June 30, 2006

Economics
Nonresidential Market in 2007 to Match this Year’s Strong Performance
AIA Consensus Forecast Panel sees balanced growth and another robust year
Despite several concerns with the fundamentals of the nonresidential construction market—including rising short-term interest rates, ongoing inflation in key construction materials prices, and recent concerns over the economic outlook—the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast Panel is expecting solid levels of activity through the remainder of 2006 and through 2007. After adjusting for inflation, the AIA panel is anticipating a 6.3 percent increase in nonresidential activity in 2006, and an additional 6.2 percent next year with growth evenly balanced between the commercial/industrial and institutional sectors. If achieved, this would be the best two-year period for nonresidential construction activity since this market grew by about 30 percent in 1997–1998.

New Law Funds AIA-Backed Programs to Help Gulf Coast Recover and Rebuild
President Bush on June 15 signed into law $19.8 billion to help Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and other states recovering from Hurricane Katrina and other storms, including funds for two AIA-supported programs to provide housing alternatives to mobile trailers and to repair historic structures.

Google Adds Free Design Software to Its Portfolio
SketchUp motto: “3D design for everyone”
To make 3D modeling more accessible to more people, this spring Google SketchUp released a free version of its modeling software. The program piqued interest on the Design Expo floor at the AIA 2006 National Convention in Los Angeles earlier this month, with SketchUp Pro veterans and Google newbies trying out the features that allow users to click and drag lines and shapes to create a virtual world all their own (or their clients’). Architects at the convention booth said it is helpful for stand-alone modeling as well as presentations—just the kind of feedback the folks at Google were hoping to hear.

Wisconsin Honors Architecture for Craft, Care, Context
AIA Wisconsin honored nine award-winning projects this spring for their creative, innovative, and environmentally sensitive design solutions. All located in the Badger State, the projects range from an elegant transformation of existing urban infrastructure to a functional work of civic art that connects neighborhoods while offering dynamic views of downtown Milwaukee.

NCARB Votes to Allow Taking Portions of ARE Concurrent with IDP
Implementation resolution to be voted on next year
Attendees of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) annual meeting on June 25 passed a resolution to allow Architecture Registration Examination (ARE) candidates to take portions of the exam concurrently with IDP (Intern Development Program). The measure passed by a vote of 45–6.

Architecture Finds Its Voice: Introducing AIA Podcasts
Predock interview among inaugural broadcasts
AIA Gold Medalist Antoine Predock, FAIA, sat down with AIA Managing Director of Marketing and Promotions Phil Simon at the national convention earlier this month to talk about “The Choreography of Architecture.” You can be privy to this 12-minute conversation via one of four of the Institute’s inaugural podcasts, now available on AIA Podnet Architecture Knowledge Review. Equally fascinating are the other three podcasts: AIA President-elect RK Stewart, FAIA, on “Sustainability and Architecture”; AIA Vice President Norman Strong, FAIA, on “Architecture on the Edge: Integrated Practice”; and authors Barbara Lyons Stewart, AIA, and Vincent M. Smith, on their new book, Feng Shui: A Practical Guide for Architects and Designers. The free podcasts are available through XML, itunes, or MP3. Try them out on your MP3 player or PC today—and check back for more podcasts soon.

project watch
Down on the Blue Bayou
New waterfront park emphasizes revitalization of downtown Houston
Linda Ronstadt once sang softly that she “was going back some day, come what may, to Blue Bayou.” Now is her chance. And, for Houstonians, it is their chance too. The once-murky Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s principal waterway, is now turning blue—and its surrounding landscape is turning natural green. The Buffalo Bayou and downtown Houston are in the midst of a 20-year, $800 million beautification and redevelopment plan, masterminded by the nonprofit Buffalo Bayou Partnership. This month, its centerpiece project was completed: a 23-acre downtown park segment of the bayou called the Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade, designed by the SWA Group.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Energy industry: Venture capital is flowing strong for alternative-energy development. Property: Office and apartment construction markets are slowing. Global business: Vietnam is poised to join the Asian boom.
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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June 2 | June 9 | June 16 | June 23

News You Can Use
 

BEST PRACTICES
Some (not-so) Secrets of Establishing an Architecture Practice
Jack Train, FAIA, the 1974 Edward Kemper recipient for service to the Institute, spent his first 20 years as a driving force in establishing SOM. He managed a technical staff that grew from 120 to more than 700 persons during one two-year period. “I hired a lot people and fired a lot of people,” he said. “And in the process, I learned how to judge ability.” Here are some of his observations on developing top talent.

Design-Build Knowledge Community Seeks Advisory Group Member
The AIA Design-Build Advisory Group is seeking a candidate interested in an advisory position starting in 2007. The group’s vision is to promote the importance of architects as leaders in delivering design-build services. Group members share their knowledge with AIA members, allied professions, academia, and owners regarding the design-build project delivery method. The candidate must be knowledgeable and active in the practice of design-build and a registered architect, licensed professional, or recognized professional and a member in good standing with the AIA. The AIA Design-Build Knowledge Community is committed to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including women. To learn more about the Design-Build Knowledge Community, visit the AIA Design-Build Web site. For application materials for the advisory position, contact Chair Ben Wilking, AIA.

Fitch Charitable Foundation Sponsors 2006 Mid-Career Grant Program
Applications due September 15
The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation will award a $25,000 research grant to mid-career professionals who have an advanced degree or professional degree and at least 10 years’ experience in historic preservation or related fields, including architecture. Named for James Marston Fitch—educator, author, critic, and design practitioner—the grants support projects of innovative original research or creative design that advance the practice of U.S. historic preservation. Applications must be postmarked on or before September 15. Find requirements on the foundation’s Web site and address further questions to Fitch Foundation Executive Director Erin Tobin Bearden, etbearden@fitchfoundation.org.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Browse This Week’s Featured Opportunities by Category

• Architect 117
• Computer Aided Design 13
• Construction Management 17
• Engineering 8
• Facilities Management 3
• Graphic Design 2
• Industrial Design 3
• Information Technology (IT) 1
• Interior Design 6

 

• Intern Architect 38
• Landscape Architecture 3
• Library Services/Knowledge Management 1
• Marketing 3
• Planning 14
• Project Manager 62
• Security Design 2
• Specifications 5


Browse by State/Province
• Alabama 3
• Arizona 2
• California 32
• Colorado 2
• D.C. 5
• Florida 15
• Georgia 5
• Hawaii 2
• Idaho 1 		  • Illinois 10
• Indiana 1
• Kentucky 1
• Maryland 4
• Massachusetts 4
• Mississippi 1
• Missouri 2
• Nevada 3
• New Jersey 1 		  • New York 3
• North Carolina 12
• North Dakota 1
• Ohio 3
• Oregon 6
• Pennsylvania 4
• South Carolina 3
• Tennessee 3
• Texas 2
  • Utah 1
• Virginia 8
• Washington 3
• Wisconsin 1
• Wyoming 2

Visit the AIA Career Center to view/post openings. You can sort the complete list by keyword, category, job level, job type, and location.

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Go Green! The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design, 2nd Edition (John Wiley and Sons) by Sandra F. Mendler, AIA, and William Odell, FAIA, offers a comprehensive guide toward integrating sustainable design strategies and features 24 case studies of a variety of international HOK projects. The book lists for $80; AIA members may purchase it for $72. Order online or phone 800-242-3837, option #4.

Explore the Future of Health-Care Design: In the “New Possibilities in Women’s and Children’s Health” eClassroom distance learning course, instructor Leanne Kaiser Carlson, explores the impact of technology and innovation on the future of women’s and children’s health as well as trends in health-care design. This course, which offers 1 HSW CES credit, is available through July 7 at a 10-percent-off discounted price, $59.35 AIA members/$80.95 nonmembers (regular price: $65.95 AIA members/$89.95 nonmembers)

How Do I Modify AIA Contract Documents? Have questions about modifying your AIA Contract Documents? Go to the online Knowledge Base and select Content of AIA Contract Documents/Using Documents /Modifying Documents for answers to Frequently Asked Questions that are always available to you and everyone else in your firm. Or type key words into the search window to go directly to FAQs on your subject.

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.

Are You Ready for Summer School? Check out AIA Austin’s offerings.

They Try Harder: Avis gives you your choice of five bonus offers good for savings over and above your AIA discount. Call 800-698-5685.

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.