economics—Consensus Forecast
Optimism for the 2004 Nonresidential Construction Activity Eases, But 2005 Outlook Favorable
Inflation, construction materials problems, and international concerns slow recovery in commercial/industrial sectors
Entering 2004, the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel expected this year to be the first year of growth in nonresidential construction activity since 2000. Total nonresidential activity was projected to increase by almost 3 percent, paced by a strong upturn in industrial building, modest growth in commercial construction, and small gains in the institutional sector. But it’s mid-year now, and things have changed.

AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award Honors Two for Residential Design
The 2004 AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award program honored two projects—a mixed-use cultural community center project in San Antonio and residential housing project for families dealing with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles—as exemplary models of residential, community, and accessible housing design. The joint program, created by the AIA Center for Communities by Design and the AIA Housing Committee Knowledge Community in partnership with 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 residential design and call attention to the importance of architecture in cities and communities nationwide.

project watch
Leers/Weinzapfel Goes to Heart of Harvard Square
Leers Weinzapfel Associates reports that construction is under way on a contemporary building the firm designed to fulfill academic needs and offer ground-floor retail in a way that respects the building’s historical context and contributes to the vitality of Harvard Square. The 24,000-square-foot, four-story building at 90 Mt. Auburn Street in Cambridge will house Harvard University Library’s (HUL) Weissman Preservation Center, offices for HUL Information Systems, and other administrative activities.

book review
The Aegean Crucible—Tracing Vernacular Architecture in Post-Byzantine Centuries, by Constantine Michaelides, FAIA
The Aegean Crucible, by Constantine “Dinos” Michaelides, offers an inspired, meticulous portrait of the vernacular architecture of the Aegean Islands, according to reviewer Lou Saur, FAIA.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only)
The economy: Short-term interest rates going up. Taxes: Retirement plans for upper-income small-business owners. Health issues: State help for small businesses.
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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