AIA Announces Recipients of 2007 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards
This year’s AIA/HUD Secretary Awards, presented on May 3 at the AIA 2007 National Convention, go to:

• Cearnal Andrulaitis, LLP, and the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara for “Excellence in Affordable Housing Design”
• Torti Gallas & Partners, Inc., and the Tacoma Housing Authority for “Creating a Community Connection”
• Mithun and Tom Phillips of the Seattle Housing Authority for “Excellence in Affordable Housing Design.”

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Sustainability moves toward not just using less, but also giving back
Unique exoskeleton combines style and sustainable function
Walking the walk is taking on new importance in the sustainability movement. In addition to providing sustainable design services, clients want to see their architect living the green life, too. Environmental Dynamics Inc. is providing such a model for its community by completing its eco-office in the East Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque. A one-story renovation, the eco-office also is home to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, The Sierra Club, and landscape architecture firm Quercus.

HOK Mexico Designs Tallest Building for Monterrey
HOK Mexico announced May 8 that the firm’s design of a 40-story, mixed-use tower in Monterrey, Mexico, was selected as the winning entry in a design competition among many of the world’s top architects. The proposed tower—which at 590 feet will be the tallest building in the city and the fourth tallest in the country—will house 116 apartments on 30 floors, with 11 floors reserved for speculative office and retail space. The abstract, sculptural design is intended to serve as an icon for the city. HOK Mexico championed pursuit of LEED® certification throughout the competition process, a proposal that currently remains under consideration.