work-on-the-boards
Billings at Firms Bouncing Around, But Back up in October
Firms agree on benefits of technology to employee productivity
Billings at U.S. architecture firms bounced back again in October, Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA, tells us. For the past several months, business trends have followed a see-saw pattern of moving up one month and down the next. This trend reflects the general uncertainty that we’ve seen in the broader economy in recent months. Additionally, regional trends in billings are beginning to even out. Firms in the South had been reporting much stronger conditions than firms in other regions for the past year. In recent months, however, firms in the other three regions have been catching up.

A Warm Reception for Florida/Caribbean Architects
A Chicago-based jury of Carol Ross Barney, FAIA; Joseph M. Valerio, FAIA; and Donna V. Robertson, AIA, selected 15 projects by Florida and Caribbean architects from a pool of more than 200 entries in three categories: unbuilt, excellence (built), and test of time. The recipients accepted their honors at the AIA Florida’s annual convention earlier this year.

On-line Resource Now Available for Developing IDP Skills
AIA Associate members now have free access to the Emerging Professionals Companion (EPC), a comprehensive online guide to the AIA/National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Intern Development Program (IDP). Structured parallel to the IDP curriculum, administered by NCARB, this resource provides the requirements, exercises, and tests to facilitate completion of the IDP requirements necessary in almost all jurisdictions for taking the Architectural Registration Exam. The resource is also available at no cost to professors at accredited schools of architecture and all IDP record holders. AIA members may purchase access, as can students. (American Institute of Architecture Students members receive a deep discount.) For more information, visit the EPC Web site.

Sign Up Now for a Virtual Seminar on the New AIA Contract Docs Software
AIA Documents Committee members Phillip Bernstein, FAIA, and Steven Weiss, FAIA, will present “Streamline Your Project Management Using AIA Contract Documents Software” virtual seminar December 9, 1–2:30 p.m. EST. The presentation is a live interactive Web conference that you can join from your office with the use of a telephone, computer, and monitor. In this seminar, presenters take you through a live demonstration of how to use the new AIA Contract Documents software, a Microsoft® Word-based platform that offers the flexibility to create your own project-specific contract documents from start to finish. Participating AIA members earn 1.5 CES LUs, and as many people as desired can take part at one site for $195 per connection. Check with your chapter: Local AIA components have the opportunity to get a connection, which members can leverage into a multi-firm AIA/CES-development opportunity; AIA Indiana, AIA Tampa Bay, AIA Iowa, AIA Kentucky, AIA East Kentucky, AIA Central Kentucky, AIA Northern Kentucky, and AIA Kansas all have signed up so far. Find details on AIA.org. If you need more information, e-mail Patricia Lukas.

Smart Ideas for Smart Growth
Recognizing exceptional communities that are creating healthy, attractive, and enduring places to live, work, and play, the Environmental Protection Agency is bestowing the department’s National Award for Smart Growth Achievement on two communities each in North Carolina and California, and one in New Mexico. This year’s winning programs focused on efforts in smaller communities. Now in its third year, the 2004 award program received 98 applications from 32 states and the District of Columbia.

PROJECT WATCH
Boston Artists for Humanity’s Favorite Color Is Green
Arrowstreet designs efficient and beautiful facility for young students
The new home of Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, designed by Arrowstreet, opened recently at the edge of Boston’s Arts District along the south waterfront. The 22,500-square-foot building’s sustainable design features match in innovation the unique arts program it houses. The architects designed the Epicenter to receive a LEED™ Platinum Certification, the highest level awarded by the US Green Building Council.

Happy Thanksgiving!
AIArchitect will not be published next week to give the staff time to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and allow us pause to ponder our many blessings. We count among them doing a job we love, as well as the privilege of contributing to a profession that brings so much good to the world. Look for AIArchitect back in its regular slot on Friday, December 3.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
The market: Looking up for 2005.
Business costs: Big jumps in postage, paper cost.
The economy: Another interest rate hike?
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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