AIA Sends Heartfelt Condolences to RIBA in Wake of Terrorist Bombings
After the horror of yesterday’s terrorist attacks on the London transportation system, and remembering kindnesses afforded by the Royal Institute of British Architects and other architecture societies after the September 11 attacks four years ago, the AIA currently is drafting an expression of condolences to be delivered through the RIBA leadership to the members of their society and victims of the attack. The AIA top leadership currently is in Istanbul attending the UIA Triennial Congress, and we will post the text of their formal response on the front page of www.AIA.org when it is available later today. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with our English colleagues.

Housing Continues to Propel National Economy
New report from Harvard’s Joint Center points to decentralization and sprawl as results of record construction levels
With long-term interest rates remaining low and employment rebounding, 2004 was another record-shattering year for housing markets. For the fourth consecutive year, home building, remodeling, and home sales all continued to climb. Single-family starts hit their highest level ever, improvement spending easily eclipsed its 2003 record, and new and existing home sales approached 8 million.

AIA Gulf States Honor 11 Stunning Works of Architecture
The AIA Gulf States Region annual Honor Awards Program seeks to salute excellence and elevate the quality of architecture in the region. As a testament to the strength of the Gulf States Region, each of the five states—Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee—had an award-winning project selected in the 2005 Honor Awards program. The jury deliberated over 135 submittals, ultimately recognizing 11 projects for design excellence. These awards were presented at the May 20 AIA Gulf States Region Reception in conjunction with the AIA national convention.

Please Note: AIA Fellowship Nominations Due Sooner than You Think!
Submissions must be postmarked by October 21
Don’t let the summer slip by without nominating that most-deserving architect (you, perhaps?) for AIA Fellowship, which honors architect members who have been in good standing for at least 10 years, made a significant contribution to architecture and society, and achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Fellowship submissions must be postmarked by October 21 and carry a per-year, non-refundable application fee of $175. New this year, the AIA has prepared a document highlighting the “Fellowship Frequently Asked Questions”—now available on the AIA Web site—that should prove helpful to nominees, sponsors, and component executives. Still have questions? Contact honorsawards@aia.org.

AIA Launches New Compensation Survey
Document available in PDF format this month; in print next month
Despite a recession in nonresidential construction through much of the period between 2002 and 2005, salaries for architecture positions at U.S. architecture firms increased more than 10 percent (about a 3.3 percent annual compound growth rate), AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, reports in his overview to the 2005 AIA Compensation Survey. The survey, which covers the last three years in detail, shows that this growth rate was below the rate the profession experienced between 1999 and 2002 (5.1 percent per year) and 1996 to 1999 (5.3 percent). Still, it represents a significant increase in compensation, particularly given that professional salaries in general grew only 2.5 percent per year on average over the same time frame.

Seattle Celebrates Solstice in Style
Come with AIA Seattle Executive Vice President Marga Rose Hancock, Hon. AIA, as she tells the tale of how AIA President-elect-elect RK Stewart, FAIA, joined the AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable as part of a festive crowd at the chapter’s eighth annual Summer Solstice Procession, a “Natural and Community Wonders Tour” of the city’s South Park neighborhood. “The procession highlighted the kind of component involvement we hope will be supported in the AIA 150 anniversary Blueprint for America activities,” Stewart says.

AIA EVP/CEO Position Profile and Description Now Online
The AIA EVP/CEO position profile and position description for the AIA Executive Vice President/CEO position to be vacated by Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, at the end of this year is now available online. Koonce plans to retire in December.

project watch
Vocal Community, Responsive Architect Create “Library of the Year”
What started as an assignment for Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R) to complete a comprehensive master plan for the existing Fayetteville, Ark., public library has resulted in the new Blair Public Library’s receipt of the 2005 Thomson Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year Award. According to Thomson Gale Publishing, the Library of the Year Award honors the library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding community service.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Business costs: Acting ahead of government regs, businesses are going to clean, efficient energy sources. Energy: Oil likely to go over $60/barrel, but not over $70. The economy: Businesses wary of spending, weakening growth outlook.
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.

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
June 13 | June 20 | June 27 | July 4

BEST PRACTICES IN RISK MANAGEMENT
The Question of Slip Resistance
Jim. W. Sealy, FAIA, tells us that in his work as a litigation consultant, lawyers repeatedly ask him the same questions: “What do architects know about slip resistance?” and “What makes you an authority on slip resistance?” He says he gives the same answer to both questions and it’s very simple: “Who is more qualified to address slip resistance than an architect?” Let him walk you safely through this important issue.

AIA Store Bestsellers for June
Need to catch up on your reading? How about your shopping? Now you can do both with this list of the best-selling books and gift items in the AIA Store last month. Whether you’re looking for the latest code update, a summer beach read, or a last minute gift, it’s all here.

Miss Las Vegas?
If you’re already missing the great times we had at the AIA national convention in Las Vegas in May—or if you didn’t get to go this year—AIA Las Vegas is making available to AIA members copies of the 2005 Architecture Las Vegas magazine for $5.95 each, plus shipping and handling. Articles include “The 100 People, Places, and Ideas that Shaped Our City.” To order your copy (or to advertise in the 2006 Architecture Las Vegas magazine) contact Debi Raffi, AIA Las Vegas, 702-895-0936.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Pondering Our Future: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, by Jared Diamond (Viking Books, 2005). Jared Diamond, author of the best-selling Guns, Germs, and Steel, asks one of the most compelling questions of our time: How can our world best avoid committing ecological suicide? Collapse is available now to AIA members for the special price of $23.96 ($29.95 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

Change in Michigan
Architect and Urban Planner Eric Hill, FAIA, has joined Lord, Aeck & Sargent's Ann Arbor, Mich., office as principal. Find out more on the AIA online news service.

See Calatrava from the Convention: You now can see the keynote address by 2005 AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava that won him three standing ovations, and can earn 1 CES credit to boot. AIA members may take the “Santiago Calatrava Works his Magic,” course for $29.95 ($59.95 nonmembers).

AIA Members Save with United Parcel Service (UPS): Save up to 20 percent on U.S. and international overnight air shipping with UPS, the world’s largest package-distribution company.
Call 800-325-7000, ext. 7600. Reference No. C-000-070-0037

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.

Save Time! AIA.org now features a trouble-shooting Knowledge Base to address your AIA Contract Documents software questions quickly and efficiently.

Gain protection for your architecture office and property with Business Owners Protection insurance. Ensure general liability protection with options to add business auto, workers comp, umbrella, and employment practices liability. Click here for specific information about this program. For information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.