April 7, 2023

FFKR Architects has named three new principals: Arrin Holt, Abram Nielsen, and Jake Bodell They join FFKR’s principals in leading the firm into its fifth decade. With these promotions, FFKR is adding landscape architects and interior designers as recognized professional disciplines eligible for ownership.  “The inclusion of landscape architects and interior designers marks an evolution […]

Partnering with a CM|GC during the design process helps all involved produce the best value facility and protect the contingency when starting construction. The Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) Triangle Within the OAC triangle, the contractor’s role depends on the project’s delivery method. If the contractor delivers a building under the low bid method, they must build the

Inclusive design recognizes the importance of creating environments that support a wide range of physical abilities and neurodiverse individuals. From classrooms to boardrooms, spaces that respond to a wider range of needs, sensitivities and behaviors benefit everyone.

Mass timber was introduced to the building market in the 1990s and has steadily become a popular and desired structural building system throughout the world. In Utah, it has been used sporadically for about a decade, though not as a mainstream structural system. Today, many professionals in the AE community are well aware of the basic concept and potential advantages of mass timber, having seen it used in projects across the county, and in the state. One question that lingers, as momentum grows, is “What is the long-term financial value of using a mass timber system, when the dollar-to-dollar hard-cost numbers, as compared to the equivalent system using steel or concrete, is potentially higher?” Keeping the focus strictly on the hard-cost comparison ignores the broader financial value that could make mass timber use a great long-term choice. The following are a few key factors to consider when looking at the long-term financial picture.

Anne Mooney is an architect and design principal and the co-founder of Sparano + Mooney Architecture, an award-winning architectural practice with offices in Salt Lake City, UT, and Los Angeles, CA. Her work has been internationally recognized for its research-based conceptual approach to architecture and has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Jack Smith attended the University of Utah and loves art, the humanities, and philosophy. He says that it was his avid skiing that helped form key relationships: with his mentor, John Sugden; with Ted Johnson who gave him the commission to design concepts for Snowbird; with Dan Kiley, who introduced him to important projects and great talents. Ultimately, he landed in Sun Valley, where he skied, to set up an independent practice. This is the latest in AIA’s series of legendary Utah architects.

What is sausage, anyway? You can’t really pin it down to one size, shape or flavor. There’s not really a specific style, origin or benefit that everyone appears to be able to agree on. It seems to be a composite of ingredients that keeps everyone from loving or hating it too much — satisfying some, while offending certain sensibilities of others. For the record, there are vegetarian varieties, but it seems like a bit of an oxymoron to say out loud. Now just replace the word “sausage” with “lawmaking” and reread this paragraph. Well, maybe not the vegetarian part — unless we introduce political affiliation into the mix.

As many of you know, AIA Utah has a new Executive Director, Angie Harris Roberts. Angie brings years of experience and knowledge about non-profit organizations that will foster a greater sense of connectivity within AIA Utah and our community. Jessica Hoffman, AIA, NCARB, is the 2023 AIA Utah President. She believes that AIA Utah is the best way to connect with colleagues to enhance and complement each other’s careers as architects. She has been hard at work since the beginning of the year, continuing to cultivate that positive environment and pushing the association forward to ensure that we are heading in the right direction.

As I wake up to another snowy day, it is hard to remember that spring is right around the corner. The promise of spring brings hope and renewed energy to assess where we’re at and engage with our surroundings. Similar to the spring cleaning I love to do in my own home, I’m excited to begin my tenure as AIA Utah’s Executive Director and to learn more about the organization and how we can better serve you, our members.

Hooray for spring and more light!

Don’t you love it when the sun’s angles start to change? I love to watch how light enters my living spaces and how different the shadows are when I come and go from my office. New buds forming on the trees, and contractors digging into thawed earth. It is invigorating, and I need it!