COTE Marks Earth Day with Top Ten Green Building Awards

AIA Board Brings Sustainability into CES Requirement
Beginning in 2009, 4 of 18 hours must relate to sustainable design
In March, the AIA national Board of Directors approved a change in the Rules of the Board that the AIA mandatory continuing education requirement, beginning January 1, 2009, will include a learning requirement for sustainable design. There will be no increase in the total learning-unit requirement (18 hours, 8 of which must be on health, safety, and welfare topics). The new requirement calls for 4 of the 18 hours to be related to “sustainable design,” the definition of which is being determined by the AIA Continuing Education Quality Assurance Panel (CEQAP). This requirement is specified to run through 2012, by which time, the Board will evaluate whether to extend it.

No action is required at this time of AIA members or registered AIA Continuing Education System (CES) providers. Currently, this is not a requirement for state licensure, except in Texas, which enacted a sustainable-design continuing education requirement in April 2008.

Diverse Events Celebrate Diversity at Convention
Lots to do—and mentors needed!
This year’s theme of “We the People” invites exploration and discussion of diversity within the profession at the AIA national convention in Boston, May 15–17. Beyond race, gender, nationality, religion, abilities, disabilities, and socioeconomic background, diversity for architects embraces ways to include every point of view and foster collaboration for the good of our communities—and our projects. Below are some of the ways you can learn more about and contribute to the great melting pot that makes up architecture.

ASLA Selects 29 Award-Winning Projects
The American Society of Landscape Architects on April 15 announced the 29 recipients of its 2008 Professional Awards, selected by jury from more than 500 entries. ASLA will present the awards on October 6 at their annual meeting in Philadelphia. For photos and descriptions of all the winners, visit ASLA’s Web site. Pictured here is a project worthy of a visit during the AIA convention in May: The Boston’s Children’s Museum, landscape architecture by Michael Van Valkenburgh. The project, which captured an ASLA honor award, transforms the museum’s outdoor space into an extension of its indoor interactive learning environment. The museum’s building addition is by Cambridge Seven Architects. Photo © Steven Turner Architectural Photography.