Saturday, February 7, 2015

Breaking News!

Work and extracurricular obligations are once again getting in the way of my blogging efforts, so I’m opportunely reposting two announcements first broadcast by AIA-Southwestern Oregon. Technically they aren’t exactly “breaking news” items but they are recent, welcome developments. I’m sharing them here for the readers of my blog who are not on AIA-SWO’s mailing list. 

 
AIA-SWO Has a New Website!
It's current! It's useful! It's easy to update! Welcome to YOUR new AIA-SWO website! 

We hope you find it to be a handy resource for checking the events calendar, reading (and sharing) the latest news, understanding the structure and initiatives of the chapter, and connecting with fellow members. This is still a work in progress, and we welcome your feedback….especially the "I love it!" kind. 

Special thanks goes to our dedicated group of volunteers who made this a reality: Karen Williams, Eleni Tsivitzi, Barbara Harris, and Chris Strang. Also, if you're interested in participating on the Website/Communications Committee, please contact Karen Williams at (kwilliams@pivotarchitecture.com). 

Take a few minutes to explore it and let us know what you think!  www.aiaswo.org 

Ecstatically/Gratefully/Humbly,
Jenna Fribley, AIA, 2015 AIA-SWO Chapter President 

I have perused the new website and I must say it is very nice. It’s absolutely loaded with information in an easy-to-navigate and attractive format. Significantly, as Jenna mentions above, the website will be easy to update. Therein lies the key to its future success: the website needs to be kept current at all times, particularly the calendar. Ditto for the member directory and firm profiles, which at best were only infrequently maintained on the old website. 

Kudos to Karen, Eleni, Barbara, and Chris for a job well done! 

Michael Fifield, FAIA 

Michael Fifield, FAIA named ACSA Distinguished Professor
Michael Fifield, FAIA, University of Oregon Professor of Architecture and former department head, has been recognized by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) as a Distinguished Professor. This award recognizes sustained creative achievement and the advancement of architectural education through teaching, design, scholarship, research, and service. Professor Fifield joins a select group of architectural educators nationwide who have had a profound impact upon their students and distinguished themselves as leaders in architectural education. 

In the 30-year history of the award, a maximum of five are given nationally each year. The University of Oregon Department of Architecture, ranked #1 in Sustainable Design, has the distinction of having one of the highest numbers of ACSA Distinguished Professor Award recipients nationally. Professor Fifield joins other University of Oregon ACSA Distinguished Professors Frances Bronet, Judith Sheine, John Reynolds, FAIA, Howard Davis, and Donald Corner. Fifield says he is humbled to join these colleagues as well as previous winners of the ACSA Distinguished Professors including nationally recognized architects and educators from other universities such as Charles Moore, Fay Jones, Ralph Rapson, Denise Scott-Brown, Romaldo Giurgola, Gunnar Birkerts, and Christopher Alexander. 

Prior to coming to the University of Oregon in 1998, Professor Fifield was department head at Penn State University as well as Director of the Joint Urban Design Program at Arizona State University where he taught for eleven years. He currently is Director of the Housing Specialization Program in the UO Department of Architecture and teaches housing design studios, and subject-area courses including Housing Prototypes, Community Design, and Minimal Dwelling. 

Professor Fifield was recognized for his diverse contributions to education – not only within the academy, but also the profession and community by promoting the value of design excellence in our built environment, as well for his mentorship of students and faculty. While receiving numerous professional practice and teaching awards, Fifield feels most pleased with the significant accomplishments of former students who have gone on to be leaders in the profession. 

The President of ACSA will present a medallion and certificate at the 103rd ACSA Annual meeting in Toronto later this year. Recipients become Fellows of the College of Distinguished Professors of Architecture and may use the title ACSA Distinguished Professor, DPACSA in perpetuity. 

I’ve enjoyed the privilege of seeing Michael in action with his students. He’s always impressed me with his dedication to broadening their appreciation for the challenges posed by society’s need to provide life-enriching, sustainable, and affordable housing options. I've also enjoyed the good fortune to know him as a fellow member of the AIA-SWO board and as a friend. I can’t think of a more deserving person than Michael to receive this national honor.

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