Monthly Chapter Meeting

Monday, July 23rd, 2018

The State of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Architecture

AIA is committed to broadening equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a stronger profession. We stand for human and civil rights, the universal respect for human dignity, and the unbiased treatment of all persons in employment, civic, and business transactions regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical abilities, or religious practices.

Join us at the July Chapter Meeting to meet Gianna Pigford, AIA Founding Chair of TxA’s EDI Task Force to learn where are we, what needs to be done, and who can help us get to a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive architectural community.

Featured Speaker:

Gianna Pigford, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP B+C

With over 18 years of experience, Gianna Pigford has provided a wealth of project leadership, managing the construction documentation and administration of several projects throughout the United States. Currently a Design Program Manager at Starbucks Coffee Company in the Dallas Corporate Design Studio, Gianna leads the retail store design and development in Starbucks’ South Central Region. Prior to Starbucks, Gianna had a long employment tenure at Gensler Dallas with recent projects of note to include: the renovation and adaptive reuse of the Dallas County Record Building; a project that spans multiple buildings and program needs. Also of note is the renovation of the iconic Reunion Tower in Dallas; which paved the way for a similar renovation project with the same client for the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the US Bank Tower in Los Angeles.

Gianna sat on Gensler’s Talent Development and the Design Realization committees to develop technical standards and project delivery methods and resources along with learning opportunities for staff. She was an ambassador for Gensler’s Design and Delivery sector that encompasses the firm’s design and technical leaders as well as project management, sustainable design, digital design, research, and innovative initiatives.

Monday, June 25th, 2018

Implementing the SA Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan

Featured Speaker:
Bridgett White, AICP
Director, Planning Department -City of San Antonio with Opening Remarks by
Roberto C. Treviño, AIA
City Council, District 1

San Antonio realizes it needs a bold plan to be prepared to offer a vibrant future to all its citizens. Understanding how we prepare for the growth envisioned by 2040 forces us to have frank conversations about land use and density. Join us to learn how you can activate as a Citizen Architect to help AIA San Antonio advocate with neighborhoods across our city to achieve the goals of SA Tomorrow via a process that is thoughtful, transparent and respectful of all.

Monday, May 21st, 2018

Featured Speaker:

Colleen Swain
Director of the World Heritage Office

Update on the World Heritage Work Plan

On July 5, 2015, San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial missions – Missions San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, Espada and the world renowned Alamo – were declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. The Missions now represent the only World Heritage site in Texas and one of just 23 in the United States. The UNESCO World Heritage Designation is a catalyst for socio-economic change, with increased visitation and tourist spending. Currently, San Antonio is home to 34 million visitors each year. In order to prepare for this increased activity and to maximize the benefits of the designation, the City has used input from the community to develop the World Heritage Work Plan. Colleen Swain, Director of the  World Heritage Office,  will provide information  on the work plan and related projects within the World Heritage Buffer Zone

March Chapter Meeting
Citizen Architect

Founding father and architect Thomas Jefferson set the standard for Citizen Architects. Samuel Mockbee, co-founder of The Rural Studio is yet another example of an architect who used design skills to bring social equity to impoverished Alabama. Join us on Monday, March 26 to hone your skills as a civic leader and learn how AIA San Antonio is actively engaging with community to spur downtown revitalization and mid-town connectivity.

Featured Speakers

Adam Reed, AIA – Ford, Powell & Carson

Samantha Schwarze, AIA – Overland Partners

Jay Louden, AIA – Work5hop

Monday, February 26, 2018 – AIA Membership Luncheon

Featured Speaker:
Russell J. “Russ” Handy
Aviation Director, City of San Antonio

In January 2016, Russell J. Handy was appointed to serve as the city’s Aviation Director. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the San Antonio Airport System, made up of the San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport. Combined, the airports account for an economic impact of more than $5.1 billion annually and support approximately 100,000 jobs in the region.
Mr. Handy brings a strong focus on strategic planning initiatives to enhance the customer experience, shepherd the airports’ capital improvement projects and increase the international airport’s air service, both domestic and international.
A retired Air Force Lieutenant General, Mr. Handy previously oversaw multiple commands and held numerous leadership roles in his 34-year military career including oversight of air fields and large-scale command operations.

Monday, January 22, 2018 – AIA Membership Luncheon

The Future of San Antonio

Featured Speaker
Mayor Ron Nirenburg

Monday, November 27, 2017 – AIA Membership Luncheon

San Antonio Botanical Garden
8-acre Expansion

Featured Speaker
Christine Ten Eyck, FASLA
Ten Eyck Landscape Architects

Founding Principal Christine Ten Eyck is a key collaborator in the design and management of all projects, infusing the studio’s broad range of work with a sensitivity to place and passion for human and ecological well-being.

A rafting trip down the Colorado River in Arizona inspired Christine to move from her native Texas to Phoenix, where the environment’s harsh beauty called her to reimagine how landscape architecture might better engage its distinguishing elements to enhance the experience of place.

Beginning in 1997, Christine and her studio were among the first to respond to the need for water conservation by integrating water harvesting technologies and xeric planting to create enriching outdoor environments with a contemporary native aesthetic.

Christine’s approach continues to evolve as it engages the unique cultures and ecoregions of the Texas, demonstrating her desire and ability to engage the specific opportunities and constraints of any given location. Drawing upon her intuition, knowledge, and experience, Christine’s designs continue to respond to context, celebrate native ecologies, promote water conservation, and utilize local materials to create enriching, high-performance landscapes that stimulate the senses.

Christine received her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University. She became a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 2003 and is a registered landscape architect in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.

Monday, October 23, 2017 – AIA Membership Luncheon

Citizen Architects

Featured Speaker:
Mike McGlone, AIA
Principal, Alamo Architects

Mike McGlone is a founding principal of Alamo Architects and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. In his 39-year career, he has led some of the firm’s most prominent projects. These include public and non-profit, educational, historic, and urban design projects. McGlone has always sought to inject design energy, fresh ideas, better building techniques or more sensitive solutions to even the humblest of projects.   Mike has been a leader in his field, including as AIA San Antonio Chapter President (2012), Alamo Heights Architectural Review Board Chairman (2005-2011) and Board Member(2003 – present), and as Texas Society of Architects Regional Director (2013-2014), Vice-President (2015-2016) and currently President-Elect.