Feature Articles

Green Design
by The AIA Trust

This article from the AIA Trust gives young architects some things to consider regarding the addition of Sustainability to the AIA Code of Ethics.

Photo by Alex Knesnik

During their early career young architects find themselves editing instead of creating. By comparing the process of architecture to the process of writing, the editor of the Connection hopes to show how young architects are integral to the creative process.

Leadership

Meet the YAF Regional Liaisons
by Emily Grandstaff-Rice, AIA, LEED AP and LaTonya Whitfield-Horhn, AIA, LEED AP

YAF Regional Liaisons are responsible for gathering information about issues facing young architects within their geographic areas and disseminating information about national/regional activities and resources for use on the local level. Of equal importance, YAF regional liaisons serve as an important link between young architects and the national organization. Architects who have been licensed for ten years or less are eligible. This is part two of a two part series introducing the readership to the Regional Liaisons.

Leadership Profile: Tymn Waters, AIA
by Tymn Waters, AIA - third person limited

The arroyos and rivers around Albuquerque carry the water from the mountains to the Rio Grande. Both accomplish the same task, but while the concrete lined arroyos quickly move the water to the intended destination, the river’s slow meandering takes it a while. Along the way the river gives and takes, arriving at the Rio Grand richer from the journey.

“I can relate to this river,” says Tymn Waters.

Getting Started
by Linda G. Miller

Some 50 young firms, all founded less than seven years ago, submitted mini-portfolios to be showcased in “New Practices New York: Six Young Firms Set Themselves Apart,” an exhibition at the Center for Architecture to complement the AIANY New Practices Roundtables program. The six firms selected were all established after January 2000, but that’s about the only thing they have in common as they assess patronage in the 21st century.

Fellowship

AIA National Conventions: Opportunities for Emerging Professionals
by LaTonya Whitfield-Horhn, AIA, LEED AP

For those of you who have ever questioned the value of attending the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition, here are few reasons why you may decide to grace the 2009 AIA National Convention with your presence.

Mentorship

FellowTalk

Got problems? Send us a description of your dilemma and we’ll solicit advice from our “Dear Abby” Fellows. Send your questions to yaf@aia.org.

Articles of Interest

The Green Filter: Thoughts on Architecture, Ethics and Sustainability
by Karen Lesney, Assoc. AIA and Ed Akins II, AIA, LEED AP

From a chance meeting at the 2007 AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference (Washington DC) to a conversation founded on mutual interest in ethics, the idea of creating a personal dialogue on developing professional value sets for young professionals emerged.

Book Reviews

Book Reviewers Wanted!
Did you know that our book reviews are some of the most read articles in every issue? Now is your chance to join the fun. Individuals interested in reviewing books for publication in this newsletter are needed for the upcoming year. Reviews will address such topics as theory, sustainability, urban and master planning, property development, and professional growth, as well as architecture monographs. Each issue of the Connection will feature up to three book reviews written by emerging professionals. Volunteers get to make their selection from a wide variety of titles and keep the book as a thank-you from the YAF for submitting their review. If you are interested in participating, contact yaf@aia.org  

Review by Ashley Burkholder, AIA

Public Intimacy: Architecture and the Visual Arts analyzes the isolated relationship between visual arts from the perspective of film and filmmaking and three-dimensional space formed by modern architecture.

Announcements

Call for Interviews: The 150 @ 150 Project

Members of the Young Architects Forum (YAF) are interviewing Fellows for the AIA 150 at 150 Project. The YAF launched the Project early this year, which interviews 150 Fellows on podcasts available on AIA Podnet, Soloso and iTunes. Coinciding with YAF’s fifteenth anniversary and AIA’s 150th anniversary, the Project came out of a brainstorming session by members of the YAF who recognized that their key issue is mentorship. If you are interested in participating please email Camilo Parra at cparra@parradesigngroup.com. To find out more about the 150 @ 150 project, click here.

Connect with AIA Knowledge Communities

AIA Knowledge Communities are a way of customizing your AIA Membership to suit your professional needs, specializations, and interests. There are 20 Knowledge Communities that can provide you with specialized information resources such as newsletters, podcasts, and publications, as well as conferences, meetings and events where you can network with colleagues. Click here to join a Knowledge Community or learn more.

Upcoming Knowledge Community Opportunities:

Committee on the Environment: Call for Whitepapers
Submission Deadline July 1, 2008

Committee on Design Fall Conference
Copenhagen, Denmark
August 31 - September 4, 2008

Committee on Architecture for Education Fall Conference
Helsinki, Finland
September 11-13, 2008

AIA’s Premier Knowledge Resource is Here!

Soloso.aia.org is ready for you to sign in and use daily. Soloso.aia.org connects you to the most current and emerging information on architecture that can serve your practice and career. Through Soloso, you’re linked to a continuous flow of information that gives you insight on important trends, solutions, products, and strategies related to architecture. Sign in to Soloso.aia.org to experience this new online resource from AIA.

Share your thoughts!

On the new AIA Archiblog at http://www.aia.org/yafblog. Current postings include the sharing of crazy work stories, a debate over architects in the movies, and a discussion of work/life balance. Other topics are definitely invited! Click here to join the discussion.

Know Someone Who’s Not Getting The Connection?

Don’t let them be out of the loop any longer. It’s easy for AIA members to sign up:

1. Go to www.aia.org  
2. Click on the “for members” tab at the upper left of the page.
3. Log in
4. Click on the “Member Services” link on the left scroll bar (this is the same link you follow to find your continuing education transcript)
5. Click on “Update Member Profile”
6. Click on “Add/Modify Knowledge Communities”
7. Select “Young Architects Forum” (last line of the checklist)

The YAF Connection is e-mailed to AIA members six times a year - definitely a benefit of membership!

Call for Articles

Do you have an interesting program or idea of interest to young architects that you would like to see featured in the Connection? Contact LaTonya Whitfield-Horhn, AIA, 2008 YAF Communications Advisor at yaf@aia.org.