 |
|
|
Western Massachusetts Chapter |
|
 |
Join us in the picturesque Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, from October 14-16, for workshops, tours, and speakers.
This year's focus is Livable Communities in the American Landscape - looking at the intersection of architecture and landscape and how to foster livable, sustainable communities. Green buildings, sustainable agriculture, smart growth development, the arts and education will be featured throughout the conference. And, of course, there will be the AIANE Awards & Keynote Dinner - featuring keynote speaker James S. Russell FAIA, former editor of Architectural Record and current architecture critic for Bloomberg News. |
Get the Conference Program and Registration Form (pdf) here.
A Disaster Assistance Training Workshop is also held the same weekend, Sunda October 16, 2011, post-Conference, in the same location. Further information here.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM SNEAK PEEK!
AIANE2011 will feature Friday workshops by two much-in-demand speakers - John Abrams, the author of "COMPANIES WE KEEP: Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place"; and Bill Reed of the Integrative Design Collaborative and Regenesis, Inc, an internationally acclaimed advocate practitioner of sustainability.
The Saturday tours - after a breakfast, and a panel discussion about sustainable development in Western Massachusetts - will visit mixed-use urban areas, a mixed use smart-growth community, dynamic public areas, architect-designed farms following new agricultural and economic models, a historic homestead, and a plant/flower farm featuring a LEED Gold facility.
The keynote speaker at Saturday's dinner / awards ceremony is James S. Russell FAIA - former editor of Architectural Record(18 years), currently architecture critic for the Bloomberg News, and author of The Agile City: Building Well Being and Wealth in an Era of Climate Change (Island Press).
We recommend that you reserve your lodgings early (see "Places to STAY" at right), as the month of October is a busy one in the Pioneer Valley.
AIANE2011 Design Awards
This year's awards program also includes a Livable Communities Exhibit and People's Choice Award. Entry form and more information here
FAQs and answers here
PARKING for Conference & for Awards Dinner
Downtown Parking
Please allow time to park. Limited parking is available at the Hotel Northampton (behind the Hotel). There is also an indoor parking garage and several municipal lots in Northampton. For more information - and a map - visit the city parking website. Most on-street parking is metered. Please note, there is no charge for metered parking after 6PM and all-day Sunday.
Smith College Parking (Awards Dinner)
You can best access the Smith College Conference Center via Green Street. The College is walkable (less than 1 mile) from downtown and the Hotel Northampton. If you are driving, there is some on–street parking on Green Street and some event parking in select campus lots near the Conference Center (see enclosed map). HC parking is available in front of the Conference Center. For directions and/or a College map visit the Smith College website. Download a map of the campus & parking here.
Places to STAY
We've blocked out some rooms at local hotels - reservations are due by September 17 (Hotel Northampton) or September 20 (Clarion Hotel) in order to obtain the special AIANE2011 rate. However, we strongly recommend that you make your reservations early! October is prime leaf-peeping time, as well as time for parents and alumnae to visit the local colleges. Expect the Valley to be bustling! LIST of lodgings.
From river cruises to art museums, from farmers' markets to boutique shopping - and even some legendary local nightclubs and theatres - the Pioneer Valley is packed with entertainment. LIST of things to do.
Locavore DINING
The Pioneer Valley is an agricultural mecca; local, award-winning restaurants make it a point of pride to use locally sourced - and often organic - meats, fruits and veggies in their menus. This is just a short list of the restaurants available. Prepare to be delighted! LIST of eateries.
Local SCHOOLS
The Pioneer Valley is home to five colleges, as well as a number of other educational institutions - each with their own attendant museums, libraries, and sometimes even a spectacular tropical greenhouse or two. LIST of schools.
|