March 2014 - The American Institute of Architects, East Bay

ARCHnews
2014 M a r c h
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE EAST BAY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
Havenscourt School Based Health Center
Oakland Unified School District
T
PROJECT PROFILE
Byrens Kim Design
Works
he Havenscourt Health Center is a
school-based community health clinic
located in a developing neighborhood in
Oakland, California. The program included a
new clinic in an existing interior school building that originally housed a woodshop. Our
idea was to create a bright and welcoming
environment that distinguishes itself from the
otherwise inconspicuous school facility. The
space needed to feel safe and welcoming to the
students and their families who were not used
to healthcare in general.
The design concept started from a centralized
reception that allowed the minimal staff to
oversee the clinic. Then the reception was
placed off axis to allow the main entry to break
away from the existing building envelope. This
allowed the façade of the clinic to be created,
pointing toward the entry traffic. Off-axis
design was also implemented vertically to
enhance the natural light. Sloped ceilings that
house interior exam rooms and spaces reflect
light entering from the transom windows to
brighten up the space. Interior skylights were
added in the sloped ceiling to provide the natural connection within the exam room and the
other interior spaces.
Materials were selected to consider cost, durability, sustainability, and foremost the design.
Gloss white plastic laminate cabinetry was a
cost effective alternative that provided easy-toclean and durable finish. Plywood backing and
adhesives were specified to meet the low VOC
requirements. Linoleum flooring was selected
for both durability and sustainability aspects.
Accent color was introduced and carried
throughout the various materials.
Contents
Chapter Reports
2
Codes
4
CoolTechStuff
6
In the News
7
Profiles
8
The project elements included exam rooms, consulting rooms, triage, dental clinic, offices, conference room, reception
and restrooms. The project was designed to meet the OSHPD 3 licensed clinic requirements and was overseen by the
Division of the State Architect plan review process.
Architect:
Structural:
Mechanical/Plumbing:
Electrical:
Client:
Contractor:
Photo Credit:
Byrens Kim Design Works
Kam Yan and Associates
H&M Mechanical Group
WHM Inc
Oakland Unified School District
JUV Inc.
Tubay Yabut Photography/Byrens Kim Design Works
■
P r e s i d e n t ’s L e t t e r
AIA East Bay
a chapter of
The American Institute of Architects
1405 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel 510.464.3600
Fax 510.464.3616
info@aiaeb.org
www.aiaeb.org
Twitter.com/aiaeb
ArchNews is a publication of AIA East Bay.
The editors reserve the right to determine
the appropriateness of contributions and
to edit where necessary for length and
clarity. Use of names and images of products and services in either editorial or
advertising does not constitute endorsement by AIA or AIA East Bay. AIA East Bay
does not guarantee accuracy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the
results obtained from use of such information.
Editorial contributions and correspondence to the chapter are welcome. All
material submitted for publication must
be in electronic form either via e-mail or
CD. Microsoft Word versions 5 and Text
files are supported.
A rc h Ne w s C o m m i t t e e / E d i t o r s
Harry Jacobs, AIA, Chair
Devi Dutta-Choudhury, AIA
Laile Giansetto, AIA
Larry Mortimer, AIA
Sidney Sweeney
Design
Dean Hunsaker
Robert Ivy FAIA, EVP/CEO, AIA Visits Chapter
L
ast month AIA EVP/CEO Robert Ivy (former Editor in Chief of
Architecture Record and former Editorial Director and V.P. of McGraw-Hill
Construction Media) graced our chapter with his presence. It was the first time a
sitting Executive VP, CEO has ever visited the East Bay Chapter so to say the least
we were quite honored. Robert has been making his way around the country talking to local components about Repositioning. Even though we didn't have much
notice, we managed to pulled together a group of 30 or so members comprising
mostly of committee chairs, members of our Repositioning Task Force and chapter past presidents.
We heard Mr. Ivy usually does a little presentation on Repositioning before opening it up to questions but
we wanted something less formal. So instead we all grabbed a chair, sat around in a large circle, and
respectfully let him have it. A few of the concerns brought up to Robert was that there seems to be little
transparency with National AIA and a huge disconnect from the membership ("us" verses "them" corporate mentality from National), our dues are too high (we would rather at the very least give more to the
local chapter than to National), because of recent regulations made by National, it's now too difficult to
become Emeritus and lastly that National's website is embarrassingly horThis last item seems a bit mundane in relation to the other concerns
PRESIDENT’S LETTER rible.
but National uses the website as their direct hub of communication to the
Jeremiah Tolbert AIA
membership and it's seriously unnavigable. For example, if they've
addressed membership concern on a topic, they tend to bury it somewhere
Chapter President
on the website while they pat themselves on the back for addressing the particular issue. However, the only people who know it's there (or at least
where it's hiding) is them. Or, if you've tried signing up for the National Convention this year, all I have
to say is good luck because the website isn't kept up to-date. I would like to note here that our wonderful
Home Tour's Committee Chair Kurt Lavenson, AIA drilled it home to Robert that National's date to start working on the website-spring 2015-is unacceptable and they should start immediately. I do believe he understood the severity of it.
I'm almost certain Robert has heard similar complaints everywhere he's been because even though his
answers were quite polished, they weren't really solid resolutions. His answers were similar to a politician's.
For example, his response to the dues being too high was that our dues really aren't high for the size of our
association and we are actually in the "sweet spot" (he really called it this) when it comes to our dues. Other
associations have more members which
offsets the cost of their membership. To
the transparency concern he acknowledged it and said that "there are 200
Sidney Sweeney's in D.C. working really hard for us and if we were aware of it
we would have a better sense of
National's value".
I really liked Robert. I think it was a
great gesture that he took the time to
come and visit our chapter. I believe
that was the consensus of most of the
people there. He was charming and he
was mesmerizingly genuine. In fact, I
felt like we all were quite enthralled
when he responded to our concerns.
However, I think I was jolted out of the
trance when he said that there were 200
Sidney's in D.C. I'm sorry, I've dealt Ivy is in front of the column
with National staff before and it was
like pulling teeth. I had to tell them what they needed to do, how to do it, and had to follow up daily until
it was completed (it took 2 weeks). For those of you who've worked with Sidney, she is extremely responsive. So correcting Mr. Ivy, I think he meant to say those 200 people equal one Sidney Sweeney.
Regarding the difficulty of becoming Emeritus and other concerns, Robert admitted that there needs to be
more continuity through "alignment" by National. He made the point that "alignment is NOT agreement"
and it starts at the local chapter. The answers should come from us of which I whole heartedly agree with
Robert. However, in response we shared with him that our Repositioning Task Force has been working
diligently coming up with possible solutions but when we asked what was the next steps...how do we get
National to respond/comply, he unfortunately didn't have an answer for us, which was a bit disappointing.
2
Once again I really liked Robert Ivy. I honestly believe that if he could make the changes necessary to "right the
pyramid" I truly think he would. However, he was absolutely right when he said that it starts with the local chapters. Get involved and use your voice. In the end, it is still "our" association and we shouldn't be waiting on
National to direct us but we should be dictating to them changes that should be made. ■
ArchNews
T0urs
Design Committee Hosted a Tour
of Temple Sinai in Oakland led by Michael Harris, AIA
Temple Sinai is very much a part of the larger community
around it, the congregation eschewed moving to the suburbs
and to that end wanted an openness with views into the
buildings and out to the City of Oakland. This sense of community was further strengthened with the Jewish concept of
tikkun olam, “repairing the world,” and to this end LEED certification was an important goal, which was achieved.
This is the front of the chapel inspired by the
tallit, or prayer shawl, enfolds worshippers in
wood slat walls and ceiling (forming a continuous band) recalling the wooden shuls, the
pre-WWll synagogues of eastern Europe. By
day one can look through the text of the v’ahafta, a prayer central to Jewish practice, on
the high band of windows to see sky; by night
the prayer’s white letters stand out against the
dark night. Along the stone mosaic wall are
weathered copper plaques with
quotes from Jewish scholars and poets.
Health Center
(see cover)
President
Jeremiah Tolbert, AIA
President Elect
Malvin Whang, AIA
Secretary/Treasurer
Douglas Frazier, AIA
Directors
Andre Ptaszynski, AIA
Dong Kim, AIA
Susi Marzuola, AIA
Terry Waldenmaier, AIA
Winston Win, AIA
Peter Wolfe, Allied Member
Associate Director
Derrick Porter, Assoc. AIA
Student Director
Raphael Wade, Student Member
Executive Director
Sidney Sweeney
2014 Committees
+ Fo r u m s + C h a i r s
Communications Committee
Harry Jacobs, AIA
Design Awards
Henry Siegel, FAIA
Emerging Professionals Committee
Kanika Brown, Assoc. AIA
Design Tours
Winston Win, AIA
Fellows
Rosemary Muller, FAIA
Historic Preservation
Betsy Yost, AIA
Home Tours
co-chairs
Kurt Lavenson, AIA
Chris Parlette, AIA
Joint Lecture
Gray Dougherty, AIA
Office Improvement Task Force
Rebecca Schnier, AIA
Professional Practice Forum
Co-Chairs:
Mark Steppan,AIA
& Stephen Hovland, AIA
Regional and Urban Design
Matt Taecker, AIA
Small Firm Forum
Donald Wardlaw, AIA
Doug Coe
Linda Randolph, AIA
Sponsorship
Jeremiah Tolbert, AIA
Malvin Whang, AIA
3
ArchNews
2014 Of ficers and
B o a rd o f Di re c t o r s
Building Code Issues
Re m e m b e r
A l l i e d Me m b e r s
Emergency Escape and Rescue
Windows for R-2 and R-3 Occupancies
2013 CBC Section 1029
W h e n Do i n g Bu s i n e s s
Rachel Archibald
Meyer Sound
Rob Biivens
Azek Building Products
Randy Borden
Borden Lighting
Anthony Boutte
AB Plans
Michael T. Butler
Berkeley Craftsmen GC, Inc.
Stephen J. Butler
Pension Dynamics Corporation
John Chrysler
Masonry Institute of America
Kers Clausen
W.B.Clausen Structural Engineers
William Cogshall
Archer Norris
Pablo A. Daroux
Wilson, Ihrig & Associates, Inc.
Tony DeJohn
Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors
Joseph A. Diliberto
Sandler Sales Institute
Derrick Dinneli
Simpson Strong-Tie
Craig H. Dodge
Ideate Inc.
Benjamin R. Duterte
Wall and Ceiling Bureau
Lynette Fox - Rindner
Homes of Enchantment
Sally Freedman
Freedman Designs
Espree Gonzoles
Aerotek
Shane Gross
Degenkolb Engineers
Shannon L. Hackley
Shannon-Leigh Associates
Jorn Halle
Degenkolb Engineers
Robert W Hemphill
Division 7 Reps
Nellie Ingraham
Ingraham DeJesse Associates Inc.
Carolyn Isseks, Hon. AIAEB
Dealey, Renton & Associates
William Jetton
Jetton Construction
Treve Johnson
Treve Johnson Photography
Justin B. Johnston
Twilight Sounds
Joshua B. Kardon
Joshua B. Kardon + Co. Structural
Engineers
John Karney
The Grubb Co.
John Kerr
Moen, Inc.
Shae Knight
Riggs Distributing
Scott P. Leary
Builders Exchange of Alameda County
Alice Ross Leon
Creativemark / Richard Leon Photography
Linda H.J. Liang
Rockridge Geotechnical
Mike McCutchen
McCutchen Construction
Mark E. Meredith
Robles, Castles & Meredith
John Mikkelsen
ABS - American Building SupplyDoormerica
David Monk
Arcsource Consulting Inc.
Jeff Moore
Greenwood & Moore
Garret D. Murai
Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean LLP
James Murphy
Dealey, Renton & Associates
Steven R Winkel, FAIA, CASp
The PREVIEW Group, Inc.
Architects providing
regulatory solutions
Kerwin Lee, AIA, CASp
I CC - Certified Accessibility Inspector
and Plan Examiner
ICC - Certified Building Plan Examiner
kleecodes01@gmail.com
Steve says:
T
here is a lot of confusion about the requirements for when emergency escape and rescue window
opening sizes are required in R-2 multifamily dwellings (apartments and condominiums) and in
R-3 (single family dwellings) occupancies. The new 2013 California Building Code (CBC) changed the
criteria for when these openings are required and there will probably be confusion about this for the next
few months. The basic idea is that if you think they are required you should provide them. But you should
also understand when you might have some design flexibility.
R-3 occupancies under three stories in height are to per the California Residential Code (CRC) and may
have a single exit. Because of this emergency rescue openings are always required per CBC 1029 in R-3’s
(for places like San Francisco which do not adopt the CRC) or per CRC Section CRC R310.1.
R-2 occupancies now have two revised tables that describe the conditions when only one exit need be provided. They are Tables 1021.2(1) and 1021.2(2). In both of those tables, there is a footnote “a” which allows
single exits if all the table requirements are met, and the buildings are sprinklered, and emergency escape
and rescue windows are provided. The structure of the new 1029.1 could lead one to believe that when
two exits are provided then emergency escape and rescue windows are not required in R-2 occupancies.
However, another phrase in 1029.1 states "sleeping rooms below the fourth story above grade plane shall
have at least one exterior emergency escape and rescue opening in accordance with this section.” Thus, I
think the code will be interpreted to require emergency escape and rescue windows as was required in the
previous codes, which are all sleeping rooms below the fourth story.
Note also that the text which allowed their deletion in construction types above Type V, which read: “In
Groups R-1 and R-2 occupancies constructed of Type I, Type IIA, Type IIIA or Type IV construction
equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1”
has been deleted. The requirement for these windows could be construed to now require them in all R-2
buildings below the fourth story, no matter of what construction type.
Kerwin adds:
I would agree that the way the code has been rewritten is confusing and perhaps increases the requirement
from the previous codes. When the International Building Code (IBC) was adopted as the State’s model
code, the IBC went away from rescue windows in buildings with an automatic sprinkler system. It was the
State that decided to keep this requirement. So, why does the State feel this is required? The intent of the
State and the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to more restrictive level has never been justified to
me. Are fires in the State different from the rest of the nation? Perhaps, in conditions where a dwelling
unit has only one exit, an escape window would be valuable. The OSFM will have to answer this and provide clarification. ■
4
(continued on page 5)
ArchNews
T0urs
A l l i e d Me m b e r s
(continued)
Design Committee Hosted
Tour to Kaiser Permanente
Led by Gary Giglio
The Design Tours Committee hosted two
events in February: Temple Sinai, led by
Michael Harris, AIA and the Kaiser
Permanente Replacement Medical
Center, led by Gary Giglio, Project
Manager for Kaiser Permanente (architects NBBJ). AIA East Bay Design Tours
are open to the public and are offered
most months.
Kaisers cutting edge equipment
Robert Murelli
Turner Construction
James Murphy
Dealey, Renton & Associates
Darlene Peterson
Peterson Sheetmetal Inc.
Phyllis Piepho
Piepho Design
Lisa Podesto PE
Woodworks
Holly J. Razzano
Degenkolb Engineers
Ashley Royer
Aerotek
Gina M. Sandoval
Degenkolb Engineers
Daniel Ray Schack
Schack & Company, Inc
Thomas M. Simmons
Archvista
Jeff Sochet
Concious Construction
Chad St.Clair
SumMizer Solar Roofing Systems
Christ Surunis
Creston Electronics
Lisa Thorburn, LEED AP
Thorburn Associates
Scott A. Thurber
Associated Building Supply
Peter Wolfe
Peter Wolfe Landscape Architect
Ne w, t r a n s f e r s i n , & Re t u r n i n g
Me m b e r s — Fe b r u a r y ‘ 1 4
John J Barton, AIA
John Barton Architect
Please join us on Thursday, March 20th at 4:45pm for a tour of the Laney College Athletic Fields and
Field House by Gould Evans. This design-build, LEED-gold project received a 2013 Design Award from
AIA East Bay. Click here for full details and registration. ■
Health Center
(see cover)
Thomas Biggs, AIA
Biggs Group
Theresia T Kurnadi, AIA
Goring & Straja Architects, PC
Sarah B. Morrison, AIA
SBM Design
Michael J. Myers, AIA
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Debra Roche-Mathau, AIA
Jacobs
Tina M Wesley, Assoc. AIA
5
ArchNews
CoolTechStuff
I
nterested in 3D printing, but don’t want to spend a lot of time and money
to get started? Well 3Doodler from WobbleWorks, Inc. might be just the device to
get you going.
Larry Mortimer, AIA
lmort@kmort.com
What Does It Do: Think of 3Doodler as a handheld 3D printer. It’s a pen
that allows you to freestyle sketch in all three dimensions.
System Requirements: 110V power & your imagination.
What does it cost: $99
How Does it Work: 3Doodler is essentially the head of a 3D printer in a handheld pen. It melts and
extrudes plastic which quickly cools & hardens into whatever you can draw. By raising the pen as you
draw, the plastic is lifted off of the page and “draws” in the air, so you are free to design any shape, object
or model that comes to mind.
Key Features:
• Works with ABS or PLA plastic
• Plastic strands available in 21
colors
Pros: Easy to use, no interfaces to
deal with, or software to learn.
Cons: Drawing in three dimensions may be harder than it looks.
Not available yet (estimated shipping date, March 2014), but can be
pre-ordered.
Conclusion: I could see using this
to make some very quick conceptual 3D models.
6
More Information at: http://the3doodler.com
ArchNews
Member and Firm News
To m B u t t , FA I A w i n s A I A C C L i f e t i m e A c h i e v e m e n t A w a r d
ACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2014) The practice
of architecture can sometimes be about creating a
legacy—either in portfolio or firm culture or contribution to society within other categories. The
AIACC Council Awards Program celebrates these
attributes with the Council Awards Program. This
year’s recipients were announced at the Feb. 21
Board of Directors meeting in Sacramento. Among
the award recipients is Thomas Butt, FAIA.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas Butt, FAIA,
of Richmond, received this award for outstanding
contributions to the improvement of the built
environment. Butt has been a Citizen Architect for
the last 40 years and an AIA member since 1973.
His active involvement in the political and civic
arenas is considered admirable and inspirational.
One reviewer commented, “He reached out to society while simultaneously showing the relevance of
the architecture practice.”
Massih Completes Project
Kava Massih Architects recently completed a 12,400 sq ft
pediatric specialty services clinic for Stanford Children's
Health. For this tenant improvement they transformed a
former industrial warehouse built in the 1940's into a
warm, patient-friendly, healthcare environment. Both
design and construction were completed within a very
tight time frame with the design phase beginning in
March 2013 and the clinic seeing their first patients on
September 30, 2013.
A n n P h i l l i p s A r c h i t e c t s ( A PA ) M a k e s t h e
News
( Ta k e n f r o m t h e “Al a m e d a M a g a z i n e” )
The Park Alameda adds sophistication to the block.
Modern Makeover: The Cinderella Story of the Islander Hotel Redo
by Tiffany Carboni
Photography by: David Duncan Livingston
Built in the 1970s, the four-story Islander Hotel was a harbor for drugs
and prostitution, and, in turn, a drain on city resources and neighbors. So
the city formed a team that included architect Anne Phillips to transform
the blighted motel into a sophisticated, community-oriented apartment
complex with dedicated open space.
A PA , W i n s t o n W i n , A I A , B u r t o n E d w a r d s , A I A a n d S i e g e l
& Strain Win OHA Award
The Oakland Heritage Alliance (OHA) honored their “2014 Partners in Preservation Award” winners at a
ceremony held during the organization’s Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2014.
Among the winners of the Rehabilitation Award for the Girls Inc. Simpson Center for Girls project were
Anne Phillips Architecture & Winston Win, AIA, Burton Edwards, AIA and Siegel and Strain.
7
ArchNews
Firm Profile: Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP
AIA East Bay Members
In Public Ser vice
If you are, or know of a member who volunteer service to their or share efforts or expertise beyond
their employment demands, please contact
ArchNews c/o AIAEB via e-mail, fax, or mail.
CALIFORNIA
Nancy Anderson, AIA
Commissioner, Architectural Board of
Examiners
Tom Butt, FAIA
Chair, Local Government Commission
Member of the League of California Cities
Environmental Quality Policy Committee
Alan Dreyfuss, AIA
Chair, State Historic Building Safety Board
Robert Duncan Nicol, FAIA
Member, Universal Design
Advisory Board, OSA=
Eric Mikiten, AIA
Commissioner
California Building Standards
Commission
Steven Winkel, FAIA
Architect Commissioner Member,
California Building Standards Commission
Contra Costa County
Gene Metz, AIA
John Marsh Historic Trust, President, Board
of Directors
Alameda County
Jeff Moore Allied Member
Planning Commission
Alameda
Dennis Owens, AIA
Chair, Alameda Historical Advisory Board
Maggie Maiers, AIA
Harbor Bay Isle Owner's Association
Albany
David Arkin, AIA
Planning & Zoning Commission
Stacy Eisenmann, AIA
Planning and Zoning Commission
Berkeley
Gene Metz, AIA
U.C.B. College of Environmental
Design, Mentor Program (Arch)
Reeve Gould, AIA
Board, I House, UCB
Founding Trustee, Cal Performances
Berkeley Symphony Advisory Board
Benicia
Rae Lynn Fiscalini, AIA
Sustainability Commission
Danville
Newell Arnerich, AIA
Mayor
Douglas A. McQuillan, AIA
Design Review Board
Heritage Resource Commission
David Banducci, AIA
Design Review Board
El Cerrito
Glen Wood AIA
Design Review Board
Christophe Laverne, AIA
Design Review Board
Radziah Loh, AIA
Design Review Board
Emeryville
Steven Steinberg, AIA
Emeryville Planning commission
Fremont
Theresa Ballard Dias, AIA
Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Allied
Housing, Inc
Vice-President of the Board of Directors, Abode
Service
8
(continued on page 9
D
Arroyo Viejo
ougherty + Dougherty
Architects LLP is
committed to enhancing
community
through
innovative design. The
firm was established in
1979 by Betsey Olenick
Dougherty, FAIA, LEED
BD+C and was the first
woman owned architecture firm in Orange
County. Two years later,
Ms. Dougherty was
joined by husband Brian
Paul Dougherty, FAIA,
LEED BD+C. The firm
specializes in the design
of innovative environments for California K-12
schools and has had the privilege of working with over fourty five K-12 School Districts, fifteen
Universities and Colleges, and fifteen Municipalities throughout the State to complete new construction,
additions, and modernization projects. Our organizational philosophy is one of a studio effort, with teams
of design and technical personnel working with the Partner-in-Charge and Project Manager. This joint
collaboration enriches the mentorship experience by exposing employees to all aspects of project development.
Dougherty + Dougherty has been
fortunate over the past thirty four
years to grow deliberately and cautiously in strength and numbers. The
original firm partners, Betsey and
Brian Dougherty have been joined by
Partner Lai-Yin Cheah, AIA, who has
been with the firm for more than fifteen years and Partner Gray B.
Dougherty, AIA, LEED AP, who
opened our Oakland office in 2007.
Dougherty + Dougherty’s strengths
focus on the areas of collaboration
with owners, professional service and
personal participation of the firm
partners, the research and implementation of energy efficient design techniques, and a dedication to design
excellence and quality projects.
Dougherty + Dougherty is one of only three firms nationwide, and the only western region firm, recognized for its exemplary commitment and contributions to diversifying the profession of architecture at the
AIA Convention with the 2011 Diversity Award. Since the firm’s inception as a Woman-Owned Business
Enterprise (WBE), we have placed great value in the diversity of our workforce. We nurture our employees by committing to Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action, providing a range of programs and policies such as our employee educational programs and support of employee charitable, and
philanthropic endeavors.
Rod Kelly Library
Most recently, the Northern
California office has been awarded
the prestigious 2014 CASH Award
of Honor in the Renovation /
Modernization category for the
successful remodel of the Arroyo
Viejo Child Development Center
for the Oakland Unified School
District. The new Rod Kelley
Library for the Gilroy Unified
School District was completed in
2013. ■
ArchNews
Member Profile: Cheryl Lima, Assoc. AIA
G
rowing up in the East Bay and taking many day trips into
San Francisco, I remember sitting in the back seat of my parents’ station wagon staring up at the skyscrapers of the financial
district and being fascinated by the sheer size and permanence of
what humans are capable of creating. Early on in my childhood I
knew I wanted to become an Architect.
Several years later I went on to obtain a Bachelor of Architecture
from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I was in my second year of studying Architecture when one of my professors mentioned that he
spent fourteen years working on a building design that never got
built. This really frightened me and led me to seek out what needs
to happen before the design process begins and what makes a project move from design to actually getting built. And so I took on a minor in Real Property Development.
After graduating, I then went on to get a Master of Architecture in Real Estate Development from
Woodbury University at San Diego.
It was at Woodbury’s “Architect-Developer” program, (led by Ted Smith, Jonathan Segal, Sebastian
Mariscal and Lloyd Russell) where I learned how thoughtful design directly effects each phase of the development process. And that when Architects take on developer roles, we can make a more powerful impact
on the aesthetic and economic quality of our local communities.
While in grad school I joined a project management firm that had offices in San Diego and San Francisco
knowing that I would eventually return to the Bay Area. Naturally, after finishing up at Woodbury, I transferred to the San Francisco office of Project Management Advisors, Inc. where I managed the punch list
for One Rincon Hill’s “Tower One” of for sale luxury condos - in 2008. Feeling the need to get out of a
corporate work environment, I actually voluntarily resigned just before everyone else in the office got laid
off.
After working for a corporate development management firm, I wanted to work for a local Bay Area
Developer that created real estate that enhanced its community. Luckily, in January of 2009, I found
Holliday Development and joined the team as an office manager/assistant project manager. I didn’t care
that I had two architectural degrees under my belt (and the student loans to prove it), I was eager to learn
about community development and what it takes to do infill development right. Especially in forgotten
pockets of land where most real estate professionals tend to avoid.
I was comfortable working at Holliday Development and felt the projects were rewarding endeavors, but
I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing out on all the fun of designing. To satisfy this need, in the last
two years I had the opportunity to take on a handful of small design jobs through friends of friends who
were flipping houses. It was through my moonlight work that I knew my passion for architecture was real
when I would spend all night designing and drafting and still felt energized in the morning after only a
couple hours of sleep.
At the end of January, I left Holliday Development after five years, and am now focused on pursuing my
childhood dream of becoming an Architect. As a new Associate AIA East Bay member I look forward to
getting to know fellow members and taking advantage of all the wonderful resources available for emerging professionals. ■
Members in Public Service
— continued
Kensington
Don Dommer, AIA
Board Member, Fire Protection District
Lafayette
Andre Ptaszynski, AIA
Member Design Review Commission
Newark
Theresa Ballard Dias, AIA
Planning Commissioner
OAKLAND
Dave Byrens, AIA
Chair: Shoreline Cleanup - Kiwanis
Michael Coleman, AIA
Member Planning Commission
Member, Board of Directors
Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA)
Alan Dreyfuss, AIA
Member, Oakland Landmarks Advisory Board
Claudia Falconer, AIA
President, Montclair Village Business Assn
Patrick G. Gaughan, Assoc. AIA
Council on Architecture, Oakland Museum
Reeve Gould, AIA
Board, Piedmont Montclair Rotary Club
Harley Jensen, AIA
Member of the Council on Architecture
Oakland Museum
Dong Kim, AIA
Oakland Kiwanis Foundation Board
John Nelson, AIA
Board Chair, Oakland Chamber of Commerce
Andre Ptaszynski, AIA
President of the Council on Architecture,
Oakland Museum
Gary Struthers, AIA
Board of Directors for East Bay Habitat for
Humanity
Helene Vilett, AIA
Council on Architecture
Oakland Museum of California
Orinda
Rich Bartlett, AIA
Public Works Aesthetic Review Committee
George Miers, AIA
Planning Commission
Piedmont
Melanie Robertson, AIA
Planning Commission
Pleasant Hill
George Corrigan AIA
Architecture Review Commission
Richmond
Andrew Butt, AIA
Chair, Design Review Board
Tom Butt, FAIA
Member, Richmond City Council
Representative of Richmond on the West
Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
Representative of Richmond on the Water
Emergency Transit Authority Citizens Advisory
Committee
Joann Pavlinec, Assoc. AIA
Historic Preservation commission
Ray Welter, AIA
Member, Richmond Design Review Board
Rio Vista
Mark McTeer, AIA
Chairman of the Planning Commission
San ramon
Judy Hemmingway, AIA
Architecture Review Board
Walnut Creek
David Crawford, AIA
Design Review Commission
Phillip Volkmann, AIA
Design Review Commission
Health Center
(see cover)
9
ArchNews
AIA East Bay
a chapter of
The American Institute of Architects
1405 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
www.aiaeb.org
24” HP Designjet 130 NR plotter I would
like to donate to someone. It works in
black & white, but one or two of the color ink
tubes are clogged. Replacement tubes are
available for about $60, and could be installed
in 2-4 hours (there are step by step directions
how to do this, and they don’t appear to be
too difficult). The plotter works with sheet
paper or rolls, and is connected over a local
area network via an ethernet connection.
There are drivers downloadable for both Mac
& Windows
10
I also have the documentation, and some supplies that I will include (paper, inks, and print
heads). The picture shows the plotter on a
stand. I have plans to use the stand, but am
willing part with it for $125 (the cost of putting it together from Ikea parts), or I’m happy
to show someone else how to make another
one. This would be a good plotter for someone just starting out, or for check plots. It
seems a shame for it to just sit here and not be
used.
Contact Larry Mortemer, AIA @
lmort@kmort.com
ArchNews