Community Interface Committee

Saturday, April 21

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

5814 South Wood Street

RSVP: http://www.aiachicago.org/events.asp

A wonderful way to start your Earth Day weekend – Join the CIC on the 5th event of it’s year long series – “A Year to Grow – First Cutting”.   You will learn about: Growing Home and its mission while touring the grounds; hoop house construction; various organic growing techniques and crop rotation; the transformation of an abandoned lot into an urban farm and see first-hand an expansion project in progress.  You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity for LU credit!

$10 donation at the door

rain or shine

limited to 20 participants

Tuesday, April 10, 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
AIA Chicago
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 250

This program presents academic work focusing on the reconstruction of post-disaster Talca, Chile, a small historical agricultural town located 300km south of Santiago, in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake which devastated central Chile. Establishment of the COM(M)A studio within the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects (AIADO) department of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, was fueled by an exploration into the role of designers in post-disaster scenarios. Our speakers will describe the process and results, and how design professionals, social activists, professors, and students combined their skills and their agendas to create a meaningful space and time for the community that they chose to serve.

COM(M)A was conceived in the wake of the two devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti during 2010. COM(M)A is a project of the GFRY Studio, an ongoing partnership between SAIC and the Motorola Foundation. COM(M)A was conceived by SAIC Faculty members Odile Compagnon, AIA and Paul Tebben.

Bring your lunch; a special Chilean treat and beverages provided.

Sign up at http://www.aiachicago.org/events.asp

On February 7, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Architecture for Humanity announced a strategic partnership to coordinate advocacy, education, and training that helps architects make effective contributions to communities preparing for, responding to, and rebuilding after disaster. The partnership is focused on providing resources so more architects can utilize their skills in disaster response environments and better serve as leaders in their community. Read more…

A group of architects and designers gathered at O’Hare International Airport last Friday to learn about several urban agriculture projects that are part of the Airport’s sustainability initiatives. Amy Malick, the Chicago Department of Aviation’s Deputy Commissioner of Sustainability, gave an overview of the many initiatives underway at the airport including the Sustainability Airport Manual or SAM, the Department of Aviation’s guide for airport projects. She also outlined their vision for future projects including scaling up their urban agriculture efforts to rooftop gardens and greenhouses. A highlight for this Community Interface Committee sponsored event was a presentation about the new bee apiary run by Sweet Beginnings, a non-profit job-training program that utilizes vacant land on the airport grounds.

The group then entered the terminal and toured the new aeroponic garden inside C.F. Murphy’s spectacular 1962 Rotunda, the first garden of its kind inside and airport. Linda Chin AIA, and David Wojcik AIA, of Parachin Design Studios were on hand to discuss the design process as well as planting system options, structural considerations, systems requirements, and maintenance needs of this unique garden. Jim Fulton, HMS Host chief gardener, talked about maintaining the garden and other details. Brad Maher, operations director of HMS Host, discussed the significance of the project for the restuarants who use the vegatables and herbs, as well as its importance as an educational tool and pleasant respite for travelers. Participants enjoyed their mini-journey to a new world at O’Hare International Airport.

IEMA and the Illinois Capital Development Board present this FREE course which includes procedures to conduct safety evaluations of buildings following earthquake incidents and will include CaIEMA SAP. Click here for more information.

The course is eligible for 6 HSW lus.
Illinois Schedule:
February 9, 2012 Carterville, IL
February 10, 2012 Edwardsville, IL

The Retirement Research Foundation is pleased to announce the 2012 Accessible Faith Grant Program to enable houses of worship to make accessibility improvements to their facilities.  The program is available to houses of worship in six metro Chicago counties:  Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry.  Since the program began nine years ago, the Foundation has awarded 129 grants to religious congregations totaling almost $2.8 million to make their facilities more accessible.

A full description of the program, application form, and tips for completing the application can be found in the Accessible Faith Grant Program section of our website at www.rrf.org/grants-programs/accessible-faith

Applications accepted from March 1 through June 1, 2012.
Questions or comments, AFG@rrf.org.

Conference registration is open!
Don’t miss Structures for Inclusion 12
Austin, Texas
March 24-25, 2012

Register by March 1 for early-bird discounts.
www.designcorps.org/sfi-conference/