Spring 2006

Dear Colleagues:

The AIA’s Educator/Practitioner Network (EPN) is committed to strengthening and improving the ties between architecture education and practice in the preparation of architects. We are delighted to welcome Tamara Redburn, Assoc. AIA, Randy Byers, AIA, John Enright, AIA, Gregory Clement III, FAIA, and Gordon Mills, FAIA, to our committee. They are joining David Hinson, AIA (past chair), Joyce Noe, FAIA, and me. (From the left: Randy Byers, AIA; Catherine Roussel, AIA; Joyce Noe, FAIA; Tamara Redburn, Assoc. AIA; David Hinson, AIA; and John Enright, AIA.) Along with our new members we have new responsibilities this year, including the Case Studies Initiative and preparation of the AIA contribution to the 2008 NAAB Accreditation Review Conference.

The AIA Education Honor Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 31 at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture annual meeting in Salt Lake City. The following day, the EPN will lead a discussion at the administrator’s luncheon on our past, present, and future.

The EPN is also looking forward to the AIA National Convention and Design Expo, June 8–10 in Los Angeles. Our topics this year for the Walter Wagner Forum are global issues and how to prepare students for global practice. All are invited to the Walter Wagner Forum on June 8 and the EPN reception on June 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. Please see details below.

Ann R. Chaintreuil, FAIA
2006 EPN Chair

Architecture Education Highlights

Several programs about architecture education and in support of schools of architecture will be presented at the AIA 2006 National Convention and Design Expo, including a preconvention program for advancement and development directors of architecture schools, the Walter Wagner Forum on pressing issues that affect architecture education and the profession, and a National Architectural Accrediting Board visiting team member training, which is open to individuals who are interested in the accreditation process. This year’s recipients of the AIA Education Honor Awards, which recognize excellence in teaching, will also present their outstanding work in educating future professionals.

Convention Programs

E15 Walter Wagner Forum 2006—Global Issues

Thursday, June 8, 1:30–3 p.m.
1.5 LUs

This year’s Walter Wagner forum on architecture education will focus on global issues. In addition to a progress report on the development of international agreements, we'll discuss the changes in curriculum and pedagogy that may be called for to prepare emerging professionals for global practice. We’ll examine such issues as architecture education, accreditation, and mutual recognition; explore how international agreements will affect architecture education and practice; and discuss changes in architecture education to meet global challenges. Our special guest speakers will include educators, practitioners, and policy experts. Limited to 100 people. Free, but registration is required.

Panelists:
Ann Chaintreuil, FAIA, EPN 2006 Chair, Chaintreuil Jensen & Stark Architects, Rochester, NY (moderator)
Marilys R. Nepomechie, FAIA, Florida International University, Miami
Christopher L. Noble, Partner, Noble & Wickersham LLP, Boston
James A. Scheeler, FAIA, Resident Fellow, International Relations, The American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C.
Bea Sennewald, AIA, President, AIA London/UK

Providers: AIA Educator/Practitioner Network and AIA International Committee

New! EPN Reception at CiUDAD
Friday, June 9, 6–7 p.m.

Since 1995, the EPN has worked to build common ground between practitioners and the academic community and to foster and promote successful models of collaboration between these constituencies to improve and enhance professional education. If you are an educator/architect or an architect/educator (or if you just care about how we prepare for the future of the profession), join kindred spirits at the EPN reception. Highlights of the event will include recognition of the EPN's leadership (past, present, and future), information regarding the EPN's agenda for 2007 and beyond, as well as a toast to the outstanding educators who have received AIA Education Honor Awards. The reception will be in the outdoor patio of the restaurant, CiUDAD, at 445 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles—across the street from the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

2006 ACSA/AIA Teachers Seminar at Cranbrook Academy of Art
Time Matters: Exploring Preservation Values in Architectural Education

June 15–18, 2006
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI

This seminar will examine the theoretical underpinnings of preservation and design, explore common values, and test concepts using the significant architecture of Cranbrook Academy. The experience will provide a fresh perspective on preservation and design that can be translated into creative and effective teaching skills, tools, and resources that can expand the horizon of preservation in the academy and practice.

This seminar began as an initiative of the AIA Historic Resources Committee to better integrate preservation values into professional architecture education, using partnerships with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and the collateral organizations. The goal of the seminar is to integrate preservation values into the existing curriculum, particularly the studio curriculum, rather than as additional coursework.

Seminar activities include speakers on preservation history and on the relationship between preservation and design as well as a panel discussion. Further, charrettes on building assessment, design, and curriculum will be undertaken, all with a view toward preservation and design.

Educators and students with little or no experience in historic preservation are urged to attend to contribute to a dialogue that will strengthen and expand their teaching and practice. Also welcome are educators and practitioners with experience in historic preservation in all its forms who want to contribute and hear fresh perspectives on issues of history, heritage, context, and more.

ACSA gratefully acknowledges sponsorship support for the 2006 Teachers Seminar from the American Institute of Architects.

2005 Internship Conference: Designing Tomorrow’s Architect

Cochaired by EPN Chair Ann Chaintreuil, FAIA, and Ana Guerra, Assoc. AIA, the goal of the 2005 Internship Conference was to develop solutions for improving architectural internship. The conference concluded with leaders from each of the five U.S. architectural collateral organizations speaking about what their organization would do to advance the ideas and concepts discussed throughout the three-day conference. Since the conference in September, the collateral organizations have been working independently and in partnership to address the recommendations of the participants.

For a detailed update on significant developments, read more.

Call for Participation: NAAB School Visits
Applications due April 7, 2006

Each year, the AIA nominates 10 practitioners to serve as Institute representatives on National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) school visits. All nominees are encouraged to participate in the NAAB orientation at the convention in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 10, 1:30–3 p.m. The NAAB schedules the team visits, which generally occur during February and March. Nominees serve a four-year term (2007–2010) and may be invited to serve on one five-day school visit (Saturday–Wednesday) annually. Spanish-speaking practitioners are needed and diversity among team members is desired. If you have an appreciation of architecture education issues, submit a letter of interest and one-page resume no later than April 7 to Catherine Roussel, AIA, director of education. For more information, call 202-626-7417 or e-mail croussel@aia.org.

Practice Academy Initiative Request for Proposals
Proposals are due to the AIA no later than 5 p.m. on April 14, 2006.

The Practice Academy is a new partnership among the AIA, the architectural academy, and architecture firms to provide a framework for a rigorous internship for students and architectural interns. The intent of the Practice Academy is to stimulate life long learning for architectural professionals, beginning with interns, through the partnership of academics and practitioners.
The AIA invites accredited and candidate ACSA member programs in the U.S. and Canada to become partners in the development of practice academy models to support and sustain the growth and development of emerging professionals. For further information, read more.

Call for Submissions: 2006 AIA Research RFP Program
Proposals due May 15, 2006

The AIA seeks proposals for research projects that advance professional knowledge and practice. Projects must be completed within one year, beginning June 1, 2006. The AIA will award grants of $7,000 each to 10 selected projects. This grant qualifies recipients to present preliminary findings and outcomes at the 2007 AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference and the 2007 AIA National Convention, in addition to other venues and publishing opportunities. For more information about the RFP program, view the Call for Submissions.

AIA Contract Documents Available to Educators

The Student Edition of AIA Contract Documents software will be available to educators in time for the 2006 fall term. This free resource, available for use in professional practice courses at accredited schools of architecture, allows educators to provide their students with unlimited access to more than 100 design and construction agreements and forms. Students will then be able to work with the very same industry standard documents used by the overwhelming majority of design and construction firms.

Having piloted the Student Edition at two schools of architecture in fall 2005, the AIA is excited about making this program available. Educators interested in learning more about the Student Edition of AIA Contract Documents software should click here.