AIA 150 is AIA National’s name for the event celebrating the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of AIA in 2007.
To celebrate this anniversary, we are looking for ways to unify our membership into action for the betterment of our community and to create public awareness of the leadership AIA members can provide here and nationwide starting now and peaking in 2007 – and, if we do it right, every year thereafter.
Mikkel R. Hansen, AIA Emeritus, committee “champion”
William K. Langdon, AIA, co-chair
Contact Mikkel at aia150 champion
Announcement
News Release
AIA ASHEVILLE ARCHITECTS LAUNCH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM TO BENEFIT ASHEVILLE
“Bridging the French Broad: Creating connected livable communities”
A part of new nationwide “Blueprint for America” program created to mark the 150th anniversary of The American Institute of Architects.
For Immediate Release
ASHEVILLE, NC, May 26, 2006—AIA Asheville has been awarded a $15,000 grant by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, D.C. to launch “Bridging the French Broad: Creating connected livable communities”. Part of a new nationwide community service program of the AIA titled “Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation,” AIA Asheville offers this initiative as a gift to the community. The AIA members’ participation is provided at no fee.
The Blueprint for America is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The Blueprint program was created to offer citizens in communities across America an opportunity to celebrate their community heritage, address emerging architectural challenges and trends, and find their voices to help make their vision real for beautiful, safe, and livable communities.
“The downtown area near the future I-26 crossing of the French Broad River could house all the metropolitan growth projected for Asheville over the next 15 years, if it is planned and designed properly,” says Jacquelyn Schauer, president of AIA Asheville. “. “The I-26 connector will have a colossal impact on Asheville. If we are pro-active and plan for what will happen to the adjacent land around this connector, we can create well designed, high density, mixed-use development that will benefit our community economically, environmentally and aesthetically.”
“Local citizens and community groups have been actively involved in this issue for years,” Schauer adds. “Several studies and design forums have taken place. We want to create a design center where the public can see the results of these efforts.” The architects believe that clear 2D graphics and a 3D the model will help citizens visualize the full potential of the site and provide a central clearinghouse and a venue for continuing community input into plans for future development.
Mikkel Hansen, co-chair and official Champion of the AIA150 project, thinks AIA architects are in a unique position by training to further this crucial process. “Many, many people are worried about growth in Western North Carolina. We’re going to grow, and the I-26 connector is coming, but what is it going to look like? And what is going to happen to all the land adjacent to this huge road project? Interstate highways help move traffic and ease congestion, but historically have often destroyed valuable existing business districts and neighborhoods. The AIA 150 project hopes to work with citizens, government agencies and other organizations to make the best of the planned connector and bridge.”
“The first steps have already begun on this project,” Bill Langdon, co-chair of the AIA 150 initiative adds. “We hope to open the design center and have the model ready for public showing sometime this fall. The model will be of the existing area with movable bridges and other components so people can see how the two NC DOT proposals differ and how each will affect adjacent properties.”
“We applaud AIA Asheville for seizing this opportunity to demonstrate how good design makes a difference,” said national AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA. “The Blueprint for America is primarily about a vision of what’s possible for communities. It’s about helping communities see what is possible when architects, mayors and other civic leaders, and fellow citizens work together to tackle such issues as brownfields, accessibility for the disabled, affordable housing, sprawl, and environmental sustainability,” she added.
A key requirement of the Blueprint for America initiatives is that they are guided by the AIA’s “Ten Principles for Livable Communities,” which challenge architects to demonstrate how good design is an investment and that well-designed communities attract and benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, and meet the needs of present and future generations alike.
Blueprint for America initiatives will evolve over the next three years and beyond. In 2006 AIA members begin engaging local leaders, defining the issues, and preparing to launch the eventual program. Local AIA component initiatives will be developed in 2007, the anniversary year. In 2008 the AIA national component will compile initiatives and release the national Blueprint for America.
About the Blueprint for America
The Blueprint for America is a nationwide initiative through which AIA architects engage with fellow citizens, mayors, other professionals, and local government officials to collaborate on a community service program that addresses a community’s distinct need. Through their state and local components, AIA architects will propose, convene, and participate in initiatives that utilize community engagement, in a collaborative process, and quality design as keys to improving a community’s livability. Blueprint initiatives are a gift to the community from the members of the AIA, and the members’ participation in the initiative is provided at no fee.
About The American Institute of Architects
For almost 150 years, members of The American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real. www.aia.org
For more information on AIA Asheville, please visit www.aiaasheville.org.
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