Component Leaders Head for the Hill
Component leaders joined forces on February 10 to take issues important to architects, and subsequently the rest of the U.S. citizenry, to their representatives in the 109th Congress. AIA members have repeatedly identified government advocacy as critical to the profession, a key reason for becoming (and remaining) an AIA member, and an effort that should be conducted year-round. Following presentations from Representatives Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), and an advocacy panel composed of lobbyists and policy-watchers, AIA component leaders headed to Capitol Hill to bring their messages to their states’ legislators. Members of the AIA national component staff tagged along with the AIA Houston and AIA Oregon delegations to bring you this report.

2005 Accent On Architecture Gala
Architects, Allies, Clients, and Friends Celebrate the Power of Architecture
The American Architectural Foundation’s 16th annual Accent on Architecture Gala, held February 11 at the glorious National Building Museum in Washington, D.C, marked a moment in time to celebrate the past, present, and future power of architecture “to enrich and elevate the human spirit.” The gala, in which close to 1,000 people took part, also marked a time of leadership transition under this shared and celebrated belief.

work-on-the-boards
Firms Off to a Strong Start in January
Most firms planning to add staff this year
Business levels at architecture firms tend to bounce back in January, but the rebound this time has been unusually sharp. Almost a third of firms reported an increase in billings in January compared to December levels, while fewer than 15 percent reported declines, reports AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. The improvement was particularly apparent at larger firms. Almost half of firms with annual billings of $5 million or more recorded an improvement in January. Some of these gains have to do with weaker than usual billings during November and December last year.

Grassroots Awards Honor Unsell, Koonce
On February 11, the AIA celebrated one of the most pleasing and personal parts of the annual Grassroots National Leadership Conference: the awarding of the National Service Award, bestowed by AIA national staff members upon a component executive for outstanding achievement. This year’s recipient is AIA Potomac Valley’s Executive Director Lloyd N. Unsell Jr., Hon. AIA. And AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, received a very special and personal honor from the Council of Architectural Component Executives.

AIA Louisiana Honors Six Beautiful Projects
A jury of nationally recognized practitioners—Roy Decker, AIA, Duvall Decker Architects, Jackson, Miss.; Timothy A. Dumbleton, AIA, TEN Arquitectos, New York City; and Lawrence Scarpa, AIA, Pugh+Scarpa, Santa Monica, Calif.—singled out five outstanding projects from Louisiana architects to receive AIA Louisiana Design Awards. The jury said that this year’s winners were “fantastic buildings that would win anywhere and in any competition.” In addition, AIA Louisiana bestowed its “Members’ Choice Award,” selected by a vote of the membership and given to a single project from each year’s entries.

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT AIA SAN FRANCISCO
Chapter Honors the Life of Alex Bonutti, AIA
With great sadness we report that Alexander C. Bonutti, AIA, executive vice president of Anshen + Allen Architects, passed away at his home in Oakland February 5 after a brief illness. He was 53.

project watch
Litchfield Hills Are Alive with Hotchkiss School Music Arts Center
Centerbrook’s new pavilion set to open this spring
Denizens of Lakeville, Conn., are eagerly awaiting the completion this spring of their new LEED™-certified Hotchkiss School Music Arts Center, built of glass, recycled copper, and other sustainable materials. Designed by Jefferson B. Riley, FAIA, Centerbrook Architects and Planners, the center will play host to a grand opening concert this fall. The spacious, glass-walled, 640-seat music pavilion will command panoramic views of nearby Litchfield hills.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Taxes: Congress looking to levy heavier taxes on S-corporation and limited-liability firm earnings. Trade: China is cracking down on counterfeit products, but the trade deficit marches on. Energy: Chinese and Indian demand for oil will create an even tighter supply squeeze in the U.S.
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 24 | January 31 | February 7 | February 14

best practices
Center for Health Design Releases Findings on How Design Can Improve the Standard of Care in Health-Care Facilities
Through analysis of an extensive body of research on staff effectiveness and patient recovery in hospitals, collaborators from Texas A&M and Georgia Tech have uncovered hard evidence that design directly affects wellness. Through what they term evidence-based design (EBD) the authors focus on creating hospitals that actually help patients recover and be safer and help staff do their jobs better. “Many of the improvements suggested by EBD are only slightly more expensive than traditional solutions,” they conclude, “if they are more expensive at all.”

“Design Where Place Takes the Lead:” Be There!
Join the Committee on Design April 14–17 in Healdsburg, Calif.
The AIA Committee on Design’s spring conference in Northern California will focus on the siting and design of buildings where the qualities of the place are paramount—the design of a wind-swept coastal community where the landscape is intended to be dominant, the filling out of historic town centers, and the renowned wine region of the Napa Valley. The group will tour Sea Ranch Condominium One (designed by Moore Lyndon Turnbull Whitaker and 1991 AIA Twenty-five Year Award recipient) and other Sea Ranch houses and explore the transformation of this residential community over its 40-year history. For more information, visit the Committee on Design online.

AIA London/UK Chapter Seeks Excellence in Design Entries
Submissions due March 4
The AIA London/UK Chapter invites entries to its 11th annual Excellence in Design awards program. The chapter is seeking projects from British-based architects, as well as from architects throughout the world for built projects in the UK. In parallel with the professional awards, the Chapter will recognize future talent through the Noel Hill Student Travel Awards Program, which awards excellent work from students currently enrolled in UK universities for portfolios of their work. Entries in both categories are due March 4. For more information, visit AIA London/UK online.
(Pictured is “The Bridge of Aspiration,” Covent Gardens, London, by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, one of last year’s winners. Photo © Nick Wood.)

“Not So Big House” Book Series Seeks Renovation Projects
Submissions due March 20
Susanka Studios seeks submissions of architecturally designed remodeled projects to be featured in an upcoming book about “Remodeling Not So Big.” Sarah Susanka, FAIA, award-winning architect and author, and Marc Vassallo, architecturally trained former editorial director for Taunton Press, will collaborate on this new addition to the best-selling “Not So Big House” series. If you are an architect or remodeling professional who would like to submit a project for consideration, visit the Not So Big Web site.

AIA Officer Nominations Open; Filing Date Is March 18
Ten architects have declared their candidacy for three national AIA offices.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Close to Nature: Farmhouse: New Inspiration for the Classic American Home by Jean Rehkamp Larson (Taunton Press, 2004) offers a nostalgic look at 20 of the best American farmhouses built in the last five years. The book is available to AIA members for a limited time at the special discounted price of $25.60 ($32.00 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

Viva AIA! 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: Read about the AIA’s Grassroots Advocacy Day agenda.

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 AXA 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.