In response to the unmitigated disaster and suffering caused by this week’s tsunamis in Asia, the AIA national component is coordinating a response among its components and members so that the Institute may offer the most appropriate and timely help to those in need.

Members of the AIA national component disaster assistance leadership team currently are weighing plans in preparation for responding to requests for assistance from affected countries and architectural societies. The team is preparing to address a variety of needs including the provision of assistance for which architects are most qualified—damage assessment and/or assessing the habitability of damaged structures—which normally takes place after the most critical tasks of recovery of bodies, and providing temporary shelter, food, medication, etc. are under control.

In the meantime, AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, and AIA Executive Vice President Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, have sent letters of condolence to their counterparts in all 12 countries affected. Both recalled how meaningful such kindnesses received after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were to the Institute. Additionally, the AIA is providing seed money to affected architectural societies to help with their initial organization of their own members’ response efforts.

Components and individuals wishing to help are asked to stand by for more information on a united response, to be presented on the AIA Web site’s home page www.aia.org, and in e-mailed updates. Those with pressing concerns should contact David T. Downey CAE, Assoc. AIA, Managing Director for the AIA Center for Communities by Design.

Seven Projects Selected for Aga Khan Award for Architecture
His Highness the Aga Khan, alongside India’s Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, announced the seven recipients of the ninth cycle of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in Dehli November 27. Established in 1977 by the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, the award seeks “to identify and encourage building concepts that successfully address the needs and aspirations of societies in which Muslims have a significant presence.” The triennial prize, the largest architectural award in the world, can total up to $500,000.

AIA Member Elected to Preside over Panamerican Federation
Gabriel Durand-Hollis, FAIA, was elected president of the Panamerican Federation of Architects’ Associations (FPAA) at the 22nd Panamerican Congress of Architects, held December 6–10 in the French West Indies. Created in 1920 to facilitate communication and cooperation among the architects of the Americas, the FPAA is the oldest of the world’s five regional architect associations. Also elected as part of the Durand-Hollis slate was Robert A. Lopez, AIA, as FPAA executive secretary. Terrance Brown, FAIA, was appointed secretary of the FPAA Northern Region.

Kentucky Fetes Five Fantastic Projects
AIA Kentucky honored five projects for design excellence during the component’s annual convention in Lexington in November. A jury of Iowa architects—Rod Kruse, FAIA; Katherine L. Schwennsen, FAIA; and Jason Alread, AIA—selected the diverse group of buildings. The chapter also presented seven Awards of Recognition to honor contributions to the profession of architecture in Kentucky.

25 Bestselling Books at the AIA Bookstore in 2004
Ever wonder if you’re missing out on new trends and topics in the profession? Well, here’s the cure. AIArchitect is pleased to provide you with a list of this year’s top 25 bestselling books from the AIA Store. Click on the title for pricing and additional information. Happy reading!!

Happy New Year!
May 2005 dawn bright with opportunity and joy for us all. AIArchitect will be back next week with a full-size issue on January 7 that includes the 2005 Honor Awards for Architecture, Interiors, and Regional and Urban Design, as well as the inaugural column from AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA. See you then!

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
November 22 | December 6 | December 13 | December 20

Call for Mentoring Best Practices
The AIA is collecting information on mentoring programs and best practices at the state and local component levels, with the goal of establishing a database to facilitate sharing of these ideas. To share a mentoring program or success story, view the submission guidelines on AIA.org and submit a brief description of no more than two pages by January 11. A spokesperson for selected programs will be invited to participate in a special session at the AIA Grassroots Leadership Conference on February 12 in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Catherine Roussel, AIA, 202-626-7417.

AIA CAREER CENTER
Here Are This Week’s Featured Opportunities

Start the New Year with a Gold Medalist: Purchase Santiago Calatrava by Philip Jodidio (Taschen, 2003) for the special member price of $15.99 ($19.99 retail). Visit the AIA Store site or call 800-242-3837, option #4.

Check Out These New Programs: AIA eClassroom now has available 25 programs from this year's national convention and two new programs from the recent international partnerships conference in New York City.

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.

AIA Government Advocacy News: Join the list to receive the biweekly e-mail newsletter, a member benefit offering the latest local, state, and federal government actions impacting architects.

Limited Offer—Connect to ArchiWire Free: Take advantage of free use of Archiwire, the Institute’s new online news resource, while it lasts. The AIA will begin charging a small per-release fee in early 2005, so register online now and build a portfolio of your firm’s news.

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.

Members-Only Life Insurance: The AIA Term Life Insurance Program for Firms offers AIA member firms specially negotiated rates and benefits. For instance, if you employ 10 or more people, you are eligible for guaranteed enrollment, with a benefit of up to $50,000 per person. Learn more about this program. For more information about all AIA Trust programs, visit their Web site.