February 17, 2006

Work on the boards
2006 Starting Well for Architecture Firms
Improving business conditions lead to mergers and acquisitions interest
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, reports that following some modest softening in December, billings at U.S. architecture firms began the new year on a stronger note by edging back up in January. Inquiries for new projects also moved up, pointing to even more improvement in business conditions in the months ahead. And improving conditions seem to pave the way for an increased number of mergers and acquisitions, as this month’s Work-on-the-Board panelist responses indicate.

2006 ACCENT ON ARCHITECTURE GALA
Architect, Allies, Clients, and Friends Celebrate the Power of Architecture

The American Architectural Foundation, in partnership with the AIA, hosted the 17th annual Accent on Architecture Gala February 10 in the soaring Great Hall of the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., a glorious event that saw 1,000 architects and architecture champions unite to celebrate the past, present, and future power of architecture “to enrich and elevate the human spirit.” Guests heard of a major new initiative of both the AIA and AAF and witnessed the presentation of the AAF Keystone Award, and the Institute’s Twenty-five Year Award, Architecture Firm Award, and the Gold Medal.

Grassroots 2006: Celebrating the Best and Brightest
One of the best and most personal parts of the annual Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference is that it offers a wonderful venue to acknowledge the hard work of many dedicated people. This year’s program honored seven programs and individuals with Component Excellence Awards—four for public affairs/communications efforts and three for government advocacy endeavors, three outstanding component executives with National Service Awards, and two AIA national component staff members with AIA Staff Awards.

Members’ Voices
LA Confidential: What to See While You’re Out at the Convention
With the AIA National Convention and Design Expo in Los Angeles fast approaching for June 8–10, we asked members in LA: “What is the one place in Los Angeles that AIA members should see when attending the convention and why?” Some of their answers may surprise you.

AIA/DC Offers Kudos to 33 Projects
The 2005 Washington Chapter AIA Design Awards program honored 33 of this year’s finest projects by D.C.-area architects. The juries grouped their selections into six categories, including Architecture, Catalyst, Historic Resources, Interior Architecture, Sustainable Design, and Pro Bono Publico.

Project watch
No Vacancy at the Ambassador Hotel
Demolition of the historic Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles was completed last month, making way for construction of three new city schools on the site. In a final show of reverence, hundreds of Los Angeles residents, including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and movie stars Diane Keaton and Nicholas Cage, gathered on February 2, across from the rubble, to remember the Ambassador Hotel as a site of past celebration and tragedy.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Jobs and workers: A guest-worker program is on the horizon.
The economy: More private, but not public, R&D money this year.
Trade: Americans increasingly investing in China.
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 20 | January 27 | February 3 | February 10

News You Can Use
 

best practices
Make Way for Feng Shui
Feng Shui, the Chinese art and science of constructing environments that create balance and harmony, is gaining popularity among residential and commercial clients. What once seemed quirky is now recognized as 80 percent mainstream, says proponent C.C. Lee, AIA. Now that office, hotel, bank, and retail clients are coming to architects requesting Feng Shui design, Lee offers insight to the remaining 20 percent.

C’mon, Share! Send in Your Best Practice Tips
Submissions are due March 1

The AIA Best Practices program needs you to submit short (500 words max) articles about the best practices you use in your firm. Share your best tips about any aspect of your practice—marketing, detailing, working with clients, presentations, office policies and procedures, service delivery, mentoring, building team spirit—to name a few. For an example of a best practice, check out Construction Signs as a Marketing Tool. All best practices submitted will be published on the AIA Web site (crediting your firm, of course) and distributed at the 2006 AIA National Convention this June in Los Angeles. Questions? Contact Kate Rizzo, krizzo@aia.org or 202-626-7447. Entries are due March 1. Send your best practice tip—as a Word document—to krizzo@aia.org.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

3ds max Specialist: Architectural Visualization, West Covina, CA
• Architect, Albuquerque/Las Vegas
Architect, Angels Camp, CA
• Architect, Appleton, WI
• Architect, Atlanta
Architect, Aurora, IL
• Architect, Baltimore
Architect, Baton Rouge, LA
Architect, Bethesda, MD
Architect, Charlotte
Architect, Charlotte
Architect, Chicago
• Architect, Colorado Springs, CO
• Architect, Dallas
Architect, Falls Church, VA
• Architect, Jacksonville Beach, FL
• Architect, Las Vegas
• Architect, Mclean, VA
Architect, Newport News, VA
Architect, Orlando
Architect, Princeton, NJ
• Architect, Richmond, VA
Architect, Spokane, WA
Architect, Tacoma
• Architect, Wasilla, AK
Architect, Williamsport, PA
Architect/Architectural Drafter, Denver & Big Sky, MT
Architect for CA Services, Richmond, VA
• Architect/ CADD Technicians, New Orleans
• Architect/Designer—Studio Lead, Atlanta
Architect/Designer/ CADD Technician, Las Vegas
• Architect I, Architect II & III, Project Architect, Chicago
• Architect—Entry level, Exton, PA
• Architect (Hospitality Focus), Tulsa
• Architect—Industrial Experience, Richmond, VA
Architect—Manager, Clermont, FL
• Architect Project Manager, Bozeman, MT
Architect, Store Design, Charlotte
Architects, Chicago, Darien, IL
Architects, Memphis
Architects, several locations 
• Architects, Washington, DC
• Architects, Cleveland; Ft. Lauderdale; Washington, DC
• Architects—All Levels, Charlotte, NC
• Architects—All Levels, Falls Church, VA
• Architects—All Levels, Atlanta
Architects/Designers—All Levels: Junior—Senior, San Francisco
Architects and Interior Designer, Roanoke, VA
• Architects and Interns, Atlanta
• Architects or Interns, Hammond, LA
Architects/Interns, Durham and Charlotte, NC 
Architects/Project Manager, Denver
Architects/Project Managers, Cincinnati
Architects/Project Managers, Durham & Charlotte, NC and Colorado
Architectural Careers, Various, PA 
Architectural Coordinator, Raleigh, NC & Portland, OR
Architectural Designer, Middlebury, VT
Architectural Designer, Tucson, AZ
Architectural Designer III/Job Captain, Pittsburgh
• Architectural Draftsman, Far Hills, NJ
• Architectural Project Manager, Boca Raton, FL
Architectural Project Manager, Gold River/Sacramento, CA
Assistant Director, Record Services, Washington, DC
• Assistant or Associate Professor, Norman, OK
Associate Green Building Consultant, Seattle
Associate/Senior Associate, Dallas
Associate/Senior Associate, Houston
• Associate/Senior Associate, Irvine, CA
• Associate/Senior Associate, Pasadena, CA
Associate/Senior Associate, Seattle
Construction Admin—High-rise Architecture, Houston
• Construction Admin—High-rise Architecture, Orlando
Dedicated Person, Greenville, SC
Design Manager, McLean, VA
Design Program Manager, Zeeland, MI
• Design Your Future, West Reading, PA
Designer, Oakdale and San Juan Capistrano, CA
• Designers and Architects, Sacramento & Modesto, CA  
• Designers and Sr. Project Managers, Austin, TX
Designers (Senior & Intermediate), Irvine, CA
• Director of Architecture, Miami, FL
Director of Architecture—Phoenix Region, Scottsdale, AZ
Director of Production, Architect & Project Managers, Orlando
• Engineers and Architects, Sunrise, FL
• Entry-level Architectural Engineer, Honolulu
• Graduate Intern/Project Manager/Architect, Tulsa, OK

Green Building Consultant, Seattle
• Healthcare Architects, Roanoke, VA
Healthcare Planner/Architect, Milwaukee, WI
Healthcare Planner/Sr. Project Architect, Philadelphia
• Healthcare Project Planner/Architect, Chicago
Higher-Education Architect, Placerville, CA
Interior Designer, Phoenix
• Interiors Architect, Washington, DC
Intern, Corpus Christi, TX
• Intern Architect, Jacksonville Beach, FL
• Intern Architect, Portland, OR
Intern, Architect, Washington, DC
• Intern Architect/Planner, Richmond, VA
Intern/Architect/Project Architect, Alpharetta, GA
• Intern or Architect, Bellingham, WA
• Intern Project Manager, Lewisburg, PA
Job Captain/Junior Project Manager, West Covina, CA
Job Captains and Drafters wanted in Nevada, Las Vegas and Reno
• Job Captains/Senior Architects, Sacramento, CA
• Job Captains and Drafters wanted in Nevada, Las Vegas and Reno
• Licensed Architect, Lexington, KY
Managing Director, Voorhees, NJ
Naples, Florida Architect, Naples, FL
Project Architect, Altoona, PA
Project Architect, Atlanta
Project Architect, Dublin, OH
Project Architect, Irvine, CA
Project Architect, Justice, Charlotte, NC
Project Architect, Lambertville, NJ
Project Architect, Nationwide
Project Architect, Voorhees, NJ
Project Architect, San Diego
Project Architect, Intern Architect, Spec Writer
• Project Architect/Designer, Las Vegas
Project Architect/Job Captain/CAD Drafter, San Diego
• Project Architects/Project Designers, Washington, DC
Project Architect/Project Manager, Irvine, CA
• Project Architect/Project Manager, Raleigh-Durham, NC
Project Architects, Architects & Interns, Myrtle Beach, SC
Project Architects/Designers, Philadelphia
Project Delivery Section Chief (A/E Manager), Madison
Project Director, Las Vegas
Project + Intern Architects, Towson, MD
Project/Intern Architect, Little Rock, AR
Project Manager, Long Beach
Project Manager, New York City
• Project Manager, Sonoma, CA
Project Manager, Voorhees, NJ
Project Manager/Architect, Baton Rouge, LA
• Project Manager & Architect, Falls Church, VA
Project Manager—High-rise Architecture, Houston
Project Manager, Land Development Services, Charlotte
Project Manager, Project Architect, Atlanta
Project Manager/Project Architect, Charlotte
Project Managers/Project Architects, Philadelphia
• Project Manager (Sr.)/Architect, Irvine, CA
• Project Manager—Architect, Jacksonville, FL
• Project Manager, Financial Facilities, Charlotte
• Project Manager, Supermarkets, West Covina, CA
Project Managers, Atlanta, GA
Project Managers, San Luis Obispo, Oakdale, Healdsburg, CA
Project Managers/Project Architects/ Job Captains, Irvine, CA, Maitland, FL, Charlotte, Norfolk, VA, Las Vegas
• Registered Architect or Intern, Springfield, MO
• Resource Architect, Washington, DC
• Senior Associate, Denver
Senior Construction Administrator, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Senior Design Architect, Fremont, CA
Senior Designer/Design Architect—Multi-Family, New York City
Senior Designer, Project Manager, Architect
Senior Intern/Project Architect, San Francisco
Senior Intern/Project Architect—High-rise, Houston
Senior Intern/Project Architect—High Rise, New York City
Specification Specialist, Tacoma
• Taco Bell Remodel Manager, Irvine, CA
Talented Architects and Interns Wanted, Seattle, WA


Visit the AIA Career Center to view/post openings. You can sort the complete list by keyword, category, job level, job type, and location.

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Did you know . . .
Frank Lloyd Wright accepted the AIA Gold Medal at the Institute’s national convention in Houston on March 17, 1949. He opened his acceptance speech with, “Well, it’s about time!” and ended with “That’s enough, isn’t it?” A total of 1,296 people were in attendance. (From The AIA’s First Hundred Years, by Henry H. Saylor, FAIA, published by the AIA in 1957). Be part of history: Come to the AIA’s national convention and design expo, June 8–10 in Los Angeles.

 
 

Special 30 Percent Off: Home by Design: Transforming Your House Into Home by Sarah Susanka, FAIA (Taunton Press, 2004), presents the 30 key concepts that can be applied to any home—no matter what the style or size. Using 28 of the best designed homes from around the country, Susanka brings these concepts to life with 150 powerful and inspirational examples. Home by Design is available to AIA members for $24.50 each ($35 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

Five-Star Class of the Week: “Update on Neuroscience and Architecture” is an AIA member-rated five-star program, taught by Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Founding President John P. Eberhard, FAIA, to teach you how findings from the growing field of neuroscience relate to our perceptions of architecture. This course is available through February 24 at a 10-percent-off discounted price of $89.05 AIA members/$121.95 nonmembers (regular price: $98.95 AIA members/$134.95 nonmembers) and offers 1.5 HSW LU-hours.

New AIA Members—Attend the AIA National Convention for free! Join the AIA and attend the 2006 convention at no cost. All new architect and associate members (including members whose status has changed from Assoc. AIA to AIA) who join between May 22, 2005, and March 31, 2006, are invited to attend the 2006 annual convention free of charge. This value (up to $675) will give you the opportunity to spend time with your colleagues and peers and experience the full benefit of your membership.

New ads: The AIA has developed a new creative approach for our 2006 advertising campaign. The next series of network radio advertisements runs February 20–June 5. For details on all aspects of the AIA’s advertising campaign, visit the Members Section of AIA.org.

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.

Integrated Practice: Technological change is one catalyst accelerating radical improvement through the entire construction industry, from owner to architect to contractor to facility manager, through the full length of the project and building lifecycle. Learn more about how this change will transform architectural practice into Integrated Practice at www.aia.org/ip.

Press Tap News Service: Reporters from The Wall Street Journal to Michigan Construction News have signed on to get full access to AIA’s news service. Post your news today.

Consider Accident Coverage for Accidental Injuries: 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.