AIA Minneapolis

• February 2012 Skyway Open event.
• VJAA creative team honored at March Mpls Luncheon as 2012 AIA Firm of the Year
• 
  October 2011 Big Sibs Convention in New York City

Merit Awards
Unique in its approach to creating a jury, these awards encompass the views of business professionals, real estate developers, community advocates, and academic leaders as well as architects. The Merit Awards are bestowed to projects by AIA Minneapolis architects that tell a story of excellence beyond design, reflecting the variety of forces that shape a building.

The 2012 Award winners will be announced at the June 21, 2012 Minneapolis Chapter Luncheon. Read more.

 

 

2012 Golf Outing
See the 2011 Golf Outing Results and photos. Now looking for sponsors for 2012.  Read more.

AIA Minneapolis' Monthly Free Luncheons
Join us on the third Thursday or each month from 11:45a-1:15p.m. at International Market Square.  Learn about award-winners, government affairs, related organizations and network. More information and online registration.

AIA Minneapolis 2012 Chapter Committees
AIA Minneapolis members – get involved with your chapter! Below are your chapter’s committees for 2012, make the most of your membership and join a committee today! Contact the staff liaison for more information, see the descriptions on the committee page, or fill out and return the 2012 Member Profile Form.

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards

Preserve Minneapolis, AIA Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission hosted the 21st annual Minneapolis Preservation Awards on Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at a luncheon.

2012 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award Winners
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Adaptive Reuse Project
Ford Center

New Addition to a Historic Building
Municipal Building - Minneapolis Courthouse and City Hall
Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts

Preservation Planning
Warehouse Heritage Streets Plan

Community Education and Advocacy
Friends of the Cemetery
Whittier Alliance - 2012 Calendar

The Steve Murray Award
Kathleen Anderson

For the 2012 program, firms were invited to submit nominations that recognize projects, individuals, and organizations that celebrate and enhance the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis. Awards spotlight exemplary projects, and recognize individuals and community organizations that celebrate and enhance the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis.

Read more about the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation on the City of Minneapolis web site.

See the 2011 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards Press Release.
See the 2010 Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Awards Press Release.

Minneapolis Great Streets Facade Improvement Program

In 2007, the Minneapolis City Council approved the Great Streets Neighborhood Business District program, a coordinated effort to help businesses develop and succeed along commercial corridors and at commercial nodes throughout the city. A highly visible and successful feature of the program is the Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program. The Façade program provides grant funding to business owners and property owners for exterior improvements to commercial properties, including repair or replacement of doors and windows, exterior lighting, ADA improvements, tuck-pointing, signage, awnings, and restoration of architectural finishes and details. From 2008-2011, the Great Streets façade program stimulated $1,565,022 of private investment and $781,864 of public investment in 228 façade improvement projects citywide.

In addition to physical improvements, the program also covers costs for architectural services (with some limits and stipulations). Yet, historically, few of the program’s past participants have taken advantage of the inclusion of architectural services as a reimbursable project cost. CPED coordinators would like more of its applicants to consider hiring a professional architect when designing a facade project – both to ensure more sympathetic and creative approaches to storefront improvements and to enhance the sense of place within designated commercial districts and streetscapes.

AIA Minneapolis members attended a one-time event and learedn about the city’s three-year old “Great Streets Façade Improvement Program” and the ways that architects can do work that not only pays but that helps improve our city’s thriving neighborhood commercial centers. All 13 of the program’s administrators - representing neighborhood organizations and community development corporations - were on hand to discuss opportunities to contract with local business owners and to participate in this city funded grant program.

Click here for more information about the program.

 

2012 Skyway Open

AIA Minneapolis once again was a proud sponsor this event held February 24-26, in downtown Minneapolis. Each year, AIA Minnesota member firms design creative and fun mini-putt golf holes, the public plays the course.

The event featured 18 unique holes. The 19th hole event and party was found at the end of Minneapolis' newest skyway in the Accenture Tower lobby.

The U.S. Bank Skyway Open is organized by U.S. Bank and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, a non-profit organization focused on youth outreach programs and community building. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities.

Check back for information on the 2013 event.

Great City Design Teams
Five Minneapolis neighborhoods were chosen for some make-over design help from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s Great City Design Teams. Teams of volunteer architects, landscape architects, urban designers and developers worked with residents and community groups in five key neighborhoods throughout 2007 to develop design visions for future possible changes. Read more.