Work continues on the AIA Oregon / Portland CFA space to meet our obligations and move out by the end of the year. While we’re saying goodbye to the space, we’re doing our best to meet our obligations (per the lease agreement) on time, under budget, and in such a way that we can move on into planning for our chapters’ future without the burden of debt. This is an exciting time of transformation for AIA Oregon as we close a chapter and begin thinking about the next.
Light fixtures and speakers were removed about two weeks ago and volunteers have begun moving items out with the dismantling of the library and the office; all of the donated books and shelves were removed, making more room available for staging as we move items around to accommodate ceiling / roof repair. Curt Wilson, AIA, has shifted responsibilities from the EVP seat to our architect to complete this project, working closely with Heather to make sure we meet our budgetary responsibilities while also completing our repairs.
We have also fixed HVAC and plumbing controls which have been in disrepair for some months, getting the water flowing in the women’s bathroom and our heating / cooling / lighting systems back into working order. We also met with a tech consultant who helped us delineate which AV items were best for donation, to try to keep and reuse, or to have disposed as e-waste. We will follow that plan and do our best to find good recipients of any items we could donate. If you would like to suggest any organizations we should consider, please feel free to email.
The ceiling, once covered by rigid insulation and canvas, has been exposed and was luckily only in need of some cleaning to prep for painting and repair of some areas with plywood patching. Curt has also drawn a very savvy light fixture detail to replace the previously built box-outs, which will virtually disappear when the ceiling is painted a uniform black. We will reuse the rigid insulation, which was mainly in good condition, in the exterior roofing solution, and our work will be complete.
All told, this solution is an alternative selected by your board of directors that has saved time and dollars, bringing us very close to the budgeted amount for repair (only slightly over) and allowing us to complete the work in a timely fashion. Along the way, we’ve brought some closure to the relationship with the building owners. We are hoping this helps us say a bittersweet goodbye to the space with respect. Things admittedly did not end as anticipated, but your AIA Oregon board has found the best solution at this time to position the membership for success in the future.
And what will that future be? It’s time to start talking about it. In your firms, among your peers, maybe even a doodle or two to yourself. Ask yourself: What is the future of AIA Oregon, and what does it look like? I trust that the creative power of visionary individuals acting together will lead us to an answer greater than any of us could have imagined alone.
While I cannot tell you what the outcome will be, I can tell you how the process will work. I hope you’ll all participate fully, respond thoughtfully, and invite others to conversation as much as possible. If we all take part in what is going to be an intentionally inclusive planning process for the future of your Institute, I think you’ll be impressed and proud of your outcomes.
Starting in January, you’ll see some asks to participate in a revived AIA Oregon Facilties Task Force. We will be looking for a solid core of about 20 volunteers to represent the state’s membership from every angle - geographic location, firm size, practice type, years of experience, ethnicity, gender, and orientation – providing the filter through which we will make decisions for all aspects of our solution.
So, while we close one chapter, we begin another. When you see the invitations to join the Facilities Task Force, I hope you’ll reply, especially if you’ve been interested but not sure where to begin with AIA participation. You’ll join a group actively engaged in dreaming of our future together – and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?