M. Cristina Bontia

I had the opportunity to discuss California’s new building code targeting embodied carbon at Bisnow’s SOCAL Industrial Conference. This new amendment, effective July 1, is a major step towards our net-zero goals. Check out the full article on BISNOW to learn more about this pivotal change. #LowneyArchitecture #SustainableBuilding #EmbodiedCarbon #GreenConstruction #NetZero #BISNOW #IndustrialDesign #CaliforniaBuildingCode

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This week I was meeting with HGA Principal/Life Sciences Practice Leader Mark Allen, and there was a very simple ask he always uses during Life Science projects that stood out to me — "Tell me about the science." The simplest things can have the most significant impact on design. Our job is to truly understand the people, research, and science that will inhabit these spaces. This ensures each project meets the unique needs of researchers and innovators. From planning to design, our approach is built on collaboration, precision, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. Read Mark's insights on "Planning and Design Solutions for Life Sciences" here:https://lnkd.in/emHTMbNd #lifesciences #research #innovation

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Why did NCARB create the new Competency Standard for Architects? 🤔 As NCARB works to envision the future of licensure, it is essential that our programs share a core expectation of what competency looks like at the point of initial licensure. The NCARB Competency Standard for Architects provides that foundation and lays the groundwork for a flexible, accessible path to licensure. Learn more about how (and why) NCARB was able to develop the new standard—with input from thousands of practicing architects and our volunteer Competency Task Force—and how you can stay in the loop with upcoming changes » https://lnkd.in/eK9UdZqG

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It’s been a few years since I’ve been to the AIA California Monterey Design Conference (MDC) at Asilomar. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and colleagues and the great discussions that come from compressing a bunch of architects in a beautiful place for three full days. If you are attending, I encourage you to come to my Friday, 25 Oct 12:45-1:45pm session: " Zero Carbon Design: What Really Matters and How to Get There". Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gDqs7NpR ... or on the conference app, if you are already registered. It qualifies for 1 AIA HSW LU  as well as the new-ish ZNCD mandatory CE credit. Description: New online tools allow architects to set “whole life carbon” reduction goals and explore strategies at the beginning of a project when data is scarce but the potential for carbon emissions reduction is high. This session reviews how architects can use these tools during pre-design to chart a course to decarbonization, present the most impactful low-carbon design strategies to clients, and carry these strategies through the project life cycle.

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For the Seattle DJC’s Back to School issue, Miller Hull Partner, Ruth Baleiko, FAIA, LEED AP, and Principal, Elizabeth Moggio, AIA, wrote a piece on our pre-design for a new academic building for Western Washington University at the Olympic College Poulsbo Campus. The article highlights the strategic importance of meeting students where they are and the critical role a new facility will play in education and workforce development in the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. "Each college and university has a unique approach to supporting its students along a continuum of care, particularly for place-bound and non-traditional students. To craft a successful predesign, architects must collaborate with critical campus voices to make a clear and compelling case to the Legislature for funding. It is essential to set the document and the ultimate project up with flexibility and adaptability, particularly in the program, to weather the uncertainties of funding and economic conditions over time. This predesign described a new 44,200-gross-square-foot facility that will provide essential spaces dedicated to hands-on learning, student support and technological research. It will house critical programs in high-demand fields and serve as the new home for WWU’s Cyber Range Poulsbo program, a vital resource for cybersecurity education and research across the state. By enhancing access to post-secondary education and aligning academic offerings with regional workforce needs, this project is set to transform the local economy and support the state’s goal of increasing credential attainment among adults. This initiative underscores the strategic importance of expanding higher education opportunities to meet students where they are." Click the link to read the full story: https://bit.ly/3XIaQO1

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If you missed the "2024 U.S. #AEC Outlook: Evolving Role of Technology in Project Delivery and Contracts" webinar with U.S. CAD, An ARKANCE Company, you can watch the recording here https://lnkd.in/eAkKiejP #BIM #VDC #LOD #DesignBuild

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Here's a good read on trends in healthcare from several design professionals across the industry.

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Proud to be a member of the AIA Seattle Housing Design Forum Task Force again this year. Come check out the exciting program we put together, centered around users. Final registration is this Thursday! https://lnkd.in/gVnVPBX4 We are at a critical point for housing with the release of the draft comprehensive plan, One Seattle Plan! Seattle needs to build a massive amount of housing, and we must put people’s diverse values, shifting needs, and lived experiences at the forefront while doing so. After all, housing is not just a commodity, but a place where everyday life unfolds. - What challenges and opportunities exist in the development and design of housing? - How do we ensure we meet the diverse needs of communities and prioritize access, affordability, equity, and livability in rapidly changing neighborhoods? - How do we champion adaptable density and provide more housing for more people with more flexibility? Housing: A Stage for Life seeks to respond to the evolving housing landscape and explore how housing can center specific community needs and support people through various life stages. This year’s program will spotlight policy interventions, innovative project case studies, community perspectives, and inspiring design that foreground users while addressing actionable solutions to develop more plentiful, quality, diverse, and sustainable housing options in Seattle and beyond.

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Season 17 of AIA California's arcCA DIGEST takes up the first of four topics drawn from the AIA California Strategic Plan: Adaptive Reuse, Building Decarbonization, Housing, and The Future of the Profession. Interestingly (but perhaps not surprisingly), articles in this season’s lineup also address building decarbonization and housing, as adaptive reuse is a potent strategy for both. Timely reading given the new embodied carbon provisions in CalGreen effective TODAY! #arcCAdigest #adaptivereuse #decarbonization #embodiedcarbon #housing

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In a paper for the independent bioethics think tank, the Hastings Center, research argues that healthcare architecture is "so impactful it should be held to the same standard as medications and surgical procedures." Design, "can alter behavior, shape patient-clinician interactions, and sway treatment outcomes. A building's ability to influence—or harm—us must be disclosed." Read more from the Natl. Library of Medicine: https://ow.ly/QFLy30sC4b6 #healthcare #healthcaredesign #healthcarearchitecture

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Please join AIA California's Emerging Trends In Architecture, Harnessing AI for Embodied Carbon Climate Action Webinar, led by Patrick Chopson, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at cove.tool on October 2nd. I will be moderating the special presentation that will focus on the following: Understanding the Impact of the AEC Industry on Climate Change: Participants will gain insights into the AEC industry’s role in climate change, identifying key opportunities for implementing effective carbon reduction strategies. This foundational knowledge aims to inspire significant shifts towards sustainability in project approaches. Leveraging AI and Automation for Enhanced Efficiency and Communication: Learn how AI can streamline reporting, optimize workflows, and foster clearer communication with clients. These integrations enable architects to improve efficiency and make more informed, sustainable design decisions, enhancing project outcomes. Mastering Embodied Carbon Benchmarking: Techniques for benchmarking embodied carbon will be taught, enabling participants to evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of their designs. Achieving Compliance with Title 24: Gain familiarity with Title 24’s carbon reporting requirements and explore iterative methods to ensure compliance throughout the design process. I hope you'll join us. Please register through the link below: https://lnkd.in/gw_55riZ #aia #aiacalifornia #aialosangeles #wjwf #climateaction #designexcellence #embodiedcarbon #builtenvironment #buildings #lowcarbonconcrete #carbonneutrality #carbonpositive #sustainability #equity

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The WashU Medicine Jeffrey T. Fort Neuroscience Research Building is featured in the latest issue of STRUCTURE magazine. Designed to adapt to the changing needs of scientific research, the facility incorporates flexible design elements and superior vibration control to accommodate future developments. This project underscores the importance of aligning structural design with institutional goals to advance research and innovation. Kudos to our structural engineering team for their work on this monumental project. You can read the full feature here: https://lnkd.in/g86eARAc #structuremagazine #WashUMedicine #structuralengineering

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Take a look at this very interesting article!

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Every project we work on starts with drawings. If they exist, we study them to see exactly how a space is constructed. We can see what is possible -- what walls can be removed, what can be repurposed, where plumbing can be located, and more. If there are no drawings, we create them. A huge part of design is knowing the exact proportions and measurements of a space. Our goal is to design spaces that can realistically be built. Whether we're designing from the ground up or renovating an existing space, it has to be doable, meet the budget, and look beautiful. Learn more about our #liveableluxury design services: FisterDesign.com #fisterdesign #interiordesignerideas #interior #interiordesign #interiordesigner #designbuild #outdoorliving #exteriorremodeling #remodeling #greatroomdesigns #kitchendesigns #bathroomdesigns #Miamidesigner #hospitalitydesign #hoteldesign

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When opening a new hospital building, it’s a safe bet that you are going to be initiating your first renovation to that building very soon. Through projects for private healthcare providers, university medical centers and government entities, we have sometimes learned these lessons the hard way or on the heels of another design predecessor’s mistakes. In preparation for this eventuality, our healthcare design experts have gathered their top 10 strategies for future-proofing the design of your next healthcare building. Read about it here: https://ow.ly/74VY50RVNWX #HEDadvances #positiveimpact #healthcareforall #healthcaredesign

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Come hear me and smarter people talk about the power of partnerships.

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