Drew Deering, FAIA

The recent Architecture Matters article in Soapbox, Deliberating the D Word (Density), considered the impact of density on cities, including its benefits and challenges. Come and hear the discussion continue on June 6th!! Click for all the details and registration: https://lnkd.in/gUgeHW3i #AIACincinnati #architect #architecture

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Society requires a specific level of density. AIA Cincinnati recently featured KZF Design in a discussion focused on understanding the ideal urban density, and strategies for achieving balance. #cities #planning #density #urbanplanning #architecture

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This week's episode features an insightful conversation with Melvalean McLemore, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP of Moody Nolan. Listen in to hear more about her journey into the profession and learn some helpful tips to reframe conversations on which communities are worthy of good design. #designforall #architecture #blackowned https://lnkd.in/dcxPwgS4

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Today is a tale of the power of the sink to shift the the housing landscape. Yes, a small basin and faucet made this Opportunity Zone project for the missing middle in West Oakland possible. The intent was to create affordable yet well designed spaces for teachers, essential service workers and maybe a few architects 😊 Hitting the density to make this work was going to require some maneuvering. The underlying density was 16 units, and we ended up with 65 studios. This was accomplished by building 13 townhomes, where each townhome was allowed 5 bedrooms. Each bedroom was designed with an en-suite bathroom and (this was the trick) an in bedroom sink. The sink the allowed for the creation of a mini-kitchen. The project was parked for 13 townhomes (1 space per unit) with some reduction due to proximity to transit and bicycle parking. This allowed further on grade density without needing to go to a podium, which also helped with cost. This was the second deployment of a modularized design we’ve used for several sites. The first you may have seen on the AIA Design Tour earlier this year. Ultimately these projects have been highly successful in creating affordable rents and a profitable project for the developer.

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I am the 2024 chair for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Regional and Urban Design Committee. The committee holds an annual symposium and this year the symposium is in Indianapolis. Below is the call for speakers. I hope you will consider submitting and sharing with others that you know. Knowledge Communities are AIA member’s source for new connections & information. Members can network and connect with their peers around the world and stay on top of their areas of interest. The Regional and Urban Design Committee (RUDC) helps architecture professionals keep pace with changing conditions and improve regional & urban environments through excellence in design, planning, and public policy. In support of this, RUDC is holding their 2024 Symposium in Indianapolis on November 14–15. A call for speakers has been released. We welcome all urban thinkers, no matter your discipline or geography, to contribute to this engaging and stimulating symposium. Speakers should address the following questions: What are the significant factors and behavioral constructs we must understand today to set future generations up for success and thrive in built environments? Are polycentric cities expanding or contracting figuratively and physically? Proposals are due June 14. Submit through https://lnkd.in/gNEQyy9X.

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These guys know more about digital twins for existing buildings than anyone. Well worth the time for those who are interested in adapting modern tools for existing building design.

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Join us on May 22nd for Architecture Uncensored: The Power of Negotiating in Self-Advocacy. Register today: https://buff.ly/3yfbqda Architecture Uncensored is an annual series organized by the AIA|DC Emerging Architects Committee that discusses challenging topics within our profession. This event encourages interactive and lively conversations between emerging professionals and firm leaders as we dive into questions we often find challenging to discuss in our offices. Part 1 of our series will focus on how emerging professionals can find their value in the early stages of their careers and the current state of our market. In this challenging economic climate, emerging professionals are looking to understand how they can negotiate for themselves, find supportive mentors, and be intentional with their work-life balance to manage burnout. Panelists representing a range of leadership, experience, firm size, project type, and daily practice will discuss how emerging professionals can advocate for and understand their value in a difficult market.

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Affordability, social justice, and environmental stewardship— all three play a huge role in effective affordable housing design. My colleague and Housing and Mixed Use Sector Leader, Otis Odell, weighs in on how to address these challenges quickly and efficiently. Read about it here: https://ow.ly/vuAW30sCkM2 #HEDadvances #positiveimpact #housingdesign #housingforall #affordablehousing

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The project is part of Parkside of Old Town Phase III - Urbanize Chicago

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New Inclusive Designers Episode Alert! Designing for: Crisis Centers  (Season 5, Episode 4) with Stephen N. Parker AIA NOMA NCARB LEED AP and Robyn Linstrom, Behavioral Health Design Experts from Stantec. As mental health issues rise, the current system often directs those in crisis to overloaded emergency departments. A better solution? Crisis Stabilization Centers. Join us on the Inclusive Designers Podcast as we explore how to design these essential facilities effectively. In this episode, we delve into: - Reducing stigma in mental health care - Incorporating evidence-based research into design - Utilizing Trauma-Informed Design principles to create supportive environments Our experts share their knowledgeable views on the specific challenges and solutions in designing these crucial facilities. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion! Listen now and contribute to a better mental health care system. #InclusiveDesignersPodcast #MentalHealth #CrisisStabilization #Stantec #TraumaInformedDesign #HealthcareDesign #MentalWellness

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Barriers in architecture and all built environments to accessibility: Disabled people are not the problem. Inaccessibility is the problem. Lack of learning from past mistakes in legislation, design and planning is the problem. Lack of education and licensing reform is the problem. Exclusion in legislation, design and planning is the problem. Disability bias in legislation, design and planning is the problem. Ableism is acceptable standard practice and the root of the problem. This article is worth reading to explore a different approach. #AccessibleCanada #ADA #DDA #EAA #CRPD #BillionStrong #architecture #InteriorDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanPlanning #design #education #legislation #policy #CultureChange

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Did you attend AIA '24? You might've missed this big news! The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is currently under scrutiny due to allegations of misconduct, including misspending, nepotism, and retaliation, raised by 22 past presidents and other professional architect groups. Not what you would've seen on stage with the bands and keynote speakers, but a very important part of the current climate. These concerns are directed at the organization's current leadership, particularly CEO Lakisha Ann Woods. The architecture profession is currently grappling with significant issues that impact both new designers and seasoned professionals. Over the past decade, burnout has become a pervasive problem, leading many architects to leave the profession (hello Out of Architecture). This state of total fatigue—physical, mental, creative, and emotional—raises critical questions about the sustainability of architecture as a career path. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has long been a cornerstone of the architectural profession, yet it has consistently fallen short in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing architects today. Read the article to learn more, but I don't doubt that some of the AIA financial decisions were merited (company trips do provide valuable opportunities for team members to connect... especially on a beach in the Dominican Republic). As of 2022 numbers, did you know that the AIA only spends 13% of its revenue on actual lobbying for its members? TL;DR the jarring parts of this reporting include: - The strong-arming of the FAIA review committee to admit the current president (who is kind of a bad ass). - The obvious removal of nay-sayers by the CEO (the legal counsel who had been there for 15+ years investigating the current allegations). - Big one: The use of the CEO's office to pay yourself more than 1% of the overall annual revenue of the company. ($850,000+ salary out of a little over $67M in revenue as of 2022 - they haven't released current figures...) For a non-profit dedicated to supporting members through advocacy, they did a lot of selling shirts with all of these leaders names emblazoned on the front and not a lot of actually advocating for members. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as you're taking home big money and can eliminate anyone who gets in your way. Thoughts? https://lnkd.in/gFXcTKTW

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As communities evolve and urban landscapes change, fire stations stand as vital pillars of safety and emergency response. The demands placed on these stations continue to evolve, prompting architects and designers to innovate in their approach to fire station design. Download our thoughts on the top three design trends shaping the future of fire stations here: https://ow.ly/emBS50Rt09c

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The challenges faced in the field of architecture are undeniable. The pressure from competition, clients, economic setbacks, workplace culture, negativity, toxicity, and political situations worldwide can make the profession incredibly demanding. Many architects find themselves questioning their career choices as they experience a large exodus from the field. This reinforces the notion that architecture is becoming less rewarding than expected, echoing the French saying "L'Architecture est un métier ingrat". #Architecture #Challenges #CareerInsights The American Institute of Architects (AIA) LAU LAU LAU - Academy of Continuing Education (ACE) Order of Engineers and Architects of Beirut - Official Page

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Supporting designers in their request to create healthy built environments, Perkins&Will has developed a free online dashboard powered by public health data. With an American Society of Interior Designers - ASID Foundation grant, matched by P&W, PRECEDE - “Public Repository to Engage Community and Enhance Design Equity” – is harnessing data from public health agencies and granting easy access to this information for building owners and design teams. This localized data supports the process of designing healthy environments, appropriate to the context and health challenges in different cities. With this ability to easily identify the public health factors most relevant to a given community, building occupants can benefit from indoor environments fine-tuned to that communities’ health profile. Kudos to Perkins&Will for investing in and creating this valuable tool, available to all, for the sake of designing and building healthy buildings. #architecture #design #interiors #healthandwellness

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Start them young! The importance of design thinking in K-12 work cannot be overstated. Early exposure can set individuals up for later success in the profession. https://lnkd.in/eCSiqTs7

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Adaptive reuse goes beyond office buildings. Learn how designers are turning their attention towards closed correctional facilities, transforming them into vibrant spaces that revitalize communities. #adaptivereuse #design #architecture #correctionalfacilities

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So excited to read all about soil innovations in the industry! Soil composition is incredibly important for the vitality of the plant life and ecosystem it supports, not to mention the amount of carbon storage it provides! Hopefully we see more and more customized soil mixes as we continue to learn more about its potential! #landscapearchitecture #soil #innovatiom #sustainability #carbonstorage

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