Design Committee
Thursday, October 9
The committee has several new members and we are enthusiastic about building momentum as we begin planning for the Design Awards. The committee is continuing discussions of names for the jury and making initial contact with selected jurors.
Micro-Firm Round Table
Monday, October 13, Chapter Office, 11:30 am
Taking the T.A.S. Test, Presented by Accessibility Check
Our subject for the October meeting includes a hands-on experience in the application of the current Texas Accessibility Standards. The tour will be followed by a discussion of the new interpretations of T.A.S. by TDLR that have not been published. We will also discuss a list of common errors and omissions on our plans and details to satisfy the T.A.S. review: including what is an acceptable percentage of completion of drawing fees and the architect's role in post-construction inspections.
The Micro Firm Round Table shall be accessible to architects and designers who need assistance or advice in correctly submitting for a T.A.S. review the first time around.
International Committee
Wednesday, October 15
Chapter Office, Noon
The October meeting features a presentation by Ike Schmidt, AIA, with Chevron Oil. He will talk about doing business in London, and how architectural concepts are presented there. Ike has done projects in other countries, but will concentrate on the more recent work in London.
We are working on the November meeting, and hope to finalize plans for a talk about the International Codes and how the U.S. Test Methods and Standards are different and similar in the major world construction markets.
Urban Design Committee
Wednesday, October 15
Chapter Office, Noon
August and September have been great months for the AIA. In our September meeting, we discussed the Back from the Brink presentation, and developed questions for the Mayoral Candidate Forum.
Back from the Brink video presentation and follow-up Town Meeting have generated much feedback and interest from the public, media and design community. Clearly, momentum and timing are on the AIA's side, and we have the opportunity to hold our organization up as an expert on how to handle Houston's urban planning challenges. However, we need more participation from our general membership. Your help is needed to sustain the effort in place and motivate meaningful dialogue on the role urban design can play in shaping Houston's future. Please, get involved. If you can't make an urban design or design meeting, fax or e-mail your thoughts to the AIA office or one of its members.
Certainly, our profession is experiencing great prosperity once again and time is a precious commodity. I have found, however, that participation in AIA functions and committee involvement returns many times the effort put forth. We have a unique opportunity presented to us now on the heels of the video presentation. Carpe Diem.
Dan Searight, AIA, Chair
Business Practice Committee
Thursday, October 16, Noon
AIA Contracts
Randy Burton is speaking on AIA contracts. He is an attorney with Moerer & Burton.
Residential Committee
Thursday, October 23
Chapter Office, Noon
Home Tour Up-Date: We've had interest from several homes in the Braeswood-Stella Link area. If you are currently working on or have recently completed a project in the Meyerland area, please contact Rand Silverman, Chair of the Residential Committee, at 713-659-1175.
Committee on Architecture for Health
Tuesday, October 28
Chapter Office, Noon
Join us at the committee continues planning the 1997 Design for Health Exhibit and Holiday Social. The event is planned December 18th at the University of Houston College of Architecture. Students and professionals are invited to display their work. Past events have been well-attended, so if you would like to reserve display space, contact Gary Owens, AIA, at 713-621-2100 or Mary Grace Marks, AIA, at 713-665-5665.
Upcoming events include a tour of M.D. Anderson Research Facility on October 18, 3:30 pm to 5 pm. Janet Sisolak with M.D. Anderson will guide the tour, which will encompass a typical molecular biology laboratory, the glassware and core lab support areas, and the veterinary medicine department. LAN and HKS, architects on the project, and FKP, equipment planners will be represented. The tour is limited to 40 people. R.S.V.P. with the Chapter office, 713-520-5138.
On November 18, Earl Jensen will give a presentation on "Environmental Safety Issues in Healthcare." The seminar is at the AIA office at noon. Registration begins at 11:30 am. The cost is $10 for members, $7 for interns, and $15 for non-members.
Gary Owens, AIA, Chair; Greg Johnson, AIA, Vice Chair; Lisa Charrin, AIA, Program Coordinator; Wayne Burford, AIA, Membership Coordinator; Mary Grace Marks, AIA Newsletter/PR Coordinator.
