Monday, October 22, 2012
Architecture on Tap - "Old is the new "New"
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:
Learn more: www.ncarb.org/experience-through-internships/intern-think-tank |
Monday, August 27, 2012
Interested in having your portfolio reviewed?
click here!
Please contact the associates committee if you have any questions or need any further information.
Thank you,
Dallas Associates Committee
Shannon Carpenter
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
What makes a sustainable city?
Our panelists for this installment were: Monica Heid, Community Projects Manager at the City of Richardson; David Whitley, Associate Director at citydesign studio; Larry Good, Principal at Good Fulton & Farrell; and Benje Feehan, Director of bcWORKSHOP.
Mr. Good shared an anecdote about our current sprawl endeavors which opened and started to steer our discussion. The takeoff from it was that we as design professionals need to preserve and restore what our current city is, and we need to reform the opinion (or culture) of sustainability. Houses out in the middle of nowhere with nothing to drive lot size or aesthetic decisions is not a very sustainable path for Dallas.
One opinion from the panel on how to alter this mindset was to convince our clients that sustainable and efficient aren't mutually exclusive. Preserving a sense of place instead of reinventing a city every time we build could be important to the success of this. Our current culture worships the car. Our buildings are formed from right of way setbacks and traffic view triangles at corners. “This cast in place attitude towards the car needs to change,” was a common thought from our panel.
What can we do? – design for this place, make regionally appropriate decisions at every available chance, focus less on our skyline and more on what happens between the buildings.
Come have a drink in August with us and remind yourself why you picked architecture for a career – details soon to come!
Luke Archer
JHP Architecture / Urban Design
Monday, July 30, 2012
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.
Luke Archer
JHP Architecture / Urban Design
Monday, July 23, 2012
2012 Texas Architect Convention
- 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 12th!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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.
- First time users are encouraged to visit the role-specific pages listed in the left side bar.
- One EPC activity equals eight (8) hours towards Supplemental Experience: Learn more about how to submit EPC activities as IDP credit.
- The EPC activities are approved by NCARB as Supplemental Experience hours.
Emerging Professionals Companion
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Downtown Lighting Boom
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
ARE & IDP Weathering the Storm
Included in the below link, you will find 4 videos of a panel discussion. The panel includes Young Architects discussing how they got through the licensure process.
click link below:
ARE & IDP - Weathering the Storm
Questions asked to the panel memebers included the following:
Which test should I take first?
What study materials do you recommend?
Where can I get help paying for the ARE?
How much time did you spend studying for each test?
What do you do if you fail (and things to be careful of so you don’t fail).
Additional study tips and resources.
How long should it take for NCARB to get back to you? [in regards to submissions you make to them]
How do you determine the experience needed to begin testing?
What’s the deal with CIDP?
How can you earn IDP units if you are currently unemployed?
How did you get all the different types of experience [required by IDP]?
Why should you get a license?
2012 - 2013 AIA Dallas Success Teams
Success Teams information night
May 14, 2012 - 6pm at the Dallas Center for Architecture
Come learn about Success Teams, and what it can do for you. Let us help you pass the ARE's!
Success Teams Orientation night
June 19, 2012 - 6pm at the Dallas Center for Architecture
This will be the first night you will meet with your study teams and receive your first set of study materials
Please feel free to email us to find out more. aiadallasassociates@gmail.com
Thank you,
Shannon Carpenter
Associate AIA
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Architecture schools: 5 year versus 4+2
If you are just now looking into architecture schools, you should know that one of the major differences is how the professionally accredited degrees are delivered. Generally, schools have the option to provide a five year professionally accredited bachelors degree (B. Arch) or a four year unaccredited bachelors degree with a professionally accredited two year masters degree (M. Arch). Why "professionally accredited?" MOST states require it for licensure.
These two paths have unique characteristics that may or may not appeal to your individual needs/desires and I have listed some of these below. FULL DISCLOSURE: I received a 5-year degree from the University of Oklahoma and so far it has served me very well, so I may be a little biased.
5 B. Arch
Positive
● Finished faster - less cost and/or debt and you start making an income sooner.
● Professional classes come earlier so you may learn to put a building together sooner.
● Can still go back to get a one or two year Masters degree that can be self directed and exploratory without the need for professional requirements.
● Typical undergraduate scholarships may be able to be extended through year 5.
● Generally, courses are more technical and professionally based.
Negative
● Slightly less pay. Possibly harder to find a job
● Perception of lower education.
● Perception of graduating in 5 years with "only" a master’s degree. Your Liberal Arts friends will not understand.
● Generally not qualified to teach at a collegiate level without the M. Arch.
4+2 M. Arch
Positive
● Can switch schools after four years to get other experiences and professors.
● Can have a non professional undergrad degree and take a wider array of courses.
● Generally, undergrad courses are more theory and design based.
● Can take time to work and earn IDP experience before going back to school for a masters degree.
● Can change your focus and go into a field other than architecture. You are not as locked down.
Negative
● Sometimes courses overlap and you have to retake them.
● More cost/debt.
● Sometimes very hard to go back and get that masters portion if you enter the field after four years.
Please feel free to leave comments and questions. We would love to hear from you.
Brad Grigsby, Assoc. AIA
Architectural Intern at Corgan Associates, Inc.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Which ARE exam to take first???
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
IDP 2.0 - Do you know what's changing?
• Seven work settings become experience settings A, O, and S.
• Launch of new experience categories, areas, and core minimum hour requirement.
- Pre-Design 260 hours
- Design 2,600 hours
- Project Management 720 hours
- Practice Management 160 hours
- Elective hours 1,860 hours
- Total hours 5,600 hours
- Visit the links below for a complete list of the new rules
- NCARB has implemented a very helpful calculator that will show you exactly how your current hours will rollover into the new system. See link below It is important to know that if you have currently completed a training category, you will NOT be required to meet the new required minimum hours. You will be considered exempt. However, if you do not currently meet the minimum hours needed, you will be required to meet the new requirement.
- example
- If you do not have 120 hours completed in Engineering Systems Coordination by the April deadline, you will then need to complete a total of 360 hours in this category.
- Bob had 100 hours of Engineering Systems Coordination by April 5th, he now needs an additional 260 hours in order to complete this category.
- The total number of interning hours needed is remaining 5,600. However, some categories will have less hours than before, while others will have more hours in each training area.
- As always, we recommend that the first step you do is to download the IDP2.0 handbook and read the few pages in the packet. This packet lists several helpful tips and examples.
Click here for information on changes to the IDP system
Click here for the conversion calculator to see how your hours will transfer
Click here for an interactive chart to view the new category breakdowns
Monday, February 20, 2012
2012 ARE Lecture Series
http://aiadallas.affiniscape.com/cde.cfm?event=378661
2012 ARE Structures Seminar - March 9-11th
Registration is now up on the web. Please pass this information along to anyone you know who might be interested in attending.
http://aiadallas.affiniscape.com/cde.cfm?event=377579
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Thought Behind Victory Park
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Architecture on Tap ... Thursday, Sept. 15th
Architecture on TAP!
When: Thursday Sept. 15th, 6-8 pm
Where: Teknion Showroom, 1801 North Lamar St. Suite 150, Dallas
In case you’ve had your head in the clouds for the last couple of days, summer is almost over. But, as the cooler weather starts to set in, Architecture on Tap must close its doors for a little while. Come celebrate another successful summer with us at the Teknion Showroom on North Lamar St. We will end the summer series with a conversation regarding the home of our favorite NBA team, Victory Park.
Eddie Abeyta, AIA LEED AP is a principal and a senior vice president at HKS. He has experience in a wide range of architectural disciplines, including conceptual design, master planning, schematic design and the interface of design development with construction documents. He specializes in the design of commercial and corporate office, hospitality, residential, retail and mixed-use urban, and entertainment projects. Mr. Abeyta’s activity in Victory Park includes the W Victory Hotel and Residences.
Andrew Bennett, AIA is a partner at BOKA Powell. His recent projects include prominent office buildings like NEC America and Accor North America, the sports facility Fieldhouse USA, and a civic project, the Frisco Discovery Center. Andrew has also planned and participated in the design of multiple hotel projects including the St. Regis Dallas, and the Hotel Valencia in Dallas and Denver. His work in Victory Park includes One Victory Park and The Mandaran Oriental.
Jaime Fernandez-Duran, principal of the Dallas office, has been with WDG Architecture since 1994. Mr. Fernandez-Duran brings more than twenty years of experience in design, project management and practice management to the firm. Mr. Fernandez- Duran maintains a broad and extensive portfolio of projects in corporate, mixed use and multifamily and GSA projects.
Mark A. Williams, AIA LEED AP is an experienced sports venue designer from HKS, Inc. His involvement primarily focuses around the venues programming, overall project design direction, client communication and project management. Mr. Williams brings us experience from his work on The AA Center, the anchor for Victory Park.
Craig P. Williams, project manager and principal of David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc., has been with the firm since 1979. He received his education at The University of Maryland School of Architecture and was also an Architectural History teaching assistant. Mr. Williams shares experiences from his work on The AA Center in Victory Plaza

Thursday, September 1, 2011
NCARB August Announcements
AIA Documents Free Though My NCARB for ARE Candidates
In cooperation with the AIA, NCARB is offering ARE candidates free access to key AIA documents for the purpose of preparing for the Construction Documents & Services division of the ARE. This is another great resource to help you prepare for the ARE.
Interns may download the sample documents through in My NCARB through their NCARB Record.
To access documents:
1. Log into My NCARB https://my.ncarb.org/Login/
2. Click "Go" to access your NCARB Record
3. Follow link for ARE Candidates: Construction Documents & Services Resources visible in the lower left of your Record.
Updated NCARB Exam Guides
The latest edition of the ARE e-News highlights the updates to the ARE Exam Guides.
The newly released editions include a detailed breakdown of the test content areas and for the first time ever a percentage outline for the major content areas of each multiple-choice section. ARE candidates can use this information to better outline and focus their preparation.
"We are excited to offer candidates this additional level of information to use while preparing for the ARE. This change is a dramatic shift for the exam guides and we hope it will help to ease anxiety over the content distribution and make-up of the ARE," said Erica J. Brown, AIA, Director, ARE.
Download these new documents today at http://www.ncarb.org/en/ARE/Preparing-for-the-ARE.aspx
Learn more about these two topics in the August 2011 ARE e-News
http://www.ncarb.org/are/enews/2011/august/index.html
New! Updated NCARB Publications
Several of NCARB’s important guidelines and publications were recently updated. The latest editions supersede all previous editions. Download these essential references today!
ARE Guidelines (Updated July 2011)
The ARE 4.0 Guidelines is essential reading for anyone preparing for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). The document includes an overview of the exam divisions as well as the exam program, the rolling clock, exam eligibility, test center security procedures, and six steps to taking and completing the ARE.
http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/8176063C6CEE4443AD7BD52DFFF23979.ashx
Education Guidelines (Updated June 2011)
The Education Guidelines provide a general overview of the education requirement for NCARB certification, and explains how architects who do not hold a professional degree in architecture from a NAAB-accredited program can satisfy this requirement.
http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/6C8D6DF5E36648458D641BE3431C3F7D.ashx
IDP Guidelines (Updated July 2011)
The IDP Guidelines is essential reading for interns, supervisors, and mentors participating in the IDP. The document includes steps to completing the program, reporting procedures, training requirements, and core competencies interns should understand before becoming licensed.
http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/D5743F01F87545298BF656DED617FD3D.ashx
Handbook for Interns and Architects (Updated July 2011)
Updated July 2011! The Handbook for Interns and Architects describes the NCARB organization, services, procedures, and examinations. It also outlines requirements for NCARB certification for U.S., Canadian, and foreign architects.
http://www.ncarb.org/~/media/90832B259F674E91A1E39CE28F47D4CD.ashx
Kimberly Cundiff, Assoc. AIA
2011 AIA Dallas Associates Director















