AIA Honolulu Advocates Flexible Rail for Planned Honolulu Transit Project

SDAT Program Solicits 2010 Proposals
The Center for Communities by Design has announced the release of the 2010 Sustainable Design Assistance Team (SDAT) Request for Proposals. The SDAT program brings together multidisciplinary teams of professionals from across the country to provide a road map for communities seeking to improve their sustainability—as defined by a community’s ability to meet the needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The SDAT committee will conduct two rounds of application review through the remainder of 2009 to offer applicants the opportunity to receive an early decision and acceptance by the review committee.

Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Largely Unchanged in May
The path toward recovery in design activity has stalled recently. After a significant moderation in the downturn in design billings in March, the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has failed to show any further hopeful signs in April or May. The ABI score from May was 42.9, barely moving the needle from the 42.8 score in April. Since any score below 50 reflects an overall decline in billings, the May reading indicates that business conditions at architecture firms are still deteriorating, and that there was no significant movement toward recovery during the month.

2010 Convention Presentation Proposal Deadline July 1
The deadline for submitting presentation proposals for the 2010 AIA Convention is July 1, 2009. The convention, with the theme “Design for the New Decade,” will be held in Miami, June 10–12, 2010.