As the holiday season comes to a close, we look to 2017 and the year ahead. AIA West Jersey will be introducing new members to the executive committee, and planning the year’s programming. In fact, a number of events are already in the works.

Wine and Cheese Tasting / Inaugural:
To kick the year off, AIA WJ will host a wine and cheese tasting event on January 19th co-sponsored by Graphisoft, producers of ARCHICAD one of the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software applications used by architects, designers and engineers. This event will feature a presentation of vineyard projects designed in ARCHICAD while attendees sample wines and chesses presented by a guest sommelier. AIA New Jersey 2017 President, Ben Lee, AIA, will be in attendance to swear in the members of the 2017 AIA WJ Board. Please check your inbox in early January for registration information. Attendance will be limited, so RSVP early to save your place.

Emerging Professionals Tour:
AIA West Jersey invites our EPs, as well as the general membership, to join us for a tour of NextFab, a collaborative makerspace with digital and traditional fabrication tools, 3D printers, CNC machines, classes, events, and professional consulting services. The tour is tentatively scheduled for February 23rd, at NextFab’s Washington Avenue facility in South Philadelphia. Mark your calendars, and get a taste of the facility at: www.nextfab.com

Pinelands Preservation Alliance (PPA) Historic Louden Barn Tour:
If you joined us in September for the joint AIA West and South Jersey Dinner Meeting, you’ve already heard about the renovation of the historic Louden Barn (built 1932) on the Bishop Farmstead at PPA Headquarters in Southampton, NJ. On March 25th, AIA West and South Jersey will offer a tour of the completed barn project, hosted by PPA staff and the project architect, engineer, geothermal consultant. This tour will include access to the expansive hayloft, a space not typically open to the public.

This and many more events are available to AIA Members and guests in 2017.  We look forward to sharing the experiences with you.

Be sure to check the AIA West Jersey website (www.aiawestjersey.org) and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AIAWestJersey) for updates as we move into the New Year.

AIA West Jersey strives to bring quality programming and value to its membership, and believes that the organization is YOUR AIA. Please reach out to us with constructive criticism and feedback via aiawestjersey@aia-nj.org.

Happy New Year,

Mark Barone, AIA

Incoming President 2017

mark barone photo 2014b