Archinect - News

AIA commends finalized revisions to fee limitations for federal design and construction projects

2024-07-01T17:54:00-04:00

The United States Department of Defense has finalized a revision to the fee limitations for federal design projects after a yearslong campaign led by Emily Grandstaff-Rice, Dan Hart, Elizabeth Chu Richter, and other senior leadership of the American Institute of Architects.

Beginning on August 26th, 2024, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, the statutory fee limit for architecture and engineering services will be increased from six to ten percent of the contract's value.

This is being welcomed as a particularly big win for firms working on smaller contracts. The AIA says: "The increase will also benefit architect and engineering entities with contracts for producing and delivering designs, plans, drawings, and specifications for large horizontal and complex vertical construction projects. While costs have increased for architects, construction costs have increased more dramatically, which results in a higher cost limit."

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AIA will send nine-member delegation to COP28 in Dubai

2023-11-28T19:15:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects today announced the appointment of a nine-member delegation that will represent the professional body at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) ahead of its commencement this Thursday in Dubai.

In a separate announcement today, AIA says its 96,000-strong community is one of the “best kept secrets” in the fight against climate change. As such, the aim of its envoy is to foster strategic partnerships with industry and government in addition to promoting much of the AIA’s own climate platform and 2030 Commitment. Their input will provide a valuable source of knowledge for policymakers while advocating for the better health of the built environment overall, the Institute states.

“AIA and its delegation are eager to attend COP28. Being here ensures the voice of architects is heard in the global conversation about urgent climate change. Buildings are currently responsible for 40 percent of carbon emissions,” 2023 AIA President Em...

Congress' search for the new Architect of the Capitol continues

2023-06-09T12:30:00-04:00

A nationwide hunt is underway for a new architect of the Capitol, the federal official in charge of the operations and maintenance of the Capitol complex — the heart of American democracy and in more recent years, dysfunction. A special congressional commission is searching for potential candidates on university campuses and museum boards, and in the military, major transit systems and even theme parks.

Congress has retained Reffett Associates to aid in its candidate search for the low six-figure position, which sufficed to say, they see as a “unicorn.” The firm has apparently selected more than twenty candidates thus far, with further help from the AIA. Whoever is hired will oversee 18.4 million square feet of facilities (in addition to a yet-remade Union Station) and more than 2,000 employees.

2023 AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice says: “This job requires the skills of an architect, especially in terms of space planning. [But] because you have great access to many decision makers within the government, it’s a people-facing position as well.”

Thomas J. Caroll, who served in an acting role before Brett Blanton's tenure, told the New York Times, “Getting away was a great break.”

Emily Grandstaff-Rice officially inaugurated as AIA 2023 President

2022-12-12T07:51:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has officially inaugurated Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, as its 99th president. She recently joined Perkins&Will’s Boston studio as a senior project manager and associate.

Grandstaff-Rice comes with a breadth of leadership experience under her belt with AIA National. In 2017, she was elected to serve as a 2018-2020 at-large director. She also chaired the Equity and Future of Architecture Committee from 2017 to 2020 and the Equity in Architecture Commission from 2015 to 2016. Additionally, Grandstaff-Rice was the President of the Boston Society of Architects.

Grandstaff-Rice holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Liberal Arts in Educational Technology from Harvard University.

Previously on Archinect: AIA President-elect Emily Grandstaff-Rice joins Perkins&Will's staff in Boston

“The AIA is a window that looks towards a brighter, more sustainable, and equitable future for the profession,” said ...

AIA President-elect Emily Grandstaff-Rice joins Perkins&Will's staff in Boston

2022-12-05T09:00:00-05:00

Perkins&Will has announced the recent addition of AIA President-elect Emily Grandstaff-Rice to their Boston studio in order to help further its EDI, decarbonization, and research pursuits across the industry.

The organization’s soon-to-be 99th President comes to the position with a breadth of K-12 and higher-education experience around Massachusetts, including recent projects for the UMass Lowell and Boston Children’s Museum.

Grandstaff-Rice pointed to the firm’s “unparalleled” focus on climate action and social equity causes as the principal factors that led her decision, adding: “I envision this next stage of my career as one in which I collaborate with interdisciplinary teams in support of creating safer, healthier, and more responsive architecture.”

“Emily’s experience in the education market will beautifully complement our Boston studio’s K-12 and higher-ed practic...