At the end of each year, AIA Pittsburgh brings together members of the architectural community to celebrate the holidays, welcome the incoming Chapter president, and congratulate the young professionals who have successfully completed the A.R.E. to become registered architects. This year, the President’s Holiday Party was held at the award-winning office of NEXT Architecture and sponsored by SOTA Construction Services, Inc. 2014 president Jen Bee, AIA ‘crowned’ 2015 president Alan Schlossberg, AIA with the ceremonial passing of the wig. Additionally, two awards were presented. First, the AIA Pittsburgh President’s Award – given to someone who personifies the ‘citizen architect’ – was presented to Katie Walsh, AIA, who continuously gives back within her firm and community. She was the 2014 chair...

In the matter of three weeks, the field of (capital -A)rchitecture has been brought to the forefront of media outlets in two different world-renowned, American periodicals. Both Forbes and The New York Times have sparked a debate deep inside the profession that has heads ringing and pedagogical debates spurring. Academia from all over the world are chiming in on the quality and state of architecture, including some well-regarded ‘starchitects’ who claim that normal, everyday architects like you and I create ‘pure shit’. And therein lies perhaps the largest problem of them all; the groups involved in this discourse are so far removed from the underlying issues that their coined opinions are nothing more than lackadaisical words strewn together to piss...

Name: Christian James Hughes, Assoc. AIA Firm: Michael Baker International, LLC.; Carnegie Mellon University, Architecture Explorations; Affiliate, The Kingsley Association (Larimer); Affiliate, Green Building Alliance – The Green and Healthy Schools Academy Family: Single, oldest of 4. From Detroit, which is where my immediate family lives. My extended family is divided between North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Years in practice: 3 (including scattered summer internships) Education: Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia – Master of Architecture, May 2014; Carnegie Mellon University, UDream Fellow (Urban Design Regional Employment Action for Minorities) – June – September, 2014 Your first job: Family Dollar Stores What’s the best part of your job? Learning. Learning the tricks of the trade at Michael Baker International....

I have participated in the AIA at varying levels over the years. I was previously an editor for the National Associates Committee AssociateNews publication, and I was secretary of AIA Pittsburgh’s YAF. I first became the AIA PA Associate Director in December 2012 and have learned so much about fiscal responsibility via serving on the state board of directors. Annual participation at Grassroots (the AIA lobbying and leadership conference), National Convention, and the Large States Conference have all been opportunities to learn from and share ideas with our colleagues across the nation. I have also participated on the state communications committee as well as on the awards committee. I believe that participation in the AIA has been a means of...

Are you on the path to licensure? Looking for NCARB news and a study group to keep you motivated? Look no further! ARE Review Series Starting each September, the Young Architects Forum produces an ongoing series of monthly review sessions for those preparing for the Architectural Registration Exam. Each month, a prominent member of the architectural community will focus on one of the seven divisions of the exam, presenting some strategies for the graphic vignette and a lecture based on division-specific content, followed by a question and answer session. Individuals can purchase a package of all seven review sessions for $125, or register for specific classes for $20 each. To learn more and register, visit the YAF ARE Review Sessions...

Name: Raymond Bowman, Assoc. AIA Family: Married Years in practice: 6 Education: B.Arch., Carnegie Mellon University I belong to the AIA because: I like the friendships I’ve made and participating in the events I’ve heard about through the organization. Some people call this “networking”. What’s the best part of your job? As a young architect, it’s great to be involved in all phases of a project. What would you change about your job? More time outside. I’d settle for more time not immediately in front of a computer screen. Most embarrassing moment: I tore my pants right before a meeting with a client and, to cover it, wore a woman’s sweater around my waist, making the attempt to hide the...

I have been known to take in a play or two and not just because my wife, Angela, has a theater degree; I’m a man of refined taste, after all. I have seen quite a few plays and musicals here in Pittsburgh but until Valentine’s weekend I’d never made a trip to see a play. I just couldn’t imagine a scenario in which I could be convinced to drive several hours just to see a play. Then Angela found out that two of theater’s all-time greats, Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, would be performing two different comedies in repertory, No Man’s Land and Waiting for Godot. Not only that, but giving her the tickets on Christmas for the shows on Valentine’s...

This weekend, the AIA will bring together thought leaders from across the profession – including students, young architects,  firm owners, academics, and more – to address how practice culture can be shaped to prepare current and future architects for their role in society at the Emerging Professionals Summit. Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, they will look ahead 20 years, hoping to address the question of what role architects will be playing in society in 2033 and how to best position the profession for the future. Attendees were asked to tackle the aforementioned questions; here is one local Emerging Professional’s response. It’s 2033. In a perfect world, architects are heralded as visionaries, as innovators, as civic and private sector leaders. The...

This year was witness to more young architects completing the arduous A.R.E. in the Pittsburgh region than any other in recent memory. Eighteen local professionals passed all seven divisions after countless hours of studying and preparation, as well as completing the Intern Development Program. AIA Pittsburgh celebrated their achievement with a toast at the Holiday Party last week. Congratulations again, and take a deep breath – you did it! Here are the 2013 RAs: Gary Atcheson – Lami Grubb Architects Jim Bischoff – A|E Works Melanie Buzgan Dower, AIA – Rothschild Doyno Collaborative Ben Clements – IKM Incorporated Anita Gallo – Strollo Architects Jesse Gidley – Lami Grubb Architects Josh Harter, AIA – Pieper O’Brien Herr Brent Houck, AIA –...

Name: Karissa Pytlak, Assoc. AIA Firm: Sleighter Engineering Years in practice: 2 Education: BA: Art History/Architectural History, University of Pittsburgh; Masters of Architecture, North Carolina State University Your first job: Cashier at my grandma’s bookstore. What’s the best part of your job? Freehand sketching and 3D rendering. What would you change about your job? Location – I want to work downtown. What’s the most annoying thing architects do? Architects are design snobs; sometimes a little overly critical of each other’s designs when we should be complimenting and working together. What’s the next big architectural trend? Sustainability and collaboration. Advice to young architects: Join the YAF! It’s a great starting point to get involved in the local community and connect with fellow...