April 2006 Newsletter

April is ARCHITECTURE Month

Governor Riley Signs Good Sam Bill
The Good Samaritan law will provide civil immunity to architects, land surveyors, licensed engineers, contractors, subcontractors and those working under direct supervision without compensation to help rebuild areas affected by natural disasters. Under Alabama's previous Good Samaritan law, only medical personnel, public education employees, helicopter crews, mine rescue workers, police officers and firefighters who render assistance at the scene of an accident or emergency situation were, under certain circumstances, granted civil immunity. This is great news and now AIA members will be able to assist in times of need without worries.

Thank You Sponsor’s and Members 
Our sponsor appreciation luncheon was a huge success again, even with Spring Break for so many.  We had a total of 135 sponsors and members who attended.  It was nice to see sponsors and members have time to talk and have lunch together (this is what sponsors want, we figured it out!!).  Our next sponsor appreciation luncheon is in October.  Thank you again for participating. Click here for photo gallery.

AIA Golf Tournament Raises $10,000.00
Last year the golf tournament was held at Ross Bridge and Oxmoor Valley.  We had over 200 people play in the tournament!  AIA Birmingham gives the money to two charity organizations, Pathways and YWCA.  This year a $5000 check was presented to each organization at our sponsor appreciation luncheon.   Members and sponsors both were able to participate in the giving.  Our members and sponsors look forward to this event each year.  Save the date for 2006 Golf Tournament October 12th.

2006 Design Awards
Can you believe it?!!  It is time for firms to show their best work and enter the 2006 Design Awards.  Entries will be judged in Boston.  Please have your entry fee turned into the AIA office by April 7th (extending the deadline).  The awards banquet will be May 18th, 2006 at Temple Emanu-El.  If you have never entered your work, this is the year to enter.  Winners of 2006 Design Awards will be recognized in 2007 to celebrate our 150 year anniversary.  Click here for entry form.

studio interactive STUDENTS FOR HIRE
A number of high school students with studio i are interested in learning more about the process of Architecture through summer employment with local firms.  This year’s students have demonstrated an impressive work ethic and are eager to engage the profession in any way possible.  This is a wonderful opportunity for firms to meet their summer demands while providing invaluable experiences for high school students in our community.  Most students have vehicles, and many have had exposure to Art, AutoCAD, and some model-building.  For more information, please contact Carrie Johnson at cjohnson@gfainc.com or 933-9060.

Architects – How Would You Like a FREE LUNCH and FREE CEU’s?
Then you need to join us for our April Chapter Meeting hosted by
Imaging Technologies, April 18th at the Tutwiler Hotel, 2021 Park Place North.
Software sessions, ReproMax DFS and New Product Releases will be featured throughout the day.  Continental Breakfast will be served from 8:30 – 10:30a.m.
AIA Chapter Meeting will be at 11:30 in the Ridgely Room, RSVP by April 11th
Lunch is free!!!  Click here for more information

CONGRATULATIONS WILLIAM GILCHRIST ON MAKING FELLOW!!!
AIA Birmingham is proud to announce one of our own has been elevated to Fellow, William Gilchrist who is the Director of Engineering and Planning for the City of Birmingham.  Congratulations Bill!!!

Platinum Sponsors Offer Continuing Education
Now that our chapter has a working website our platinum sponsors have a page to list the continuing education opportunities they offer.  If your firm needs product or technical information on a particular project you are working on, visit www.aiabham.org  click Organization, then Member Services to see if one of our sponsors offers a course that might benefit your firm. Available CE Learning Units are listed with each course description.

Alabama Council State Convention
Spend Father’s Day weekend in Asheville, North Carolina.  This convention will be family oriented for everyone.  There is a camp for kids, famous Grove Park Inn Spa, tennis and golf.  Click here for more information.

Structural Engineers Association
SEA is holding a seminar on ATC-45 safety evaluation of buildings after windstorms and flood, Thursday April 6th, 2006.  Click here for registration information.

Vulcan Park Foundation Presents Two Downtown Architectural Walking Tours
(Birmingham, AL) - This spring, discover hidden architectural treasures in the historic buildings of downtown Birmingham.  On two Saturdays, April 8 and May 20, Vulcan Park Foundation will host small group walking tours of the downtown area. Led by local author and historian, Philip Morris, both tours will explore the rich history and architectural legacy of downtown Birmingham, from the founding of the city through its modern development and continuing re-development. Participants will view a wide range of building types and architectural styles, providing insight into the early years of Birmingham’s rich history.  Cost for each tour is $12 for the general public and $10 for Vulcan Park Foundation members and includes a mid-morning beverage and snack break.  Each tour will last approximately 2 ½ hours. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (205) 933-1409 or via info@vulcanpark.org.  Space is limited.

Magic City is April 28,29,30 at Linn Park. 
Magic City Art Connection hosts a site - EYEBEAM - for Birmingham Students/Kids to learn about building/architecture/design during the three days of Magic City Art Connection.  It's a handson weekend of building that is great fun AND can be counted for intern's IDP service credit.  We need more volunteers.  We have strong teams from several local firms but we can use lots more folks.
Volunteers can come for the day or just a couple of hours but we need a commitment as soon as possible.  In addition to getting a chance to get IDP credit - and experience this great art event - with a day of volunteer time you also get passes into some of the MCAC special venues for food/drink.  Please contact Cheryl Morgan - Auburn Urban Studio: morgace@auburn.edu or Kris Nikolich - ArchitectureWorks:  awkfn@bellsouth.net and let us know ASAP if you can be a part of this incredible event.  We NEED YOU.

Architect Scavenger Hunt
Do you still like to play games?  Do you think you know Birmingham Architecture? How competitive are you?  Would you like to attend AIA chapter meetings free for the rest of the year? Well, AIA Birmingham would like to find out how much our members know about our city and who wins when they do play!! And, yes you have to play to win.  Look for more details soon…