AIA Web Site Offers Opportunities to Help Fellow Architects, Other Disaster Victims
As has always proven true in times of crisis, members of the AIA family are searching for ways to serve those in need. The architect’s professional role typically is most valuable in the relief and recovery phases of disaster response, which will begin in Mississippi soon but could be three weeks from now in Louisiana. In the intervening time, the best advice—physically—is to stay put and allow emergency workers to complete their rescue work. Emotionally and financially, however, the Institute’s Web site provides AIA members opportunities to offer the help that is desperately needed right now.

The AIA and Boxwood Technologies have created a free site where architects can offer assistance and the displaced can find it. Architects can post offers of or search for employment opportunities, housing, office space, office equipment, transportation, childcare/schools, clothing, and personal help. Members can also use the Web site to:
• Make a donation online through the AIA to the American Architectural Foundation, American Red Cross, or the Salvation Army
• Help equip displaced members by purchasing much-needed computer resources for them
• Register to serve as a volunteer.
The Web site www.aia.org also offers links to other relevant sites and news stories. Check it frequently for updates. Thank you. (Photo by Fred Kleinsmith/Slidell, nola.com)

Architects Rate Home Offices Most Popular Special Function Room; Low Maintenance Materials, Most Popular Feature
Home improvements again top other housing sectors
The vibrant housing market has not only affected the number of homes built nationally, it also has changed the characteristics of these homes. Although some homeowners are looking for less space in their home, which is more customized to their lifestyle, others remain interested in enlarging their living space, particularly with additional rooms to provide opportunities for special functions. Home offices, for example, continue to grow in popularity among households, while exercise rooms appear to have peaked in many markets.

Serendipitous Partnership Yields Community Benefits
30 AIA Columbus members construct accessible renovation
“A happy accident” brought together AIA Columbus and Creative Housing Inc., says Diane Deane, the chapter’s executive director. The partners joined forces to build ramps on a duplex home for two families with accessibility needs on August 27. Some 30 AIA members from the Columbus chapter put in about 125 person-hours constructing two concrete ramps for a 1960s Ranch-style duplex that is being renovated by Creative Housing, a nonprofit that provides safe, accessible, and affordable housing to individuals with disabilities in the Columbus metropolitan area. Deane says that the chapter’s “first-ever community service project was an incredible success.”

Spotlight
Patrick McGee Fills the Navajo Gap in Arizona
The Gap, Ariz., is a remote, small Native American community that is barely more than a trading post in the northern part of the state. So remote, in fact, that if you researched The Gap on the Internet, you will come up as dry as the Arizona heat.

We Remember September 11
As we gear up to meet the challenges of the relief and recovery stages of Hurricane Katrina, we pause to remember that fateful day in 2001, when thousands were taken from our midst in a sea of destruction of a different ilk. Four years later, our hearts lighten a little with the proof that we are a healing profession, and by our minds and hands devastation slowly and inexorably gives way to rebuilding. We are heartened and inspired by the inexhaustibility of the human spirit we strive to serve. (Photo from september11news.com)

August Bestsellers in the AIA Store
Here’s what was selling in the AIA Store during the month of August—lots of practice management books, including the newest Handbook update, Compensation Report, and Hospital Guidelines. Summer’s over—it’s back to business!

project watch
Biodesign Institute Beckons Best and Brightest
Community of science embraces collaboration, connectivity
“One of the most exciting parts of this project was the fact we architects were brought into the highest level of college-campus planning. We were counted on not only to do a great building, but also to help formulate what this program would be,” says Lord, Aeck & Sargent Principal Larry Lord, FAIA, of his firm’s work on the Arizona State University’s new Biodesign Institute. “I felt like I was dean for the day a couple of times.” Working in partnership with Gould Evans, the team completed the first phase of the Tempe campus’ state-of-the-art research facility that houses eight centers of cross-disciplinary teams in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and information technology. The $74 million, 172,000-square-foot facility opened in December 2004.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Hurricane damage: GDP suffering, but not so much as with a direct hit.
More on Katrina: Near-term effects likely on all sectors.
Selling: Minority consumers gain clout.
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?
August 15 | August 22 | August 29 | September 5

BEST PRACTICES: Integrated Practice
2006 AIA Vice President Norman Strong, FAIA, introduces the Institute’s approach to “Integrated Practice” as a new vision for practice that will support and engage architects as designers, while expanding the value they can provide throughout the project lifecycle. He also inaugurates a series of articles that will serve as the primary communications vehicle to cover topics from building information modeling basics to new business models, from interoperability to office culture, from software criteria to 4D modeling, and more.

ENR Forum Fosters Debate Among Industry Leaders
The ENR Top Firm Leaders Forum, September 28–29 in Los Angeles, will bring together executives from the country’s leading architecture, engineering, and contracting firms; their owner clients; and construction-industry vendors to network and discuss the industry’s most pressing issues. Interactive panels will tackle the topics of building information modeling, the future workforce, the worth of LEED, and whether industry leaders can change the way their businesses work. Keynote speakers are Timothy J. Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, and Major General (Ret.) Charles E. Williams, director and COO of the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Building Operations. Joining the AIA as presenting partners of the event are Aon, Autodesk, and FMI. For details and registration information, visit McGraw-Hill’s construction.com Web site.

AIA Young Architects Forum Is Looking for a Few Good Leaders
The National AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) Advisory Committee is seeking to fill five positions for 2006: vice-chair, communications adviser, events adviser, public relations adviser, and regional liaison adviser. Interested young architects—persons licensed less than 10 years—should apply with a letter of interest, up to five pages of backup materials, and three letters of recommendation by 5 p.m. EDT on September 30.

Build Boston Online Registration Opens
Online registration for Build Boston workshops and special events is up and running. Build Boston—an annual convention and trade show for design, building, and management professionals—takes place this year November 15–17 at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center. Admission to the tradeshow featuring 350 exhibitors is free and workshop prices are discounted if you register before October 21. Special programs at Build Boston this year center on women in design, diversity, housing materials, designing for memory, the Massachusetts Building Code, smart growth, small firms, K-12 design, and designing in the public interest. For more information or to register, visit the Build Boston Web site.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

The 2006 AAF Calendars Are Here! The American Architectural Foundation’s desktop calendar features more than 50 award-winning entries from the AIA St. Louis annual photo contest. The AIA Store sold out very early last year, so order soon! AIA members, $12.60/retail, $13.99. Bulk rates for orders of 25 or more are available. To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

“Getting to Great” in New York City, October 26-28:
The AIA Practice Management Committee and AIA New York component jointly offer a conference at the Center for Architecture on what it takes to build a “great” architecture firm. Register by October 7 to receive a discount rate!

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.

RFQ Issued for $100 Million+ Project: The Methodist Hospital System, located at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, is soliciting statements of qualifications for selection of an architect/engineer firm for its new research institute.

Check out the new Learning Management System: The site offers 140 courses; 10 of them brand new, fresh from the AIA 2005 National Convention in Las Vegas.

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 Long Term Care for You and Your Spouse: The AIA Trust Long Term Care Quote plan offers you competitive quotes from the leading national carriers for extended care. Click here for specific information about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.