AIA-SWO President’s Message
July/August 2010

For many of us, summers are a time to take vacations, relax, and enjoy the weather.  I am one of those who will take advantage of some time off to travel, and will be out of the country for the second half of July and early August.  Thus, this message serves as the President’s message for both July and August.

First, an update on the AIA National Convention in Miami last month.  The keynote addresses were all very good to excellent.  The highlight was the presentation of the AIA Gold Medal to Peter Bohlin, FAIA, with a video of his work and client comments, a presentation by Mr. Bohlin, and then a Charlie Rose like interview by Robert Ivy, FAIA, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Record Magazine.  A wonderful conversation.

The programs at this year’s convention, in my opinion, could have been much better.  While individual sessions were good and well attended, there were a very limited variety of issues discussed.  Many, if not most sessions, focused on rehashing issues of sustainability.  Instead of focusing on best practices, many of the sessions concentrated on making the argument for sustainability, something we are all familiar with.  I bolted out of sessions every time I saw the same graph used making the argument for sustainability.

However, the Regional Board Meeting was successful in discussing a number of issues, including the upcoming AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Annual Conference to be held in Eugene in October (13th-16th).  Paul Dustrud, AIA-SWO President-Elect also attended and spent a great deal of time talking to over 100 vendors at the convention, trying to encourage them to attend, and sponsor, our upcoming conference. 

Also, at the Regional Board Meeting, notification was given that Greg Kessler, AIA, who is Director of the School of Architecture and Construction Management at Washington State University, is a candidate for AIA Regional Director.  Greg is also heading the Regional Leadership Institute that he co-founded a few years ago.  I have known Greg for 28 years and highly support his candidacy.  He will make a wonderful Regional Director for us.

As you know, our July (14th) chapter meeting will be a joint “meeting” with CSI and ASLA, enjoying the Eugene Emeralds baseball game at PK Park on the UO campus in Eugene.  This will be a good opportunity to socialize with colleagues from co-lateral disciplines and see a baseball game at the new athletic facility.

Our August (18th) chapter meeting will take place in Corvallis with presentations and a tour of significant new building(s) on the Oregon State University campus. We will have dinner at a nearby McMenamins, so it should be an enjoyable evening. We’re looking into offering some tools to members to coordinate carpooling.

We will also be asking members in attendance at the August meeting to vote on a very simple change to our bylaws. (We want to officially move “American Institute of Architects” to the front of our name, so that our abbreviation, the name on our checks, the name registered with the state, and our official name are all in agreement.)

As you know, my intent this year is to raise the level of discussion regarding the value of design in our built environment.  The August program should reinforce that, similar to our June meeting at the new John Jaqua Center on the UO campus with a very nice presentation and tour by Bob Snyder of ZGF.

Look forward to the September Chapter Meeting including the People’s Choice Awards.  And if you haven’t registered yet for the Regional Conference in Eugene in October, please do so.  This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with other professionals on a wide range of issues.  Considering that at least for many of you that live in or near Eugene, the cost is significantly lower (e.g., conference registration fee as the “only” expense) than attending other regional conferences, such as next year’s conference in Tokyo where travel and lodging will be considerably higher.  You should also be able to achieve all of your continuing education credits for the year by attending various sessions.

While I am enjoying Tuscany and relaxing on a Greek Island during the next few weeks, I hope you all have a meaningful July and August.

Cheers,

Michael Fifield, AIA
2010 AIA-SWO President