Design Exhibit in Full Swing

LiA’s Opening Night for “PERSPECTIVASdosmil11”, held at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) on October 7^th, was a great success.  Well over one hundred people came to view this remarkable exhibit aimed to showcase the innovative work and talent of Austin Latino architectural professionals and designers during the 2011 celebrations of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

“PERSPECTIVASdosmil11” introduced viewers to Latino architects and designers with vast experience in a wide range of work, including new residences and remodels, commercial and retail spaces, educational, institutional, civic, transportation, historic preservation, landscape and interior design.  Attendees also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with the fifteen local architects and designers participating in the exhibit.  The social mixer was soon followed by opening remarks given by Juan Cotera, FAIA and a unique slide presentation showcasing some of his firm’s most recent design projects.

“PERSPECTIVASdosmil11” will be on display, thru October 24^th, at the MACC and immediately relocated to the Austin Center for Architecture, where it will remain on display thru November 7^th.  Please feel free to visit http://www.maccaustin.org/ and http://www.aiaaustin.org/ to check on normal operating hours and special events.

Joint Networking Mixer

Please join "Latinos in Architecture" as we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month-2011.  Mix, mingle and learn about other organizations and committees in Austin's Design Community.

Participating groups include:
AIA Austin
Latinos in Architecture Committee (AIA)
Small Firms Round Table Committee (AIA)
Architecture in Schools Committee (AIA)
Architects without Borders- Austin
Architecture for Humanity- Austin
LAMA (Latin American Modern Architecture Research Group @ UTSOA)  

Please RSVP by October 3rd to dvalle.lia@gmail.com

1 Design Exhibit = 15 Perspectives

AIA Austin's “Latinos in Architecture” is proud to announce “PERSPECTIVAS dosmil11”. This exhibit aims to showcase the work and talent of Austin Latino architectural professionals and designers during the 2011 celebrations of National Hispanic Heritage Month.  The exhibit will take place at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC). Opening night is scheduled for Friday October 7th (5:30-7:00PM) with opening remarks by Juan Cotera, FAIA.  We hope you'll be able to attend. Please RSVP at LiAcommitteeAustin@gmail.com

Book Drive a Huge Success

LiA-Austin volunteers got together, on the last weekend of August, to sort through hundreds of books and magazines collected during the 1st annual book donation drive, “From an Architect’s Bookshelf”.  At the end of the day, it was clear that final numbers had surpassed initial expectations, as Austin architects and designers donated nearly 350 books and more than 400 architectural magazines.  All items were organized, classified and carefully boxed for future delivery to local area High Schools (more to come on date of delivery).  A big THANK YOU to all those individuals and firms who donated to make this effort a success.  Thanks as well to all the Bookshelf Leaders at the various Austin design firms, who donated their time and effort to make the program known and successfully collected so many books.  Finally, thank you to all LiA volunteers who participated during the planning and execution phases of the event.  Specifically, THANK YOU to Maria Guerra, Paul Medrano, Michael Guevara, Carlos Valdez, Carolina Cantu, Alfred Mojica, Lina Murillo, Darrell Smith, Martin Barrera, Lamour Hudson, Trinity White, Rachael McDaniel, Manuel Morales-Cantor, Sally Fly, Kristina Schlegel, Elizabeth Humphrey and Lauren Vienne.  We look forward to another great book drive in 2012!!

Book Drive to Inspire Austin Youth

Please join AIA Austin’s “Latinos in Architecture” for the first annual "From an Architect's Bookshelf"

This book donation drive/library development program will provide Austin area High Schools with books that are essential for the teaching and research of Architecture. Additionally, your books will provide motivation to a young student to stay in school and pursue a college degree education.

We encourage book donors to write a note of insight and encouragement inside the cover of the book to personalize the gift to the students.  Donations can include new or gently used books and recent magazines about architecture, interior design, art, construction.

Book donations are being accepted by designated bookshelf leaders at various design offices around Austin. You can also drop off books at the Austin Center for Architecture (801 W 12^th St.) between July 11^th and August 19^th

AIA Austin is proud to join “Latinos in Architecture” from AIA Dallas and AIA San Diego in this national endeavor and invites you to view the following video showcasing the fruits of such wonderful effort…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9kcWMeFmxk

Let's get involved.....Let's make a difference!

Recognizing Excellence in Design

Each year, the AIA Austin Design Awards program seeks to recognize outstanding architectural projects by members and to promote public interest in architectural excellence. This year, Miró Rivera Architects took home two awards: a Citation of Honor for the 1917 Bungalow (Austin, 2009) and the top Honor Award for the Ranch Operations buildings (Texas Hill Country, 2010).

Located near Austin’s historic Clarksville neighborhood, the 1917 Bungalow is one in a series of historic homes whose first owners were freed slaves.  The original ceiling coffers, windows, trims and long-leaf pine floors were retained and the walls were restored to their original wood plank siding. The new wing, conceived as a long, simple volume creates a dialogue with the existing house. Large glass sliding doors and floor-to-ceiling windows create a direct connection to two prominent oak trees and a new lap pool while allowing natural light into the spaces.

The Ranch Operations buildings explore the juxtaposition of simple utilitarian structures against the Hill Country landscape. Designed with a common 16’ module, the structural layout for the three buildings is identical, leaving manipulation of the skin system as the primary vehicle for meeting the programmatic needs for the project.

Congratulations to Miró Rivera Architects and all 2011 Award recipients for such great work. To learn more about their firm please visit them at http://www.mirorivera.com/

Inspiring Future Architects

On Friday, April 15^th, LiA members joined forces with members of AIA Austin’s Architecture in Schools committee to participate in career day at Manor Elementary School.  Volunteers had the special opportunity to present to various student groups and discuss the many different roles architects play in today’s society.  Students heard about the educational paths in becoming an architect as well as the multiple phases in the design process.  At the same time, volunteers were very impressed to learn that a 4^th grade teacher had developed an architecture curriculum to teach her students about math.  LiA volunteers were thrilled to have the opportunity to present to students enrolled in Manor’s bilingual program.  Thank you so much to all members who gave of their time and talents to inspire the students at Manor ES.