AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture

These are our 2012 AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture co-chairs!

2011-12-07T18:14:00.000-08:00

From left to right: 2011 Co-chair Jimmy Castellanos, 2012 Co-chair Celi Sims, 2012 Co-chair Lorena Toffer, 2011 Co-chair Yesenia Blandon.

At our last LiA meeting of the year, we introduced Celi Sims (Rees Associates, Inc. ) and Lorena Toffer (Corgan Associates, Inc) as the AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee 2012 Co-chairs.
They are both an excellent example of professional commitment and dynamism and we are looking forward to another great year for LiA under their leadership.

Congratulations to both of them!

Congratulations Yesenia Blandon!

2011-11-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Yesenia Blandon, LiA's Co-founder and Co-chair has received the 2011 Associate Member of the Year, an Honor Award for the Texas Society of Architects, for her leadership in AIA Dallas and her prefessional growth within the local design community.

See more on her bio in the Texas Architect Magazine (November/December Issue) Page 12.

Your books are now in the hands of local high school students!

2011-10-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Last week, LiA members visited Moises E. Molina HS, Pinkston HS, and Skyline HS!

More than 600 books and 200 magazines were delivered to these schools, where LiA members had the opportunity to talk to the students about the benefits of staying in school, pursuing architecture as a career path, and sharing our personal experiences that led to our professional careers.

Special thanks to Iara Bachman, Yesenia Blandon, Jimmy Castellanos, Jesus Machuca, Juan Navarro, Gina Sierra, Terry Salinas, Celi Sims, Luis Tejeda, Lorena Toffer, and Dulce Torres, all members of AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee, who volunteered with the sorting , organization and distribution of books.

Most importantly, thanks to everyone who took the time and effort to donate a book! Everyone was impressed with the number of books as well as the quality of these books. Thank you so much for heling inspire the architects of tomorrow!

Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibit Opening: Full House!

2011-10-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

On Friday, September 23rd, LiA had the opening of the Hispanic Heritage Month: "Celebrating the Work of Dallas Latin Architects and Designers, 2011", with more than 100 people enjoying great food, drinks and live music.

Thank you so much to everyone that made it and especially to our sponsors: Perkisn+Will, HKS, Rivera Engineering and Nunez International.

The exhibit will remain at the Dallas Center for Architecture until Wednesday October 26th.

Some of the work being exhibited will be going to the TSA Convention that following weekend.

Go check it out!

“From an Architect’s Bookshelf”- The results are in…

2011-09-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Several LiA Dallas volunteers met last Saturday at the offices of Perkins+Will. The mission: to sort out the books collected for this year "From an Architect's Bookshelf" program.
Georgina Sierra (T. Howard + Associates), Jimmy Castellanos (Perkins+Will), Terry Salinas (Perkins+Will), Jesus Machuca (Callison), Lorena Toffer (Corgan), Luis Tejeda (Corgan), Juan Navarro (Perkins +Will), Yesenia Blandon (Perkins+Will), Dulce Torres (HKS) and Iara Bachmann (Iara Bachmann-Architectural Design) volunteered to go over dozens of donated art, architecture and interior design books and have them ready to be distributed to our two beneficiary schools in October.

We surely exceeded our goals for this year collecting 546 books and over 700 architectural magazines!
Thank you very much to each of you who donated a book or has volunteered time to this program; Your donation will provide local educational institutions with an architectural library, supporting education, creating awareness of architecture and art and raising exposure of our profession as a career path. THANK YOU!

Special thanks to the Bookshelf Leaders at the architecture firms, that donated their time and effort to make the program known, and successfully collected so many books, to the Comex Group for sponsoring this year’s book drive and to everyone that participated.

Our two beneficiary schools will be L.G. Pinkston High School (West Dallas) and Moisés E. Molina High School (Oak Cliff).
We will be updating you on the distribution of the books.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

2011-08-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

LiA Presents:
National Hispanic Heritage Month-Celebrating the Work of Dallas Latin Architects and Designers

Join LiA (Latinos in Architecture) for the second year of the National Hispanic Heritage Month with an exhibition opening and reception featuring Latin food, drinks and live music!

Friday, September 23rd, 6-8 pm
Dallas Center for Architecture
1909 Woodall Rodgers Fwy Ste 100
Dallas, TX 75201

Pre-Register $15, $12 at the door
Pre-Register at http://aiadallas.affiniscape.com/cde.cfm?event=321953

Exhibition:
Hector Perez (TBA Studio)
Iara Bachmann (Iara Bachmann-Architectural Design)
Carlos Gállego (Gallego Creative Design)
Jorge Martinez
Hernan Molina (RTKL)
Sergio Chavez (HKS)
Paola Contreras (HDR)
Terry Salinas & Ingrid Aboujaoude (Perkins + Will)
Michael Reyes (Good Fulton & Farrell)
Reymundo Castillo (HLR)
Juan Carlos Arias (HOK)
Juan Ponce (Halff Associates, Inc)
Lorena Holguin & Jorge Gonzalez (Corgan Associates)
Julian Lizarazu (FKP)

“Cityscapes” by Natalia Ferber (LaGuardaLow) - Craighead Green Gallery

“West Dallas, La Bajada: Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay- A Photographic Documentation”-

Sponsored by:
HKS, Inc. - http://www.hksinc.com/
Perkins+Will - http://www.perkinswill.com/
Nunez International
Rivera Engineering - http://www.riveramep.com/

The event is both a social event as well as an opportunity to continue the committee's design community outreach.
"LiA seeks to serve and support our local communities by establishing a forum for celebrating Latinos in the design related professions"
We hope to see you there!

GOT BOOKS?

2011-08-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

As you now, LiA is currently running the bookdrive program:
Help us develop an Architecture library for a local school. Donate a book TODAY!

And now that we are talking books, we'll like to share the following:

"20 Beautiful Novels for Architecture Students": http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/20-beautiful-novels-for-architecture-students/

“20 Educational Architecture Books Anyone Can Enjoy”:

http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2011/20-educational-architecture-books-anyone-can-enjoy/

Have a good reading and remember, you can take your book donation to the Dallas Center for Architecture!

LiA Dallas- "From an Architect's Bookshelf", 2011

2011-06-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Please join the AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture for the second year of "From an Architect's Bookshelf"!
This book donation/library development program would provide local educational institutions with books that are essential for the teaching and research of Architecture but too costly for most schools or scholars to afford.

You are encouraged to write a note of insight or encouragement inside the cover of the book to personalize and humanize the gift to the students. You can contribute something from your personal collection or buy a book to donate.Donations can include: Architecture, interior design, art and construction books.

Your book donation will help:
- Motivate a young student to stay in school and pursue a college degree education; Raise awareness of Architecture as a career path as well as its profile to make the profession more diverse and attractive; Inspire the Architect's of tomorrow: With this program if we touch one student who will pursue a career in architecture, go on to licensure, and become an AIA member, that will make it a success.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank Mesa Design Group for their kind donation of 80 books, that are helping us jump start our book drive! Also, we are pleased to announce that this year we will be running the program with LiA Austin and AIA San Diego.

BOOKSHELF LEADERS: If you are interested in being one, please let us know.
Collections are July 11 - August 19.
There will also be a collection point at the Dallas Center for Architecture (DCFA)- 1909 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75201

We invite you to take a look at this video “AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture, From an Architect’s Bookshelf”, that depicts the soul and the intent of the book drive program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9kcWMeFmxk

LiA Dallas- Celebration happy Hour at Corgan

2011-06-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that joined in the celebration at Corgan Assocaites last Friday, for LiA's first year as a committee of the AIA Dallas.
Corgan was a very generous and great host for all the LiA members and guests that came to learn more about the committee, and the future programs, like the sucessful "From an Architect's Bookshelf", a book drive that was launched in 2010 and that will be run again this year.

Go to LiA's facebook page to see more photos of the event:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.234560686563147

AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Happy Hour, Sponsored by Corgan

2011-05-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a networking happy hour, sponsored by Corgan!
Friday, June 24th, 5:45-7:30 pm

at CORGAN
401 North Houston Street
Dallas, Texas 75202

Please RSVP to Yesenia.Blandon@perkinswill.com

Please see attach map for parking and directions:
Note that guests can park for free in the Private Corgan Employee parking lot located immediately north of the Corgan office building on Houston Street.

“A Century of Women in Architecture: A Short History”

2011-05-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts (OCSFA) is pleased to announce their popular Salon Series for Spring 2011.

On Thursday May 12, : “A Century of Women in Architecture: A Short History” by Susan Appleton, AIA, Rebecca Boles, AIA and Dr. Norma Figueroa, CAAPPR. All colleagues/assistant professors at UT Arlington and well respected for their work in architecture and research. They will present an illustrated lecture on the achievements and contributions of women in the field of architecture over the past 100 years. Among other topics, they will talk about the relationship developed between domestic architecture and women architects; the prevailing definition of the architect as male; and how gender relations have limited, and at the same time, given shape to the identity of the architect.

Dr. Norma Isa Figueroa, PH.D, MArch, CAAPPR, will be talking about the history of the profession from the gender perspective, analyzing newspaper articles about women architects in Puerto Rico from 1945 to 1980. Although her focus is women architects in Puerto Rico, these findings apply almost everywhere. It is a cultural study that reveals the challenges that the first women architects faced when joining the profession and how society preferred the male ideal.

The events will be held at the historic Turner House, home of the OCSFA, as part of their mission to be a resource for art and architecture:
Turner House: 401 N. Rosemont, 75208.
The presentations will all take place between 7:30 and 9 pm. Refreshments will be served. Tickets will be $15 for non-members and $10 for OCSFA members; Tickets can be purchased at the door or through their website: www.turnerhouse.org.

For more information please contact Kenda North, 214-563-9852,
kenda@kendanorth.com

"Architects as Educators, Architects as Innovators"

2011-04-22T07:21:00.000-07:00

Great turnout lastnight for this YAF and LiA event!

Thanks to everyone who attended, making this a very successful gathering.

Around 50 people enjoyed a night of insightful conversation with two inspiring architects and great networking in a wonderful space with awesome food and drinks.

Thanks to our sponsor Wellington Financial, to Tom Cox (Assoc. AIA- Skyline Architecture Cluster) and Joshua Nimmo (AIA-Nimmo American Studio for Progressive Architecture) for sharing their experiences with us, to AIA Dallas President David Zatopek for stopping by, and to Buzzbrews Kitchen for hosting us.

AFH : DFW | Tour & Volunteer day at The Bridge (Dallas' homeless assistance center)

2011-03-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

Feel like volunteering/touring an award winning building all in one stop?

The Architecture for Humanity DFW has set up a tour this Saturday, April 2nd from 10 am – 1 pm, of “The Bridge: a Homeless Assistance Center” followed by some volunteer opportunities.

The Bridge was designed by CamargoCopeland, the firm of Colombian Architect, and LiA member Myriam Camargo and San Antonio based Overland Partners.

The project is LEED silver and has received many national and international design awards including: American Institute of Architects? (AIA) 2009 National Housing Award, the AIA/Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Award, a 2009 National Excellence in Design Award from Environmental Design + Construction magazine and the 2009 Chicago Athenaeum's American Architecture Award.

To register:http://dallas.architectureforhumanity.org/events/1331

http://www.archdaily.com/115040/the-bridge-homeless-assistance-center-overland-partners/

LATITUD3S – Celebrating Architecture Throughout The Americas

2011-03-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

The School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin will be hosting a two-day symposium celebrating architecture throughout the Americas on March 31 + April 1.

The event will host numerous lectures and panel discussions by prominent architects from Canada, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina amongst others. A celebratory reception is planned for opening day at 6:30pm at Goldsmith Hall. If you plan to be in Austin during this time do not miss it!

Weblink to event -http://www.soa.utexas.edu/latitudes/

YAF and LiA joint Architectural event

2011-03-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

Please join these two AIA Dallas Chapter committees: the Young Architects Forum and Latinos in Architecture for a panel discussion covering the topic "Architects as Educators, Architects as Innovators", over drinks and great food!

$12 Pregister, $15 at the door
Register at http://www.aiadallas.org/

Parking at BUZZBREWS Lemmon: There is limited parking available in the building parking garage. Parking is also available in front of BUZZBREWS main entrance. There is also street parking on Hershel St.

BUZZBREWS Kitchen is an eclectic and funky round-the-clock eatery specializing in all day breakfast, lunch and dinner items; such as omelet’s, salads, grilled meats, south of the border creations and bottomless coffee with 5 different flavors daily. An extremely clean pop art Mecca with free WiFi, a respectable beer and wine selection and a mouth watering menu, BUZZBREWS has the freshest most well prepared food in its price range and is a cozy haven for hungry travelers, breakfast lovers, late night hangout seekers, workers on the go, park bench philosophers, foodies and coffee connoisseurs of all kinds.
www.buzzbrews.com

YAF & LIA would like to thank our sponsor for this event:

WELLINGTON FINANCIAL CONSULTING, LLC. is at the forefront of the lending industry, offering a wide array of products, which cater to the specific needs of each individual project., We're a non-traditional lender specializing in lending in North and Central America. Our clients range from resorts, health care, hospitality, multi-family, manufacturing, to office and retail. We're always on the look out for a great project with experienced borrowers. owners equity is a key ingredient to any of our partnerships.

Guillermo V. Nunez- Account Executive
14185 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 1275, Dallas, Texas, 75254
Office: 972-455-2006 Cell: 214-457-8871
guillermo@wellingtonfundingusa.com

A gift from MESA Design Group

2011-03-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Instead of giving the traditional pearl gift for its 30th anniversary, MESA landscape architects opted for a gift of 80 architecture books to the American Institute of Architects Latinos in Architecture committee's book drive for local schools.
This year LiA will also run its successsul bookdrive program "From an Architect's Bookshelf", and this generous donation is a great way to start!
We would like to thank MESA for such a wonderful gift. Hopefully this will inspire others to contribute once the program starts in June.

MESA's book donation to AIA Dallas (AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee) in celebration of their 30th anniversary was featured in BisNow, an influential commercial real estate e-zine:

http://www.bisnow.com/dallas-fort_worth_commercial_real_estate_news_story.php?p=13338

YAF- 10 UNDER 10 Portfolio Competition

2011-03-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

AIA Dallas – Young Arquitects Forum is pleased to announce this new program: An open call for portfolios.
Ten individuals will be selected to display their work at the Dallas Center for Architecture and additional venues throughout the Dallas area.

Registration deadline: April 22, 2011

More information at www.aiadallas.org

AIA Latinos in Architecture Committee continues to expand!

2011-03-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, February 24th, AIA Austin launched the LiA Committee, establishing the second LiA Committee in the nation. Over 50 people attended the inaugural meeting and happy hour, where LiA Austin chair Jaime Palomo introduced LiA’s mission to a diverse group that included , architects, engineers, real estate professionals, educators and students. Jaime Palomo stated the need for this type of committee in Austin and encouraged all to be active participants by suggesting ideas and future programs for the committee, tailored to the Austin community.

AIA Austin’s mission is to serve and support our local Latino communities, strengthen networks between design professionals and enrich our practices through diverse cultural views by fostering participation in educational, professional and community oriented programs.

AIA LiA Austin is out of the starting blocks and going full speed ahead! Stay current with their upcoming events and programs by visiting their blog and facebook page:

http://liacommitteeaustin.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_162581360457393

Colombian Architect Giancarlo Mazzanti's presentation

2011-02-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

Colombian Architect Giancarlo Mazzanti's presentation- FREE

When: Feb 22 (2 - 3 p.m.) TOMORROW!

Where: Davidson Auditorium (SOM 1.118) UT Dallas

Giancarlo Mazzanti Sierra is founder and principal of Giancarlo Mazzanti Arquitectos of Bogotá, Colombia. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia in 1953, he studied architecture at the Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá in 1987 and earned a postgraduate degree in history and theory of architecture and industrial design at the University of Florence (Italy) in 1991. He has taught at leading Colombian universities and been a guest professor at universities in the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Panama. He has won many competitions and awards, including the Urban Design and Landscape category of the 10th Venice Biennale of Architecture Awards in 2006.

More information:

http://www.utdallas.edu/library/news/news.htm

AIA Austin Latinos in Architecture!

2011-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

We are glad to announce the formation of Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Austin as a new committee of the American Institute of Architects' Austin Chapter!

Chair: Jaime Palomo, Partner/Owner CasaBella Architects

Find them at their AIA Austin website: http://www.aiaaustin.org/committee/latinos-architecture-lia

or in their Facebook Group page:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_162581360457393

Jimmy Castellanos’s article: "From an Architects Bookshelf" in the National YAF newsletter

2011-02-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Castellanos’s article: From an Architects Bookshelf, makes the top of the list for the National YAF newsletter!
The article explains how the bookdrive program came to full creation and how LiA intends to run it again in 2011.

Find it here:

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/ek_members/documents/pdf/aiab087416.pdf

"Rethinking Borders"

2011-01-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

On December 10th, 2010, Adolfo Ayuso, Mexican Consul of Cultural Affairs in Dallas, Julian Lizarazu and Yesenia Blandon members of LiA were part of the jury for the final presentation of Emmanuel Ramirez' Advanced Design Graduate Studio at UTA this past Fall semester.

The project, called "Rethinking Borders" defined strategies in the territorial boundaries of the international border between Mexico and the United States, specifically addressing relevant topics such as:
- The border and the Culture and Education
- The border and the Environment
- The border and the Water
- The border and its Connectivity

During a period of seven weeks, the students developed a regional plan for a chosen site, building up their projects in different stages, testing their ideas in various scales raging from regional to local.
The quality of work, and design solutions, not only at the design architectural level, but the questions that these projects raised, in every realm of the border's social compass were truly inspiring.
Great work!

More photos of the final presentation, by Navid Tehrani at LiA's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118157504870133

About Emmanuel Ramirez Ruiz:

Co founder of “MMX Studio”, Architect and Urban Designer, holds a degree in architecture by the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and a master degree in Urban Design by the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. Awarded by the "FONCA" with the "Mexican Young Creators Award 2003" he has been an invited critic and lecturer at the AA and The Bartlett School of architecture in London, UTA in the United States as well as a variety of universities in Mexico.

Prior to co-founding MMX Studio He worked in various renowned international practices such as Alberto Kalach studio in Mexico City, SOM -Skidmore Owings and Merril- in London and Chicago as well as David Chipperfield Architects in London where he consolidated his design skills in different scales raging from architecture and urban design to regional and national plans.
His Practice MMX Studio, is a collective firm dedicated to research, development, and the execution ideas. The studio has a strong focus on the design process and seeks to understand the implications that architecture and urbanism have upon our societies. The studio aims to balance theory and practice, design and construction as well as architecture and urbanism.
mmx Studio: http://www.mmx.com.mx/

AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee - Holiday Party at HKS

2010-12-09T12:44:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, December 7th, we celebrated the AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee Holiday Party at the offices of HKS. The event was a huge success!

We would like to thank HKS, our sponsor that made this event possible, and the people there that worked so hard at organizing this gathering:
Lorenzo Castillo, Dulce Torres, Enrique Greenwell and Sandra Ballesteros. They did a great job!

The intention of these twice a year networking/informational happy hours is to cover that part of LiA's mission that aims to strengthen relationships and networks between professionals in the field of Architecture. These social events will be at major architecture firms, and our next one will be next spring at the offices of Corgan Associates!

We had so many reasons to celebrate Tuesday night. If you have been a member of LiA from the beginning you know it has not been easy, but it has been very rewarding. If you are new to the committee, we encourage you to more learn about it, about our mission and its community, educational and professional components.

This year, 2010:
- LiA became an AIA Dallas Chapter Committee! We started as a small group in April, but became an official committee of the AIA Dallas Chapter in July.
- We have hosted two Networking Happy Hours, one at Perkins+Will, one at HKS.
- We run a successful Architecture book drive called: "From an Architect's Bookshelf" , where we collected more than 1100 books to be donated to 3 local high schools. Our original goal was 200 books!
- We celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring the work of many local talented Hispanic Architects
- We have been collaborating with the Dallas CityDesign Studio - at their West Dallas Design Charrettes; and with the ongoing Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay (NSO) of La Bajada neighborhood project
- We worked with the Dallas Architecture Forum and the Mexican Consulate in Dallas for the Alberto Kalach Lecture at the Magnolia Theater
- We worked with the Associates Committee during the "2 Be an Architect" program
- We participated at Skyline Architecture cluster, students-parents orientation, and have also met with students at other schools to talk to them about Architecture as a career path.
- An just in November, we took the Local Hispanic Architects & Designers Exhibit to The UTA School of Architecture.

So this has been a very busy year for LiA!
Thank you so much to all of you who help out, who sponsored an event, who donated your time and efforts! We hope 2011 will be just as rewarding.

And as you know, LiA seeks to serve and support our local communities by establishing a forum for celebrating Latinos in the design related professions.

If you missed Tuesday night's event, we had a guest celebrating with us: Mr. Emmanuel Ramirez Ruiz. Mr. Ramirez is a visiting professor at UTA this semester and he was so kind to join us to talk to us about his work, and his experience this semester at the school.
It was a great presentation, make sure you check out his website: http://www.mmx.com.mx/

About Emmanuel Ramirez Ruiz:
Co founder of “MMX Studio”, Architect and Urban Designer, holds a degree in architecture by the National University of Mexico (UNAM) and a master degree in Urban Design by the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. Awarded by the "FONCA" with the "Mexican Young Creators Award 2003" he has been an invited critic and lecturer at the AA and The Bartlett School of architecture in London, UTA as well as a variety of universities in Mexico.
Prior to co-founding MMX Studio He worked in various renowned international practices such as Alberto Kalach studio in Mexico City, SOM -Skidmore Owings and Merril- in London and Chicago as well as David Chipperfield Architects in London where he consolidated his design skills in different scales raging from architecture and urban design to regional and national plans.
His Practice MMX Studio, is a collective firm dedicated to research, development, and the execution ideas. The studio has a strong focus on the design process and seeks to understand the implications that architecture and urbanism have upon our societies. The studio aims to balance theory and practice, design and construction as well as architecture and urbanism.

Happy Holidays!

LiA participates in “CityVille Class Intro to Architects”

2010-12-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

“CityVille Class Intro to Architects” is a program sponsored by TREC (The Real Estate Council) and Big Thought (a nonprofit council focusing partnerships that allow all children access to quality learning opportunities). They partnered with LiA (Latinos In Architecture) which is why Juan Perini, Edwin Montes of Rees Associates and Selso Garcia of Corgan Associates all went to Hill Middle School, at Easton Rd. Dallas, TX 75218 on December 6, 2010 to give children insight and direction in the Architectural Field.

The goal was to provide a quick discussion on what it means to be an architect; what inspired them to be architects and what the field entails regarding education requirements; professional responsibilities and what it personally means for them to be Architects. The class then broke out into groups to help the young minds develop the floor plans, encourage their design and help them understand what they need to consider when designing and building their subsequent models.

"From an Architect's Bookshelf” 2010- Final Report

2010-11-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

"From an Architect's Bookshelf” 2010- Final Report
Williams Preparatory
Skyline High School
Hampton Preparatory

LiA's book donation program, "From an Architect's Bookshelf", was hugely successful in distributing books to several Dallas beneficiary schools!
Celi A. Sims, Jimmy Castellanos, Juan Navarro, Lorenzo Castillo, Isaac Robinson, Gina Sierra, Terry Salinas, Fred Peña, Ashley Peña, Jose Martinez, Paola Contreras, Claudia Barron, and David Muñoz, all members of AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Committee, volunteered with the sorting , organization and distribution of books at the schools.
The beneficiary schools selected this year were Skyline High School (Architecture Cluster), Williams Preparatory, and Hampton Preparatory.
We had the opportunity to talk with the students and gave an informal presentation that focused on our mission, the details of the book drive program and the committee, and the benefits of staying in school. We also talked to students about Architecture as a career path, sharing personal experiences that led to our professional careers.

"After I met these young people that will make up the next generation of design professionals, I was inspired by their drive and aspiration to better the world and themselves; just as my generation had aspired to do. When we handed out the books, I was fortunate enough to speak to some of the young men and women in small groups. It was then that I realized even though we are two different generations, they are facing the same struggles & obstacles in their future that I faced years ago. Now, after years of life’s experiences have taught me so many lessons, it is an opportunity that I welcome and a memory that I cherish—to help them with encouragement & support and ensuring them that their dreams are achievable." - Celi A. Sims (REES)

"Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone for making the LiA book donation at Skyline such a success!!!
It is incredible what you accomplished in such a short amount of time.
The number and quality of donated books is overwhelming.
Hearing your personal stories was very powerful. We appreciated the emphasis everyone placed on getting an education. The donation of the books also helped to underscore the importance of doing well in school.
We look forward to teaming with LiA in the future. Your participation with the parent orientation and now with the book donation adds a unique dimension to student's exploration of the professional world.
Thank you once again for all you have done. " -Tom Cox, Instructor

At the Architecture Cluster of Skyline High school we met with students that have already been exposed to "the Architecture world". This didn't make it less exciting, as they were so appreciative of the gifts and so curious about the profession.

At Williams Preparatory, more than 98% of the student body is Hispanic. We had the opportunity to talk to more than 50 younger students that were so curios and surprised us with very clever and candid questions about our profession.

At Hampton Preparatory, a school with more than 95% African American student population, we met with very bright and talented seniors. We chose this school because LiA’s mission is to be an open resource group, not only helping the Hispanic community but the community at large.
Our original goal was to collect 200 books. Thanks to generous donations, we far exceeded the goal and delivered over 900 books and more than 350 architectural magazines!

-Yesenia Blandon

Hispanic Heritage Exhibition at UTA School of Architecture

2010-11-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture is taking this exhibition to the UTA School of Architecture:

"National Hispanic Heritage Month- Celebrating the Work of Dallas Latin Architects and Designers"

Also included:
“HISPANIC ARCHITECTURAL TRADITIONS IN DALLAS: A Photographic Celebration”
By Juan A. Navarro (Perkins + Will)

The University of Texas at Arlington
School of architecture - Gallery, Exhibition Room 206
November 17 - December 10

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Latinos in Architecture is pleased to present an exhibition recognizing local Hispanic architects and designers and their participation and responsibility as roles models for future practitioners.

AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Holiday Celebration Happy Hour at HKS!

2010-11-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

A holiday celebration happy hour!
Sponsored by HKS, Inc.
Tuesday, December 7,
5:45-7 pm

HKS, Inc.
1919 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201

Come join us celebrate LiA's achievements during 2010:
- LiA became an AIA Dallas Chapter Committee
- Two Networking Happy Hours
- "From an Architect's Bookshelf" book drive
- National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration
- Skyline Architecture cluster, students-parents orientation
- Collaboration with the Dallas CityDesign Studio - West Dallas Design Charrette
- Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay (NSO) of La Bajada project
- Alberto Kalach Lecture with the Dallas Architecture Forum and the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas
- 2 Be an Architect with the Associates Committee
- Local Hispanic Architects & Designers Exhibit at UTA School of Architecture

Please RSVP to Yesenia.Blandon@perkinswill.com

Come help us plan LiA's 2011!

2B An Architect

2010-11-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Associates Committee and Latinos in Architecture will present a program for high school juniors and seniors, and their parents, to learn about the practice and study of architecture.
It is a free program for the students and a great opportunity to learn about or be introduced to the field. We will have LiA volunteers translating for parents that do not speak English.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010
For all High School students and their parents interested in learning where to begin and what it takes to be an Architect
1-2 pm : Meet and Greet (snacks provided)
2-3 pm : Panel Discussion and information session with local architects
3-4 pm : College Career FairParents are encouraged to attend.

Location: Dallas Center for Architecture
1909 Woodall Rogers Frwy
Dallas, TX

Space is limited so register on-line at http://www.aiadallas.org/.

Alberto KALACH- Lecture

2010-10-12T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Dallas Architecture Forum will present architect Alberto KALACH, who designed Vasconcelos Library in Mexico City. Kalach will speak Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Magnolia Theatre, 3699 McKinney Ave. in the West Village of Dallas. This lecture, by one of Mexico’s outstanding young architects, also will celebrate ...the Bicentennial of Mexico’s independence, and will be presented in cooperation with the Latinos in Architecture Committee of the Dallas AIA, the University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture, and the Dallas Office of the Consul General of Mexico.

LiA members:
1/2 price ($10) admission- Cash only.
RSVP required to Yesenia.Blandon@perkinswill.com

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

A leader of the new and gifted generation of Mexican architects fully engaged in the global issues of the 21st century. Educated in Mexico and at Cornell, Kalach and his collaborators have won important international competitions, including the highly original Vasconcelos Library recently completed. Clearly devoted to the public realm, Kalach's work is extensively published, including a monograph in Rockport's Contemporary World Architects series. He is a visiting critic at UT-Arlington.

Kalach studied at the Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, and later at Cornell University in Ithaca. From 1981 to 2002, he worked together with Daniel Álvarez in their company Taller de Arquitectura X (TAX). Then he put his point of interest on urban planning problems of his hometown, and founded the community "México: future city" (Spanish: México: ciudad futura). He realized several joint projects, some of them together with notable colleagues like Teodoro González de León, Gustavo Lipkau and Jose Castillo. His prestigious lake concepts are significant to existing water supply problems in Mexico City. He has published several articles in national and international magazines of architecture and participates in the project "Recovering the City of Lakes" (Spanish: Vuelta a la ciudad lacustre).

Latinos in Architecture - Exhibition

2010-09-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thank you so very much to everyone who came to the Dallas Center for Architecture to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. LiA's event was very well attended and well received!

Please note that this exhibition recognizing local Hispanic architects will stay at the DCFA until October 15th.
Also on display is a photographic show "Hispanic Architectural Traditions in Dallas-
A Photographic Celebration" by Juan A. Navarro.

http://www.dallascfa.com/events/latinos-in-architecture-exhibition.html

LiA Book drive update

2010-09-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

On Saturday September 4th, we met at the offices of Perkins+Will and starting working on sorting out the books collected for the "From an Architect's Bookshelf" program.
Jose Martinez (WRA Architects), Georgina Sierra (UTA), Jimmy Castellanos (Perkins+Will), Fred Peña (Perkins+Will), Ashley Peña, Isaac Robinson (BRW), Paola Contreras (HDR), Juan Navarro (Perkins +Will), Yesenia Blandon (Perkins+Will) and Claudia Barron (PBK Architects) volunteered to go over dozens of art, architecture and interior design books and have them ready to be distributed to our three beneficiary schools within the next weeks.
We would like to thank HALFF Associates for sponsoring breakfast for the volunteers. Thank you!
http://www.halff.com/

"From an Architect's Bookshelf" book donation program would provide local educational institutions with these books, journals and monographs that are essential for teaching and research of Architecture but too costly for most schools or scholars to afford. The program was envisioned as a library development project, with all the material donated through the LiA community, to a local high school(s).
LiA's goal was to collect 200 books, and we are pleased to announce that our architectural community did come forward to support education, create awareness of architecture and art and raise exposure of our profession as a career path, and collected 724 books and 330 architectural magazines!

Thank you to the Bookshelf Leaders at the architecture firms, that donated their time and effort to make the program known, and successfully collected so many books, to the group HACER of the City of Dallas and to everyone that participated.
We will be updating you on the distribution of the books.

Skyline Architecture Cluster Orientation

2010-09-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

By Martha Beary and Fred Peña

On Sept. 2, several LiA members attended the orientation for the Architecture Cluster at Skyline High School. Martha Beary, Jose Martinez, Selina Hinojosa and Fred Peña had the opportunity to share their experiences of the process of becoming an architect.

The program for the evening consisted of informing the students and their parents about the activities that the cluster is involved in. Within that presentation Martha and Fred spoke briefly about the Architecture field. After the formal presentations, the four LiA members were able to speak with several students and their parents one-on-one to answer questions and give advice for those interested in pursuing architecture.

This is what Martha had to say about the evening:

“This was an unforgettable experience for me. Skyline is not a traditional High School and is the first public school in the country to offer courses in architecture, a model for another 9 which have since sprung across the nation. I am very impressed with the school’s curriculum and involvement with the Architecture community such as the AIA, ACE, El Centro, SEED, UT Arlington, Texas A&M, UT Austin, and Harvard.

The level of work and opportunities the students are exposed to are an enabler to embrace their dreams of becoming the great architects of the future. Having the opportunity to share my experience and challenges as a working mother of two children and how the passion I have for my career helped me overcome all the obstacles. I shared with them that attaining my goal gave a sense of accomplishment because I was representing not only the Latino community but the female Latino architect.

I was able to answer many questions from parents and students who are interested in following this amazing dream of getting to college in the Architecture field, assuring them that with dedication and perseverance all goals are possible. If I only had the opportunity Skyline High School offers to their students, decisions supporting my career path would have been much easier”.-Martha C.Beary

West Dallas Charrette- Dallas CityDesign Studio

2010-08-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

By Lorena Toffer (Corgan Associates)

On Wednesday August 25th, Yesenia Blandon, Jose Martinez, Alfredo Pena, Georgina Sierra, David Trevino and Lorena Toffer, all members of Latinos in Architecture AIA Committee volunteered to attend the West Dallas Charrette and serve as facilitators. Led by Dallas CityDesign Studio director Brent Brown, AIA, this was an intimate and powerful experience with designers, public officials and the community of La Bajada.

The overall intent of the charrette was to keep the community involved and promote them to be an active voice as the Trinity River Project, the Calatrava Bridge and several developments in the area may affect La Bajada residential area, specifically, the western gateway to the Continental Bridge. Amongst the Principles taken by the City Design Studio are: to protect and enhance La Bajada neighborhood, to create north-south connections between Singleton and Commerce streets, and to motivate incremental businesses and organic development throughout the area. This was a great experience that shows how the inhabitants of La Bajada are strongly attached to this community, and want to see it grow and prosper, but keeping with their culturally rich environment.

"The West Dallas Charrette was an intimate experience with the CityDesign Studio designers and the community. Volunteering to serve as mediators and translators of the design and the information being presented, we became very familiar with the design intent and problems or obstacles that are yet to be addressed. It was a great experience to be able to be a part of such a huge project that will be here for many years to come, the "West Dallas Dream". The intent is to tie in the new Calatrava bridge, downtown and La Bajada making it an inviting transition through architecture, engineering and community. The revitalization of La Bajada will attract business and lure people to venture about this culturally rich community. Also to reduce industrial traffic and create new outlets and routes that will benefit this area of Dallas." - Jose Martinez

"A session full of passion, commitment and involvement that shows how a community can be empowered and be an active voice in the design process. The feedback gained from inhabitants of La Bajada also showed how knowledgeable they are of the changes that are coming, their understanding of the impact in their neighborhood, and how strongly they feel about speaking up to protect and enhance the places they live in. As a Spanish native speaker, the opportunity to talk to members of this community in our language, without any barriers and transmit their message to the CityDesign Studio, made the session much more rewarding". - Lorena Toffer

"We wanted to say thank you for letting us participate so actively on the West Dallas Charrette; it was a great experience, one that we felt our committee lives for. We had the opportunity to talk to the community, mostly Hispanic, in our first language, to hear their concerns, and be one of them for a couple of hours, a truly wonderful experience indeed." - Yesenia Blandon

"LiA - Words cannot begin to express how grateful we are to YOU for your support at the West Dallas charrette on Wednesday evening. We were amazed at the support from LiA members, although asked at the last minute, you came out in full force to give of your time and talent. We received numerous comments from the residents praising your efforts. The West Dallas leaders & City Design Studio team thought the evening was a huge success! And, it would not have been possible without your participation. We sincerely thank each of you. Your assistance was greatly appreciated! It's because of wonderful individuals like you, that our city is a wonderful city. Thank you." - Dallas City Design Studio Team

Link to Dallas CityDesign website:
http://www.dallascityhall.com/citydesign_studio/index.html

National Hispanic Heritage Month

2010-08-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

LiA Presents:
National Hispanic Heritage Month-
Celebrating the Work of Dallas Latin Architects and Designers

Please join us as we introduce
LiA- Latinos in Architecture to the AIA Dallas Chapter Committee and we celebrate the
National Hispanic Heritage Month
(Mes de la Hispanidad)
with an exhibition and reception event, Latin food, drinks and live music!

Friday, September 24th, 6-8 pm
Dallas Center for Architecture
1909 Woodall Rodgers Fwy Ste 100
Dallas, TX 75201

Pre-Register $12 at http://aiadallas.affiniscape.com/cde.cfm?event=321953

Speaker:
Myriam Camargo (CamargoCopeland)

Exhibition:
Fernando Andrade (GSR Andrade Architects)
Oswaldo Cajas (Dimension Architects)
Myriam Camargo (CamargoCopeland)
Javier Espinoza (HOK)
Eurico Francisco (RTKL)
Enrique Greenwell (HKS)
Gregory S. Ibañez (Ibañez Architecture)
Isabel Mandujano & Lorena Toffer (Corgan Associates)
Eric Marquez de la Plata (Partners in Architecture)
Juan Perini (Rees Associates, Inc.)
Eduardo Pezzani (Perkins + Will)
Ricardo Ruiz (Halff Associates, Inc)

“HISPANIC ARCHITECTURAL TRADITIONS IN DALLAS: A Photographic Celebration” Juan A. Navarro (Perkins + Will)

Sponsored by:
Corgan Associates- http://www.corgan.com/
HKS, Inc. - http://www.hksinc.com/
Perkins+Will - http://www.perkinswill.com/
ABC Imaging - http://www.abcimaging.com/

Rivera Engineering - http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.riveraengineeringllc.com%2F&h=321fc

The event is both a social event as well as an opportunity to continue the committee's design community outreach.
"LiA seeks to serve and support our local communities by establishing a forum for celebrating Latinos in the design related professions"

We hope to see you there!

- Image for the event invitation: Celia Alvarez Munoz, Orientaciones (2003). City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs / Latino Cultural Center.

Dallas CityDesign Studio

2010-08-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

Join the architecture and design community for a presentation on
Dallas CityDesignStudio
Thursday, September 2, 2010 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Hitt Auditorium, Methodist Hospital
221 W. Colorado at Bishop
Free admission and parking.

The AIA Dallas Latinos In Architecture Committee will be accepting donations of architecturally significant books that will be taken at the door going towards
"From an Architect's Bookshelf" book donation/library development program.

Join us on September 2nd when Larry Beasley, former Vancouver urban planner and special adviser to the Dallas CityDesign Studio, and Dallas CityDesign Director, Brent Brown, AIA, will provide an update on the collaboration and dialogue between the public & private sectors and how community outreach is playing a major role in planning efforts in West Dallas.

To learn more about this event, visit:

http://www.aiadallas.org

ADA Awareness Day - Monday, July 26th

2010-07-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

ADA Awareness Day- A Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the signing of The Americans with Disabilities Act: Monday July 26, 2010

It's a full day of events, most free and some offering CEU's.

The Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA Dallas) with the disability advocates and City officials are collaborating to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) civil rights law. The Act was signed into law by George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. July 26. 2010 has been proclaimed by Mayor Tom Leppert as ADA Awareness day in the City of Dallas and
ADA Celebration Day by Mayor Phil Dyer in the City of Plano. Please join us, as we have a full day of activities planned including CEU opportunities.

For more information go to the Dallas AIA website and register online at:

www.aiadallas.org.

"From an Architect's Bookshelf"

2010-07-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

LiA launches "From an Architect's Bookshelf", a book donation/library development program that would provide local high schools with books, journals and monographs that are essential the for teaching and research of Architecture but too costly for most schools or scholars to afford.

Donations can include: Architecture, interior design, art and construction books.

Your book donation will help :

- Motivate a young student to stay in school and pursue a college degree education
- Raise awareness of Architecture as a career path
- Raise the profile of Architecture to make the profession more diverse and attractive.
- Inspire the Architect's of tomorrow: With this program if we touch one student who will pursue a career in architecture, go on to licensure, and become an AIA member, that will make it a success.

BOOKSHELF LEADERS at different architecture firms and at other locations will be in charge of collecting the donations. Please drop off books at your designated collection point. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to

liacommittee@gmail.com or to yesenia.blandon@perkinswill.com

Collections are between now and until August 15 for the 2010 school year.

SEED program encourages students to pursue architecture

2010-07-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

LiA's education leader, Fred Peña, is featured in The Shorthorn, The University of Texas at Arlington magazine.

See link:

http://www.theshorthorn.com/content/view/19722/265/

LiA in the North Dallas Gazette Newspaper

2010-07-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

First-of-its kind organization seeks to support Hispanic community

See link:

http://northdallasgazette.com/2010/06/first-of-its-kind-organization-seeks-to-support-hispanic-community/

AIA Associates Commitee- Architecture on Tap July 6th

2010-07-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

A summer networking and social event open to all. Welcome our special guests for July: Ron Wommack, FAIA, Brent Brown, AIA, LEED AP and Tip Housewright, FAIA, LEED AP.
For more information visit:

http://www.facebook.com/AIADallasAssoc?ref=mf

John A. Padilla, AIA (AIA Santa Fe) Elected 2011-2012 Vice President

2010-06-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

How exciting! A Latino with a goal to emphasize diversity and inclusiveness within the AIA has gotten elected for such a high position. Mr. Padilla has degrees from San Antonio College and the University of Houston.

He hopes of making Architecture a more ethnically, racially, and socioeconomically diverse profession. "To accomplish this goal, he’s established and participated in many architecture job shadow programs, minority outreach efforts, and board-level diversity task forces and committees."

http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB083396?dvid=&recspec=AIAB083396

LiA Architectural Database- help needed

2010-06-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hello all!
One of LiA's goals is to celebrate Hispanic architecture through the identification, classification, and recognition of Hispanic-influenced buildings in the Metroplex, and we are working to build a database as a resource tool.
This database will eventually include information from various architects and planners, and we would like to include images, general project information, links to articles, publications, etc.
LiA's Architecture Database will be a collaborative effort, so please send any leads to our research leader, Terry, at

Theresa.Salinas@perkinswill.com or to liacommittee@gmail.com

Thank you for your help.

AIA Associates Commitee- Architecture on Tap

2010-05-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

June 1st!
A summer networking and social event open to all. With special guests: Todd Howard, Joe Buskuhl & David Zatopek - Past, Present and Future AIA Dallas Presidents.
For more information visit:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/AIADallasAssoc?ref=ts

LiA Happy Hour pictures are in!

2010-05-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

We would like to thank Juan Navarro for doing an excellent job!

Please go to LiA's facebook page to see them:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118157504870133

LiA Happy Hour a huge success!

2010-05-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming turnout at the LiA happy hour!

LiA’s first event was a great success as more than 80 guests met last night at the Perkins+Will offices for a night of fun conversation, networking, and learning about LiA. This introductory presentation shared LiA’s objectives and goals, and outlined ways in which we can serve the community.

The wide range and backgrounds of attendees—architects, engineers, city officials, interns, students, educators—demonstrated that LiA’s mission of “establishing a forum for design-related professionals” is much needed in the Dallas area. There were also many great ideas and questions about future events and the growth of LiA. We’re excited about the level of interest and involvement from all of you! Thank you again for your continued support.

If you weren’t able to attend but are interested in learning more about LiA, please send us your email and we’ll update you on events and activities. Please send us any questions or comments you might have.

LiA- Networking and Informational Happy Hour

2010-05-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

Please join us as we introduce LiA
LATINOS in ARCHITECTURE

LiA seeks to serve and support our local communities
by establishing a forum for celebrating Latinos
in the design related professions

Join us for happy hour!

Tuesday, May 18
Networking and complimentary drinks: 5:45 pm
Brief informational session: 6:00 pm

Sponsored by:
Perkins+Will
10100 N. Central Expy.
Suite 300
Dallas 75231

Please R.S.V.P.

More information at LiA- Facebook Group page.

LiA has a blog!

2010-05-16T20:53:00.000-07:00

You can also find us on Facebook under LiA committee: LiA- Latinos in Architecture Committee:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118157504870133