the aia 2004 national convention and exposition
Speakers Capture the Theme: Chicago! Learn Celebrate Dream
Get into the spirit of the AIA national convention, June 10–12
This year’s AIA National Convention and Expo will present three thought-provoking theme presentations—one each day—to offer architects the opportunity to experience new perspectives from a celebrated author, an inspiring architect, and a thought-provoking commentator as we celebrate “Chicago! Learn Celebrate Dream.”

Poll: Is the Rising Cost of Steel Affecting Your Practice?
AIArchitect’s March 1 “Kiplinger Connection” warned:
“Don’t expect relief from skyrocketing steel prices anytime soon. In fact, they’re headed higher. By late spring, hot-rolled steel will cost $450 a ton, up from $380 now. Demand is running especially high because of huge purchases of key steelmaking materials, including coke, scrap metal, and coal, by China, Russia, Ukraine, and South Korea.”
So, tell us, “Is the rising cost of steel affecting your practice?”

Honors and awards
AIA Washington Council Honors Eight Projects With Civic Pride
AIA Washington Council recently recognized eight civic projects in Washington State for “excellence in design and sensitivity to design and usability.” AIA Washington Council’s Civic Design Awards fall into three categories: The Honor Award celebrates projects that embody design excellence, with special attention given to creative problem solving and response to risk; the Merit Award is bestowed on projects that exemplify their type of civic space; and the Citation Award acknowledges quality design based on individual reasons.

from the president’s office
The Architecture of Wellness: The Second Battle of the Bulge
AIA President Eugene C. Hopkins, FAIA, tells us that a recent issue of USA Today carried this front-page caption: “Cars changing to fit bigger buyers.” The slim copy that followed read: “Carmakers are adapting to the increasing number of overweight Americans by expanding front-seat hip room.” What does this have to do with architecture? Read on!

People WATCH
Gyo Obata, FAIA, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
To honor a distinguished career that spans more than five decades, the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles has presented HOK Founding Partner Gyo Obata, FAIA, with a 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts. Obata was one of five people accepting awards last month in Los Angeles. The Japanese American National Museum is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to promoting appreciation for America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by preserving and sharing the Japanese American experience.

PROJECT WATCH
Leading by Example
Kresge Foundation plans green headquarters in Troy, Mich.
Projects funded by the Kresge Foundation through its Green Building Initiative challenge-grants program traditionally have been more environment-friendly than the headquarters building of the Troy, Mich., benefactor. Now, the patron is taking a cue from its own philosophies on practicing sustainable architecture and has hired a design team to create a showcase green headquarters building to serve as a teaching tool and resource for builders, students, and nonprofit organizations.

AIA Officer Nominations Open; Filing Date Is April 12
Thirteen architects already have declared their candidacy for three national AIA offices.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only)
U.S. & Europe: As the U.S. and EU work to mend fences, trade and economic factors are still cause for concern. Travel: Registered-traveler program may save you time at airport security. Barbados is requiring passports. The economy: Foreigners continuing to buy U.S. bonds will keep domestic interest rates down.
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?
March 8 | March 15 | March 22 | March 29

best practices (members only)
Develop a Talent Retention Plan
Inquiries are picking up and you’re happy with the people in your firm. But are they happy with you? Or might there be greener grass elsewhere? The just-published Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice Update 2004 offers answers. In an excerpt from “Keeping Key Staff,” a Booz Allen Hamilton senior HR specialist offers a suite of retention hot buttons.

Join the RUDC’s Spring Roundtable
The AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee’s annual Spring Roundtable, to be held April 30 this year at AIA national component headquarters in Washington, D.C., offers a venue for a wide spectrum of AIA members, peer professionals, and key AIA staff to discuss ideas relevant to urban design. The event encourages participants to draw on their experience, knowledge, and values to help the RUDC and related committees frame policies and initiatives for the coming year. Visit the RUDC Web site for a complete agenda. RSVP by e-mail [rudc@aia.org] by April 26. Please include your name, firm name, and full contact information.

How Does Your State Stack Up?
For last month’s AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference, the Economics and Market Research Team provided all participants with individual state economic profiles to share with their legislators during Capitol Hill visits. The profiles testify to the importance of the design and construction sector in each state’s economic growth. To read more and see your state’s report, visit the AIA economics and market research Web site.

NCARB Offers Two New Professional Development Monographs
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) recently published two new professional development monographs, Improving Building Performance and Getting to Smart Growth, both of which earn health, safety, and welfare continuing-education learning units. NCARB offers 15 additional monographs on topics including building codes and standards, sustainable design, energy efficiency, and the indoor environment. The monographs are available at the NCARB Web site.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Order the New Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice Update 2004: The second companion to the 13th edition of The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice brings architects up-to-date on the current state of practice, from important issues affecting day-to-day operations and emerging business trends to the latest AIA contract documents. $85 retail /$68 AIA members (limited-time introductory price).

Click here to purchase The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 13th Edition with the 2004 Update.

Tour Chicago, June 10-12: The AIA 2004 National Convention and Expo offers myriad professional and public tours of the Windy City. See the complete list and sign up now to get the best selection of convention tours, seminars, and workshops.

See What Grassroots Is All About: Visit the Web site devoted to complete presentation of the AIA’s annual Grassroots Leadership Conference.

Check Out the Free Online Courses From the 2004 Grassroots Conference: AIA eClassroom has just released three new courses featuring keynote speakers from this year’s AIA Grassroots Leadership conference. Hear EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt; pollster Frank Luntz, PhD; and Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, senior advisor to the director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Save on All Dell-branded Product Lines: To custom configure and order your systems, access your AIA Premier Dell.com Web site. (Access code, AIA; Access key, AIADELL99.) Or call Dell toll free at 877-571-3355. For more information and benefits, visit the AIA Advantage site.

Tap the LINX Automated Editor: LINX is an automated, on-screen editor that optimizes MASTERSPEC’s relational database structure and can be used either as an interactive Q&A editor or as a point-and-click editor.

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.