Gregory Ibañez, AIA resides in Fort Worth and is a frequent contributor to the magazine. While writing about the Grauwyler Park Branch Library in Dallas (page 40, Sept/Oct Texas Architect), he says, “This type of architecture is absolutely vital to the building of strong communities, yet as I write this article draconian budget cuts are planned for the Dallas Public Library system. Who speaks for the public realm?”
The following individuals and companies were recently awarded a 2010 TSA Citation of Honor - Artisan. The awards will be celebrated during the TSA Convention next week, Oct. 14-16, in San Antonio.
Brochsteins, Houston
Malou Flato, San Antonio
Gini Garcia, Gini Garcia Art Glass, San Antonio
Richard Potter, Potter Art Metal Studios, Dallas
Jeff Smith, Architectural Stained Glass, Fort Davis
AIA Houston hosts its annual Homes Tour, Oct. 23 -24, from noon to 6:00 pm each day. The tour features nine architect-designed houses that spotlight sustainability, open floor plans, abundant light, and a mix of modern and traditional materials.
J. Brantley Hightower, AIA, recently purchased one of those cool new digital cameras that also shoots video. Wanting to explore this functionality, he agreed to put together a video illustrating some of the more interesting projects in San Antonio that attendees to this year's convention might want to see for themselves. At least until he's ready to move to Hollywood, Brantley works at Lake|Flato Architects.
Map out your experience of the host city for TSA's 71st Annual Convention and Design Products and Ideas Expo.
How many times have you heard (or told) the following story?
“…I remember when you could only take the licensing exam once a year…and it certainly wasn’t given on a computer. You had to really draw!”
Well, times and technology continue to evolve (and I’ll admit I still like hearing the story), but today architects are venturing into another new digital realm: social media. Many view this landscape of internet marketing, social networks, tweets, and meet-up groups as a matrix - unfamiliar, unfocused, and without purpose. The intention of the “Purpose of Social Media for Architects” seminar at the upcoming Texas Society of Architects Convention is to dispel some of the myths, illustrate tools for navigating Web 2.0, and provide techniques for engagement with a broader network of peers, clients, and allied professionals. Discussions with a panel of four architects (@falloutstudio/@abadi_access / @bobborson / @hpdarchitecture ) will attempt to dismantle the myths, generate dialogue, and ultimately empower attendees to utilize social media to achieve real-world business objectives. The revolution has already started, and it's only 140 characters in length!
Whether its Twitter, Facebook, blogs, meet-up groups, rss feeds, discussion forums, Flickr albums, or the trending application of the moment, these are all just tools--tools architects need to know and utilize in their modern practice. I still draw every day in a sketchbook that I carry alongside my iphone, and I feel just as comfortable working on an Apple or pc-based CAD system – all tools, all part of an evolving practice.
Peers have asked “Why is this topic so important?” There are several things to consider, but I will highlight two core concepts: relevance and dialogue. One of our panelists indicated to me that the reason they became immersed in the social media learning curve was out of fear of becoming irrelevant and not being able to communicate in an evolving digital practice. Sound familiar? No more drawing on the boards, now we look over someone’s shoulder at colored lines on a monitor and later at a building information model on a handheld device at a job site… We are in an eternally optimistic profession that revels in sharing our theories and work, often in dialogue with ourselves. But, the advent and proliferation of social networks allows us to engage a broader dialogue, filtering the stream of irrelevant information and building networks of actual people with thoughts, feelings, and ideas -- about us, our companies, and the world around us. Interested?
There is a new LinkedIn group called Social Media for Architects that will act as an online threaded dialogue, populated by the panelists as well as many others interested and immersed in this new social web. Additionally, the hash tag #TSAConv on Twitter will provide a live, filtered dialogue about things going on at the TSA Convention. Seeing is believing, and I welcome your input in advance of the seminar (Comment here on the TSA blog or via the LinkedIn group). I encourage your attendance. See you in San Antonio!
I promise the panelists are pretty lively, just saying.
Filo Castore, AIA is an architect who practices ecological common sense. He has lived in Houston since 1995, but wrote the article on the GSA Regional Field Office from his homeland of Italy while visiting family with his wife and daughter. See his article on page 72.
U. S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX-25) is the TSA office’s most recent “official visitor,” having toured and met the staff on Mon., Sept. 27, when he came by to receive public acknowledgement of his support of AIA positions, as well as the national PAC’s financial support. The congressman was lauded for his 100% voting record on 2009 AIA issues, including the “21st Century High Performing School Facilities Act” and “Small Business Financing & Investment Act of 2009.”
Congressman Doggett has a long history of supporting AIA and TSA positions, especially in areas of historic preservation, small business tax policy, qualification-based selection of design professionals (QBS), and high-quality design for more energy efficient public buildings. Doggett’s history of professional support dates back to his service in the Texas Senate (1973-85) and continues through his service in Congress, which began in 1994.
Doggett serves on the House Budget and Ways & Means committees. Shown with Congressman Doggett (2nd from left) are: (l to r) Interim TSA Executive Vice President Tommy Cowan, FAIA; AIA Austin Executive Director Sally Fly, Hon. AIA; and John Nyfeler, FAIA, representing ArchiPAC, the AIA’s political action committee. Also involved in the meeting were TSA staff members Yvonne Castillo (General Counsel) and David Lancaster, Hon. AIA (Sr. Director for Advocacy).
The Texas Society of Architects is a state component of the American Institute of Architects. Founded in 1939, TSA is now one of the nation's largest statewide organizations, with 17 regional chapters and over 6,500 members. The Society is headquartered in Austin.
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