AIA MN Conference on Architecture: Healthcare & Sustainability

Thursday, November 14th, 2024

Eric Young and Sara Goenner Curlee of Pope Design Group were panelists at the AIA MN 2024 Conference on Architecture.

Eric joined Amanda Brown, an education specialist for the Carpenters Training Institute in St. Paul, and Christa Mardaus, a seasoned instructor and construction industry specialist to present on Cultivating Discussion During Healthcare Design. 

The panelists explored how architects can support healthcare owners in being proactive with the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) general project requirements. The group shared resources and steps to incorporating FGI and ICRA requirements through using virtual tools to provide real-time infection prevention details that can lead to fewer unforeseen costs and increased patient safety.

Sara participated on a panel with Doug Bergert, Benjamin Olsen, Mary Springer, and David Wagner, to present Realizing Design Excellence Through the Common App.

Each year, AIA Minnesota’s Committee on Design (COD) and Committee on the Environment (COTE) collaborate on a conference session that features the AIA Framework for Design Excellence, highlighting exemplary design that produces the best social and environmental outcomes. This year’s session involved a panel discussion of 2023 AIA Minnesota Honor Award Design Commendation winners who will review experiences, lessons learned, and use of the Framework for Design Excellence and Common App in design award submissions and project workflows. 2023 was the first year AIA Minnesota integrated the Common App into Honor Award submission requirements and follows a growing number of state and national AIA awards infusing sustainability criteria within the definition of design excellence.

We hope everyone had a great conference!