Billings Remain Steady in February
Improved team communications tops the list of technology benefits
Business conditions at U.S. architecture firms held steady in February; the AIA Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score remained unchanged from January at 55.5, meaning that billings are still increasing at a steady pace, reports Jennifer Riskus, our guest economics editor for this month. Growth in inquiries slowed slightly this month, down a point from January to 63.4, but continues strong overall, reinforcing the expectation of more projects in the pipeline in coming months. Additionally, our Work-on-the-Boards panel says that of all the benefits afforded to the profession by new technology, increased communications within the project team tops the list.

AIA Buffalo/Western New York Recognizes Eight Projects for Design Excellence
The AIA Buffalo/WNY Chapter recognized a diverse group of projects for excellence in design at the chapter’s annual design awards reception late last year. James Cohen, AIA; Mark Mistur, AIA; and Jury Chair Patrick Quinn, FAIA, ultimately recognized eight projects for design excellence. Additionally, the chapter presented the Friends of Architecture Award to Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, SJ, president, Canisius College, Buffalo, and the City of North Tonawanda, N.Y., for “providing leadership in the transformation and improvement of their respective environments, resulting in economic growth and historic preservation.”

Buffalo Spreads Its Restoration Wings
Frank Lloyd Wright’s works to be renovated, reconstructed
The New York State Assembly last January granted the City of Buffalo $100 million for immediate architectural preservation projects. The allotment includes funds earmarked for two current Frank Lloyd Wright restorations: the Darwin D. Martin House and Graycliff Estate. Also, two new Wright structures are under way, based on original designs that never came to fruition: a Tydol Filling Station at the Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum, and a Rowing Boathouse, originally designed for the University of Wisconsin.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
Profiles of Leadership at Home and Abroad
AIA President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, tells us that her recent trips to Sri Lanka and the Gulf Coast show that architects in both post-disaster areas are able to do tremendous good where good is needed desperately. Response by the two governments, however, contrasts sharply, and deserves our scrutiny and continuing engagement.

See the Space and Hear the Music
How we use the brain and mind to see and hear
Of course, we do not have a screen in our heads on which our eyes project what we see, explains John Eberhard, FAIA, as he continues his exploration of how humans perceive and react to physical space. A complex interaction of chemicals and electrical impulses connect us to the sights and sounds around us. That good design is sublime goes beyond intuition, he says, it is real.

Does your Continuing Ed Have the Wright Stuff?
eClassroom course details Robie House restoration
If you don’t know how easy and enjoyable it is to earn CES credits with AIA eClassroom courses, you might want to start with “Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House: A Restoration in Process,” in which Karen A. Sweeney, AIA, a preservation architect with the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, Chicago, will lead you through the ongoing process of bringing back to life Wright’s masterpiece. The course—which you can view where and when you want—will give you a brief history of the 1910 house, explain the methodology employed by the trust, show you in detail restoration techniques for the exterior and mechanical infrastructure, and outline future work. The accompanying visuals contain up-to-date, in-progress shots as well as some historic photos taken by the contractor while the house was being constructed. This course is available through March 31 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.

Have Your Architecture—And Eat, Too!
The AIA National Convention and Expo in Los Angeles, June 8–10, presents a gourmet-architect’s dream come true: “Dining by Design—LA Style.” Network with your fellow architects over delicious meals prepared by world-class chefs while meeting the architects who designed the unique restaurants highlighted this year. You’ll have a lot on your plate, but do take time to dine with John Friedman and Alice Kimm, AIA, of JFAK Architects Inc., at their converted Craftsman-style bungalow restaurant, Falcon; join Steve Jones, AIA, of SF Jones Architects Inc., amid the soft din of Lucky Strike Lanes, their contemporary, retro bowling alley; or meet Gary Hunt, Assoc. AIA, of Tag Front, to see his work on Geisha House and its Asian-inspired cuisine and design. Or dine with Hagy Belzberg, AIA, Belzberg Architects, at the luxurious, polished Patina, located in Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. Or, for some really hot design and cusine, visit Engine Co. No. 28, a 1912 firehouse renovated by Ron Altoon, FAIA, Altoon & Porter Architects (pictured). Space is limited, so check out the complete menu of 12 events and sign up now. (See events E44–E49 and E73–E78.)

Project watch
Solar Power Energizes Centerbrook Architects Office
Architects turn their office into “mini-electric power plant”
True to its history of using its own historic 19th-century building as a “laboratory for environmentally sustainable design,” Centerbrook Architects recently installed the largest corporate solar-energy project in Connecticut. A rooftop on Centerbrook’s office has been turned into a mini-electric power plant, with 100 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels converting sunlight directly into non-polluting electricity. The solar-energy system joins many other “green” installations at the 20,000-square-foot office sited on the Falls River, including a hydropower plant. Together with the PV panels, Centerbrook expects to generate about 20 percent of its annual electrical needs and thus save $8,000 annually on electric bills. U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman launched the solar-energy project in a dedication ceremony held at Centerbrook February 21.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Financing lessons: Some innovative ways school districts are generating construction funds.
The economy: Gulf deep-sea drilling will supply more fuel and give coastal construction a boost.
The world: Japan is heating up, but China is set to get more of their business, not 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?
February 24 | March 3 | March 10 | March 17

This service is brought to you as an AIA-member benefit. The email list used to deliver AIArchitect This Week is maintained exclusively for that purpose by the AIA national component.

To keep up with the universe of information the AIA gathers exclusively for members, visit the AIA's Web page.

AIArchitect® This Week is published by the AIA, 1735 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006. Copyright 2006 The American Institute of Architects. Home page

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You receive this e-mail at:
%%TO_EMAIL%%
because your address is on file in the AIA's membership database.

To change your e-mail address, send an e-mail with your name, AIA member number, old e-mail address and new e-mail address to AIA Information Central. Or make the changes yourself.

To remove your email address from this distribution list—but not from the AIA membership database—simply click here.

Note: If you are receiving this email at multiple addresses and want only one, simply go into the email you want eliminated, and then follow this link.

Fulfilllng Mockbee’s Vision: Proceed and Be Bold: The Rural Studio After Samuel Mockbee by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean and Timothy Hursley (Princeton Architectural Press, 2005) reports on how, since Mockbee's death in 2001, the Rural Studio has continued to thrive as a tribute to its founder's vision. This new book explains the changes the studio has undergone during the last four years and its continuing ability to proceed and be bold, as Mockbee counseled. The book lists for $30; AIA members may purchase it for $27. Order online or phone 800-242-3837, option #4.

Weighing risks: “Negotiating Contracts: Responding to Client-Generated Risks,” taught by Joseph H. Jones Jr., AIA; and Frank Musica, Assoc. AIA, of Victor O. Schinnerer, examines 12 of the most egregious provisions of professional service agreements as identified by the AIA's commended program of professional liability insurance. This course is available through March 31 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.

Self Report Those 2005 Credits Before They Take the Bus to North Dakota. Spring into North Dakota at the chapter’s Spring Meeting.

MBNA Credit Card Offer: The MBNA credit card offers a low introductory rate, around-the-clock fraud protection, credit lines up to $100,000, and added protection for travel and purchases. Call 866-438-6262. Priority code F6ZU.

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 Long Term Care for You and Your Spouse: The AIA Trust Long Term Care Quote plan offers you competitive quotes from the leading national carriers for extended care. Click here for specific information about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.