Massachusetts
AIA MA Latest News
04.30.24
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) House Doctor Solicitation
Formerly known as DHCD, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) was established to create more homes and lower housing cost for Massachusetts residents. EOHLC oversees the state-aided public housing portfolio of 43,500 units at over 230 Local Housing Authorities. EOHLC implements capital improvement projects to rehabilitate, modernize, and decarbonize the public housing portfolio. EOHLC House Doctors are pre-qualified design professionals and companies to provide design services on these projects.
EOHLC, acting on behalf of all Local Housing Authorities throughout the Commonwealth, is seeking the services of qualified House Doctors in the following disciplines: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Vertical Transportation, Structural Engineering, Cost Estimator, and Code Consultant.
To apply to become a House Doctor, the application and Registration and Disclosure requirements can be obtained by logging on to the Designer Selection Network and selecting the Chelmsford Housing Authority and 056189.
A copy of the completed application must be submitted to the Designer Selection Network by 05/22/2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Any questions should be addressed to
Shan Li, Architect
Asst. Director AESU
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02114
617-573-1157
10.12.23
AIA Massachusetts Seeks Architect to Serve on the State Designer Selection Board (DSB)
The missions of the DSB is to ensure that the Commonwealth receives the highest quality design services for all its public building projects; provide for increased confidence in the procedures followed in the procurement of design and design related services; promote consistency in the methods of procurement of design and design related services for all public building projects in the Commonwealth; foster effective broad-based participation in public work within the design professions; provide safeguards for the maintenance of the integrity of the system for procurement of designers' services within the Commonwealth.
Learn more about the role of a DSB member and responsibilities, qualifications, terms and how to apply.
10.10.23
MA School Building Authority (MSBA) Seeks Architect to Serve on Their Designer Selection Panel (DSP)
The MSBA’s DSP is authorized to select designers, programmers, and entities providing feasibility studies in connection with public school construction projects seeking funding from the MSBA, whose construction cost will potentially be $5 million or more.
The DSP, which includes the participation of local officials associated with a project, plays a critical role in the selection and recommendation of the best available design firms for the modernization and construction of Massachusetts public school facilities to ensure that state dollars are invested in better designed-schools that are structurally safe and that encourage student learning.
Learn more about the role of a DSP member and its responsibilities, qualifications, terms, and how to apply.
01.31.23
Use of Titles “Architect” and “Architectural Designer” and Similar Terms and Signing Contracts for Architectural Services
At the October 11, 2022, Commonwealth's Board of Registration of Architects (CBRA) meeting, a draft advisory document addressing the issue of proper titling and use of the term "architect" was reviewed and approved.
On November 22, 2022, the advisory was made public.
On January 30, 2023, a memorandum providing additional clarity for members was approved by the President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA MA).
On March 8, 2023, the AIA MA Government Affairs Committee will meet to discuss the CBRA advisory and the AIA MA memorandum. This will be a virtual meeting, and all interested AIA members are encouraged to attend.
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View the CRBA advisory.
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View the memorandum.
01.25.23
AIA Massachusetts Seeks Representative to AIA National Associates Committee
The National Associates Committee (NAC – also now referred to as State/Territory Associate Representative or STAR) is a member group of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) national organization. The category of Associate AIA membership is open to those who have a professional degree in architecture, work under the supervision of an architect, are enrolled in AXP, or are faculty member in a university architecture program. All Associate AIA members are automatically represented by NAC and included in communications.
NAC’s mission is to inspire the profession by promoting innovation, inclusiveness, and professional development while amplifying the voice of the Associate community within the Institute. The purpose of the NAC is to serve as a source of communication and representation on issues pertaining to Associate Members through the lens of Career Advancement.
NAC serves, supports, and advances the interests of all Associate members of AIA, both traditional and non-traditional. The NAC aspires to be a catalyst for progress within the Institute and the profession.
Learn more about the role of the NAC state representative, it’s activities, makeup, leadership, qualifications, terms, timelines, and how to apply.
01.23.23
AIA Small Firm Exchange Looking for Board Member to Represent Massachusetts
The mission of the AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms by:
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Advocating the value of small firms, the national SFx, and local SFx groups, both within the AIA and to the public.
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Curating and disseminating the most pertinent resources and information from the AIA & elsewhere that benefit small firms.
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Informing the AIA of current issues facing small firms and areas lacking existing resources or information.
Learn more about the role of SFx state representative, it’s activities, makeup, leadership, qualifications, terms, timelines, and how to apply.
01.12.23
REMINDER - New State Fire Code is in Effect
On December 9, 2022, the Massachusetts Secretary of State officially promulgated the Department of Fire Services (DFS) updated Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00).
The purpose and intent of 527 CMR 1.00, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, is to prescribe minimum requirements and controls to safeguard life, property, and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion created by the storage, handling or use of substances, materials or devices or from conditions, or materials hazardous to life, property and the public welfare as prescribed in M.G.L. Chapter 22D and M.G.L. Chapter 148.
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View the new 527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
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View a brief summary of the proposed new 527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
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Officially published copies of this language must be purchased from the Secretary of State bookstore.
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Please contact the Division of Fire Safety at 978-567-3375 or email Paul Vigneau for more information.
01.05.23
Draft Stretch Code Technical Guidance Released for Public Comment
Today, the Department of Energy Resources released a draft of their 2023 Technical Guidance for the Massachusetts Stretch Code and Specialized Opt-in Code, covering both commercial and residential sections.
The draft guidance is designed to inform and assist users in implementing the updated Stretch Energy Code and new Specialized Opt-in Code.
The draft Technical Guidance includes three documents:
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Relative Performance Compliance and Targeted Performance Compliance appendices; and
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An appendix to the Targeted Performance Compliance section containing loads and schedules
DOER is seeking public comment on these documents. Written comments will be accepted until 5 PM EST on February 2, 2023. Please submit written comments on the Technical Guidance document electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov with the words TECHNICAL GUIDANCE in the subject line.
Alternatively, comments can be submitted via mail to Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, 9th floor, Boston, MA 02114.
01.04.23
Updated Stretch Code and New Specialized Opt-In Code Officially Promulgated
On December 23, 2022, the Massachusetts Secretary of State officially promulgated the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) updated Stretch Code and new Specialized Opt-in Code (collectively, 225 CMR 22 and 23).
View the new 225 CMR 22.00 – Massachusetts Stretch Code and Specialized Code for Low-Rise Residential.
View a summary of the proposed new 225 CMR 22.00 and 23.00.
Officially published copies of this language must be purchased from the Secretary of State bookstore.
Please note that while the new 225 CMR 22.00 residential stretch code requirements took effect on December 23, the new 225 CMR 23.00 commercial code requirements will not take effect until July 1, 2023.
For more detail on these codes' requirements and effective dates, please review DOER's November 2nd informational webinar slides and recording.
For any questions, please get in touch with the DOER at stretchcode@mass.gov
11.16.23
MSBA Holding Public Hearings on Updates to Their Regulations
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is planning a comprehensive revision of its regulations to align them with its current practices and procedures. These proposed revisions aim to enhance clarity, user-friendliness, and alignment with MSBA modules, providing a foundation for future updates as the organization evolves.
Learn more about the proposed regulations and the locations, dates, and times of the public hearings.
04.22.24
AIA Massachusetts Seeks Architect to Serve on the State Designer Selection Board (DSB)
The missions of the DSB is to ensure that the Commonwealth receives the highest quality design services for all its public building projects; provide for increased confidence in the procedures followed in the procurement of design and design related services; promote consistency in the methods of procurement of design and design related services for all public building projects in the commonwealth; foster effective broad-based participation in public work within the design professions; provide safeguards for the maintenance of the integrity of the system for procurement of designers' services within the commonwealth.
04.24.24
Statewide Housing Plan Listening Sessions
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, along with members of the Housing Advisory Council, will host multiple listening sessions around the Commonwealth to hear more from our local communities and to provide input for the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s first five-year strategic statewide housing plan.
The Housing Advisory Council will develop a comprehensive housing plan for Massachusetts. The plan will include strategies for substantially increasing housing production, preserving and upgrading existing housing stock, supporting individuals and families struggling with homelessness, and using housing to create economic mobility for all.