Architects Go Beyond Convention at the 76th Annual AIA Minnesota Convention, November 2-5, 2010
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The 76th annual AIA Minnesota Convention will take place Tuesday, November 2 – Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Over 1,500 people are projected to attend – 1,100 attending programs and the exhibitions, while another 400 will just visit the exhibit hall, which hosts over 200 companies as well as a variety of exhibits.
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The convention, centered around the theme Beyond Convention, takes the research AIA Minnesota has done in the past year, including an assessment of firm workflow, structure, outsourcing, key markets, skill sets, technology and more; and paints an accurate understanding of where the profession is at today. During the convention we will explore ways in which the profession needs to respond to the current economic climate in an informed, collective and positive way to remain relevant and find new growth and opportunities for the architectural profession. |
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Forty-five programs and four keynote addresses will cover program tracks including design, materials and systems, practice, leadership and ethics, profession, residential, urban design, preservation, sustainable design and technology. In addition to AIA Minnesota members, this year’s convention also welcomes two groups whose members will also be attending: AIA’s Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC) and IFRAA (Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture). |
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Diverse and inspiring programs from the PMKC national group will be shared with local architects to help them gain new insights, practical knowledge and useful practice tools. The IFRAA group will present The Artful Presence Conference within the AIA Minnesota Convention to explore the close interconnection of art and architecture and the technologies that allow this to happen. Twelve speakers from across the country will combine their insights into a day and a half long discussion with artists, craftsman, clergy, church committees, specialized consultants and architects. |
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The variety of convention programs has something for everyone. Architects, required by law to maintain their license through continuing education credits, can attend programs to learn about more technical aspects of architecture as well as programs of interest to them. Design professionals, the media and general public can attend the keynote presentations that have more universal appeal and additional seminars based on discussion topics that engage them. Registration is available for a convention package, a series of programs or one event. The exhibit hall is free to anyone and requires no registration. |
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Keynote Presentations The following three keynotes are more design-related and of interest for the media and public as well as architects and related design professionals: |
(Pictured above, top to bottom: 1. Copehagen Opera House (Event 30), 2. Michael Rotondi's work (Event 28), 3. Turck Residence (Event 37), 4. Portland Aerial Tram, Sarah Graha, FAIA (Event 41) 5. Museo Picasso Malaga / Richard Gluckman, FAIA (Event 41) and 6. Brock University in Ontario /Brian MacKay-Lyon, Hon. FAIA (Event 41).
Tuesday, November 2 – Kick-off Keynote Address, 3:00-4:30p.m.
Out of Practice
Presented by Coren Sharples, AIA, one of four founding principals of SHoP Architects and SHoP Construction in New York. SHoP has been a leader in rethinking architectural practice. This keynote address will examine how this firm combines design, finance and technology in innovative ways to create a new model for the profession. Paulo Tombesi will serve as a Respondent to this keynote address. Tombesi is Chair of Construction, for the Faculty of Architecture, Building & Planning at the University of Melbourne.
Wednesday, November 3, 6:00-7:30p.m.
Somewhere in Between: Spatial Awareness and Visual Imagination
Co-sponsored by the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture
Presented by Michael Rotondi, FAIA, a founding principal of RoTo in Los Angeles, previously a founding partner of Morphosis. During the keynote, Rotondi, who collaborated with SCI-Arc (The Southern California Institute of Architects) colleagues on an assessment of fundamental skills, will speak about the role spatial awareness and visual imagination play in the creative process.
Thursday, November 4, 2:00-3:30p.m.
Jurors Show and Tell
Co-sponsored by the AIA Minnesota Committee on Design
This keynote address features three architects, serving as this year’s AIA Minnesota Honor Award jurors, who will talk about their practice and projects through a presentation of their work.
Richard Gluckman, FAIA, is a principal at Gluckman Mayner Architects in New York, New York.
Sarah Graham, FAIA, is a principal of agps.architecture in Los Angeles, California and Zurich, Switzerland.
Brian MacKay-Lyons, Hon. FAIA, is founder of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The two keynotes more geared toward the membership include:
Tuesday, November 2 - Member Congress Keynote Address, 12:15-2:45p.m
Current Perspectives and the Future of the Profession
Presented by Clark D. Manus, FAIA, AIA First Vice President and CEO of Heller Manus Architects in San Francisco. Manus facilitated the development of an advocacy portfolio to ensure strategic thinking as the basis for action on AIA policies as well as co-chaired the task force guiding the development of the AIA’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. Manus will present his perspective on the future of the profession.
Friday, November 5 – Closing Keynote Address and Lunch, 12:00-2:00p.m.
The Leading Edge: How are you and your firm stepping up to the challenges of the new economy?
Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Architectural Foundation and the Beverly E. Hauschild-Baron Leadership Fund.
Presented by Geoff Webb, Vice President of Graceworks, this keynote address will describe how the most successful firms are revolutionizing the way they do business. All employees must learn to think and act as leaders. Find out how you can deliberately inspire your coworkers, guide your leadership team, and motivate your staff to embrace this new direction.
The Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall features displays of awards and themed projects from AIA Minnesota, its chapters and its 22 committees. It’s a lively center of activity that hosts well over 200 product lines and a variety of professional services during the exhibit hall hours:
Tuesday, November 2, 4:30 -7:00p.m.
Wednesday, November 3, 11:15a.m. – 2:30p.m. and 3:45 – 6:00p.m.
Thursday, November 4, 11:30a.m. – 2:00p.m.
Here are some of the exhibit hall highlights:
• View the work of Edward J. Kodet, FAIA, recipient of the 2010 AIA Minnesota Gold Medal
Award
• Place a bid at the Minnesota Architectural Foundation Silent Auction
• Participate in or watch modern Wii competitions and retro ping-pong competitions.
Prizes will be awarded!
• See the 2009 AIA Minnesota Honor Awards, the 2010 AIA Minnesota’s 25 Year Award and a
special exhibit of AIA Minnesota’s Louis Lundgren Award
• Visit the Citizen Architect Exhibit where local organizations in need of volunteers will have
more information about their programs and services. Anyone can sign-up!
• Visit the Preservation Alliance’s display of the 10 Most Endangered Buildings
For more information, to see the full program descriptions and to register, go to
www.aia-mn.org/convention
Media passes and more program information/ speaker contacts are available by contacting Jennifer Gilhoi at 612-338-6763 gilhoi@aia-mn.org.