Posts

Regional Affordable Housing Forum - hosted by: SNRHA

Image
  AFFORDABLE HOUSING FORUM a statistic to ponder Last week Anne Johnson, CEO/Principal of Sparkflight Studios (SFS), and Melina Clark attended the "Regional Affordable Housing Forum" hosted by Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA). This important topic is a focus for SFS work, as they hold a term contract with SNRHA and completed multiple projects in the region, including:  Wardelle Townhouses , and  Vera B. Johnson Multifamily Housing.  It was encouraging to experience a room full of stakeholders actively seeking solutions for our affordable housing shortage. Headlines included: Discussion of barriers Need for diverse resources including rehabilitation, Section 8 vouchers and new supply $942 Million available for investment in Nevada affordable housing Funding available through the Affordable Housing Credit Investment Act (AHCIA) of 2023 SHARE Westside (104 units) Funding and development tools available at local government jurisdictions The panels discussed the

Earth Day 2023

Image
Join us in celebrating Earth Day with these tips:   + Plant a tree   + Walk or ride a bike   + Use less paper   + Use reusable containers for water bottles   + Bring your own shopping bag   + Reduce, reuse, and recycle     Events in the area:   - UNLV Recyclin ’ Rebels Day - https://www.unlv.edu/news/unlvtoday/unlv-recycling-event-april-22       - Spring Preserve Earth Day 2023 - https://www.springspreserve.org/events/?id=2365     - City of North Las Vegas – Tree Planting and Park Clean Up - https://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/1063/716     - Be Knowledgeable - Take an Earth Day Quiz - https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-quizzes/   photo credit: Ginger Kelly 

Women of Sparkflight Studios

Image
  Women Building Nevada Symposium Recap On March 31, 2023, the AIA Las Vegas Chapter hosted the annual Women in Architecture Building Nevada Symposium, at the Blind Center of Nevada. We were honored to have our staff participate during the breakout sessions. Gabrielle and Natalie joined the panel for the  "Early Career - Transitioning from School to Firms". Highlights from the discussion included: Individual experiences with job hunting. Involvement with organizations during school that helped with professional development (importance of networking, which oftentimes helps more than what's on your portfolio or resume). Things we wished we knew/worked on during school that would've been useful during this transition period (getting used to having focused work time vs. working sporadically throughout the day; putting yourself out there more/taking more chances; have a better understanding of construction documentation).  Session was with a smaller group of about 10-12 pe

Black History Month

Image
 Honoring Black History Month Photo from vintagelasvegas.com For the upcoming Black History month in February, check out some  local events  at the Neon Museum, Springs Preserve, and elsewhere. In the world of architecture, we celebrate the past and present with works by Paul Revere Williams.  According to the Nevada Museum of Art website, Mr. Williams was the first licensed African American architect to work in the western region of the United States, designing buildings in the 1920's through the 1970's. His work in Nevada spans from the 1930's through the 1970's. Locally, we can appreciate the Guardian Angel Cathedral and the lobby of the La Concha motel that is now the  Neon Museum  entrance. Explore more of Paul Revere Williams work via the Janna Ireland photography exhibit at the museum  website  or at  VintageLasVegas.com .  Be sure to sign up for the Architectural Legacy of Paul R. Williams on February 22, 6pm - hosted by AIA Las Vegas.

Block Kids Lego competition!

Image
Sparkflight Studios + NAWIC Las Vegas + Block Kids Thanks NAWIC - Las Vegas #74 for organizing a fabulous morning with the Block Kids Building Competition for grades K-6! The event creates awareness about construction careers and winners get to advance to regionals and then nationals. The Sparkflight Studios team volunteered and interacted with the participants during judging. So fun to see these young, creative minds at work—we are in such a cool industry!!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Image
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King and Black History Month "Life's most persistent and urgent question is,  'What are you doing for others?' " - Martin Luther King, Jr. (1957) After revisiting some thoughts from a few years back, this is a quote we are bringing forward this week in memory of Dr. King and his stand for social justice. In life, do our daily interactions treat others with kindness and dignity? Are we aware of and working to correct inequity? In our work of architecture and design, are we creating functional and beautiful spaces for our clients and those using the buildings and public spaces? What are we doing to enhance the lives of people in our community and the world?

Happy Holidays!

Image
Happy Holidays from your team at Sparkflight Studios! May you be full of joy as we close out 2022 and bring in the New Year! The Sparkflight Studios offices will be closed December 23 through January 2 in recognition of the Holidays. We will return on Tuesday January 3, 2023!