By Maria Saporta
A collaboration of several architectural and design groups will seek to preserve the archives of Atlanta’s built environment.
The Architecture and Design Center is teaming up with Georgia and Atlanta chapters of the American Institute of Architects as well as Georgia Tech to initiate the Regional Archive Program.
The comprehensive effort will be supported by the Architecture and Design Center (ADC) and AIA, and it will be managed by the Georgia Tech Archives, according to Nathan Koskovich, president of ADC’s board.
All of these groups have realized the pressing need to create an expanded archive of significant architecture and other design documents and objects in order to record the culture and history of architecture and related fields in Georgia, according to an email from Koskovich.
The archive will afford opportunity for research and for the organization of exhibits, lectures and other activities centered around the collection. The ADC/AIA/ Georgia Tech Archives’ first exhibit will focus on the historic Peachtree Corridor. It will premiere at the 2015 National AIA Convention taking place in Atlanta in May.
More details on this exhibit will be released in the near future.
The Architecture and Design Center is the only Atlanta organization dedicated expressly to bringing architecture knowledge to the public with the goal of promoting a better designed and planned built environment in the Atlanta region as well as the state.
For additional information regarding the archive project please contact Nathan Koskovich, ADC Board President at: nathan@koskovicharchitecture.com
Meanwhile, AIA Atlanta moved in September to its new headquarters at 100 Edgewood Ave. at the Woodruff Volunteer Center. The AIA offices overlooks the new eastern-bound streetcar route and Hurt Park in storefront-style gallery space.
In spring 2013, in anticipation of their current lease expiring, AIA Atlanta created a Building Committee that began to search for a new location led by Chapter President Jay Silverman.
The committee sought new space better suited for a repositioned AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia to allow for separate offices for the two organizations with close proximity for member’s convenience. In the new space, AIA Atlanta and AIA Georgia share neighboring suites with a shared entrance allowing them to carry out their related but individual tasks.
“AIA Atlanta wanted to find a new home where we could become a more integral part of the City of Atlanta,” explained Theresa Ridley, past president of the AIA Atlanta Chapter. “Being located near Atlanta City Hall and the Georgia State Capitol, where major decisions are made about our profession, was of major importance to the AIA Atlanta Building Committee.
Perry Jarrell, treasurer of the AIA Atlanta Chapter, said the new location had several advantages, including cost, location, accessibility and availability.
“This specific location was selected because of direct access to the new Trolley, close proximity to downtown, parking availability, amenities in the facility such as a large conference and meeting room and being closely located to other non-profit organizations,” Jarrell said.
That sounds promising. Bravo.
Ian Fralick