Spring Lecture

Planning for the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central PA Lecture Series is ramping up again. We have found it hard to get out of the gate & get a firm commitment for a Spring Lecture but have identified May 22nd in New Cumberland as the preferred date and location. Last year’s lectures by Claire Weisz, FAIA in Lancaster and Nader Tehrani, AIA in Harrisburg were successes. We will again have 2 lectures (Spring & Fall).  This year we are planning a robust celebration of the architectural heritage of Armstrong’s corporate campus in the Fall.

Please consider sponsoring the 2025 AIA Central PA Lecture Series with a $550 donation or as an underwriter for $2,500. Thank you for your past support.

For $550 we will provide you with a full-page advertisement in our Program and 2 tickets to the lecture. As an underwriter you will receive all the benefits of a sponsor as well as prominent recognition in all event related materials and you would be able to make brief remarks to the group at the start of the lecture.

The AIA Central PA Lectures are memorable evenings when a large group of our members gather to be inspired and socialize. I trust you see the value to your company and the broader of sponsoring these events but please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. Chris Dawson, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Chris Dawson Architect.

Thank you for considering my request.

SPONSORSHIP LINK

Conference, Expo and Design Awards 2025

The 2025 AIA Central Pennsylvania Conference, Expo and Design Awards will be held at the Armstrong World Industries Campus in Lancaster, PA on September 18th.  This year Armstrong is celebrating 160 years of business and innovation.  Armstrong World Industries started as the Armstrong Cork Company in 1860. The company has flourished since then, thriving in times of prosperity and enduring times of uncertainty. Today, we continue our founder’s legacy of trust and quality, delivering on our promises to the highest degree of professionalism and service.

Members will be able to take part in 2 different tours of the campus and lab space as well as attend educational sessions.   A reception with exhibitors will follow the tours and the evening will conclude with the design award presentations.

If you have suggestions please send them to Rachel Haynes rhaynes@tippettsweaver.com

Government Affairs

Architects and Interior Designers Pass Historic Legislation

New Bill Demonstrates Collaborative Industry Efforts
HARRISBURG, Pa. (November 20, 2024) – The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA PA) together with the Interior Design Legislative Coalition of Pennsylvania
(IDLCPA) are pleased to announce the passage of Senate Bill 1319, which amends theArchitects Licensure Law to advance both professions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 1319, signed into law as Act 144 by Governor Josh Shapiro on October 31 st , 2024, contains many provisions including continuing education for architects, certification for qualified
interior designers, and changes to the Pennsylvania Board of Architecture with an additional seat for a Certified Interior Designer thereby providing representation and a voice for the interior
design profession within the board.

“Over the past two years, AIA PA has worked with IDLCPA to bridge past differences and build a framework for collaboration, recognizing that both architects and interior designers are essential
contributors to integrated design teams. We believe this new law is a significant step toward advancing our professions and enhancing our collective impact on the built environment,”
Michael Metzger, AIA, 2024 AIA PA President.

As part of this landmark legislation, continuing education (CEU) requirements for architects will now be mandatory in Pennsylvania for the first time. AIA Pennsylvania has long advocated for
continuing education as a critical tool for architects to maintain the skills necessary to safeguard the public’s health, safety, and welfare. By requiring architects to complete 24 hours of
continuing education every two years, the state aligns with best practices across the country, ensuring that architects are up-to-date on the rapidly evolving landscape of building codes,
materials, technologies, and design strategies. This change will help ensure that Pennsylvania’s architects continue to deliver the highest level of expertise to their clients, improving the quality
and safety of the built environment statewide.

“IDLCPA is thrilled to see this agreement finally signed into law. For decades, IDLCPA has worked to advance and elevate the interior design profession in Pennsylvania. Those designers
who meet rigorous education, experience, and examination standards will have the opportunity for legal recognition as well as a path for continued collaboration with our colleagues in
Architecture, without whom we would not be here today,” said Jennifer Gibian, IDLCPA President.

Senate Bill 1319 was a bi-partisan effort prime sponsored by Senator Frank Farry (R-Bucks) and cosponsored by Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware). AIA PA and IDCLPA thank both
Senators for their leadership and tireless efforts to move this bill from concept to law.

2025 AIA PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE RESULTS

Every legislative session (every 2 years), AIA Pennsylvania conducts a legislative survey to gather insights from our members on the most pressing issues affecting the architecture profession and the built environment. This year, we polled our over 3,000 members to better understand their priorities and concerns, ensuring that our advocacy efforts align with the needs of architects across the state.

The 2025 survey results highlight key legislative concerns including: encroachment on the practice of architecture, affordable housing and zoning reform, and sustainability.  These issues along with others play a critical role in shaping Pennsylvania’s communities, and your feedback will help drive our policy initiatives moving forward.

This report summarizes the survey findings and gives our members a glimpse of where AIA Pennsylvania will be working to develop policies that protect and enhance the profession. Thank
you to all who participated—your input is essential in strengthening our collective voice.

you to all who participated—your input is essential in strengthening our collective voice.

If you have suggestions please send them to Rachel Haynes rhaynes@tippettsweaver.com

How to Best Help the Emerging Professional in your firm

Written by Joshua Silbaugh

For emerging architectural professionals, completing all the steps to get licensed can be a daunting process. Often, just taking the first step is the most difficult. Wherever you are in the process, it’s critical to understand the resources available to you and to take time to plan—or even reassess—your path and approach.

Employer Resources

Make time to talk with your employer about the AXP/ARE. Include this as part of your discussions with your advisor. If you don’t meet regularly with your advisor, request to do so. If you’re struggling to gain the last few hours in Practice Management or Construction, schedule a meeting to take a deep dive into your AXP. Your advisor’s role is to support you through this process and advocate for your success.

For the ARE, ask your employer about available resources:

  • Time off for studying
  • Online study resources
  • Study material reimbursement
  • NCARB registration and ARE exam fee reimbursement

You may be surprised by what your employer offers—or is willing to make available.

AIA Resources

Reach out to your local AIA chapter board members—we are committed to helping you succeed. Ask about events focused on the AXP/ARE and resources for emerging professionals. Connect with your peers, who are also navigating these critical career stages.

Additionally, reach out to the state board and take advantage of its resources. I have been serving as the Architect Licensing Advisor (ALA) through AIA Pennsylvania since early 2023, and I am happy to assist however I can. Feel free to email me at eplicensingadvisor@aiapa.org.

NCARB Resources

In addition to my role as the statewide AIA licensing advisor, did you know that Pennsylvania currently has 15 licensing advisors supporting architectural students and emerging professionals? These advisors include school and university representatives, as well as third-party organization members. Visit NCARB’s Architect Licensing Advisors Community and search for “Pennsylvania” under “Jurisdiction” to find advisors near you.

Commonwealth Resources

Regardless of your path, the Pennsylvania State Architects Licensure Board will ultimately certify and govern your license. The board provides accessible resources to help you navigate the bureaucratic side of licensure.

Recently, the board introduced a “Requirements Snapshot” page, which outlines the essential legal processes and requirements for obtaining an architect’s license in Pennsylvania. Learn more at PA Architects Licensure Board.

Completing the AXP/ARE is a challenging journey, but it starts with the courage to take the first step and the commitment to see it through. The AIA and the Central Pennsylvania Section board members are here to help.

 

Incorporating Construction Management Practices into the Architecture Profession

Tara Labosky, AIA, LEED AP, CCCA
Owner/Principal
Luzerne Consulting, LLC

Why didn’t we learn this in architecture school?  

That was a question a fellow architect/classmate and I had while studying construction management in graduate school.  At the time, we both had about 18 years of experience working in architecture.  But after learning how implementing solid management principles can result in more successful project deliveries, we realized that our architecture degrees did not properly prepare us to manage projects. 

Over time, contractors developed construction management philosophies out of the need to improve project delivery and better manage construction firms. These principles grew into an established curriculum that includes topics on scheduling techniques, Lean Construction tenets, mitigating project risk, quality management, and project leadership.

What if these principles were applied to the architecture profession?

Would architects be better served if their education included design- and architecture-specific project management curriculum based on construction management theory? What if project and design management were seen as equally important as building design? What if architecture graduates left school better prepared to manage projects, teams, and schedules? Would this eliminate, or at least limit long hours and overnighters in the office? Would it lead to more profitable architecture firms and thus better pay for the profession?

Below are some examples of construction management course topics and discussion points related to architecture practice:  

  • Leadership: Architects are in leadership positions, but do we know what it takes to be effective leaders? Are firms intentional about training staff as they advance in the firm and their career?  How can firm leaders continue to motivate staff and coach them in skills like collaboration, negotiation, and project management?
  • Estimating & Bidding Strategies: Architect fee schedules are essentially bids, but what can we learn from construction techniques for realistic competitive bid strategies? Is the aim of the firm to obtain more jobs or obtain jobs that offer better opportunities for profit? Is profitability a goal of the firm?
  • Quality Management & Construction Performance: Most architects would agree that quality work is a goal for every project. But how many firms have established a clear definition of quality for design services, drawings, and specifications, in addition to developing an intentional plan to achieve that objective? Is there a formal process to measure customer satisfaction, share the responses with staff, and implement improvements or changes based on that feedback? 
  • Construction Planning and Scheduling: While risk is a common factor, there is a distinct difference between planning and scheduling, as robust planning is required to accurately schedule a project. Does the design team hold in-depth planning sessions prior to settling on the design schedule? Can architects more accurately determine activity durations by using the PERT method or better determine overall project duration and critical path tasks by utilizing network models? Are available resources such as people accurately evaluated, and is there an understanding of the factors that can impact productivity such as overtime and staff crowding? 
  • Accounting and Financial Analysis / Project Control Techniques: How are architects managing budgets on a project level? Are monthly receivables accurately forecasted and tracked based on the schedule?  How can architects continuously evaluate project progress, performance, schedule, and thus cash flow?
  • Applied Construction Management: What are the factors critical to a project’s success? Is there a defined project management plan in place and if so, what are the components and staff training policies?  Is there a clear strategy to launch projects on a positive footing and a plan to maintain that mindset through project completion?  
  • Risk Management: Risk can be best defined as threats plus opportunities. When pursuing work or planning a project, are any risk analyses performed such as a SWOT analysis?  Has a risk management matrix been developed to identify, define, and mitigate risks, and have these risks been incorporated into the design schedule? When risks are not clearly allocated, disputes are more likely to occur. 

I encourage architects to take some time to study how the construction industry manages projects and consider how applying these management principles can benefit their practice as well as the profession. 

ACE MENTOR PROGRAM

The ACE Mentor Program’s mission is to enlighten, engage, and encourage high school students in the pursuit of careers in the integrated construction industry. ACE accomplishes this mission by providing a structured academic curriculum and guidance on the many aspects of the industry, both technical and professional. Students that successfully complete the ACE program are eligible to receive a scholarship to assist in their pursuit of an industry-related education after high school.

ACE Mentor Program has been active in Central PA since 2007. Student participation is entirely voluntary, and ACE offers academic programs in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York Counties beginning in the fall and concluding in the spring of each year. For the 2017-2018 academic year, more than 100 students from 24 schools are enrolled in programs offered by ACE’s Central PA affiliate.

GET INVOLVED TODAY!

Call for Member Articles

AIA Central PA would like to feature scholarly articles / blogs related to our profession in each quarterly newsletter. This is an excellent opportunity to have your article published and available to your fellow architects / engineers in Central PA. If you are interested in submitting an article or blog please send your inquiries to Brett Hallacher at bhallacher@rlps.com.  This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise and contribute to the professional development of your peers.

Membership Notes

  • Thank you for being an AIA Central Pennsylvania Member!  It is time to renew your membership for 2025!  If you have not already renewed your membership you will not continue to receive AIA benefits or news after March 31, 2025.  Log in to aia.org/membership/renew .
  • We value you as a member and appreciate your feedback.  Please let us know what we can do to continue to support you.  Please reach out to Susan Frear at any time.  Remember to log in and update your profile information at aia.org.  It is highly recommended that you join knowledge groups for more information about your personal interests.   Please let Susan Frear at AIA PA know if you have any questions about dues or membership.  sfrear@aiapa.org

Upcoming Events

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