2017 Directory

19 T he 2017 AIA Conference on Architec- ture, or A’17, brought a few changes to how AIA handles the National Con- vention. First off, it isn’t National Convention anymore. It is officially the Conference on Architecture. Secondly, the business portion of the conference was moved to Wednesday, before the conference began. AIA National felt that people had to choose between attending conference presentations or being involved with the business meetings. This resulted in me spending an extra day and a half in Orlando as voting delegates had to register Tuesday after- noon or Wednesday morning. Most anyone coming to the Conference from the western United States had to travel Tuesday to get there in time to register. While there are worse things than spending an extra day in Orlando, it does encumber our chapter with another day of travel expenses. The National Conference was also held earlier than normal, April 27th-29th. This put it right on the heels of Grassroots, that was held March 8th-10th. Still, it was a great conference with amazing presentations and loads of exhibitors. The preconference was composed of getting accredited to vote in the business meeting and voting for candidates in the national AIA Board elections. I attended our Regional Caucus with Gulf States, Illinois, New England, Pennsylva- nia, Texas, Western Mountain, and Interna- tional Regions, where each candidate answered questions from our region in a town hall for- mat. All of the candidates were quite impres- sive. Next came the national business meeting and official candidate speeches. Wyoming was one of only 44 state components in attendance. We voted on a few minor amendments to the bylaws and several resolutions. I attended a first-timers welcome reception afterward. For me, Day 1 of the convention started with a 7:00 am presentation by Milton Shinberg on Neuroscience. Then came the keynote address — Anticipate Need: Design That Cares. Francis Kere, Hon. FAIA shared his work in his native village of Gando, Burkina Faso, Africa. Eliza- beth Diller spoke of how the High Line in New York City has transformed neighborhoods. Ale- jandro Aravena showed how social housing de- sign in IquiQue, Chile could empower residents to raise out of poverty. Michael Murphy show- cased his projects that not only build structures, but also train workers in the building trades at the same time. After the Day 1 keynote, I cast AIA Wyomings votes for the candidates for AIA Conference on Architecture 2017 BY CLINT TAYLOR, AIA national office and got in line with hundreds of other architects to await First Lady Michelle Obama. This was the former First Lady’s first public interview since leaving the White House. AIA President Thomas Vonier and the former Mrs. Obama engaged in conversation that ranged from the President‘s involvement in the design of the Presidential Library in Chicago to Sasha and Malia now being able to sleep with their bedroom windows open at night. After the First Lady’s interview I attended a session on Bodies in Motion: Designing Healthy Schools as The Third Grade Teacher. Day 1 then conclud- ed with the AIA Western Mountain Region Meeting. Day 2 also started with a 7:00 session; this one on providing ADA Access to historic buildings. Peter Huitzacua elaborated on his ongoing efforts to remove barriers at Carnegie Hall. The keynote for Day 2 was Anticipate Challenge: Design that Overcomes. NASA strategists Dan Goods and David Delgado showcased their exhibits that are designed to entice a singular sensory input. Dr. Eve Edelstein, research director of Perkins+Will’s Human Experience Lab, explored the translation of neuroscience into brain-based design principles that serve the human potential. After the keynote, several awards were given. My favorite was I.M. Pei’s 25 year award for the Louve Pyramid. Pei was not able to make it, as he was celebrating his 100th birthday later that week. The award was accepted by Pei’s son Chien Chung Pei and colleague George Miller. Day 2 concluded with a showcase of innovative K-12 design education programs in the country during a series of short, spirited presentations led by AIA champions. Between sessions, I explored the vast vendor area. The area seemed to constantly buzz with activity. On separate excursions through the crowded space I ran into fellow AIA Wyoming members Mike Potter, Stephen Papas, and Katie Wilson. b