Time Ticks Down on Architect of the Capitol Decision
Help fight to ensure a licensed architect is selected
As congressional leaders edge closer to making known their recommendations for the next Architect of the Capitol, the AIA is shifting its advocacy efforts into high gear, calling on all 80,000 members of the Institute to urge their Washington representatives to select a licensed professional architect for the prestigious position. Recent news reports suggest that the commission would like to submit their recommendations to the president by the end of this week, although that has not been confirmed. As a result, the AIA calls for all its members to contact their elected representatives on Capitol Hill and urge them to ensure that the next Architect of the Capitol is a licensed professional architect. Connect to the AIA Angle to take action—now!

USGBC Ups LEED Green Building Rating System Requirements to Increase Energy Performance by 14 Percent
To meet its Climate Change Agenda, the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) membership last month voted to require all LEED®-certified projects to achieve at least two “Optimize Energy Performance” points within LEED, which the council estimates will improve the energy performance of all LEED-certified green buildings by 14 percent for new construction and 7 percent for existing buildings. Effective immediately, all newly registered commercial LEED projects will be required to achieve the two “Optimize Energy Performance” points, which will count towards a project's certification.

“New World Architecture” Tours the Old and New Worlds
Fifty-seven award-winning projects highlight cutting-edge design
Fifty-seven of the latest cutting-edge architecture projects from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America are featured in “New World Architecture,” a traveling exhibition that opened in London in June and will travel to Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands, and the U.S. in 2007 and 2008. "New World Architecture," curated by the Finnish architecture critic Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine exhibits new works of architecture—from skyscrapers and urban planning projects to bridges and private residents—selected by a jury of Russian architects in Moscow earlier this year.

BSA Offers Research Grants in Architecture
Submissions due September 17
The Boston Society of Architects is offering grants to support innovative, practice-based, and practice-oriented original research that expands the definition of research in the profession and the industry. BSA encourages proposals that bring together practitioners and academics. Submissions are from anyone (architects, academics, designers, product developers, students, etc.) living in the U.S. Grants, which should total $90,000 in 2008, may include amounts of up to $10,000 to individuals, collaborative teams, or organizations; $2,000 for students; $10,000 for research studio projects; and up to $40,000 for a significant research project. The deadline is September 17. Submission guidelines and applications are available on the BSA Web site.