AIACA

Episode 1: Welcome

June 26, 2013| AIACA, Notes From the 2nd Floor| Shannon Calder

Welcome to the Second Floor.

Here you will gain insight by watching snippets of conversations had with AIA California Council’s Executive Vice President, Paul Welch. The intention is to bring observation, articulate enigmas, and give more detailed commentary on timely and important issues within the architecture profession. Look for these bi-monthly videos on our website every other Tuesday.

In this first episode, the subject of the Repositioning Initiative comes into clearer focus. The purpose and the thought behind the movement is identified for any who are still unsure of what it means exactly. Below is the first in a series of videos to come.

CAF Opens Registration for Welch Scholarship

June 26, 2013| AIACA| Shannon Calder

The California Architectural Foundation announces the opening of the 2013 Paul W. Welch, Jr., ARE Scholarship, which awards over $2,000 to a talented architectural student to cover expenses during the licensing process. If you are an aspiring architect or know a qualifying student, click here for more information.

AIA National Board Approves Change

June 21, 2013| AIACA, Awards, The Value of Design| Shannon Calder

The AIA National Board voted to change the rules of the Gold Medal to allow a submittal of two individuals where through their collaboration they have created a singular body of distinguished work. While this doesn’t retroactively honor Denise Scott Brown for the Pritzker Architecture Prize which was awarded in 1991 to her husband, Robert Venturi, it does change the format from here forward, allowing for collaborators to receive proper recognition. This change will be effective in the next award cycle, effective January 1, 2014.

This is big news not only for women in architecture but for the profession at large.

Click here to read AIA National’s statement.

Small House, Small Firm, Big Award

June 12, 2013| AIACA| Shannon Calder

Photo Art Gray

If anyone is wondering, that is the homeowner’s surfboard propped up against the patio wall of this Hermosa Beach House. Thus, the name, Surfhouse.

This tiny house fits three—husband, wife and baby. However, when the home but was concept only, just a 22 x 28 spot tightly squeezed between two houses, it was only the couple. At that time, they called Austin Kelly of XTEN Architecture to inquire if he was in their shoes, would he purchase it.

“Basically, it was the size of a nice garage,” Kelly said. The question was how does one address living in a space that small? But based on the conversation, the couple took a chance and purchased the house and a year later, called Kelly to get to work. Typical lots in the Hermosa Beach area measure 120’ x 40.’ The project budget was equally restrictive, being constructed for $310 per square foot. Kelly and crew approached this project by subtracting the larger program areas from a solid volumetric form which conformed to the zoning regulations and sought to maximize space, light and views while also creating a sense of privacy and retreat for the young owners on a busy beachside street.

The structure is stacked vertically on the lot. Services and bedrooms are on the lower floors, with larger rooms pushed to the corners for light and views in multiple directions. The top floor and decks are completely open as continuous indoor/outdoor living spaces open to the beach and ocean. The façade is made from rough sawn, black stained cedar planks with volumetric openings at primary program spaces and a system of identical vertical casement windows arrayed across the secondary elevations for specific views and ventilation. The interior is all light and air, with bamboo floors and walls of glass that slide away to bring the beach environment inside. This residence appears as an abstract block of ebonized cedar. “In my head I had a gray atmosphere,” said Kelly, as he used his visions and memories the Hamptons, as a point of inspiration—bringing the east coast to the west.

As for the inhabitants, we can only assume they live happily ever after in this personally-designed home. After all, who wouldn’t if their home was a 2012 AIACC Merit Award?

Click here for more information on XTEN Architecture.

Forms of Relief

June 6, 2013| AIACA| Shannon Calder

housearc August 1, 2010

5 frames are ready to go—house frames that is. Architect Joseph Bellomo, who designed the HouseArc with design partner Taraneh Naddafi, has offered to ship 5 homes in response to the devastated Oklahoma area.

The HouseArc, more weather-resistant than one might think, is the ultimate in simple dwelling. The curvaceous 150-square-foot home represents a new model for compact and sustainable living, and has been featured at venues such as the 2012 Sunset Home Show. These air-stream shaped contraptions are an offshoot of the popular and award-winning BikeArc (a modular bike shelter, TubeArc, was being assembled in downtown Boston the same day of Bellomo’s phone interview with AIACC).

Besides winning awards, however, its durability and comfort level are also important features. “It can withstand tropical storms and hurricanes,” said Bellomo, apropos as this house was the result of thinking that began in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. Bellomo himself can attest to the comfort level as he has resided in one two different times in California and Hawaii.

“It can be used as permanent or temporary housing,” Bellomo said, which is a perfect solution for disaster response. These five mighty structures could be viable solutions for those needing shelter, or for construction site relief set-up.

Bellomo and team are waiting for the go ahead to send them as soon as needed. Since the fatal tornadoes hit Oklahoma (first on May 20 and then on the 31), the priority has been search and rescue as well as first-response. When rebuilding gets underway, the HouseArc will be at the ready to aide in the long-term recovery of the state.

For anyone interested in donating or learning how to help through the AIA, visit click here.

Click here for more information on HouseArc.

Planning to Attend the AIA Convention in Denver?

May 23, 2013| AIACA| Shannon Calder

The AIA Convention will be held June 20-22 in Denver – join your California colleagues for a “Town Hall” conference call to get up to speed on all the issues so you can make an impact on behalf of your chapter and your state. The Town Hall will be held on June 6 from 2-4 p.m. During this session you will learn more about candidates for national office, convention resolutions, and important issues facing the organization.
In addition, during the AIA Convention, there will be several events for Californians.

Thursday, June 20 from 7-8 a.m., AIACC will host a breakfast meeting for all California delegates at the Colorado Convention Center from in Room 707.
Friday, June 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. AIACC will host a reception to honor the new inductees to the College of Fellows from California. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Denver Convention Center in Room Centennial D.

Click here to RSVP for California’s Town Hall conference call – June 6 (2-4 p.m.)
Click here to RSVP for the California Breakfast Meeting at Convention – June 20 (7-8 a.m.)
Click here to RSVP for the New Fellows reception at Convention – June 21 (6-7:30 p.m.)

Unable to attend the Convention in person and want to access the presentations and continuing education sessions? Register for the virtual convention today!

36 Homes and Strategically-Scattered Bamboo Forests Replace Asphalt Jungle

May 16, 2013| AIACA| Shannon Calder

A forgettable space near freeway becomes award-worthy sustainable housing

It’s not easy being green. Or award-winning. Or space-conscious savvy. But take what was formerly a run-down, mostly empty apartment complex near the 10 Freeway in Santa Monica and set the architectural firm Daly Genik to work. Soon, a barren somewhat decrepit and forgettable space becomes stage to a well-designed, 36-home, energy-efficient building. Welcome to the Tahiti Housing Complex: a 2012 AIA California Council Merit Award winner.

What was once an asphalt jungle near a busy freeway on-ramp is now a place of bamboo-forested courtyards surrounded by two and three bedroom homes, connected by staggering walkways—some ground-level and some raised.

Designed to exceed LEED standards, the site is organized so that all storm water is directed to a central water retention and recharge basin. Over this reservoir is a timber bamboo forest that is the central landscape element, crisscrossed by bridges at two levels. The cool microclimate established by this bamboo grove enhances natural ventilation in the units and enhances the ecology and natural environment by reclaiming site area that was formerly basic asphalt paving.

The project was initiated by a locally based, nonprofit organization committed to developing and managing affordable housing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A key mission of the organization is to provide housing to lower wage working families. The project improves a problematic condition by increasing density on the site, providing critically needed housing for low-income families in a tight urban condition, and creating a cooler environmental condition by greening the site.
For more information on the Daly Genik firm, visit their website: www.dalygenik.com.