AE Works employees show off their CANstruction structure.  With the support of local business partners, AE Works has donated over 6,000 cans of food during this annual event Volunteerism is an integral part of the architecture profession whether it is through individual architects’ efforts to give back in their own communities or ingrained in firm culture. In this article we take a closer look at different ways two firms make community support integral to their bottom line. This article is part of a series; read Part 1 here. AE Works: Business for Good The architects, engineers, and building consultants at AE Works think about how they are affecting the environment, community, employees and their clients in each project. To measure...

Volunteers from Hayes Design Group’s Adopt-a-Landmark program at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in May Volunteerism is an integral part of the architecture profession whether it is through individual architect’s efforts to give back in their own communities, or ingrained in firm culture. In this article (the first in a series) we take a closer look at different ways two firms make community support integral to their bottom line. Hayes Design Group Architects: Adopting a Landmark On Friday, May 17th, the Hayes Design Group Architects (HDG), headquartered in Robinson Township, held its fourth annual company-wide Adopt-a-Landmark program at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, a National Historic Landmark located on the North Side. Throughout the day, sixteen of the firm’s employees assisted with work inside...

The Carnegie Mellon University chapter of Freedom by Design has taken on their first project to introduce and disperse weatherization kits into homes across Pittsburgh. These kits provide families with a series of means to help insulate their home and a booklet outlining the importance of this cost-saving process. The long winter of Pittsburgh causes high heating costs for many residents across the state. Creating energy efficient spaces benefits the resident both financially and thermally. It is important for one to understand the role they can take in keeping heating costs low and their home warm. The FBD team has prototyped and established a packaged kit organized to assist homeowners and renters across a series of communities in Pittsburgh. The...

Design Pittsburgh is a celebration of architecture and design, and honors those who create it. Design Pittsburgh raises the profile of architects as critical resources and industry experts in the Pittsburgh region. Through exhibits and events, this program provides excellent exposure of architects’ work to a wide variety of audiences – including potential customers. This year we had: 1,000+ people visited the exhibit during the gallery crawl, PechaKucha Night, and Storey Telling 570 attended the Design Awards Ceremony & Gala 4,582 votes for the People’s Choice Award, a 20% increase from last year 55,990+ unique page views throughout the Design Pittsburgh promotional period Additionally, Design Pittsburgh highlights the importance of good design in our region – and how our members, sponsors, partners, and...

It’s a new year, a time to start over, a reset. How will you take advantage of this yearly opportunity? Did you make a resolution? How about to be more involved, more active, more engaged? Join one of AIA Pittsburgh’s committees or knowledge communities and make your voice heard! AIA Pittsburgh has eight active committees. Member participation – your ideas and input – is what makes this organization great.  There are also the local Knowledge Communities which help make it easy to connect with your colleagues who share your same interests. Think about whether or not the Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) or the Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) communities are a good fit for you. And finally, AIA National...

2015 is rapidly coming to a close. As you ponder how yet another year has flown by, remember to take advantage of each day left, and get involved in what the AIA has to offer. It’s time to renew your membership. Or if you’re not a member, maybe 2016 is the year to become one! Deck the halls, bake some cookies, and join us for AIA Pittsburgh’s annual Holiday Party at the offices of 4moms. It’s sure to be a merry evening! AIA Membership Campaign – It’s time to renew your membership, and if you do so by December 31st, you’ll be automatically entered to win a prize package to attend AIA Convention 2016 in Philadelphia. Check out the membership...

The American Institute of Architects is the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners, and has been since 1857. The AIA serves as the voice of the profession and the resource for our members in service to society. We help support architects through advocacy, information, and providing community, both on a local, state, and national level. With over 85,000 members, perhaps it’s time for you to join, too! Join the AIA for 2016 now and get the rest of 2015 free. And, if you renew by December 31, 2015, you’ll be entered automatically to win one of three  prize packages including free registration to AIA Convention 2016 in Philadelphia, including hotel, airfare, and registration. Refer...

Kicking up leaves along a sidewalk. Getting one of the last seats on the bus. An inspiring project. A late-night idea. Homemade meals shared among friends and family. There are so many things to be thankful for and as the year winds down, this month is a great time to keep them in mind. After giving thanks, don’t forget to renew your membership, make sure your continuing education credits are all accounted for, and save room for pie! Design Pittsburgh in the News – Thank you again to all who attended, sponsored, and enjoyed the program! Through exhibits and events, this program provides excellent exposure of architects’ work to a wide variety of audiences – including potential customers. It highlights...

On the evening of Sunday, October 19th, the Green Building Alliance and the Design Center of Pittsburgh organized a Community Forum at WESA-FM on the South Side with guest speaker Gil Penalosa. Penalosa is the former Commissioner of Parks of Bogotá, and now Chair of the Board at 880cities, a Toronto-based non-profit organization. The goal of 880cities is to promote walking and biking as activities, and urban parks, trails, and other public spaces as great places for all. Penalosa was in our town to be the keynote speaker at the APA-PA Chapter 2015 Annual Conference. Irina Zhorov from WESA interviewed him during the Community Forum. Penalosa started with a summary of the troubles of contemporary cities, and the global desire...

Design Pittsburgh is a celebration of architecture and design, and honors those who create it. Design Pittsburgh raises the profile of architects as critical resources and industry experts in the Pittsburgh region. Through exhibits and events, this program provides excellent exposure of architects’ work to a wide variety of audiences – including potential customers. This year we had: 35% increase in Design Award Submissions 1,000+ people visit the exhibit during the gallery crawl and PechaKucha Night, held in the exhibit space 520 registered to attend the Design Awards Ceremony & Gala 3,647 votes for the People’s Choice Award 49,000+ unique page views to the Design Pittsburgh webpages and online exhibit throughout the promotional period Additionally, Design Pittsburgh highlights the importance...