August 18, 2022

I recently attended a conference hosted by ACEC of Utah (American Council of Engineering Companies). The keynote speaker for the event was Michael Leavitt, former Governor of Utah, presidential cabinet member, and founder of Leavitt Partners. His emphasis was on collaborative leadership, which for him emerged in the build-up to the 2002 Winter Olympics and the urgency to develop infrastructure that could support the Nations of the Earth for a few weeks.

When did you decide to become an architect?
I was 14 years old in Northern California. I had a paper route [and] I made enough money to buy a ’56 Chevy, but it needed work. So, I got this job with a speed shop, to work on this car. But my mother stopped me as I went out the door and said, “Burke, I always thought of you as being an architect.” Well, this was new to me. “So, I got you a job with a friend of mine, an architect, and I want you to go try that.” I wasn’t sure that’s what I want to do but I figured I could always work part-time at the speed shop. So, I go to work for this architect, and I had to do whatever needed to be done. I ran a lot of blueprints, but what I found was they were a creative bunch of people, and they were very accepting of me.

Tony Wegener is an Australian native. When he came to Logan, Utah, in the 1960s to marry his fiancé, the plan was to stay here for five years, get to know her people, and then return home to Australia. He joined a seventy-year-old firm, Schaub Haycock & Associates, in 1966. When the owner retired, Tony and his partners reorganized the firm and renamed it Architectural Design West. The firm is still thriving, and so is Tony. After fifty years in the industry, he is retired and still lives in Logan, but visits Hawaii three weeks out of every year to surf – an addiction he acquired early in Australia

Awards naturally create memorable, defining moments. Recognizing the achievements of others inspires and spurs us to create and contribute in meaningful ways to the conversation and ongoing work in our field. It’s refreshing to step outside your experiences to see what others have been doing; it allows you to see your efforts from a new perspective.

Cory Alder is president of Alder Sales Corporation, title sponsor – and valued friend – of AIA Utah. As title sponsor, Alder Sales Corporation enjoys supporting the community. Like AIA Utah, they also believe in the goal of a better-built environment. By partnering with the AIA, Alder’s unique conscientiousness assists the community in expanding the quality of life.
AIA Utah recently interviewed Cory about the company, its history and future direction.

The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, headlined AIA’s Conference on Architecture 2022 on Friday, June 24, in Chicago. He sat in conversation with AIA President Dan Hart, FAIA, where they discussed a wide variety of topics including his relationship to architecture, the issues facing the country, advice for architects and much more.

Kevin Miller, FAIA, is the president and CEO of GSBS Architects and recently became a Fellow of AIA. Kevin started working at GSBS in 1988 after earning his master’s degree in architecture at the University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning.
AIA Utah interviewed Kevin about his life, career, the importance of having a membership in AIA Utah, the award ceremony and some of his favorite projects.

The keynote speaker for the AIA Utah Fall Conference 2022 is Lawrence (Larry) Scarpa, FAIA. Larry has won over 200 major design awards for work that makes the “ordinary extraordinary.” His extremely creative work combines environmental sustainability with a strong and playful artistic sense while also honoring people’s need for livability.

Robert Piñon, AIA, LEED AP and MHTN Architects’ Vice President over Commercial and Municipal Sectors, is the current AIA Utah president. MHTN was founded in 1923 by Ray Ashton and Ray Evans. The company has been involved in many important Utah projects, such as the University of Utah School of Business (2012), Utah Valley Convention Center (2012), and Salt Lake County District Attorney Office (2020). The firm is nationally recognized and currently employs 36 licensed architects.