City of Alexandria To Host 2018 Alexandria Contemporary Architecture Symposium, June 8-9, Public Invited
The 2018 Architecture Symposium will explore the ways that the entitlement process can identify and foster beautiful, timeless and compatible contemporary design for large new development projects in a city with 270 years of evolving architectural heritage. The City of Alexandria wants to facilitate a constructive dialogue with the community on how to foster a beautiful and healthy environment for future generations. Public officials, developers, architects and the community will be encouraged to fully explore the complexities and challenges of the City’s development and design review process.
The two-day event includes a reception and keynote panel discussion on Friday, moderated by Washington Post columnist Roger K. Lewis, FAIA, and features a display of Northern Virginia AIA design award winning projects and a tour of Dulany Gardens by the project’s landscape architect. On Saturday, the community is invited to a light breakfast followed by guided bus tours of case study sites to discuss what was successful and any areas of potential improvement on future projects.
Note: Bus transportation to the Saturday tour sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Community members are welcome to use their own cars or alternate means of transportation to visit the tour sites at the given times.
See below for event and registration details.
Planning for Growth
Recently, the City has adopted several new small area plans within the growth crescent, where most development is expected to occur. Through 2015, plans in the growth crescent had 46.5 million square feet of development, of which 19.6 million were added since 1990.
Sequence of Events
Friday, June 8 – Reception and Panel Discussion
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Madison Auditorium North and South, 600 Dulany Street
- 6:00 p.m. – Reception
The reception will include a display of Northern Virginia AIA design award winning projects and a tour of Dulany Gardens by the project’s landscape architect. - 7:00 p.m. – Presentations and Panel Discussion
The panel, consisting of architects Shalom Baranes, FAIA and Theresa del Ninno, AIA and developer Austin Flajser of the Carr Companies will be moderated by Washington Post columnist Roger K. Lewis, FAIA.Topics suggested for the panel discussion will address the influences on development in Alexandria that can encourage high-quality design for the future:
- Does Alexandria have a distinct architectural style? What is the difference between a building design that is “contemporary” and one that is “trendy?” What makes a building timeless without becoming boring and monotonous?
- Why do certain design approaches and building types occur in Alexandria? How does the public review process affect building design? Is better design achieved through more or less control?
- What is the public value of good design and what features create these economic and/or social values? What effects do design and the market economy have on the creation of high quality buildings in Alexandria? What could be done in the City to achieve higher quality projects?
- How does public/private open space effect livability?
Saturday, June 9 – Community Tours of Local Development Sites
Bus riders meet at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street – South Entrance
- 8:30 a.m. – Bus riders meet at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street – South Entrance
A light breakfast will be provided. - 9:00 a.m. – Buses will depart for tour locations
- Each of the sites below will have guided tours at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
A project architect or developer will be at each site along with City planners to discuss the project and answer questions. - 12:30 p.m. – Buses return to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Registration
Registration to attend the symposium is not required, but is strongly encouraged. Bus transportation to the Saturday tour sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.Community members are welcome to use their own cars or alternative means of transportation to visit the tour sites at the given times.
