Business Levels Decline in May After Several Months of Softening
Despite recent easing, firms optimistic about compensation growth this year
AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, tells us that architecture firms reported an easing in their billings in May, with the overall Architectural Billings Index falling below 50 for the first time since September 2004. Since any reading below 50 indicates a drop in billings for that month, Baker explains, this score should act as an alert for architecture firms to monitor project activity more closely in the months ahead. Nonetheless, firms are projecting compensation gains to be reasonably healthy this year.

Children’s Brains Are the Key to Well-Designed Classrooms
Do you remember when you were a small child—three to five years old—how much you enjoyed playing under the dining room table and pretending it was your castle or special playroom? asks John P. Eberhard, FAIA, in the latest article in his continuing series on neuroscience and architecture. This sense of “delight” was an experience provided by your brain. Read about how the ratio of space size to body size in children, as well as their special relationships to time, sound, and light can offer some fascinating clues to successful classroom design.

Learning by Design: The Best Schools of 2006
The 2006 release of Learning by Design showcases the nation’s best in educational facility architecture design. This year’s grand prize goes to klipp, Denver, for the Denver School for Science & Technology. The jury noted a nationwide focus on career and technology education among the more than 120 school and university projects submitted. Other trends include flexible common areas, sustainable outdoor spaces as learning environments, and environmentally friendly designs.

I Spy a Shopper!
Retail consultant explains consumer behavior, how architects can capitalize
“There are too many cooks in the retail design kitchen,” says Paco Underhill, founder, CEO, and president of Envirosell, a New York City-based behavioral market research firm, who has been conducting research on consumer shopping behavior for more than 25 years. Underhill addressed the AIA Convention in Los Angeles on June 10 in his presentation “Why We Buy.” He gave an overview of the space and human factors that govern how consumers move in a store and offered a number of tips to capture the latest trends in retail design.

Good Luck and Thanks, Jim!
AIA COO Dinegar joins Board of Trade
AIA Chief Operating Officer James Dinegar has taken the position of CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. In that position, which he will begin in early July, Dinegar will facilitate business development opportunities in the District of Columbia, including city planning and development. Dinegar had worked at the AIA national component for eight years, first as head of government affairs and then as chief operating officer.

project watch
Science Complex in Buffalo Strives to Streamline Entire R&D Process
The new $131-million Buffalo Life Sciences Center, dedicated on June 2, hopes to accelerate research into the control, prevention, and cure of disease by linking the two new buildings—one for the New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics, operated by the University at Buffalo, and one for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Center for Genetics and Pharmacology—with an existing facility housing the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute on the south edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Complex. For the new buildings, architect Francis Cauffman Foley Hoffmann Architects created a 290,000-square-foot complex of a four-story-tall and a five-story-tall building of white metal panels, red brick, and glass. Ten double-height conference rooms line the south window walls, while four informal pods link the research/lab floors together. Researchers have private offices; teams are grouped in “neighborhood” office clusters. The complex is a candidate for a USGBC LEED® Silver rating. (Photo courtesy of the architect.)

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The economy: Apartment rate gains continue strong in all but a few markets.
Tech: Here are some guidelines for keeping sensitive telecommuting data secure.
Jobs and workers: J-1 visa holders getting more State Dept. scrutiny while IRS watches U.S. workers abroad.
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.

For Future Generations: Through the “American Children and Health Care” eClassroom distance learning course, instructor Irwin Redlener, MD, explains how, as the country thinks about preparedness for disasters and terrorism, we may have an opportunity to focus on the special needs of children in the health-care system. This course, which offers 1 HSW CES credit, is available through June 30 at a 10-percent-off discounted price, $59.35 AIA members/$80.95 nonmembers (regular price: $65.95 AIA members/$89.95 nonmembers)

Learn About Supplementary Conditions: You know what General Conditions are. But what are Supplementary Conditions? Go to the online Knowledge Base and type “supplementary conditions” into the Search window. The Knowledge Base provides instant answers 24 hours a day to frequently asked questions about supplementary conditions and other common practices in using AIA Contract Documents.

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.

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

Special savings on all Dell Products. Call 888-323-6062. Account code AIA; access key AIADELL99. Or access your AIA Premier Dell.com Web site, www.dell.com/AIA. Enter account code AIA and access key AIADELL99 (case sensitive). Your AIA discount automatically will be applied.

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.

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.

Consider Long Term Care for You and Your Spouse: The AIA Trust Long Term Care Quote plan offers you competitive quotes from the leading national carriers for extended care. Click here for specific information about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.