Late last year, Gunnar Hubbard FAIA, LEED Fellow was inspired by the latest climate report from the UN’s IPPC to pen Five Steps to Becoming a More Responsible Architect in the Age of Climate Change. In response Jeromemorleylarsonsr opined "The enemy of our environment is the segregation of white people called zoning and planning — so evil I consider it criminal activity for the sprawl and hatred it has caused".

Plus, Archinect has teamed up with the Just Design initiative (developed by a partnership of The Architecture Lobby, Yale School of Architecture’s Equality in Design, and Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Women in Design) to profile firms across the country that engage in fair labor practices. Whether it is a family-friendly work schedule or a health coverage plan that goes above and beyond, the series spotlights practices that honor the basic rights of their employees and can serve as exemplary models of what should become standard for the field.

The first two firms profiled;

• Elizabeth Eason Architecture (who "do not have any overtime exempt employees")
• Aamodt/Plumb Architects (where "the office is structured around a 35 hour week rather than a typical 40 hour one")

News

Orhan Ayyüce had a suggestion "These can be videotaped and turned into print someday. Neil is an incredibly generous conversationalist." Later he noted that "Carla Juaçaba Studio‘s work is wonderful."

Does Renzo Piano Workshop’s suburban shopping center San Ramon, CA really create a new type of public space? davidcallahan believes such a position is "disingenuous at best". Yet Chemex loves "how Piano is challenging the idea of low-craft in commercial spaces. Let's face it, this is public space for most people in the US".

Did you catch both (1 & 2) times Donna Sink was reminded of the branching blood clot that the guy coughed up out of his lung?

The pace of billings growth at architecture firms slowed modestly to end 2018, with AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score declining from 54.7 in November to 50.4 in December (any score over 50 indicates billings growth). Architecture firm billings strengthened at firms located in the Northeast and Midwest in December, with firms in the Midwest reporting particularly strong conditions. Business conditions softened for the third consecutive month at firms located in both the South and the West, but the decline remained relatively minimal.

The annual Archinect round-up, looking back at 2018 covered January through December but wasn’t organized solely on the calendar. Also highlighted for instance, The Most Liked Instagram Posts of 2018 on @archinect and Bustler's Top 10 Competitions of 2018.

Adam McCullough wanted the record to show that Peter Zumthor's Secular Retreat in Devon, is not Brutalist just because it features "walls of thick concrete mixed from local materials, shovelled and rammed by hand".

Building Pueyrredón 1101 in Rosario, Argentina by Estudio Pablo Gagliardo and Forest <> House in Northern California by envelope A+D are just two of the top images (in no particular order) from the board Pools & Fountains.

Firms/Work Updates

In a post titled Back from La-La Land –and Other Urban Adventures bragabond caught us up on their adventures working in Saudi Arabia.

Where "Ass-kissing is required to survive their business ways...C’est la vie!  The Saudi way, they say" and he was "not being able to have my own mate -my husband!- with me nor even for a visit was painful enough (homosexuality in Saudi Arabia being forbidden meant that even though we are married, my husband couldn’t visit me) and of course, I was officially not gay by officially not gay by default -default -as the issue is never discussed, or asked of you; as my employer said".

Tiago do Vale posted photos of Gafarim House, a project of his, in Ponte de Lima, Portugal.

Sean Joyner had recommendations for "Being a newbie…" aka Rookie right out of school "The points to follow will equip you to become a formidable force in your place of work...Embrace your new position and your ability to contribute to your new team."

On a related note if you are looking for work here are a few firms on the lookout for an Intermediate Architect/Designer;

• Bestor Architecture in Los Angeles
• Claudio Martonffy Design in San Francisco
• Allied Works (for their NYC office)

In early December, Mayank Sahai was working on the "Master Plan of Shriram School, Kota" while Kyle Miller encouraged folks to "Purchase a copy of Possible Mediums today!"

School/Blogs

For those looking for work, in Asia, University of Hong Kong is accepting applications for a total of 7 positions ranging from Senior Lecturer to Tenure-Track Professor/Associate Professor.

The Department of Architecture at PennDesign, released their latest edition of Pressing Matters, VII.

Otis College of Art and Design announced that Kunlé Adeyemi will present a public lecture on March 13, 2019, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and direct a one-week Master Class between March 14 and 20, 2019.

Discussion/Threads

ks239 started a thread to discuss Six Sigma "as it pertains to our roles as designers or architects". wurdan freo suggested reading a book by Bruce A Henderson and Jorge L. Larco, before spending "roughly $1k" to get a certification. Everyday Architect seconded "Rusty!'s suggestion. In fact, I'd rather see architects take on the CDT before the ARE ... if anything it is excellent preparation for the ARE. Definitely before LEED and WELL certifications."

Unfortunately, Divisare is closing...has closed, so Gonzalo Samaniego is looking for a replacement. He was a particular fan of "The way in which they classified projects (which) was unprecedented". Will Galloway sympathized and critiqued some of the alternatives provided as "good in their own ways, but not quite the same. they feel a lot like my facebook feed. something that divisare never did...The site had a strong tone, of intention to make quiet spaces, spaces lived in, that worked and were nonetheless interesting."

The thread then got into the difference between inspiration and "modified plagiarism". wunder_waffle argued "originality is overrated" and BulgarBlogger clarified their position "I DO NOT MEAN THAT EVERY IDEA WILL BE ORIGINAL; THE DESIGN PROCESS HOWEVER MUST BE."

Finally, Finjohn wanted to talk Nanawall vs. Panda Windows & Doors. As a self-interested sales guy, he is "thick skinned" and would "greatly appreciate" any advice on how to land the account. Non Sequitur was open but wondered about thermal performance? Finjohn answered "We have thermally broken systems for every product...If you go to the NFRC website many of our products and there performance results are on there." senjohnblutarsky emphasized the importance of "A lunch and learn or similar...A sure fire way to get us to listen, at least briefly is to show up offering continuing ed credit." Others counseled "Reaching out to Subcontractors or GCs" or getting into the "convention and trade show game if you want to get in front of more decision makers and stop paying for lunch for the interns and administrative staff."

Coincidentally, Rusty! has actually "tried getting Panda products on couple of projects that required oversized units." He advised "Competing with Nanawall should not be your primary objective. You actually offer a higher range of products than they do", replacing a "terrible name for Architectural Products company" and targeting the "Oversized glass pivot doors" market segment.

Additionally

The Feminist Art and Architecture Collaborative published a manifesto in No. 46 / No Sweat of Harvard Design Magazine.