work-on-the-boards
Billings Decline Again in August at Architecture Firms
Only small share of firms active in business research;
client research tops list
Billings at architecture firms declined in August, with a drop even steeper than that reported in July. While a one-month decline in billings at firms can be dismissed as a blip, declines two months in a row certainly need to be viewed with more concern. Inquiries for new work increased slightly in August, but both the July and August increases in inquiries were well below averages of the first six months of the year.

COTE Launches Greening of the AIA National Headquarters
Building owners everywhere are focusing on energy efficiency and office environments that promote health, well being, and productivity. Addressing this demand, the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) is lending its expertise to study the feasibility of making the national-component headquarters a showcase. In a 30-hour initial study September 12–14, the six-member COTE Advisory Group and another dozen consultants donated their time to the Greening of the AIA, through which an audit of the mid-1970s, moderately sized office building—typical of thousands nationwide—will result in a long-range plan for enhancing resource efficiency and occupant comfort. Here, COTE Chair Daniel E. Williams, FAIA, Vice Chair Mark Rylander, AIA, (left), and Advisory Group member Vivian Loftness, FAIA, disregard the rain to inspect rooftop HVAC equipment. The team expects to deliver an executive summary of its initial findings within a week. (Photo by Douglas E. Gordon, Hon. AIA.)

Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue Plan Ready for Primetime
Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House will get an overhaul based on a plan proposed by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh. The design will replace the temporary security barriers currently scattered along the avenue and adjoining streets. The plan, according to federal officials, creates a distinguished, pedestrian-oriented, and landscaped civic space to include well-designed security booths and bollards, street tree planting, new paving materials and “street furniture” such as benches and lighting.

AIA Chicago Presents Its 2003 Design Excellence Awards
AIA Chicago will honor the work of 20 local firms on 32 awarding-winning projects September 19 during the chapter’s annual recognition ceremony, held this year at the Grand Ballroom of Chicago’s Navy Pier. Among those honored are Perkins & Will and Murphy Jahn, two of the Windy City’s largest and most revered firms.

Big Apple Proclaims Architecture Week in October
AIANY also opens doors to its new street-front office
AIA New York invites friends and family across the country to join in a citywide celebration of architecture. The week-long festivities, October 7–12, will include a design-in marathon, symposia, dinners, parties, and tours of places usually closed to the public. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York City Council plan to issue proclamations to commemorate the event.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only)
Budget deficit: A slow economy, more spending, and tax cuts are contributing to a deficit that most likely will be with us for the rest of the decade. Health costs: Nonprescription medicine can be reimbursed under flex costs. Post-blackout: Government will offer a number of carrots to spur investment for grid improvements.
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.

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