2017 Directory

21 pub crawl through downtown Las Vegas with guides Craig Sean Palacios, AIA and Tina Wichmann, AIA. This event raised funds for the WMR Pettigrew Scholarship and showcased a number of downtown revitalization projects. Friday started with “The State of the Profession and The Institute” by William Bates, FAIA, First Vice President, 2019 AIA President. Bill gave a comprehensive view of the Institute’s standing today and what the future holds for a rapidly changing profession. Following was a session presented by panelists Ed Fuentes, Tony Illia (DOT), Susanna New- bury (UNLV), Brian Paco Alvarez (Zappos) — four of Las Vegas’ most active and knowledge- able supporters of art and their ideas on the importance of art and design in the community and the role it plays in establishing place. Roger Thomas (Designer for Steve Wynn), one of the foremost designers of elegant entertain- ment spaces and venues in America shared the exciting details of his vision, planning and design for many of his most exciting spaces in the world. After lunch on Friday, Stefan Al, Ph.D. (As- sociate Professor of Urban Design, University of Pennsylvania), provided an examination of the many transformations of the Las Vegas strip and how they mirror transformations in America itself, a representative of architectur- al trends and a record of social, cultural and economic change. Aaron Betsky, Dean, Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture provided a session on observations on design, growth and devel- opment of Las Vegas since the publication of “Learning From Las Vegas” and the regional impacts. Friday afternoon concluded with closing comments from Jon Sparer, AIA, Tania Salgado, AIA and Patrick Panetta, AIA. The evening “Friday the 13th Host Chapter Party” was hosted by AIA Nevada in the courtyard of the Historic 5th Street School. Saturday activities included the WMR Golf Tournament at the Arroyo Golf Club, Urban Sketchers at the World Market Center, and a tour of a luxury housing development, Ascaya — a breathtaking enclave of homesites designed by some of the most inspiring architects in the country. The WMR golf tournament began in 1997. The winning Chapter of the tournament would possess the traveling trophy for the year until the next tournament. Team Wyoming won the golf tournament for the first time. The team consisted of Mark Kucera, AIA, Brian Fink and David Mills. The conference concluded with the 2017 AIA Western Mountain Region Design and Honor Awards. An elegant evening atop the World Market Center Las Vegas, the industry’s most dynamic trade marketplace with breathtaking view of downtown Las Vegas and the Strip. Cocktails and dinner were provided prior to the Awards program announcing the recipients for the WMR Design and Honor Awards. b