Summary: This week, one member calls Nouvel’s ultra-luxe project in Los Angeles “greenwashing,” [and] another member sees the value of our weekly Kiplinger Connection, another has a question about the proposed AIA/USGBS alliance, and still another has praise for Filippo (and Jim!).

Re: Nouvel’s “Green Blade” Takes Root

AIArchitect’s Green Blade building article beautifully articulates the absurdity of much current “green design.” Regardless of LEED® features, the basic fact is that 3,000- to 10,000-square-foot urban condos are anything but green. The AIA has a particular responsibility to truly lead society toward sustainability. Heralding green-washed over-consumption for the very richest of the rich doesn’t help.

—Thomas K. Davies, AIA
Director of Design & Construction/Assistant Director Physical Plant, Amherst College
Amherst, Mass.

Re: The Kiplinger Connection

I think that the inclusion of the Kiplinger Connection, most especially when it discusses cost escalation factors such as steel costs, etc., is extremely valuable. I’m not sure how many readers actually open it up, but all members should be aware of that critical information. I copy it and send it to clients to keep them aware of cost implications. I used it very effectively yesterday to illustrate to my Des Moines Airport client why the $13.6 million preliminary concept budget I’ve estimated for their outbound bag handling system is not able to accurately include a prediction of market volatility.

—Bill Dikis, FAIA
Architectural Strategies LLC
Clive, Iowa

Re: AIA, USGBC Agree to Develop Strategic Alliance

Was the membership surveyed to find out if a majority or consensus existed to support this alliance?

—Bob Krieger, AIA
Dahn & Krieger Architects Planners PC

Ed. note: The directive to pursue formation of a strategic alliance with USGBC comes from the AIA Board of Directors, in keeping with the AIA’s strategic initiative to promote sustainability in the built environment.

Re: Il Duomo: Brunelleschi and the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore

The series on Il Duomo, as written by James Atkins, FAIA, has been extremely enjoyable to me. Thank you for bringing it to us. Well done ! Looking forward to the next installment.

—Vilhelmina Guthrie, AIA, Architect / Project Manager
NYC DEP, Facilities Management & Construction
Flushing, N.Y.