Category: News

Accepting nominations through August 8, 2025

There are five seats open for election on the 2026 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may consist of up to twelve (12) total members, each serving for two years unless otherwise noted. Refer to the AIA LBSB Chapter Bylaws, section 6.1 Election of Officers and Directors, 6.2 Terms of Officers and Directors, and 6.3 Officers and Directors for Board position descriptions.

Nomination Form

AIA LBSB members in good standing may nominate themselves or nominate another chapter member. Members interested in serving on a committee or knowledge community may also use the Nomination Form.

Please contact our office with questions on obligations as a member of the Board of Directors and time commitment.

Timeline:

• Call for Nominations: July 8 – August 8, 2025
• Slate presented: The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to the membership on or about September 5, 2025, via email and website posting
• Annual Election: October 9, 2025, in conjunction with the AIA LBSB Annual Town Hall – a special edition of BARchitecture*
• Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the election by members in good standing

Officers:

• President (succeeds to the Immediate Past President director position)
• Vice President/President-Elect (succeeds to the President in the subsequent year)
• Treasurer (a one-year officer position)
• Secretary (a one-year officer position)

Directors:

• Past President
• Associate Director
• Two (2) California Council Representatives (may also serve in another capacity on the Board)
• Four (4) Directors

* In observance of Yom Kippur, BARchitecture, which normally occurs on the first Thursday of each month, will be held on October 9.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is working on a plan to cut carbon emissions from large buildings across the state, as required by the Building Energy Savings Act (SB 48, 2023). This plan will include a statewide building performance standard (BPS) that aims to be fair and inclusive.

To help shape this strategy, the CEC is partnering with the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), and they want to hear directly from professionals like you who work in residential and commercial construction or building operations.

Your input will help make sure this strategy reflects the real-world experiences of people in the field—and supports both businesses and workers in the industry. Participate in a 30–60 minute interview to share your perspective on:

• How a building performance standard or other decarbonization policies could affect your business, workforce, or growth opportunities
• What challenges or possibilities you see around energy efficiency, electrification, and building performance
• What your current workforce needs look like, including job quality and retention

If you’re interested, please reach out to Alyssa Moore at amoore@emeraldcities.org by July 21 to participate.

The AIA Long Beach/South Bay Architect Registration Examination (ARE) Scholarship recognizes Associate AIA members early in their careers. It encourages them to complete the licensure process by covering the associated costs of becoming a licensed architect in California.

Learn more and apply

Our intention here is simply hitting a few key points “at a glance” that may be helpful for architects and design professionals when assisting with a client’s loss assessment.

Architects best understand building systems as a whole and any further detail as needed with his team.  Insurance adjusters and/or their consultants on the other hand usually look at a loss focused on their area of expertise.  For that reason, an architect’s overview on any large loss is best.

Years ago, we had designed and built several projects in Florida.  After multiple hurricanes, several of our previous clients had a difficult time with their property insurance recovery and requested our assistance.  “Property Loss and Insurance Recovery” is another whole world.  Never assume anything.

Some basic guiding principles regarding Property Loss

The Insurance Policy is simply a Contract between the Insurer and the Policyholder stipulating specific conditions, endorsements and exclusions and what the insurer will Pay for a Loss in exchange for a Premium (payment).

As clearly stated in the Policy:

After a Loss, Submit a “Notice of Loss” to the Insurance Company or Insurance Agent.

The Insured will receive a “Claim Number” for any future reference.

It is the “Duty of the Insured” to “Submit the Loss.”
“Do not” rely on the insurance adjuster to assess your loss.

Insurance companies rely on experts to protect their interests, it’s essential the insured do the same.
Insureds are entitled to use Industry Professionals (i.e. Architects, Engineers) as required.  Public Adjusters are licensed by each state to settle Insurance Claims and regulated by the State’s Banking and Insurance Divisions.  This is where architects can get further involved.

Architects can play a key role in the Recovery Process.  Understanding the coverages and policy provisions are both critical.  The design and building industries use various estimating and cost programs.  The Insurance Industry will typically their own estimating software, Xactimate being the most common.  Although the Xactimate format is quite different than that used in the building industry, costs can easily be compared line item by line item. 

We will make ourselves available to discuss further and answer any questions.

D. Bradford Anderson, AIA

561-385-0290 | dba@andrexus.com