Newsletter | April 2017

Dear Colleagues,

 

This month we were visiting by the entire board of the Texas Society of Architects(TxA).  They have a sincere desire to get El Paso more involved in the definition of a Texas Architect.  National has also asked all states to make sure each and every chapter has a voice.  Now is our time to let the state know what it means to be an El Paso Architect.  They were impressed with our city, had nothing but nice things to say, and they are thankful that the El Paso Chapter is organized and represents itself well.

 

Many of us now and for several years have been intermingling with large out of town firms.  Maintaining our local identity is important now more than ever.  We pride ourselves on being hard workers, well rounded and have abilities to solve problems most other architects can’t.  We are never given budgets with much wiggle room nor is our community one that we can specialize on just one thing.  We are true architect’s because we can bring solutions at many scales; humble enough to solve small problems but skilled enough to solve large problems.  Please make sure the out of town firms and public entities never forget that.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President

Newsletter | March 2017

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Dear Colleagues,

 

This month your President and Treasurer represented the El Paso Chapter at the AIA National Grassroots in Washington D.C.  Primary point that seemed to come through in most presentations is that the built environment is the greatest global issue, but if done correctly, should also be the greatest factor to future global success.  By 2050, our population is anticipated to reach 9.7 billion.  Cities must recentralize, urbanize and revitalize.  If an increase of 2.7 billion people is allowed to sprawl out over the globe from now unit 2050, our resources will be abused; their rapid expenditure will continue global warming; and available resources will not have the capacity to develop resilient cities that can sustain natural disasters and acts of terror.

 

It was not represented as a doom and gloom scenario at Grassroots, rather they placed emphasis on the ever important role of the master architect. We must continue to instruct on the importance of centralizing resources in low impact urban centers.  These urban centers should focus on the reuse of the existing built environment and stay away from demolition and new construction as much as possible.  These reestablished city centers must be healthy and vibrant.  They must be adaptable and flexible; we will not be able anticipate all types of disasters in our cities however healthy cities have a better chance at surviving the unknown.

 

We must guide our municipalities towards healthy communities.  We must also make them aware that infrastructure includes buildings.  Municipal funding primarily goes towards infrastructure that runs outside of property lines, but if it does not extend into healthy buildings then our communities will continue to be victims of natural disasters and terror.

 

Clients and local officials need to know that Architects are a resource that is needed in abundance.  Please continue to work hard and practice good Architecture. 

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Thank you,

AIA El Paso - President

 

Rene Melendez AIA

Newsletter | February 2017

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Dear Colleagues,

It seems this month’s word is Advocacy.  I’d like to thank Tommy Razloznik, Bruno Vasquez, Hector De Santiago and Fred Dalbin for attending Advocates for Architects Day on February 7th in Austin.  Shout out to Morris Brown as a lithograph of his sketches were distributed by all Architect leaders, as gift, to all House Representatives throughout the state.  Mr. Brown conveys that art and expression can transcend the desert southwest and impact our state as a whole.

Point of conversation with state reps was: limiting Shotgun lawsuits by Owners by establishing “right to repair” clauses in contracts of Architects and Contractors; efforts to reduce the Statute of Repose from 10 years to first 5 years of operation of a building; opposing any bill which suggests a Sales Tax on Architectural Services; and opposition to any weakening of Qualification-Based selection processes as they still are the most transparent processes available to the profession.

Bruno Vasquez and I will march on the capital at National Grassroots on March 8 thru the 10th. And your local Executive Committee and Advocacy Committee are reaching out to local public entities to make them aware of the many valuable services that we Architects provide.  Please help us join the fight buy signing up for our Chapter Committees.  More awareness leads to the longevity of our profession.  Please help.

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA
AIA El Paso Chapter
President

 

Newsletter | January 2017

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Dear Colleagues,

In 2016, “president” seemed to be an extremely popular term, even for an election year.  The National race spawned an unconventional run and our very own AIA National president sent an endorsement on the behalf of our national community to the president-elect.  So, I as I sit in my new “presidential” role I am reminded of the Architect’s true responsibility.  The Executive Committee and I thought a reminder was necessary.

We are the protectors/stewards of the built environment.  We oversee its function, its safety, its beauty and its sustainability.  If we do it right, the effort transcends political structures and leans towards no party.  The built environment should work independent of political party because we do not design to sway the populace rather we design to protect and facilitate the populace.  Yes, we can design a house for the policy to be created under; and we are bound by policy; but we should not let the policy govern the environment we create because in most cases it outlasts the policy.

I thank you for this opportunity to serve; I am looking forward to this year.

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President