Work-on-the-boards
Design Activity Upturn Continues in April
Billings, inquiries bounce back; but high materials costs still taking their toll
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, reports that billings at architecture firms bounced back in April after remaining essentially flat in March (after seasonal adjustments). Inquiries for new projects also moved up, pointing to continued growth in design activity in the months ahead, with smaller firms reporting greater increases in inquiries. By firm specialization type, commercial/industrial firms reported the strongest growth in billings and inquiries. However, with construction materials costs rising 6.1 percent over the past year, more than 70 percent of Work-on-the-Boards participants are reporting related problems on their projects.

AIA Launches “Blueprint for America”
Nationwide community service program marks 150th anniversary
The AIA launched a nationwide community service program, titled “Blueprint for America: A Gift to the Nation,” on May 19 by funding the first 60 grants for collaborative visioning initiatives, between AIA architects and their communities, created to produce a shared vision for a more livable future. The AIA will provide $2 million in the next six months to fund more than 200 grants. The Blueprint for America initiative is the primary program and main focus of AIA150, a yearlong observance in 2007 that will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the AIA.

Beautiful, Green, and Affordable
Housing Knowledge Community selects 8 for “Show You’re Green” awards
The AIA Housing and Custom Residential Knowledge Community selected eight “Show You’re Green” projects as examples of outstanding housing that is both affordable and green. The knowledge community invited Show You’re Green submissions from architects and developers around the nation. The winning projects will be showcased online in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Affordable Housing Design Advisor to demonstrate the diverse ways in which green practices are being used and integrated in excellent affordable housing. The selected projects also demonstrate how regional, geographic, climatic, and cultural influences generate different responses to unique needs. The projects and their architects also will be recognized with awards at the 2006 AIA National Convention Housing Awards Reception on June 9.

AIA Announces Three Recipients of 2006 AIA/HUD Housing and Design Awards
Award honors exemplary models of residential, community, and accessible design
The AIA on May 12 announced the recipients of the 2006 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Awards honoring three projects for excellence in housing, community design, and accessibility. The program, created by the AIA Center for Communities by Design and the AIA Housing and Custom Residential Knowledge Community and cosponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), reflects the ongoing collaboration between the AIA and federal government agencies to highlight the best in affordable residential design and call attention to the importance of architecture in cities and communities nationwide. This year’s jury recognized projects in the categories of Mixed-Use/Mixed-Income Development, Community Building by Design, and Alan J. Rothman Award for Housing Accessibility.

AIA San Antonio Honors Robert Hugman, River Walk Designer
Mayor Pro Tem Patti Radle and District 1 Councilman Roger Flores joined AIA San Antonio members on May 1 as they unveiled a large cast bronze marker to honor the late Robert H. H. Hugman, AIA, designer of the San Antonio River Walk. The marker recognizes Hugman for “outstanding architectural design and achievement” with the chapter’s first annual 25-Year Design Award, sponsored by Lucifer Lighting and presented to an architecture project completed before 1980 that has stood the test of time. The marker tells a brief story of Hugman’s visionary design that eventually transformed the San Antonio River’s downtown section into a linear park that has become Texas’ number-one tourist destination. The cast bronze marker was installed at the River Walk level of the historic Clifford Building’s brick façade, just below the wood-framed windows of Hugman’s former office overlooking the river (now the site of The Republic of Texas Restaurant and the green-roofed building in the photo). Come see the marker yourself when you attend the 2007 AIA National Convention, May 3–5, in San Antonio. You could also be a speaker—proposals are due July 1.

project watch
Residences that Offer Maximum Pleasure, Minimum Bother
Modern people (especially city people) require modern amenities to achieve a lifestyle of “maximum pleasure and minimum bother,” says hotel and entertainment developer Ian Schrager, the force behind the new residential apartments and townhouses of 40 Bond in New York City, homes with complete on-premises services and management that a guest could expect at a ritzy inn. Schrager turned to Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron for a redesign of a traditional cast iron building to include 23 unique apartments, 5 townhouses, and “the city’s most extraordinary penthouse.”

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
China: China’s hot economy may mean lower cost for some imports to the U.S., including some finished building materials.
Travel: Hotel strikes loom large later this year.
Business trends: Green roofs catching on.
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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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.

Working Overseas: “Multidisciplinary International Collaborations,” an eClassroom distance learning course featuring instructors Karen Plunkett-Muenster, AIA; Bernardo Fort-Brescia, FAIA; Leonid Zborovsky; Nicholas Billotti; Nathalie Rozot; and Harold L. Adams, FAIA, RIBA, JIA, illustrates how architects maintained their high standards on international projects. This course, which offers 1.5 HSW CES credits, is available through May 26 at a 10-percent-off discounted price, $89.05 AIA members/$121.95 nonmembers (regular price: $98.95 AIA members/$134.95 nonmembers).

Free Summer Job Postings: Are you looking for extra help in your office this summer? The AIA Career Center again allows firms to post limited-time summer job offers for free on its popular job board. Click “Post Jobs” on the Employers page; log in if you are a regular user, or register if you are new to the service; then enter all relevant information. When you get to “Type” option, be sure to check “Summer Job.” You will not be charged for the listing. Offer runs through July 31. The AIA is working with the American Institute of Architecture Students to get the word out to candidates.

It’s Not Too Late: Register now for the AIA National Convention and Design Expo in LA, June 8–10. Catch up on the latest in design and technology, see the newest products, and meet old friends and make new ones as we explore “Innovation . . . Engagement . . . Inspiration” in the City of Angels.

Yes, You Can Earn Credit! A refresher course on the Self-Report Form.

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.

Answers to Your AIA Contract Documents Questions “24-7”: The online Knowledge Base for AIA Contract Documents has been expanded to include information about the documents’ content as well as how to use AIA Contract Documents software. Available on the Contract Documents page on the AIA’s Web site, the Knowledge Base now provides you with concise answers to nearly 250 frequently asked questions (FAQs). You can find what you need to know via multilevel Table of Contents, or, with key words, go directly to the FAQs.

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.

Free Condo Risk Management Tools: The AIA Trust commissioned attorney-architect Bill Quatman, FAIA, to develop “Risk Management Ideas for Condominium Projects,” a white paper now available on the AIA Trust Web site along with contract clauses, risk management tools, sample letters, statutes and an overview of the high risk condo market. The AIA Trust is also cosponsoring a seminar on “Aggressive Condominium Risk Management” at the upcoming AIA Convention in Los Angeles on June 10, 8:15–9:45 AM. Visit the AIA Trust site for more information.