Message from the Oregon Design Conference Task Force

Reimagine Housing: Unveiling Solutions at ODC24 in Bend, Oregon

AIA Oregon Members -  Registration is open now for ODC24!

The AIA Oregon Design Conference (ODC24) returns - this year in May -  convening in Bend, Oregon from May 8th to 10th. This year's theme, "Beyond Shelter: Confronting Our Housing Crisis Together," promises a timely and crucial exploration of a challenge deeply affecting the communities where we live and practice. This year’s conference planning task force has worked hard to curate a presentation of talks that will elevate our collective efforts toward lasting impact.  

Why ODC24 is Essential for Oregon Architects:

• Go Beyond the Headlines: Delve deeper than news soundbites. ODC24 offers insightful discussions and workshops led by architects who have tailored their presentation to this topic and are from our own backyard. Gain practical knowledge on innovative approaches to affordable housing, sustainable design, and fostering vibrant communities.

• Forge Connections & Advance Your Practice: Network with a diverse range of architects, designers, and industry leaders from across Oregon. ODC24 fosters a collaborative environment where you can share ideas and spark partnerships across our five sections, deepening your network of Oregon professionals.

• Inspiring Bend Setting: Immerse yourself in the captivating city of Bend. The conference will be held in the core of Downtown Bend, between McMenamins Old St. Francis School and Theater and the eco-chic Oxford Hotel, with additional events planned throughout the easily walkable city core. Experience Bend's natural wonders, renowned craft breweries, and exciting outdoor activities with your down time, or attend a tour or pub crawl organized for the conference!

• Invest in Your Expertise (10 AIA LU|HSW Available, more Pending): Earn valuable AIA-approved Continuing Education credits while attending ODC24. This ensures you fulfill licensing requirements while gaining crucial knowledge to excel in today's architectural landscape.

This event is your chance to:

• Sharpen your design skills and stay current within the architectural industry.

• Become a changemaker in addressing Oregon's housing challenges.

• Cultivate your professional network and build lasting connections with colleagues.

Registration for ODC24 fills up fast, so secure your spot today! This year’s conference has an in-person attendance limit, so register now to be sure you’re in! Early Bird Registration ends April 19. Visit the AIA Oregon website for detailed information and registration.

Let's leverage our design expertise to create a state where everyone has access to safe, sustainable, and inspiring places to call home. We can’t wait to see you at ODC24!

With gratitude and excitement –

The ODC24 Conference Planning Task Force

John Flynn, AIAO President and Task Force Chair
Bill Wilson
Dave Mojica
Evon Calebrese
Ian Schmidt
Joseph Sis
Kaley Fought
Kathy Austin
Khiseth Abramvicka

Message from an Associate AIA Member Who Passed the AREs

Alejandro Bechtle, Associate AIA
Designer, PIVOT Architecture

Passing the ARE’s

A week ago I finished the ARE’s as one of the lucky few who passed them all on my first try. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how I did it.

I started out intimidated by the ARE’s. I knew I wanted to get licensed, but taking exams I didn’t know how to study for was daunting. As I was finishing my AXP, I saw a sign on the office fridge about an AIA library at Robertson Sherwood Architects with resources for the ARE’s. My coworker, who was studying for the ARE’s, had plans to go there and invited me along. That’s where I got my first study materials.

I started by reading the Brightwood study guide for Programming & Analysis and set a date for the test. Then I took the NCARB practice exam, which was the most valuable studying resource I used. I got many questions wrong and failed the practice exam, so I delayed my first test. I figured it’s faster in the long run to wait to take the exam until I’m confident, instead of failing it and having to wait 60+ days to retake it.

I studied the practice exam and looked for patterns in my answers. Often, I’d misunderstood the question or had second guessed myself, when my initial instincts were correct. There were also some concepts I was missing, which I reviewed using the study guide and Google searches. Once I felt confident, I scheduled my first ARE and passed. As I got through the rest of the exams, I used the same study method, eventually refining it. I realized a lot of study guides have overlap, so you don’t always have to read the entire book. So I would first look for material I already knew, then focus on what I didn’t know.

I found a good balance between studying and still living my life. It took me about five months from my first ARE to my last. I treated my weekends like work days, reading as if it were my job, and kept my evenings open. I supplemented my reading with free online lectures on YouTube, which I listened to while running errands and doing chores. I took weeks off when I needed to, like the holiday season. I also connected my study materials to my work in the field, which helped me prepare to be an architect. Studying the AIA contracts helped me understand the context at OAC meetings. Learning more about building systems helped me better understand consultants during design coordination. Overall, I know a lot more about what it means to be an architect now, compared to a few months ago.

My study methods may not work for everyone, that’s why there are resources like Amber Book to help candidates prepare for the ARE’s. However you need to study, what matters most is making sure you can demonstrate your knowledge when you take the exams. Start with learning the material, but also study the ARE’s themselves and understand how they work. And then consider your own tendencies and what you need to succeed.

For me, I knew my testing environment was going to have a huge impact on my success. I have a sensory processing disorder and often struggle on tests when there’s background noise, when the lights are too bright, etc. NCARB now offers remote proctored tests, which you can take any time there’s an opening. They’re scheduled just like tests at the testing centers, but you can take them at home. I’m fortunate to have a space I could set up for the exams per NCARB guidelines.

In order to take the ARE’s remotely, I had to cover my bookshelves, disconnect every device but my computer from the internet, and ask my fiancée to keep an eye on our cats in case they got too loud. Even with that preparation, I still had some technical issues, like my webcam refusing to focus on my ID enough to photograph it clearly, but I’d still recommend remote testing for those who can make it work.

In the exam, I still dealt with nervousness and panic. In my first exam, I took a break and calmed down between the first question set and the case studies. But for the rest of the exams, I just used strategies to quickly clear my head, which I’d strongly recommend. It takes just a few seconds to close your eyes and take a deep breath, but you might take longer to answer questions and be less likely to answer correctly if you stay in a rushed mindset.

My advice for anyone currently taking the ARE’s, or considering it in the future, is to have confidence in yourself and your knowledge. Be kind to yourself. Don't let a difficult question derail you. Make a guess and flag it for review. Also, don’t put yourself down if you fail an exam. You’ll be more prepared for it next time!