2007 COMPONENT SURVEY OF BUSINESS CONDITIONS
Business Conditions at AIA Regions Strong, but Show Signs of Slowing
Residential weakness adds to softening; institutional healthy in most regions
AIA Research Specialist Jennifer Riskus reports that business conditions in the AIA’s component regions remain relatively strong in 2007, despite some economic upheaval. Many components also rated conditions as similar to last year, which tends to mean that regions that were strong last year remain strong, while those that were weak continue to struggle. Demand for architects of all skill levels remains high, and regions that are prospering have greater need for new hires. Component leaders report a fairly large decline in business conditions in the residential sector, but the commercial/industrial and institutional sectors remain solid.

UIA Invites You—and the Rest of the World’s Architects—to Batimat 2007
Paris will host the 26th Batimat, from November 5–10, when the biennial trade fair will take stock of technical evolutions, performance, and innovations in the building industry. “Sustainable development” once again will serve as the overarching theme of the three key categories that have made huge advances: energy performance, security, and renovation. Batimat 2007 will have 2,700 exhibitors from 49 countries. The International Union of Architects is a series of international conferences relevant to these themes within the Batimat framework. Architects from around the world are invited to attend Batimat 2007 free of charge by registering online. For more information, visit the Batimat Web site. (Click the British flag in the upper left corner for the English translation.)

Taking Care of Business
Letters to the Editor
This week, two readers respond to Contributing Editor Steve Kliment’s “Patrons and Patronage” article, discussing who should be African-American architects’ patrons, and one reader has something to say about the Architect of the Capitol position.

kiplinger connection
The Economy • Human Resources• The World
The Economy: Slow growth but no recession for 2008
The Jet Set: Airport delays will descend as tickets soar
Housing: New IRS directions on foreclosures and second-home income.