New D.C. Baseball Stadium Leaves “Retro” in the Past
Once upon a time, Washington D.C.’s pro baseball team, the Washington Senators, played in an angular concrete and steel stadium contoured to fit into the city’s unusual diagonal street grid. Next, the Senators played in a gray concrete-and-steel, multipurpose, doughnut-shaped facility called D.C. Stadium, later renamed Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, which has seen better days long since. And, if all goes as planned, the new Washington Nationals will have a beautiful, new, angular concrete and steel stadium contoured to fit into the city’s unusual diagonal street grid. Kansas City-based Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum Sport (HOK) and Washington D.C.-based Devrouax & Purnell worked in a joint partnership to design the Washington Nationals’ new stadium for the D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission (DCSEC).

1917–1926: A New Power Structure: World War I, Pageantry, and the Power of the Press
Separating the overshadowing cataclysm of World War I, during which AIA members heeded the nation’s call to action, and the Great Depression in 1929 was a short respite of prosperity. For the AIA, the highlight of the Roaring Twenties is best exemplified by the sumptuous ceremonies surrounding the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in 1923.

Isn’t It Grand (Valley)?
Michigan component honors nine
AIA Grand Valley honored the best regional architecture of 2006 at its annual awards ceremony March 11 by conferring nine awards for excellence in design and professional achievement by chapter members from the Michigan component. The jury members, who hailed from AIA Minneapolis, were: Chair Tom Hysell, AIA; Christine Albertsson, AIA; Thomas DeAngelo, FAIA; Mamie Harvey, AIA; and Joan Soranno, AIA.

Nation’s Architects on the Edge in Los Angeles
The AIA 2006 National Convention and Design Exposition, to be held June 8–10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, offers a number of intriguing events with a theme of “Architecture on the Edge: Innovation, Engagement, Inspiration.” This year’s exciting and insight-packed theme presentations will explore innovations in design and construction, examine the challenges of the public realm, and inspire fresh visions of a preferred future for the profession and for the built world.

Trend Toward Larger Houses of Worship?
Steven Papadatos, AIA, principal of New York City’s Papadatos Associates and a well known church architect, notes that fewer people these days sit in pews, but not necessarily by choice. The reason, he observes, is that in 1970, it took 20 inches to seat an average American; 30 years later, it took 4 additional inches; and today it’s 26.5 inches per average person. The reason is obvious, Papadatos, says. “Bigger butts are why. This goes along with bigger portions, bigger candy bars, bigger steaks, bigger everything—which translates into bigger persons. It’s as simple as that.” Papadatos also notes that front-to-back spacing between pews used to be 40 inches, and is now 43 inches, particularly when kneelers are used. “So it is not just big butts, but also bigger tummies creating the demand for larger houses of worship.” Papadatos does not think prayer will help. “Exercise, perhaps!” he says.

Three Teams Receive Education Honor Awards
Teaching faculty recognized for innovative courses
The AIA chose three programs to receive 2006 AIA Education Honor Awards for excellence in course development and architectural teaching. The awards program, now in its 17th year, recognizes collegiate faculty achievements and contributions to education and the discipline of architecture. The awards were announced March 31 during the ACSA Awards Ceremony at its annual meeting in Salt Lake City and will be presented in June during the AIA National Convention in Los Angeles.

Project watch
Elementary School Is Prototype for Sustainable Design
KKE Architects melds tradition and high-performance
The high-performance prototype design for Hassan Elementary School, Rogers, Minn., is the latest addition to the Elk River School District’s growing portfolio of sustainable facilities. The hallmark of these buildings, KKE Architects Inc. say, is the way they “incorporate sustainable goals with the traditional, academic aesthetics.” Designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) certification criteria, the $18-million building would use 50 percent less energy than a Minnesota code-based building, according to an independent energy consultant.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Immigration: Fuel for a shrinking labor force.
The economy: Rent office space now or wait a year.
Business costs: Rough hurricane season 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.

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