The WMAIA promotes excellence in architecture through professional development, community outreach, and the celebration of architecture in our region.
We want to engage the public in an ongoing, meaningful dialogue about architecture and the built environment: how does it affect you, your family, your workplace, and the world?
Many of our programs and events – such as our film series – are free and open to the public. The public is also welcome to attend our continuing education programs for a fee; check out our films, programs and other events at the links in our menu above.
We invite the community to download and read our quarterly newsletter, to sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter, or to join the WMAIA.
in memoriam – John W. Olver 1936-2023
John W. Olver: September 3, 1936 – February 23, 2023
I […]
in memoriam – Jack Frazier 1931-2023
Jackie (Jack) L. Frazier: June 5, 1931 – February 17, […]
WMAIA Social Media
Facebook Posts
REGISTER NOW FOR TOMORROW'S EVENT!![]()
![]()
Designing for Low Carbon New Buildings![]()
Tuesday April 9 | 4:00-5:15PM | Zoom | 1 HSW approval pending![]()
![]()
Andrea Love, FAIA, LEED Fellow, Principal & Director of Building Science at Payette will address tools and practices around designing low carbon new construction. ![]()
WMAIA COTE Committee is sponsored by Wright Builders Inc.![]()
![]()
For detailed information and to register visit: e.sparxo.com/Spring-2024-COTE
WMAIA's Spring 2024 Film Series is FREE for all! Register now and join the fun!![]()
![]()
The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux, and the Buffalo Park System![]()
and ![]()
Community by Design: The Olmsted Firm and the Development of Brookline, Massachusetts![]()
Wednesday April 17 | 6:30 PM | Zoom |1 LU![]()
![]()
THE BEST PLANNED CITY IN THE WORLD ![]()
This film explores the development of the nation’s first park system, designed for Buffalo by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in 1868. Drawing national and international attention, their scheme carefully augmented the city’s original plan with urban features inspired by Second Empire Paris, including the first system of “parkways” to grace an American city. Displaying the plan at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Olmsted declared Buffalo “the best planned city, as to its streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world.”![]()
![]()
COMMUNITY BY DESIGN![]()
In 1883, Frederick Law Olmsted deserted New York City for Brookline, which had anointed itself the “richest town in the world.” Over the next half century, he and his successor firm became the dominant force in the planned development of this community. This film tells the story of the development of the wealthy Boston suburb through the planning initiatives of the firm. From Fairsted, the Olmsteds’ Brookline home and office, the office collaborated with an impressive galaxy of neighbors which included the architect H. H. Richardson and the horticulturalist Charles Sprague Sargent.![]()
![]()
Through plans for boulevards and parkways, residential subdivisions, institutional grounds, and private gardens, the firm carefully guided the development of the town, as they designed cities and suburbs across America. While Olmsted Sr. used landscape architecture as his vehicle for development, his son and namesake, “Rick,” viewed Brookline as grounds for experiment in the new profession of city and regional planning, a field that he was helping to define and lead.![]()
![]()
WMAIA's Spring 2024 Film Series is free for AIA and non-AIA members. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link to the event. ![]()
![]()
To register, please visit: e.sparxo.com/Spring-2024-Film-Series
REGISTER NOW!![]()
![]()
BCT Lecture Series | Hybrid | All programs are on Mondays from 4:00 - 5:15 pm EST![]()
![]()
Evolution of Carbon Accounting Tools Over a Decade![]()
Monday April 8 | 4:00-5:15PM | Hybrid – ZOOM or in person at 170 Design Building UMass | 1 HSW (approval pending)![]()
![]()
In the 2000s, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerged as a pivotal concept, significantly influencing the development of building carbon accounting tools. The field of carbon accounting tools is dynamic, with new tools being developed and existing ones evolving. This dynamism, however, has often made choosing carbon accounting tools challenging, primarily due to factors such as the complexity of the tools themselves and the diverse needs of users. In her presentation, Ph.D. Candidate Diana Brito will share her experiences using various tools, providing examples that offer valuable insights. ![]()
![]()
NOTE – for those looking for more detailed information on using carbon tools in professional practice – sign up for WMAIA’s spring COTE series focusing on Embodied Carbon![]()
![]()
Don’t Do Stupid Things![]()
Monday May 6 | 4:00-5:15PM | Hybrid – ZOOM or in person at 170 Design Building UMass | 1 HSW (approval pending)![]()
Focus on failures related to materials, systems, and assemblies that have led to mold, rot, decay, and corrosion in commercial and residential buildings. Issues covered will include the stack effect, over ventilation, under ventilation, poor water management, EIFS, stucco, negative air pressures, vapor barriers in the wrong place, green roofs, and COVID recommendations from the CDC. Presented by: JOSEPH LSTIBUREK, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow.![]()
![]()
For Detailed Information and to Register visit:
e.sparxo.com
WMAIA : Spring BCT ProgramsThese lectures and free and open to the public, however, registration and payment of fee is required if you want WMAIA to record the learning units.UMass faculty and staff r...
Calling all Assoc. AIA members! ![]()
![]()
AIA and the Architects Foundation are thrilled to offer a grant opportunity for recipients to attend the AIA24 Conference on Architecture and Design. This grant provides emerging professionals an opportunity to attend the annual conference and gain access to career resources, the latest trends in the building industry, networking opportunities, and potential employment opportunities. ![]()
![]()
To find out more, visit: architectsfoundation.org/new-aia24-conference-opportunity-emerging-professionals-grant/
WMAIA's Spring 2024 Film Series is FREE for all! Register now and join the fun!![]()
![]()
New England Modernism: Revolutionary Architecture in the 20th Century![]()
Wednesday April 3 | 6:30 PM | Zoom |1 LU![]()
![]()
The United States saw a revolution in popular architectural style between the 1930s and 1970s. American Modernism, originally influenced by the work of European masters including Le Corbusier and Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, began to establish footing in New England in early 1930-32. 32 in part with the construction of the Field House in New Hartford, Connecticut by William Lescaze and the Ralph-Barbarin House in the city of Stamford, designed by Le Corbusier protégé Albert Frey. By the 1940s, the region was a hotbed of modernism, led by a group of architects known as the “Harvard Five” who settled in New Canaan, Connecticut and included Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, John Johansen, Philip Johnson and Eliot Noyes. Other architects who designed notable mid- century modern structures in New England included Victor Christ-Janer, Andrew Geller, Alan Goldberg, Carl Koch, John Black Lee, Hugh Smallen and Edward Durell Stone. The work produced by this pool of talent had international and permanent influence.![]()
![]()
The story of New England Modernism is one of imagination, creativity and industriousness.![]()
![]()
WMAIA's Spring 2024 Film Series is free for AIA and non-AIA members. Registration is required to receive a Zoom link to the event. ![]()
![]()
To register, please visit: e.sparxo.com/Spring-2024-Film-Series
Our Sponsors
We are grateful for the support of local business sponsors. For information about sponsorship click here.
CORPORATE AFFILIATE MEMBERS, PROGRAM SPONSORS & ADVERTISERS:
Berkshire Design Group Inc.• Dodson & Flinker Inc • Engineering Design Associates • Hill Engineers, Architects & Planers • Lexington Group Inc.
MicaBlue Creative • MJ Moran.• National Vinyl LLC • Olander Brick • Renaissance Builders. • Ryan Hellwig PE • Sierra Pacific • Tighe & Bond