work-on-the-boards
Firms Still Benefiting from the Nonresidential Construction Recovery
As construction conditions improve, firms finding higher bids, fewer contractors
Positive trends in business conditions at U.S. architecture firms continued in May, according to AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Close to 30 percent of the Work-on-the-Boards survey firms reported increases in billings and more than 40 percent saw gains in inquiries for new projects, with few firms noting declines in either of these measures. However, a strong market coupled with cost increases for key construction materials is creating significant inflation in construction bids.

AIA San Francisco Rewards 22 Outstanding Designs
The Institute’s “Chapter by the Bay” proudly presents the 2005 AIA San Francisco Design Awards winners. The chapter hosted an April 13 gala, at which 450 people gathered to fete the 22 Bay Area firms recognized for their outstanding contributions to the built environment. The firms received honor, merit, and citation awards in the categories of excellence in design (architecture and interior architecture), urban design, unbuilt design, and energy/sustainability design. In addition, five special people and groups received Special Achievement Awards for significant impact on the profession.

To Norman, from his Grateful Colleagues
Please share your thoughts by July 1
After 7 years at The American Institute of Architects, and 10 years as president of the American Architectural Foundation, Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, is stepping down as Executive Vice President/CEO of the AIA at the end of 2005. The AIA has made tremendous strides under Norman’s leadership, and we all are grateful for his vision and hard work on behalf of the profession. At the end of the year, we will have an opportunity to celebrate his leadership. To mark this occasion, please use the AIA Web site to share your thoughts and feelings with Norman. The Web page will be up until July 1. Why not do it now?

A Tribute to John L. Fisher, FAIA, 1921–2005
Architect and fire protection engineer John Leonard Fisher, FAIA, died May 13 in Rideout Memorial Hospital in his hometown of Marysville, Calif. He was 83 years old. A longstanding member of the AIA Codes and Standards Committee and the National Fire Protection Association, Fisher worked for most of his architectural career as an associate with Skidmore Owings and Merrill’s San Francisco office. As a run-of-the-mill obituary could never capture the essence of Fisher’s character and contributions to the profession, we offer the following tribute by fellow architect and former national AIA Codes and Standards Committee Director Joel H. “Tick” Vicars III.

Boston Architectural Center Launches $1 Million Internship Program
Private gift to aid diverse high school students entering the design professions
The Boston Architectural Center teamed up with a private donor to award $1 million to diverse high school students entering the school’s Center Summer Academy, with continuing support through enrollment in the undergraduate program and through entry into the profession. The grant—The Robert Houseman and The Richard Kirkham Fund for Diverse High School Students Entering the Design Professions—is one step toward addressing the deficiencies and disparities of demographic diversity in the field.

project watch
“Schools Within Schools”: Best of Both Worlds
Florida officials project that the 2010 census will count 4.7 million persons age 19 and younger, representing almost a quarter of the total state population. “That really creates an impact in terms of growth management and school design,” says Dan Tarczynski, AIA, SchenkelShultz Architecture’s vice president of design. His Florida-based firm finds ways to deal with that capacity by creating “schools within a school” to build smaller-scale learning environments that combine the amenities of a larger campus with the benefits of intimate class settings.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
State budgets: Public projects have ample funding again.
Taxes: Local governments are rolling back rates; budgets still tight.
HR: Pay hikes seeing a slight acceleration.
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?
May 23 | May 30 | June 6 | June 13

best practices
Design as Leadership Device
Architects’ past track record of leadership is what prompted Ambassador Richard Swett, FAIA, to write with Colleen Thornton Leadership by Design: an Architecture of Trust, a book that helps architects and engineers gain a stronger voice in public policy. A/Es must learn to apply the elements of the design process they learned in school and during daily business practice to the challenges of leadership, says Swett. Otherwise, they risk being overlooked at the decision making that shapes public policy at all levels of government.

Gold Medal and Firm Award Reminder!
AIA Gold Medal and Architecture Firm Award submissions are due July 15. Nominations from AIA components, members of the AIA Board of Directors, Knowledge Communities, and by petition are welcome. For submission forms and binders, contact Cynthia Smith McCollum in the Honors and Awards Department, 202-626-7586 or cmccollum@aia.org. (Pictured: Sketch for the Lyon Airport by 2005 AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava, FAIA. Courtesy of the architect.)

Call for Project Ideas: New Partners for Smart Growth Conference
The New Partners for Smart Growth organizers have issued a Call for Project Ideas for their fifth annual conference, to be held in Denver, January 26–28, 2006. The conference will highlight cutting-edge smart growth issues, the latest research, implementation tools, case studies, and more. Submissions are due by July 8. Visit the New Partners’ Web site for more information or if you have an innovative session, workshop, or panel to propose for inclusion in next year’s program.

Learn All About the AIA Scopes of Services
AIA presents a Webcast conference that you can join from your office on June 23
Last year, the AIA published several scope of services documents that will give architects the tools to provide client services from the early programming stages to the post-occupancy period. This live Web seminar presents the important features of the scopes of services. Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to describe the content and purpose of the 2004 scope of services documents: Value Analysis, Historic Preservation, Security Evaluation and Planning, Facility Support, Commissioning, and LEED™ Certification; explain the modular B141-1997 document and use it in conjunction with the scope of services documents; and explore the use of the G606 with the scope of service documents. Join presenters Suzanne H. Harness, AIA, Esq., and James Jankowski, FAIA, for the conference, 1–2 p.m. EDT on June 23. Participants earn 1.0 LU, and the registration fee is $45 per connection. For more information, visit the AIA Web site.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Defining “Homeness”: Celebrating the American Home, by Joanne Kellar Bouknight (The Taunton Press, 2005), presents a panel of architects who explore 50 case studies to define the core qualities that make a house feel “just right.” Celebrating the American Home is available now to AIA members for the special price of $27.95 ($34.95 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

What’s New in D.C.?
Hickok Warner Cole Architects share details on several multifamily housing projects in the nation’s capital via the AIA’s new online news service.

See Calatrava from the Convention: You now can see the keynote address by 2005 AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava that won him three standing ovations, and can earn 1 CES credit to boot. AIA members may take the “Santiago Calatrava Works his Magic,” course for $29.95 ($59.95 nonmembers).

Dell Doubles Your AIA Discount in June: Save up to 12 percent on Dell’s reliable, award-winning technology with this limited time offer for AIA members. Call 877-571-3355 or log in. (Access Code: AIA; Access Key: AIADELL99).

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.

Consider 10-Year Level Term Life Insurance for Your Family: The AIA Term Life Insurance Plan lets you purchase or add more protection to your life insurance portfolio easily and inexpensively. Click here for specific information about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.