Sustainable Design Assessment Teams (SDAT)

SDAT brings a team of volunteer professionals (such as architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, hydrologists, economists, attorneys, and others) to a community to work with decision-makers and stakeholders to help develop a vision and framework for sustainability that makes Downtown Springfield an ideal place to live, work & enjoy.

2012 SDAT Communities
The Center for Communities by Design is pleased to announce the selection of seven communities for participation in the 2012 SDAT program: Augusta, GA; Austin, TX; Sipaulovi Village, AZ; South Hadley, MA; Springfield, IL; Stanwood/Camano Region, WA; & Wenatchee, WA. To view these applications as well as the complete list of SDAT communities and their associated materials including applications, PowerPoint Presentations, and Final Reports, please follow this link.

About SDAT

SDAT Springfield | Executive Summary

A little more than 170 years ago, Abraham Lincoln’s law practice bustled from a downtown corner in Springfield, Illinois. Thanks to Lincoln’s legislative efforts in the 1830’s, Springfield remains the state’s capital to this day. Our sixteenth president also continues to be a modern tourist draw.

Springfield has made wonderful strides toward the economic and cultural revitalization of its central core over the last twenty years through strong community collaboration. The public and private sectors, not-for-profits, education and labor have a proven track record of involvement and implementation to achieve outstanding results, such as the AIA R/UDAT visit in 2002. For example, the city has successfully completed the following 2002 R/UDAT recommendations:

• Restoration and opening of the Hoogland Center for the Performing Arts;

• Streetscaping and facade redevelopment;

• Physical transformation of the east-west corridor, Capitol Avenue;

• Creation of Office of Capitol Architect;

• Revision of downtown preservation ordinance;

• Agreement on the need for the demolition of the Stratton Building; and

• Development of revitalization plans for “connected” neighborhoods, among others.

Yet the central core of the city has experienced a drop in population that threatens the progress made toward Springfield’s urban rebirth. More than 2600 workers from government and commercial sectors have left the central city over the past seven years for various reasons. This has left vacant commercial space, much of which is located in buildings in the federal historic district. Possibly linked to this job loss is the fact that the center of Springfield has also lost nearly 300 residents since 2000.

We have pinpointed at least two major barriers to repopulation which the AIA Communities by Design 2012 SDAT program could help Springfield overcome:

1. We seek to best utilize our existing core infrastructure, with all of the complexities of infill and historic preservation, without expanding any more than necessary into our peripheral greenfields. 2. The downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district expires in 2016, leaving a potential void for a major infrastructure funding source.

We have realized that to continue the inner city redevelopment momentum and to ensure its sustainability, we must tie in environmental and residential elements to our efforts. The trend across the country is for the younger and older segments of our population to seek an urban, walkable lifestyle, with close access to work, shopping, dining, worship and entertainment. As recently as April, a Minnesota paper noted “the new reality of both consumers and builders all but abandoning the bubble-era paradigm of buyers snapping up houses 30 miles from their jobs in exchange for cheaper homes” (Trends in reverse: It’s back to the Cities, Star Tribune, April 3, 2011). A commercial leasing source sees this trend “as a result of changing demographics, with people waiting longer to get married and also increased vacancies in buildings downtown”(BYOBroker, August 2, 2011). By increasing our inner city residential traffic, Springfield’s core could again attract the grocery stores, drug stores and diversified businesses necessary to meet the demand. 

STEERING COMMITTEE

Architects

Alex Block, AIA, LEED AP

Bruce Ferry, AIA

Todd Higginbotham, AIA, LEED AP

Paul O’Shea, FAIA

T. David Parker, AIA

John Shafer, AIA, LEED AP

Greg Swanson, AIA, LEED AP

Paul Wheeler, AIA, LEED AP

Citizens

Diane Beauchamp

Michael Boer

Steve Combs

Cindy Davis, LEED AP

Nancy Evans

Mike Farmer

Ann Ford

Michael Higgins

Wes King

Jim Kuhar

Melody LaMar

Sue Massie

Brian McFadden

Steve Myers

Jackie Newman

Carolyn Oxtoby

Howard Peters

Sarah Phalen

Mike Rapps

Diane Reinhart

Victoria Ringer

Dan Sale

Norm Sims

Scott Troehler

Mike Waldinger

The USGBC-Illinois Chapter has purchased a subscription to offer USGBC’s archived webinars in group settings in order to offer LEED Specific credential maintenance opportunities to our members. Throughout 2012, you will have the opportunity to earn 1.5 LEED Specific and 1.5 AIA LU|HSW|SD hours at an in-person, group webinar viewing in Springfield, IL.

USGBC is offering for preregistration AIA Members a $15 rate (unless they are also USGBC-Illinois members and then they get an even better rate of $10).  Non-members pay $25.  They are also offering a 5-pack special  for USGBC-Illinois members –sign-up for the first five webinars at once and pay only $45  (a $5 savings).

USGBC Illinois Chapter calendar page registration link.  

Click here for webinar series flyer promo.

Click here for the flyer listing spring and summer dates and sessions.

Click here for the flyer listing the fall sessions.

Questions?  Contact Cathy Small, LEED Green Associate

phone: 312-245-8300 ext. 202   csmall@usgbc-illinois.org

They would like your input to inform the discussion.

This survey begins an exploration of the perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, needs, and value of “the Architect.” The goals of the repositioning are a greatly enhanced communication platform and clarifying what architects do, thus building understanding and appreciation of vital roles.

Members are encouraged to complete the survey at their first convenience so all insights and opinions can be included. This will help National determine where gaps exist in the perception about who architects are, what they do, and what opportunities should be pursued (or not) to close these gaps and ensure the ongoing relevancy of the profession. The survey should take only 5-10 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey sent to you by National in the April 13th edition of AIArchitect by Noon EST, Tuesday, April 24.

Thank you in advance for your time. If you have any questions about the survey, or difficulty accessing it, please contact research partner, Slover Linett Strategies, at Catherine@sloverlinett.com

AIA CHICAGO CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

April 9 – Light and Air in Chicago Skyscraper Planning, 1879-1934

April 10 – The Role of Designers in Post-Disaster Scenarios: Talca, Chile

April 12 – Tour: Monroe Building Reborn

April 12 through 16 – Architecture & Design Film Festival

April 14 – St. Wenceslaus Church: A Modern Religious Masterpiece

Information on all of these can be found at http://www.aiachicago.org/.

AIA Illinois Northern Illinois Chapter Activities

Dates to Remember:

•    Firm display boards at Rockford City Hall and Chicago Rockford International Airport for Architecture Week  

•    Monday, April 9th ~ Mayor Morrissey will issue a Proclamation of Architecture Week at the Rockford City Hall council meeting at 6 pm – anyone may attend

•         Wednesday, April 11th ~ AIA NI monthly board meeting will be held at Katie’s Cup, Rockford IL at 7:30 am – members are always welcome

•         Thursday, April 12th ~ Keep your eye on WIFR Channel 23 between 6 am and 7 am for Aaron Wilson who will be on location at Rockford City Hall to showcase Architecture Week

•         Saturday, April 14th ~ Save the date for a Pub Quiz (architectural theme) to be hosted at Backyard Bar & Grill in Loves Park at 2:30 pm (more info to follow ~ $7 per person)

•         Throughout Architecture Week ~ Listen to NPR 89.5 FM for Architecture Week public service announcements on behalf of AIA Northern Illinois Chapter

Thank You to recent AIA NI Affiliate Members & Sponsors:

•         NIBCA **

•         Terracon

•         Hi-Tech

•         MEP design group

•         YCS Printing

•         Schmeling Construction

•         Country Financial

•         Sjostrom & Sons

•         PLP Pierce Laminated Products

•         Rockford Structures

•         Williams-Manny

•         Bennett Construction, Inc.

•         Kitzmans

•         Fischer Excavating

•         Alpha Controls

•         Rock Valley Brick

•         Larson Engineering

•         Legacy Designs

•         The Buckley Companies

•         Benson Stone

•         John R. Cook & Associates

•         Gommel Design

•         Stenstrom Companies Ltd.

•         Mid-States

•         Scandroli Construction

Springfield Section Events:

•             Architecture Week Firm exhibit board(s) are due by today Friday March 23rd.  The first 30X42 board will be free for each firm with the possibility to purchase additional boards.  These boards will be on display at U of I for Architecture Week and then spend the remainder of the year traveling around to the other Sections.

•             The Chapter has set up a blood drive for Architecture Week April 8th – 14th. The Springfield Section will be donating April 10th at the Blood Center on 7th Street.  Additional info to follow.

•             The AIA Illinois Honor Awards will be held April 13th at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum during Architecture Week.  For additional  information and to rsvp please return to the homepage or visit EVENTS.

This event celebrates the finest recent projects designed by Illinois architects and service to the profession while offering an opportunity to socialize with many leaders of the design and construction industry.  All finalists and awards will be announced Friday, April 13, 2012 at our Honor Awards Dinner and Ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum located at 212 N. Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62701.  

If you are attending and would like to spend the night, there are several hotels in the area with the closest ones being –The Hilton (217-789-1530), the State House Inn (217-528-5100), and the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel (866-788-1860).

Registration is now closed.

Design a 2012 AIA Illinois Annual Conference logo to reflect the theme of BEYOND BUILDING and enter it for the opportunity to win a complimentary conference registration and stipend for expenses to attend the event (reimbursable up to $200).

The 2012 conference will take place in Champaign, Illinois at the iHotel and Conference Center, November 1 & 2.  The winning design will be used on all correspondence and promotional materials for the Annual Conference and the designer will be recognized at the annual conference during a general session as well as on the AIA Illinois website and all other conference related marketing.

Logo requirements: Files should be sizable vector graphics no larger than 4MB and limited to four colors.  Eps and jpeg files for both web and print use are also needed.

*Please include a JPG (72 dpi, minimum 300px x 300px) of your design.

Design Specifics: The logo should reflect AIA Illinois and the Annual Conference Theme of BEYOND BUILDING along with the location of the conference Champaign, IL and the year.  Use of the official AIA logo is at the designer’s discretion.

Submission Specifics: *The file name should include the designer’s last name and first initial. Entries are due no later than Friday, April 13th at 5:00 p.m. The logos will be judged by AIA Illinois staff and the 2012 Annual Conference Committee.

Details: The competition is free to enter and designers may submit up to two original logo designs for consideration by the jury.

*If you have questions, please email Mary Young, Program Director at myoung@aiail.org or call 217.522.2309 X. 3.

2011 Conference Logo Winner

The 2012 conference will take place in Champaign, Illinois at the iHotel and Conference Center, November 1 & 2.  The winning design will be used on all correspondence and promotional materials for the Annual Conference and the designer will be recognized at the annual conference during a general session as well as on the AIA Illinois website and all other conference related marketing.

Logo requirements: Files should be sizable vector graphics no larger than 4MB and limited to four colors.  Eps and jpeg files for both web and print use are also needed.

*Please include a JPG (72 dpi, minimum 300px x 300px) of your design.

Design Specifics: The logo should reflect AIA Illinois and the Annual Conference Theme of BEYOND BUILDINGS along with the location of the conference Lisle, IL and the year.  Use of the official AIA logo is at the designer’s discretion.

Submission Specifics: *The file name should include the designer’s last name and first initial. Entries are due no later than Friday, March 30th at 5:00 p.m.  The logos will be judged by AIA Illinois staff and the 2012 Annual Conference Committee.

Details: The competition is free to enter and designers may submit up to two original logo designs for consideration by the jury.

*If you have questions, please email Mary Young, Program Director at myoung@aiail.org or call 217.522.2309 X. 3.

2012 Conference Logo Winner

RSVP for events at: http://www.aiachicago.org/events.asp

With the AIA Chicago Design Knowledge Community:

Tour of Growing Home’s Wood Street Urban Farm – Saturday, April 21st – 10:00 AM – 5814 S. Wood Street, Chicago, IL 60636

$10 donation to Growing Home will be collected at the door

Tour to meet on the deck outside of the building.  Street parking should be easy to find.

This tour is rain or shine – dress appropriately.

Larry O’Toole, Special Projects Manager at Growing Home

This private tour will present the history of Growing Home, farming methods, crop rotations and community involvement.  We will tour the grounds and witness the late winter/first cutting season of the farm.  Over the past year, the farm has also been working on an expansion project, which will also be visited.  Insights on how the City’s new Zoning amendments for urban agriculture projects are effecting the planning of this expansion will be discussed.  Our guide, Larry O’Toole, is very well versed in organic agriculture and is willing to share information that will inform many aspects of the design process in urban agriculture projects.  Join us in the fifth event of a yearlong exploration of the role architects can play in the development of urban agriculture and community-centered food systems in the Chicago area.

AIA Illinois is the state office of the American Institute of Architects. AIA began in 1857 as the voice of the architecture profession and a resource to its members in service to society. Based in Springfield, AIA Illinois advances the profession of architecture by advocating for a more livable built environment. Serving nearly 4,000 architects and architectural interns, a 23 member board and four person staff focuses on expanded opportunities for the architecture profession to provide impact and engagement through highly effective lobbying, coalition building, leadership and professional development.

Job Description

AIA Illinois is seeking an experienced public relations and marketing professional to give the association greater visibility and awareness among its primary stakeholders, including AIA members; prospective members; legislators; the media and peers in allied organizations.

Working with key staff and member leaders, the director will be responsible for developing a PR strategy, budget recommendations and overseeing the primary communication activities to achieve the strategic objectives.

This is a new position at AIA Illinois established initially as a part-time employee under a flexible schedule. AIA Illinois offers compensation commensurate with experience and responsibilities. The director will handle the administrative duties related to communications and be the primary resource to the board and staff for best practices, new ideas, and strong execution of shared goals.

Specific duties include:

• Writing and distributing a variety of informational, educational and promotional materials through traditional marketing channels; the AIA Illinois website and appropriate social media outlets.
• Growing relationships with key influencers and ensuring those individuals receive consistent, timely updates from AIA Illinois.
• Coordinating with other AIA offices to share and extend communication and PR activities.
• Meeting with committee and task force heads on a regular basis to develop communication and PR strategies for signature activities and events.
• Assisting government affairs team with member updates related to legislative wins.
• Generating content from subject matter experts on design trends and practice innovations.
• Highlighting the work of the profession on behalf of communities and clients.
• Maintaining existing publications, newsletters, web presence, social media channels; and
• Assessing and launching new platforms for effective outreach.

Candidate characteristics:

Knowledge of architecture and design

Exceptional communication skills

Extremely good writer

An eye for compelling visuals and graphics

Adept at networking and outreach

Ability to manage projects independently

Experience with a full range of media platforms

Desire to discover and share stories that resonate

Continually aware of new ways to do old things better

More information:

We are accepting applications through March 30, 2012.  Please send a resume and cover letter to:

AIA Illinois, 1 Old State Capitol Plaza N, Ste. #300 Springfield, IL 62701 or email it to: council@aiail.org.