Louisiana Governor Blanco Sets Tone for Recovery Conference
“Let me thank you for holding this conference in New Orleans,” said Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco to the participants at the Louisiana Rebuilding and Recover Conference on the morning of November 10. “Never before has a city of this size been evacuated, so many people been homeless, or so many buildings been destroyed. However, never before has there been such an opportunity to build in new ways while recreating our cultural core.”

AIA Architects Champion “Blueprints for America”
Local/state components to sponsor locally directed initiatives
AIA component executives and their 232 “champions” rallied in Chantilly, Va., November 6–7, to inspire and be inspired to celebrate the Institute’s “AIA150” sesquicentennial anniversary. The AIA150 champions—AIA members selected by their local and state chapters to spearhead the “Blueprint for America” local projects and events that will commemorate the Institute’s 150th year in 2007—spent the two days trading both dreams and level-headed advice about choosing the right kinds of projects and how to get them done.

economics
Infill, Mixed-Use Development More Popular as Homebuilding Decentralizes
Business conditions in residential markets strong but easing as year progresses
In his quarterly report on residential markets, AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, tells us that despite its continued health, the housing market is beginning to show signs of nearing its peak, including growing inventories of new and existing homes. Residential architects who take part in the quarterly survey also are seeing trends toward community infill projects as opposed to suburban sprawl. And the architects also say that more homeowners are showing greater interest in energy-saving as well as recycled products and materials.

Prince Charles Honored with Scully Prize
Noting the time-honored principles of proportion and community, Prince Charles accepted the National Building Museum Vincent Scully Prize November 3 in Washington, D.C. In his first visit to the museum since the first AAF/AIA Accent on Architecture Gala in 1990, the heir to the British throne, accompanied by his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, proclaimed his admiration for “traditional urbanism.” Scully himself presented the award.

27 Outstanding Projects Honored in the Empire State
AIA New York State presented its 2005 Design Awards on September 16, 2005, at the chapter’s annual convention. Created in 1968, the awards celebrate achievements in design excellence by New York state registered architects with the goals of generating greater public interest in architecture and honoring the architects, clients, consultants, and contractors who work together to create and enhance the built environment.

Order in the Court: Beautiful, Community-oriented, Sustainable Buildings
Jury cites five outstanding justice facilities for 2005–2006 Justice Facilities Review
Noting trends of interaction with the communities they serve, an increasing interest in sustainable design, and a shift toward facilities that acknowledge the role of “electronic paperwork,” the 2005 AIA Justice Facilities Review jury of architects and law enforcement and judicial officials selected five outstanding projects for citation and another 42 to be published in this year’s Review. The jury indicated that they were impressed with the overall quality of the projects submitted and awarded five citations to projects that achieved the highest level of success. They noted also that the number of LEED™-certified projects increased significantly this year.

project watch
Baltimore Firms Volunteer to Renovate School Libraries
The BELIEVE In Our Schools program, a Baltimore initiative, provides free library designs to Baltimore City Public Schools. Thirteen local architecture firms have teamed up with engineers and other consultants to produce as many innovative designs for school libraries in Charm City. Their work is saving the city hundreds of thousands of dollars while simultaneously providing children with the best and most creative designs for their libraries.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The economy: Demand for high-density housing will soar over the coming decades. College costs: Companies are recruiting top prospects by offering to pay down college loans. Energy: Expect fuel prices to surge again by spring.
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?
October 17 | October 24 | October 31 | November 7

BEST PRACTICEs in risk management
Master and Commander: The Architect’s Authority
Part II: Shared Authority
Like Captain “Lucky” Jack Aubrey in Master and Commander, some architects seek complete control of project activities, AIA Risk Management Committee gurus Grant Simpson, FAIA, and James Atkins, FAIA, note as they examine primary areas of the architect’s authority. Last week they explored contracted services for which the architect is “Master and Commander”; this week’s article examines when architects share authority with the owner, with the contractor, and with both the owner and contractor.

Who You Gonna Call? SDAT
Applications for 2006 programs now open to communities
One of the leading factors behind community redevelopment, we are learning, is attention to sustainable design. The AIA Center for Communities by Design is addressing that precept with its Sustainable Design Assessment Team Program, opened to communities at large on November 1. With exploratory successes already logged, the program affords $20,000 in design assistance to sponsor multidisciplinary volunteer teams who evaluate the potential and map actualization plans for communities to breathe new life through sustainable principles.

It’s Almost Time for Build Boston 2005
Conference and exhibition November 15–17 in Seaport World Trade Center
This year’s Build Boston offers an array of 200 workshops and seminars addressing significant industry issues such as project delivery and project management, marketing and public relations, financial management and firm management, codes, contracts, facility management, and the full range of design and construction issues of importance to architects and other building-industry professionals. Additionally, Build Boston brings together the leading suppliers of building products and services to demonstrate their newest products. Online registration still is open, and admission to the tradeshow is free. For more information on this year’s schedule of events, visit the Build Boston Web site.

AIA Underwrites Ads on National Public Radio
Unexpectedly high growth in membership has yielded extra revenue that allows the AIA to end its 2005 national advertising campaign with a four-week series of 10-second messages on National Public Radio to run weekdays November 7–December 9 (excluding the week of November 21). “Members of The American Institute of Architects, working to create valuable and sustainable buildings and communities. ‘Good design makes a difference’. At A-I-A dot org” will be heard on NPR programs “Morning Edition” (6–9 a.m.); “All Things Considered” (4–6 p.m.) “Fresh Air” (various times) and the “Diane Rehm Show” (midday). For more information, contact AIA Managing Director of Marketing and Promotion Phil Simon by e-mail or telephone 202-626-7463.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Magnetic attraction: Olizoid is a set of brightly colored, organically shaped magnets designed by architect-turned-toymaker Daniel Oakley to encourage children to explore building. The magnets are available now to AIA members for the special price of $13.55 per set of 15 ($16.95 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

Integrated Practice: Don’t miss the exciting Integrated Practice pre-convention event in Los Angeles at the 2006 AIA Convention next June! Click here for details, and find other Integrated Practice info at www.aia.org/ip.

Free Postings Through Year-end: You can post your project, firm, award, and other news free on the AIA’s online news service through the end of 2005.

Class of the Week: “Potential Liability in Residential Design,” earned a five-star rating from eClassroom participants. From November 11–17, eClassroom is offering “Potential Liability” for a 10 percent discount: $89.05 AIA members/$121.95 non-members (the regular price is $98.95/$134.95). The course offers 1.5 HSW credits. Sign up now.

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.

Know How and When You’re Going to Retire?
The AIA Trust sponsors the AIA Members Retirement Program with plans offered by The Equitable, one of the largest and most experienced firms in the world. You’ll get 18 different investment options, ranging from conservative to more aggressive funds, and 24/7 online account access. Learn more about this program. For information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.