AIA Massachusetts asks Governor Baker to activate the architecture community
AIA members stand ready to assist the Commonwealth during this unprecedented health crisis in several specific ways.
On March 26, 2020, AIA Massachusetts sent a letter to the Governor stating that our membership stands ready to assist the Commonwealth in this unprecedented health crisis by citing several specific ways in which architects can be of assistance:
- Evaluate vacant or underutilized property for temporary hospitals and testing centers
- Assist with documenting and retrofitting the buildings or other facilities identified as viable hospital facilities
- Serve as a resource advisor
Further, the letter notes that across the country projects, including critical infrastructure projects, are being delayed, and entire offices are closed or requiring employees to work from home.
To ensure that essential projects continue to move forward during construction and to assure a pipeline of future development, AIA MA has requested that the Administration designate architecture as an essential business under certain limited circumstances. This will allow architects to continue protecting public health, safety, and welfare in the built environment.
A copy of the letter is available HERE.
Please feel free to pass this letter along to your state Representative and Senator with a request that they contact the Baker Administration with the same request.
To find your state Representative and Senator, please click HERE.
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The above is an excerpt from
AIA MA Latest News
03.26.20 AIA MA Request to the Governor
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The BSA is proactively calling for the identification and evaluation of facilities that may be suitable for retrofit into alternate hospital sites. We are also calling for architects and other AEC professionals who may be willing to participate in the identification, evaluation, and eventual retrofit process. By conducting this research and assembling a list of ready volunteers, we will be well-positioned to nimbly join a broader response coalition, in concert with state and local governments, including the Department of Public Health (DPH).
