“Greenstep” Video #3 on Radiant Heating and Cooling Now Up

kiplinger connection
The Economy • Energy • Taxes
The Economy: Inflation is in check, interest rates hold.
Energy: Oil will continue a slow downward spiral.
Taxes: The new housing law may hurt some.

Taking Care of Business
Letters to the Editor
This week, two readers strenuously object to the notion of manmade climate change. Others are on either side of the fence as to whether Mike Crosbie was right about Buckminster Fuller being the first Green architect.

Board Committee Offers Draft Pro Bono Guidelines for Review
AIA members can offer comments by August 20
Last year, with pro bono professional services (free or reduced-fee services for charitable causes) increasingly becoming common and appropriate, the AIA National Board Community Committee developed a set of principles for architects and the Institute to use in providing such services. Now, the committee is pleased to report that they have prepared a draft version of more formal pro bono guidelines. On behalf of the committee, AIA Vice President Peter Arsenault, AIA, committee chair, and AIA Director Tony Costello, FAIA, invite all AIA members to review and comment on these draft guidelines by August 20, prior to review by the AIA Board of Directors in September. You can access a PDF of the guidelines online. If you choose to provide comments, you can access the members-only comments form online. The committee thanks you and encourages architects to consider ways that you, your firm, and your component can serve your community through appropriate pro bono services.