Hope Is Alive on the Gulf Coast
LRRC gives participants a first chance to speak with one voice
From the moment he opened the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference on November 10 in New Orleans, AIA Executive Vice President/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, told the 600-plus participants that “the results of our work over the next three days cannot and will not be dictated by outside experts. Success for this conference demands that it must be a collaborative, inclusive, and open process driven by local citizens and leaders of this state. The visions we seek will be yours.”
Three days later, the citizens of Louisiana and the Gulf Region responded to the challenge, ascertaining foremost that they—and their political leaders—must “speak with one voice” to create a single, comprehensive, and compelling regional plan, with participation from the full community, that offers leadership for recovery and rebuilding.

LRRC’s Congressional Panel Aims to Move Recovery Forward at Home and on the Hill
AIA Vice President for Government Advocacy Ron Faucheux moderated the congressional panel discussion—with distinguished guests Governor Kathleen Blanco, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, Senator Mary Landrieu (pictured), and Congressional representatives Charles Melançon, Bill Jefferson, and Bobby Jindal—during the LRRC November 11 lunchtime session. “You can’t understand it until you see it,” Faucheux said, referring to the unspeakable destruction that has befallen this region. “A lot of people whom we need help from haven’t seen it. Therefore, it’s very important that Louisiana speaks with one voice. Never has the congressional delegation in Washington been more important.”

October Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Show Further Improvement
Despite rising energy costs, most firms reporting minor changes in project design
October billings at architecture firms, although a tad behind September’s billings, generated a respectable reading of 57.5 on the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI), according to Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings at U.S. architecture firms. Baker also reports that although the general economy is still feeling the ill effects of recent hurricane bashings, the construction industry as a whole wasn’t negatively affected. Rising energy costs, however, are hurting construction but not having a major effect on design.

Lt. Gov. Landrieu Cooks up a Great Gumbo of Plans for the Future
Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu thanked the audience for their presence at the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference in New Orleans November 10–12 and began his speech by stressing the importance of historic tax credits. In the real world, he said, historic preservation tax credits are about future development as well as preserving our past. “South Louisiana is a gumbo of cultures,” he said. “Everything in our great culture comes from our people, and it is endangered. Louisiana is the soul of America.” He said he has been speaking about Louisiana for the past 74 days, and his message has been: “This was an American tragedy that requires an American response.”

Beginning Chapters:
The Birth of the AIA Family
With the national community of architects of the Institute newly established in 1857, it was “only a matter of time before individual practitioners would gravitate into nuclei with aims resembling those of the Institute,” writes Henry H. Saylor, FAIA, in his history of the AIA’s first 100 years. The New York Chapter was established first in 1867 with, Saylor writes, “a personality of its own, a meeting place and, of course, a library.” Almost 150 years later, more than 300 state and local chapters represent the AIA family.

Infrastructure Panel Tackles the Largest Scale Issues
Thursday afternoon of the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference began with some of the most technically absorbing presentations of the conference. Tackling the largest scale rebuilding challenges of the region—from what it would take to provide Category 5-level storm protection on the Gulf Coast to ecosystem restoration and electrical power restoration—the panel captured the imagination of the participants, architects, engineers, and lay citizens alike.

Happy Thanksgiving!
AIArchitect will not be published next week to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. This week, we dedicate our issue to the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. We are thankful for their indomitable spirit that shines through their struggle to recover and rebuild; we are grateful for their inspiration. We’ll see you when AIArchitect returns back in its regular slot on Friday, December 2.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The economy: GDP is sliding downward, even as construction looks up.
Business costs: The price of metals continues to climb.
Trade: U.S. and Canada at odds on trade.
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 24 | October 31 | November 7 | November 14

Principles for Building Communities from the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding Conference
The morning of November 12, the third day of the LRCC, centered on tools and techniques and lessons learned that the people of the Gulf Coast region can consider for rebuilding communities, from broad-brush planning techniques to zoning laws and building codes. Each of the six speakers also provided the participants with principles they could use in the rebuilding.

AAF and KnowledgeWorks Foundation Convene School Design Summit
200 stakeholders gather to discuss challenges and opportunities
The National Summit on School Design, jointly hosted by the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and KnowledgeWorks Foundation, offered teachers, students, school administrators, education advocates, elected officials, community planners, and architects a platform to discuss challenges, opportunities, and trends in schools and communities throughout the U.S. “The schools we design and build are lifelong investments for the communities they serve,” said AAF President and CEO Ronald Bogle. “We need to engage all school and community stakeholders in a dialogue as to how these facilities best support learning for the 21st century.”

AIA Presents Research on Architect Registration Trends
During the recent Designing Tomorrow’s Architect: The 2005 Internship Conference, the AIA presented two studies from its ongoing research on registration trends: the AIA’s Architecture Registration Exam (ARE) Timing Study and research conducted as a result of the Institute’s Resolution 05–01, which calls for an annual study of newly licensed architects.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Start your holiday hinting now: The NewWave Caffe Service Set for Two by noted German ceramicist Villeroy and Boch breaks the mold for comfort and sheer aesthetic. The coffee service is available now to AIA members for the special price of $64 per set ($80 retail). To learn more or purchase, visit the AIA Store or call 800-242-3837, opt. #4.

Integrated Practice: Technological change is one catalyst accelerating radical improvement through the entire construction industry, from owner to architect to contractor to facility manager, through the full length of the project and building lifecycle. Learn more about how this change will transform architectural practice into Integrated Practice 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: "Concrete at Home: New Expressions in Craftmanship for Interiors" earned a five-star rating from eClassroom participants. From November 18–24, eClassroom is offering “Concrete at Home” 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.