Chris Elberson Assumes Presidency Of AIA LouisianaChris Elberson, AIA, NCARB, assumed the presidency of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Louisiana Board of Directors in January, 2009. He was installed during the annual membership meeting held at the AIA Louisiana Design Conference in New Orleans in September, 2008. Elberson, who previously served as First Vice President/President-Elect, is a partner with the firm of Somdal Associates which recently celebrated its 100th year of business in Shreveport. Elberson received his Bachelor of Architecture from LSU in 1995. Along with serving as President for AIA Louisiana, Elberson is also a member of the American Society of Healthcare Engineering and the Shreveport Bossier Executive Association. Elberson was instrumental in the design of Christus Schumpert Sutton Children¹s Hospital and Musculoskeletal Institute of Louisiana. Current projects include The Wall Center for Plastic Surgery, the Resneck residence and Sportspectrum. Past projects in Shreveport include the master planning of the Fern Avenue extension, LSU Health Science Center Allied Health Facility and CHRISTUS Schumpert Highland Surgery Renovation. Chris is a second generation AIA Louisiana President, a legacy of sorts. His father, Edwin W. Elberson, AIA, NCARB, served as President of the organization in 1989. Like his son, Edwin is a partner with the firm of Somdal Associates

Somdal celebrates 100 years of design excellence- 2008 marks Somdal's 100th year in design. Read more and view pictures of the exhibit space here. Also, you can navigate directly to our Centennial time line by clicking here. This feature chronicles projects and events since the firm's inception (Flash required).

President Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 into law- President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3406) into law with little fanfare on September 25th of this year. The revised Act, which becomes effective January 1, 2009, represents a large expansion of the ADA. And, despite multiple endorsements, the Act had been decried by many human resource professionals and attorneys knowledgeable in the area as another unneeded and expensive obstacle to employers.