britt Feik, AIA is a Project Architect/Manager and Vice President at PageSoutherlandPage. A notable project in his recent work includes the 189,000 SF Dallas Natural Science and Engineering Research Laboratory at the University of Texas at Dallas. Within the space is 68,000 SF of research labs including five clean room labs and two interaction spaces to promote interdisciplinary research collaboration. Prior to joining PageSoutherlandPage, Mr. Feik has been associated with three other major architectural and engineering firms where he has served in various capacities. A Bachelor of Architecture degree holder from the University of Arkansas, Britt Feik has been registered with the state of Texas since 1984.

Garrett Brown, PE, CXA is a Mechanical Engineer at Summitt Consultants. He is a graduate from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He began his career with General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, and has spent 14 years in the aerospace business as an aircraft structural engineer. At Summitt Consultants, Mr. Brown specializes in hydronic systems. Garrett provides engineering service for performance-contracting programs with include energy conservation measures. He is also a certified Commissioning Agent.

Stephen Price, PE joined Datum Engineers, Inc. as a summer intern and became a full time staff member upon graduation from Stanford University where he holds a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering. His undergraduate work was at the University of Texas in Austin in civil engineering. Stephen was one of six principals named Executive Vice Presidents in 2008. Datum Engineers joined Charles Gojer & Associates to form a joint venture in the pursuit of public projects. Datum-Grojer’s past projects include work at UT Arlington, UT Dallas, and Southwestern Medical Hospital. They also have a steady relationship with PageSoutherlandPage.

Regina Stamatiou, AIA, LEEP AP is a LEED certified Architect at Corgan Associates, Inc. She received her Bachelors of Science in Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis followed by her Masters of Architecture at Texas A&M. Before her graduate work, Regina moved to Athens, Greece where she worked as a research assistant within the Urban Planning Department at the National Technical University of Athens. Regina played an integral role on the Botanical Research Institute of Texas that just received a LEED Platinum certification.

Matt Leyman joined Beck Group in 2004 after six years of service with the United States Marine Corp. Mr. Leyman received his Bachelors of Science in General Engineers from the United States Naval Academy. During his time at Beck, he spent a year with the Preconstruction Department, two yeas with the Victory Plaza Buildings for the Hillwood Development, another two years on the Fielty Ph2 Weslake Campus, and the last two years on the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Matt Leyman and his wife, Pamela keep themselves busy with their three boys, ages 8, 6, and 4 who are very active in sports.

David A. Schmidt, P.E. is the owner of Schmidt & Stacy. A graduate of Southern Methodist University with his Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mr. Schmidt speaks to us with experience of nearly 30 years in the field. He is the driving force for his firm’s business development, strategic planning, and business operations. Daily involvement encompasses tracking the engineering design for the project from Schematic Design to polished Construction Documents.