Norwegian Architects Select 33 Best Works of American Architecture
The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, presents the 33 projects selected by a jury of Norwegian architects as the best new American architecture. In its eighth year, the museum’s annual “American Architecture Awards” program showcases the “rich diversity of American design today.” The projects, most of which are designed by American architects, are located in Great Britain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Denmark, China, and Japan, as well as the U.S. Three projects are designed by foreign firms with a branch office in the U.S.: Coop Himmelblau, Zaha Hadid Architects, and Behnisch & Behnisch Partners.

Michigan Land-use Policies Set Example for Active Community Policies
Cool Cities initiative is hot program in Michigan
A governors’ group is lauding the State of Michigan for its efforts to integrate “active community policies”: development, land use, and transportation strategies that help ensure the built environment supports physical activity. The policies, the National Governors Association reports, often generate important health, economic, and environmental benefits to boot.

members’ voices
One Percent Solution Participants Share Their Approaches to Pro Bono Work
The One Percent Solution challenges architecture firms and individual practitioners to dedicate a minimum one percent of their working hours to pro bono service annually. AIArchitect asked members who participate in the One Percent Solutions’ program how they incorporate and encourage pro bono work in their firm. Here’s some of what the six participants said works for them.

Spotlight
John Peterson Selected as 2005–06 Loeb Fellow
Public Architecture’s founder will use year to evaluate future course of the nonprofit firm
The Harvard Graduate School of Design recently announced that architect John Peterson, principal of San Francisco-based Peterson Architects and chair of the nonprofit firm Public Architecture, has been selected as a Loeb Fellow for the 2005–06 academic year. Established in 1970 and named for Harvard alumnus John L. Loeb, the annual fellowship offers 10 post-professional candidates the opportunity for independent study at Harvard with the goal of “nurturing the leadership potential of the most promising men and women in design and other professions related to the built and natural environment.” Peterson’s fellowship will focus on the strategic organizational development of Public Architecture.

project watch
Bow-Tie Plan Shapes Patient-centric Hospital
Texas Heart Hospital uses innovative shape to fit specialized needs
RTKL has begun construction on a new $106 million specialty cardiovascular facility in Plano, Tex. The Texas Heart Hospital of the Southwest will be 180,000 square feet of ultra-modern medicine in a 68-bed, four-level facility that will provide both inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular care at the Baylor Regional Medical Center. A partnership between Baylor Health Care System and 86 cardiovascular physicians and surgeons practicing in North Texas, the “Texas Heart Hospital of the Southwest will truly be a state-of-the-art, digital, ‘paper-light’ facility that is patient-centric throughout,” says John Castorina, AIA, principal in charge.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Business costs: Demand is increasing for office space and hotels.
The economy: Lagging productivity is raising interest rates.
Building trends: Nonres on the rise, led by public work.
AIArchitect offers AIA members exclusive access to three stories a week to help them manage their practices and plan for the coming year. Nonmembers may subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
July 11 | July 18 | August 1 | August 8

Green Is in the Details: Green Building Products, edited by Alex Wilson and Mark Piepkorn (BuildingGreen Inc., 2005), offers descriptions and manufacturers’ contact information for more than 1,400 environmentally friendly products and materials, plus suggestions—grouped by building component type—of what to look for in a green product. Green Building Products is available now to AIA members for the special price of $27.95 ($34.95 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

It’s All About Federal Procurement: Check out the new Guide to Federal Procurement Web site, a one-stop shop where AIA members can get updated information on how to apply for and win government contracts.

Celebrating Second Lives: Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, LLP, announces the publication of Boomer Buildings: Mid-Century Architecture Reborn, edited by Michael J. Crosbie, AIA, PhD.

See Calatrava from the Convention: You now can see the keynote address by 2005 AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava that won him three standing ovations, and can earn 1 CES credit to boot. AIA members may take the “Santiago Calatrava Works his Magic,” course for $29.95 ($59.95 nonmembers).

AIA Members Save with United Parcel Service (UPS): Save up to 20 percent on U.S. and international overnight air shipping with UPS, the world’s largest package-distribution company.
Call 800-325-7000, ext. 7600. Reference No. C-000-070-0037

Free Continuing Education: After reading the standards and other information on environmental issues and products, references, and more in each MASTERSPEC topic, licensed users can access online tests to earn AIA/CES learning-unit hours.

Save Time! AIA.org now features a trouble-shooting Knowledge Base to address your AIA Contract Documents software questions quickly and efficiently.

Consider Accident Coverage for Accidental Injuries: The AIA Trust High Limit Accident Plan protects you financially for accidents occurring at home, at the office, on vacation, or in your car or a taxi. Insurance just in case! Click here for specific information about this program.
For more information about all AIA Trust programs, go to their site.