A Wave of Warm Welcome from Grassroots 2005
Members of the AIA Executive Committee, the Council of Architectural Components Executives (CACE) Executive Committee, and AIA national staff breakfasted together early February 9, but not before they paused for a pose to welcome all to the 2005 Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. AIArchitect will bring you updated highlights from Grassroots in this issue and the next, so keep checking this space.

AIA Leaders Focus on Core Values, Speaking with One Voice
A new agenda for Capitol Hill as the AIA Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference kicks off
“In the next four days, we’re going to be hearing a lot about community,” said AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, as he welcomed nearly 800 AIA officers and component executives to the opening session of the 2005 Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference Wednesday afternoon, February 9, in Washington, D.C. “Community, along with Advocacy, Knowledge, and Value, is a focus, a priority, a goal. Communities are interdependent and mutually supportive. They share core values. Their strength is in the number of shoulders that are put to the wheel.” (Pictured is AIA First Vice President and Grassroots Chair Kate Schwennsen, FAIA)

Understanding the AIA’s Legislative Agenda
Lobbyist Wolfe sets the stage for a successful Hill visit
“Legislators listen to constituents,” said AIA Federal Affairs Senior Director Tom Wolfe, Esq. “They know it’s my job to visit them to push policy positions. They know that it’s not your job and that when you come to see them, it must be about something that you deeply care about. That’s your advantage tomorrow.” Wolfe explained the AIA’s Federal Agenda to the 800 attendees of the Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference February 9. “We’ve tried this year to identify issues that both appeal to the bulk of the AIA membership and that can actually be accomplished with some hard work from all of us,” he said.

Meet the 2006 Candidates for AIA National Office
Candidates for 2006 office gathered on Friday morning, February 11, to deliver their initial campaign statements at the 2005 Grassroots and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Pictured from left: James A. Gatsch, FAIA, first vice president; Robert E. Middlebrooks, AIA, vice president; Jerry K. Roller, AIA, vice president; Norman Strong, FAIA, vice president; Ronald J. Battaglia, FAIA, vice president; RK Stewart, FAIA, first vice president; Robert I. Selby, FAIA, vice president; Michael Broshar, AIA, vice president; Angel Saqui, FAIA, vice president; and Tommy Neal Cowan, FAIA, treasurer.

Tap into the Power of Architecture: Imagine, Create, Transform
Join your peers at the AIA national convention, May 19–21 in Las Vegas
The AIA 2005 National Convention and Design Expo, May 19–21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas will use this larger-than-life city as a backdrop for this year’s convention theme, “The Power of Architecture: Imagine, Create, Transform.” The convention will explore the imagination architects use to stretch the boundaries of the possible while evoking the wonder of delight; the creativity that builds healthy communities, fosters hospitality, and enriches identity; and the power of transformation that makes the desert a place to thrive, brightens the night, and turns dreams into reality.

Motor City Celebrates 11 Distinguished Works of Architecture
A jury of three distinguished architects from Baltimore—Charles Brickbauer, AIA; Walter G. Schamu, FAIA; and Rebecca B. Swanston, AIA—selected 11 winning projects, all in Southeast Michigan, to receive AIA Detroit’s Chapter Design Awards. On hand for the chapter’s annual awards ceremony last November 19 at the Detroit Athletic Club were 2004 AIA President Eugene Hopkins, FAIA, Ann Arbor, and Christopher Fallingham, FRAIC, president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.

President Steidl Honors GSA Retirees
Recognizing the contributions they have made to public architecture through the General Services Administration Design Excellence Program, President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, on February 7 presented citations to Edward A. Feiner, FAIA, and Marilyn Farley, both recently retired from the GSA Public Buildings Service. Farley, in turn, praised the AIA for its support in bringing GSA programs to AIA members. Architects have brought excellence to the forefront for all of the federal government, not just federal buildings, Feiner said, and helped put an end to the counter-productive attitude of decades past that “it’s good enough for government work.” From left, American Architectural Foundation President Ronald E. Bogle; Steidl; Feiner; Farley; and AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA.

project watch
Rawn’s New Concert Hall Is Well-Orchestrated
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) inaugurated its new Music Center at Strathmore on February 5. The only major American orchestra to occupy two year-round facilities in two major metropolitan areas, the BSO now makes its second home in North Bethesda, a growing suburb of nearly one million just north of Washington, D.C. Designed by Boston’s William Rawn Associates Architects, with acoustician R. Lawrence Kirkegaard & Associates of Chicago, the Music Center at Strathmore offers the community world-class performance and arts education.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Evolving retail: The mega-trend is swamping midsize retailers, and many malls may convert to other uses. Lending: Banks will be offering much more than toasters to their business customers. Shipping: Thwart potential delivery disruptions by thinking ahead.
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?
January 17 | January 24 | January 31 | February 7

best practices
Here Comes the Sun: Decathlon Heats Up Solar Awareness
The Beatles once crooned “sun, sun, sun, here it comes.” And, indeed, the sun is coming for 19 university and college teams who believe the energy benefits of a bright sunshiny day are as clear as the blue sky. A 10-day event called the Solar Decathlon will be held October 7–16 in Washington, D.C., to give these 19 schools a showcase for the benefits of solar power.

NAC Sponsors Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship Fund
Jason Pettigrew, Assoc. AIA, who passed away last summer at 29 in a climbing accident, dedicated much of his time with the AIA towards the development and growth of others and a commitment to community service. His significant contributions include assisting in the formation of the National Associates Committee by serving on the first NAC Executive Committee, serving multiple years as representative to the NCARB IDP Coordinating Committee, and through his contributions towards the development of the AIA’s Emerging Professionals Companion, released in 2004. To recognize his contributions as well as his personal pursuit of the Architecture Registration Examination, the NAC has created the Jason Pettigrew Memorial ARE Scholarship Fund. Donations will be used to build on Jason’s efforts by awarding ARE Scholarships in his honor. For more information, and to contribute, visit the NAC Web site on AIA.org.

CSI’s Convention Programs Highlight MasterFormat 2004, National CAD Standard
The Construction Specifications Institute, will announce its new MasterFormat™ at the 49th Annual CSI Show™ & Convention, April 20–23, at Chicago’s McCormick Place. A total of 132 continuing education programs—covering all phases of facility life cycle—will help commercial construction professionals streamline delivery of projects. Three pre-convention workshops on April 19 kick off the professional development programs.

Disaster Relief: Call for Volunteers
To be considered to assist in disaster-assistance efforts in the U.S. and abroad, register with the AIA Disaster Assistance program online.

Correction: In a headline of our February 7 edition, designers of the Jersey City Medical Center should have been identified as RBSD and Ballinger. We apologize to RBSD.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Aha! Zaha!: Enjoy Zaha Hadid: Complete Works (2004, Rizzoli) at the specially discounted price of $100 for AIA members ($125 retail). Even the packaging is capital-D design. Visit the AIA Store to order.

Join your colleagues May 19–21 in Las Vegas: Registration and housing is now open for the AIA 2005 National Convention and Design Exposition.

Check Out These New Programs—with Transcripts: AIA eClassroom now has available 12 of the most popular programs from the 2004 AIA national convention with full transcripts.

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.

AIA Government Advocacy News: Join the list to receive the biweekly e-mail newsletter, a member benefit offering the latest local, state, and federal government actions impacting architects.

Archiwire—Not Free for Long: Be sure to take advantage of free postings to this online firm-news service before February 15, when nominal charges begin.

AIA Tsunami-Victim Relief Center: Check for updates and the latest news.

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.

Know How and When You’re Going to Retire?
The AIA Trust sponsors the AIA Members Retirement Program with plans offered by The Equitable, one of the largest and most experienced firms in the world. You’ll get 18 different investment options, ranging from conservative to more aggressive funds, and 24/7 online account access. Learn more about this program. For information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.