The New Accessibility Standards: presented by Jeromy Murphy, AIA, American Construction Investigations. This session covered the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards and how they are more restrictive in some areas but provide more latitude for designers to comply. The program identified the major differences between the old standards and the new standards, beginning with the applicability of the law and continuing with the major technical changes and special exceptions.
Influencing the Quality of Life: presented by Thomas Hayne Upchurch, AIA and Elizabeth Price, AIA. The program was about small Texas towns, in this case Brenham, and how architects have unique capabilities and vision for improving communities. By getting involved and doing good work, concepts and ideas develop from small projects to big improvements. In Brenham, Upchurch and Price went about cleaning up a public alley, which led to a TEA-21 public grant and greater downtown improvements and development.
influence. Water. Greenroofs. Resilience. presented by Joe Douglas Webb, AIA. Mr. Webb stated that while there are no certified "Living Buildings" in Houston currently, an office building designed by his firm, Webb Architects, serves as a local prototype that exemplifies tools and technologies that let us begin to encroach on strategies required in the Living Building Challenge. As a result, architects influence a clients approach to development and the environment.
Living in the Landscape: Design that Embraces Nature. presented by Gary Furman, FAIA; Mell Lawrence, FAIA; Kevin Alter, Assoc. AIA. How have Austin architects drawn powerful design character from the beauty and ecology of the Texas Hill Country? How have they employed the climate, the topography and native materials of the region to create an authentic ethos of this memorable place? The three architects discussed ways in which architecture and the natural environment can work together in symbiotic harmony.
Design in Austin, It's About the Quality of Life: presented by Larry Speck, FAIA; Arthur Anderson, AIA; Dick Clark, AIA and Juan Miro, FAIA. The four architects, who have made significant contributions to the creation of many of most memorable and endearing parts of the city, spoke about how design generates amenity, interaction and a celebration of everyday living.
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