Leadership

2008 YAF Advisory Committee: Call for Nominations
Deadline: September 30, 2007
Looking to be involved with YAF at the national level? The YAF needs you! Click here for information on position openings and how to apply.

Leaders at an Early Career Stage: The Need and the Struggle
By F. Michael Ayles, AIA
F. Michael Ayles, AIA, a former chair of the YAF Advisory Committee, contemplates the opportunities for leadership roles for Young Architects in this commentary originally published in the Small Project Practitioners Journal #40.

Architects of Color Engaging in Collaborative Design
By Louis B. Smith Jr., AIA
In his profile of architect Antoine Bryant of Houston, Louis B. Smith Jr., AIA, realizes that leadership in the community is a direct outgrowth of the skills we have as architects. The architect's role is not the issue; how the architect’s skills are put to use is key. Read on in this piece that was originally published in the Small Project Practitioners Journal #40.

Public Architects Committee
The AIA Public Architects Committee is seeking applications from candidates for its 2008 Advisory Group. One new member is appointed to the Advisory Group each year, replacing one member completing his or her service. The usual term of membership is five years, with each member rotating to vice chair in the fourth year and to chair in the fifth year. For more information about the AIA Public Architects Committee, see the Public Architects home page. To apply please e-mail Amanda D’Luhy with a current curriculum vitae (Maximum of four pages) and a brief statement of interest with a description of any special goals if appointed to the group. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007.

Design for Aging Advisory Group
The Design for Aging Advisory Group is searching for a candidate to serve the 2008 Advisory Group. We are also seeking volunteers for subcommittees that focus on such areas as governance, Design for Aging Review, post occupancy evaluations, research, education, sponsorships, networking communications, and universal design. Our vision is to promote the quality of housing and care for seniors through networking, education, and research and to share our knowledge with AIA members, allied professionals, academia, and care providers. If you are interested visit the AIA Design for Aging Web site to learn more about the Design for Aging Knowledge Community. All applications must be received by Tuesday July 10, 2007.

Mentorship

matri.ARCH.itect

matri.ARCH.itect panelists Sally Grans, FAIA, Amy Yurko, AIA, and Celeste Novak, AIA.  Photo by Lisa Chronister, AIA.

The YAF convention program, matri.ARCH.itect, provoked much-needed discussion on life-career balance issues and the conflicting priorities that confront all architecture professionals and their employers. The audience had an overwhelming response during the discussion period and requested a format to advance the dialogue. We’ve developed a blog as a part of that continuing exploration—please join us and feel free to invite your friends! blog.aia.org/yaf

Congratulations to matri.ARCH.itect panelist and past Connection contributor, Sally Grans, FAIA, who was elevated to Fellow earlier this year.

YAF/AIA Diversity Committee Mentorship Program at Convention

YAF, in conjunction with the AIA Diversity Committee, hosted students from area middle schools, high schools, and junior colleges during the 2007 AIA National Convention in San Antonio. Mentors spent a few hours guiding the students through the EXPO floor and design exhibits located in the convention hall. Clarence C. Kwan, AIA, LEEDAP, and Leslie Thomas, AIA were two of the mentors; here they share some personal insights into the day.

Mentoring Knowledge Spot
Knowledge is Power

In recognition of the continuing need for mentoring in the profession of architecture, the AIA is developing a series of mentoring tools to help you be an effective mentor as well as to find one. Resources include the Mentoring Essentials Workbook.

Articles of Interest

Just the Facts
By H. Ross Clements, AIA, NCARB, CDT

In this essay, H. Ross Clements, AIA, discusses his work as a forensic architect, how he became interested in this facet of the profession, what led him there, and how much he’s enjoying this new career direction.

Practice Made Simple
By Hugh Hochberg, Assoc. AIA
From AIA Best Practices

What are the key attributes of a successful firm? How can a firm choose the right clients and the right talent? Former Connection contributor Hugh Hochberg of the Coxe Group posits that few practitioners are likely to succeed on the strength of their talent, creativity, and vision alone.

The Secret to “Likeability”
By Pam Holloway

Likeable people are more successful in business and in life; are elected, promoted, and rewarded more often than those less likable; and close more sales and make more money. This definitely sounds like a skill set worth developing! Read on if you missed this article originally published in AIArchitect May 6–13, 2006.

YAF Book Reviews

Book Reviews
Thanks to William T. Gordon IV, AIA, NCARB, LEEDAP , the new YAF Book Review Coordinator. If you are interested in participating, please contact him at yaf@aia.org.

New York in Store
By Valérie Weill and Philippe Chancel
Review by Melanie Wood, Assoc. AIA

New York in Store is a fascinating revelation of store windows as miniature embodiments of the city: each has its own geometries, neighborhoods, infrastructure, and character. Sprawl, landscaped parks, grids, and voids are equally on display. How else do window displays reflect and inform our lives? This book is sure to make you take a second look at the next store window display you pass.

Nothing Less than Literal
By Mark Linder
Review by Joe Novotny, AIA

This book explores the tangled relationship between 1960s minimalist art, art criticism, and architecture. With the shift from traditional two-dimensional paper drawings to multi-dimensional computer models, architecture now has the ability and opportunity to transcend literalism similar to the way artists of the 1960s transcended the literalism of painting.

VJAA: Vincent James Associates Architects
By Vincent James and Jennifer Yoos
Review by Crystal Tobin Chandler

This insightful monograph describes the Minnesota-based firm’s design philosophy and process while illustrating these concepts with seductive graphics and narratives of its award-winning projects. The projects demonstrate it is possible to create architecture that does not solely emphasize form but instead reflects the architect’s social and conceptual aspirations.

Announcements

NEW! YAF Communications Editor: Call For Nominations
The YAF is excited to annouce the creation of a new position: YAF Communications Editor. Beginning January 1, 2007, the YAF will create a new communications committee, adding this position with responsbilities to edit the YAF Connection and the Web site, www.aia.org/yaf.  The incumbent will receive a stipend of $225 following the completion of each of the 6 issues of the Connection. The deadline for nominations is November 1, 2007.

Podcasts
Recently, the YAF finished a Podcast interview with the AIA Atlanta’s Emerging Voices 2006 winners. Click here to download the Podcast, or read on for the original article published in the August 2006 edition of the Connection.

Civil Twilight Team Wins 2007 Metropolis Next Generation® Design Prize
Created by Metropolis magazine, the Next Generation competition encourages and recognizes outstanding ideas from young architects and designers for making the built environment better, safer and more sustainable. This year, entrants were asked to submit proposals relating to energy issues. Civil Twilight, a San Francisco-based design collective, has been chosen as this year's winner. Read on to learn more about their work and the work of the runners-up.

Spiritual Space and Spirit of Place: Pietro Belluschi and the Northwest
August 15 - 17, 2007
The Governor Hotel, Portland, OR

Organized by the AIA Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture, this conference will focus on the creation of contemporary religious places that respond to cultural, contextual, traditional, and spiritual forces. Pietro Belluschi’s work will be the center, bracketed by Northwest regional influences and contemporary spiritual examples. Click here for more information and registration details.

The Future of Professional Practice: The Next Generation of Integrated Delivery, Emerging Technology, and Practice Management
December 2-4, 2007
Capital Hilton Washington, Washington, D.C.

This conference will offer presentations and discussions on business models and organizational structures, digital collaboration and BIM best practices, integrated practice and delivery, as well as project management tools and technologies. Click here for more information and registration details.

Share your thoughts!

On the new AIA Archiblog at blog.aia.org/yaf. Current postings include the sharing of crazy work stories, a debate over architects in the movies, and a discussion of work/life balance. Other topics are definitely invited! Click here to join the discussion.

Know Someone Who’s Not Getting The Connection?

Don’t let them be out of the loop any longer. It’s easy for AIA members to sign up:

1. Go to www.aia.org
2. Click on the “for members” tab at the upper left of the page.
3. Log in
4. Click on the “Member Services” link on the left scroll bar (this is the same link you follow to find your continuing education transcript)
5. Click on “Update Member Profile”
6. Click on “Add/Modify Knowledge Communities”
7. Select “Young Architects Forum” (last line of the checklist)

The YAF Connection is e-mailed to AIA members six times a year - definitely a benefit of membership!

Call for articles
Do you have an interesting program or idea of interest to young architects that you would like to see featured in the Connection? Contact Lisa Chronister, AIA, at yaf@aia.org.