pronetengineeringscholarshipAttention engineering students! This year, a/e ProNet has partnered with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) to offer a brand new scholarship:

The a/e ProNet Engineering Scholarship
Award: $2,500
Deadline: March 7, 2016

Eligibility

Students must be entering their junior, senior, fifth, or master’s degree year, in the fall of 2016 to qualify for the general scholarships. In addition, a student must be a U.S. citizen pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or in an accredited land-surveying program to qualify.

Bachelor’s students must be in an ABET-accredited engineering program; Master’s students must either be in an ABET-accredited Master of Science (MS) engineering program, or have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program.

You can find the ACEC Scholarship Application here.

For more information, visit the ACEC website’s scholarship page.

The scholarship will be administered by the ACEC, and a/e ProNet member Mark Jackson of JCJ Insurance Agency in Orlando, Florida will serve as our representative on the committee. Good luck to all applicants!

We’re excited to see some a/e ProNet clients among the winners at the recent 2015 Indiana Design Awards.

ONE 10 STUDIO Architects

IrvLofts_6Honor Award – New Construction
(Project cost greater than $1 million)

Project Name: 5855 Irvington Lofts (Indianapolis, IN)

Jury Comments:

This project uses economical materials judiciously and successfully. The minimalist language makes for striking architecture that does not look like affordable housing; the same reductivist approach is beautifully expressed in the highly disciplined floor plans as well. Generous expanses of glazing open up the interiors, making spaces feel larger than they are, and accent colors provide a vibrancy to the design both inside and out.

CityFarmhouseMerit Award – New Construction
(Project cost less than $1 million)

Project Name: City Farmhouse (Bloomington, IN)

Jury Comments:

The taut restraint exhibited in the design of this project transforms the farmhouse vernacular into a contemporary residential icon for the community. The simple, well-balanced composition, culminating in a corner-wrapping porch stepping down to grade is exceptional. Interiors are surprisingly open and light. Though obviously painstakingly designed, this project appears completely un-self-conscious and rooted in authenticity.

 

 

Axis Architecture + Interiors

Jarden_Fleck_07Honor Award – Interior Architecture
(Project cost greater than $1 million)

Project Name: Jarden Home Brands (Fishers, IN)

Jury Comments:

This was a beautiful presentation, and was consistent with the attention to detail, and vibrant color and texture present throughout the design. The jury appreciated the process drawings, and was taken with the imaginative use of the client’s products in the design. Floating ceilings simultaneously celebrate building systems, filter natural light, and define spaces in a minimal, interesting way. This looked to us like a wonderful place to work.

Taxman_Fleck_02Citation Award – Interior Architecture
(Project cost less than $1 million)

Project Name: Taxman Brewing Co. (Bargersville, IN)

Jury Comments:

his project was also very well presented, beginning and ending with contextual photos that helped the jury appreciate the importance of the immediate environs. A taut, industrial aesthetic is judiciously deployed, complementing the earlier industrial architecture, while tastefully accenting the client’s products. The result is a space that feels exciting, contemporary and authentic.

Read about all the winning projects and architects of 2015 on the AIA Indiana website.

Shout-out Credit:

Holly L. Gill, CIC
Agent, Professional Liability
Walker & Associates Insurance
317-759-9320 (office)

scholarshipThe American Institute of Architect (AIA) has selected Alyssa Tope, Assoc. AIA, and Edward Palka, Assoc. AIA, to receive the 2015 David W. Lakamp a/e ProNet Scholarship. Both winners will receive $5,000 to use towards their tuition.

Alyssa Tope, Assoc. AIA, completed her Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Sustainability at the University of Minnesota in 2013 and is enrolled in the M.Arch program at Virginia Tech while currently working towards licensure at WholeTrees Architecture & Structures. Working at a small (five person) office requires Tope to wear many hats, which has accelerated her learning about not only design, but also practice management and the business of architecture. She has gained experience in all avenues of business, including accounting, marketing, human resources, grant writing, code research, project management, and product research and development (with the USDA Forest Products Laboratory). Tope has also learned that many risks in project management can be prevented by having a team that knows how to collaborate and problem solve together by being aware of each other’s weaknesses and strengths. She enjoys working on the edge of what is currently accepted in design because, although it involves more risk, it is also where the greatest potential for change exists.

Edward Palka, Assoc. AIA, recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and will begin the M.Arch program at Columbia University in the fall of 2015. He has held internships at HGA Architects & Engineers in Minneapolis, Poltronieri Tang & Associates in Swarthmore, PA, the Children’s Inn at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD., and has begun another internship at KieranTimberlake in Philadelphia. In these roles, Palka has had experience working on projects through all phases from pre-design through construction administration. Additionally, he has worked on research initiatives professionally and academically related to building information modeling (BIM) integration and education, daylighting strategies, and analysis of spatial configurations of housing developments. Beyond a passion for architecture, Palka’s professional experience has brought him an interest in the design of architectural practice itself, including firm structure, marketing, technology and workflow integration. He is currently working through his IDP hours, hopes to become licensed soon after graduating with his M.Arch.

Our scholarship is awarded to architecture students who demonstrate a particular interest in the principles of management in architecture practice. The jury for the 2015 David W. Lakamp a/e ProNet Scholarship includes: Thomas G. Coghlan Design Insurance Agency, Inc.; David B. Richards, AIA, LEED, AP, PMP, Rossetti and Jason Dale Pierce, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, HOK.

Congratulations to Ms. Tope and Mr. Palka! Best of luck to you both.

For more information on the scholarship and to view the winners’ essays, visit the scholarship page at the AIA website.

Read the full 2015 AIA Press Release here.

CJK_FortyHolyMartyrsOrthodoxChurchChurches, cathedrals, and temples have historically drawn attention for their architectural beauty. Sometimes these buildings took centuries to complete, employing tens of thousands of craftsmen, all to meet the original vision of a single architect, inspired by the great Architect in the sky. It would be a mistake to think that–with the exception of project length and the architect’s scope of services–this has changed. Modern churches and temples continue to rise all over the world, and the architects behind them are often motivated by their own faith. These buildings are often spectacularly intricate, having been designed with a whole and holy purpose in mind.

One architect who has dedicated his practice to the design of such buildings is a/e ProNet client Christ J. Kamages of CJK Design Group in California. Many of the glorious, golden domes of modern Greek Orthodox churches, cathedrals, and missions across the country can be attributed to him. Last month, Mr. Kamages’s 33-year career earned him the honor of being elevated to the AIA College of Fellows at a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia.

As noted on the CJK Design Group blog:

Established in 1857, the American Institute of Architects is a professional association made up of Architects and a related field, which seeks to “promote the scientific and practical perfection of its members” and “elevate the standing of the profession.” Through the AIA, standards of ethics and business practice have been developed and members hold each other up to maintain the highest standards. Each year, the AIA selects Architects from its membership to be elevated to the status of Fellow. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.

Mr. Kamages was one of only 147 architects to be elevated to the College of Fellows this year. Of the 85,000-architect membership, only 3,200 have received this distinction.

Congratulations to Mr. Kamages and his fantastic team. We look forward to seeing many more beautiful designs from you in the years to come!

Shout-out Credit:

Leslie Pancoast, CIC, RPLU
Managing Partner
IOA Insurance Services – Pleasanton, CA
Email: Leslie.Pancoast@ioausa.com / Phone: 925-416-7862

An expansive glass wall on the ground floor of the recently renovated TAT House opens onto a chic and spare outdoor living room. The third-floor of the house is wrapped in “an Ipe wood–framed rainscreen,” allowing “interior and exterior glass walls carry the sense of the outdoors throughout the interior.” We want to congratulate Santa Monica architecture firm fleetwood/fernandez on their beautiful design, as well as their clearly deserving win of Architect Magazine‘s top 2014 Annual Design Review Award.

fleetwood_fernandez

Visit Architect Magazine‘s original post for more photos, elevations, and renderings of this beautiful project.

Shout-out Credit:

Alicia K. Igram, AAI, VP & Branch Rep
Design & Consulting Liability Specialist
IOA Insurance Services – Aliso Viejo, CA
Email: Alicia.Igram@ioausa.com / Phone: 949-680-1789

The Architect 50

We love seeing our members’ design clients on any premier list of architects. Scrolling through the brand new 2014 ARCHITECT 50 list from Architect Magazine, we’re excited to see several familiar names, including Brooks + Scarpa Architects and Mark Cavagnero Associates.

Each year, Architect Magazine strives “to compile a list that recognizes firms small and large, who are making their mark beyond just their ability to run a financially lucrative business. This year, [they] added a few new data points, capturing information on how firms are helping their interns gain licensure, both through financial incentives and culture. And [they] asked firms to submit a portfolio with an energy-efficient project that best exemplified their commitment to sustainability.” Read more about the methodology behind the annual selection of the Top 50 here.

More detailed lists of the Top 50 in Design, Top 50 in Business, and Top 50 in Sustainability are available on the Architect Magazine website, too. Congratulations to all the winners!

Graduation2

We’re proud to announce that the American Institute of Architects (AIA) panel–which includes a/e ProNet member Tom Coghlan of Design Insurance Agency, Inc.–has selected Kevin Fletcher and Nathan Blair to receive the 2014 a/e ProNet AIA David W. Lakamp Scholarship.

The scholarship program was initiated by a/e ProNet in 1990, and includes an annual award of $5,000 to two architecture students who demonstrate a particular interest in the principles of management in architecture practice.

You can read more about our scholarship and how to apply next year at our website. But here, let’s learn a little more about the next generation of leaders in the architecture community.

Kevin Fletcher

Kevin Fletcher grew up in Miami, FL and will be completing his Bachelors of Science in Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2015 with plans of attending graduate school in the fall of 2015. During his time as an undergraduate student, Fletcher, a Dean’s List Scholar, has remained an active member of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).

In the summers throughout his college education, Fletcher has gained experience working as an Intern at BC Architects AIA, Inc. Prior to graduation, he has applied his talents in areas of marketing presentations, conceptual design, design development, and construction documents. All of which have contributed to his understanding of building systems, codes, and construction methods. Following graduate school, Fletcher plans on pursuing his NCARB registration along with his LEED accreditation.

Apart from his academic and professional involvement within the field of architecture, Fletcher has spent time developing skills in other areas of graphic design, photography, and videography. All the while, maintaining an active lifestyle along with a passion for travel.

Nathan Blair

Mr. Blair graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Utah in 2014. He will be returning to the U of U in the fall to complete work on a Masters of Architecture with an expected graduation in 2016. Mr. Blair is currently employed with Epic Engineering located in Heber City, UT. He has immensely enjoyed his time there helping to grow a newly established architecture department. Upon completion of the Master’s degree program, it is Mr. Blair’s intention to seek fulfillment of IDP credit hours with Epic Engineering.

Mr. Blair’s design interests center around identifying and isolating the spirit of our time with an affinity for communicating these visions through contemporary materials and methods. Mr. Blair was recently able to implement these ideologies by competing in the CTBUH Student Tall Building Design Competition, receiving positive remarks. He is also looking forward to participating in the University of Utah’s DesignBuildBLUFF program.

During his free time, Mr. Blair will most likely be found fly fishing. He also enjoys playing tennis, golf, billiards, and getting sushi on the weekends. Mr. Blair is constantly striving to improve himself personally and professionally, and concludes in his own words, “My name is Nathan Blair. I’m a lifelong student, an aspiring architect, and I’m a Mormon.”

Congratulations, Kevin & Nathan! We wish you both the best of luck in your academic and professional careers.

We hope you’ve all been having a hot, sporty summer! In that vein, we’d like to congratulate an a/e ProNet client, Keisker & Wiggle Architects, Inc. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently named the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as its 2014 Featured Facility Award winner. Keisker & Wiggle, a Capistrano Beach, California firm, did the master plan and layout of the renovation for Stadiums One and Two.

Indian Wells Tennis Garden

In addition, Indian Wells Tennis Garden has been recognized as one of 12 winners of the USTA’s 33rd annual Outstanding Facility Awards Program, recognizing excellence in the construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities throughout the country.

Opened in March of 2000, Indian Wells Tennis Garden is home to the second-largest tennis stadium in the world, with the main stadium seating 16,100 fans and includes 44 stadium suites, broadcast and media facilities and an 8,000 square foot food commissary.

Representatives will be honored during the upcoming US Open at the USTA Awards Breakfast on Sept. 1, during the association’s Semi-annual Meeting. The award recognizes one facility from among all those that meet the criteria for an outstanding facility award. The “featured facility” exemplifies the highest level of excellence in facility design; court construction; court amenities; and other related components such as strong programming and implementation of 10 and Under Tennis.

“The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has embraced many of our initiatives, including youth tennis utilizing 36- and 60-foot courts, introducing thousands of new players to the sport each year,” said Kurt Kamperman, Chief Executive, Community Tennis, USTA. “It is outstanding tennis facilities like the Indian Wells Tennis Garden that help us grow the game at the grass-roots level, and for that reason and so much more, we are proud to recognize the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for its ongoing impact and contribution to the sport of tennis.”

Shout-out Credit:

Alicia K. Igram, AAI, VP & Branch Rep
Design & Consulting Liability Specialist
IOA Insurance Services – Aliso Viejo, CA
Email: Alicia.Igram@ioausa.com / Phone: 949-680-1789

According to Alison Killing of Killing Architects in Rotterdam, Netherlands, the role of the architect in modern society is undergoing a shift: moving away from the architect as a “master builder”, towards someone who is a specialist in the “built environment”.

New Generations – Killing Architects from New Generations on Vimeo.

Killing Architects recently won first prize in a competition on the future of architecture practice. The contest was put on by the New Generations network of young European architects in late 2013. Watch Ms. Killing’s short interview about the role of architects, and the opportunities for young architects who are willing to take risks and commit to research as a major part of their individual practice.