December 2005 AIA Orlando Charrette

1. AIA Orlando – Year In Review

Jacki McNicholas (Click to enlarge)

By Jacki McNicholas, AIA

Chapter President

I can't believe a year has gone by. I guess time flies when you are having fun or you are busy, and we are all busy. I keep hearing how busy firms are and how they are actively looking for qualified staff to join their teams. We are having some prosperous times.

This year has brought very joyful, and also sad times to us. I have realized once again that life is about quality experiences. That is what we create in architecture. It's not the number of hours you work or play, but the quality of the time you have. Life can be short. We lost 3 of our members this year: Manny Suarez, AIA, Al Gilder, AIA and DB Young, AIA, and they will be missed.

My goals as president this year were for members to be more involved on committees and in their communities, and for our chapter to reach out and serve our community. Even though our members are busy, they did a great job and lead great efforts for AIA Orlando to be successful !! Our committees are full and vibrant. We even have a new committee on Healthcare lead by Bill Yeaple, AIA. Our outreach to the community was just as successful with Art and Architecture. Another ten houses were designed by our members and built by local contractors in Winter Park. We had 12 teams in Canstruction which yielded over 40,000 pounds of food. The Golf Tournament raised over $19,000 in scholarships for Valencia Community College. We raised $30,000, (AIA Orlando gave $5,000) for the Orlando Museum of Art to sponsor the M.C. Escher exhibit. The exhibit was seen by thousands of students. The Design Party raised $800 for A Gift For Teaching (a free store for teachers).

Our programs were diverse from topics of updates on Downtown Orlando developments and Orange County Public Schools, to project tours of Osceola County Courthouse & presentations on Healthcare. YAF (Young Architects' Forum – Emerging Professionals) is stronger than ever with their involvement in everything from Art and Architecture to Habitat for Humanity.

The future? I will continue to be President through June 2006 and then Steve Murphy, AIA will take the helm through 2007. I am really excited that this year is AIA Orlando's 50th Anniversary and we will celebrate our firms and local architecture at our Induction Meeting in January. Our Programs Committee has a list of great events for us to share. 2007 is AIA's 150th Anniversary, and so we will be working on how to celebrate.

To all of you and your families, please live each day with purpose, stop and smell the roses, enjoy the moments. That's what we have.

As always, please call us with your thoughts and ideas.

Hugs,

Jacki

2. AIA Annual Golf Tournament a Swinging Success

AIA Golf Tournament Logo (Click to enlarge)

By Karen Petersen – Burton Braswell Middlebrooks Associates, Inc., Allied AIA

The 16th Annual AIA Golf Tournament, which benefits the Valencia Community College Foundation, was held on October 30 at Disney's Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge Golf Courses. Over 100+ golfers participated and $19,000 was raised for scholarships at the college. Over the past four (4) years, $90,000 total has been raised through the AIA Golf Tournament to benefit Valencia students.

Prizes were awarded to the following persons: Dave Powers, Witt Wyatt, Mike Dunn and Scott Donelick (First Place); Michael Thornton, Bill Roach, Jeremy Williams and Scott Alexander (Second Place); and Dave Wolfe, Jack Degagne, Mike Bruner and Tracy Wade (Third Place). Longest Drive winners were Matt Breen and Mike Lentz (Men) and Pam Russell and Mary Allen (Women). Closest to the Pin prizes went to Bill Jack and Cal Peck (Hole 3, Eagle Pines & Osprey Ridge); Dan Stalter (Hole 7, Eagle Pines); Wayne Rieck (Hole 12, Eagle Pines); Dave Wolfe (Hole 15, Eagle Pines); Joe Maxwell (Hole 5, Osprey Ridge); Jim Grumberg (Hole 13, Osprey Ridge); and John Billingham (Hole 17, Osprey Ridge). Congratulations to all of the winners!

The Orlando Chapter of the AIA wishes to thank Tournament Sponsors C.T. Hsu + Associates, NGI Orlando and Sungard Collegis; Corporate Sponsors ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Baker Barrios Architects, Clancy & Theys, Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin, Iltellicon Solutions, Inc., Orlando Business Journal, Thomas Ruff, Valencia Foundation and Walt Disney World; and Beverage Cart Sponsor Lanco & Harris Paints. A tournament of this magnitude would not have been possible without the generous support of these fine companies. The AIA sincerely thanks you.

3. The New 2004 Florida Building Code

2005 Building Codes (Click to enlarge)

By Cindy Nielsen, AIA
Architect
Orange County Division of Building Safety

The 2004 Florida Building Code, which consists of seven volumes - Building, Existing Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Fuel Gas, and Test Protocols for High Velocity Hurricane Zones – came into effect October 1, 2005. The very front of each code book states which International Code it was based upon; vertical lines in the margins indicate changes from the base code. The 2004 Florida Building Code can be viewed online at www.floridabuilding.org. The 2005 Supplement, which makes some minor corrections, is also located at that website. The Supplement is not effective yet, but should be in a few months. There are numerous differences between the 2001 and the 2004 FBC; listed below are some of the highlights:

2005 Building Codes (Click to enlarge)

Design professionals accustomed to working with only one building code book now have three to consider: The Residential Code, the Existing Building Code, and the Building Code. The Residential Code is for detached one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories in height. The term “townhouse” has a specific definition and requirements in the codes and cannot be used unless all of them are met. One new requirement in this code is for separation between dwelling units and attached garages– see R309.2.

The Existing Building Code applies to repairs, alterations, change of occupancy, and historic and relocated buildings. There are three different levels of alterations: Level 1 alterations include the removal and replacement of existing materials, elements, equipment, or fixtures with new ones. Level 2 alterations include the reconfiguration of space or systems, the addition or elimination of doors or windows, or the installation of additional equipment. Level 3 alterations apply when the work area exceeds 50 percent of the aggregate area of the building and is made within a 12 month period. Buildings that have not been previously occupied, such as interior buildouts in new shell buildings, are referred to the main Building Code.

Some new changes in the main Building Code:

The construction types have been reorganized into five types. Table 601 should be used to determine the requirements for A or B for each type. Following is a fairly close comparison of construction types from the 2001 FBC, which was based on the Standard codes to the 2004 FBC, which is based on the International codes:

2001 FBC		2004 FBC
SBC Type I	=	IBC Type IA
SBC Type II	=	IBC Type IB
SBC Type III	=	IBC Type IV
SBC Type IV (Protected)	=	IBC Type IIA
SBC Type IV	=	IBC Type IIB
SBC Type V (Protected)	=	IBC Type IIIA
SBC Type V	=	IBC Type IIIB
SBC Type VI (Protected)	=	IBC Type VA
SBC Type VI	=	IBC Type VB

All commercial residential occupancies which do not fall under the Residential Code are required to be sprinklered, with no exceptions, regardless of height or number of stories.

There are now five different types of Assembly occupancies.

There is a new Utility and Miscellaneous Group U.

Buildings on the same lot can be aggregated with certain conditions. 503.1.3.

Area modifications are now calculated differently in 506. If a building is equipped with a full NFPA 13 sprinkler, its area can be increased an additional 200 percent for multistory buildings and an additional 300 percent for single story buildings. A frontage increase can be calculated by section 506.2, but it can never exceed 75 percent. Except for unlimited area buildings, the maximum area of a multistory building by FBC 506.4 is two times the base area plus increases for sprinklers and frontage for two story buildings and three times the base area plus increases for sprinklers and frontage for three story buildings and higher. As a result, footprints of one, two, and three story buildings can be quite large, but at four stories and higher they begin to constrict again.

We now have fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers, and smoke partitions in Chapter 7. Once the definitions are understood, these distinctions should bring greater clarity and precision to the code.

Chapter 11, Florida Accessibility Code, has not been changed because it has been certified by the Department of Justice as complying with the ADA and any changes would require recertification. The chapter has been slightly renumbered, but the content is still the same. One error, corrected in the 2005 Supplement, is in the table on page 11-40, where the number of rooms with roll-in showers accidentally slipped down one line.

The Minimum Design Loads for Buildings in 1609 (wind loads) will be based on ASCE 7-02 when the 2005 Supplement becomes effective.

Editor's Note:

An excellent resource for helping to understand the new 2004 Florida Building Code, is the FBC 2004 Commentary – Volumes I and II that can be purchased through AIA Florida for $165.00 plus shipping. It clearly explains the intent of each section, and includes the complete text of the Building Code.

The 2003 NFPA Life Safety Code is the current edition authorized by the State.

For continuing updates on Code issues and interpretations, you might be interested in listing yourself with the Florida CodeTalk Discussion Group at www.myfloridacode.com that sends daily emails with items discussed, or the ability to research comments on specific code sections.

The New Florida Building Code is fun and exciting, and very important to all of us as Architects, and the first person to email or call Karen Jones at the AIA Orlando office will win a $25 restaurant gift certificate.

4. The 2005 Emerging Professionals Conference

By Wes Featherston, Associate AIA

On September 30th and October 1st AIA Florida held the first ever Emerging Professionals Conference in Kissimmee, Florida. Following a survey conducted earlier in the year, it was realized that the demand for a forum in which emerging and newly registered architects could interact was significant. The opportunity to establish this ongoing dialogue began with this year's program of events, speakers, and seminars.

Keynote speaker Randall Stout, FAIA discussed his practice of sustainable architecture interwoven with his own design philosophy. Stout combined provocative energy statistics with an explanation of his own methodology and the various pragmatic and financial issues surrounding sustainable design. His lecture featured images of past and present projects and the discussion that ensued brought to light the increasing interest locally in implementing similar programs of design.

Starting a Firm of Your Own featured architects Andrea Clark-Brown, AIA, John P. Ehrig, FAIA, and Guy Peterson, FAIA moderated by Peter Jones, AIA. This discussion highlighted the architects' own stories of how they began their architectural practices and brought to light the many questions emerging professionals and newly registered architects have regarding this milestone in one's career. Following the architects' introductions, an engaging discussion covering basic organizational issues, personal philosophies, and poignant details left many excited about this subject with an interest in even deeper more detailed discussions for the future.

Mark Mongeau, P.E. presented Marketing for the Emerging Professional and Speaking for Success. James Anstis, FAIA presented Ethics-Principals-Practice utilizing captivating case studies to punctuate serious issues regarding the practice of architecture.

Kim Headland, Assoc. AIA and Virgil Campaneria, AIA discussed the ARE and IDP and the integration of these programs into firms for the professional development of their employees. The structuring of these programs so that young professionals and their employers take initiative to support such investments in practice was reinforced by their discussion.

With regards to code issues Dave Olmstead hosted Windborne Debris Protection and Larry Schneider, AIA presented a discussion of What's “New”with the New FBC.

Leadership in the Community/Firm was moderated by Debra Lupton, AIA and featured Dianne Jacob and C.T. Hsu, AIA. Each speaker explained their history with community and their current interaction highlighting the benefits and professional responsibilities architects have to remain involved and proactive with respect to community involvement at all levels.

Concluding the conference the Orlando Young Architects Forum and AIA chapter hosted a tour and social at the recently completed Art In Architecture affordable housing community in Winter Park .

The interest in this year's Emerging Professionals Conference will insure that this forum continues and gains momentum. We look forward to continuing this dialogue with future conferences across the state.

5. Young Architects Forum Update

By Rebecca Talbert, YAF Director 2005

This year Orlando 's Young Architects Forum has had a busy schedule. In order to better serve as an outlet and resource to our area's young design professionals YAF has spent most of this year pursuing a broad range of community projects to engage our members. Some of our most recent activities include assisting Habitat for Humanity of Orlando by building models of their current house plans for display at the organization's annual Hometown Heroes event. YAF has also been working with City of Orlando Architect Rick Krent, AIA and the Orange County History Center to develop design and programming ideas to better utilize Heritage Square Park located in front of the History Center in downtown. The Community Redevelopment Agency Manager for the Town of Eatonville, Ricardo Soto-Lopez, recently met with YAF to discuss enlisting the group's assistance in the documentation of Eatonville's Historic structures. YAF worked with Mr. Soto-Lopez during his time with the City of Winter Park overseeing the Art In Architecture Canton Park Project that was recently completed. YAF and officials with the Town of Eatonville are very excited about the opportunity to work together on this important project.

Next year the Young Architects Forum plans to continue its involvement in these ongoing projects as well as provide many more opportunities for young professionals to network, take on leadership roles, and exercise their design skills. Some of the events currently in the planning phase for 2006 include a mentoring program to give the younger generation an opportunity to learn from our area's leading design professionals. YAF and AIA Orlando are working on developing an Architecture in Film series for next year. YAF Orlando also hopes to plan a joint event with Tampa 's new Emerging Tampa Bay Architects group. Look for upcoming events on AIA Orlando's website calendar. If you would like to participate in any of these events or have suggestions for new programs please contact the Young Architects Forum, www.aiaorlando.com/yaf.

6. Healthcare Committee Update

Honduras Clinic Project and Design Charrette

Bill Yeaple, AIA

Architects from the AIA/Orlando Healthcare Committee will be part of a team headed by Engineering Ministries International (EMI) that is going to design and do the construction documents for a clinic in Honduras. The “client” is a religious organization called Westside Ministries.

In January 2006, we will spend a week in Honduras visiting the site, talking to the client about their programmatic needs, and investigating local building materials, construction methods, and the available labor pool. While there, we will prepare a floor plan that satisfies the client's programmatic needs and model the building using “Sketchup”. The goal will be to leave the country with a preliminary building design approved by Westside Ministries and the clinicians. Our intention after that is to hold a weekend charrette in either early February of 2006 using the preliminary design as a point of departure for more sophisticated solutions.

We intend to invite architecture and engineering students from Florida A & M, the University of Florida, and University of Southern Florida. We would like to have 5-10 students from each school on teams comprised of 3 or 4 students, a faculty member, and a healthcare architect from the Committee.

We are holding the charrette for several reasons. First and foremost, we believe sustainable design strategies using appropriate technologies is a critical component of the design of the clinic, and that the students will be able to incorporate those concepts in innovative and exciting ways. Secondarily, we think a charrette will be a very effective mechanism to introduce the students to local architects involved in healthcare architecture and vice versa, as well as to healthcare design. The students will also have the opportunity to meet and perhaps work with students from other schools.

The designs developed by the teams will be presented late Sunday afternoon. Because the ultimate goal of the charrette is provide Westside Ministries with a building that best satisfies their needs, design ideas from each of the teams may be combined. If this is the case, the EMI team will combine those ideas after the charrette and produce the construction documents.

7. MiMo – Miami Modern Architectural Lecture

(Click to enlarge)

By Tom Griffin , AIA, McCree, Inc.

Teri D'Amico had an interesting slide show and lecture at our AIA Orlando Annual Meeting on November 10. Teri is highly involved with the documentation and historic preservation of significant Miami Modern buildings in the Miami / Dade area. Miami Modern is an architectural style that started after World War II and after the Art Deco period. Many of the buildings are (or were) in the Resort District, Bay Harbor Islands, and along Biscayne Blvd.

Morris Lapidus, also known as the “Hotel Doctor”, designed many MiMo hotels like the famous Fountainbleu, and Eden Roc. These were associated with Lucille Ball, the “Rat Pack”, and other celebrities. Lapidus tried to bring drama into his interiors, and was famous for his “stairs to nowhere”. These grand stairways were used to make the guests feel like they were movie stars. He designed more than 250 hotels all over the world.

(Click to enlarge)

Sunny Isles had many themed hotels, all later destroyed for high-rise buildings. A common architectural element was the porte cochere, to give the entrances a sense of arrival. North Beach has several protected buildings. The “Castaways” was a long-time “party” hotel for the rich and famous. A lot of the smaller motels used “curb appeal” – they tried to attract attention from cars with their entrance spires and canopies, some resembling the “Jetsons” theme.

MiMo design elements include arched features that look a lot like “alien” spaceships. Others have filigree wall patterns or metal grilles that are designed for bold light and shadow effects. Some use intricate tile mosaics on the ends of the buildings. Many of the Miami Modern buildings are similar to ones in other “resort” cities of the time like Palm Springs and Los Angeles, and internationally like Tel Aviv.

The Miami Modern historic preservation efforts continue to be very political. Teri and others try to get past the property owners initial feelings that they are anti-development. They attempt to show them that these historic buildings can be successfully converted to other uses such as high-end condos and offices. The decision to save certain buildings is based on things such as their significance in the period, who design or built them (if famous), what celebrities stayed there, or if they were featured in movies or TV. “MiMo – Miami Modern Revealed” by Randall Robinson is an excellent photographic book on this vibrant architectural period.

8. Government Affairs and Outreach Committee

Florida Capitol (Click to enlarge)

Joe Ranaldi, AIA, Director

The Government Affairs and Outreach Committee has been meeting on a regular basis and has two subcommittees set up to better focus on their areas of interest. The Professional Practice Committee is led by D. DeClerk with the City of Orlando. They work at coordinating with building departments in the region in monitoring permit activity to ensure appropriate registration of individuals signing and sealing plans. One of their monthly goals is to set up an outline for an education program for meeting with building departments. Part of this would be developing a brochure / presentation format for these meetings. They are also establishing a database of critical contacts with the various building departments. They would like to work with the City of Orlando as a pilot program. The committee will also be contacting AIA Florida to identify current literature that is available.

The Committee to Re-Elect is led by Steve Murphy, Joe Ranaldi, and A. Taylor. Their first informational breakfast will be in early 2006. A Lunch With Legislators will be established during Spring / Summer 2006. The contribution deadline is September 2006. State Senators Constantine (District 22), Posey (District 24), and Baker (District 20) will up for re-election. Also State Representatives Hays, Adams, Mealor, Simmons, Allen, Cannon, and Gardiner will be campaigning. In Orange County, there are races for County Mayor, Commission Seats 2, 4, and 6, and School Board Districts 1, 2, and 3. Seminole County has races for Commission Seats 2 and 4, and School Board District 2.

Other events include a Construction Industry Council meeting in November. The ABC Legislative Chili Cook-off was November 10.

9. One Can!

Minimize Hunger by CT Hsu (Click to enlarge)

Actually it was 44,517! This year's Canstruction ® event sported 12 teams with sculptures both fanciful and fun! The Orlando Fashion Square Mall played host to a world of delights including a giant ant, the little fish named Nemo, a minicooper and a tractor full of good things to eat. All in all, the teams did an extraordinary job raising 46,813 pounds of food which is the equivalent to 31,208 meals. The Peoples Choice award raised another $1,596.50 in donations which equates to 6,386 additional meals. SESCO Lighting hosted our Awards Celebration where six teams found out that slides of their entries will be sent to the National competition to be held at the 2006 AIA/SDA Convention in Los Angeles in June. Representing Orlando will be DRMP and Cuhaci & Peterson in the Honorable Mention category. SchenkelShultz will offer “The Gift to End Hunger” in the Best Meal Category. HuntonBrady will enter “Moo Goo Gai Can” in the National Structural Integrity competition. “Fish Food”, the fanciful little Nemo by HKS, will be Orlando 's entry in the Best Use of Labels category. Orlando's Juror's Favorite will be the ice cream delight sponsored by Burke, Hogue & Mills. Cuhaci & Peterson was also honored for their graphics with Burke, Hogue & Mills winning an Honorable Mention. Dave Krepcho, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank in Central Florida reported that 7 tractor trailer trucks were sent to South Florida following the hurricane in late October. Loaded on those trucks were products from the Orlando Canstruction ® event.