AIA Hong Kong - First Projects Conversation Series - Erik L'Heureux

When: Tuesday 8 August 2023 @ 07:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 19:30 (Hong Kong time)
Where: Online
CES Credits: 1.5 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Description

AIA Hong Kong is delighted to invite you to attend the third event in the 2023 First Projects series with Dr. Erik L’Heureux, FAIA, National University of Singapore.

The talk will focus on environmental considerations in L’Heureux’s design work, especially how architects can create sustainable environments when designing in hot and wet climates and dense urban environments. He will reflect on his early architectural experiences in a temperate environment and how those have been transformed by twenty years of living and practicing on the equator. 

LEARN MORE >>>

AIA International Mentorship Series: Going Abroad with NCARB

Join our kickoff session for the Global Architect Mentorship program! These sessions are open to all. We are also looking for additional mentors to join for the year!

When: Wednesday 28 June 2023 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)

Description

We are hosting an NCARB Session that is open to ALL!   

Harry Falconer, Vice President of Experience + Education at NCARB will join the group to share valuable information on the efforts NCARB has made on the International stage to connect you with licensing resources. Gain AIA CES credit while learning about how to apply your international architectural experience or education credentials to a global stage.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86716641529?pwd=TlhaL0s5Vm1XbCs3c2psejd3Q21sdz09

Meeting ID: 867 1664 1529

Passcode: 992791

AIA International - Annual General Meeting 2023

When: Saturday 24 June 2023 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 13:00 (UK time)/ 20:00 (Beijing time)

Event Description

AIA Members are invited to join us for the annual business meeting of AIA International. The AGM will be run as a Zoom meeting to increase interactivity and enable greater attendance around the world.

The meeting will be conducted for the purpose of electing a new Treasurer; for receiving the annual reports of the Board and the Treasurer; and for the transaction of such other business as may be appropriate.

Speakers

AIA International Board

Recorded Video

Slideshow

Download AGM Booklet

AIA Japan - Sense & The Singularity: Designing Tangible Landscapes in an Evolving Global Reality

When: Friday 23 June 2023 @ 21:00 (Eastern US Time)/ Saturday 24 June @ 10:00 (Japan time)
Where: Online

CES: Estimated 2 LU/HSW for AIA Members

Speaker: Aaron Kelley, LEED AP, ASLA

Description

Human habitat in the 21st century might be described by two, unprecedented themes:

The fragility and interconnectedness of environments impacted by humans (e.g. climate change, deforestation, etc.)

The emergence of virtual society as a new form of habitat, communication, and community (e.g. social media, artificial intelligence)

Through the lens of a contemporary landscape architecture practice, this presentation serves to remind us of the incalculable value of our tangible relationships with the earth and our communities. Together, we will navigate the intricacies of designing living systems at various scales, and uncover the potential for resilience, equity, and joy in every act of design. 

Speaker Bio

As a Landscape Architect, Urban Designer, and Director at James Corner Field Operations, Aaron Kelley insists that creative and humane designs are best accomplished through rich interdisciplinary collaboration. Aaron has worked to enhance living systems around the world, focusing not only on the craft of placemaking, but also on the shape of our collective imagination. At Field Operations, he has led various projects, including NBCUniversal’s expanded studio campus in Los Angeles, the winning commission for Taopu Central Park in Shanghai, and the award-winning “Urban Metabolism” exhibit for the International Architecture Biennale in Rotterdam. In addition to his project work, Aaron is a guest lecturer and studio critic at various institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Rhode Island School of Design, and La Universidad Europea de Madrid.

AIA Hong Kong - Material Diet: Bamboo and Carbon Neutrality

When: Tuesday 20 June 2023 @ 00:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 12:30 (Hong Kong time)
Where: Online

CES: 1.5 LU/HSW for AIA Members

Description

Tackling embodied carbon by modifying our “material diet” is now recognized as a key component of most anti-climate change policies – and is potentially one of the most important considerations in the next phase of de-carbonization.

Bamboo products have the lowest embodied carbon among commonly used building materials. Furthermore, this fast-growing grass has robust physical properties and is available at a competitive cost. No discussion on carbon neutral buildings should fail to include engineered bamboo.

In this webinar, we will discuss how engineered bamboo can contribute to carbon reduction and propose a way forward to promote its wider application in Hong Kong.

About the Speakers

Alex Chui

Alex Chui has more than 30 years’ experience in the real estate and building industry and is currently the Managing Director of BIL (Bamboo International (Group) Co., Ltd.).

After a highly successful career in senior management positions at major real estate and investment organizations, including Sun Hung Kai Properties, Portman Holdings, Prologis and Tishman Speyer, Alex decided to dedicate the “next phase” of his life to environmental sustainability. He now promotes the use of bamboo in our daily life, not just because of its sustainability, but also because the burgeoning bamboo industry in China and elsewhere in Southeast Asia provides gainful employment to thousands of otherwise idle workers.

Bamboo promotion is therefore a win-win-win endeavour, environmentally, socially, and commercially.

Grace Kwok

Grace is the Chairman and Executive Director of the Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group (AEC) and Chief Sustainability Strategist at AEC Capital Ltd. She has more than 20 years of experience in green building projects in Hong Kong, China, and across the Asia-Pacific region.

With a background in environmental engineering, Grace has always been a keen advocate of regenerative sustainability for the built environment. In addition to her position at AEC, she is also the current Director of the Hong Kong Green Building Council, the Founding Vice President of the Greater Bay Area Carbon Neutrality Association, and the Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals. Grace also serves as a co-chair of the Real Estate Working Group under the Hong Kong Green Finance Association.

Driven by the need to shape a sustainable future for all, Grace has led AEC Group to become the World Green Building Council’s Asia Pacific Net Zero Collaborator while sharing best practices through her roles in the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the Health Equity Advisory, the LEED Technical Advisory Group, the BRE ESG Advisors Club, and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Real Estate Standards Committee.

AIA Canada - The Future of Architecture in Canada – A Conversation

When: Monday 12 June 2023 @ 15:30 (Eastern US Time)
CES Credits - 1.5 LU for AIA Members

Speakers

Detec Systems

Description

Panel discussion with members of the Rise For Architecture Committee on the future of architecture in Canada, with recommended actions for adoption across sectors. The panel will also include architectural students to share their views on the future of the profession.

LEARN MORE>>>

AIA Hong Kong - Young Architects Group ARE 5.0 Study Session

When: Friday 9 June 2023 @ 07:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 19:00 (Hong Kong time)
Where: Unit S602, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong/ ONLINE

Description

The Young Architects Group Committee (YAG) of AIA Hong Kong is proud to be launching our Architect’s Licensure Program to assist emerging professionals in achieving career milestones via AXP mentoring and ARE preparation. 

Our upcoming meetup session will be offered both in person at the AIA Hong Kong Chapter office in PMQ and online via Zoom. Newly licensed architects will share testing experiences and study tips. If you are a U.S. licensed architect, please kindly share the news with the ARE candidates in your office.

This event is limited to AIA members only and RSVP is required! We hope to see you there!

AIA Canada - Electronic Leak Detection for Roofing, Waterproofing and the Building Envelope

When: Thursday 1 June 2023 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)
CES Credits - 1 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speaker

Detec Systems

Description

This one hour course will cover Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) testing methods used for quality assurance of roofing and waterproofing membranes. Participants will learn about the principles outlined in the ASTM Standard Guide D7877 and ASTM Standard Practice D8231 and will be able to identify which assemblies are compatible with electronic testing and active monitoring.

Electronic Leak Detection (ELD) quality control testing and active monitoring locates moisture intrusion in the building long before material deterioration and mold develops. This presentation also addresses ELD in specifications, as well as proper design including ELD, for the health, safety and welfare for occupants.

LEARN MORE>>>

AIA Japan - AI:AIA - BIMStorm - A Charette For Architects and Machines

When: Friday 26 May 2023 @ 21:00 (Eastern US Time)/ Saturday 27 May @ 10:00 (Japan time)
CES Credits - Estimated 2 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speakers

Kimon Onuma, FAIA

Stephen Hagan, FAIA, CCM

with Artificial Intelligence Agents

Description

Get ready to embark on a journey where technology and creativity converge! We invite you to participate in our upcoming BIMStorm event, "AI.AIA - Humans, Machines & Architects Unite," where we explore the powerful collaboration between architects, AI agents, and other stakeholders in the design, construction, and operation of facilities. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in facility design, construction, and operation is revolutionizing the industry, fueling both excitement and apprehension as professionals navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

Building on the success of our recent BIMStorm focused on Asset Management, this event highlights the importance of involving creative participants and AI machines to ensure project success. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Tokyo, we'll dive into creating innovative, green, and energy-efficient designs that promote resilience and add value to the cityscape.en, and energy-efficient designs that promote resilience and add value to the cityscape.

What to expect:

• Engaging hands-on sessions with leading industry experts and AI agents.

• Collaborative charrettes harnessing the power of AI for design optimization, research, and information gathering.

• Insightful discussions on sustainable design, energy efficiency, and urban resilience.

• Interactive demonstrations showcasing the use of AI agents, such as ChatGPT, to generate program requirements, create BIMs using cloud-based BIM apps, and set up complex tasks.

• Networking opportunities with forward-thinking professionals in the AEC industry.

This BIMStorm event is a unique opportunity to be part of the future of architecture, engineering, and construction. Together, we can shape the built environment by leveraging the collective intelligence of humans, machines, and architects.

Share your excitement and join the conversation using the hashtag #BIMStormAIAIA on social media. We look forward to seeing you there!

LEARN MORE >>>

Speaker Bios

About Kimon Onuma, FAIA:

An architect with a rich international background and innovative approach to "Build Informed Environments." Kimon has made significant contributions to the industry through his creation of over 40 BIMStorms, bringing together design professionals and industry specialists from around the world to collaborate on large-scale projects. He has worked with various federal agencies and is a thought leader in the field, serving on multiple committees and authoring influential industry journals. With a commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in architecture, Kimon is a true visionary in the field.

About Stephen Hagan, FAIA CCM:

An industry expert on technology and innovation, real estate, and the construction marketplace. Stephen is the President and CEO of Hagan Technologies LLC and has made significant contributions to the industry through his work on various initiatives, including the U.S. General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Project Information Portal and the AIA TAP Innovation Awards Program. Stephen is also a thought leader in the field of smart, connected, sustainable, and resilient cities, providing strategic planning and consulting services in this area. An industry expert on technology and innovation, real estate, and the construction marketplace. Stephen is the President and CEO of Hagan Technologies LLC and has made significant contributions to the industry through his work on various initiatives, including the U.S. General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Project Information Portal and the AIA TAP Innovation Awards Program. Stephen is also a thought leader in the field of smart, connected, sustainable, and resilient cities, providing strategic planning and consulting services in this area.

About Artificial Intelligence Agents:

Dedicated to advancing the field of architecture through innovation and collaboration. As part of the AiAIA BIMStorm Charrette, these Ai Agents work alongside architects and their tools to push the boundaries of what is possible in architectural design. With their help, we can unlock new possibilities and create a world where architecture is more sustainable, intelligent, and efficient than ever before.

AIA UK/ Iris Ceramica - The Architects Series – A Documentary On: Peter Pichler Architecture

When: Thursday 25 May 2023 @ 12:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 17:30 (UK time)
CES Credits - Estimated 2.0 LUs for AIA Members

Description

Join AIA UK sponsor Iris Ceramica for an online screening and live lecture from their Architects Series profiling Peter Pichler Architecture.

In this episode of the series, we step inside Milan-based practice Peter Pichler Architecture, established by Peter Pichler and Silvana Ordinas.

The 29th instalment of this event organized by THE PLAN magazine for Iris Ceramica Group, The Architects Series – A documentary on: Peter Pichler Architecture will stream live from 6:30 pm (CEST) / 5:30 pm (UK BST), Thursday, May 25. In the docufilm, Peter Pichler and his team will take us on a tour of the practice to discover its design approach and projects.

The screening of the approximately 30-minute video documentary will be followed by a live lecture by Peter Pichler. The event will offer a deeper insight into the studio’s design philosophy, while providing an opportunity to discuss issues related to the world of architecture and the future of residential architecture. The event will conclude with a Q&A session between participants and the architect.

LEARN MORE>>>>

AIA Canada - 3 Keys to Commercial Bathroom Design – Safety | Sustainability | Savings

When: Tuesday 9 May 2023 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)
CES Credits - 1 LU for AIA Members

Speaker

Paul Marquez, Excel Dryer Inc., Cornerstone Partner of AIA

Description

This course is designed to help you consider what it takes to design restrooms that are sustainable and safe, without breaking the bank. Commercial restrooms have never played a more vital role than they do today in supporting occupant health and safety. In addition to supporting the basic biological functions of building occupants, the increased focus on viral and pollutant exposure is driving more and more people into bathrooms to wash and thoroughly dry their hands. This course walks through the basic considerations in designing commercial restrooms to support efficient and effective hand washing, highlighting sustainability, safety, and savings. Along the way, this course will identify the potential use of high speed, energy efficient hand dryers to satisfy the requirements of current third-party rating systems, such as LEED v4.1, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, and TRUE Zero Waste.

LEARN MORE>>>

AIA International - Global Architect Mentorship - April Kickoff Session: Making Your Mountain

Join our kickoff session for the Global Architect Mentorship program! These sessions are open to all. We are also looking for additional mentors to join for the year!

When: Thursday 27 April 2023 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)

Description

In this kickoff session, we will welcome leadership expert and guest speaker Leo MacLeod on the topic of Making Your Mountain. We hope you can attend to meet Leo and our planning team and hear of the upcoming year.

From the Ground Up: Stories and Lessons to Build Your Career

Do you question if you want to take on the tough work of being a leader at the same time as being a doer: the heavier workload, managing the performance of other people, the longer hours and stress. Is this your path?  Or is there another way where you can be a firm leader without leaving yourself behind?

Author and leadership expert, Leo MacLeod, shares stories and lessons from his new book, From the Ground Up: Stories and Lessons from Architects and Engineers Who Learned to Be Leaders. In this highly interactive session, we’ll:

•     Help you craft a vision for your future that includes your professional and personal goals.

•     Explore the barriers to creating a meaningful career that works for you and your firm.

•     Provide a framework for balancing competing priorities.

•     Debunk the myth that leadership means doing it all by yourself without support.

•     Identify the important people you need in your career and life for support.

This collaborative, high energy session which will include storytelling, personal reflection, journaling, small group discussion, summary of key points, and Q & A.

Attached you will find a worksheet you can review and complete before the session.  A link to Leo’s book is linked as well if you wish to use it as a guide: 

Available now: From the Ground Up:  Stories and Lessons from Architects and Engineers Who Learned to be Leaders 

Speaker Bio 

Leo MacLeod is the author of the upcoming book, Coaching and Mentoring for Dummies and From the Ground Up: Stories and Lessons from Architects and Engineers Who Learned to Be Leaders. As founder of Training. Coaching. Pie., he helps AEC firms with leadership development, transition, emotional intelligence and why baking pie is a great way to develop soft skills.

With a BA in English with honors from Portland State University, Leo has had a successful career as a freelance writer, fundraiser, and advertising executive and marketing consultant. For many years, Leo has written columns for Zweig Letter, Daily Journal of Commerce, and the Business Journal. He is a frequent speaker on leadership development.

He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Lisa, and spends his free time making pies, writing songs on his ukulele, and travelling. https://leomacleod.com/.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83016040447?pwd=Y01PS0tPTVJ3SlZ5ZjhmWlJHSWowZz09

Meeting ID: 830 1604 0447

Passcode: 508582

AIA Canada - Tools For A Biophilic Approach to Architecture

When: Thursday 20 April 2023 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)
CES Credits - 1 LU for AIA Members

Speaker

Letitia Silk, National Director of Business Development & Growth, The Architek Group of Companies

Description

With most of the time being spent in offices or moving within dense urban areas surrounded by tall tempered glass buildings, the obviousness of heat island effect and the raising of the overall temperature of the earth is becoming more and more apparent as each year goes by. 

This presentation will go into detail about several design solutions to achieve living building systems, speaking to the essence of sustainability, along with designing and building best practices that ensure longer life cycles. “Our Living Building Design-Build Toolbox” will examine the emergent adaptation of biophilic design and living architecture, and the benefits when specifically speaking to Green Wall Facades, Living Wall Systems, Site Water Management, Green Roof Systems, and Permavoid (Blue Roofs).  Speaking to the benefits of Green Façade systems, Wire Trellis and Web-Netting, and hybrid living wall systems, we will examine what designs entail, and the benefits they bring to different typologies for buildings (eg.) Extended lifespan of a roofing membrane, promotes biodiversity, reduces surface and building temperatures, and creates an amenity in an unused space.  Our includes certified Green Roof Professionals (GRP), where a brief description of roof system options and build-up systems will be highlighted in a wide variety of project typologies across Canada demonstrating their unique design features, and then proceed into detail about our design assist process, delivery, and installation practices, and outline the maintenance program specific to each project.

LEARN MORE>>>

AIA Japan - Reactivating Cities: Accelerating Urban Regeneration to Save Our Downtowns

When: Friday 14 April 2023 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)/ Saturday 15 April @ 10:00 (Japan time)
CES Credits - Estimated 2 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speakers

Ellen Lou, FAIA, AICP, LEED-AP BD+C, Principal, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

Description

American cities are facing a major crisis. As we transition into the post-pandemic era, people have not returned to work in the Central Business Districts (CBDs) as intensely as pre-pandemic time. Office vacancies remain stubbornly high in these districts. Companies with jobs that could be performed online and provided employees the options for hybrid work (in-person and remote). As a result, many cities are increasingly facing the challenge of empty downtowns, business closure and reduced tax revenue.

Many cities also lost residential population, as people moved to the suburbs and even other cities or regions that can afford them more space, amenities, and better environment. The urban exodus further exacerbates the decline of urban centers.

Are downtowns dying? Urban centers could recover from the impact of the pandemic and changing demands if downtowns could adapt for a hybrid workplace future and offer attractive culture, entertainment, lifestyle choices, and a sustainable environment. Then these urban centers would thrive again. In fact, many of these trends are not new as evident by the vibrant mixed-use urban districts of some of the growing cities. The post pandemic trends just accelerated the need for transformation.

This presentation discusses the challenges cities’ face, current trend, and shifts inclusion best practices to reactivate downtowns through workplace adaptations, residential conversion; Integrate education, sports, cultural attraction, entertainment destinations as catalyst for transformation; place making through design; and climate adaptation that will transform our downtowns for a resilient and carbon neutral future.

Case studies in North America and the Pacific Rim will be introduced to demonstrate the urban design and planning approaches, policies and lessons learned.

Speaker Bio

Ellen Lou works at the forefront of urban regeneration, advancing new development models and climate-adaptive design strategies for cities across North America and Asia. As a principal for SOM’s City Design Practice, she tackles the complex challenges of urban transformation, integrating priorities for cultural preservation, social equity, ecological resilience, and economic vitality into actionable visions.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, she has shaped the development of key neighborhoods, from San Francisco’s Transbay District to San Jose’s Downtown and Diridon Station Area. Her master plans for innovation communities and academic campuses have set the stage for public-private investment in California, Salt Lake City, and Shanghai. In Asia, her pioneering strategies for district-scale preservation and catalyzing ecological restoration through new town development have influenced development throughout the region.

Ellen serves on the boards of the Institute for Transportation Development Policy (a global NGO), SPUR, a San Francisco Bay Area urban policy think tank, and the Visiting Committee for the Department of Urban Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

AIA Hong Kong - First Projects Conversation Series - Pablo Castro and Jennifer Lee

When: Thursday 23 March 2023 @ 08:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 20:00 (Hong Kong time)
CES Credits - 1.5 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speakers

Pablo Castro, FAIA, and Jennifer Lee, AIA LEED AP, Obra Architects

Description

We are delighted to invite you to attend the second event in AIA Hong Kong’s 2023 First Projects series with Pablo Castro and Jennifer Lee of Obra Architects.

Founded in New York City in 2000 by Pablo Castro, FAIA, and Jennifer Lee, AIA LEED AP, Obra is engaged in architecture at all scales, from master planning and institutional work to interiors, furniture, and public art. The firm prides itself on producing unique design solutions that involve the latest technology for every project. They have developed a practice that emphasises teamwork and spirited dialogue between architects and consultants, ensuring that each project is developed efficiently and collaboratively.

Speaker Bio

Jennifer Lee, AIA LEED AP
Jennifer is a Principal and Co-Founder of Obra Architects. She is a recipient of the 2022 John Q. Hejduk Award, the 2007 Cooper Union Urban Visionary Emerging Talent award, and is both an NYFA Fellow and an SAH de Montëquin Senior Fellow. She has co-directed the design and development of more than 170 works, many of which are award-winning projects recognized internationally.

Pablo Castro, FAIA
Pablo is a Principal and Co-Founder of Obra Architects, a Rome Prize Fellow, an NYFA Fellow, and an SAH de Montëquin Senior Fellow. He has practiced architecture with a broad social agenda and his tenure at Obra Architects is responsible for a large body of award-winning projects. This includes six AIA NY Design Awards, the 2008 ID Annual Design Review Award, and two 2004 Chicago Athenaeum American Architecture Awards.

AIA Canada - Flixo Training – Model Thermal Bridges For High-Performance Buildings

When: Wednesday 15 March 2023 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 09:00 (Pacific time)
CES Credits - Course offers 15 LU/ HSWs total
Cost - $1010 (AIA members get 10% discount with code AIAPL39#)

Course Dates

Day 1 & 2: Wednesday March 15 & Friday March 17, 2023, 12:00-16:00 (Eastern US Time)

Day 3 & 4: Wednesday March 29 & Friday March 31, 2023, 12:00-16:00 (Eastern US Time)

Description

AIA Canada is excited to partner with Passive House Canada to offer this four-part course to AIA members.

In this 16 hour course, you will model thermal bridges using Flixo and understand the impact of design details on the energy performance of High-Performance Buildings/ Passive House Buildings. We cover the concepts and protocols for thermal bridge modelling. Then, you will model several common thermal bridges using Flixo with guidance. Recommended for: Architects, engineers, energy modellers, Passive House consultants, designers and other building professionals who want to build on their skills of thermal bridge modelling.

This course includes a one-year “training” Flixo Energy Plus License (with a value of $344 USD). Students who already have the Flixo software may be eligible for a discount and should reach out to info@passivehousecanada.com for further information.

LEARN MORE>>>

AIA Intl Singapore/ NUS - Reiser+Umemoto RUR Architecture - Weaponized Craft

When: Wednesday 8 March 2023 @ 05:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 18:30 (Singapore time)
Where: SDE3, Level 4, LT421, Department of Architecture, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore/ ONLINE

CES Credits - Estimated 1.5 LU for AIA Members

Speakers

Jesse Reiser, Professor of Architecture at Princeton University, co-founder of Reiser+Umemoto, RUR Architecture

Nanako Umemoto, Professor of Practice at Washington University, visiting Professor at Pratt Institute, co-founder of Reiser+Umemoto, RUR Architecture

Description

Craft has unexpectedly returned to the architect. Migrating from the job site into the exploratory space of the design studio, craft takes on new unprecedented dimensions. No longer strictly limited by material realities, or the routines of normative practice, the architect is free to engage with a project across scales and mediums, craft is for Reiser+Umemoto less a set of concrete techniques than an exploratory ethos. This radical mode of thinking and working is an ongoing dance between centuries-old and cutting-edge technologies. A crafty engagement with technology is essential; eluding the twin traps of conservative handicraft and process-based techno-purism the practice seeks to chart a radically aesthetic passage between to two as the most resonant way to advance culture and society. Like the effectiveness of the itinerant smith and Lockheed’s Skunk Works, which existed within larger machines: economic, political or otherwise, Reiser+Umemoto continue to leverage the vitality of independent thought beyond the constraints of normative practice, in service to the world.

Reiser+Umemoto, RUR Architecture is an internationally recognized architecture office and design atelier founded in 1986 by Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto. The firm works across continents and scales with projects ranging from large scale cultural and infrastructural projects to detailed object, furniture, and exhibition designs.

Reiser+Umemoto, RUR is widely published, most recenty in their sweeping monograph Projects and Their Consequences which traces thirty years of multidisciplinary investigations into form, structure, techniques and planning. Awards and honors include the Chrysler Award for Excellence in Design, the Academy Award in Architecture by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Presidential Citation and John Hejduk Award from the Cooper Union, and the USA Booth Fellowship from United States Artists for Architecture & Design.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://nus-sg.zoom.us/j/88158352705?pwd=TjlGcVNONHpoZW5sbDUyZXRHRVFFQT09

Meeting ID: 881 5835 2705
Passcode: 179625

AIA Members - send your AIA number to the host in the chat during the session to claim your CES credits.

AIA Japan - Connecting the Dots: Creating Resilient Communities through Transition Design

When: Friday 24 February 2023 @ 05:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 19:00 (Japan time)
CES Credits - Estimated 2 LUs for AIA Members

Description

Global environmental problems such as climate change, rapid loss of biodiversity and resource depletion have gained rapid prominence on political agendas worldwide, while man-made infrastructure systems and cities have grown more complex yet more vulnerable. Not least the COVID19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and frequent recent disasters have revealed the vulnerability of highly interdependent, globalised food, energy, or trade systems. Today’s pervasive, interrelated 'wicked problems' differ significantly in scale and complexity from those 'tame problems' of the past which could be addressed through incremental clean technologies and local policy responses. Although the socio-ecological problems of today require substantive ‘transitions’ in the near future, established professions and institutions are slow to respond.

These required system changes in the energy, transport, community, housing or agri-food systems are ‘socio-technical’ because they not only entail new technologies, but also changes in markets, mindsets, social practices, political cultures and deep-rooted cultural meanings and values. The emergent domain of transition design acknowledges the fact that we live in ‘transitional times’ with perpetual change finally seen as ‘the (new) normal’. Accordingly, transition design takes as its central premise the need for 'rolling' socio-environmental and socio-technical transitions to move to more sustainable futures and argues that design thinking has a key role to play. Transition design applies an understanding of the interconnectedness of social, economic, political & natural systems. It seeks to develop synergistic, networked, emergent solutions at all levels of spatio-temporal scale and in ways that directly improve the quality of life and safeguard human-centred development. It advocates the re-conception of entire lifestyles, with the aim of making them more place-based, convivial & participatory and harmonising them with the natural environment.

In this lecture we will first examine the complexity of so-called wicked problems —problems that are difficult or impossible to solve because of their complex and co-dependent nature. We will discuss a system of possible metrics that help to assess the appropriateness of transition design interventions. In the second part, we will explore novel, existing design interventions mostly from Japan that are living up to the holistic principles of transition design, as they were developed by scholars at The School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University. Lastly, the lecture will conclude with a discussion of concepts like 'cosmopolitan localism' (Manzini), 'pluriverse' (Escobar), or 'inter-localisation' (Iwasaki) that promise a positive way forward, towards more empowered, resilient communities in an age of intensifying planetary crises.

AIA Canada - Achieving the Passive House Standard for Existing Buildings

When: Tuesday 14 February 2023 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)
CES Credits - Course offers 15 LU/ HSWs total
Cost - $1350 (AIA members get 10% discount with code AIAPL39#)

Course Dates

Day 1 & 2 : Tuesday 14 February, Thursday 16 February
Day 3 & 4: Tuesday 28 February, Thursday 2 March

Description

AIA Canada is excited to partner with Passive House Canada to offer this four-part course to AIA members.

Buildings shape the lives, health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Unfortunately, too many of the buildings across Canada often have significant problems: from drafty building envelopes, to mold and moisture problems, to inefficient HVAC systems. The Passive House standard has evolved over the years and now includes powerful tools, guidelines and certification pathways which can assist design and construction professionals seeking to retrofit existing buildings to be more comfortable, healthier and use less energy. This in-depth seminar will introduce participants to the Passive House retrofit ‘EnerPHit’ standards and highlight some examples of successful Passive House retrofits from around the world. We will discuss the basic principles of Passive House design, including thermal comfort, energy efficiency, durability and health – as well as some of the common tools and techniques for achieving these goals on retrofits. We’ll also review how the EnerPHit standard fits into the larger efforts at decarbonization across Canada. Anyone looking to rehabilitate an existing building will benefit from this course, and in particular this course is a crucial first step for anyone looking to certify a building as a Passive House EnerPHit retrofit.

AIA International Taipei - Celebrating Abilities in Disability: A community centred design approach

When: Thursday 9 February 2023 @ 05:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 18:30 (Taipei time)
Where: L R. Hsiao Architects & Associates, No. 26-3, 2nd Floor, Ren-ai Road Sec 3, Taipei City/ ONLINE
CES Credits - Estimated 1 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speakers

Khai Toh, M. ARCH, NCARB, AIA, LEED BD+C, Design Director at Archlab Pte Ltd

Description

This talk presents a community-centered design approach towards the birthing of a Performing Art center for Special-Needs Facility in Singapore. As physical and emotional requirements for special-needs are vast and complex, let alone social and economic considerations, it is pertinent that data gathered for the design brief are both quantitative and qualitative and be gathered from all stakeholders in order to create an inclusive facility that honor and respect the disabled as well as stakeholders, among many other considerations.

AIA Hong Kong - First Projects Conversation Series - Chen Xi

When: Tuesday 7 February 2023 @ 07:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 20:00 (Hong Kong time)
CES Credits - 1.5 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speakers

Chen Xi, Atelier XI

Description

We are delighted to invite you to attend the inaugural event in our 2023 First Projects series with Chen Xi of Atelier XI.

Recently shortlisted for the Architectural Review Emerging Architecture Awards, 2022, Atelier XI has a reputation for creating work that is sensitive to the environment. This First Projects talk will focus on those aspects of social, technological, and environmental change as they relate to the built environment, especially as to how architects might benefit from professional collaborations and taking a hands-on approach to design and implementation.

Speaker Bio

Chen Xi is a member of the American Institute of Architects and a Registered Architect in New York State. He received his B. Arch. from Tsinghua University (Beijing) and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He worked at Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Copenhagen and Steven Holl Architects-New York from 2009 to 2017.

In 2017, Chen Xi returned to China and started teaching at the Shenzhen University School of Architecture. He founded his practice Atelier XI in New York and is currently based in Shenzhen, China.