7.17 AIAVT News

ACX 2017 Conference Breaks Records for Attendance & Sponsor Participation

Focused on “Leading by Example,” AIAVT and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSIVT) presented ACX 2017 at Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont on Friday, May 11. The event attracted close to 140 attendees from across the region   More...

AIAVT Social Features Presentation on Branding

On March 30, close to 25 AIAVT members and colleagues gathered at the offices of host Wiemann-Lamphere in Colchester to gain insight into the interaction between graphic and architectural design in communicating a client’s identity through branding.     More...

Matt Reed, Dave Roy, AIA, Principal, and James Barrett, all from WLA

ACX 2017 Conference Breaks Records for Attendance & Sponsor Participation

by Carol Miklos

Focused on “Leading by Example,” AIAVT and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSIVT) presented ACX 2017 at Champlain College, Burlington, Vermont on Friday, May 11. The event attracted close to 140 attendees from across the region, bringing together design professionals, engineers, contractors, and others. The Champlain College venue—with fabulous views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks—once again got a big “thumbs up” from all those present.

This year’s sessions were very well received; on the post-conference evaluations participants gave the highest scores in nearly all categories to every presenter. City of Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger, the conference keynote presenter, urged architects to take leadership roles in community affairs and state legislative processes to help make a difference in climate change, zoning, downtown revitalization, and other issues. He said that based on his time in office thus far, he had observed other professional groups (e.g., builders, attorneys) being more likely to make their voices heard than architects. He has been dismayed by this because he believes architects have much to offer. 

Frank Guillot, FAIA, found information delivered during the Passive House session “particularly provocative.” The presenters, Sam Beall, AIA, Chris West, Bill Ryall, FAIA and Ted Sheridan, AIA, said that “proper air sealing can contribute about 60% to energy reduction and that, during the design phase, it’s important to research maintenance costs as well as energy costs.” Though focusing on different typologies, all four presenters sought to demonstrate the value of the Passive House standard and its relevance for achieving the 2030 Challenge—net zero by the year 2030.

Regarding the same Passive House session, Guillot said, “The speakers also advised that architects look at low temperature radiators to facilitate future heat source flexibility. It is that sort of depth and detail that made these ACX presentations so valuable to those of us practicing in Vermont.”

Megan Nedzinski, AIA, gave a talk that earned rave reviews: she shared how she and her colleagues at Maclay Architects are turning data into information and information into insight for enhanced energy performance. Nedzinski demonstrated how tools such as Excel and the 2030 Challenge Direct Data Exchange (DDX) can be used to effectively track energy data, set appropriate benchmarks and more fully understand and apply the appropriate targets and metrics to help move projects, and entire firm portfolios, towards achieving greater performance goals. 

Regarding Nedzinski’s session, Joel Page, AIA, said, “I appreciated Megan's information and insight. While challenging — acquiring, managing and sharing building data is an important part of the energy use reduction process. If we do not know how our buildings perform, we can only hope they meet the design goals. We have work to do in this area; Megan's presentation inspired all of us to improve management processes." 

A group of presenters representing the Net-Zero Montpelier competition—Debra Sachs, Barbara Conrey, and Dan Jones—discussed the global competition they organized to foresee a sustainable future for their city by the year 2030. Jay Ancel and Michael Rushman of Team Bridges, the winners of the competition, presented their proposal as well as a behind-the-scenes look at how they organized their large and diverse team of professionals. Guillot said about this session, “I was particularly fascinated by the rail-centric regional planning aspects.”

This Year Sees Vermont Gain Two New AIA Fellows

By Carol Miklos 

Two Vermont architects have been newly elevated to the AIA College of Fellows! Congratulations to David (Dave) Sellers, FAIA, of Sellers and Company and William (Bill) Maclay, FAIA, LEED AP, of Maclay Architects on this prestigious honor, one awarded to AIA members who have made significant contributions to the profession of architecture and society.   

Fellowship status is conferred upon only 3% of the AIA’s more than 90,000 members. With the addition of Sellers and Maclay, the Vermont Fellows’ club now totals six. The others are Frank Guillot, FAIA, Guillot-Vivian-Viehmann Architects; Robert Burley, FAIA Emer.; William Truex, FAIA Emer.; and William Wiese, FAIA Emer.   

Look for a comprehensive story about the many innovations and accomplishments of these two architects in our next issue. Also, get ready to celebrate their achievement at the AIAVT Annual Meeting! 

AIAVT Social Features Presentation on Branding

by Carol Miklos 

On March 30, close to 25 AIAVT members and colleagues gathered at the offices of host Wiemann-Lamphere Architects in Colchester to gain insight into the interaction between graphic and architectural design in communicating a client’s identity through the concept of branding. Bill Harvey and Lyn Severance—principals of the Burlington-based graphic design and communications firm Harvey| Severance—led a presentation entitled “Creating Powerful Branded Environments,” sharing a wide range of case studies and techniques from their extensive experience in integrating physical design with graphic brand identity. 

Attendee Tom Henglesberg, AIA, Dore and Whittier Architects, said, “I think the presentation was very appropriate for just about anyone in the architecture profession.  Too often we forget the importance of the graphic design of interior environments as a way to create, strengthen, or renew the client’s brand.  In fact, some of our clients may be totally unaware of this opportunity to clearly state their values in a physical way inside their workplace.” 

Showing examples of projects for clients including Dealer.com, Ben & Jerry’s Homemade, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Harvey and Severance specifically discussed how to create an interior corporate space to showcase a company’s branding strategy and complement building structure; the use of color and furniture/fixture materials to support a company’s brand palette; wayfinding/signage considerations; and incorporating brand strategy into traffic flow.

“I really enjoyed the Harvey|Severance lecture,” said architect Nathalia Ellis. “Lyn and Bill showed us how gifted they are and how they are able to bring life to any environment through thoughtful branding. I especially enjoyed their fun and warm designs for VEIC at the Innovation Center in Burlington and the Green Mountain Coffee Visitor Center and Café in Waterbury.”

The presentation was followed by a social. AIAVT’s Emerging Professionals Network was a co-sponsor of the event.

Harvey-Severance recently joined AIAVT as an affiliate member. For more information about the company’s capabilities and how they work with architecture firms to achieve successful results, visit http://www.harveyseverance.com/.

architecture FIRM NEWS

Burke Mountain Academy Project Named U.S. Ski Team High Performance Center  

Albert, Righter & Tittmann Architects is pleased to announce that the Ronnie Berlack Center at Burke Mountain Academy in Burke, Vermont was officially named a U.S. Ski Team High Performance Center.  The 15,000 square foot indoor athletic facility, designed by AIAVT reciprocal member J.B. Clancy, serves as the indoor training space for academy students and is also host to U.S. ski team members and other athletes. Construction of the facility was completed in fall 2016. 

“Best of the Best” Award Goes to gbA Project

gbA Architecture & Planning of Montpelier helped Northfield Savings Bank receive an Efficiency Vermont “Best of the Best” Honor Award for the energy-conscious design of its new operation center in Berlin, Vermont. The Efficiency Vermont Best of the Best Awards recognize innovative and integrated design approaches for energy efficiency in Vermont's commercial and residential buildings.

The bank was looking for a new home, having expanded and outgrown their original operations center. A site was selected close to the interstate, allowing easier access for their employees and an opportunity to better serve their expanded business area. Much attention was paid by the team at gbA to detailing an energy-efficient facility. Some of the efficiency measures 

include a high-performance building envelope, triple-glazed windows, LED lighting, and renewable solar PV. The building is expected to use at least 50% less energy than had it been built to minimum code standards. 

LineSync Wins WAN Small Spaces Award

“Wheel Pad,” a project of LineSync Architecture of Wilmington, Vermont recently earned a World Architecture News “Small Spaces” Award. The structure is a 200 sq.ft. accessible bedroom and bathroom that can be attached to an existing home. It is an affordable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, immediately available living space offering privacy and supporting the independence of individuals with mobility issues. 

TruexCullins’ Design Staff Grows by Two 

TruexCullins Architecture and Interior Design is pleased to announce the addition of two staff members to the firm. 

Tom Karlhuber, AIA, has joined the firm as a project architect with more than 17 years of architectural experience. Karlhuber is currently a project architect on the renovation of the Williston Central School and the lead architect on an addition to a home in Stowe, Vermont. Karlhuber earned a Masters of Architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from University of Virginia.

Lealoni Coathup, Assoc. AIA, has joined the firm as a designer to assist the education and home studios. Coathup completed an internship at TruexCullins in 2014 and earned a Masters of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Norwich University.

The Robert S. Brady Award is given to the sophomore student who has shown the greatest all-around academic achievement in the Architectural & Building Engineering Technology (ABET) Program. Robert Brady is a former AIAVT member and professor of architecture at VTC. Tyler Couture is this year’s recipient of the $750 award. 

The Ruth Freeman Award is given to the student in the ABET Program whose work in Architectural Design I has exhibited architectural design excellence. The award is given in memory of Vermont’s first female architect and president of AIAVT. Jonathan Severinghaus received this award for $750. Since the Freeman Award recipient can be determined at the end of the previous academic semester, Severinghaus had been notified in late 2016 so that AIAVT could recognize him at the Annual Meeting in December. 

HIGH SCHOOL AWARD WINNER SELECTED 

Abigael Dobson of Addison, Vermont is this year’s recipient of the AIAVT Vermont Scholar Promise Award of $1,000. The award is made to a senior at a Vermont high school who has been accepted into an accredited architectural or architectural engineering program anywhere in the U.S. and who has demonstrated excellence in the areas of design or aesthetics.  

A graduate of Middlebury Union High School, Dobson will attend Kent State University in the fall to begin studying architecture. In her thank you letter Dobson said, “I am determined to study architecture not only to understand it as an art, but also through the lens of a scientist to develop higher performing technology for buildings.” 

The Scholarship Committee, which is chaired by AIAVT board member Ward Joyce, AIA, Cushman Design Group, selected Dobson from five strong candidates. Also serving on the committee for the second year are local educators Kim Kendall, Coordinator of Academic Services, Community College of Vermont and Freddie Cousins, a teacher at the Barre City Elementary School. AIAVT thanks the committee for its services. 

latest ACHIEVEMENTS

The family property of Alan Benoit, AIA, Sustainable Design of Vermont, Manchester, Vermont, including photographs of an artist’s studio, dining barn, house, gardens and brick folly, was featured in the spring 2017 issue of Country Gardens Magazine. Benoit says the folly is made from 1,200 salvaged bricks and took his nephew and him three summers to build.  “As a true folly; it is a focal point in our yard, is based on the golden mean, is architectural, but serves no function,” he adds. To read the magazine story in full, visit Benoit’s website: www.SustainableDesignOfVT.com.

The home of Harry Hunt, AIA, Harry Hunt Architects, Stowe, Vermont, was featured in the March/April issue of Design New England. The project had earned an AIAVT Excellence in Design Award at the Honor Level in 2015. Read the story, featuring photographs by AIAVT affiliate member Jim Westphalen, here: Hunt, Design New England. 

Ward Joyce, AIA, recently accepted a position at Cushman Design Group in Stowe. 

Andrea Murray, AIA, Vermont Integrated Architecture, recently participated in a panel discussion titled “Setting Your Sights Higher: Redirecting to a More Profitable Business Model” at the spring conference of the Women Business Owners Network. The other panelists were Annette Rexroad, co-founder of Road Crew Crunch, and Lynne Silva, founder of The Silva Group. The panelists discussed when and how to change a business model for better profitability and financial stability. “It was a great opportunity to connect with other women doing business in Vermont,” remarked Murray, “as well as to share what I have learned to help other women business owners succeed.”  

Tolya Syril Stonorov, AIA, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, presented a workshop, “Design Build: Empowering Female Students through Making,” at the Vermont Women in Higher Education annual spring conference on March 24 in Killington, Vermont. She also presented a paper/lecture at the “Structures for Inclusion Conference” in Portland, Oregon in April titled “Design Build as an Armature for Social Justice and Student Leadership.”   

John H. McLeod, AIA, and Steven Kredell, AIA, McLeod Kredell Architects, Middlebury, were invited to present their work in a panel discussion about regionalism at the AIA New England Conference in Portland, Maine last fall.  They were joined on the panel by Maryann Thompson, AIA, MaryAnn Thompson Architects, Watertown, Massachusetts and architects from Elliott + Elliott Architecture, Blue Hill, Maine and Estes Twombly Architects of Newport, Rhode Island. McLeod said of the experience, “It was an honor to join these esteemed New England colleagues—and a lot of fun!” 

Several AIAVT members presented workshops at Efficiency Vermont’s “Better Buildings by Design” conference on February 1-2: 

• Andrea Murray, AIA, and Ashar Nelson, AIA, both of Vermont Integrated Architecture PC, spoke about “Drawing on the Past, Designing the Future.” The presentation covered a variety of construction types; approaches to envelope design; and the careful balance between performance, structure, and the preservation of important artifacts.
• “Cost-effective Strategies for Net Zero and Resilient Design” was presented by Joseph Cincotta, AIA, LineSync Architecture; Steve Davis, Vermod Homes; and Peter Schneider, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. The talk included information from a unique solar-powered HVAC system co-developed by Schneider. 
• Jean Terwilliger, AIA, Vermont Integrated Architecture; Alex Carver, Northern Timbers Construction; and Tom LeBoeuf, Northeast Craftsmen Group presented “Three High-performance Homes: Three Approaches.” This presentation compared the design, construction, and performance of three Vermont two-story homes on small lots and how high performance was uniquely achieved in each.
• “Developer-driven Net-positive Building: Challenges, Insights, and Successes” was the topic of the session offered by Bill Maclay, FAIA, Maclay Architects; Mike Foster, Malone Properties; Duane Peterson, SunCommon; and Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance Inc. The client, architect, and developer for the new SunCommon headquarters in Waterbury, Vermont shared lessons learned and individual insights associated with achieving a 14,000-square-foot net-positive energy office/warehouse. 
• “Renovating the Old Hinesburg R & C Police Station to Net-zero Energy” was a session presented by David Pill, AIA, Pill-Maharam Architects; Richard Faesy, Energy Futures Group; Andy Shapiro, Energy Balance, Inc.; and Chuck Reiss, Reiss Building and Renovation. The talk focused on the renovation of the old Hinesburg police station for the new offices of Energy Futures Group, a clean energy consulting firm in Hinesburg, Vermont. 
• Harry Hunt, AIA, Harry Hunt Architects gave a session titled “The Essential Role of Design Vision in the Widespread Adoption of Low-carbon Buildings.” He spoke about architects’ important roles as leaders of a new and compelling design vision with respect to low-carbon buildings. 
• “Elm Place Senior Housing: Adventures of an Affordable Multifamily Passive House Project in Vermont” was presented by Michael Wisniewski, AIA, Duncan Wisniewski Architecture; Miranda Lescaze, Cathedral Square Corporation; and Chris West, Eco Houses of Vermont LLC.  The session focused on Vermont’s first multifamily passive house building—also an affordable housing project developed by a nonprofit—and how the passive house standard was achieved with limited funding.

from the PRESIDENT

This past April, I joined some 13,000 attendees at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2017. What an impressive event!  While I had no expectations going into it, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to connect with other built environment professionals from around the country.  If you haven’t ever been, I highly recommend attending next year.  Speakers included Michelle Obama, Amy Cutter, Pritzker-Architecture-Prize-winner Alejandro Aravena and even our own Bill Maclay, FAIA, who gave an excellent presentation on net zero design for northern climates.

Our Vermont chapter proudly voted for Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, who was elected an AIA At-Large Director. Hailing from Massachusetts, Grandstaff-Rice will be representing AIANE at the national level from 2018-2020.

With so many high points to the event, it’s hard to pick my favorites.  Let’s say I was pleased to learn the AIA Strategic Council has formed a study group to look at the nearly extinct role of “City Architect.”  The intersection of policy and architecture is of interest to all of us and I will be reaching out to the council to offer my assistance on that issue.  Gender and race representation within our profession were also prominently discussed by several keynote speakers. Distinguished architect Paul Revere Williams, FAIA, was awarded the AIA Gold Medal.  

I’m also happy to report that the themes of sustainability and resiliency were echoed in nearly every session.  Survey reports indicate that sustainability and license protection are tied for the top two issues members want the AIA to champion.  I could not agree more and AIAVT’s own presentation of the 2030 online series, the recent Committee on the Environment summit, and efforts regarding building permits issued in accordance with Vermont law reflect these national priorities.

The AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 will be in New York City and will feature a partnership with the non-profit organization Architecture 2030.  Architecture 2030 issued the 2030 Challenge to architects in 2006 and the AIA was the very first signatory.  I am pleased that our partnership with Architecture 2030 remains strong and unwavering.

My last words regarding the event have to do with its cost.  As chapter president, my expenses were covered by AIAVT and I want to say thank you to the members for the opportunity to attend and represent Vermont.  Did you know that new AIA members are invited to attend the national conference for FREE?   Unfortunately, many members are financially strapped—paying off school loans—to take advantage of a free conference the first year they join our organization.  So, please tell your colleagues and friends that are not AIA members to join so they can attend the 2018 conference in New York City for FREE.  It’s a $650 value!  As AIA National and AIAVT membership grows in numbers, we benefit from our ability to better organize and influence important changes that will shape our industry moving forward.  Your continued support of AIAVT is deeply appreciated. See you at the conference in New York next year!

Warm Regards,

Eric Morrow, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, CPHC

new AFFILIATES

Buss Lighting LLC is an independent architectural lighting design firm providing comprehensive, professional lighting design solutions to all types of commercial projects, through all stages of design. Through his lighting expertise, owner Mel Buss, LC, IES, IALD, is committed to making interior and exterior spaces more enjoyable places in which to live and work. Over the last 2+ years, Buss has worked as the lighting designer for Central Vermont Medical Center's environmental initiative. Contact: Mel Buss.

Harvey|Severance is a design and brand communication studio operated by Bill Harvey and Lyn Severance.  Since 2001, the company has collaborated with clients to create authentic brand identities, environments, product packaging, and websites. Harvey|Severance designs and constructs sophisticated brand-infused environments that inspire a visitor's entire experience—whether within internal workspaces, retail stores, or tradeshows. Contact: Anna Post or Bill Harvey.

Huber Engineered Woods is a building materials innovator with five manufacturing facilities and nationwide product distribution. Huber strives to deliver high-quality products while continuously keeping up with the changing needs of the construction industry. The company is the creator of the ZIP System® sheathing and tape—an exterior roof and wall system that eliminates the need for housewrap. Huber is also the designer of AdvanTech® moisture-resistant subflooring, which has been on the market for over 20 years. Contact: Michael Moriarty.

The Seacoast Building Solutions team is comprised of building envelope specialists working with architects, specifiers, distributors, and contractors to assist with the proper specifications and applications for a wide array of products including vapor barriers, insulation, roofing, and waterproofing systems. The firm has been proudly representing the leading manufacturers in various building component fields to New England architects for over 30 years. Contact: Jay Cahalane.

Studio SB | Stina Booth Photography—Since graduation from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in art photography, Stina Booth, owner of Studio SB, says her “attraction to buildings and interiors has led her to pursue a career that has lasted over a decade—architectural photography.” Her process is a collaboration that supports the unique relationship of two artists. She photographs commercial and municipal spaces as well as residential builds and renovations. Her goal is to capture the unique qualities of every project in order to communicate the architect’s or designer’s vision. Contact: Stina Booth.