ARCH newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 1 IN THIS ISSUE: The Smart Math 1 Message from the President | Extras 2 The Smart Math cont. 3 Concept Based Design Methodology 4 Government Affairs: SAC Update The Smart Math cont. 5 AIA Repositioning 6 Member & Firm Profiles 7 Concept Based Design cont. 8 Government Affairs cont. 9 The Smart Math cont. 10 AIA Repositioning cont. AIA Repositioning cont. 11 Calendar of Events 12 AIASJ CHAPTER Executive Board: President - Mike Fennacy, AIA Vice President - Antonio Avila, AIA Secretary - Scott Griffith, AIA Treasurer - Jeff Berrios, AIA AIACC Delegate: Paul Halajian, AIA Board of Directors: Events Director : Earl Mercado Government Affairs: Richard Hallert, AIA Membership Director : Joel Hernandez, Assoc. AIA Education Director: Arthur Dyson, AIA Associate Director: Matthew Sanchi, Assoc. AIA AIA San Joaquin 4747 N. First St., Suite 140 Fresno, CA. 93726 Tel: 800-549-6740 Fax: 559-227-1463 Email: [email protected]www.aiasj.com ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 The Smart Math of Mixed- Use Development By Joseph Minicozzi, AICP, principal of Urban3, LLC and formerly the New Projects Director for Public Interest Projects, Inc (PIP). The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxaon that would operate with perfect equality. -- Andrew Jackson Downtown Pays Asheville, North Carolina -- like many cies and towns around the country -- is hurng financially. It's not that Asheville is some kind of deserted ghost town. Rather, it's a picturesque mountain city with a populaon of about 83,000 that draws tourists from all over the world, especially during the leaf -peeping season. But it's also a city that appeals to its residents, who revel in strolling about a true walkable downtown chock-full of res- taurants and retail shops featuring locally grown and craſted prod- ucts. Downtown is not only one of Asheville's main draws; it also serves as a major driver in helping the city overcome its budgetary doldrums. Most of us – city planners, elected officials, business owners, voters, and the like – understand that the city brings in more tax revenue when people shop and eat out more. However, we oſten overlook the scale of the property tax payoff for encouraging dense mixed-use development, and even beer architecture. Many policy decisions seem to create incenves for businesses and property developers to expand just about anywhere, without regard for the types of buildings they are erecng. In this arcle, I argue that the best return on investment for the public coffers comes when smart and sustainable development occurs downtown. We'll use the city of Asheville as an example. Asheville realizes an astounding +800 percent greater return on downtown mixed-use development projects on a per acre basis compared to when ground is broken near the city limits for a large single-use development like a Super Wal-Mart. A typical acre of mixed-use downtown Asheville yields $360,000 more in tax revenue (Connued on page 3)
Transcript
ARCH newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 1
IN THIS ISSUE: The Smart Math 1
Message from the President | Extras 2
The Smart Math cont. 3
Concept Based Design Methodology 4 Government Affairs: SAC Update
The Smart Math cont. 5
AIA Repositioning 6
Member & Firm Profiles 7
Concept Based Design cont. 8
Government Affairs cont. 9
The Smart Math cont. 10 AIA Repositioning cont.
AIA Repositioning cont. 11
Calendar of Events 12
AIASJ CHAPTER Executive Board:
President - Mike Fennacy, AIA
Vice President - Antonio Avila, AIA
Secretary - Scott Griffith, AIA
Treasurer - Jeff Berrios, AIA
AIACC Delegate: Paul Halajian, AIA
Board of Directors:
Events Director : Earl Mercado
Government Affairs: Richard Hallert, AIA
Membership Director : Joel Hernandez, Assoc. AIA
Education Director: Arthur Dyson, AIA
Associate Director: Matthew Sanchi, Assoc. AIA
AIA San Joaquin
4747 N. First St., Suite 140 Fresno, CA. 93726 Tel: 800-549-6740 Fax: 559-227-1463 Email: [email protected] www.aiasj.com
ISSUE NO. 13_Q4
The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development By Joseph Minicozzi, AICP, principal of Urban3, LLC and formerly the New Projects Director for Public Interest Projects, Inc (PIP).
The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality. -- Andrew Jackson
Downtown Pays Asheville, North Carolina -- like many cities and towns around the country -- is hurting financially.
It's not that Asheville is some kind of deserted ghost town. Rather, it's a picturesque mountain city with a population of about 83,000 that draws tourists from all over the world, especially during the leaf-peeping season. But it's also a city that appeals to its residents, who revel in strolling about a true walkable downtown chock-full of res-taurants and retail shops featuring locally grown and crafted prod-ucts. Downtown is not only one of Asheville's main draws; it also serves as a major driver in helping the city overcome its budgetary doldrums.
Most of us – city planners, elected officials, business owners, voters, and the like – understand that the city brings in more tax revenue when people shop and eat out more. However, we often overlook the scale of the property tax payoff for encouraging dense mixed-use development, and even better architecture.
Many policy decisions seem to create incentives for businesses and property developers to expand just about anywhere, without regard for the types of buildings they are erecting. In this article, I argue that the best return on investment for the public coffers comes when smart and sustainable development occurs downtown.
We'll use the city of Asheville as an example. Asheville realizes an astounding +800 percent greater return on downtown mixed-use development projects on a per acre basis compared to when ground is broken near the city limits for a large single-use development like a Super Wal-Mart. A typical acre of mixed-use downtown Asheville yields $360,000 more in tax revenue
(Continued on page 3)
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
Participation.
If there is one word that’s key to unlocking the benefits of being a member of our local San Joaquin chapter of the American Insti-tute of Architects (AIASJ), that is it. Participation.
Our local chapter has 108 members, yet less than a quater of that membership regularly engages in our activities or leadership opportunities.
Why not?
I remember early on in my career joining various organizations because that’s what everyone else did. While I did enjoy reading the organizations’ monthly literature, I didn’t get involved. There are probably several reasons why, but I think mainly it was because I didn’t clearly see the kinds of benefits that could be gained by getting involved.
I want to make sure that our AIASJ members know what they stand to gain by becoming more active in our chapter.
1. Networking: From attending lectures and workshops to participating in socials and design competitions, members can create relationships with others working in the field of architecture. We are incredible resources for one another who can offer support, understanding, camaraderie, ideas and discussion.
2. Leadership: We have ample opportunities for the beginner or the expert to be a part of our leadership teams. There are vacant seats on the board for those who can offer a long-term commitment (but it meets just once a month!) and spots available on specialty committees for those who need something short term. Skills such as communication, planning, creativity, project management and organization will flourish.
3. Education: From the lunch seminars to the guest speakers to the AIA accredited courses, continued learning about important topics within our field can be gained. Whether it will be an update to a 2013 build-ing code or a new trend in design, we benefit from staying current. These sessions also provide the chance to learn from one another through our own questions and experiences. Opportunities also exist for those who want to simply speak at our local K-12 schools to communicate the role an architect serves in
(Continued on page 6)
By Michael Fennacy, AIA
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 2
extras... NEW BOOKS
Diagramming the Big Idea: Methods for Architectural Composition
by Jeffrey Balmer & Michael Swisher
The Interface: IBM and the Transformation of Corporate Design, 1945-1976
by John Harwood
Marina City: Bertrand Goldberg’s Urban Vision
by: Igor Marjanović
...beyond aiasj
ONLY ON THE WEB
Architecture Student Transforms Old School Bus Into Gorgeous Mobile Home
by: Dorothy Tan
Manta ray-shaped house set to straddle an Arizona mountain
by: dezeen magazine
Yale School of Architecture brings renowned student building project to West Campus
by: Kianti Roman
- Living Cities Design Competition - Submissions Due January 3, 2014
www.metropolismag.com/Living-Cities
- SEED Awards for Excellence - Applications due November 12, 2013
www.designcorps.org/awards
- Berkeley Prize 2014 - Entries due November 1, 2013
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 3
Continued from page 1... By Joseph Minicozzi, AICP
The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development to city government than an acre of strip malls or big box stores.
If you were a mayor or city councilor fac-ing a budget crisis, this comparison should serve as an eye-opener, both in terms of your policies and your develop-ment priorities. The comparison should also get you thinking about not just how you could encourage more downtown development, but also what kind of de-velopment could increase the value of buildings in the surrounding neighbor-hoods.
It's not just officials in Asheville who should be asking these questions. In the growing number of diverse cities where we have studied this same equation (such as Billings, MT, Petaluma, CA, and Sarasota, FL) we've found that the same principle applies: downtown pays. It's simple math.
The more valuable downtown properties become, the more revenue the city can generate to address its budget gaps, while also serving the best interests of its citizens. Unfortunately, our public offi-cials may not always make their decisions with full knowledge of the trade-offs.
Go to Jail... Consider the story of how Public Inter-est Projects (PIP), a for-profit develop-ment company founded in 1990, first came to uncover this economic ine-quality.
A few years ago, PIP was looking to de-velop several parcels in a neglected sec-tion of downtown Asheville, just off the main core. At the time, it was filled with decaying auto shops, warehouses and semi-industrial space. In other words, it was ripe for mixed-use redevelopment. Unfortunately, while we saw visions of rehabbed living spaces intermixed with retail and office space, the leaders of Buncombe County had other ideas.
In close proximity to the parcels PIP was considering, the county owned a 1.7-acre parcel upon which leaders first an-nounced plans to build a new jail, then, as an alternative, a 24 hour center for emergency vehicles. While few could ar-gue that the community as a whole would benefit from the addition of such facilities, the county's plan to plunk one of them right in the middle of an area so ripe for re-development didn't make much sense to us. Although we weren't on the same page as our county leaders, that didn't stop us from trying to get them to see things our way.
Subsequently, we embarked on a com-parative analysis of the impact of differ-ent development types and scales on the county's tax rolls as a way to demon-strate the comparable benefits of mixed-use development versus the facilities they we considering. We tried to show them the money.
To do that, we set about analyzing vari-ous properties within our community to
come up with an estimate of what kind of infill development would be feasible for the county's site. What we found was striking. If the county continued with its plans for building the more objection-able uses, the loss of this property's tax base plus the detrimental effect on the surrounding property's development po-tential could actually result in a net loss of more than $1 million each year in property tax revenue for local government. That information got the County's attention and good sense pre-vailed.
Upon realizing that this equation had broader implication, we began applying the same analysis to other key Asheville landmarks. Our next test case involved a comparison of a high-visibility shopping mall located just outside of downtown with a historic downtown building, dubbed the Old Penney's building, which we had restored into a six-story mixed-use structure. Once we ran the numbers,
(Continued on page 5)
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
By Rolando Gonzalez, AIA
College of the Seqouias
College of the Sequoias archi-tecture students enjoy con-sistent success in design com-petitions. They also transfer regularly into university accredited schools of architec-ture as third year students. Much of this success is due to our “concept based” design methodology. This methodolo-gy teaches students to utilize a “design concept” as the prima-ry vehicle for all design deci-sions. Each design decision must reinforce the concept.
In addition to utilizing a design concept students are taught to undertake various “predesign” phase tasks prior to beginning the actual design. One of these tasks includes creating a “precedent study” of existing architecture similar to the de-sign project at hand. For example, if you are designing a restaurant, you evaluate existing restaurants both in person and via the internet. Another task involves con-ducting a “site analysis”. Students physically visit the site and utilize Google Earth via the Internet General “research” is also emphasized. Each project is unique and demands research be conduct-ed to inform design decisions. This involves both client inter-views and internet research. In the midst of all these tasks there is a requirement to utilize a sketchbook. The sketchbook is used to chronicle all thoughts related to the
design project. These thoughts are portrayed as both graphic images and text. The sketch-book is stressed as being an integral part of an architect’s design process. The “information quality” of the sketches is heralded above the “artistic quality” of the sketches.
Following the predesign phase students are taught to under-take the “schematic design” phase. This phase begins with the creation of “diagrams”.
The key diagram is the “concept diagram”. This dia-gram contains a graphic image and text that conveys the design concept without the need of a verbal explanation. All design decisions must reinforce this concept diagram.
The “site analysis” diagram conveys information based on the site visit. Students refer to this diagram while designing the building. In addition they decide whether to be contex-tual (blend in) or non-contextual (not blend in) with the site. Perhaps even a combination of the two.
The “parti diagram” conveys the basic geometry of the building while simultaneously reinforcing the concept.
The “building bubble diagram” conveys the interior functional relationships and room adja-cencies of the building.
(Continued on page 8)
“Concept Based” Design Methodology for Architectural Education
The first half of the 2013-14 legislative session came to an end on Thursday, September 12th, and hundreds of bills have been sent to Governor Brown for his consideration. He has until the middle of October to decide whether to sign or veto the bills the Legislature sent him.
Several of the bills waiting the Governor’s decision may be of interest to architects.
For example, the AIACC-sponsored AB 630 gives archi-tects an additional tool to protect their instruments of service. It clarifies existing law with very simple language stating “no person may use an architect’s instruments of ser-vice … without the consent of the architect in a written contract, written agreement, or written license specifically authorizing that use.” Many architectural firms, particularly smaller firms, have experi-enced a person illegally attempting to use their instruments of service. The circumstances leading to this situation vary, but often is experienced with foreclosures and entitlement flippers. AB 630 passed the Legislature without a single “No” vote.
Another bill dealt with a topic that has been around for over 20 years: the work interior de-signers are allowed to perform. Legislation was introduced to extend the sunset date on the
existing interior design certifi-cation program. The AIACC supported the sunset exten-sion language, but opposed efforts by various interior design organizations to place into law specific elements that interior designers could include in their plans (e.g. reflected ceiling plans, rated corridors, and horizontal exiting). The AIACC and others argued that these elements can have seismic implications and affect the safety of the building – which would conflict with the interior design exemption in the Architects Practice Act – and should not be specified in state law. The bill that was sent to the Governor did not include this controversial lan-guage.
Those hoping for significant improvements to the California Environmental Quality Act will be disappointed. There was hope that this could be the year: Governor Brown called for modernizing CEQA, and the leader of the State Senate (Darrell Steinberg, Sacramento) carried the bill. However, the biggest proposed CEQA change is one that makes it easier for the new owners of the Sacra-mento Kings to build a new downtown arena. Arguably, other changes in the bill, SB 743, which passed the Legisla-ture on September 12, will make it easier to do infill,
(Continued on page 9)
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Government Affairs: Sacramento Update…. By Mark Christian, Hon. AIACC
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ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 5
just as before, the results were dra-matic. Whereas the mall, considered one of the county's biggest revenue gen-erators, yielded $8,000 an acre in annual County property tax, the downtown building's yield was $250,000 per acre in County property tax.
It's easy to see how you might now be scratching your head. How can you com-pare a mall with a building? Is that really comparing apples to apples? The point is that we have been perpetuating an error when it comes to how we think about real estate. Our mistake has been looking at the overall value of a devel-opment project rather than its per unit productivity. Especially relevant in these times of limited public means, every city should be thinking long and hard about encouraging, and not accidentally dis-couraging, the property tax bonus that comes with mixed-use urbanism. Put simply, density gets far more bang for its buck.
For comparison, let's consider an every-day example of measuring economic value. When we buy our cars, do we make our buying decisions based on
the vehicle's miles-per-tank rating? If we did, we'd all be driving Ford F-150 Lariats that get, on average, 648 miles per tank versus a Prius, which boasts a modest 571 miles per tank. However when we
look at the traditional metric for compar-ison -- how many miles-per-gallon each vehicle gets -- the value statement changes. The Lariat achieves a mere 13 miles- per-gallon while the Prius cruises
along at 51 MPG. And, since you spend less to fill up the Prius, at today's gas prices it covers 15,000 miles/year at $3,000 less the an-nual cost ($4,038/$1,029 respec-tively). We rank the value of our cars this way because we all know the price of a gallon of fuel. Why wouldn't we do the same with our land? Shouldn't we value the consumption of our land the way we value a gallon of gas? After all, an acre of land is far more expen-sive than a gallon of gas.
Conclusion The flaw of our current property tax system is that when it comes
(Continued on page 10)
Continued from page 3... By Joseph Minicozzi, AICP
The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development
3D model of the “Value Per Acre” of properties in Fresno. The relative property tax pay-
ments would follow the same shape. So a tall property is paying that level of "property tax-
es per acre" versus a property of a lower height. Can you find downtown?
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 6
Continued from page 2... By Michael Fennacy, AIA
our society and how we plan and shape the built environment.
4. Community Knowledge: The collaboration of the AIASJ with civic and educational organizations allows for participants to gain new perspective on the community in which we live. Those joining can sit in on the Education Committee with Arthur Dyson contem-plate statewide public policy issues with Paul Halajian, or talk about award winning designs with Tony Avila. A clear sense of the key leaders in our chapter and area
can be developed, and that knowledge can make a difference in how a job is approached or in forging a new collaboration.
For some of our members, it may not be feasible to be more active at this time. And that’s OK. I hope that you will still find time to read our quarterly newsletters, and that they will inspire you about the exciting things happening within our field. We do appreciate your membership.
For others, though, maybe the time is right to juggle your schedule just enough to make room to participate more fully in the AIA. Join our regular seminars, come to an event, participate in the design awards or take a seat on our board.
The benefits are plentiful, and they are there for the taking! ~
What is the “Repositioning the AIA” initiative?
The Repositioning initiative is an effort to adjust the trajectory of the AIA and the profession of Architecture. The trends reflected in the ’30,000’ points of data collected during this endeavor have made it clear that there are present, and potential future disconnects between the AIA and its members, non-members; our allies and clients, and the public at large.
What are the biggest challenges Repositioning faces?
Most of the facts that have come to the forefront in the Repositioning research are not ‘news’; in fact there is a decades long history of efforts at the AIA to address these same issues. The biggest challenge of the current effort is to move past study, assessment, and discussion into solid action that results in visible, meaningful change. We need to take risks, develop a sense of urgency, and put individual members, and potential members, into a mindset that this is the time to align ourselves for a thriving future of both our institute, and our profession.
The AIA represents only about half the licensed architects in the US. Within the realm of architecture, there is huge diversity through many lenses: licensure; practice; academia; gender and race; youth; business; style; mentorship, etc. Where we find common ground: concern for and stewardship of the environment; belief that design matters; a need for advocacy in the political and regulatory environment within which our built environment is shaped; a need for Architecture as a profession to THRIVE both in business and in public perception.
Who are experts that are helping us move this forward?
The groundwork efforts in Repositioning were led by LaPlaca Cohen (a strategic marketing, advertising and design firm that helps organizations connect and communicate with their audiences) and Pentagram (a world renowned design firm that does work in graphic design, identity, architecture, interiors and product design.) This team was selected in part because the initial drivers of Repositioning was a focus on the AIA Brand. The comprehensive research however made it clear that the core issues go much deeper than the “AIA Brand”: how we as a profession and as an association engage the public; how we operate our organization
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 7
MEMBER PROFILE: Skip Carlstrom, AIA Where do you work?
Currently I’m doing independent contract
work with Saint Agnes Medical Center’s
Facilities Management department.
How long have you practiced Architecture?
43 years...wait, can THAT be right?
Whose architecture has influenced you the most?
As a budding young almost architect, fresh out of Cal Poly in
the early seventies, I think I was pretty much inspired by ALL
the architects I worked for or with.... The Simpsons, the
Dardens and John Wiens. They provided me with excellent
learning tools and methodologies. I guess you could say that
what I learned from these guys, as well as a few other
Fresno architects whose work I also respected, was a great
influence on me later on in my life as I built up my own
practice and clientele.
When did you know you wanted to be an architect?
In an 8th grade math class when the teacher had us draw a
floor plan, to scale no less, of our own home and then
calculate the square footage. Then he let us actually design a
house we would like and then figure it’s square footage. The
house I lived in was 1600sf, the house I designed and wanted
to live in: 26,000sf.
If I wasn’t an architect, I would be?
A train engineer.
As an architect, what stereotypical characteristics are
you guilty of possessing?
Meticulous, stickler for detail, can overthink simplicity, and
always feel that there is “just one more little change” that
would result in the “perfect project.”
What is your personal motto/mantra?
Be Happy.
What are your favorite hobbies?
Puttering around the house, working on a project with son
Michael, doing anything with my train layout, and travelling
with Lena.
Best piece of advice for emerging professionals or young
architects?
Stay diligent on the course to obtaining your license and
never abandon that drafting board!
What actor/actress would play you in a
movie about your life?
Marty Feldman
When were you founded and by whom?
The firm of Anthony C. Ping and Associates was launched in
September of 1981.
Tell the story of how the firm started?
My practice began as an employee of Horn and Moore
Architects, which later became Aubrey Moore and Associates.
Mr. Moore moved his practice to Davis and I chose to stay in
Fresno and open my own office.
Projects best known for or you consider your best work?
Our outpatient medical projects. The Sierra Pacific Orthopaedic
Center, California Cancer Center, Advanced Medical Imaging,
Keisho Plaza, Fresno Surgery Center West, and New Harvest
Church. Many of our best projects are located in the valley.
What type of work do you do today?
Our firm has a portfolio with a full spectrum of project types, but
today, nine out of ten projects are medical.
Current Project(s) you are working on?
Fresno Surgical Hospital, Sequoia Medical Center in Visalia,
Chestnut Medical Office, and various projects for Bakersfield
Memorial Hospital.
What seperates your firm from others?
We reinforce the human element in highly technical archetypes.
We strive to practice architecture based on the broadest industry
knowledge, and I am certified as a Healthcare Architect, by the
ACHA, one of less than 400 in North America.
What do you attribute to your firm’s success?
Our goal is simply to improve the quality of life through the
practice of architecture. We practice architecture for the
betterment of the end users and clients, and maintain personal
involvement throughout the process.
Where do you see your firm in 10, 25 years?
Our goal is to stay true to our founding principles, wherever that
takes us. We want to continue to create architecture that makes
a difference that is perceivable and aesthetically pleasing.
Describe your ideal client?
A passionate and focused client with a desire to further
innovation in their chosen field. A client focused on quality and
striving for excellence.
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ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 8
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
Continued from page 7... By Rolando Gonzalez, AIA
“Concept Based” Design Methodology for Architectural Education
“site bubble diagram” conveys the exterior functional relation-ships and outdoor adjacencies of the site.
All of these diagrams are initial-ly created in the student’s sketchbook. Many are refined and used as part of the final graphic presentation. In addi-tion to diagrams, several “matrixes” are utilized. One assists in determining room “adjacencies” while the other assists in evaluating building “activities”.
Following the diagrams and matrixes, “rough draft” 2D & 3D tactile and/or digital scaled drawings are created. From these drawings “study models” are constructed. The first study model is the “massing model”. It is constructed with one ma-terial and one color. It allows the student to evaluate their design as a sculpture without the distraction of openings and materials. The next study model is the “sketch model”. This model is refined multiple times. Craftsmanship is not the emphasis here, rather it is the design itself. This model allows the student to explore many design options quickly. It is the 3D equivalent to a 2D sketch. An evaluation is conducted after each model to verify the design concept has been rein-forced.
Following the schematic design phase students are taught to undertake the “design devel-opment” phase. In this phase students create “refined” 2D & 3D tactile and/or digital scaled
drawings always asking the question “does it reinforce the concept?”
Following the design develop-ment phase the student creates a “concept based” graphic presentation. It includes graph-ic images and scale models as part of an oral presentation. A faculty critique is utilized to teach students to defend their design decisions based on their design concept.
Although greatly simplified here, this “concept based” design methodology provides 1st and 2nd year COS architec-ture students a clear design process, yet it allows flexibility based on the student’s person-ality, strengths, and weakness-es. ~
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ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
Continued from page 4... By Mark Christian, Hon. AIACC
Government Affairs: Sacramento Update
development, which is good but many believe those changes are too minor to stop calling for more improvements. This issue will come up again in 2014 or 2015.
Any firm that hires, or will consider hiring a foreign worker, will be very pleased with the changes made to SB 516 during the last weeks of the legisla-tive session. The AIACC was an active member of the coalition that sought the changes to SB 516. SB 516 is a bill dealing with an important topic: giving the state more tools to fight human trafficking. However, an earlier version of SB 516 imposed significant burdens and placed great risk on business types that have no history of human traffick-ing, including architectural firms. The earlier version of SB 516 would have
required any business that hired a foreign worker to use a registered foreign labor contractor and to post a bond of up to $75,000. Additionally, it would have required the employer to assume responsibility for any errors made by the registered foreign labor contractor and allowed anyone – yes, anyone – to sue an employer of a foreign worker for alleged violations of SB 516. The plaintiff would not have to be an employee of the business, nor would any violation of SB 516 have to happen for a lawsuit to be filed. Basical-ly, the earlier version of SB 516 would have allowed people to use this “private attorney general” provision to make a living suing employers of foreign workers knowing that it would cheaper for the business to make a settlement payment than fight the lawsuit. The
amendments to SB 516 removed the private attorney general provision, removed the bond requirement on employers, and exempted employers that recruit their own foreign employees.
Finally, among the best news coming out of Sacramento this year is the Legisla-ture did not consider a sales tax on services. The year began with the threat of a sales tax on services being on the table for consideration due to the words of the Senate Leader about the need to “modernize” our tax laws. The AIACC and a large coalition met with many legislators to discuss the harm this would cause the economy, and we believe those many meetings helped ensure a sales tax on services was not pursued. ~
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
and businesses; how we connect with our members and potential members; how we connect with the future through our emering professionals, associates, academia, students and children.
Now that we are moving into an implementation stage, the AIA has engaged Kotter International – a well known expert in change management.
What does the Repositioning Landscape look like today?
As a long-term and deep examination of what it means to serve our members and why architecture matters, the initiative is so broad that it can be hard to describe in a few words. To help organize the various disconnects and drivers for change,the landscape has been organized in four areas:
CONNECT (Component autonomy ver-sus unity; Component structure; AIA three coordination)
LEAD (Leadership tenure and agendas; Board size and composition)
INNOVATE (Prioritization of initiatives; identifying and taking a stand on im-portant issues; Resource allocation/dues/membership)
There are many moving parts, many possibilities for progress, and many potential places to get ‘stuck’.
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By Michael Fennacy, AIA
Continued from page 5... By Joseph Minicozzi, AICP
The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development to assessing how much a property owner owes, we place very little value on the land beneath a building as compared to the building itself. Com-pounding that issue is the fact that if you construct a building without innova-tive architecture or sustainable materi-als, you actually benefit by lower tax value. Basically, the cheaper the archi-tecture, the lower the taxes. The com-bination of these two factors creates a disincentive for good architecture. The result is that the community loses, both in terms of the property tax it collects and the long-term legacy of cheap single-use buildings. In basic terms, we've cre-ated tax breaks to construct disposable
buildings, and there's nothing smart about that kind of growth. What can we do about it? Moses did not come down from the mountaintop to deliver our current property tax policy on stone tablets. It's just another rule we impose upon ourselves. And if we recognize that this policy is harming us in some way, it makes sense to change it. We simply cannot afford how the current system creates incentives for suburban sprawl – which is unsustaina-ble both environmentally and -- as I hope I have shown -- financially. Com-munities across the United States are going broke, and we can rightly look to our municipal finance systems and our
failure to fully appreciate the payoff for density as a big part of the cause. Let's all do the math so we can make some positive changes in the system because, in the end, downtown pays. ~ Joseph Minicozzi, AICP is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the International Association of Assessing Officials, and the American Institute of Certified Planners. He has a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Mi-ami, and a Masters in Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University. For more examples of his studies, please visit www.urban-three.com.
Continued from page 6... Repositioning the AIA
AIA leadership discuss the organization’s repositioning efforts. From left: EVP/CEO Robert Ivy, 2014 President Helene Dreiling, 2013 President Mickey Jacob, 2012 President Jeff Potter, CACE President Tina Litteral.
ARCH - newsletter of the san joaquin chapter of the american institute of architects
ARCH ISSUE NO. 13_Q4 11
By Michael Fennacy, AIA
Continued from page 10... Repositioning the AIA What can you do as a member?
Success of Repositioning will depend on Members and Components at all AIA levels taking ownership of the mandate for change. You can help lead your component to move some part of the repositioning agenda forward. Since the Repositioning is a work in progress, driven by member needs, a single individual can shape the path forward. This has happened already – witness the dramatic resolutions that came forward in June at the convention, driven by small numbers of individuals, that were resoundly approved and recently ratified by the Board of Directors. Leadership of Repositioning at national: AIA Steering Committee (Mickey Jacob, Helene Dreiling, Jeff Potter, Ashley Clark, Deb Kunce, Mike Waldinger or Robert Ivy) or AIA staff, Kathy Compton, Vice President, Communications, Marketing & Convention ([email protected]) or Phil Simon, Managing Director, Communications and Publishing ([email protected]).
Connect with your
Repositioning Ambassador
The AIA has chosen ambassadors to speak, facilitate, and champion the Repositioning Initiative by drawing together mem-bers at all levels.
The following AIA members have been selected as Repositioning Ambassadors to represent California. They play an important role in helping model and share the message of the Repositioning: Shifting our perspective about what the AIA can do to serve members and advance the profession. Putting members first. ~
