AIA El Paso

January 1, 2025

Newsletter, President's Message

ArchiTEXT | January 2025

AIA El Paso

January 1, 2025

Newsletter, President's Message

President’s Message

Dear AIA El Paso Members,

I am thrilled to be part of the AIA El Paso Chapter Executive Board once again, and this time I feel honored to help lead our way through 2025. So many new things to look forward to, as well as to continue to build upon the previous hard work of our past presidents.

The dedication and endeavors of our 2024 President Rida Asfahani and 2024 Past President William Helm have set an exemplary standard for our chapter and its mission. On behalf of the Executive board and our members, I give my heartfelt thanks for their commitment. We're proud of the accomplishments we achieved together, with the most recent long sought goal of onboarding an Executive Director.

My excitement for AIA began as an Emerging Professional in AIA Dallas, where I was nominated for their Award-Winning Emerging Professional Program. This program emphasized the true value of our profession, encouraged personal growth, offered opportunities to give back, and gave architects a collective voice. Recognizing its importance, I saw a need for similar initiatives in my hometown of El Paso. Motivated by this, I moved back to get involved with AIA and contribute to the positive change our community needs. My ongoing involvement with AIA El Paso has allowed me to cultivate this purpose and intend to inspire future architect leaders.For this reason, and with support of the Executive Director, I’m emboldened to aim higher this year. I hereby, present three simple goals which are aimed to rise and excel our Chapter’s potential.

Fortify our Organization by increasing member involvement and acknowledging member contributions. Expand our Associate and Professional Affiliate Memberships by educating on the value and opportunities our organization has to offer. Encourage young professionals to join by providing participation and volunteer positions for them to see firsthand the possibilities of this organization. Boost our sales and participation from PA’s with the help of our new Executive Director.

Increase Community Awareness through public outreach we'll engage in events and programs to raise consciousness about the positive impact of our profession. Architects shape communities, a nd it can be done by building stronger connections with our local leaders and foster the partnerships of our industry’s supporters. Advocating for the architecture profession by supporting our committees to elevate their events and emphasizing the importance of maintaining our profession’s integrity.

Promote Design Excellence and Professional Development by supporting our local firms to achieve greater things identifying diverse talents and leveraging them to address distinct challenges. As stewards of the built environment, we advocate for health, safety and welfare, yet we will encourage to elevate our designs with innovative solutions that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. Together let’s support our aspiring architects in their path to licensure by providing the resources they need. AIA El Paso is committed to provide recognition for these contributions to the community and its future leaders.

The success of our chapter lies in the collective efforts of its members. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on our profession and our community. I am confident that by working collaboratively towards these goals, we will not only strengthen our chapter but also contribute to the positive growth of the architecture profession.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our shared vision. Here's to a year of collaboration, growth, and positive impact!

Regards,

Lorena Holguin, AIA, LEED AP
AIA El Paso Chapter | 2025 President

AIA El Paso
Executive Director

As we kick off a new year, we’re excited to introduce **Katherine Vandertulip** as our new Executive Director beginning January 2025. Please join us at this months Chapter meeting to give her a warm in-person welcome.
Katherine, a native El Pasoan, is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fashion Design and Museum Studies. She has an outstanding track record in non-profit and membership-based organizations. Her resume includes noteworthy roles at the Borderplex Alliance, Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, IDEA Public Schools, and New Mexico State University.
Enhancing her professional accomplishments, Vandertulip has a strong commitment to community service. She is an active volunteer with several organizations including the Junior League of El Paso, Girls Scouts of the Desert Southwest, Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, United Way of El Paso County, and YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region.
Katherine looks forward to meeting all of the members and working with us to help grow the impact and mission of AIA El Paso in the region.

CALL FOR SPONSORS

Proceeds to benefit AIA El Paso’s Architecture Students & Emerging Professionals

Dear Sponsors:

Each year the El Paso Chapter of the American Institute of Architects hosts an Architecture Gala to celebrate excellence in architectural design in our city. AIA El Paso will host our annual Architecture Gala event (Powered by PechaKucha) on Friday, January 31, 2025 downtown at the Hotel Paso del Norte.

The expected attendance will be 250 participants including architects, developers, contractors, consultants, manufacturer representatives, and other construction industry leaders. Invitations will also be extended to local government leaders and community partners to the construction industry.

A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit El Paso Emerging Professionals pursuing licensure and will fund scholarship endowments benefiting El Paso architecture students with scholarships in perpetuity.

Please take a moment to review the sponsorship levels available this year. We trust that you will find a sponsorship opportunity suited to your company’s needs. Once you’ve made your selection, send an email to johnbreyes10@yahoo.com

We truly appreciate your support of this event and for furthering architecture excellence in the El Paso community!

Ticket sales end January 24, 2024

INDIVIDUAL GALA EVENT TICKETS
DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS ACCEPTED

Gala tables and tickets are limited - buy your tickets and donate here now!

Buy Tickets

AIA El Paso

December 1, 2024

Newsletter, President's Message

ArchiTEXT | December 2024

AIA El Paso

December 1, 2024

Newsletter, President's Message

President’s Message

Dear AIA El Paso Members,

As the year comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve as your AIA Chapter President in 2024. It has truly been an incredible year, filled with progress, collaboration, and growth. Together, we strengthened our community engagement and advocacy for the profession, achieving remarkable milestones that will benefit our members and the communities we serve.

Our events this year were not only impactful but also financially successful, generating substantial revenue that will fund scholarships for the next generation of architects. Our subcommittees, including Women in Architecture (WiA) and Advocacy, thrived with their initiatives, building momentum that will carry into 2025. Beyond the office, we took the time to connect, exercise, and enjoy our beautiful city, fostering stronger bonds within our chapter.

To every member, associate, and professional affiliate, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and contributions to making 2024 such an outstanding year.

It is now my honor to introduce our 2025 President, Lorena Holguín. Lorena was instrumental in driving the chapter’s successes this year, and I am confident she will continue to lead us to new heights in the year ahead.

We look forward to celebrating with you at the AIA Awards Gala this January. Until then, I wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday season.

Rida Asfahani, AIA
AIA El Paso Chapter | 2024 President

2025 Newly Licensed Emerging Professional

Please join us in congratulating Eloisa McGill on completing his Architect Registration Exams and fulfilling the requirements to become a registered Texas Architect.

Q. Can you describe your journey to becoming a licensed Architect?

A. My licensure journey started in 2018 – right when the exam updated from version 4 to 5. I realized after failing three exams in a row that the study material packets were just 4.0 rearranged & didn’t really encompass the new exam format or material. So I paused & started gathering the books from the matrix in the guidebook – there are a lot. Then in 2020 I was finally ready to start studying again but covid created its chaos; I decided to wait it out, again, & see what would become the new normal. In 2021 I went to my first TX Architect Convention in San Antonio & decided I did not want to wait anymore. A month later, I passed my first one.

I think “Balance” in this case means you understand how to manage the expectations you put on yourself. Everyone wants to be one & done for the whole thing – that expectation takes a lot out of you when it doesn’t happen. Be kind to yourself – at least try to be. I wasn’t near the end, & my health declined because of it – I was so stressed out, I gained weight, I couldn’t sleep, & I’m positive this is where my few canas are from. I even sprouted a white eyelash!

The most memorable (albeit awful) moment was when I failed one of the exams for the 3rd time in a year. It was disappointing because it was the only one I had left so there was nothing else to move on to. I still had 2 years on my clock so I was mostly just annoyed & angry I’d have to wait 6 months to take it again. Then the clock was removed in Texas. That day I knew, even if I had to take this one single exam 12 more times, I was going to complete the ARE. My last exam, I had major technical issues half-way through & by the time I was finishing I had more, so I didn’t see the provisional score. I didn’t know I passed until 10 days later, the Sunday after the TX Architect convention in Houston – & I refreshed the page about 6 times before I grasped what I was reading. I was so relieved I’d finally passed; I think I left all my stress (and that white eyelash) in the hotel room.

Q. Now that you’re licensed what are your immediate professional goals?

A. For me, the license means becoming a partner at Fokus – something I did not expect. Several people I work with outside the firm, mostly contractors - are like “finally!” I think many of them believed in me more than I did – it’s quite humbling to know just how many of them are confident I’ll be good at this. It is both exciting & terrifying to be licensed. I feel ready some days, & then others I don’t – the impostor syndrome is real. I finally introduced myself to someone as an Architect the other day – my inside brain me’s were what I imagine Elle Woods felt like when she squeaks “we did it!” The new goal is to morph into a leader & hopefully a mentor – much like the ones I’ve had these 10 years. I’ve learned so much from every single person in the Fokus office – & I’m not done learning yet. The need for personal growth is inevitable now, so let’s see if I can properly fill these shoes – although I still prefer my tall boots.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in your professional career. Well done! We wish you the best of luck on your architectural journey that lies ahead.

TxA Annual Conference Sponsorship Program

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) El Paso Chapter is pleased to announce a $1,500 sponsorship program for emerging professionals to attend the 2025 Texas Society of Architects (TxA) Annual Conference.

Sponsorship Goals:

Foster professional growth and development
Encourage leadership and networking opportunities
Support the advancement of architectural excellence in El Paso

Application Requirements and Eligibility:

Active membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) El Paso Chapter.
Newly licensed Architect in the State of Texas within the last 12 months.
Commitment to attending the Texas Society of Architects (TxA) Conference.

Awarded Applicant

$1,500.00 reimbursement from used funds for travel and lodging costs.
Provides expense report to AIA El Paso Chapter within 4 weeks of the end of the conference.
Provide receipt of attendance of the 2025 TxA Convention.
Provide a copy of the diploma received at the New Architect Convocation if applicable.