Industry Spotlight - Washington Gas Sponsors 10th Annual Architecture Week
The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) invites the Washington DC community to mark the 10th anniversary of Architecture Week, Sept. 13-20.
The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) invites the Washington DC community to mark the 10th anniversary of Architecture Week, Sept. 13-20, with a special celebration of "CANstruction," the annual, colorful display of giant hand-built structures made of canned goods, which are then "deCANstructed" for donation to the Capital Area Food Bank.
"Architects are in large part responsible for designing the world in which we live," said Mary Fitch, executive director of AIA|DC. "Architecture Week is about inviting the community to learn more about the profession and creating awareness about how committed architects in the Washington DC area are to giving back to the city."
CANstruction begins Saturday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Shops at 2000 Penn where dozens of volunteer architects gather for six hours to build their most creative can designs. Past award-winning creations have included everything from a giant football and a rocket ship, to an elaborate birthday cake and over-sized Tweety Bird. After the votes, or "cans," are counted, an awards ceremony and birthday party will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m., where the Washington Architectural Foundation will bestow the public choice awards to the winning teams, including "Best Meal," "Best Use of Labels," and "Structural Ingenuity."
Another highlight of Architecture Week will be a seminar on "How to Work with an Architect," on Saturday, Sept. 13. at 11 a.m. at the AIA|DC Chapter House, 1777 Church Street, NW. As more people turn to remodeling in an ever changing economy, participants will learn the ins and outs of selecting an architect with Stephen Vanze of Barnes Vanze Architects, from the design and construction process to resources you need to find the right architect that fits the project style and scope.
Other Architecture Week events include: "Dinner with the Architect," on Tuesday, Aug. 16, which will feature a behind the scenes look at the new restaurant Proof; "Baseball with the Architect," a night out with the designers of the new Washington National's Ballpark on Thursday, Sept. 18; a tour of the construction of a new addition to the American Pharmacists Association, a 1934 National Historic Landmark building, on Sunday, Sept. 14; a "Spotlight on Architecture" lecture at the National Building Museum on Monday, Sept. 15; and a Kids' Architectural Tour and Workshop on Saturday, Sept.20. A student competition, where the next generation of Washington architects will be challenged to develop a solution to a complex design, also will be held on Sunday, Sept. 14, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The winners will be announced on Monday, Sept. 15, at 5 p.m.
For more information or to register for the events, visit www.aiadc.com or call 202-667-5444.