Center in Ybor City’s Historic District will host Exhibits, Lectures, Classes and Events for the Public on Architecture and Design
Tampa, Fla. (April 11, 2018) – The American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay Chapter is pleased to announce that it will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Center for Architecture and Design on Friday, April 13th at 4:00 p.m, at its location in the historic Sans Souci building at 1315 East 7th Avenue, Ste. 105 in Ybor City. The event is one of nine design-related events happening during Tampa Bay Design Week, April 8th to 14th.
“We are excited to launch a Center for Architecture and Design in Tampa Bay”, said Chris Culbertson, AIA Tampa Bay President. “Having a place where related organizations and community members can collaborate, learn about and celebrate architecture and design is very timely and relevant with the development going on in Tampa Bay right now.”
The Center will be home to AIA Tampa Bay and its related foundation, the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture and Design (TBFAD), a 501c3 non-profit that the AIA helped to launch in 2015. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire the exploration and appreciation of architecture and the built environment and how it influences shaping our cities, our neighborhoods and our lives. TBFAD will take the lead on programming at The Center and now spearheads Tampa Bay Design Week, a public festival launched by AIA Tampa Bay in 2014. The Center for Architecture and Design gallery is already hosting exhibits, with openings each month during Fourth Friday. The current exhibit, ARTchitecture includes artwork inspired by the
The American Institute of Architects AIA Tampa Bay Center for Architecture and Design 1315 East 7th Avenue, #105 Tampa, FL 33605-3607 T (813) 229 3411 F (813) 229 1762 www.aiatampabay.com
built environment. Also on display is design work by Lee Elementary students who have participated in a STEAM program led by volunteer architects, which teaches them about architectural design. Both will be on display during the ribbon cutting event.
The 2,000 sq ft Center was designed pro-bono by Harvard Jolly Architects, and many of the building materials were donated. It is located on 7th Avenue in Ybor City’s Historic District on the first level of the 22,000 sq ft Sans Souci Building (1906), which received a Community Design Award from Hillsborough’s City-County Planning Commission in 2010.
Plans for the Center include the addition of a small retail shop of locally-designed items for the holidays as a fundraiser for the Foundation. The Center will also be made available to rent for meetings and special events.
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The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the professional association for architects and those in the architecture field. AIA Tampa Bay is the regional chapter representing 625 members in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Pasco Counties. The AIA provides programs and services including educational programs, design competitions, community service programs and serves as the united voice of the architecture profession. For more information, go to www.aiatampabay.com or call 813-229-3411. The Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture and Design (TBFAD) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the exploration and appreciation of architecture and the built environment and how it influences shaping our city, our neighborhoods and our lives. TBFAD’s mission is implemented through educational activities and public awareness events engaging citizens of all ages. It was established in 2015 with the generous support of the American Institute of Architects Tampa
The American Institute of Architects AIA Tampa Bay Center for Architecture and Design 1315 East 7th Avenue, #105 Tampa, FL 33605-3607 T (813) 229 3411 F (813) 229 1762 www.aiatampabay.com
Bay Chapter and the Tampa Community Design Center. For more information, go to www.TBFAD.com or call 813-229-3411. Tampa Bay Center for Architecture and Design is located in the historic Sans Souci building at 1315 East 7th Avenue, Suite 105, in Ybor City’s Historic District, a U.S. National Historic Landmark District near downtown Tampa. The Center is home to AIA Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Foundation for Architecture and Design (TBFAD), a 501c3 not-for-profit that provides programming and education to the public about Design. The Center is a 2,000 sf multi-use space which includes exhibit, classroom, event and meeting space.