AIABR
Monthly Newsletter

AUGUST 2007

AIABR ROSE AWARDS

The AIABR announced the winners of the 2007 Rose Awards at the chapter Summer Party Friday evening July 27th at the City Park Gallery. The Rose Awards are given anually by AIABR to members for design excellence as a result of voting by the membership. This year there are three winners:

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the oustanding entries To view the entire Rose Award powerpoint presentation including all enteries, just go to our website AIABR


PUBLIC AWARENESS

LPB Spots
The Chapter is again sponsoring ads on Louisiana Public Radio, in our ongoing committment to increase public awareness of AIA Architects in the Baton Rouge area. These spots will invite the public to view the Rose Awards entries on our website.
Please listen for them. We get very positive feedback everytime we run these ads.

Architectural Periodical for Public Schools Don't throw away your old, unwanted architectural periodicals! We're beginning a program to deliver these to the EBR Public School Libraries. The EBR School Librarian is very enthusiastic about this initiative and will distribute them to all area schools and encorporate them into their career education program. Its a great chance, not only to increase general public awareness, but also to reach out to children and minorities. We're looking for copies of Architectural Record, Architect, Texas Architects etc.
Just email Rick Lipscomb to arrange for pickup.


ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE

To All young professionals and newly licensed architects:
We held our 1st AIA Baton Rouge - Associates Committee on Thursday, July 19th at Tipton Associates. Thank you for all Associates who attended and to our speaker Mr. David Cronrath, who discussed A.R.E. 4.0 and how it is different from the current A.R.E. 3.1. For all who missed this opportunity to hear from a person who helped write portions of A.R.E. 3.0, David shared much needed test taking strategies and advice. We also discussed the following:

Please come out and join us for our 2nd AIA Baton Rouge Associates Committee meeting.

We will be meeting in the conference room. Food and drinks will be provided by Grace & Hebert Architects. Please RSVP to Giselle Grenier if you plan to attend by end of day on Monday, August 13th. We had a great turn-out in July and we look forward to seeing you at this next meeting! Agenda: Please contact Brandon Yan-Hamby, Assoc. AIA with any questions you may have. Thank You.


PUBLIC POLICY: INTERVIEW WITH JERRY JONES

In his role as chairman of our chapter's Public Policy Committee, Stephen Mayer has begun an intiative to interview selected policy makers. This is the first of several interviews that Steve intends to conduct.

Bio:
Grew up In Morgan City
Graduated from LSU's School of Architecture.
Worked for the La. Department of Public Safety for 19 years.
Moved to Facility Planning during the Foster Administration.

Facility Planning
Q: How's 2007 going so far?
A: Not surprisingly, it's one of our biggest years yet, we're going to be very busy for a very long time. People think that just because we have all this repair work from the hurricanes means that our normal outlay was put on hold - trust me, it's still here.
Q: Have you been able to increase your staff to accommodate the increased demand?
A: Yes, the legislature understood what's being asked of us and increased our staffing budget. They're a lot of fresh faces around here and we've been fortunate to hire some great people over the years - our guys were actually wading in water at some of the universities affected by Katrina in the days that followed doing damage assessments.
Q: With all this work do you have some aspects that take priority over others?
A: The main goal of this office right now is to have all state buildings that were damaged by the hurricanes repaired within 5 years. It's a very aggressive plan, but it's not an option. Those buildings have to be repaired. If we can get everyone on the same page it can be accomplished. Right now we have weekly progress meetings with FEMA to make sure what needs to happen is happening.

Legislative Session
Q: I know that each year you spend most of your late spring and summer across the street at the capital, how did it go this session? What were some of the bigger issues for you?
A: Our biggest bill every year is our Capital Outlay Budget. We had a good session this year and are looking forward to implementing some of the new projects that are coming down the pipe.
Q: I know that a few LEED bills came up this session and that you were consulted on both of them. Can you speak on these bills?
A: First let me say that I think that what LEED is trying to accomplish is great and is a necessary part of the world of architecture. That being said, I don't want to see the legislature jump on a bandwagon without making sure it's right for the state - I think it's just going to take some time before they work out the particulars of how to implement LEED. For example, I still think they need to work on the certification of our forests. Because some of our forests aren't certified, we're penalized in effect for using Louisiana forests - it doesn't make sense. What's this office has tried to do for a while is to implement some of the key concepts of LEED without passing a bill that would tie our hands in certain circumstances. For example, we've pursued energy efficiency in our buildings for a long time and the building you're sitting in right now is a model of efficiency. We've actually partnered up with the department of Energy to study the energy efficiency in the buildings we're building and to see how we can improve.

General
Q: Is there anything that you would like to pass on to the membership?
A: - Please use the correct form when responding to an RFQ. I know most people do a 'save-as' on their forms, but please double check before you send it in.
- Pay attention to what's on the application. We've had a lot of trouble with firms forming a 'Partnership' versus a 'Joint Venture' without knowing the particulars of each.
- Once you are awarded a job - Get Aggressive. Don't wait for our project managers to set the minimum requirements for a schedule. Go out there and get it done. Our guys are too busy to hound people about schedules.


READY FOR SOFTBALL!!!

Hello Guys and Gals,
I have been after BREC for quite some time without any response so we are going to get this started and coordinate the playing on the run. The only setback is umpires so there is a good chance we will have to have self perform this again. Either way we are ready to begin. We would like to hear from you on rather you would like to do this on a week night or possibly on the weekend? We are looking to begin in the next 3 weeks or so. We figure it will cost about $250-$300 per team. This will cover the bases, insurance, field rental, and misc. equipment. Please let us know what is your preference for the schedule and we will get things going.
Look forward to hearing from you! Steven Romero, Coleman & Partners, Architects, AIA


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Remson-Haley-Herpin Architects, A.P.A.C
Growing Architectural Design Firm seeking two (2) Licensed Architects for Project Management Positions. Qualifications require licensure and a minimum of ten years experience, accredited architectural college degree, knowledge of AutoCad. Position and role is of key importance, and includes management of project team interns and architects. Benefits include profit sharing, paid vacation, retirement program, and life & health insurance. Send resume to sam@rhharchitects.com

WHL Architecture
Optimal career opportunity for leadership position in a broad range of high-profile commercial / residential developments thoughout the Southeast. 3+ years experience, dynamic studio environment, full benefits package, all inquiries confidential. Rex Cabaniss


ROBERT GRADY WILLIAMS JR.

Robert Grady Williams Jr., a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, passed away at his home on Sunday, July 29, 2007. A native of New Orleans, he was born Sept. 6, 1927. He was proud of his country and its flag and the fact that he was an Eagle Boy Scout. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1945 and received a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from LSU in 1958. He remained an avid LSU fan and supporter. As a Louisiana licensed architect, he designed many apartment complexes, office buildings, private residences, Dixon Memorial Hospital in Denham Springs and several new and remodeled buildings at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. He was a past member of the American Institute of Architecture, Knights of Columbus and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 490, where he served as Exalted Ruler. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for more than 45 years, where he coached Pee Wee football for a few years and sang in the men's choir. He joined the U.S. Army Air Forces Cadets during World War II. Later, he learned to fly single- and twin-engine airplanes using them for his business. His children loved flying with him on occasions as much as he did. He also loved fishing, hunting, woodcarving and constructing his own designs. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Mardel Bechtel Williams; daughters, Keiley Anne Williams and Karen Cecilia Williams; son, Keith Michael Grady Williams; granddaughter, Megan Raquel Williams; grandson, Andrew Grady Williams; son, Kevin Joseph Williams; daughter-in-law, Katherine Wascom Williams; granddaughters, Rebecca Lynn Williams and Katelyn Nicole Williams; and grandson, Matthew Joseph Williams. Preceded in death by his parents, Robert Grady Williams Sr., who was of Hamilton, N.C., and Louise Evelyn Desire Delacroix, who was of New Orleans. Visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home was on Tuesday, July 31, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visiting at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Donations may be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810-1951 or a favorite charity.
Published in The Advocate from 7/31/2007 - 8/1/2007.


NEWSLETTER

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American Institute of Architects; Baton Rouge, LA Chapter
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