20 Schools Named 2005 Solar Decathletes
Competition will again take place on the National Mall
The U.S. Department of Energy and its National Renewable Energy Lab have chosen 20 university and college teams to take part in the 2005 Solar Decathlon, a 10-part competition to design the most beautiful and energy-efficient house. Once again, the teams will construct their prototypes on the National Mall and create a “Solar Village” open to the public. The AIA, one of the original sponsors of last year’s inaugural decathlon, will also cosponsor the 2005 contest.

2004 Housing PIA Awards to Honor Residential Work of All Ilks
The AIA Housing Professional Interest Area (PIA) invites residential architects to take part in its fourth annual awards program to recognize the best in housing design. The program emphasizes the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource.

Research Reveals a Truer Picture of Liability Claims
Two studies of New York and Illinois provide a gauge of what kinds of professional liability claims are being filed and at what frequency in those states. The findings, developed by Victor O. Schinnerer & Co., serve as factual background for AIA New York State and AIA Illinois, who requested them. Supporting the state-component lobbying efforts, the studies illustrate, among other things, the low incidence of claims in New York more than seven years after substantial completion and the dramatic drop in costly but unsubstantiated claims following the repeal in Illinois of a law allowing construction-worker lawsuits against architects.

UIA Celebration of Cities Competition Revises Deadlines
Registrations due November 22; entries due January 5, 2004
The UIA has announced new deadlines for the Celebration of Cities competition, and the AIA, therefore, has revised its timeline as follows:
• Deadline for receipt of registrations at the AIA national component headquarters is November 22
• Deadline for receipt of submissions at the AIA national component headquarters is January 5, 2004
This means participants have almost three additional weeks from the original deadlines. All other details, including regulations and submission guidelines, remain the same and can be found on the AIA.org Web site.

PROJECT WATCH
San Francisco Flower Conservatory Blossoms Again
The Conservatory of Flowers, a historic greenhouse in Golden Gate Park, celebrated its reopening September 20 after an eight-year historic preservation effort, announced Bruce D. Judd, FAIA, founding principal of Architectural Resources Group (ARG), San Francisco. The conservatory is the oldest structure in Golden Gate Park.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only)
Housing market: Economic growth will outpace rising mortgage rates to keep housing strong through 2004, although some markets are ripe for correction. The economy: Job rate to remain jagged until an upward trajectory by early next year. China: Despite a fixed-rate yuan, U.S. continues to work to decrease trade deficit. New EU accounting regs, adopted by 2005, will make capital flow across the Atlantic smoother.
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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