President's Message
Spring 2002

My previous message focused on the November Leadership Conference in Harrisburg. Once again I met with my fellow architects (including numerous from our Chapter) in Harrisburg for PA Architects Day on March 19th. As in November, the day's activities proved to be a good wake-up call to the "bigger issues" (which we are too busy to think about during the typical work day) affecting the profession.

For my first meeting of the day, I joined members of three unstaffed Chapters to discuss the possibility of hiring a shared staff person to provide better service for chapter members. Representatives from interested chapters will continue to investigate the pros and cons of this proposal during the coming months. You are invited and encouraged to share your input on this topic with any Board member.

Next on the agenda was a luncheon presentation by Granger Bowman, Esq. and Maureen Guttman, AIA, on "Opposing Views on the Definition of Architecture vs. Engineering", which is one of this year's "hot topics".

The following session was a "Prelobbying Legislative Issues Briefing". The 2002 lobbying effort was creatively summarized in a blueprint format for presenting to legislators, and highlighted the following six topics:

• Licensure Law Clarification: clarify language to the Architect's and Engineer's licensing laws, and identify distinct areas of expertise in order to further protect HSW of the public
• Bed & Breakfast Safety Regulations: oppose reduced safety standards proposed which conflict with those required by the Uniform Building Code
• Uniform Building Code: support speedy passage of regulations & a statewide education process for municipalities, and immediate implementation
• Green Buildings Tax Credit: support incentives and promote and encourage sustainable and energy efficient buildings, designs, and construction
• School Construction Costs: support meaningful initiatives that make modernization and new construction more affordable to districts
• Separation Acts: support the repeal of obsolete laws which require multiple prime contracts for construction projects

Blueprints of the above topics were well received on the Hill during visits with legislators and their staff. Hopefully the larger rolled format of the blueprint will prevent it from getting lost in a stack of typical size office papers!

After the office visits, conversations with legislators and fellow architects continued during a reception on the balcony of the Capital's rotunda, truly one of Pennsylvania's architectural gems.

There were also leadership forums underway during the afternoon, which included discussion of the PAC topics affecting PA architects, such as:

• What influence did 9-11 have on the practice of architecture?
• What is the impact of PA's zero population growth over the last 20 years? What if this trend continues?
• As the percentage of retirees increases in the State (predicted to go as high as 3 retirees/1 working person), how will the economy be affected?
• Suburban sprawl
• Green architecture

These topics are all of importance to architects in PA. The contributions of both your time and financial resources to support the PAC will help insure the future good health of both the Profession and the State of Pennsylvania. If you didn't make it to this year's PA Architect Day, do try to fit in your schedule in 2003!

I hope to see you at the April Chapter meeting!

Respectfully,
Jeff A. Gross, AIA
President, AIA Eastern Pennsylvania President Elect