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June 10, 2006, River Falls, WI -- Matt Frisbie, AIA, and Shari Frisbie, owners of Frisbie Architects, Inc., attended the American Institute of Architects National Convention held June 7-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Over 24,000 people attended the event which provides a venue for architects to meet their continuing education requirements, network with other architects, and see more than 750 product and service exhibitors. Matt and Shari took in seminars on firm management, strategic planning, sustainable design, and senior housing trends.
Matt said they came away from the national AIA convention energized and excited about architectural possibilities. “We realized we’re doing a lot of things right, and we learned new ways to enhance how we serve our clients,” said Matt.
Shari enjoyed the opportunity to network with people from all across the country and all types and sizes of firms. “I visited with someone from a 400-person firm that has 15 principals, someone from a 30-person firm that only does skyscrapers and complex projects in Asia and Pacific Rim countries, and a sole proprietor doing residential work in Chicago. I tried to learn a little something from each person I met,” she said.
Energy conservation and the important role architects play in reducing energy consumption in the U.S. was a theme interwoven into many of the seminars. The AIA has taken a position that calls for the immediate energy reduction of all new and renovated buildings to one-half the national average for that building type, with increased reductions of ten percent every five years. The goal is that all buildings designed by the year 2030 will be carbon neutral – meaning that they will use no fossil fuel energy. According to certain scientific calculations, 76 percent of all electricity currently generated by power plants in the U.S. goes toward operating buildings.
The American Institute of Architects celebrates their 150th year next year. AIA members work with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design. Through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real.
Frisbie Architects is a 10-person architecture firm specializing in commercial, senior housing, government, and church projects. They are registered architects in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Arizona. For more information about Frisbie Architects, visit their website at www.frisbiearchitects.com or call them at 715.426.4908. The firm’s offices are located in the River Center Professional Building at 215 N. Second Street. For more information about the American Institute of Architects, visit their website at www.aia.org.
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