AIA UK X Armstrong Architecture Pub Quiz

Do you know the difference between a morel and a morello? Or where you would find an architrave? Or even which body part is missing on a Manx cat? If you do, you might have won AIA UK’s pub quiz last November.

Six teams were battling for points through four tough rounds of questions helped by the odd sip of beer or wine. Bea and Laura belted out the questions cruelly, without the least hint or clue, no wonder everyone was scratching their heads and breathing hard. In the end the Boffins – who else – took first prize – a bottle of champagne. It was a terrific evening, the second annual pub quiz organised together with our sponsor Armstrong UK. As a surprise Armstrong drew lots for a special consolation prize – tickets to a Six-Nations Rugby Game. Make sure you don’t miss the quiz this year.

Written by: Bea Sennewald, AIA

Movie Night - Frei Otto: Spanning The Future

For the The AIA UK inaugural movie of the 2018 we screened ‘Frei Otto: Spanning The Future,' by Simon K. Chiu.

This is a documentary about the incredible life and work of Frei Otto. As an architect and engineer he laid the foundation for contemporary lightweight architecture, and his ideas are still awe inspiring, decades after he revealed them. This fact was cemented when he was named the 2015 Laureate of Pritzker Architecture Prize.

In one of the final interviews given before his passing, Frei Otto tells how coming of age in the years surrounding WWII influenced his work in tensile architecture. Along with Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Richard Neutra, Frei Otto was a visionary. His approach to form finding to solve structural as well as social problems is the foundation for modern architecture. 

This was a sold-out screening full of lively discussion at the end.  A huge thank you to all who attended for starting off the 2018 screenings with such good attendance and debate. 

‘NCARB and You – Licensure and Architectural Practice in the USA’

On 3 Oct 2017, AIA UK hosted a talk entitled ‘NCARB and You – Licensure and Architectural Practice in the USA’ at the Desso Gallery in Clerkenwell with distinguished speakers Michael Armstrong, Gregory Erny and Stephen Nutt from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Topics included the role of NCARB, the 3 major components (Education, Experience and Examination) to achieve licensure, and some of the latest programs introduced by NCARB to make attaining the Education and Experience requirements easier.   Particular emphasis was given on ways non-US education or work experience could be accommodated.

There was also a recap on the most current requirements for the Architect Registration Exam (ARE), including how to optimize completion of the ARE in as few exams as possible under the Transition Plan, which is a mix of exam divisions under the expiring ARE 4.0 and the current ARE 5.0 exam system.

Turnout was extremely positive, with many UK and European architects and those interested in pursuing a career in architecture attending.  Several members of the RIBA engaged in an informal, but useful Q&A debate at the end of the session. The AIAUK also reminded the audience and members that the Chapter supports those who are undergoing the US licensure process and that various study materials are available for loan on request.

For more information on the AIA UK Chapter’s initiatives for Emerging Professionals, the ARE and the licensure process, please contact the AIA Chapter Executive, who will put you in touch with Ben Lee and/or Katharine Storr, who head the Emerging Professionals initiative.  Please look on our website for upcoming mentoring events.

Written by: Benjamin Lee, AIA

2018 Annual General Meeting - Approval of Minutes

The AIA UK Chapter Annual General Meeting is a unique mixture of social evening, continuing education event and business meeting all in one.  Following a tradition starting in the 1990s, this year’s AGM – held on Thursday 18 January 2018 – was hosted by our long-term sponsor, Herman Miller.  Herman Miller’s generous hospitality before and after the business meeting made for a most pleasant evening.

Prior to the meeting, Herman Miller’s representative, Bertie Wan Wyk, gave a talk on “Well Being and Social Ergonomics” as they relate to office environments.  As ever, the Herman Miller talk was both entertaining and instructive.  

The formal part of the AGM dealt with approval of the 2017 Accounts and the election of the 2018 Board of Directors and Officers.  Additionally, the 2017 President, Fatos Peja Int’l Assoc AIA RIBA gave an overview presentation of the past year and the 2018 President, Alex Miller AIA, gave a preview of his plans for 2018.   These presidential presentations as well as a summary of the 2017 Accounts, a review of Chapter membership and the list of Board Directors and Officers can be accessed through the link below to the AGM Minutes.

According to the UK Chapter Bylaws adapted at last year’s AGM, the Minutes of the AGM must be presented to the overall membership for approval.  If there are no relevant additions, comments or modifications within a month from this notification, the Minutes will automatically be approved. Please send any comments to secretary@aiauk.org.

• Please Review Meeting Minutes HERE
• Please See Full Presentation HERE

Written by: Lorraine King, AIA 

AIA UK Past President Justin Cratty AIA Receives Honour

AIA UK member and past president Justin Cratty, AIA has been recognized for his professional achievements by his alma mater.  Mahesh Daas, dean of the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design (Arc/D), and the school's Dean’s Advisory Board announced the name of Arc/D's inaugural Young Architect-Designer Award winner, Justin Cratty.  The Young Architect-Designer Award honors architects and designers who graduated from the University of Kansas less than a decade ago who have already demonstrated leadership and significant contributions to their profession.

Justin (M.Arch., 2008) is a senior associate at Gensler in London and specializes in laboratory design.  Justin has worked on millions of square feet of laboratory space in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East; in addition, his project experience includes data centers; skyscrapers; and retail and hospitality projects.  

Justin Cratty, right, receives his award from Dean Daas, center

Carillion Group Liquidation

A number of companies within the Carillion group have today been placed in compulsory liquidation. The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator, with support from PwC.

James Hutchinson, from chapter sponsor Beale & Company, provides some background on this matter and sets out guidance in relation to dealing with Carillion.

To read the full article, please click here. 

To discuss any of the issues covered please contact: 
James Hutchinson
Partner
T: +44 (0) 20 7469 0408
E: j.hutchinson@beale-law.com