Calatrava Wins 2005 AIA Gold Medal
Architect-engineer-artist Santiago Calatrava, FAIA, whose soaring structural poetry in bridges and buildings has garnered international acclaim, was selected December 2 by the AIA Board of Directors to receive the 2005 AIA Gold Medal. The highest honor the Institute confers to an individual, the Gold Medal recognizes an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Calatrava will be presented with the medal at the 2005 American Architectural Foundation Accent on Architecture Gala, February 11, 2005, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Murphy/Jahn Receives 2005 AIA Architecture Firm Award
The AIA Board of Directors named Murphy/Jahn the recipient of the 2005 AIA Architecture Firm Award December 2. The award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architecture firm and recognizes a practice that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years.

Teacher-Author-Mentor Edward Allen, FAIA, to Receive Topaz Medallion
The AIA and Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture on November 30 selected Edward Allen, FAIA, to receive the 2005 Topaz Medallion for Excellence in Architectural Education. The award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to architecture education for at least 10 years and whose teaching has influenced a broad range of students and shaped the minds of those who will shape our environment. Allen will receive the award at the 2005 AIA National Convention and Design Expo in Las Vegas in May.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
2004 AIA President Hopkins Bids Farewell
A most successful year ends on an upbeat note
December 4 marks the end of Eugene C. Hopkins’ term as AIA President, at which time he will turn over the office to 2005 AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA. Hopkins, senior vice president, SmithGroup, Inc., concentrated his year on fulfilling the promise he delivered with his inaugural speech at the Library of Congress: “To focus on an open environment of knowledge sharing as the key to bettering both society and the profession of architecture.” Looking back on 2004, Hopkins shares some thoughts about the progress we’ve made this year in guiding a more people-oriented, grassroots AIA that reaches out and embraces others. Read his final AIArchitect column, “It’s the People.”

Koonce to Step Down as AIA EVP/CEO on December 31, 2005
They had been through a lot of turbulent times together in the early days—putting the Institute’s financial house in order, bringing order and reliability to the consolidated dues and membership database, developing a new generation of electronic format contract documents, and responding to the aftermath of 9/11. So when it came time to make an important announcement about his future plans, AIA national component EVP/CEO Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, gathered his professional family—the national component staff—in the AIA Library on December 2 and announced his intention to retire next year, on December 31, 2005.

Another Great Day in Paradise
Honolulu receives Gold Award as the world’s most livable community
The United Nations-endorsed International Awards for Livable Communities (LivCom) awarded Honolulu its first-place Gold Award as the most livable, sustainable large city in the world. The city, cited for “its innovation and leadership in planning, building, and managing sustainably,” was one of 48 communities from 20 counties selected as finalists to participate in the competition held in Niagara, Canada. “This award is the result of a long-term effort to make Honolulu the greatest city in the world,” said the Hon. Jeremy Harris, Honolulu mayor and public director on the AIA national Board.

Aardvarks and Architects: The Perfect Holiday Combination
Gehry to star on PBS’ Arthur cartoon series
AIA Gold Medalist Frank Gehry, FAIA, is making a special guest appearance on the PBS KIDS series show Arthur, as the series attempts to get kids interested in architecture. In the episode titled “Castles in the Sky,” premiering Monday, December 27 on PBS and encoring throughout the season (check local listings), Arthur the 8-year-old aardvark and his gang of animal pals are devastated when their tree house collapses under the weight of snow. Gehry guest stars as the guy (er, aardvark?) who saves the day by helping them learn about team cooperation, incorporating client needs, budgets, and spatial considerations as they design and rebuild their perfect space. Nearly 11 million viewers watch Arthur each week. For more information, visit PBS’ Web site.

Heads up
AIA Library Awards Entry Fees Due December 3; Submissions Due January 7
The Institute and the Library Administration and Management Association have created the biennial AIA/ALA Library Building Awards to encourage excellence in the architectural design and planning of libraries. All library buildings designed by architects licensed in the U.S. are eligible. Entry Fees are due December 3, but will be accepted for some time after the deadline.  Visit AIA online for more information and entry forms, or contact Cynthia McCollum, AIA Honors and Awards, 202-626-7586. (Pictured is the restored Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, Seattle, by Mahlun Architects, a 2003 AIA/ALA award winner. Photo © Benjamin Benschneider.)

PROJECT WATCH
Bavarian Spa Awaits Its Oasis
The Bad Aibling Spa Complex by Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner, to be completed in 2005, is an indoor-outdoor, 1.4-acre oasis that will provide swimming pools and wellness facilities, all the while showcasing the firm’s multi-season sustainable design.

Your Kiplinger Connection (members only, AIA.org login required)
Energy: Lower your clients’ energy bills through conservation.
The economy: The dollar will continue to weaken as the deficit and trade gap widen.
Housing: Buyers want more amenities.
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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