April Executive Committee Meeting & AIA Dallas Update

Since the last blog, AIA Dallas has seen a lot of activity.


The Retrospect Opening party was held at NorthPark Center Gardens. The turnout for this event was very good. The exhibits displayed show that firms in the Dallas area convey the message that “Design Matters”. I would like to thank Mark Hopper for leading Retrospect for the last 10 years and being involved for almost 20 years, and to Craig Beneke for devoting his time over the last 20 years to Retrospect. This was their last year on the committee. Karen Ray will take over the reins as chair of the Retrospect Committee in 2011.

The AIA Dallas/Acme Brick Golf Tournament was held April 12. Once again it was a sell out with a record number of architects playing. The AIA would like to thank Acme Brick and American Tile for being title sponsors and many other companies for sponsoring the tournament. AIA Dallas could not do it without them. Go to our web site and see all of the sponsor’s names and thank them when you see them.

April 19 was the Executive Committee meeting. Some of the highlights include:

• Financial Report: The financials for the chapter are positive. Dues collection has exceeded the budget. In the last month, there have been 20 new members and 9 new Professional Affiliates. The loan for the Dallas Center for Architecture is close to being retired. That is due to the commitment of the Founding Partners and those that contributed through the Dollar a Day campaign.

• Bob Bullis reported on future programs. Please watch the website for details.

• The Design Awards Committee is busy planning events for the awards.

• The Committee on the Environment and the Code Committee are reviewing proposed language of the new Green Code and will send comments to TSA.

• The Education Committee is looking at a new way to deliver education programs. Updates will be issued as this progresses.



• The Publications Committee has been challenged because of financial problems of the publisher of Columns. Blackson Brick has stepped up and underwritten the next issue and will be a major sponsor of Columns in the future. Despite the problems, the committee creates a publication that has great content and is professional in every way.

• Cat Nguyen and Mary Foley gave an update on the activities of the Associates Committee. The committee has a full calendar for the year. Their biggest challenge is getting the necessary resources to purchase more study materials for the ARE. We hope to help them with this endeavor.

This is only a quick summary of the meeting. If you are interested in more detail, call me or any of the Executive Committee.

Following the Executive Committee meeting we had a reception honoring new members followed by the Firm Talk series. The Beck Group gave a very informative program on The Urban Church.

Once again, this is a great way to go to a reception, followed by an informative program which will earn 1 CEU — all at no cost. The next firm talk will be May 17. Good Fulton Farrell, Inc. will discuss “The Canyon, A Lesson in Urban Planning”. Plan on joining your colleagues for an evening that will include good fellowship and a very interesting presentation.

Joe Buskuhl, FAIA
2010 AIA Dallas President