2012 Book Drive Underway to Inspire Austin Youth

Please join AIA Austin’s “Latinos in Architecture” for the second 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.
Donations can include new or gently used books and recent magazines about architecture, interior design, art and construction.  Book donations are being accepted at the Austin Center for Architecture (801 W 12^th St.) between July 9^th and August 17^th
AIA Austin is proud to join “Latinos in Architecture” from AIA Dallas 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!

Architecture Scholarships Awarded to Austin Area High School Graduates

Joined by friends and family at the Austin Center for Architecture, Latinos in Architecture (LiA) recently awarded scholarships to two talented Austin area high school graduates.  In our continued effort to promote our profession amongst young Latinos, the two scholarships will assist two bright students attend the “Summer Academy in Architecture” at the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture.
The Summer Academy is an intensive introductory course in architecture geared toward people who have little to no background in architecture and who wish to test and refine their interests in the field.  The Academy introduces students to many of the important aspects of architecture and encourages personal exploration through individual studio work, supplemented by supporting activities such as faculty and visiting lectures, a film series, site visits, class reviews, and periodic meetings that emphasize students’ more practical concerns (i.e. application procedures, general admissions policies, and the preparation of a portfolio or resumé).
Funds for both scholarships were raised through various matching grants, corporate donations and fundraising efforts by our committee members.  We would like to give special thanks to the Board members of the Austin Foundation for Architecture (www.austinfoundationforarchitecture.org), DAVCAR Engineering (www.davcar.com), the director of the “Summer Academy in Architecture” program at UT Austin and the staff of the Austin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (www.aiaaustin.org).  This effort would not have been possible without their help and support.
Latinos in Architecture is honored to have played a vital role in this endeavor and we look forward to continued growth in the coming years for this great cause.

Design Transformation in the Heart of Historic Rainey Street

On a warm and humid Friday night in May, AIA Austin members celebrated the opening of El Naranjo, an adaptive reuse project at 85 Rainey Street designed by local architect, Martin Barrera, AIA.  The joint social mixer was hosted by the Latinos in Architecture, and Emerging Professionals committees and was well attended by members and their guests.  Martin Barrera, AIA gave a brief discussion about the project, and many guests lounged in the comfortable bar for hours, while others dined in one of the two cozy dining rooms or on the shady back deck. 
El Naranjo is in the heart of the Rainey Street Historic District, a Downtown Austin neighborhood defined by IH-35, Lady Bird Lake, and Cesar Chavez Street.  The neighborhood was first inhabited in the late 1800’s by white middle-class tradesman, but has long been an area in transition.  The demographics of the neighborhood began to shift toward working-class hispanic families in the 1920’s and during the 1960’s and 1970’s re-development pressure from urban renewal and municipal planning projects stirred controversy over the fate of the deteriorating houses in the Rainey Street neighborhood.  Residents and preservationists worked diligently to highlight the neighborhood’s historic value, and successfully listed the Rainey Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
85 Rainey Street was one of those historic yet deteriorating homes when Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba, the husband and wife team behind El Naranjo, awarded the commission to Martin Barrera, AIA.  The adaptive reuse project that ensued strives to preserve and highlight the existing historic building by liberating the structure from decades of shoddy additions, careless remodels, and poor maintenance.  The interior of the historic home was transformed into open and free flowing bar, lounge, and dining spaces.  The original features of the home subtly contrast with the clean lines of the modern wood wall finishes and floating white gypsum plaster ceilings.  The addition to the rear of the property houses the commercial kitchen and other high-impact wet areas.  In contrast to the historic home, the addition is constructed of a combination of single-wythe, stack-bond cmu, aluminum storefront, and cantilevered wood soffits.  The effect is a tastefully transformed structure that is respectful of the surrounding historic district, yet meets the harsh programmatic requirements of the modern restaurant.
Photos by Veronica Castro de Barrera, AIA

Joint Networking Mixer

AIA Austin’s “Latinos in Architecture Committee” and “Emerging Professionals Committee” invite you to a joint networking event hosted at “El Naranjo”.  The successful Rainey Street food trailer has recently opened its doors as a newly remodeled and full-service restaurant, designed by Austin architect Martin Barrera, AIA.
Friday May 11^th at 5:30pm at 85 Rainey Street.
Please RSVP to kristina@aiaaustin.org

LiA's Holiday Celebration

Come celebrate the Holidays with a joint party with our AIA Chapter friends and colleagues. It has been a great first year for "Latinos in Architecture" and we're already looking forward to a fabulous 2012. Hope you all can make it.  Food and drinks will be available so please make sure to RSVP. Feliz Navidad!!!!

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