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President’s Letter

The Political Season is in Full Bloom

'Tis the season – the Political Season, that is. Have you noticed the increased rhetoric at the State and Local level? It is hard to think about at the height of summer, but November 2 is just 14 weeks away. Given the incredible polarization over the Iraq war and the Presidential election, turnout in November will be huge, and every candidate, from the federal to local level, will be spending unprecedented sums of money to be elected. Advertising, travel, staff and consultant expenses will reach new highs.

If you haven’t already, you will be solicited by nearly every candidate in your District to help. But before you write out that check, think first of the Architects Political Action Committee (APAC). A contribution to APAC will go farther, reach more candidates, and help influence legislation that is important to your chosen career: architecture.

I am very pleased to report to you our past successes – successes that could not be possible without a well-funded PAC. This last legislative session we were able to keep the Interior Designers from enacting a Practice Act. In accordance with AIA National’s policy, we would support a Title Act, but not a Practice Act. A bill was introduced that would have allowed Design-Build for smaller School Districts, which we successfully opposed.

Attempts were made to weaken our State’s model QBS (Qualifications Based Selection) laws, and we prevailed as the voice of reason, and kept the laws intact.

Past sessions saw us successfully adopt the International Building Code as the State’s Building Code, adopting NCARB’s Intern Development Program (IDP) as a prerequisite to licensure, lowering of our Business and Occupation taxes, and many, many more.

Looking ahead to the next legislative session, we have a full agenda. The interior designers are going to continue their push for registration. The surveyors are going to introduce a bill requiring mandatory continuing education, and other engineering professions and the Council is being lobbied to join an effort to require mandatory continuing education for all of us.

Tort reform will be an issue, particularly in light of the scarcity and exorbitant high price of liability insurance for those of us designing condominiums. Our Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) law will surely be subject to review in some form or other. The rest of the I-Codes needs to be adopted. There will be many bills dealing with the Growth Management Act. Mandatory Silver LEEDS rating for public buildings will be re-introduced.

If any, or all, of these issues hit your “hot button”, the Architect’s Political Action Committee is your best vehicle to enact change. One person has an incredible uphill battle to effect change – but APAC can speak for all 2200 members in the State, and we are heard, and we can effect change. APAC is among the top 50 PACs in the State – did you know that? We can all take great pride in that fact – the fact that the AIA architect members in this state care about our issues enough to contribute at levels that permit us to be an agent of change in Olympia.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Michael E. Smith, FAIA
President, AIA Washington Council

APAC: Promoting Livable Communities Through Political Action

As President Mike Smith, FAIA, stated, the election season is in full swing and AIA Washington Council’s Architects Political Action Committee is poised to be right in the middle of action.

APAC is AIA’s political outreach arm that supports candidates and legislators who support our legislative and policy goals.

The theme for APAC in 2004 is “Promoting Livable Communities Through Political Action.” Much of what architects do in their professional work promotes livable communities: community planning, quality design, social context of their work, etc. APAC felt it was important to carry this professional ethic on to our political activities.

Livable communities are central to the AIA’s core legislative agenda such as promoting green building standards, adoption of new building codes, a new state energy code to promote conservation, historic preservation and restoration through the adoption of new state standards for existing buildings, and continued active promotion of professionalism through strong licensing laws.

However, to be successful in achieving our legislative goals and in promoting livable communities, we must have the right legislators elected to office. APAC allows architects to influence the elections of legislators who support our agenda.

Washington Is “Battleground State”

The non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has identified the Washington legislature as one of 10 key battlegrounds in the nation. As reported by Stateline.org, NCSL stated, “This has been the most competitive legislature in the past decade. Both chambers are tossups.”

With such a close contest for control, every legislative race counts and every dollar spent will help to sway the balance. This tight contest provides AIA/WA with a unique opportunity to leverage our efforts to have a big impact.

Who can give to APAC?

In Washington State, any individual or business can give to a political action committee the purpose of which is to influence state or local elections. That means that the architecture firm may donate to APAC as well as individual architects. There is no limit on how much one may give to a state PAC.

How do I Give?

There are several ways to donate to APAC. You can send a check made out to “Architects PAC” to the AIA Washington Council office in Olympia. Also, you can download a donation/pledge form from the Council’s web site, www.aiawa.org. You can also use this form to pledge support over the coming months of the election. Many supporters will establish a monthly pledge amount to spread their support throughout the election cycle.

For more information, contact Stan Bowman, bowman@aiawa.org, at the AIA Washington Council.

Sue Lani Madsen, AIA, candidate for State Representative, filed to run on July 27, 2004. APAC has endorsed her candidacy.

AIA/WA Co-Hosts Attorney General Candidate Forum

As part of the Washington Construction Industry Council, the AIA Washington Council co-hosted a forum for the candidates for the office of state attorney general. The forum brought together architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and other professionals in the design and construction industry.

The incumbent attorney general, Christine Gregoire, is stepping down to run for governor. That leaves the office open for the first time in 12 years.

AG Will Have a Big Impact on Our State

The office typically only gets attention during high profile lawsuits, such as the tobacco industry litigation or the Microsoft anti-trust lawsuit. However, it is the daily operations that have a big impact on architecture firms and other businesses. As legal counsel for more than 200 state agencies, boards and commissions, it is essentially the largest law firm in the State of Washington, with over 450 attorneys and 700 support staff.

There are four candidates for the office this year. The Democrat candidates are Mark Sidran (former Seattle City Attorney) and Deborah Senn (former State Insurance Commissioner). The Republican candidates are Rob McKenna (King County Councilmember) and Mike Vaska (a prominent Seattle lawyer). Deborah Senn did not attend the forum and, thus, her comments were not available for this article.

Mark Sidran

Mark Sidran is most well known for his eleven years as the city attorney for the City of Seattle and for his 2001 run for Seattle Mayor, which he narrowly lost. He emphasized the role of the attorney general as a legal counsel for the state agencies. He stated that agencies must trust the AG and the assistant attorneys general in their daily operations. Sidran also discussed the important role the AG serves in promoting consumer protection and helping local governments with criminal prosecutions.

According to Sidran, what differentiates him from his other opponents is his extensive experience in public sector law and running a government law office as the City Attorney for Seattle. “I am the only candidate who has any experience as a prosecutor,” stated Sidran.

Rob McKenna

Rob McKenna is well known within political circles for his current position as a member of the King County Council. McKenna was on the short list to run for governor and US Senator this year, but decided that given his legal experience he was most suited to serve as attorney general. His legal background includes nearly eight years at the Seattle law firm of Perkins Coie.

McKenna talked about restoring the public’s trust in the attorney general’s office. He noted the series of high profile problems that have happened in recent years, including multi-million dollars judgments against the state that were the result of missed filing deadlines or other legal mistakes by the office.

McKenna also cited the role of the office to promote legislative solutions to the tort liability crisis in Washington State. He is very supportive of tort reform proposals supported by AIA/WA and the Liability Reform Coalition.

Mike Vaska

Mike Vaska emphasized his legal experience as compared to other candidates’ political experience. He has not held or run for elective office previously, but has over 18 years of trial experience at Foster Pepper & Shefelman in Seattle, where he is currently a partner in the firm.

Vaska focused much of his time on reducing the State’s exposure to legal liabilities. He stated, “The current state budget includes more than $170 million to pay claims and related defense costs such as attorney fees. A typical household in Washington State will thus pay a "litigation tax" of $120 for costs of litigation against the state.” These costs were under $60 million just a decade ago.”

The Money Race

In the all important race for dollars, as of the end of June, Rob McKenna is leading with about $560,000 in contributions, followed by Mark Sidran with $427,000, Deborah Seen with $380,000 and Mike Vaska with $150,000.

For more information on the candidates, visit their web sites at:

Mark Sidran: http://www.marksidran4ag.com
Rob McKenna: http://www.robmckenna.org
Mike Vaska: http://www.vaskaforag.com/
Deborah Senn: http://www.senn4ag.com/

Governor’s Candidate Forum on September 22

The next candidate forum co-hosted by the AIA Washington Council and the Washington Construction Industry Council will be held at 7 a.m., September 22, at the Seattle Grand Hyatt Hotel. The forum will feature Republican candidate Dino Rossi and the winner of the Democrat Primary, either Attorney General Christine Gregoire or King County Executive Ron Sims.

There has not been such a hotly contested governor’s race for more than a decade. Possibly more than any other election this year, the winner of the gubernatorial race will set the direction for Washington for many years to come. It is a very close contest and this forum is your chance to meet the candidates, hear their priorities first hand and question them about your chief concerns.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Kris Schwarz at kschwarz@aiawa.org or 800.722.0394.

AIA and ACEC to Hold Collaborative Retreat

All AIA/WA members are invited to Participate

The leaders of the AIA Washington Council and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Washington will come together to discuss issues impacting both professions.

As part of its efforts to better work with its industry partners the Board of Directors of AIA/WA will meet with ACEC in September. This is the first time the boards of directors of both organizations have come together in recent memory. All members of the AIA Washington Council are invited to join the leaders of the Council and ACEC at the fall retreat at Alderbrook Resort.

How to Prepare for and Lower Risk

The conference will focus on risk management with keynote speaker John Bachner, executive vice president of ASFE (an association of engineering companies that specialize in earth engineering and related applied science services).

Bachner is regarded as a top-flight seminar leader who keeps participants’ attention with his fast-paced, sometimes irreverent presentation style. Since becoming the EVP of ASFE in 1973, he has also served as the association’s risk management consultant. He has written many books on contract law and practice management. In all he has had more than 250 books, texts, and guides published and close to 250 magazine articles.

On Friday, Bachner will lead participants through some of the principles in his Professional Practice 101 for design and environmental professionals and staff who are involved in project management, client communications or other outreach responsibilities.

Participate in the AIA/ACEC Board Meeting

On Saturday, you can sit in on the historic joint meeting of AIA/WA and ACEC. The session will focus on issues central to both professions, including practice overlap and unlicensed practice.

Moreover, you can also attend the AIA/WA Board of Directors’ meeting on Saturday morning.

Come to Learn, Stay to have Fun

While you will have the opportunity to learn a lot about important practice issues at the conference, there will also be time to relax. On Friday, comedian Jerry Percio – who has been featured on HBO’s Comedy Central¸ NBC’s Unsolved Mysteries and numerous television commercials – will entertain the conference with his hilarious musical parodies and sharp wit.

Friday will also feature a friendly competition where architects and engineers will try to outbid one another for the best desserts at dinner. Proceeds from the auction will go to support the Architects PAC and the Washington Engineers PAC.

On Saturday, architects will take the stage as part of Deadload, a Rock ‘n Roll band comprised of leaders of the AIA Washington Council.

AIAWA encourages you to attend and to bring your family. Alderbrook is a lovely setting on Hood’s Canal and is close to many family-friendly activities.

For more information on the AIA & ACEC 2004 Joint Fall Conference, contact Stan Bowman, AIA/WA Executive Director, at bowman@aiawa.org or 800.722.0394.

Architects As Explorers:
Come to Big Sky Country August 18-22

AIA Northwest + Pacific Region Conference

AIA Montana will host one of the more exciting education conferences in the Northwest + Pacific Region in Big Sky, Montana August 18-22.

The annual region conference is always a good event, but this year is looking to be particularly exciting. Imagine visiting the architecture of the Old West and nature’s greatest beauties at one conference. That is Big Sky in 2004.

The conference features education sessions focusing on building materials, building information modeling, architectural acoustics, innovative use of light, flooring and more. But don’t expect to come and get all of your learning units in the buildings.

AIA Montana has worked extra hard to ensure learning units are learned in the heart of the western outdoors. Try hiking for credit. Learn about the natural landscape and history of the Montana region. Or, you can earn learning units while fly-fishing in Montana’s scenic rivers. The conference is bringing in a national expert on stream and fish habitat restoration and preservation.

There will also be learning unit tours to Virginia City and Nevada City, historic and preserved ghost towns located near Ennis, Montana. Using your map of the area, you will be able to explore significant landmarks, geographic formations, conservation efforts and land use issues.

Another great education activity is a bus tour to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. Few landmarks have fascinated Americans like this regularly exploding geyser.

The conference will feature nationally and internationally renowned speakers including:

This is a family affair. Many of these activities are just as well suited for your spouse and children as they are for architects. AIA Montana also has a trip to Bozeman, to tour the best shopping district in the area.

Register today for this great conference.

To register or for more information visit the official conference website at: http://www.aia2004nwpregconf.org/

You can also e-mail inquiries to: info@aia2004nwpregconf.org.

ICC Codes in Effect in Washington State
Codes Generate Media Attention

As of July 1, 2004, Washington State is officially governed by the International Building Code and related family of codes.

The official list of state codes includes: the 2003 International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code, and International Mechanical Code published by the International Code Council, and the 2003 Uniform Plumbing Code published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

The State continues to have its own Washington State Energy Code, Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code, Washington State Historic Building Code and Washington State Barrier-Free Code.

Rocky Start

The effort to get the International Codes (I- Codes) adopted in Washington has been a long and arduous legislative and regulatory task. AIA Washington Council was central to the legislative effort to have the codes written into statute in 2003.

With the legislation adopted and the rules finished and ready to go into effect, it looked like smooth sailing for the new codes. However, as is often the case, the codes launch was to be a rocky one.

The media grabbed on to two very minor provisions to create a public stir.

The first provision prohibited certain open-flame cooking devices on the decks and terraces of commercial and multi-family buildings (condominiums, apartment buildings, etc.), if there were not sprinklers to cover those areas. The ban was very limited and only applied to larger barbeques that use the large propane bottles. The smaller screw-on type bottles would not have been prohibited. The press, however, published that the new code would ban all residential barbeques on decks (implying that even single-family homes would be affected). This generated a firestorm of controversy and a public outcry for changes to the code.

The second provision dealt with the placement of live, cut plants in certain types of commercial buildings. It was published as a ban on Christmas trees in churches, apartment building lobbies and other public areas. There was significant confusion generated by these press reports. The Code Council had already placed a hold on this provision in the code and was working on a more reasonable standard.

Emergency Rulemaking

The Washington State Building Code Council took a reasoned approach to this controversy. First, they issued an emergency rule delaying these provisions in the codes from being adopted. They did not permanently overturn them, but rather put them on hold pending review.

Second, they have created a subcommittee to review these provisions in-depth and look at the real world impact of the code language and the problems they are trying to prevent. The AIA Washington Council was very pleased that the Code Council would not respond to the media hype by acting hastily.

The Code Council will hold a public hearing on October 15, 2004, to solicit public input into these and other provisions of the new codes. They are expected to take formal action on the provisions at their November 12 meeting.

The AIA continues to work very closely with the Council and their staff to ensure the public is protected by the best, most reasonable code.

Lawsuit over Local Amendments

Another issue that has arisen with the codes is the adoption of local amendments. The Code Council is considering how to deal with previously adopted local amendments to the state code. Some members of the Council believe that local governments should continue to use these amendments without further review of the new code.

A letter was sent on behalf of the Council telling local governments that they can continue to utilize their amendments while they are in the process of reviewing their applicability to the new code. However, there was no official action by the council on a policy or regulatory position for this issue.

As a result, some local jurisdictions are not reviewing their amendments and carrying them forward.

The Building Industry Association of Washington is concerned that proper procedures were not followed on this issue and a few members of the Council sent the letter without formal Council approval. Also, BIAW believes that the adoption of a new set of state codes necessarily makes existing local amendments not applicable, because they were written for a code that is no longer in effect.

Since the Code Council failed to officially act at its last two meetings, BIAW filed a lawsuit seeking to force action by the Council. Likely, the Council will take up this matter at their next regularly scheduled meeting.

Additional Information

For more information on the process for adopting and modifying the state building codes, visit these web sites:

Washington Association of Building Officials: http://www.wabo.org	Washington State Building Code Council: http://www.sbcc.wa.gov

State Historic Preservation Plan Now Available

Washington State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) Allyson Brooks has announced the publication of a new statewide historic preservation plan. Entitled "Strengthening Communities through Historic Preservation," the 52-page document charts a course for historic preservation efforts in Washington state over the next five years.

The plan is comprised of six goals plus objectives and "action items" that identify specific tasks to be undertaken. The goals focus on using historic preservation techniques as an economic development tool for promoting heritage tourism.

About the plan, Brooks said, "This is a proactive plan based on the needs in the preservation movement as well as the state's financial realities. In our public meetings about the plan, we heard comments that preservationists needs to be more visible and work smarter to spread the word about the positive impacts that come from protecting our heritage."

The plan also contains a series of sidebars that highlight local projects that have successfully preserved historic and archaeological properties through partnerships. Drawn from all corners of the state, the featured projects illustrate how these preservation successes can be used as models for future preservation efforts.

Brooks noted, "We think these success stories do a great job in showing what good things can happen in a community when preservationists link up with other groups that have similar interests."

Washington State Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (OAHP) staff is also available to give special presentations about the plan by making the same contacts referenced above.

Copies of the preservation plan may be obtained by OAHP, a program of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) at 360.586.3073 or emailing gregg@cted.wa.gov.

An electronic version of the plan may also be downloaded from OAHP's website at:

AIA Seattle: Case Study Forum Gets National Attention

Increasingly, architects' clients have come to rely not only on design creativity but also on architects' special knowledge of the variety of economic, management, environmental, cultural and other factors affecting project design and service delivery.

In response to this growing demand, the AIA Case Studies Initiative, a program of the AIA Large Firm Roundtable and the Educator/Practitioners Net, offers new information and opportunities related to documentation, sharing, and promotion of design knowledge.

Bringing this national initiative to the Evergreen State, AIA Seattle is hosting a workshop on September 22, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., at NBBJ in Seattle to introduce key concepts and techniques that advance “Scholarship in Practice” through the preparation and sharing of case studies.

The forum is also part of AIA Seattle’s preparation for the AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Conference: Planning for Knowledge by Design/NW + Pacific Case Study Conference, slated for Seattle August 4-6, 2005.

AIA Seattle and Knowledge by Design Conference Chair Rena Klein AIA welcome all colleagues from Washington and the AIA NW + Pacific Region to learn from the profession’s best works.

The forum will feature nationally recognized experts:

For more information or to register for the event, visit AIA Seattle’s website, www.aiaseattle.org, or contact Marga Rose Hancock, Hon. AIA, at (206) 448-4938 or mrhancock@aiaseattle.org.

AIA Central Washington: 40 IN ‘04

Tour WA Wine Country

On December 18, 1964, AIA Central Washington Chapter was officially chartered. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of that event, AIA Central Washington is having a gala on August 28, 2004 at the Columbia Crest Winery in Patterson, Washington.

There will be tours of the winery, wine tasting of course, dinner and a little bit about the history of AIA Central Washington

The chapter has graciously extended an invitation to all of the AIA members in Washington State to join them in celebration of this milestone in the history of AIA Central Washington.

As Patterson is a bit off the beaten path, the chapter has chartered two busses, one from Yakima and one from Tri-Cities. The busses will leave the Red Lion Hotel at Yakima Center and Red Lion Hotel at the Columbia Mall in Kennewick at 12:00 p.m. (noon).

Along the way to Patterson the group will stop at a couple of wineries for tasting and to prime participants’ appetites for the main event. Busses will arrive at Columbia Crest at about 3:00 p.m. and return at 9:00 p.m. Attendees should expect to arrive back at their starting points around 10:30 p.m.

The cost is $60.00 per person, which includes transportation to and from Patterson, wine tours along the way, wine tasting at Columbia Crest, and dinner.

To reserve your seat on the bus, contact President Jon Hopwood, (509) 575-5408 or jon.hopwood@kdfarchitecture.com, or Vice President Gary Watkins, (509) 372-1146 or Gary.Watkins@pnl.gov.