Issue LI
Dec 22, 2006
Hi !
In this issue, you'll read:
Season's Greetings from the AIA NE Directors and Staff. Office will be closed Dec 25 thru Jan. 1
AIA Nebraska President's Recap of 2006
Congratulations to these 25 year members of The American Institute of Architects
University of Nebraska Winners to be recognized at AIAS FORUM in Boston
2006 Newly Licensed Architects & Professional Engineers Recognition Ceremony
Year End Donation Sought
Goodhue Blvd. Proposed in Lincoln
Renew Your Membership Today!
AIA Nebraska New Sponsor Page Unveiled
AIA Releases Updated AIA Contract Documents Software
AIA National 2007 Strategic Plan
Calendar of Events - December 22
Interfaith Architecture Tour
Season's Greetings from the AIA NE Directors and Staff. Office will be closed Dec 25 thru Jan. 1 2006 is quickly drawing to a close. With that in mind I would like to recap a few of the highlights from this past year for our membership. February: Grassroots in Washington allowed us to visit directly with our representatives about current issues relevant to the profession. Both of our Senators listened carefully and asked our opinions about issues such as health care reform, social security, and sustainable design. Central States Region received three of only five national component awards this year, including AIA Omaha for its 2005 Sustainable Design program. AIA Nebraska hosted a very successful Legislative Forum, hosting over 50% of our State Senators. Senator Gwen Howard of Omaha and Senator Don Pederson of North Platte were our special guests and speakers during the Forum, along with Paul Mendehlson and Adam Melis from AIA National. March: Our lobby effort, working with Mary Campbell and Nick Paden, realized success with several, if not all of the legislative bills we were tracking as a chapter this year. April: AIA Western Nebraska Chapter with AIA Nebraska hosted another excellent Spring Conference in Kearney. Keynote speaker Wayne Drummond updated the membership on the ongoing efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast, post-Hurricane Katrina. His presentation evoked pride for the UNL architecture program and the students and faculty who offered their design expertise during the planning and early rebuilding processes of New Orleans. May: Upon receiving a funding award from AIA National, Cecil Steward and fellow board member Larry Jacobsen, launched our ongoing AIA 150 project, with the Flatwater Metroplex charrette, bring together 150 stakeholders to the table in September. June: Sara Kay successfully applied for and received a government affairs grant from AIA National to be used to update incoming freshmen senators of key design and legislative issues, and introduce them to available resources from our AIA Chapter and Nebraska member firms. July: AIA members Jack Wilkens, John Sinclair, and Tom Lagging, continued to work closely with Melinda Pearson from the State Board of Examiners this year to represent our interests in the Negotiated Rulemaking process. August: We offered support to the Joslyn Institute for Sustainable Design and their efforts to promote green building standards for City of Lincoln and Lancaster County public buildings. September: AIA Nebraska and Quest Center Omaha served as host for the AIA Central States Region Convention in September. Design Excellence was once again celebrated with several state and regional projects recognized among the 240 submitted for awards this year. Keynote speaker, AIA National President Kate Schwennsen spoke to us about the profession and how much the architecture world is both "flat and spiky". George Haecker was honored as this year's Cunningham Medal recipient. October: Our board researched, then approved changes to our staff's compensation and benefits, making them more in line with regional comparisons for these positions. November: Sara and President-elect Bruce Carpenter re-vamped our Fall Retreat this year, inviting board members from our local chapters, Omaha, Lincoln, and Western, to participate in the planning for next year. The retreat was a huge success, initiating great concepts for collaboration between the chapters and services to our membership across the state. December: AIA Nebraska and the State Board of Examiners hosted a Governor's Reception for newly registered architects and engineers at the State Capitol. On a personal note, it has been a true pleasure and honor serving our membership on this board. Special thanks to Lowell Berg for involving me early in the AIA as a young intern-architect, fresh out of school in 1989. Also, a special thank you to Paul Jeffrey for inviting me to serve on this board a few years ago when he was serving as president-elect. I've often said that I've had the great privilege to be bookend'ed by two excellent leaders, Bruce Carpenter and Pat Birch. But the same can be said about all the board members, Wynn, Tammy, both Larry's, our student AIAS representatives, our Associate Director, Nicole Ludacka, our ex-officio members, Wayne and Mark. Local chapter presidents, Kristi, Jeff, and Roger, provided equally great leadership and teamwork on the board this year. And our staff, Sara and Kelsey, continues to serve as our glue, keeping us focused and on task. It has been an incredible team effort from all involved. 2nd Place in the AIAS Kawneer Student Design Competition “It’s going to take a tremendous amount of education, publicity and those sorts of things to give it the identity it needs,” Wood said. Two of the four streets leading away from the Capitol have special designations: Lincoln Mall, which runs four blocks west to the City-County Building, and Centennial Mall, a seven-block stretch extending north to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. Wood said the new street name would confuse people, especially newcomers to the area. Bob Ripley, Capitol administrator, said the purpose of the name change isn’t to make people lose their way. “There will be a learning curve as far as realizing where this new boulevard is,” Ripley said. “The more people drive around the area, they’ll get to know where it is.” Ed Zimmer, the historical preservation planner for the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department, said the Nebraska Capitol Environs Commission is the sponsor of the proposal, and it hopes to have it on the City Council agenda by next month. The most significant changes people will notice, if the proposal is approved, are new street signs and new addresses. The new signs would cost an estimated $4,000, but no tax dollars would be used. If the proposal is approved, there is also the possibility of a historical marker being created in Goodhue’s honor, probably near A Street, Ripley said. Matthew Bosley, who has lived near 12th and C streets for four years, said he is in favor of the name change. “That seven-block stretch is just set up to be more of a visually nice area with a view of the Capitol,” Bosley said. Ripley said honoring Goodhue is important since there aren’t any places in Nebraska that note the architect’s contribution to Lincoln.“We try to do things that have long-term meaning,” Ripley said. “I’m envisioning this being a permanent name change.” Wood said honoring Goodhue is a good idea, but the name change would have more impact if it wasn’t just A to H streets.“I have no problem with them honoring him in some fashion,” Wood said. “It would make more sense to make the whole thing Goodhue ‘something.’” The AIA Nebraska Board of Directors unanimously supports this initiative; The Nebraska Architectural Foundation has agreed to provide financial support. The revised software, created in response to comments from user interviews, widespread analysis of usage data, and comments from two beta trials, features a redesigned look to make it even more intuitive and simple to use. “The software upgrade responds to the ongoing needs of design and construction industry professionals,” said James A. Gatsch, FAIA, general manager of AIA Contract Documents. “By always soliciting feedback from our users, and then responding to that feedback in a timely way, we continue to offer the design and construction industries the most comprehensive, state-of-the-art contract solution available.” The updated software is available to new and existing customers at www.aia.org/docs. The update is provided at no additional cost to existing customers. 2007 AIA Contract Documents Software Licenses Increase in Price The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architecture profession and the resource for its members in service to society. From there, we shaped the goals, strategies, and programs that comprise the 2007 Strategic Plan, which you can now access Young Architects 2006 IBC and IRC Seminars NEBRASKALAND CONFERENCE OF BUILDING OFFICIALS and INSPECTORS ICC Instructors: Doug Thornburg and Gary Karow Storm Resistant Concrete Homes and Buildings / National and local expers / 7 HSW Save the Date for this year's AIA Nebraska Legislative Forum, February 20, 2007. Meet at Beth Israel Synagogue Co-sponsored by the ADL Malashock Project for Interfaith Affairs, the Archdiocese of Omaha and the American Institute of Architects. $5 per person. 
Back to top
AIA Nebraska President's Recap of 2006 
Photo: Lowell Berg, AIA, Sara Kay, Executive Director and President Ed Vidlak, AIA
January: This year we celebrated our 90th year of AIA in Nebraska, and 50th year as an incorporated AIA Chapter.
Just as in past years, much was accomplished in 2006. And, 2007 promises to be another successful year for the board under Bruce's guidance. Looking beyond '07, into the next five or ten years, as our membership continues to grow, and as our profession continues to evolve, there will be many important concepts for AIA Nebraska to consider along the way. For example:
These are just a few issues that may eventually be considered by our board. None-the-less, having witnessed the unique chemistry and teamwork that exists in AIA Nebraska, and having been exposed to so much talent and knowledge that exists among our membership, I am confident that our state's architects and design professionals will be well served, well into the future.
As a closing note, AIA Nebraska recently submitted a letter unanimously supporting the State Capitol Environs Commission effort to rename a portion of Lincoln's 15th Street to "Goodhue Boulevard". It is only fitting that Pat Birch, as her last motion as a board member and as the final motion considered by the 2006 board, moved to support this name change. Acknowledging Goodhue only affirms our commitment to design and this profession, while reminding the public of Nebraska's rich architectural heritage and the pride we share for this landmark building.
Best wishes for a happy holiday. - Ed Vidlak, AIA
Back to top
Congratulations to these 25 year members of The American Institute of Architects 
Steven D. Conley, AIA
David Erickson, AIA
John A. Hrivnak, AIA
Nathan S. Krug, AIA
Wynn E. Mehlhaff, AIA
Danny G. Schlichenmaier, AIA
Back to top
University of Nebraska Winners to be recognized at AIAS FORUM in Boston 
1st Prize in AIAS Boston Kiosk Competition
Jason Cave and Ryan Cameron - both 5th year grad students
Sponsored by the Vinyl Institute and administered by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), the program challenged students to learn about materials, specifically vinyl building products, and their assembly in the design of a kiosk for a Boston park. Participants gained knowledge about building materials and products while exploring the AIAS FORUM 2006 theme, “Transitions.”
Nick Micheels and Joe Irwin - both graduates of UNL undergrad architecture program
Sponsored by Kawneer North America and presented the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), the program challenged students to learn about materials, specifically aluminum building products, and their assembly in the design of a campus-based recreation center. Participants gained knowledge about building materials and products and hurricane resistant building. While open to any student, the competition was designed for advanced students.
Back to top
2006 Newly Licensed Architects & Professional Engineers Recognition Ceremony
Nebraska Governor Heineman recognized this year's newly licensed architects and engineers yesterday at the second annual recognition ceremony held in the Warner Chamber, Nebraska State Capitol. The following AIA Nebraska newly licensed members participated: Olamide Banwo, AIA, Jeffrey Chadwick, AIA, Jeffrey Dolezal, AIA, Jackson Martis, AIA and Paul Ritchie, AIA. 
Pictured: Paul Ritchie, AIA, Olamide Banwo, AIA, and Jackson Martis, AIA
Newly licensed AIA member, Olamide Banwo, AIA, with family.
Back to top
Year End Donation Sought 
AIA Lincoln is teaming with the Lincoln Children's Museum to bring the art of architecture and building to children in Lincoln. KEVA Planks is an engaging, innovative, hands-on building exhibit that will appeal to all people of all ages and backgrounds and encourage cooperative play and learning through interaction. Donations are needed to make this exhibit a reality. To make a donation or request additional information contact Cleve Reeves, AIA, 402.475.4551 or creeves@bvh.com. The Nebraska Architectural Foundation has made a $1,000 contribution to this endeavor.
Back to top
Goodhue Blvd. Proposed in Lincoln 
Residents share views of proposed name change
BY MARK MAHONEY / Lincoln Journal Star / Dec 07, 2006
How far will the city go to honor the Capitol’s architect? Supporters are hoping about seven blocks. At a public meeting Wednesday night, residents exchanged views over a proposal that would change a seven-block stretch of 15th Street south of the Capitol to Goodhue Boulevard.The change would honor Bertram Goodhue, the architect who designed the Capitol in 1922. William J. Wood, who has owned two apartment buildings along 15th Street for more than 30 years, said if the city is going to change another street around the Capitol, it needs to extend the name change longer than seven blocks.
Back to top
Renew Your Membership Today! 
Thank you for your ongoing support and membership to the American Institute of Architects. A reminder your 2007 dues are due and may be paid on-line.
Back to top
AIA Nebraska New Sponsor Page Unveiled
AIA NE Sponsor Page: New Sponsorship Page Unveiled Link on sponsor section below. Sponsors logos are featured with links to sites.
Back to top
AIA Releases Updated AIA Contract Documents Software
The AIA recently released AIA Contract Documents software, Version 3, which is an update to its successful software application widely used in the design and construction industries.
The AIA is increasing the prices for AIA Contract Documents software licenses. The prices for our three most popular products are increasing as follows:
Meter 300 Annual $ 259 $429
Unlimited Annual - 1 Seat $ 639 $ 899
Unlimited Annual - 5 Seats $1,959 $2,919 After January 1, 2007, you can also view the full list of products and their new prices online. The new prices for AIA Contract Documents software licenses take effect January 1, 2007. Prices for paper AIA Contract Documents remain unchanged.
Back to top
AIA National 2007 Strategic Plan In a quest for continuity, consistency, and accountability, the AIA National Board of Directors adopted a new approach for setting the direction of the Institute. The process began with collaborative exercises among a cross-section of stakeholders to define goals, strategies, and metrics and clearly articulate what your AIA leaders want to accomplish, how to get there, and what measures success. This resulted in a mission statement for the Institute:
Back to top
Calendar of Events - December 22
Link to New Calendar of Events CSI-Preventing Crimes in Concrete/48th Annual Quality Concrete Conference
January 10 / Kearney Holiday Inn & January 11 / DC Centre Omaha
January 17, 6 pm /
Women in Architecture
January 26, Omaha / Further details forthcoming
(Lincoln will be updating the 2006 Code in early 2007.)
Location: Mahoney State Park, Ashland, NE / 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
2006 IBC Significant Changes, February 1, 2007
2006 IRC Significant Changes, February 2, 2007
February 15 / Omaha
Back to top
Interfaith Architecture Tour
Beth Israel Synagogue and St. Cecilia Catholic Church
March 18 / Tentative Schedule
1:00-1:05 Welcome and introductions
1:05- 1:35 Overview of role of art and architecture in these two communities with possible slides offered by the Joslyn
1:35-2:35 Tour of Beth Israel led by Marty Shukert and congregant
2:35-3:00 Relocate to St. Cecilia
3:00-4:00 Tour of St. Cecilia led by Brother Woeger and congregant/music personnel
4:00-5:30 Reception, reflection and relationship-building at the Cathedral Cultural Center
Back to top
Published with Newsletter Ease