Illinois to Close FLW’s Dana-Thomas House, Other Historic Sites and Parks
Properties set to close to public December 1
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Dana-Thomas House, which ranks 114th on the list of the AIA’s America’s Favorite Architecture, is set to close December 1. The property is one of 11 historic sites and 14 parks that are affected by budget cuts in Illinois. A bill to restore funding for the properties is pending before the governor now; the legislation’s fate is unclear.

Six New AIA Contract Documents Available
The AIA announces the release of six new documents including a first of its kind building information model hands-on tool. AIA Contract Documents newest release offers two new integrated project delivery documents, two new design-build documents and a new on-site project representation document.

National Trust Accepting Nominations for 2009 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places® List
Nominations are due by December 5
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced on October 1 that it is accepting nominations for its 2009 America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places® list. This annual list highlights important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural, and natural heritage that are at risk for destruction or irreparable damage. Since 1988, the National Trust has used its list to raise awareness of the serious threats facing the nation’s greatest treasures. The list, which has identified 200 sites through 2008, has been a powerful tool in galvanizing preservation efforts and rallying resources to save landmarks. In the last two decades, only six sites on the lists have been lost. To learn more about the program and to submit a nomination, visit the Trust’s Web site. Pictured is the Buffalo, N.Y., Peace Bridge neighborhood, one of 11 sites on the 2008 list of endangered places. Photo © Catherine Schweitzer.

“Greenstep” Video #8 Highlights Green Roofs
Two-minute programs augment the Institute’s Walk the Walk campaign
On October 13, the AIA launched the eighth of 12 short video episodes for architects to share with clients who want to plan a new building or renovate an existing one using green building principles. “Green Roofs” explains to clients how this strategy can help keep a building cool and thus reduce the owner’s bottom line, but can also help mitigate the greenhouse effect. (The first video is on water conservation; the second covers smart controls; the third, radiant heating and cooling; the fourth, vegetation and sun control; the fifth, the whole building approach; the sixth, green tags; and the seventh, energy modeling.)