AIA Perspective 2015 Issue 1

AIA PERSPECTIVE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome to the newsletter for the Southern Arizona Chapter of the
American Institute of Architects. Our chapter is based in Tucson but
represents more than 180 members throughout southern Arizona.
Visit our website at www.aiasouthernarizona.org
1-2 PRESIDENT’S REPORT
3-8 MEET THE 2015 BOARD
9-10 PRACTITIONER // PAGE REPP
11-12 STUDENT // AMANDA SCHWARZ
13-14 FIRM // ROBINETTE ARCHITECTS
15-16 SPONSORS
Photography by Liam Frederick
liamphoto.com
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
Our profession is changing. The services we provide, how we deliver them, our contractual relationships—it’s all
in flux.
The AIA is changing, too. AIA-National has reorganized governance, is changing how it distributes revenue, and
is completely reinventing Grassroots—I was just there. AIA-Arizona has changed its governance structure, and
all components are rethinking their relationships with the State.
None of this is change for change’s sake; it’s to make AIA more relevant and meaningful.
So too at AIA-Southern Arizona. Based on the extensive input from our November meeting, your Board set
about looking for ways to give more, and more meaningful, value for membership. No one should have to stop
and think about what they get from being in AIA. We catalogued your nearly 100 suggestions, categorized
them, and, over the coming year, will develop some kind of response to each category. Some of the new
programs:
So, that’s the new model. We’re no longer an organization where all members participate in a few functions;
we’re a many-layered collection of architects united by our common belief in the importance of the built
environment. We’ll keep the programs that attract participation; the rest will die a natural death. Our Chapter
will be a snapshot of your participation. Please visit the website for our suggestion box, and stay tuned for a
survey to identify your communications preferences.
In closing, let me share the good news. Last month in Washington, our Chapter was awarded the AIA National
Component Excellence Award in Public Awareness Communications for our series “My Favorite Place,” a 13part series published last year in the Arizona Daily Star (view presentation). Arizona Public Media is currently
filming pilots that, if successful, will lead to the whole series being aired on “Arizona Spotlight,” starting in April.
Our Chapter is not only changing, it will have a structure of change.
Robert Miller, AIA
MENTORING PROGRAM: Connecting architects across the generations, the Mentoring Program will allow young
architects to learn from experienced ones (“down-mentoring”) and seasoned architects from the newly minted
(“up mentoring”). Share your knowledge.
kickoff: Thursday 16 April 5:30-7:30pm, Ibarra Rosano Residence (2849 East Sylvia St.)
champion: Teresa Rosano, Ibarra Rosano Design
AIA10: For those licensed ten years or less, this group (formerly known as “young architects”) will gather to share
experiences with firm visits, trips to job sites, and social gatherings. It’s professional bonding over the rigors of
early practice. Follow us on facebook to learn about more events.
kickoff: 25 March 5:30pm at SIDECAR (139 S. Eastbourne Ave)
champion: Mike Anglin, Line & Space
BUILDING + DEVELOPMENT FORUM: What if we tackled regulatory issues before your project had a problem?
AIA has partnered with the City of Tucson Development Services to hold a bi-monthly themed forum (3rd
Wednesday of every-other month starting February).
next forum: 15 April 3:00pm, Tucson Fire Central, 300 South Fire Central Place
champion: John Price, Rob Paulus Architects
Indianapolis Museum of Art Visitor’s Pavilion
photo courtesy Marlon Blackwell Architects
COFFEE-KLATSCH: Hey—sometimes, you just want to hang out. No program. Over a cup of Joe. Last Thursday
morning of every month.
next Klatsch: 26 March 7:30-8:30am, Rincon Market 2513 E. 6th Street
champion: Frank Mascia, FAIA, CDG Architects, LTD
COMMUNITY DESIGN TEAM: Whether in response to community requests or spotlighting things that need to
change, this group will put the expertise of architects in service to our community. First project: homelessness in
Tucson.
champion: Michael Becherer, WSM Architects, Inc.
On-going coffee klatsch - get your fix for
caffeine and conversation the last Thursday
of the month
PROGRAMS: In addition to our ongoing lectures on design offered in collaboration with CAPLA, we will offer
building tours and some technical lectures for continuing education.
Building tour of Pima County Complex
photo by Liam Frederick
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 2
MEET THE BOARD
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT
Rob Miller, AIA
Why did architecture become your calling in the first place?
A classic but sad tale of mid- or late-career architects is that they have lost
touch with their passion for architecture. As the Director of the UA School of
Architecture, I am constantly confronting this question from the other end: how
do we instill a commitment to, and love of, our discipline?
TREASURER
Rick McLain, AIA
Rick is a principal with repp + mclain design and construction. His firm specializes
in desert appropriate architecture and construction with an emphasis on
innovation and craft. As treasurer of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the
AIA he works to maintain the financial health of the organization. He enjoys
spending time with his wife, 2 kids & dog and restoring his grandfathers 1930
Ford pickup truck.
The AIA should not only support professional activity, it should inspire its members
and remind us of why we became architects in the first place. As this year’s
President of AIA-Southern Arizona, I have the good fortune of working with a
Board of inspired and committed architects to do just that - return us to our love
of the discipline.
We will have plenty of activities, and at least some of them will be right for you.
See my longer President’s message for details.
I hope to see you at an event, soon, that will inspire.
PRESIDENT-ELECT
T. John Price, AIA
Hi. I’m T. John Price AIA, your current President Elect for 2015. As a graduate
of the College of Architecture at the University of Arizona, class of 1996, I have
spent my career here in Tucson. I received my Arizona registration in 2001 and
have worked for a variety of firms in Tucson and on a wide spectrum of building
types. I am currently a senior project manager for Rob Paulus Architects Ltd.,
and I am excited to be working on a number of projects in and around our
wonderful Downtown.
As this year’s President Elect, my goal is to re-establish our relationship and
enhance collaboration with the city and county’s development services
departments here in the Tucson area. In fact, we had our 1st Building and
Development Forum with the City of Tucson just last month. Look for more
information on our website for the next B&D Forum. Also, I am leading our
charge on this year’s Winter Campaign, the chapter’s sponsorship drive which
is close to completion for the year. This campaign is important for Southern
Arizona Chapter, for it will fund all of this year’s activities for membership to
community outreach, and specifically this year’s Architecture Week. Please let
me know if you would like to be a sponsor this year.
SECRETARY
Teresa Rosano, AIA LEED AP
Teresa Rosano is principal architect of Ibarra Rosano Design Architects, which
has earned national recognition as one of Arizona’s top design firms for its
modern desert architecture. The firm she co-founded with partner Luis Ibarra is
currently on the shortlist for Tucson’s January 8th Memorial Design Competition.
Teresa teaches at the University of Arizona School of Architecture, her alma
mater, and will be organizing an AIA mentoring program this year.
PAST PRESIDENT
CN Dino Sakellar, AIA
Dino is president of Sakellar pllc, Tucson’s oldest architectural firm founded
in1956. Twenty of his forty years of design and construction experience has
been dedicated to serving the AIA at the local, state and regional levels. As
a native and second generation Tucson architect he cares deeply about the
future of the community and architects. “My role this year on the local and
state boards is to continue component communication and promote the
value of AIA to the profession.”
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 4
MEET THE BOARD
DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION
Mike Anglin, AIA LEED AP
Mike is an Arizona native, graduate of the University of Arizona and has been
working at Line and Space for nearly 13 years on projects both domestic and
international. Outside of architecture, Mike is an avid automobile enthusiast
and he enjoys taking in all that Southern Arizona has to offer nature-wise - hiking,
biking, camping and otherwise exploring with his wife and two young children.
During this year on the AIA Southern Arizona Board, Mike will focus on building up
a young-architects group in the chapter (AIA10, aimed at architects registered
10 years or less) and providing interesting continuing education opportunities
for the chapter membership as a whole.
DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP
Ann Price, MBA, AIA is the principal architect for Materialize, PLLC. Ann has
been involved in building design and construction in Tucson since 1993, and has
been a member of the AIA since 2008. She earned her MBA from the University
of Arizona’s Eller College of Management in 2012. Ann is proud to serve as a
member of the AIA Southern Arizona Board of Directors, and hopes to help the
board continue to build an exciting and diverse chapter in Southern Arizona.
DIRECTOR, OUTREACH
DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS
Liz Farkas, AIA LEED AP
Liz is a project manager at Lizard Rock Designs. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Liz
earned her degrees at the University of Houston. She moved to Tucson over 10
years ago and has embraced the desert environment and the strong sense of
community she has found here. This year on the Board she hopes to continue
building community between the public and the profession and looks for the
chapter to participate in those efforts.
Ann Price, MBA, AIA
Ryan Repucci, AIA
Born and raised in Los Gatos, California and worked in residential construction
where the inspiration to become an architect started. Moved to Tucson in the
Fall of 2002 to attend the College of Architecture at the University of Arizona.
After graduation, worked locally with CDG architects until 2013 when an
opportunity to branch out individually was afforded. Currently a partner at
RAHarchitects and Assistant Lecturer at the College of Architecture, Planning
and Landscape Architecture.
DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATE AIA
Kelly Rehm
Kelly serves as the director for the associate members of our chapter.
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 6
MEET THE BOARD
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE AIA
ARIZONA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REPRESENTATIVES
REPRESENTATIVE, AIAS
REPRESENTATIVE
Amanda Schwarz
As an architecture student and the president of the University of Arizona
AIAS, I serve to provide a relationship between architecture students and
the profession, allowing our shared goals to give strength and insight to each
other.
REPRESENTATIVE, CAPLA
Darci Hazelbaker, Associate AIA
Darci Hazelbaker is serving as the CAPLA representative. She is also coordinating
the 2015-2016 CAPLA/AIA lecture series as well as other AIA events. Darci is
a principal at Hazelbaker Rush, an architecture and design studio located in
Tucson, Arizona that focuses on creating handcrafted modern objects, spaces,
and experiences.
REPRESENTATIVE, SDA
Melanie serves
Administrators.
as
Melanie Ormsby
the
REPRESENTATIVE, AFFILIATE
representative
from
the
Society
of
Design
Robin Shambach, AIA
With almost 30 years of professional practice in Arizona, Robin Shambach is
the Managing Principal with responsibility for financial stability and successful
operation of the firm. But true to the philosophy of BWS Architects, she maintains
direct involvement as Project Manager for most of the firm’s work, providing
day to day communication with clients and design teams, responsible for the
schedules, budgets and overall success of each project. She is the Southern
Arizona Chapter Director for AIA Arizona and serves that board as Secretary.
She will continuing to work with both boards to promote good governance
and creating effective operational guidelines.
REPRESENTATIVE
CN Dino Sakellar, AIA
Dino is president of Sakellar pllc, Tucson’s oldest architectural firm founded
in1956. Twenty of his forty years of design and construction experience has
been dedicated to serving the AIA at the local, state and regional levels. As
a native and second generation Tucson architect he cares deeply about the
future of the community and architects. “My role this year on the local and
state boards is to continue component communication and promote the
value of AIA to the profession.”
Brent Woods, PE
Brent serves as the representative for the affiliates of the chapter.
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 8
PRACTITIONER
Q+A with
PAGE REPP
Page Repp, AIA is founding principal of repp mclain design + construction. As told here, he resisted the
construction industry of his background at first, but came back to it when he realized it was his passion. He
enjoys the hands-on aspects of his job and is involved both in design and in the day-to-day construction
and management of his work.
When did you first know you wanted to be an architect?
Repp: I knew I wanted to be an architect after my first year
at U of A. I started in nuclear engineering because I worked
in the construction industry as a child and wanted nothing
to do with construction again. Turns out that I really missed it
and I came back to architecture organically.
What or who is your biggest architectural inspiration?
Repp: We grew up very humbly, never having much money,
so I have always been inspired to do as much as possible, for
as little as possible. Durable, low maintenance products and
spaces have always inspired me.
Most embarrassing architectural moment?
Repp: I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but for it to only be an
embarrassment means it turned out OK. That would be the
time I built in a flood plain without having a surveyor certify
the height until the entire shell was complete on a house. I
didn’t know it was required. The inspector pointed it out to
me and said I would probably be tearing the building down.
Needless to say, I was pretty freaked out as I had no one to
blame but myself and couldn’t afford to tear it down. The
surveyor came out the next day and we were in the clear by
2”. Embarrassed but not out of business.
“If I weren’t an architect I would…”
Repp: In the dark days of architecture school, when you
realize that maybe this career was a bad choice, I filed
the paperwork to become an English major. I planned on
becoming a high school English and woodshop teacher.
Luckily my friends and advisors talked me out of it, but I would
have been happy doing that as well. Or a DJ.
Favorite guilty pleasure?
Repp: I love watching movies, not films. If there are talking
robots, epic space battles, or 40 year old men starting a
fraternity, I’m in. A two hour escape in a cool movie theatre
is just about perfect.
What book are you reading right now?
Repp: Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes. I’ve read just about
everything he has written.
What do you think is the biggest challenge to our profession?
Repp: Besides evil robots? I would say it is the ever mounting
cost of doing business. There are tremendous financial
pressures from regulatory fees, taxes, liability insurance, health
insurance, etc. That, combined with the ever increasing cost
of land and construction makes our profession more of a
luxury to clients all the time. The rising costs are not sustainable
and will lead to additional problems for the profession as the
years go by.
If you could change one thing about the profession, what
would it be?
Repp: I have always wanted to design and build a high
school campus. The whole thing. I won’t ever be able to do
this though because I don’t have a resume of having already
completed 30 of them. The profession is really set up to keep
newcomers on the outside looking in as it relates to public
work. Hopefully that will change in the future.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in this profession?
Repp: I’ve learned this is a very complex and difficult job. The
reward is rarely equal to the effort put forth. If you stay in it, it’s
because you love it.
What advice would you give to a recent graduate of
architecture?
Repp: Don’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty. If you
want to make it in this field, just dive right in, head first. Learn
everything you can from everyone you can. It’s not all gold,
but you never know.
What do you consider the best part about being an
architect?
Repp: The best part for me is getting to design and also build
our projects. Seeing something through from start to finish is
extremely gratifying.
Favorite local project you didn’t design?
Repp: I have always thought the work Line and Space did at
the desert museum was incredible. It is still my favorite today.
Favorite city?
Repp: That’s an easy one, New York City. Greatest city on
earth. Asked my wife to marry me there. She said yes.
Photography by Liam Frederick
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 10
STUDENT
Q+A with
AMANDA SCHWARZ
Amanda Schwarz is this year’s president of the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students) at the
University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. She is also one of our
new board members and serves to provide a link between the students and professionals in the region.
When did you first know you wanted to be an architect?
Schwarz: On my sixteenth birthday, I sat down and decided
that I was going to pick my college major – for the purpose
of applying for scholarships and universities. So I went through
a list of recommended jobs, and pictured myself doing each
one in 20 years. None of them seemed to fit until I reached
Architecture, because I knew that I would never get bored
with it. Even 20 years from now, I believe that it will be an
interesting and fulfilling challenge.
What or who is your biggest architectural inspiration?
Schwarz: Travelling has been a huge inspiration to me. My
mom is from Indonesia, and from a young age, I have had
the great opportunity to visit very different cultures. It has
enabled me to look through other lenses and continually
shape my world view – which I draw from when designing.
Who or what in the school has had the greatest impression on
you, and why?
Schwarz: I learn so much each semester, and I feel that I
will always stay somewhat impressionable. So whichever
project I am working on at the time always has the greatest
impression. Right now, my recent trip to Prague has had the
greatest impression on me. My studio class spent two weeks
getting to know the culture and the site (currently an industrial
brownfield) to create a proposal for a master plan. We met
some of the city representatives and the owner/developer
of the site. It really opened my eyes to the variety of interests
involved in architecture, and the similarities/differences
around the world.
Most embarrassing architectural moment?
Schwarz: I learned the vital importance of following
instructions while working on a resin casting model in the
CAPLA materials lab. I was incorrectly informed that I should
add more hardening agent than the instructions suggested…
In the beginning, it was curing well. But about 30 seconds in,
my concoction began violently bubbling over and giving off
smoke. It made for a very interesting model in the end.
Favorite local project?
Schwarz: The Fox Theater in Downtown Tucson holds some
great memories for me, and is a reminder of Tucson’s
rich history. A more modern project is the Lava House by
DesignBuild Collaborative, which shows the incredible beauty
of the desert and authentic materiality.
Favorite city?
Schwarz: Of the moment – Singapore. I have family ties to
Southeast Asia, and Singapore is in the center of it. It’s a
beautiful melting pot of different cultures. Plus, I just found out
that I will be working there this summer!
Favorite guilty pleasure?
Schwarz: Saturday morning cartoons - on any day of the
week.
If you hadn’t gone into Architecture, what would you have
studied?
Schwarz: Both of my parents are engineers, so I was leaning
heavily towards going that route. However, I was also very
involved in Theater and Dance, and I think I would have
enjoyed going that route too. Thankfully, I don’t have to
completely give up Theater and Dance. I still try to keep up
by taking classes and seeing local shows.
What advice would you give to someone going into
architecture school?
Schwarz: You will soon learn that there is never a single right
answer. You will learn that you can work harder, and harder,
and always have room for improvement. But you will also
learn to be more rigorous and honest than you ever thought
you could be. It will be confusing and challenging, painful
and rewarding. It’s the best education you could have,
because you learn as much about the world as you do about
yourself.
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 12
FIRM PROFILE
ROBINETTE
ARCHITECTS, INC.
www.robinettearchitect.com
photo by Velen Chan
photo by William Lesch
photos by Velen Chan
AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 14
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AIA PERSPECTIVE 15.1//PAGE 16