Economics
Work-on-the-Boards

Firm Billings Gradually Improve in May
U.S. architecture firms reported a modest increase in billings for May compared to April levels. Overall, 21 percent of firms reported an increase in billings of 5 percent or more, while 18 percent reported a comparable decline. May marked the third straight monthly gain in billings. Billings growth has been modest recently, but inquiries for new projects remain strong, so further growth in billings is expected in the months ahead. Almost a third of firms reported an increase in inquiries, while fewer than 14 percent reported a decline.

National Trust Lists Most Endangered Places for 2003
Projects on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2003 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places range across the country—from the cradle of the American Revolution in Massachusetts to an almost-lost immigrant community in California; from a traditional Native American sacred site to an icon of Modern architecture.

Paralyzed Veterans Honor Pelli for Accessible Design
This spring, the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) presented Cesar Pelli, FAIA, with its 2003 Barrier-Free America Award for the architect’s design of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, through which more than 130 million travelers pass every year. Pelli, a recipient of the AIA Gold Medal, said “I am delighted to share with an organization as esteemed as the PVA our vision of a more humane and barrier-free architecture. It reinforces the premise that good design can also mean accessible design.”

CANSTRUCTION® “Can-Deed:” Designers’ Imagination and Ingenuity Helps Create Meals for Millions
Voltaire’s Candide instructed us to "cultivate our garden,” and participants in the seventh national CANSTRUCTION competition have done Candide one better by transforming their canned food “gardens” into giant works of art that will feed more than a million hungry people. That’s a whopping “Can-Deed”! The winners of the competition were declared May 10 during the national AIA and Society of Design Administration conventions in San Diego.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only)
AIArchitect links members to three stories a week from the pages of the renowned Kiplinger Letter. (Nonmembers may subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.)
The World: By year end, U.S. economy will be second only to China in growth rate, expect a greenback rebound in 2004. Jobs & Workers: Some HR strategies for weathering the slow times and preparing for a quick turnaround. Taxes: Small and large firms need to pay attention to changes regarding expensing, bonus depreciation, commercial vehicles, and estimated-tax payments.

PROJECT WATCH
KKE Architects Break Ground on New Healing Center in St. Paul for Victims of Torture
The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), which helps treat people physically, mentally, and spiritually, hosted community leaders at a ground-breaking celebration last month for its new healing center in St. Paul. Designed by KKE Architects, Inc., the 160-person firm provided reduced-fee and pro bono services to renovate an historic home and transform it into a working office and care facility.

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
May 19 | May 26 | June 2 | June 9

 

BEST PRACTICES (members only)
Lessons From Working in China
China’s economy currently leads the world in growth. And as the city government of Beijing approaches the 2008 Olympics, the young professionals who are driving the rapid development of the region want a world-class city with all the amenities of a cosmopolitan center. Part of that plan is a 110-acre redevelopment of the city center adjacent to the Temple of Heaven, near Tiananmen Square.

See You in September: Plan Now to Attend a Fall PIA Conference
Following is the fall 2003 calendar of conferences sponsored by the AIA professional interest areas. Topics range from understanding digital building to designing health-care facilities for women and children. And locales range from Washington, D.C., to San Antonio. Sign up for yours today!

Calling All Green Roofs
Earth Pledge, a nonprofit organization that identifies and promotes innovative techniques and technologies to restore the balance between human and natural systems, is seeking exemplary green roof projects to include in their upcoming Green Roof Sourcebook. This full-color, 200-page book will offer a comprehensive review of the ecological benefits, technical requirements, and design possibilities of vegetated roofs. Essays by green-roof experts and case studies from around the world will be featured. The Sourcebook is a project of Earth Pledge’s Green Roofs Initiative, which is working to lower temperatures and prevent water pollution in New York City by creating a green-roof infrastructure. The deadline for submissions is September 15. For more information, visit the Earth Pledge Web site or contact Marisa Arpels, marpels@earthpledge.org or 212-725-6611, ext. 221.

Historic Preservation
Religious Sites Can Compete for Federal Preservation Funds
The Bush Administration announced late last month that it would permit federal funds to go to renovate historic sites used for religious purposes. Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton made the announcement on the steps of the Old North Church in Boston, which, as a result of the new policy, will receive $317,000 for historic renovations through the Save America’s Treasures program.

Share Your Facility Management Best Practices
Papers are due October 3
The AIA Facility Management Best Practices Committee seeks white papers, research, or articles by architects, interior designers, and associated industry professionals for review and summation of findings. Entries should aim to raise awareness of facilities management practices within the profession. Read on for a list of topics.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Architect, Bridgehampton, NY
Architect
, Colorado Springs, CO
Architect, Cleveland
Architect, Lake Bluff, IL
Architects, Raleigh, NC
Architectural Manager, Marshall, MN
Architectural Project Manager, Trenton, NJ
Associate Design Architect, Irvine, CA
Help Wanted, Chicago, IL
Interior Designers, Beijing and Shanghai
Intern Architect
, Titusville, FL
Market Coordinator, Philadelphia
Project Architect, Fresno
Project Architect
, San Luis Obispo, CA
Project Architects, Washington, DC
Project Architects, Washington, DC
Project Manager, Schaumburg, IL
Senior Design Manager, North Wilkesboro, NC
Visit the AIA Career Center for a full list of openings.

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Libeskind Presentation Available Free: The first of the 26 sessions and seminars from the AIA national convention available through eClassroom, the Daniel Libeskind presentation is available now, free of charge to AIA members ($49.95 for nonmembers). View all the eClassroom distance learning courses.

Help Your Clients Help You: Order Not So Big Solutions for Your Home by Sarah Susanka, AIA (Taunton Press, 2002) from the AIA Bookstore, $20 AIA members/$22.95 retail (plus $9 shipping per order). Read a review. To order: phone 800-242-3837 option #4; fax 202-626-7519; or send an e-mail.

Buy Now, Fly Later: Earn Plus Rewards™ miles with every purchase using the AIA MasterCard. The application site has more information.

Consider Disability Coverage for Your Office: If you become disabled, the AIA Trust Business Overhead Expense Plan helps pay your office expenses while you recuperate. Click here for specific information about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, go to their site.

Emerging Professionals: Information for students and interns to further their professional development.

Academy Update Redesign: The Academy on Architecture for Health publication.

Also:
• Convention Presentation Proposals Due 6/20
• Sustainable Design Leadership Award
• Feds Publish Revised Competitive Sourcing Guide.