Jeff Diqui has joined International Masonry Institute (IMI)‘s technical team as director of technical services in the Chicago Metro area. He holds a bachelor of science degree in architectural engineering with an emphasis in structural engineering, and has more than 26 years of experience that has primarily focused on the building enclosure. His range of knowledge includes building condition assessments and moisture intrusion investigations. He has presented nationally regarding the importance of maintaining continuity of heat, air, and moisture controls of the enclosure and stressed the ever-important interface detail.
As director of technical services for IMI, Diqui will advise on masonry assemblies from a holistic design and construction perspective, including knowledge transfer of industry information. Support will be provided through education and project-related activities for architects, engineers, contractors, owners, code officials, academia, etc.
Diqui has been an RCI member since 2004.
On July 31, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE) announced the hiring of Pete Keener as an Associate III in their San Antonio Office. Keener has over 28 years’ experience in all aspects of roofing and building envelope systems. He will project-manage multiple key clients in the San Antonio area. Keener will also maintain his commitment as liaison to the San Antonio Branch of the Central Texas Chapter of RCI. Keener has been a member of RCI since 1994, and was one of the founding members of the Great Lakes Chapter of RCI. WJE looks forward to utilizing Keener’s experience and expertise in solving their clients’ difficult building envelope issues.
Elizabeth Grant, RCI member since 2004 and recipient of RCI Foundation funding, has recently published a book entitled Integrating Building Performance with Design: An Architecture Student’s Guidebook. The book is now available on the Routledge website and also on Amazon.com. The book includes work from student design competitions sponsored by the RCI Mid Atlantic Chapter at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design. The book is primarily intended as a textbook for architecture students, but will also be of interest to intern and early-career architects, consultants, and engineers, and those who employ them. Following is a short summary of the book:
Architects aim to design places that occupants care about and care for, and maintain and enjoy for a long time. Unfortunately, in practice, architects too often relegate concerns of building integrity and comfort to consulting engineers or other specialists. This can result in buildings where these fundamental considerations become afterthoughts, or even worse, are not considered at all. To ensure the creation of truly sustainable structures, architecture students must learn strategies for addressing building performance and ecologically responsible design in their work. But how can students address these seemingly complex parameters while also designing beautiful spaces? This book answers this question with a straightforward approach to incorporating building performance within the design process. It offers simple exercises, along with examples of successful student projects that have made this connection. It also includes case studies of built work to stimulate creativity and show what is possible when performance is considered early and often in architectural design.
Kittye Leah Kiper Rouse, RRC, RRO, RA, CCS CCCA, NCARB passed away on July 20, 2017 after fighting cancer. She had a degree in architecture from Louisiana State University, and joined RCI in 2011. She was a member of Region IV, and held RRO and RRC designations.You can visit her obituary (quoted below) to leave condolences.
Sometime after she passed the licensing exam (on her first attempt!), she formed Kiper Architects of Baton Rouge with her father, a Shreveport architect. In 2007, she joined the Office of Facility Planning and Control (FP&C) in the Louisiana State Division of Administration. At FP&C, she represented the interests of the State of Louisiana on many projects including the waterproofing of the Cabildo and Presbytere and the construction of the championship golf course in New Orleans City Park.”
On July 15, 2017, Leo Arne Legatski passed away from cancer at the age of 74. He held bachelors and masters degrees in civil engineering, and a masters of business adminstration. He used this expertise in the formation and running of his company, Elastizell Corporation of America. He has been the owner and president of Elastizell since 1971. Over the years he was a member of ACI, ASTM, CSI, and RCI. Legatski joined RCI in 1994, and was a member of Region III. In May of 2000, he wrote an article for RCI Interface about his subject of expertise, cellular concrete. You can visit his full obituary (quoted below) to leave condolences.
Leo will be fondly remembered for his unending generosity, intelligence, quick wit, helpfulness, and ethical business practices. He dedicated his life to his company, Elastizell Corporation of America. Its success and network of country-wide loyal Applicators (customers and associates) throughout the US are testaments to Leo’s attention to detail, honesty and skills as an engineer.”
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