Archinect - News

Winners of the 2013 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards

2013-05-16T17:16:00-04:00

Also announced this week were the three recipients of the 2013 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards, sponsored by the institute's Housing and Custom Residential Knowledge Community in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).

Winners of the 2013 AIA Housing Awards

2013-05-16T14:41:00-04:00

Six residential projects have been selected as recipients of the 2013 AIA Housing Awards. The jury recognized projects in four award categories: One/Two Family Custom Housing, One/Two Family Production Housing (none selected this year), Multifamily Housing and Special Housing.

Winners of the 2013 AIA San Francisco Design Awards

2013-04-30T20:59:00-04:00

The AIA San Francisco chapter has unveiled the results of the 2013 AIA San Francisco Design Awards.

AIA Selects 2013 COTE Top Ten Green Projects

2013-04-22T21:13:00-04:00

The top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions have been selected by the American Institute of Architects and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) today. The COTE Top Ten Green Projects program, now in its 17th year, celebrates projects that are the result of a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems, and technology.

AIA / NCARB Survey Indicates Higher Employment Rates for Intern Architects

2013-04-17T20:04:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) conducted an Internship and Career Survey that revealed that there is a steady rise in employment for intern architects, along with a general sense of optimism in the future of employment prospects for the architecture profession.

Highlights from the full report include:

78% of respondents reported being employed in professional architecture work – an 8% increase from 2010
6% of respondents reported that they are unemployed – an 11% decrease from 2010
70% of respondents said that they would remain in the architecture profession after having been laid off
62% of interns indicate it taking three to five years to complete the Intern Development Program (IDP)
53% of interns were able to complete all 17 IDP experience area requirements at one firm
40% of interns are taking the Architecture Registration Examination concurrent with IDP

There were more than 10,000 responses to the survey that was executed in 2012 by The Rickinson Group, an independent third-party marketing research supplier.

For more data on internship salaries, take a look at the "Intern" salaries on Archinect's Salary Poll.

* Image above from Joann Lui, from her blog Just an Intern : our architectural life inbetween

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2013 Recipients of the AIA Small Project Awards

2013-04-11T20:07:00-04:00

Ten projects have been announced by the American Institute of Architects to receive the 2013 Small Project Award. Now in its tenth year, the AIA Small Project Awards Program was established to recognize small-project practitioners for the high quality of their work and to promote excellence in small-project design.

Tackling Concerns of Independent Workers

2013-03-24T19:07:00-04:00

Today, the Freelancers Union is one of the nation’s fastest-growing labor organizations, with more than 200,000 members, over half of them in New York State. Ms. Horowitz, who has never lacked audacity, says she expects to expand the organization to one million members within three years. For some perspective, the United Automobile Workers union currently has 380,000 members.

Perhaps, architect interns, and those contract workers, will look to adding their numbers to this collective, instead of waiting for venal institutions - you know who you are - to make substantive changes to the way that things work.

Architects Issue Statement Opposing House Bill Eliminating Funding for Eisenhower Memorial

2013-03-15T13:32:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement in opposition to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Completion Act, introduced Wednesday by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah). Among other things, the legislation would mandate an alternative to architect Frank Gehry's design for the Eisenhower Memorial and would eliminate further federal funding for the project.

Strong Surge for Architecture Billings Index

2013-02-21T03:11:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the January ABI score was 54.2, up sharply from a mark of 51.2* in December. This score reflects a strong increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 63.2, much higher than the reading of 57.9 the previous month.

Seven International Architects Selected as 2013 AIA Honorable Fellows

2013-02-11T17:07:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects has bestowed Honorary Fellowships on seven international architects for their achievements in the field of architecture.

This year's honorable fellows are:

Zvi Hecker of Zvi Hecker Architect (Germany)
Ladislav Lábus of Ladislav Lábus AA - Architektonický Atelier (Czech Republic)
Francisco Mangado of Mangado y Asociados, S.L. (Spain)
Fernando Romero of FR-EE | Fernando Romero Enterprise (Mexico)
Matthias Sauerbruch of Sauerbruch Hutton (Germany)
Ben van Berkel of UNStudio (The Netherlands)
Siegfried Zhiqiang Wu of Tongji University (China)

Editor's Picks #300

2013-01-30T11:35:00-05:00

Orhan Ayyüce published parts 1 + 2 of a multi-part interview with George Brugmans (Executive Director of the IABR)...Thayer-D chimed in "This is an excellent example of how well intentioned architects continue to talk past each other...One of the speakers spoke of the need to create relationships with politicians, developers and the public in general to forge a new way forward...What's amazing is that this has been happening for the last 20 years in the Congress for New Urbanism

In the first edition of our In Focus in 2013 Archinect spoke with Yohan Zerdoun an architectural photographer based in Germany/Switzerland.

Plus, Orhan Ayyüce published parts 1 + 2 of a multi-part interview with George Brugmans (Executive Director of the IABR) in which they continued their discussion from where they left it two years ago. Topics include; the theme of the 5th Biennale itself: Making City, the model used for the 5th IABR of Test Sites and Counter Sites, and also Istanbul as either "the next metropolitan nightmare, or...an inspiring example?".

Thayer-D chimed in "This is an excellent example of how well intentioned architects continue to talk past each other while so many of their interests intersect...One of the speakers spoke of the need to create relationships with politicians, developers and the public in general to forge a new way forward. Again, I'd be in full agreement. What's amazing is that this has been happening for the last 20 years in ...

University of Minnesota Launches New Degree: High School to Licensed Architect in Seven Years

2013-01-19T17:55:00-05:00

"Anything we can do to expedite the speed with which people can get licensed is a good thing," says David Cronrath, AIA, Dean of the University of Maryland's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. "What Renee [Cheng, Professor and Head of the University of Minnesota's School of Architecture,] has done is establish a roadmap which a lot of people can follow. And, I think, of course they will."

Starting this spring, the School of Architecture, at the University of Minnesota's College of Design, will offer a new concentration in research practices within their master of science in architecture degree (MS-RP) for students starting the fall of 2013. The program aims at halving the amount of time from high school to licensure for architects--from an average of 14.5 years to 7.

By offering this model, the School of Architecture nudges the profession toward true culture change, one that expects all students to be licensed upon graduation, regardless of their final career choices. It also takes advantage of recent changes to the National Council of Architectural Registration Board's Intern Development Program and Architect Registration Examination, and leverages the historically strong connection between practice and academy in the Minneapolis/St Paul community.

Architect Magazine is out this January with a piece featuring the MS-RP degree. The article details the wo...

Renzo Piano’s Menil Collection Wins the 2013 AIA Twenty-five Year Award

2013-01-16T18:32:00-05:00

The AIA today selected the Menil Collection Houston, designed by Renzo Piano, to receive the 2013 AIA Twenty-five Year Award.

2013 AIA Institute Honor Awards - Architecture

2013-01-14T19:06:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects today selected the 2013 recipients of the Institute Honor Awards, recognizing works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture and urban design.

These are the eleven winning projects in the category "Architecture."

2013 AIA Institute Honor Awards - Interior Architecture

2013-01-14T19:04:00-05:00

These are the nine winning projects in the category "Interior Architecture."

2013 AIA Institute Honor Awards - Regional & Urban Design

2013-01-14T19:03:00-05:00

These are the eight winning projects in the category "Regional and Urban Design."

Exploitation of Interns Coming to an End?

2012-12-27T13:17:00-05:00

Unpaid interns are common in architecture firms, but recent lawsuits brought by interns across other industries may have the architecture industry forking out some cash. In many industries, the term ‘intern’ is often used to describe someone who works for no pay, but the NCARB’s IDP has been trying to detach interns from the assumption by architecture firms that they are willing to work for free. The council defines architectural internships as post-graduate, pre-registration professional work.

Architects Issue Report Documenting the Connection Between Design and Public Health, Press Releases

2012-12-11T12:33:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued a report: Local Leaders: Healthier Communities Through Design that provides a roadmap for towns and cities looking to help their populations stay healthy by employing design techniques that encourage residents to increase their physical activity.

The report, which was released today at Governing Magazine’s “Summit on Healthy Living,” demonstrates how active lifestyles aided by positive design choices lead to a healthier population. Individuals who live in livable, mixed use communities, with options for transit - weigh less, are more physically active, and experience less chronic disease.

“Architects play a key role in designing healthy environments,” said AIA CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA. “This report shows the benefits our profession can bring to establishing a built environment that encourages exercise and discourages a sedentary lifestyle.”

Key barometers of health suggest America is heading in the wrong direction, namely toward physical inactivity, obesity, and chronic disease. Studies, highlighted in the report, demonstrate that the median improvement in some aspect of physical activity for livable urban communities can be over 160 percent. Studies also show that a community designed for exercise can prevent 90 percent o...

2013 AIA Architecture Firm Award Goes to Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects

2012-12-06T18:55:00-05:00

Besides the winner of the 2013 AIA Gold Medal, the American Institute of Architects today also announced the recipient of the 2013 AIA Architecture Firm Award: New York City-based Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.

Thom Mayne Wins 2013 AIA Gold Medal

2012-12-06T18:51:00-05:00

The American Institute of Architects today selected Thom Mayne to be honored with the 2013 AIA Gold Medal, the organization’s highest honor that an individual can receive.

Colin L. Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair to speak at 2013 AIA National Convention

2012-12-04T12:41:00-05:00

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), former Secretary of State (2001 – 2005), joins Cameron Sinclair, co-founder and chief eternal optimist of Architects For Humanity, and Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS, as keynote speakers for the 2013 AIA National Convention. The nation’s architects and design industry meet June 20-22, 2013 in Denver.

The AIA Convention is architecture’s largest annual gathering to keep current with innovative design solutions and the latest products and services that architects specify for the clients and communities they serve. The 2013 “Building Leaders” theme will give architects and design professionals opportunities to learn, share, and demonstrate the essential qualities that define leadership today. Learn more at the AIA Convention site.

“Architects are more likely leading teams of talented professionals than working in the isolated, stereotypical way we see them in popular culture,” said AIA President-elect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA. “The ‘Building Leaders’ convention theme is focused on better preparing architects to contribute creative solutions with lasting positive impact on the health and well being of society. General Powell, Blake Mycoskie, and Cameron Sinclair will inspire us through their insights and experiences to bring more to our roles in business, architecture, and civic li...

Editor's Picks #291

2012-11-27T01:06:00-05:00

In the latest edition of the Showcase series, Archinect highlighted House in Moreira, by Phyd Arquitectura. The house has "Patios that enable continuity between different spaces of the house and interior/exterior which behave like a sun clock, alternating solid and diffuse light". Thayer-D questioned "What's with conceptual purity at the expense of function and maybe joy?" but Vile Child chimed in "seems SupraJoyful to me"

With the latest edition of the Showcase series, Archinect highlighted House in Moreira, by Phyd Arquitectura. The house has "Patios that enable continuity between different spaces of the house and interior/exterior which behave like a sun clock, alternating solid and diffuse light".

Thayer-D questioned "What's with conceptual purity at the expense of function and maybe joy?" but Vile Child chimed in "seems SupraJoyful to me. But I like form and space and mass and light and how the colors outside reflect on the white walls. Shit like that".

Plus, Jaakko van ‘t Spijker reported in from the first findings of a studio in the Harvard GSD program, dealing with ‘the Elements of Architecture’. Which were publicly presented in a packed Dependance at the Schieblock in Rotterdam on Friday night, November 16th. The feature led glass to comment "I find OMA creates some of today's most compelling architecture using standard off-the-shelf parts in unique and exhilarating ways.... Do...

Architecture billings rise for fifth straight month

2012-11-21T14:19:00-05:00

After declining earlier in 2012, the billings index began to turn higher in June, then accelerated, and has now marked its third straight month above the 50 level, which indicates expanding demand for architects' services. "It's beginning to look like demand for design services has turned the corner," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker.

AIA Selects Recipients of Intern Development Program Outstanding Firms Awards

2012-11-15T12:48:00-05:00

The Intern Development Program Advisory Committee (IDPAC) has selected eight architecture firms as recipients of the 2012-2015 Intern Development Program (IDP) Outstanding Firm Award. The firms have not only satisfied the requirements for recognition with the IDP Firm Award, but have demonstrated a deep commitment to the program by going above and beyond the baseline criteria and demonstrating innovation in their commitment to the IDP.

The 2012-2015 IDP Outstanding Firm Award recipients include the following firms:

SOM, Chicago; The Freelon Group Architects, Durham, North Carolina; The Cuningham Group, Minneapolis; Wiley|Wilson, Richmond, Virginia and the Albany, Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York City offices of EYP.

The IDPAC has also named 11 recipients for the 2012-2015 IDP Firm Award: Architecture Incorporated, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; BBH Design, Raleigh, North Carolina; IKM Inc., Pittsburgh; McKinney York Architects, Austin, Texas; STOA Architects, Pensacola, Florida; ZGF Architects, LLP, Portland, Oregon; Mancini Duffy, New York and the Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania offices of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson.

The Jury
The 2012 jury included representatives from the various organizations participating in the IDP Advisory Committee. The IDP Outstanding Firm Award and the IDP Firm Award are part of the IDP Firm Awards Program, which aims to honor not only the firms wit...

The AIA Issues Statement On Hurricane Sandy Aftermath & Recovery

2012-11-01T12:36:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects today issued the following statement with regard to the assessment and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s impact. Please attribute to AIA President Jeff Potter, FAIA:

“To the many communities in Hurricane Sandy's path, members of the AIA and the AIA National Disaster Assistance Committee send our hopes for their safety. The AIA will work closely with our colleagues, as we have following other severe weather events, to assist local communities in their recovery efforts.

“Through our network of chapters, we are beginning to assess the damage to communities in the Northeast region. Now that the storm is passing, we will formulate plans to assist architects there in evaluating the building damage caused by the storm and map a path to recovery.

“Meanwhile, experienced disaster responders with the AIA have resources to help prepare architects for this important role. Visit our web page to get an overview of the AIA Disaster Respo...

Commerce Department Award To Help Architects Increase U.S. Exports & Create Jobs

2012-10-23T13:51:00-04:00

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced that it had accepted an award from the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) to promote the export of American architectural services to India and Sri Lanka.

Editor's Picks #287

2012-10-22T00:13:00-04:00

The latest Archinect ShowCase featured Cassia Co-op Training Centre by TYIN tegnestue Architects. The project is located in Sungai Penuh, Sumatra, Indonesia.

News
The New York Observer reported on Cornell’s plans (unveiled this week) for a brand new 12.5-acre tech campus on Roosevelt Island this week. The master plan is by SOM and Field Operations, the first academic building is by Thom Mayne. snail commented "So they would have us believe that a great center of future technological innovation will look like a standard tower-in-the-park development with a few curves thrown in, and an atrium borrowed from John Portman?"

For his part toasteroven thought “cornell is trying to recreate MIT's medialab in NYC - on an island - by making a fancy new campus - BEFORE they've even established the program?...The city is making such a huge deal about this - but it seems like it's primarily being used as a marketing ploy to sell NYC as a new tech hub or something...it seems like there's a...

Mindy Fullilove Named AIA Public Director

2012-10-10T11:42:00-04:00

Dr. Fulliove is a research psychiatrist at New York State University Psychiatric Institute and professor of clinical psychiatry and public health at Columbia University. In her role with the AIA Board she will share her insights gained from studying the problems of American cities from a psychiatric perspective.

aia billings index in positive territory...

2012-09-27T16:25:00-04:00

"After a four-month skid, billings at U.S. architecture firms edged up very modestly in August with an ABI score of 50.2, indicating minor growth in design billings. Inquiries for new project activity also improved, showing its strongest gain since the first quarter of the year."

as a contributor to the aia's monthly Architectural Billings Index, it's always interesting to see how this indicator pans out. for August, apparently, it was pretty well - it's the first time in a while since we've crossed the Mendoza line (a number above 50).

if you're looking to this to help gauge where to look for work, this month's survey offers the following:

"With a score of 51.2, firms in the West reported their first monthly increase in billings in five years, offering the possibility that firms in this region may finally be working their way out of the downturn. Conversely, firms in the Northeast and Midwest reported weak conditions in August, after reporting generally positive conditions over the past year. Also, firms specializing in the institutional sector reported only their third monthly increase in the past 18 months. Residential firms saw healthy gains, providing further evidence that the residential construction sector is in recovery while commercial/indust...

ABI Inches Back into Positive Territory

2012-09-19T22:56:00-04:00

On the heels of a nearly three-point increase, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed into positive terrain for the first time in five months... The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 50.2, up from the mark of 48.7 in July. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services. The new projects inquiry index was 57.2, up from mark of 56.3 the previous month.