A MESSAGE FROM AIA CALIFORNIA COUNCIL
State, National, Local AIA Components Support Fire Victims with Rebuilding Resources, Safety Advice
Architects, fire, and safety officials work together to assess damage on residential, office buildings
The AIA California Council (AIACC) and AIA San Diego are again actively working with city and county building officials to simplify and facilitate the process of rebuilding the communities devastated by the wildfires, using programs developed from the 2003 San Diego County fires. “This is not the time to make quick decisions. Residents should educate themselves about the rebuilding process and their options,” says AIACC President Pam Touschner, AIA. “It can take two to three months for fire victims to make informed decisions about the long-term impact of rebuilding their communities, and it is incumbent upon architects to help them make the best choices for themselves and the environment.”

Germany Takes First Place; Local Favorite Takes Second in Solar Decathlon
German design and engineering dominated in the 2007 Solar Decathlon as Technische Universität Darmstadt captured first place October 19 in the third DOE Solar Decathlon, cosponsored by the AIA. The local airwaves, however, were taken by the second-place entrant, the University of Maryland. The third placeholder was Santa Clara University.

Ohio Board to Allow ARE Concurrent with IDP
The Ohio Board of Examiners of Architects announced on October 15 that it has changed its rules to allow interns to begin taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE) prior to completing the Intern Development Program (IDP). The ARE is the only examination adopted for use by all 50 states as the registration examination required of all candidates for architectural registration. IDP has been adopted by 49 states as the training program required of all architects prior to registration. This change to the Board’s rules will take effect on November 5, 2007, and follows adoption of the ARE Timing resolution at the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) Annual Meeting and Conference in June.

Richmond, Va., Adopts 2030 Challenge
Mayor L. Douglas Wilder announced October 3 that his city of Richmond, Va., has adopted the 2030 Challenge, with the intent of making the capital of that commonwealth carbon neutral by the year 2030. The 2030 Challenge is the brainchild of Architecture 2030, an independent, nonprofit organization founded by New Mexico architect Edward Mazria, AIA. (The AIA itself adopted the challenge late last year.) Mayor Wilder has asked AIA Virginia to work with organizations across the state to reach this goal. Richmond already has undertaken energy efficiency and conservation measures that include purchasing hybrid-fuel vehicles, installing LED traffic lights, and promoting utility conservation through consumer education outreach.

Smile! Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying Are the Least Depressed Professions
Few would deny that depression in the workplace is a most serious matter: According to a study released October 15 by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. companies lose an estimated $30-$44 billion per year because of employee depression. Using data from the combined 2004 to 2006 surveys to present estimates of past year major depression episodes (lasting two weeks or longer) among full-time workers aged 18 to 64, the research further shows that the rate of depression varies by occupation and industry. But there’s some good news for architects. As reported in the Washington Post, among the 21 major occupational categories, the people in the category reporting the lowest rate of depression incidents were those in engineering, architecture, and surveying, with 4.3 percent. Is it because we have the best weekly electronic newsletter ever? You decide. Highest rates of depression? Those in personal care and service occupations (10.8 percent) and the food preparation and serving related occupations (10.3 percent). To access full results of the survey, visit National Survey on Drug Use and Health Web site.