Creating   Shared   Visions

State Preservation Board Executes Contract for Construction of Tejano Monument

Last week, Tejano Monument, Inc. and the State Preservation Board executed a contract for the construction and installation of the Tejano Monument on the south lawn of the Capitol. Conceived as a way to honor Texas' Tejano heritage, and designed to tell a story, the monument will feature a vaquero on horseback, a Spanish explorer, two longhorns, and members of a young Tejano family. The bronze monument will consist of 11 life-size sculptures, and will commemorate the 500-year role of Tejanos in Texas and the Spanish-Mexican legacy in the state from 1500's through present day.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in August.

CasaBella and AIA Austin Announce Formation of Latinos in Architecture Committee

CasaBella Architects is proud to announce the formation of the "Latinos in Architecture" (LiA) committee whose Mission is: "To serve and support our local communities, strengthen networks between design professionals and enrich our practices through diverse cultural views by fostering participation in educational, professional and community oriented programs."

LiA will also strive to be a positive influence for young Latinos aspiring to become architects by identifying opportunities to volunteer and get involved in local issues and providing guidance and expertise by participating in mentoring programs.

A group of local architects has been working together to form the new LiA committee within the structure of the local AIA Chapter. By working through the AIA, LiA is committed not only to participating and engaging Latino architects, but also the broader membership of AIA Austin.

LiA is born from a set of needs and realities of the Austin and Central Texas community, and particularly, of Latinos involved in the design industry. Even though the committee is targeted to the Latino community, and its main resource pool is architects, it is also intended to be an "open resource group," meaning that LiA hopes to engage interest and involvement from all cultural backgrounds and design professions (i.e.: landscape architects, interior designers, consultants, providers, educators and students).

More information about LiA is available at:

www.aiaaustin.org/committee/latinos-architecture-lia

www.facebook.com/home.php#1home.php?sk=group_162581360457393

Stefan Molina Wins Volunteer of the Year from Hispanic Chamber

Stefan Molina, a project manager with CasaBella Architects, has been named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Stefan was presented the award at the Chamber's annual Celebrando Gala Saturday March 6 at the Hilton Austin Hotel.

Stefan Molina is a Project Manager at CasaBella Architects. He grew up in Odessa, Texas and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1998 with a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture. Mr. Molina is an Ambassador for the GAHCC and regularly attends Power Networking Breakfasts, Luncheons and Meet the Chamber events. He is a graduate of Hispanic Austin Leadership and a member of the Hispanic Austin Leadership Association. Mr. Molina is a mentor at Eastside Memorial High School with the GAHCC Mentorship Program, a member of the Hispanic Futures Conference planning committee and a member of the Eastside Memorial High School Prom Committee. He recently graduated from the Leadership Academy for Public Service '09, sponsored by Austin Area Research Organization (AARO) and Leadership Emerge and was nominated for two Community Action Network Butler Awards: Community Leader and Bridge Builder. At CasaBella Architects Mr. Molina just completed Holiday Inn's first green hotel in San Antonio, Texas and is currently overseeing the Mexican American Cultural Center construction progress.

Another Associate of CasaBella Achieves Leed AP Distinction

CasaBella Architects is pleased to announce that Daniel Yen, RID, LEED AP has achieved the LEED AP distinction from the US Green Building Council. Mr. Yen is a Project Manager with CasaBella and has experience specializing in the development of sustainable buildings and LEED design.

The LEED AP program is grounded in the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement. This multi-faceted credentialing system ensures that LEED professionals have the latest knowledge and understanding of green building practices and that they are recognized for distinction.

A LEED credential provides employers, policymakers, and other stakeholders with assurances of an individual's current level of expertise and is the mark of the most qualified, educated, and influential green building professionals in the marketplace.

Mr. Yen joins the president of CasaBella Architects, Jaime Beaman, AIA, LEED AP and Project Manager Erica Heroy, RA, LEED AP as the third person in the firm to achieve this distinction.

Holiday Inn Hotel Chain Building 1st LEED Gold Hotel in San Antonio

We are currently working on the Holiday Inn Hotel in San Antonio. This 194 room hotel will be the first LEED Gold certified hotel for the Holiday Inn hotel chain. The hotel will share with guests the sustainable features of the hotel with the installation of a Green Touchscreen kiosk in the lobby. The project is scheduled to be completed Summer 2009.

Mexican American Cultural Center Awarded Gold Medal

The Texas CEC has awarded the Mexican American Cultural Center with a Gold Medal for Engineering Excellence. CasaBella Architects together with Jose I. Guerra, Inc. are honored the MACC has received such recognition.

The award recognizes projects with outstanding achievements within the engineering community based on uniqueness, originality, technical, value to the engineering profession, complexity and how successfully the project met the needs of the client.