Newsletter | December 2017

Dear Colleagues,

Throughout the year I have referenced folks outside of El Paso who are making impacts in the architectural community.  At this point I think it is necessary to also reference Architects that are making an impact in our own community.

ExCom’s Event Coordinator, Michael Stills, reached a new high for fundraising for our annual golf tournament.  And because of recent efforts by Bruno Vasquez and Jorge Loya, previous Event Coordinators, the El Paso Architectural foundation has the opportunity to look at increased endowments with the State and increased opportunities for area scholarships.

Jorge, ExCom Secretary, has also been working with area Universities, both in El Paso and Juarez, to promote AIAS memberships and mentor students in the Architectural Colleges.  We have to also thank Bruno, ExCom Treasurer, for revitalizing Archtober.  Mostly due to him, we have had a successful three year run of an events filled Archtober.

Paulina Lagos, ExCom VP, raised over $13,000 at this year’s Design Awards; of which $6,250 went to AIA Associates and area Architecture students to assist in their pursuit of either license or degree.  And President Elect, Renee Jimenez, is now spear heading a group to get the TxA Convention back to El Paso.

El Paso is fortunate that they do not have to look too far to find great Architects.  I am fortunate to have been on a board with those mentioned above.  If in the past you have participated in El Paso Chapter events and boards, continue to do so.  If you have not participated, then 2018 is a great time to start.

Thank you,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso - President

 

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

Newsletter | June 2017

Dear Colleagues,

Texas Society of Architects is hosting the 2017 Prosperity Conference in Waco on August 24-25.  TxA invites you and the future leaders of your firm to participate in this engaging event that can change the future of your practice.  While there you can:

-          Gain significant insight into best practices for marketing, sale strategies and financial profitability;

-          Learn successful secrets from small business owners like you; and

-          Leave with a plan of action for your firm.

Discounts are available for firms sending three or more people so maybe we should strategize on who is attending to make sure we can take advantage of the discount locally.  Information for the event can be found at the TxA website.

On a separate note; construction sites can scorch this time of year so make sure that you and yours are drinking plenty of water before and after visiting sites.  Also, please keep a look out for the laborers out there.  They too need the reminder to stay hydrated.

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President

Newsletter | May 2017

Dear Colleagues,

As you may know this year’s state convention is in Austin, from November 9 -11th.  Same as last year, the state will return 50% of the registration revenue to chapters that meet the minimum number of attendees for the convention.  This year’s number is 20.  All we need is 21 AIA El Paso members to attend the convention.  When the event was held in Austin in 2012, 20 chapter architects attended so they are only asking for one addition architect and the revenue gets returned.

The web site for registration should be up July 26th but you can make hotel reservations currently.  If you are on the bubble, please remember that the convention center is within staggering distance from 6th street.  Please make plans to attend a state event that rivals national and helps benefit your chapter as well.

Sincerely,

Rene Melendez AIA

AIA El Paso Chapter

President

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

Download the Newsletter

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. 

Download the Newsletter

 

Thank you,

AIA El Paso - President

 

Rene Melendez AIA

Newsletter | February 2017

Download the Newsletter

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