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On the cover: The design of the San Antonio Military Medical Center allows rooms to have floor-to-ceiling glass so patients can connect to the outside world. This is just one of the many design features that speak to a larger desire of both the owners and architects, RTKL Associates, to create a building dedicated to the holistic care of servicemen and women.

Dear Decision Maker:

Architects recognize the challenges of keeping up with a growing state’s infrastructure needs that face lawmakers today. As you embark on the 83rd Regular Legislative Session, you will be faced with many difficult decisions that will have a long-lasting impact on Texans. The Texas Society of Archi-tects serves as the voice for Texas architecture, supporting the creation of safe, beautiful, sustainable environments. We hope that you will consider us a trusted resource for accurate information about issues on the built environment that affect the future of your constituents and the state. Please use us however and whenever we can help.

Larry Speck, FAIAPresident of the Texas Society of Architects

Texas Architects 32013

Safe, Beautiful, Sustainable Environments

The practice of architecture is the art of establishing the form and appearance of a building, and the science of ensuring utility, sound construction and safety for its occupants. In other words, architects design structures to enhance how people live, learn, assemble and work, and produce buildings that are

pleasing to the eye.In addition to designing how a building looks, architects determine

where buildings are sited, construction materials to be used, and how elements such as windows, doors, hallways and exits will be integrated. Architects also coordinate the various systems designed by other profes-sionals, such as civil, mechanical and structural engineers, so that every-thing functions together as efficiently as possible and meets appropriate building codes.

The work of architects increases investment value by resulting in buildings that:• Reduce demand for precious resources like water and power.• Create healthier and more productive schools, offices and hospitals.• Cost less to maintain and operate.

Architects are the only professionals educated and trained to design buildings for human use and occupancy.

The Role of Architects

The Gurley Place at Jubilee

Park is an affordable senior housing development located in Dallas. New, sustainable low-cost housing that met the needs of both its residents and the city was designed in a hands-on manner with the community. Pictured above is one of a series of six key design sessions led by architects buildingcommunity-WORKSHOP.

4 Texas Architects 2013

The Texas Governor’s

Mansion is one of our state’s most iconic buildings. Designed by master builder Abner Cook, it has served as the home of every governor since 1856. In 2008, the mansion was badly damaged by an arson fire. Architects Volz & Associates served as local preservation consultants to the design firm Ford Powell and Carson who led the restoration project. The mansion stands as an enduring symbol of Texas pride and resilience.

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Texas Architects 52013

Appearance MattersShould we really care how our buildings — public buildings in particular — look? Of course we should. Beautiful buildings say something about who we are as a people and a culture. They inspire a sense of pride in our surroundings and community.

And public buildings last a long time! The Governor’s Mansion was first occupied in 1856, and the Capitol in 1888. The more pleasing a building’s appearance, the happier we and future generations will be to keep using it.

Our state buildings are important, long-term investments. We need them to keep their occupants safe and help them be productive, but they should also inspire and delight us. Architectural planning factors in the users’ varied needs and desires for a space, as well as what the building’s legacy will be.

“The greatest products of architecture are less the works of individuals than of society; rather the offspring of a nation’s effort, than the inspired flash of a man of genius.” — Victor Hugo

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Design MattersArchitects not only contribute to how buildings look and serve their occu-pants’ daily activities — their decisions and involvement can also lead to improving performance and conserving resources over time.

For example, research has shown that good design can have a positive impact on our schools (increased attendance and improved test scores),

offices (increased productivity and improved employee morale) and hos-pitals (shorter patient stays and reduced need for pain medications). And as much as buildings cost to construct, they cost even more to operate and maintain over the years.

Architectural planning and design play a key role in conservation of resources such water and energy, and in reducing operating expenses over the life of the building. In these economic times, good design should be at the fore-front of discussions about legislation on the built environment.

“We shape our buildings; thereafter our buildings shape us.” — Winston Churchill

Texas Architects 72013

Lady Bird Johnson Middle

School in Irving (designed by Corgan Associates) incorpo-rates several innovative energ y-reducing systems, including geothermal HVAC, passive solar interior daylighting, and wireless laptop technolo-gies. Solar panels on the roof sustain the majority of the energ y needs for the building and are designed so that, over the course of a year, the energ y produced will equal the energ y consumed, netting zero.

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2013

83rd Regular Legislative Session

Architects recognize there are major challenges facing you this session, including concerns about budget, water, transportation, health care, and education. In addition to these, there are important issues in the public interest that would also keep architects competitive and in a position to produce at the highest levels.

That’s why we —

Oppose Bills Why?

Creating a Sales Tax on Services or

Increasing Occupation Fees

The vast majority (over 75%) of Texas architectural firms are small businesses that employ fewer than 10 people. Additional taxes on services and/or increased occupational fees will further depress this economic sector.

Weakening Qualifications-Based

Selection (QBS)

Changes to the qualifications-based selection (QBS) process would make buildings more expensive to build, operate and renovate.

Standardizing Architectural Plans for

K-12 (State Stock School Plans)

TEA-managed standardized state architectural plans for local school districts would create a new bureaucracy, driving up site adaptation and operating costs. Regional and local factors like climate, geog-raphy and topography must be considered. Under certain circum-stances, localized prototype plans may be acceptable.

Increasing Liability Exposure Increased liability would threaten economic viability.

Support Bills Why?

Maintaining the Margins Tax

Exemption Threshold at $1 Million

Keeping the exemption threshold where it is will help keep small businesses alive.

Continuing the Texas Board of

Architectural Examiners (TBAE) as

a Self-Directed, Semi-Independent

Agency

The Sunset Advisory Commission supports continuing TBAE, and so do we. Architecture directly affects public health, safety, and welfare (HSW); architects must be licensed.

Improving Conservation and Energy

Efficiency Goals

The fastest and most economical way we can ensure adequate power and natural resources in the future is to conserve today.

Ensuring Procurement Transparency Taxpayers and state leaders want to know that public funds are handled with the greatest possible transparency; they deserve that assurance. When QBS is involved, having clear and certain pro-cesses supports open and honest deliberations, negotiations and final selections.

Texas Society of ArchitectsThe Voice for Texas Architecture

500 Chicon streetAustin, Texas 78702tel 512 478 7386fax 512 478 0528

www.texasarchitects.org