Tour & Social with AIA California Desert Chapter

Whitewater Legacy: Preserving the Past, Flowing Forward

Join us in the desert!

REGISTER

$10 Students

Prices increase November 8

3.0 AIA LU/HSW 

10:30 am Meet Up: Visitor’s Center Wildland Conservancy Historical Building, 9160 Whitewater Canyon Rd, Whitewater, CA 92282

Light breakfast snack provided; bring your own water bottle. Please wear comfortable shoes.

11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Hike / guided tour and presentation led by Jack Thompson

12:30 – 1:30 pm: Lunch, networking, and wind turbine presentation at the home of Nader Ghassemlou, Assoc. AIA

Lunch, beer, wine, and sodas will be provided.

1:30 – 2:30 pm: Historical, Preservation, and Eolic Energy presentation by Kerry Berman

2:30 – 3:30 pm: Social + wrap up – Kathy Friedle, Assoc. AIA

Description:

In addition to meeting new Architects and design professionals, the goal of this event is to introduce architects, designers and interested persons both AIA members and non-members, to the Whitewater Reserve. The focus is on exploring the area’s historical significance, cultural value, and current environmental conditions. This event aims to foster a deeper connection with the natural landscape, providing inspiration for sustainable architectural practices while raising awareness about the history and the challenges faced by the region today.

Learning objectives:

• Participants will explain the geological evolution of White Water, from its origins under the Pacific Ocean to the present-day landscape, and analyze its significance in site development and construction.
• Participants will investigate the historical role of Native American Cahuilla land use and later settlers such as Pauline Weaver, identifying how historical land use practices can inform modern site preservation.
• Participants will analyze the valley’s capacity for various renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and geothermal, and discuss their integration into sustainable site planning and design.
• Participants will summarize the environmental and conservation goals of the Sand to Snow National Monument and evaluate how these objectives can influence sustainable site design and wildlife protection.

Make a weekend of it, explore the California desert!

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Thank you to our sponsor, Wills – Providing design solutions with global, market⁠-⁠leading materials

Disclaimer:
Due to the outdoor nature of this event, all attendees must be able to navigate stairs, inclines, and tight spaces, and should be prepared to spend time outdoors in direct sunlight and heat. Please note that windy conditions in the area are common, and some specific weather conditions may be present. All participants must be 21 years or older to attend. The hike will be light, but we recommend wearing comfortable shoes, a hat, and bringing water and sunscreen. Public parking is available at the Whitewater Preserve site and at Nader’s house. Please note that some of the parking areas may not be paved.