....... No matter who you are, what you look like, where you're from, or who you love, you were the 'IN' crowd

The first-ever Global Inclusion Reception (EV321) of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) was held during its national convention in Chicago on June 27, 2014 at the Hafele Chicago Showroom. Here are my three takeaways from the event:

1. It is possible for a diverse group of creative organizations to come together in fellowship.
2. Humanitarian issues, like the most recent need for rebuilding after category 5 typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), are global operations that require a spirit of communal unity, because no one is exempt from experiencing natural disasters.
3. "No matter who you are, what you look like, where you're from, or who you love," architecture and design can be a profession where you are part of the 'IN' crowd.

Members of the US Whitehouse delivered enlightening and inspiring messages about diversity and inclusion, from Billy Dec who's a Presidential-Appointee to the Whitehouse Asian-American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), to US Ambassador John Maisto...   US Ambassador John Maisto (ret) "A really great talk too Billy Dec. Inspirational -Diversity Rocks," shares Immediate Past President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Angela Brady PPRIBA FRIAI FRIAS FRSA FAIA FRIAC BIID Ph.D, who was in attendance. She further mentions after meeting Ambassador Maisto at the event, "It was a pleasure meeting such an enlightened man on great humanitarian issues." It was a showcase of diversity in all of its forms where official partners of the AIA Diversity and Inclusion came together for an evening of fellowship. The evening's programmed presentations were woven together by Master of Ceremonies, Kyle Hillman, that started with... AIA Diversity Council (Co-Chair): Wendy Ornelas, FAIA NOMA (National President): Kathy Dixon AIA, NOMA, LEED AP, NCARB Arquitectos (immediate Past-President): Juan Gabriel Moreno, AIA[/caption] Other multicultural professional organizations participated in celebration of diversity... Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)-USA (President): James Karl Fischer RIBA, AIA, PhD American Society of Interior Designers (CEO): Randy W. Fiser LA.IDEA | DC (Co-Chair): Jeannette (Gigi) Soto
LA.IDEA | DC: Juan Carlos Alvarez Tiffany C. Millner, AIA, NOMA from the AIA Diversity Council board shared the 40th Anniversary exhibit of Chicago Women in Architecture in the Chicago Architecture Foundation.[/caption] Members of the LGBT community as well as another official partner of the AIA Diversity and Inclusion, Out & Equal, transformed the Hafele showroom using multimedia and ambience that made the evening magical. Multimedia Installations by Troy Larsen[/caption] Which quickly became a hit and encouraged interaction among guests. Guests interacting with the installations.[/caption] And lastly, the celebration had a humanitarian component. Led by collaborators from the Leapfrog Project, there was a silent auction and raffle to benefit the rebuilding efforts in the Philippines after its central cities were decimated by category 5 typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Leapfrog Project Collaborators Melissa Sterry (Design Scientist) and Enrique Otarola (Orem Foundation) announce the winners of the silent auction and raffle. (Image credit: Chris Vaughn)

Rockit Ranch's restaurant Sunda where Billy Dec is CEO and Founder, was one of the donors to the Leapfrog Project's silent auction that night.
Some collaborators of the Leapfrog Project with Billy Dec: (L-R: Mitchell Obstfeld, Melissa Sterry, Billy Dec, Lira Luis, Enrique Otarola, Romeo Santos)

Check out the rest of the event photos. (All images and videos courtesy of Lester Scaife, unless otherwise noted.)

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A year in review: Let's talk about Design

Happy new year everyone! The best is yet to come as far as new things happening in our world and in the architecture world at large. We are excited! One of the highlights of the past year was when OREM interviewed Lira Luis to discuss the Value of Design. It has reached nearly 54,000 views worldwide. Take a look:

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Search for the right way to save a Frank Lloyd Wright house

The clock is ticking on the fate of the David and Gladys Wright house. This house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son, was patterned after the spiral plan of the Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Its construction began in 1950 and completed in 1952. After it was publicized in 1953, both architecture historians and critics alike deemed it among the 20 most significant buildings of the world-famous architect.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is strategizing on the right way to save “one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most innovative, unusual and personal works of architecture” as described by Neil Levine (a well-known architectural historian and Harvard Professor) in reference to the house.

Finding The Right Buyer

When the 8081 Meridian Corporation purchased the house for $1.8 million in June 2012, The Frank Lloyd Wright Building conservancy contacted these new owners who are also developers to begin a dialogue where the goal would be an outcome of a win-win situation for both the owner/developer and the preservation of a notable piece of architecture. Comments made by the owners/developers indicate a possibility of demolition of the said house. The search is now on for “a new buyer or buyers to purchase the property intact from the current owners/developers. Buyers can take varying forms such as individuals who are in a position to purchase it, a consortium for temporary ownership, or ownership as a 501(c)3 partnership among museums or institutions. The asking price? $2.7 million approximately.

Lot Split Planning Solution

This option might provide the respect to architecture and site that the house warrants while at the same time allow the owners to develop the land in consultation with local Phoenix architects who will be able to properly plan its development. This real estate however, will still be subject to meet zoning ordinances, variance approvals, and neighborhood questioning.

Seek Landmark Status

This issue is now formalized as part of a Hearing’s agenda with the Historic Preservation Commission that is scheduled on September 17, 2012 at 4:30pm at 200 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ (1st Floor Assembly Room). The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy shares this: “As many of you know while historic preservation designation is under consideration no demolition permit will be approved.  Approval of Historic Preservation designation provides an automatic delay of one year for granting any demolition permit; Landmark status provides a three-year delay. The unknown at this point is whether the city will require owner consent and at what point in the process.”

Do something to help save the David and Gladys Wright house today. Here’s how:

Write in support of Historic Preservation and Landmark designation for the David Wright House.
Please indicate the following in a subject line:  David Wright House Historic Preservation Landmark Designation (Rezoning Application Z-24-12-6)

• One letter may be addressed  to the following 3 recommending bodies:

Chairman Parisella and the Historic Preservation Commission, City of Phoenix
Chairman Awai and the Planning Commission, City of Phoenix
Chairman Swart and the Camelback East  Village Planning Committee

c/o Ms. Michelle Dodds, AICP

Acting Historic Preservation Officer
Planning and Development Department
City of Phoenix

200 West Washington St. Third Floor

Phoenix, AZ 85003

email Michelle Dodds


• Letter to the Mayor and to the City Council

The Honorable Greg Stanton       

Mayor of Phoenix

200 West Washington St. Eleventh floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003

email Mayor Greg Stanton

• If you are a resident of the City of Phoenix you may also wish to send a letter to your individual councilman.

• As well as urging the Historic Preservation and Landmark designation, please emphasize Wright's importance to modern architecture, his choice of Arizona to build Taliesin West, his winter headquarters for his office and school, beginning in 1938, the cultural value it as well as the David Wright house represents to the Valley of the Sun, and the lessons of  how to build in the desert.  Don't be shy about talking about your professional life, relation to Wright, and/or your stand for the importance of the architecture.  The decision makers need to know what the stakes are of not protecting this house.

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In Full Light

(A guest blog post recapping some of the events surrounding the recent Lightfair International conference, covered by Enrique Otarola. Lightfair is north America's largest annual architectural and commercial trade lighting show. View original article here.)

I haven’t been in Las Vegas – Nevada for the past 4 years, and I wanted to see the new places and buildings in sin city. Another big reason to visit Las Vegas was to meet Lira Luis, a celebrity architect speaker that I admire and I had followed for years with the use of social media.

We (Me, Robert, and Christopher) planned this trip for a few weeks, so we headed to Las Vegas for some distraction, excitement and fun.

In Day one, we arrived in the early afternoon and checked in at the hotel. This hotel has a theme for movies and entertainment in each room. There were no lines and the crew was so nice and helpful at all times. Almost immediately we headed to a restaurant in the famous strip. The desert heat was present at 94 degrees around 7 pm.

Las Vegas strip

After a fun dinner we decided to go across the street to see the new Las Vegas center. It was unbelievable to see how the designers came up with an idea to build a three story floor chandelier bar, the crystals hang from the roof (of the third floor roof) all the way to the first floor, literally; all of this inside a building.

Having a degree in Civil Engineering (for almost 20 years), it amazes me how these designers and builders came up with this concept. I recall in my early Engineering years (yes, many of you weren’t even born yet) how difficult it was to build these funky designed buildings that my early employers want me to build. I remember back in my early 20’s, just fresh out of engineering school, and having been a resident engineer at this apartment complex construction site, how challenging it was to build the entrance for the complex that had a particular design. I was just wondering about all the challenges (it took) to build these amazing structures. I give all my respect to whoever built this structure.

Let’s keep in mind that Las Vegas, a city that was designed to be enjoyed at night, and having said that, its structures and buildings were intended to be enjoyed in the dark, a good lighting system must be in place. So attending the Lightfair International 2012 that was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center would be a great idea.

There is a restaurant bar inside

After a long walk inside this new center I was ready to continue with the fun “Las Vegas style” across the street, so we headed to another place. And after visiting 3 more places and just having a few more hours before my work on the second day started, we headed to the hotel.

Day two: I was worried of not having enough sleep before my working day, but I was energized and ready at 8 am, so I got ready and headed to the Lightfair International 2012 conference.

I was nervous and excited at the same time, not every day do you have the chance to be invited as a Blogger press to cover an important event, but also this was the first time that I will meet Lira Luis and to attend one of her speaking events.

Lira Luis and Enrique Otarola

I’ve been working in the blogging world, networking, and interacting with people using the social media tools for a few years now. Trust me when I say it’s not easy. You have deadlines. You have people to see, places to go, and business to do. In a way you are in people’s radar all the time, so you have to develop a thick skin some times because not everybody likes what you do (or your opinions). You get lovers and haters too.

So meeting Lira Luis was a big deal for me because she is doing the same thing (as me) and much more but in a mega level. Lira travels all over the country. She has architectural licenses in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Asia. She speaks at different events throughout the year all over the globe.

Lira Luis website -  http://www.liraluis.com

I arrived at the Lightfair event in the morning and picked up my press credentials and immediately headed to the auditorium to cover Lira’s presentation. Me and my 30 pound press equipment went straight to N116 where Lira will be.

When I entered the room, the moment was magical for me; I’ve seen the room full of people, all of them ready for Lira’s presentation. I looked for the best place to see the presentation and I quickly found it. I unloaded all of my press “cargo” (professional camera, video camera, tripod, PC laptop, digital recording, etc.) and then, I was ready. In moments like these, I wondered “Where is my assistant? He is sleeping off the party time from last night.”

Then, there she was, we had a good distance between each other but she managed to recognize me among all of the attendees and then she waved her hand hello to me.

Lira Luis at LFI in Las Vegas

Lira spoke about the concept of “opportunities to define space with light”, which I found so interesting. All the buildings and structures become pleasant to the human eye when they are in display to be enjoyed.

Watch Lira Luis presentation in Las Vegas 2012

Having an engineering chip deep in my brain, at the beginning I couldn’t quite understand it, so having all of these wonderful pictures in a presentation called Prezi, were so helpful, even to an engineer.

Lira showed pictures of spaces that were enhanced by the natural light at different times of the day, for instance, Lira showed a picture of a shelter (living space) that she lived in while attending her architecture school.

It was amazing for me that Lira was just talking about the same concept that I had in mind just hours ago about a city, places to be admired at night. Although this concept was more organic, the principle was the same.

In a more specific part of the presentation, Lira presented “pockets of opportunities to define space with light”. I liked the picture of a brick wall that was brought to life with the simple fact of having a light entrance in the right place (for the different hours) bringing different effects throughout the day.

Lira Luis presentation

After the hour and a half of presentation, I learned something else about architecture. How important it is to keep the original design of a building. Sometimes the design suffers due to the changes in budget and time of the construction process.

After the presentation was over, I went to the press room to immediately start working on this new material, and while waiting for Lira I had the chance to meet Brandon Smith a designer based in San Diego and a power blogger. We enjoyed a fun chat while having a bite. You can read more about Brandon Smith at http://dcoopsd.wordpress.com/
..

Enrique and Brandon

I’ve also had the chance to meet another press colleague Merwin Videña, who was covering this Lightfair international event from San Diego.

Then, after Lira was finally free (she is a busy professional) I kidnapped Lira in our media booth at the Press room, where we talked more in detail about her presentation and I also had the chance to shoot a short interview for everybody to enjoy.

After having the opportunity to meet Lira and learning first hand about her amazing work, I can’t just get enough of this amazing woman, so we planned to have dinner at the hotel, later the same day.

Click here to watch Lira Luis interview in Las Vegas 2012 




Click here to watch full video interview

 
The event was full of people from all over the world, interesting vendors and imaginative creations too. You can see more about this event at – http://www.lightfair.com/



Enrique Otarola, a civil engineer by training, is also an entrepreneur in different fields. His blog Finding the right Tax Accountant journey encourages individuals to find their passion in life and follow it. It is read by thousands.

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Lightfair International 2012 Design Symposia Feature Architects, Designers And Innovators

By Mel Fabrikant of Paramus Post (read original article here)

The Design Symposia at LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI), the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, each offer 90 minutes of knowledge from the design community’s leading experts. The Design Symposia create a global stage for architects, designers and innovators to share their work and their vision. The trade show opens Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas and the Design Symposia take place on Thursday, May 10, 2012.

2012 Design Symposia include:
• Healthcare Lighting: Cleveland Clinic Case Study (8:30am-10:00am) – John D'Angelo, PE, CMVP, Senior Director of Facilities, Cleveland Clinic
Principally through lighting conversion projects, Cleveland Clinic has achieved a 20% reduction in energy usage over the last four years while improving patient outcomes, patient safety and patient experience.
• Light Spaces Wright Places (10:30am-12:00pm) – Lira Luis, AIA, RIBA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal Architect, atelier lira luis, LLC
Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin became an illustration of daylighting strategies. Luis discusses her experience living at one of America's architectural landmarks and how this demonstrates the value of defining architectural spaces with light.
• Creating Choreographed Experiences: A Sensory Exploration of Interiors (2:00pm-3:30pm) – Zia Hansen, AIA, NCARB, Associate Senior Designer, Wimberly Interiors (WATG)
Great design explores, investigates and exploits the power and magic of light and spatial volume to create daring, seductive and enhancing experiences. A designer’s goal is to exploit the characteristics of the space, location and theme being evoked.
• Lighting in Hospitality Interior Design (4:30pm-6:00pm) – Gerry Jue, AIA, Principal, BAMO
This course will be an overview of hospitality lighting design from the interior designer's perspective, using images and documentation from completed and current BAMO work. Topics include: hospitality lighting design concepts and strategies; working with a hospitality lighting designer; custom fixture design and documentation.

The four featured Design Symposia will be held in conjunction with the LFI 2012 Conference program and will take place on Thursday, May 10. Attendees are required to pre-register for the sessions. More information on the Design Symposia, and the entire lineup of Conference seminars and Institute courses, can be found online at http://www.lightfair.com/lightfair/V40/index.cvn?id=10266

The LIGHTFAIR Daylighting Institute® and the LIGHTFAIR Institute® take place as part of the Pre-Conference program on Monday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 8, 2012 and the LFI Trade Show and Conference will run Wednesday, May 9 – Friday, May 11, 2012. For more information about LIGHTFAIR International, please visit www.lightfair.com . Download the LFI Mobile App at m.lightfair.com.

LIGHTFAIR International is the world’s largest annual commercial and architectural lighting trade show and conference and is sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The event is produced and managed by AMC, Inc.

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A Tribute To Taliesin's 100 Years

As Taliesin celebrates 100 years since its construction, I look back at my own memories of what it was like when I first set foot at this historic landmark considered one of the best examples of Organic Architecture. Frank Lloyd Wright encouraged the apprentices at Taliesin to tap into creative writing way before blogging ever existed, as part of a multi-faceted architecture experience. This was yet another exercise of Frank Lloyd Wright's vision that was so ahead of his time. This article was one of the first pieces I wrote shortly after arriving at Taliesin in Spring Green. It is taken from the Wisconsin River Valley Journal, September/October 1997 Vol 5, Issue 2:

Between 1934-37 the Wisconsin architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his Taliesin apprentices wrote columns printed in Wisconsin newspapers. Wisconsin River Valley Journal continues the tradition. This issue's contribution is by Anna Lira V Luis, a Taliesin apprentice from the Philippines. She is pursuing her master's degree from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.             - Wisconsin River Valley Journal

More. To read the columns of 1934-37, see "At Taliesin," Newspaper Columns by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Fellowship. Southern Illinois University Press, 1992. - Wisconsin River Valley Journal

Taliesin Break Away

A few months back, I decided to break away from a very typical architectural lifestyle. Being a practicing architect from the Philippines, I would go through the normal routines of the profession---designing, revising, designing, revising, and doing more designing and revising! I guess no matter what part of the globe an architect practices, these are inevitable aspects of the profession. The more I get involved with architecture, the more I want to comprehend its complex nature. With this yearning, I packed my bags, gathered my guts, and flew willfully to Taliesin to satisfy my thirst for architectural knowledge.

Although much of Taliesin was in deep slumber when I made my entry, I was greeted by the stunning Hillside studio. I could not believe that I was actually inside this picture perfect structure that I had only seen in pictures! I remember vividly that sleepless first night at the "shining brow". I had mixed emotions. I was excited with what the next day would bring. At the same time, I was concerned with what I could make of it.

The very first morning, I decided to explore the magical mystery of the school. Possessing a very academic background, I started to look for my classroom---just as a normal graduate student would on the first day of classes. There was none. Yes, there are no classrooms, because every corner of Taliesin is a classroom! Learning is achieved by experience. The concept of "learning by doing" is so foreign to me that it sparked my interest. I have wanted to break away from the confines of a four-walled classroom, and take a more revolutionary way of learning. It is because my academic background has trained me well enough to be a good student that I now want to know the meaning of apprenticeship. The challenge is how to apply the theoretical knowledge in actual practice and learn from it. I realized that even a very mundane tast such as scraping paint off the ceilings can become a source of information. It is during these times that I have the opportunity to view ceiling and roof connections that would be helpful in drawing details of these. It becomes much easier to draw something that is familiar just because one has seen it before.

There is so much to learn not only about the buildings in Taliesin but also the environment. It is amazing to realize that even the trees and sparrows relay knowledge and inspiration. The community setting supplements the learning process of apprentices. Activities are geared towards their relation to architecture. As a result, Taliesin-trained architects become equipped with a more well-rounded architectural sense. The place is a haven for artists desiring to have architecture as a means of expression. Never in my academic training have I experienced architecture in its purest intensity, the way Taliesin has let me. No other place educates the way Taliesin educates.

The knowledge I absorb is worth the thousands of kilometers I traveled to acquire it. I am being molded to become an architect armed not only with theoretical knowledge but also practical training. When the time comes for me to leave the place, I would know that every minute spent in Frank Lloyd Wright's "organic classroom" would remain with me. A part of me has become a part of Taliesin, and a part of Taliesin has become a part of me.

Mr. Wright may no longer be around physically, but his creative spirit is very much present today as it was during his lifetime. His contribution to architectural education by way of Taliesin will continue as long as nature continues to educate. Taliesin breaks away from the classroom just as Mr. Wright broke away from the box. 

About Taliesin

Taliesin is the home of the Taliesin Fellowship, a group of architects, artists, educators and architects-in-training continuing the work and learning program begun by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lloyd Wright at their home and school buildings near the Wisconsin River near Spring Green. The buildings and the 600-acre campus they are located on are known together as Taliesin. The name is Welsh and literally means "shining brow." - Wisconsin River Valley Journal

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The ‘Wright’ Tile to Make a Mark

When the folks at Tile of Spain told me to pack my bags for the “Reign in Spain” A&D Tour, a new a new CEU education program, to represent the U.S. Architecture and Design community, I was more than excited to learn about a new trends in tile. Ceramic, natural stone, and bathroom design are converging, provoking the A&D community to think about these elements as “much more, as a part of you,” perhaps like “your skin.” Let me digress…


>> Continue at TalkContract.com

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