Feature Articles

Help on the Way

By Alan Schuchman

Everyone knows that death and taxes are inevitable. But when it comes to employment, there are other inevitables as well—workers’ compensation, insurance coverage issues (not only health but general liability), benefits, proper classification, and a small thing called wages or compensation. All of these turn on the nature of the employment relationship, whether or not the individual at issue actually an employee of your firm.

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Key Clauses of a Consulting Agreement: Design Professional to Design Professional

By Tom Owens

Agreements with your consultants can be as important as the agreement with your client. And like the agreements with your client, it is important that you recognize that your relationships are as important as the contracts between you. When you get in a tough spot with the client, a good relationship with your consultants can mean the difference between a team that is working to resolve an issue collectively and the disaster of “every firm for itself.” 

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Meriwether Felt

Meriwether Felt, AIA

Photo credit: Susan Gilmore

Kitchen Photo: This traditional kitchen was inspired by memories of the owner’s childhood farmhouse. Midwest & Scandinavian influences such as wood sashes and bead board ceiling warm up the white painted casework. The wood island and carefully placed uppers are more reminiscent of furniture than cabinetry.

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Bang Brewing

Alchemy Architects | St. Paul, MN

Photo credit: Christopher Hudson

As one of the only 100% organic breweries in the country, the owners wanted the building and the process to reflect the honesty and authenticity of their beer crafting. Self-financed loans required very tight cost control throughout design and development.

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Wild About Jones

TEA2 Architects

New garage in context of the existing historical home
Photo credit: TEA2 Architects

The owners of a 1906 home designed by renowned architect Harry Wild Jones wanted to strengthen the character of their home and create a more welcoming terrace space between the house and garage. An existing two-car detached garage was not only unremarkable, but detracted from the historic presence of the home as well as the integrity of the street in its historic neighborhood.

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Modern Mediterranean

TEA2 Architects

Interior of sunroom looking out. Light fills the sunroom from the window walls and the recessed skylight above
Photo credit: TEA2 Architects

The owners of this Mediterranean home between Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake are true modernists in spirit, and both spend many hours in the hospital and lab, leaving them quite “sun-starved” and craving visual calmness. 

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Ghunsa Shelter and Monastery in Nepal

Dr. Duncan Nielson | Natural Reflections Photography

Dr. Duncan Nielson’s exquisite photographs of the Ghunsa Shelter and Monastery in Nepal evoke a timeless, nearly extinct sense of place.

Don't forget to submit your project for the eleventh annual Small Project Awards! This program seeks to recognize the work of small project practitioners and to promote excellence in small project design. This year’s Small Project Award theme, PLEASURE, intends to recognize projects that express joy and pleasure through architecture.

Submission Deadline: November 3, 2014 before 5:00 PM Eastern. All deadlines are strictly observed.

Non-refundable entry fees:
AIA Members - $150.00 for each entry
Non-members - $300.00 for each entry

Award winning projects will be recognized in AIA publications and electronic media, including the SPP Journal and website. Projects will also be displayed at the 2015 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition. Information will be provided to Award Recipients regarding board layout.

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