Newsletter | November 2017

Dear Colleagues,

State convention has come and gone.  El Paso represented itself well.  We were identified by the TxA President as a Chapter that has made better efforts in our contribution to TAC than most of the big cities in Texas; and we also hit our mark for those from AIA El Paso attending the convention.  Thank you for your efforts!

Although much un-natural disaster has challenged the built environment and infrastructure; the presenting Architects and Architect Advocates at the convention where confident that those who would provide the best solutions for our future are Architects.  Our combination of creativity, passion and knowledge of the build environment puts at the forefront.  So, we must educate the youth, bring awareness to those who can impact change, and set up our buildings to provide for the future.

Our city is growing and our economy is consistently on the rise where economist have said we should have flattened out by now.  We currently have opportunity upon us.  We must use that opportunity to bring solutions to our fevered world.  Keep doing your best and continue to set an example rather than follow the example.

May you get rest this holiday season because we need you at your best in 2018,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso - President

Newsletter | September 2017

Dear Colleagues,

 

The ideal world that we Architects attempt to live in has now be replaced with the surreal world of catastrophic events.  The onslaught of these natural disasters and how quickly they have lined up one after the other make it difficult to comprehend the true magnitude of each event. The suffering of each community is overlooked due to additional hurricanes, fires or earthquakes. We will not understand the magnitude of these series of events for some time.

 

We must remember in our busy sunny day-to-day that our community is global and not just southwestern.  The built environment is forever growing as population will never decrease.  What we were told to build as sustainable now must be built as sustainable and resilient.  After a disaster, we seek shelter.  After shelter, we seek a reconnection to community.  After reconnection then comes the struggle to rebuild.

 

Eric Cesal, Assoc. AIA, presented at the TXA Convention in 2016.  His emphasis is rebuilding communities that were subject to what he calls “un-natural disasters”; most notably Haiti and New Orleans.  The disasters are un-natural because the chain of events that the natural phenomena create are impossible to predict.  More than building “resilient” cities he recommends building “healthy” cities.  We will not be able to resist un-natural disasters but if our city is healthy then it will recover quicker.

 

What we build in our city not only impacts our arid climate but the whole world.  We need to work with our municipality to develop healthy ideas for our city.  The built environment needs to be low impact but also resistive to natural disaster.  At times of disaster we should not flock to our old buildings because they were built better; we should run to new construction because it should be more resistive and does not solely rely on utilities infrastructure to function.

 

In your design, if you are simply doing what was done before; or if you are just doing what the client wants, then you are part of the problem.  Architects need to do more.  You were blessed with that ability to create and be creative.  Use those gifts.  Eric Cesal – “Do not wait for disaster to start working on disaster.”

 

Peace and strength to those battling disaster,

 

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso - President

Newsletter | August 2017

Dear Colleagues,

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards has released its annual report on architects, professionals working toward licensure, and diversity in the profession in 2016.

Number of architects working in the United States held steady, while the number of new students enrolled in an accredited architecture program has increased 4 percent since the 2014-2015 school year.

Time to licensure has decreased. It now takes 12.5 years to become an architect from the time a student enrolls in school, 9.6 months less than in 2015. 58 percent of students are enrolled in Bachelor of Architecture programs, 42 percent in Masters programs, and less than 1 percent in doctoral programs.

First time since NCARB began collecting demographic data, gender equity improved along every career stage.

AIA El Paso is doing its part.  Currently available to students and associates are sponsorships to assist them with their schooling and/or licensure.  If your work force currently has those attending school or those taking the ARE; please direct them to the application in the newsletter or aiaelpaso.org.  Dead line for entries is soon so let them know now!

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President

Newsletter | July 2017

Dear Colleagues,

The cookies tracking me on my computer have asked me if I would be interested in signing up for Frank Gehry’s MasterClass; which intends to further my knowledge of Design, Architecture, and Movement. (https://www.masterclass.com/FG)  Although it seems like I am making a shameless plug, I do not think I will sign up for the class as my buildings will never move as much as his.  I mention Mr. Gehry because if you have not seen his add, it does mention some important points that he has learned on his journey.

…if you know what you’re doing in advance, then you won’t do it…

…the majority of the buildings built in our society are only for economies and not for humanities.

Within the constraints of any project he identifies that he only has 15% freedom to create art within a building.  In El Paso I’d guess we are down to 5%.

Gehry asks, “Whatever you do, promise me that every project you make or design, you’ll take the risk of doing something for humanity.”

In the prosperity of the projects we have right now, please challenge yourselves to reduce the impact of your structures and increase their sustainability.

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President