Feature Articles

Good Samaritan Statutes
by The AIA Trust

This article from the AIA Trust provides young architects with some information regarding good samaritan laws.

Why A Written Agreement Is Important
by The AIA Trust

The AIA Trust points out the benefits of using written agreements.

Fellowship

Photo by Bonnie Cooke, Alliance Architects

Working is More than Just Working
by Alex Knesnik, AIA, LEED AP

The Editor of YAF Connection gives us a glimpse of the atmosphere of camaraderie and fellowship that infuses his firm.

Leadership

Leading Your Firm
by Hugh Hochburg

In an architecture firm, the path to becoming an effective firm leader means striking a reasonable balance among roles and activities that sometimes conflict. Originally published in the Summer 2008 issue of Practice Management Digest.

YAF Call for Leadership Profiles
Are you a young architect serving in a leadership role at your local AIA component or other professional or community organization? We’d love to profile you in an upcoming issue of The YAF Connection. Please nominate yourself or someone else by writing to yaf@aia.org.

Mentorship

FellowTalk

Got problems? Send us a description of your dilemma and we’ll solicit advice from our “Dear Abby” Fellows. Send your questions to yaf@aia.org.  

Articles of Interest

The YAF in AIArchitect

Did you know that, AIArchitect features an article written by and for young architects every other month? This year’s topics are taken from the top ten issues identified at the YAF 15 Summit held in conjunction with the 2007 AIA Grassroots Convention in Washington, D.C. Don’t worry if you missed them. These great articles can still be viewed online:

• In Mentoring for Architects, Mike Meehan, AIA, YAF Advisory Committee Past Chair reflects on how mentoring has shaped his career and shares some thoughts about how emerging professionals can become great mentors (February 8, 2008).
• For the April 11, 2008 issue, June 13, 2008 issue, and August 8, 2008 issue, YAF Communications Advisor, LaTonya Whitfield-Horhn, AIA, LEED AP, and Mario White, MCD a Community Development Specialist and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) Consultant , team up to explore ways in which the profession can nurture emerging professionals in Human Capital, Developing Leadership and Interaction Skills, and Mentoring Architects in the “Business of Architecture.”
• In How Do We Define Professional Credibility? Firm owner and former YAF AdCom member Greg Walker, AIA, LEED AP reports on his experience as part of the discussion group that tackled credibility issues within our profession at the YAF 15 Summit.

Diversity and the AIA

The AIA Board of Directors endorsed a five-year Diversity Action Plan on September 18. The goal of this plan is to “move the AIA forward to become a more inclusive professional organization that reflects the changing dynamics of the population served by architects now and in the future.” Originally published in the September 26, 2008 issue of AIArchitect. For more information read the article.

Book Reviews

Book Reviewers Wanted!
Did you know that our book reviews are some of the most read articles in every issue? Now is your chance to join the fun. Individuals interested in reviewing books for publication in this newsletter are needed for the upcoming year. Reviews will address such topics as theory, sustainability, urban and master planning, property development, and professional growth, as well as architecture monographs. Each issue of the Connection will feature up to three book reviews written by emerging professionals. Volunteers get to make their selection from a wide variety of titles and keep the book as a thank-you from the YAF for submitting their review. If you are interested in participating, contact yaf@aia.org  

Natural Capitalism
by Paul Hawkin and Amory Lovins
Reviewed by Paul Bielicki

Any true supporter of capitalism should expect a real good read from Natural Capitalism. After all, if a system can develop where people can exchange goods and services to a mutual benefit, all the while not plundering the natural resources of our planet but respecting them and investing in them, this would be ideal. In fact, it may be called better than sustainable since people benefit and advance while our environment does not deteriorate.

Hot, Flat, and Crowded
Why We Need a Green Revolution- And How It Can Renew America
by Thomas L. Friedman
Reviewed by Gregory Walker, AIA

Hot, Flat, and Crowded, Thomas Friedman’s fourth book focusing on the intersections of global culture and technology, introduces environmental stewardship and clean energy as critical components into a line of exposition first articulated in his 2005 bestseller, The World is Flat.

USA: Modern Architectures in History
by Gwendolyn Wright
Reviewed by Brock Martinson

USA: Modern Architectures in History, by Gwendolyn Wright, is a thorough re-examination of modern architecture in America from the year 1865 to the present day.

Announcements

Call for Interviews: The 150 @ 150 Project

Members of the Young Architects Forum (YAF) are interviewing Fellows for the AIA 150 at 150 Project. The YAF launched the Project early this year, which interviews 150 Fellows on podcasts available on AIA Podnet, Soloso and iTunes. Coinciding with YAF’s fifteenth anniversary and AIA’s 150th anniversary, the Project came out of a brainstorming session by members of the YAF who recognized that their key issue is mentorship. If you are interested in participating please email Camilo Parra at cparra@parradesigngroup.com.  To find out more about the 150 @ 150 project, read Camilo Parra's article from the February issue of Connection.

AIA Members Respond to Hurricane Ike

In the wake of Hurricane Ike, AIA members have been leading efforts to help each other and their affected communities along the Texas coast. TSA Disaster Action, Inc., has been busy assisting affected communities in the region that were devastated by the storm. The Texas Society of Architects has set up a Disaster Relief Forum for local members to post donations of office space and equipment or specific needs that their colleagues can assist them with during the difficult transition in the wake of the hurricane damage. Those AIA members wishing to contribute to the recovery effort are encouraged to make donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Orginally published in the September 18, 2008 issue of The Angle.

Photo courtesy of Maksim Koloskov

NEW: Sustainable Design Becomes a Mandatory Continuing Education Requirement for AIA Membership

To demonstrate our commitment to sustainable design, the AIA Board of Directors modified the AIA  member continuing education requirement to include 4 hours of education in sustainable design as part of the existing 18 hour annual requirement. This sustainable design requirement goes into effect in calendar year 2009 and extends through 2012.
Sustainability has been a focus of architectural practice for more than 30 years, and the AIA has provided resources and tools to help its members better serve their clients and communities through environmentally responsible projects. The issue of climate change and the impact of buildings on carbon emissions created a new expectation among clients and the public to look to the expertise of architects for solutions that can help them leave a greener footprint. Social, political, and economic factors are all driving the market toward mainstreaming sustainability, and AIA architects who educate themselves in sustainable design will have an advantage, and again, have the privilege of providing ever greater service to clients and community.
Questions can be sent to SDCE@aia.org  

AIA’s Premier Knowledge Resource is Here!

Soloso.aia.org is ready for you to sign in and use daily. Soloso.aia.org connects you to the most current and emerging information on architecture that can serve your practice and career. Through Soloso, you’re linked to a continuous flow of information that gives you insight on important trends, solutions, products, and strategies related to architecture. Sign in to Soloso.aia.org to experience this new online resource from AIA.

Share your thoughts!

On the new AIA Archiblog at http://blog.aia.org/yaf/. Current postings include the sharing of crazy work stories, a debate over architects in the movies, and a discussion of work/life balance. Other topics are definitely invited! Join the discussion.

Know Someone Who’s Not Getting The Connection?

Don’t let them be out of the loop any longer. It’s easy for AIA members to sign up:

1. Go to www.aia.org  
2. Click on the “for members” tab at the upper left of the page.
3. Log in
4. Click on the “Member Services” link on the left scroll bar (this is the same link you follow to find your continuing education transcript)
5. Click on “Update Member Profile”
6. Click on “Add/Modify Knowledge Communities”
7. Select “Young Architects Forum” (last line of the checklist)

The YAF Connection is e-mailed to AIA members six times a year - definitely a benefit of membership!

Call for articles

Do you have an interesting program or idea of interest to young architects that you would like to see featured in the Connection? Contact LaTonya Whitfield-Horhn, AIA, 2008 YAF Communications Advisor at yaf@aia.org.