Cuningham Celebrates 40 Years of Sustainable Design
This summer, in celebration of its 40th anniversary, Cuningham Group Architecture convened all of its 200-plus employees from its five U.S. and two international offices to Minneapolis to team with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity on its program, “A Brush with Kindness,” designed to revitalize and restore several homes in the Northwest quadrant of the city. To round out the celebration weekend, they also organized team-building events, compiled a 40-year retrospective and vision for the future, and introduced “Our Clients, Our Projects, Our Lives,” a mission statement that reaffirms the practice’s commitment to help revitalize the planet through environmentally responsible design.

HDR’s Nanotechnology Lab Exists in Isolation and Inclusion
It has to let visitors in and keep just about everything else out
The Center for Functional Nanomaterials is a research laboratory with strict temperature and vibration isolation needs, abundant public spaces meant to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and a robust program of public events and community visitors. The lab bridges these concerns by developing building systems that don’t produce such disruptions and using glass to let visitors look into individual lab rooms. Sustainability was a primary focus of this U.S. Department of Energy project.

ADVENTURES IN ARCHITECTURE: THE SERIES
Il Duomo: Brunelleschi and the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore
Episode 8: The Other Side of Filippo
In our last episode, Filippo Brunelleschi rose to the occasion by designing and constructing magnificent machines to hoist building materials to their lofty levels and move them into place to complete Il Duomo. This feat of designing and constructing the largest masonry dome in history is quite enough by itself, but he went far beyond that with his machines, his artistry in sculpting, woodcarving, and casting bronze. He was persuasive and therefore successful—a serious businessman who went about his work with intensity and resolve. But there is another side to Filippo. Contrary to popular belief, he was not successful at everything that he set out to do. Join Jim Atkins, FAIA, FKIA, as he explores the other side of this fascinating genius of the Renaissance.

Reminder:
How Do You Honor Diversity in the Profession? Be Part of the AIA’s Diversity Recognition Program
The AIA Diversity Recognition Program invites program submissions that detail the contributions of AIA members toward the goal of a more diverse profession. Up to 12 submissions will be selected annually to be recognized as Diversity Best Practices. Possible topics for submittals—which must be less than 15 pages long—include a firm-wide focus on creating a diverse practice, proven record of pro bono work for disadvantaged communities or community groups in disadvantaged neighborhoods, creation/support of leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups, programs for maternity leave and paternity leave, sustained support programs for international employees, and many more. Submissions are due September 15. Electronic submissions are preferred and should be sent to diversity@aia.org. Hard copy submissions may be sent to: Diversity Manager Yvette Morris, The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006-5292. For submittal requirements and more information, visit the program’s Web site.