Architectural Efforts to Bring Safety and Stability to Iraq
Lt. James Vandenberg, AIA, CEC, USNR (Seabees) recently returned from 10 months in Iraq as a “combat architect” with the First Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) in Al Anbar Province, western Iraq. He was called to active duty from his job as state architect for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. He was tasked with working with local sheiks to determine their construction needs in Al Fallujah, Ar Ramadi, and later on the western border with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia from the Al Asad Forward Operating Base. Join him on an insider’s tour of some of his projects.

from the president’s office
Sustainability: A Green Tale
Fresh from the July 25–26 Green Building Summit hosted by the AIA in Washington, D.C., AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, proposes that the overriding issue in moving green buildings forward is how persuasively we communicate to our clients both the challenges and opportunities in sustainability. He even suggests use of the “p” word.

Greenville Graced with Beautiful Bridge
Greenville, S.C., is rightfully proud of its beautiful new Liberty Bridge, an ultralight structure that spans the Reedy River in the city’s newly refurbished Falls Park. Designed by Boston’s Rosales Gottenmoeller & Associates in partnership with Schlaich Bergermann and Partner, Stuttgart, Germany, the 380-foot-long cable-stayed suspension bridge spans 200 feet clear and employs two 100-foot-tall towers at a 15-degree angle on one side of the bridge to afford pedestrians a viewing platform and a sweeping vista of the falls. The structure, the first of its kind in the U.S., has just won the 2005 Arthur E. Hayden Medal for outstanding achievement in bridge engineering from the Engineers Society of Western Pennsylvania. Miguel Rosales, AIA, principal of RGA, reports that the new bridge, which the firm designed to complement rather than dominate the natural beauty of the area, has become an instant icon for the city.

A Global Agenda for America’s Architects at UIA World Congress
The 11-member AIA delegation to the International Union of Architects (UIA) triennial Congress and Assembly in Istanbul returned energized by their interactions with their colleagues from around the world through the program’s theme “Cities: The Grand Bazaar of Architecture,” held July 3–10. AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, headed the U.S. group, which also included First Vice President Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, and AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA.

Design and Donate a “Face in the Wild” to Benefit the WWF
Humanscale, the ergonomic office products manufacturer, is holding its sixth annual competition/auction this fall. By designing and donating an animal face design for this event, you will help raise money for the World Wildlife Fund, a leading environmental organization dedicated to protecting the diversity of life. Last year’s event brought more than 350 attendees and earned more than $25,000 for WWF, including a matching donation by Humanscale.

Sustainable Design Assessment Team Gains Two Communities
New Orleans and Alexandria Township, N.J., to participate in new program
The AIA Center for Communities by Design has selected New Orleans and Alexandria Township, N.J., as the newest members of the 2005 Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) community assistance program, which was launched with five initial communities in April. The collaborative SDAT brings together design and planning professionals from across the country to provide a roadmap for communities seeking to improve their sustainability, defined as “a community’s ability to meet the environmental, economic, and social equity needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

project watch
Einhorn Yaffee Prescott’s Katzen Arts Center Really Performs
American University’s new facility unites performing and visual arts
Einhorn Yaffee Prescott’s sleek, new Katzen Arts Center at Washington, D.C.’s American University is interesting not only for its design, but also its purpose: to unite facilities for creating, displaying, and performing art under one roof. While the visual and performing arts often share space, rarely do the studios that produce art coexist on the same premises. This decision was driven in large part by the lead donors, Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen, who wanted their collection of modern art to offer inspiration and learning for AU students.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The economy: Demand for commercial loans is up, and banks are eager to lend. The world: China, flush with U.S. dollars, is snapping up brand-name U.S. firms. Taxes: New corporate breaks are likely soon.
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 4 | July 11 | July 18 | August 1

BEST PRACTICES in risk management
Your Grandfather’s Working Drawings
Architects and their instruments of service have become a target for disputes and litigation at an increasing rate in recent years, Risk Management Committee members Grant A. Simpson, FAIA, and James B. Atkins, FAIA, tell us. Rarely is there a major project where the drawings and specifications are not subjected to scrutiny by parties claiming to be harmed by the documents or looking to find a source of harm within them. This article explores the profound impact of CAD on the way that our drawings are produced today and examines the management void left by the change from manual artistry to digital and its effect on our work product and how it is perceived and used. It also offers suggestions for what firm principals and managers can do to bridge this gap and improve how the work of architects is perceived.

Feds Offer Governors Design Assistance on Growth Issues
New initiative modeled after Mayors’ Institute
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Environmental Protection Agency have teamed up with Smart Growth America and the University of Maryland to launch the Governors’ Institute on Community Design (GICD), an initiative to bring educational and technical assistance to help state leaders implement innovative design approaches for civic planning, growth, and development. The program builds on the NEA’s successful Mayors’ Institute on City Design, which is administered jointly by the American Architectural Foundation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

AIA Store’s July Bestsellers
This month’s bestsellers range from AIA-monogrammed items to the new Architect’s Handbook update to, yes, the sixth installment of the Harry Potter series. And as an AIA member, you get a discounted rate of 10–30 percent off the retail price.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Wood Rising: New Wood Architecture, by Ruth Slavid (Princeton University Press, 2005) presents the story of wood’s renaissance as a construction material through 300 photos and drawings detailing 50 contemporary projects by architects from around the globe. New Wood Architecture is available now to AIA members for the special price of $36 ($45 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

It’s All About Federal Procurement: Check out the new Guide to Federal Procurement Web site, a one-stop shop where AIA members can get updated information on how to apply for and win government contracts.

Celebrating Second Lives: Mitchell/Giurgola Architects, LLP, announces the publication of Boomer Buildings: Mid-Century Architecture Reborn, edited by Michael J. Crosbie, AIA, PhD.

See Calatrava from the Convention: You now can see the keynote address by 2005 AIA Gold Medal recipient Santiago Calatrava that won him three standing ovations, and can earn 1 CES credit to boot. AIA members may take the “Santiago Calatrava Works his Magic,” course for $29.95 ($59.95 nonmembers).

AIA Members Save with United Parcel Service (UPS): Save up to 20 percent on U.S. and international overnight air shipping with UPS, the world’s largest package-distribution company.
Call 800-325-7000, ext. 7600. Reference No. C-000-070-0037

Free Continuing Education: After reading the standards and other information on environmental issues and products, references, and more in each MASTERSPEC topic, licensed users can access online tests to earn AIA/CES learning-unit hours.

Save Time! AIA.org now features a trouble-shooting Knowledge Base to address your AIA Contract Documents software questions quickly and efficiently.

Consider Disability Coverage for Your Office: If you become disabled and cannot work, the AIA Trust Business Overhead Expense Plan helps pay your office expenses while you recuperate. Click here for specific information about this program.
For more information about all AIA Trust programs, go to their site.