The Tenth Decade: 1957–1966
A new century beckons
Historian Tony Wrenn, Hon. AIA, tells the tale of the Institute’s centennial celebration in 1957, which heralded a decade of increased interest in urban renewal, one great loss and several great victories in historic preservation, and plans for a new headquarters building in Washington, D.C. 1957 AIA President Leon Chatelain Jr. told his fellow architects, “We have neither time nor balance to stand still, to contemplate our past. In the year of our centennial, let us look with care where we are going—into the future. We are needed there.”

AIA Mississippi Honors Five
Five outstanding projects, all located in the Magnolia State, received kudos from AIA Mississippi when the chapter held its annual convention in Sandestin, Fla., on June 21–24. The winners include two new projects and three additions/restorations. Larry Scarpa, FAIA; Jennifer Siegal, AIA; and photographer Marvin Rand served as jurors.

Seven Endangered Historic Sites Receive Funding from WMF, American Express
The World Monuments Fund (WMF) and American Express Company announced on July 27 that seven endangered historic sites will receive funding through the new American Express Partners in Preservation program. “American Express has been an enthusiastic supporter of the World Monuments Fund for more than 10 years,” explains WMF President Bonnie Burnham. “These generous grants from American Express are critical to helping to protect and conserve sites that are testaments to human achievement for future generations to enjoy.”

AIA to Lead Major Transportation Study for Federal Government
Andrew Goldberg, Assoc. AIA, the AIA Government Advocacy Team’s manager of federal regulatory activities, reports that the U.S. Federal Highway Administration has awarded the AIA a $2-million contract to study the benefits that well-designed transportation projects bring to American communities. The study, which will be completed by July 2007, will measure how transportation projects of various types promote economic development, protect public health and safety and the environment, and enhance design and planning of communities.

Schools Receive Practice Academy Pilot Program Grants
The AIA announced on July 24 that three schools of architecture—Boston Architectural College, Iowa State University, and University of Cincinnati—are the recipients of grants through an inaugural effort to develop Practice Academy pilot programs. The Practice Academy results from a new collaboration among the AIA, the architecture academy, and architecture firms to provide a framework for a rigorous internship for students and architecture interns. The Practice Academy intends to stimulate lifelong learning for architecture professionals—beginning with internship—through the partnership of academics and practitioners. The grant program totals $90,000; each of the selected schools will receive $30,000 over the next three years to support their program development.

Project Watch
AIA Portland to Develop, Move in to New Center for Architecture
Sustainable office to become home to AIA Portland and AIA Oregon
The AIA’s Portland and Oregon chapters are moving to greener pastures. And AIA members and the public are invited to drop in. AIA Portland is moving forward with plans to form a new, one-story, 5,000-square-foot Center for Architecture in the city’s downtown that will also become the new home office to AIA Portland and AIA Oregon. The new center will highlight sustainability and serve as a resource for both the AIA and the public.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The economy: Slow growth no cause for alarm. Global Business: Good deals in Latin America. Business Practices: Get a blog policy now.
AIArchitect offers AIA members exclusive access to three stories a week to help them manage their practices and plan for the coming year. Nonmembers may subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
July 7 | July 14 | July 21 | July 28

RISK MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES
Absolute or Absolution?
Observations, inspections, and the contractor’s warranty
It takes many workers and many trades to build a building. Because the contractor is solely responsible for conformance of work with the contract documents, it is the contractor who must continuously inspect the work as it goes in place. The architect observes the work at certain times during the construction phase, but on a much less frequent basis and for different purposes than the contractor. In this article excerpted from Texas Architect, risk management gurus Grant A. Simpson, FAIA, and James B. Atkins, FAIA, explore who is contractually and physically responsible for work conformance, as well as the continuing attempts by plaintiffs’ lawyers to hold the architect accountable for this obligation.

NCARB Elects Mills Second Vice President; Honors Six with President’s Medal
Gordon E. Mills, FAIA, Dubuque, Iowa, was elected second vice president of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) at the council’s 87th annual meeting and conference in late June in Cincinnati. Also at their annual meeting, NCARB awarded the President’s Medal for distinguished service to six individuals who have made significant contributions to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare through their service to NCARB and to the practice of architecture.

Multidisciplinary Conference to Explore Walking, Working, Water
Please join the AIA’s Center for Communities by Design, Committee on the Environment, Housing and Custom Residential Committee, Regional and Urban Design Committee, Young Architects Forum, and AIA Seattle for the “Livable Communities: Walking, Working, and Water” conference September 14–17, in Seattle. The conference will focus on creating sustainable places that connect opportunities related to:

• Walking: Discuss design at a human scale and issues related to the social equity aspects of sustainability
• Working: Explore issues concerning a sound economic base, transportation, and workforce housing
• Water: Connect the built environment to natural systems, including water, as well as waterfront opportunities.

For more information, visit the conference site.

AIA CAREER CENTER
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