If you build it they will come…

The second installment of Architecture on Tap has come and gone; hopefully you didn’t miss it. Part two centered around infrastructure as a part of our Exploring Urbanity series.

The guest speakers of this round were Wanda Dye: founder and director of RE gallery + studio and assistant professor in Architecture at UT Arlington; and Patrick Kennedy, CNU AICP: Partner – Urban Dynamics and Planning.

Although there are many layers of infrastructure in relation to a city, the discussion focused mainly on transportation as well as the pedestrian experience. The new Klyde Warren Park that bridges over Woodall Rogers is getting built quickly and soon it will hopefully erase the disconnect between uptown and downtown. Harwood street which used to cross over Woodall Rogers has been cutoff and yet still remains one way, towards downtown. Could making this a two way street and/or adding bike lanes from downtown to uptown promote safer commuting for those who live and work in either?

The typical response to higher gas prices is to enlarge streets and highways. Albeit my commute shaved a minute or two, the pedestrian experience is diminished with arterial barriers inhibiting that which they meant to promote. Irony IS a two way street…literally.

Dallas is investing many efforts in enhancing the current infrastructure, and we as design professionals need to actively maintain the conversation for the sake of the future of Dallas, and it all starts with a beer and fun conversations at a local bar.

Be sure to join us next time!

Luke Archer
JHP Architecture / Urban Design

Free AIA membership to new graduates.

Click here!

2012 Texas Architect Convention

The Texas Society of Architects is offering a great discount for some Associates for the 73^rd Annual Convention and Design Expo!

If you’re an Associate in Texas who’s graduated from a school of architecture in the past 7 years, you actually qualify as an Associate Intern! Associate Interns receive:
- A $42 discount in their state-level dues, reducing their state dues from $116 to $72 (Note: this does not apply to local- or national-level dues.)
- FREE registration for the Convention, if registering before September 12^th!

The Associate Intern membership type is intended for Emerging Professionals who are enrolled in the Intern Development Program and are working toward licensure. As an effort to support and encourage these Emerging Professionals, the Texas Society of Architects freely offers them the mentorship, education, and networking experience they need to start their careers – all of which can be found at the Annual Convention.

Some of the great classes we’ll be offering our Emerging Professionals are (more details in attached document):

- Tips and Tricks for using the NCARB Practice Software

- Fireside Chats with Texas Architects (such as Larry Speck, Frank Welch, Ted Flato, Val Flitsch, and more)

- What Are Employers Looking for in the Future?

- NCARM and You: IDP, ARE, and Certification

- and more!

If you already are an Associate Intern, and would like to register for the Convention, please simply visit our registration page and register with your AIA number.

If you qualify as an Associate Intern, but are not sure if you are currently enrolled as one, please either contact your local chapter, email memberservices@aia.org, or call 1-800-242-3837, option 2.

If you qualify as an Associate Intern, and would like to register for the Convention, but are currently enrolled in the AIA as an Associate, please send your registration information to membership@texasarchitects.org along with either proof of your graduating year, or a letter of approval from your local chapter or the school from which you graduated.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Dallas AIA Associates Committee

Shannon Carpenter, Associate AIA

Need help obtaining IDP hours? Try the Emerging Professionals Companion (EPC).

What is the EPC?
The Emerging Professional’s Companion (EPC) is an online resource developed by the AIA and NCARB primarily for use by interns in gaining IDP credit. Undergoing updates in 2012 to comply with IDP 2.0, the EPC can also be used by educators, young architects, AIA components, and firms in a variety of ways to enhance or create new learning opportunities.

1. First time users are encouraged to visit the role-specific pages listed in the left side bar.
2. One EPC activity equals eight (8) hours towards Supplemental Experience: Learn more about how to submit EPC activities as IDP credit.
3. The EPC activities are approved by NCARB as Supplemental Experience hours.

Click on this link to get started with the EPC now!
Emerging Professionals Companion