Architecture buffs, take note! From scavenger hunts to tours and lectures, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northern Virginia chapter is planning a week of events from Sunday, April 8 to Saturday, April 14.
The events include a tour of historical architecture in Old Town, a program at the Athenaeum, a children's scavenger hunt, a tour of the Old Dominion Boat Club and an exhibit at the Torpedo Factory of local architects' award-winning work.
The historical architecture tour, set for Sunday, April 8 from 1-3 p.m., will be led by members of AIA's Historic Resources Committee, covering the history of Alexandria as reflected through its architecture and urban design, highlighting examples from Georgian to Art Deco. Tour guides will also discuss preservation and development issues facing the City, looking at the City-approved Waterfront Plan and its long-term impact on the City as it is implemented over 20 to 30 years.
The cost for the tour is $10 per person and while it is open to the public, space is limited and advance reservations are required. The tour fills up every year, so register early to guarantee a place. You can register here.
On Friday, April 12, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., AIA Northern Virginia and the Athenaeum will present "30 Years of Shaping the City, Cartoons by Roger K. Lewis, FAIA." Lewis, a columnist with The Washington Post, writes about a broad range of topics and issues relevant to the built environment, among them architecture, historic preservation, housing, smart growth, sustainability, transportation, and urbanism. The Athenaeum is located at 201 Prince St. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with a program beginning at 7 p.m. The program is free. RSVP at admin@nvfaa.org.
Tour the new three-story Old Dominion Boat Club Saturday, April 14, from 9-10 a.m. at 200 Strand St. Led by Michael Winstanley, AIA, with Michael Winstanley Architects & Planners, the architects for the project, this tour will explore the new boat club,, completed in late 2017. Spaces are limited and pre-registration is required.
The ODBC has been a fixture on the Alexandria waterfront for more than 135 years, beginning with their first clubhouse near the foot of Duke Street, moving to 1 King Street in 1923, and now relocating to this new clubhouse. As part of the plan to revitalize Old Town’s waterfront, the clubhouse was relocated from the foot of King Street to its new site where the former Beachcomber building stood, significant in its own right for its social contribution to the city’s waterfront.
The design of the new clubhouse is meant to reflect the significant location and past structures on the site, using nautical features such as piers and decking, materials and details a boat builder would use, and a porch reminiscent of the cantilevered porch of the Beachcomber. Based on the design of ship decks, the lower floor features large wood braces and rustic tones while the upper floor is a light-filled space recalling the interior of a luxury liner. The size and scale of the clubhouse were designed to fit into the context of historic Old Town and the site plan accommodates the new boat ramp and marina, and the future waterfront promenade. Look for registration to open soon here.
Also on Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., AIA has planned a self-guided activity for children and their families, organized by its Architecture Lab Committee. Participants will receive a map identifying 12 places that are synonymous with Old Town Alexandria. Start by checking in at the AIA Northern Virginia Chapter House located at 1101 Duke St., Alexandria. After completion of the activity, bring the map to the Torpedo Factory to receive a small prize. Children must be accompanied by an adult to participate. This is a free event; keep an eye out for pre-registration coming soon here.
On display starting Friday, April 6 to Sunday, April 15, at the ground-floor lobby of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., will be an exhibit of award-winning projects from AIA Northern Virginia’s Design Awards Program.
Admission to both the Torpedo Factory and the exhibit are free and open to the public.
Firms represented in the exhibit include:
- Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc.
- Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS
- Cunningham | Quill Architects
- Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
- HYL Architecture
- David Jameson Architect
- Jones & Boer Architects
- KGD Architecture
- KUBE architecture
- LittleDonald Lococo Architects
- MTFA Architecture
- OTJ Architects
- Perkins+WillShinberg.Levinas Architects
- SK+I Architecture
- SmithGroupJJR
- Stantec Architecture
- WDG
For more information on Architecture Week activities visit the AIA website.
