ARCHITECTS LAUNCH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM TO PRESERVE TAMPA BAY’S ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
Back to the Future part of new nationwide Blueprint for America” program was created to mark the 150th anniversary of The American Institute of Architects.
Tampa, Florida May 19, 2006 — AIA Tampa Bay today was awarded a $7,500 grant by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, D.C. to launch A Learning Experience - “Back to the Future”, a program that will help to educate high school students on the importance of maintaining the region’s architectural heritage. The program is a part of a new nationwide community service program of the AIA titled “Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation,” AIA Tampa Bay offers this initiative as a gift to the community. The AIA members’ participation is provided at no fee.
The Blueprint for America is the primary program of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA. The Blueprint program was created to offer citizens in communities across America an opportunity to celebrate their community heritage, address emerging architectural challenges and trends, and find their voices to help make their vision real for beautiful, safe, and livable communities.
AIA Tampa Bay’s initiative will educate the next generation about the importance of design, adaptive reuse opportunities for historic buildings including mixed-use, the importance of preserving urban centers and avoiding sprawl as well as transportation options beyond the automobile.
They will learn how to build vibrant public spaces, create a neighborhood's identity, the importance of conserving landscapes as well as environmental issues and how historic preservation positively contributes to all of these factors. Check out AIA Tampa Bay's Heritage Committee website for upcoming events.
“As architects, we sometimes find it is a struggle to make people understand the importance of preserving our architectural heritage. It often comes down to money issues. As professionals, we know it doesn’t have to cost building owners a significant amount of money and the benefits to the community are immense.
We are reaching out to educate high school students so that they have a better understanding of this issue and can serve as the leaders of the next generation.” said AIA150 Champion Gary Smith, AIA.
“We congratulate AIA Tampa Bay for seizing this opportunity to demonstrate how good design makes a difference,” said national AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA. “The Blueprint for America is primarily about a vision of what’s possible for communities. It’s about helping communities see what is possible when architects, mayors and other civic leaders, and fellow citizens work together to tackle such issues as brownfields, accessibility for the disabled, affordable housing, sprawl, and environmental sustainability,” she added.
Initially AIA Tampa Bay hopes to test a pilot program at a Hillsborough technical high school, and a school with an architecture magnet program. A curriculum will be developed to include both classroom learning as well as opportunities for students to take tours of historic buildings, restoration sites, and participate in roundtable discussion with the owners of historic cigar factories. AIA Tampa Bay will also award two scholarships per semester so that students can attend an Architecture Summer Camp to learn more about the profession. The program would be continued adding additional schools each semester.
A key requirement of the Blueprint for America initiatives is that they are guided by the AIA’s “Ten Principles for Livable Communities,” which challenge architects to demonstrate how good design is an investment and that well-designed communities attract and benefit residents, businesses, and visitors, and meet the needs of present and future generations alike.
Blueprint for America initiatives will evolve over the next three years and beyond. In 2006 AIA members begin engaging local leaders, defining the issues, and preparing to launch the eventual program. Local AIA component initiatives will be developed in 2007, the anniversary year. In 2008 the AIA national component will compile initiatives and release the national Blueprint for America.
Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future
In 2007 the AIA will celebrate its 150th anniversary. The theme is “Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future.” However, the main focus of the 150th anniversary will be the Blueprint for America; a nationwide initiative empowering citizens to share in creating a vision for their communities’ design priorities.
Celebratory events will include National Architecture Week, April 9-14, 2007, in which AIA architects across the country will concurrently host such events as architecture-related lectures, exhibits, K-12 programs, and architecture week proclamation ceremonies.
About the Blueprint for America
The Blueprint for America is a nationwide initiative through which AIA architects engage with fellow citizens, mayors, other professionals, and local government officials to collaborate on a community service program that addresses a community’s distinct need. Through their state and local components, AIA architects will propose, convene, and participate in initiatives that utilize community engagement, in a collaborative process, and quality design as keys to improving a community’s livability. Blueprint initiatives are a gift to the community from the members of the AIA, and the members’ participation in the initiative is provided at no fee.
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