URBAN DESIGN ALLIANCE of SACRAMENTO

Sac Urban Design Alliance Wants YOU!

urbandesignalliance — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:14:58 +0000

For over five years, the Urban Design Alliance of Sacramento (UDA) has sponsored and hosted exhibitions, events and discussions to bring local urban design initiatives and ideas into the public sphere. The UDA and the Central Valley Chapter of the AIA partnered to start the Fourth Wednesday Design Dialog (4WDD) series, which has become a popular monthly engagement for all who desire to promote inspiring architecture and urban design in Sacramento.

UDA is now looking to expand opportunities for participation in 4WDD and beyond. You create the topic, suggest a theme, or develop the format of the event and UDA will provide the support to make it happen by…

- Turning your ideas into a 4WDD series topic

- Facilitating small discussion groups on the topic of your choice

- Organizing a tour through an area in Sacramento that is important to you

- Screening your film selection

- Hosting a lecture series about your favorite urban design idea

- Curate an exhibition on a theme of your choice

- …and more!

Starting in 2011, the Urban Design Alliance will open the door to new topics, new venues, and new perspectives from members of the public. UDA wants to ensure that everyone who has an idea to enrich the dialogue about urban design has an opportunity to be heard.

To share your ideas, or for more information, please contact greg@udasacramento.org

October 4WDD Will Be Open Format

urbandesignalliance — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 05:11:54 +0000

For the 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue for October 27, 2010 the AIACV and UDA Present:

an Open Design Dialogue

What does the future of Architectural Design hold for our City? This is an open discussion about the role that architecture and design plays in our regions post-recession rebound.

Free Admission

Wednesday, Oct. 27th
Doors open at 5:30pm
Program from 6:00-7:30pm
AIA Central Valley Chapter Office
1400 S Street (Enter on 14tth Street)

Design Challenges for Urban Agriculture — Overcome?

urbandesignalliance — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:04:26 +0000

A big thank you to everyone who came out for our July Design Dialogue: Design Challenges for Urban Agriculture.

During the workshop portion of the event, we asked participants to design an edible garden given specific physical and/or policy constraints. The solutions participants developed were innovative and creative! We have posted the final 7 site plans the groups designed.

Also, take a look at the coverage of our event in Sacramento Press!

Design Dialogue Notes Posted

urbandesignalliance — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:02:56 +0000

The Design Dialogue notes from May, Broadway: The Edge Effect, are now available for download on our resources page.

June Design Dialogue, next Wednesday!

urbandesignalliance — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:01:13 +0000

This month’s Design Dialogue is presented by the AIA Central Valley on June 24th.

At June’s AIACV Design Dialogue, we will discuss the importance of pro bono design services and hear from Stacy Jed, a Steering Committee Member for the San Francisco chapter of Architecture for Humanity.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: AIACV Gallery – Enter on 14th Street

Light refreshments will be provided.

Transportation & Parking: Bikes are welcome — bring your own lock. The AIA facility is 1-1/2 blocks from the Light Rail station on 13th between Q & R. On-street parking is available and some of the neighboring businesses allow shared parking in their empty off- street lots in the evening.

Some background information: Architecture for Humanity is a catalyst for innovation. We learn by doing. We know the value of sharing success stories and lessons learned—our own as well as those of others. To foster knowledge sharing and promote best practices, we developed the Open Architecture Network (www.openarchitecturenetwork.org). This groundbreaking on-line network empowers architects, designers, builders and their clients to share architectural plans and drawings—including CAD files. All plans are shared through an open-source model and can be freely downloaded by all.

Each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity.

Architecture for Humanity brings people who care about sustainable development together. We provide a range of design and construction administration services to partners and clients through a global network of design, development and construction professionals with local expertise and knowledge.

Design is important to every aspect of our lives. It informs the places in which we live, work, learn, heal and gather. We engage all stakeholders in the design process. We believe our clients are designers in their own right.

Design is the ultimate renewable resource.

Broadway: the Edge Effect

urbandesignalliance — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:46:39 +0000

Thank you to everyone who came out for this month’s Design Dialogue, Broadway: the Edge Effect! The event started off with delicious food from Bali, courtesy of the Greater Broadway Partnership. Presentation boards of student design work were on display to spur conversation. The panelists then briefly framed Broadway from their respective disciplines: ecology, geography, and urban design.

The ensuing discussion covered many interesting points including:

whether development should be large, mixed-use projects or small, more affordable projects
whether Broadway should continue as an auto corridor or become more pedestrian, bicycle, and wheelchair accessible
whether Broadway can continue to serve the shopping and service needs of adjacent neighborhoods
whether parking should be sacrificed for more public space, and what it would mean for businesses on Broadway

…and many other great issues! The night closed with a statement from Teresa Rocha, Executive Director of the Greater Broadway Partnership, who noted that Broadway represents many different things to many different people, and is a truly unique place in Sacramento’s urban fabric.

Feel free to continue this great discussion in the comments section, below.

Broadway: The Edge Effect, planned for May Design Dialogue

urbandesignalliance — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:53:02 +0000

This month’s topic will blend ecology, history, planning, and design – it will be a truly interdisciplinary discussion! We will focus on Broadway, a unique and interesting Sacramento phenomenon. Check out the UDA Events page to read more about this upcoming dialogue.

If you would like to help spread the word, fliers are available for download on our resources page. The UDA thanks you for your interest!

Alleys in Sacramento’s Future – Summary Posted

urbandesignalliance — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:45:07 +0000

Did you miss the UDA’s March Design Dialogue? You can read a summary of what was discussed by downloading the Design Dialogue notes, on the Resources page.

Don’t forget! The AIA is hosting April’s 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue tomorrow night at 6pm. This month’s topic is Catalyst Development in the Sacramento Region.

Catalyst Developments: April Design Dialogue

urbandesignalliance — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:22:33 +0000

The AIA Central Valley Chapter will be hosting this month’s 4th Wednesday Design Dialogue. The April 22nd Dialogue will focus on Catalyst Developments.

This Dialogue will consist of a panel discussion and a facilitated question and answer session. The panelists include:

-Ron Vrilakas, Principal, Vrilakas Architects
-Michael Malinowski, Principal, Applied Architecture Inc.
-Desmond Parrington, Infill Coordinator, City of Sacramento

Panelists Ron Vrilakas and Michael Malinowski will discuss their experiences in creating some of Sacramento’s most recognized infill developments. City of Sacramento Infill Coordinator Desmond Parrington will discuss Sacramento’s plans for future infill and some of the challenges architects and developers are facing. A dialogue between attendees and panelists will follow to discuss the influence development has had on Sacramento’s urban neighborhoods.

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: AIA Central Valley Conference Room, 1400 S Street

Light refreshments will be provided.

First Design Dialogue of 2009

urbandesignalliance — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:29:40 +0000

Thanks to everyone who came out for the first Design Dialogue of 2009: Alleys in Sacramento’s Future. Over 75 people attended, providing many diverse perspectives that made for a great discussion covering the challenges and opportunities of alley-focused development and design.

The next Dialogue will be hosted by the AIA, on the fourth Wednesday in April – same location (AIA Sacramento Office), same time (6-7:30pm). We will post more details once a topic is confirmed.

Please check back for updates regarding future Dialogues, and other exciting UDA events!