Walnut Creek Wetland Center / Frank Harmon Architect

Frank Harmon, FAIA, principal of Frank Harmon Architects PA in Raleigh, will be the featured speaker for the AIA Lecture Series in San Antonio, Texas, on March 30, beginning 6 p.m. in the historic Pearl Studio conference center on Grayson Street.

Harmon is a multi-award-winning leader in modern, innovative, sustainable architecture, and frequently lectures on the importance of regionally appropriate architecture – which address the particulars of climate, topography, forms, colors and culture of a region — as a means of creating both environmentally friendly architecture and a sense of place.

Harmon’s lecture and all others in the series are free and open to the public. For more information on the entire series, visit www.aiasa.org.

© Assassi

BNIM, the recipient of the 2011 AIA National Firm Award, designed the Christian Life Center (CLC) hoping that each resident experiences and appreciates the intended qualities of the building—quiet, embracing, community, individuality, nature, frugality, environmental responsibility, stewardship, authenticity and unique beauty. The design team envisions the building contributing to the success of men entering the program.

Project description, images, and drawings following the break.

Architect: BNIM
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Project Area: 27,000 sqf
Photographs: Farshid Assassi

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© Bernard Andre Photography

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) rooftop garden is an open-air gallery defined by the intersection of sculpture, space and light. Recipients of an AIA National 2011 Honor Award for Architecture, American Architecture Awards 2010, an AIA San Francisco 2010 Honor Award for Design, and an AIA California Council 2009 Merit Award for Design, the project was designed by Jensen Architects/Jensen & Macy Architects.

Architect: Jensen Architects/Jensen & Macy Architects
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Principal: Mark Jensen
Project Architect: Dean Orr
Project Team: Steven Huegli, Gretchen Krebs, Orit Goldstein-Mayer
Landscape Architect: CMG (Conger Moss Guillard) Landscape Architecture
Structural Engineer: Forell / Elsesser Engineers, Inc.
Mechanical Engineer: Guttmann & Blaevoet Consulting Engineers
Lighting Design: Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design
Audio Visual: Auerbach-Pollock-Friedlander
Acoustical: Charles M. Salter Associates
Contractor: Vance Brown Builders
Owner/Client: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Richard Barnes, Henrik Kam, Bernard Andre

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© Assassi

Once located along the riverfront, the Pencoyd Railroad Bridge was built in 1892 and closed in 1970. Led by BNIM, the recipient of the 2011 AIA National Architecture Firm Award, this historic bridge was relocated in 2006 to a new home where it became part of a new pedestrian link spanning the railroad artery separating the revitalized Crossroads district from popular civic destinations to the south.

Project description, images, and drawings after the break.

Architect: BNIM
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Project Team: TranSystems Corporation
General Contractor: JE Dunn Construction
Project Year: 2006
Photographs: Farshid Assassi, BNIM

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© Bruce Damonte

Designed by Zack | de Vito, the Laidley Street Residence illustrates what a design build project can achieve. The owners, a family of four, were both architect and builder. The goal of the project was to create a modern, eco-sensitive, urban retreat that was kid tough and kid friendly, but didn’t compromise on design. It has received numerous awards including the 2010 East Bay AIA Merit Award, the 2009 National AIA Housing Award, the 2009 SFAIA Excellence in Architecture Award, and the 2009 Custom Home and Builder Magazine Award.

Project description, images, and drawings following the break.

Architect: Zack | de Vito
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Photographs: Bruce Damonte

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Courtesy of Randy Brown Architects

This AIA National Housing Award recipient was designed by Randy Brown Architects for Hidden Creek—their eco-friendly development. Crabapple is an eco-friendly home that offers incredible views of the adjoining wildlife preserve. It also features a home movie theatre and access to walking trails.

Project description, images, and drawings after the break.

Architect: Randy Brown Architects
Location: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Photographs: Courtesy of Randy Brown Architects

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Courtesy of Kengo Kuma

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently announced the recipients of the 2011 Honorary Fellowship (Hon. FAIA). This is given to architects with distinguished achievements, who display exceptional character and are held in high esteem by colleagues. Hon. FAIA members are neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, and do not primarily practice architecture within the domain of the AIA.

The 2011 Hon. FAIA recipients:
Angelo Bucci, Brazil, SPBR Arquitectos
Kristin Jarmund, Norway, Kristin Jarmund Arkitekter
Marcio Kogan, Brazil, Studio mk27
Kengo Kuma, Japan, Kengo Kuma and Associate
Carme Pinós, Spain, Estudio Carme Pinós
Louise Cox, Australia, Professional Organization: International Union of Architects

Many of the Hon. FAIA recipients have had featured work on ArchDaily.  Take a look at Kengo Kuma’s winning design for the new landmark building V&A at Dundee, Kristin Jarmund Arkiteckter’s Gjerdrum Secondary School in Norway, Angelo Bucci’s House in Ubatuba, Marcio Kogan’s Osler House, and the Spain Department Building design by Carme Pinós which will be part of the Vienna University Campus.

© Scott Frances

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced 104 members to be elevated to its prestigious College of Fellows (FAIA) at the 2011 National AIA Convention, held in New Orleans this May. The Fellowship program acknowledges those who have made a ‘significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession’ a distinguished group of individuals fewer than 2,700 from over 80,000 members. Here is a complete list of the newly appointed 104 FAIA members.

Included amongst the 104 elevated members is Thomas Phifer. Phifer’s North Carolina Museum of Art was awarded a 2011 AIA Honor Award, and was chosen from our ArchDaily readers as one of the Building of the Year recipients. Our interview with Thomas Phifer at his office in New York can be found here.

State of the Union

President Obama in his State of the Union address shared plans for making American businesses more energy efficient. Focusing on investing in innovative clean energy technologies, the ‘Better Buildings’ initiative aims to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings by 20 percent over the next decade. Building on his other contributions, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and proposed “HOMESTAR” legislation, this series of incentives would hope to propel private sector investment to upgrade offices, stores, schools and other municipal buildings, universities, hospitals, and other commercial buildings.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is in strong support of the Obama Administration’s ‘Better Buildings’ initiative, according to AIA 2011 President Clark Manus, FAIA.

We applaud the President’s ‘Better Buildings’ initiative, which mirrors directly what the AIA has been advocating.  As a profession, architects are already helping make the President’s goals a reality.

The AIA has actively brought the challenging statistics facing commercial buildings energy consumption to the forefront, noting that this building type accounts for roughly 40 percent of total energy use. Facing architects even more prominently is the fact that commercial buildings also account for nearly 70 percent of all electricity consumed in the United States.

Because of their leadership role in the built environment, architects are in an ideal position to help implement the President’s initiative.  In order to reach the President’s ‘Better Buildings’ goals, there is a crucial need for design experts to apply their experience, innovations and talents to current practices so that one of the major sources of energy use – the building in which we work – can be addressed.

As the President said today, the United States can ‘out-build’ the rest of the world. And architects are the catalysts for winning that contest.

For more on the AIA’s support of the ‘Better Buildings’ initiative click here.

The AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF) and the AIA Committee on Design (COD) invites architects, students, and allied design professionals to submit sketches to the international 2011 YAF/COD Ideas Competition.

In this unique sketch competition, submitters are asked to explore the concept of Universal Design as well as their overlap with values of social and environmental sustainability.

Winners will be announced and will have their work exhibited at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 12-14, 2011. Selected entries will be displayed on the AIA website.

For complete information visit the competition’s official website.

© Scott Frances

The AIA Honor Award recipients for 2011 were announced this week and will be honored at the AIA 2011 National Convention in New Orleans. Recognizing excellence in architecture, interior architecture, and regional and urban design, 27 recipients were chosen from over 700 submissions.

Awarded buildings, including links to features on ArchDaily, can be found after the break.

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© Bill Timmerman

Designed by Gould Evans in association with Wendell Burnette Architects, the Palo Verde Library and Maryvale Community Center is a multi-use facility that includes a large public library collection area, a 150-seat auditorium for recital, drama and public lectures, and a community center that includes a park, pool, basketball courts, running track, and gym.  The design intention was to discover a way to maintain the existing recreational park all the while providing a building that energized the surrounding community.    The Palo Verde Library and Maryvale Community Center has received numerous awards including a 2009 Honor Award, AIA/ALA National, 2007 National Honor Award, and a 2006 Merit Award, AIA Western Mountain Region.

More photographs and drawings following the break.

Architects: Gould Evans
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Associate Architect: Wendell Burnette Architects
General Contractor: Smith Construction Management
Structural Engineer: Rudow + Berry
Mechanical Engineer: Kunka Engineering
Civil Engineer: WRG Design
Electrical Engineer: Associated Engineering
Landscape Architect: Ten Eyck Landscape Architects
Signage Design: Thinking Caps
Lighting Design: Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design
Acoustics: Wardin Cockriel Associates
Historian: Nancy Dallett, Projects in the Public Interest
Client: City of Phoenix
Project Area: 43,000 sqf
Project Year: 2006
Photographs: Bill Timmerman

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© Paul Warchol Photography

This 2,200 square-foot residence is located on a Chesapeake Bay barrier island near the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, an estuarine marshland ecosystem, and an important stop along the Atlantic Flyway.   David Jameson Architect designed three structures to accomodate the clients needs of a guest cabin, master cabin, and lodge, utilizing materials and cabin placement to provide cohesion.  The Hoopers Island Residence has received numerous design awards including a 2009 AIA National Housing Award.  Follow the break for more photographs and drawings of this vernacular inspired vacation home.

Architects: David Jameson Architect, Inc.
Location: Church Creek, Maryland, USA
Principal: David Jameson
Project Architect: Ron Southwick
Contractor: CJ & E Construction
Project Area: 2,200 sqf
Project Year: 2007
Photographs: Paul Warchol Photograhy

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Courtesy of ABC

This past Tuesday marked the much anticipated 2010 midterm elections in the United States.  In a switch of power the Republic party gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives while the Democrats maintained control of the U.S. Senate.  You may be asking yourself what do the results of these recent political changes have to do with me? Well here is the scoop:

For the most part lawmakers who have previous backed design-related policies survived.  This includes the Congressional High Performance Building Caucus chairpersons, Judy Biggert (R-IL and Russ Carnahan (D-MO).

A supporter for the tax incentive of green buildings, Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) was re-elected. Previously assisting the AIA to expand access to credit, Reps. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Mike Coffman (R-CO) won their races. Livability champion Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Hon. AIA (D-OR) and Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) – author of the GREEN Act for green affordable housing and the Livable Communities Act – and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), a leader on green buildings and historic preservation, all won re-election.

Follow the break for more results.

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Credit: Technical Imagery Studio

Designing Educational districts is certainly a challenging topic for every architecture firm. In line with this topic, we would like to introduce you a California based firm who is committed to helping California school districts harness the power of the sun to generate renewable energy.

Founded in 1986, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects provides thoughtful collaborative design services to the clients they serve. They offer responsive design work that supports those who use the facilities they create through client centered design, human scale, innovation, sustainable practices and the willingness to stretch our imaginations to suit the needs of their clients. QKA’s diverse portfolio reflects our commitment to design that responds to use, climate and the community.

With a staff of 47, Quattrocchi Kwok Architects has provided design services for over $850 million of public and private projects. This experience includes master planning, new construction, renovations and historical restoration. While their experience is varied, each project shares a common goal: The facility must meet the needs and wishes of all the users. read more »

During the 2010 AIA Convention in Miami Beach we had the opportunity to sit down with George H Miller, AIA President.

George is also a partner at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners. Given his position as a partner on one of the most recognized firms in the US and as the voice of the architects through the AIA, George has a very good idea on the current state and future of the profession. We did our usual set of questions, but also included two things that I find very important: The importance on pushing IPD and the role of the AIA during the financial crisis (and what lessons can be learned after it). We also recommend you to read our article on his position regarding small business taxes, part of his efforts to improve the way architects practice in the US.

We published each question as a separate video so you can easily watch them. On a side note, there is some audio noise due to a bad mic placement. My fault, won´t happen again.

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ABI from Calculated Risk

According to Bloomberg Newsweek, US Architects should be seeing signs of improvement as the Architecture Billings Index has increased for the third straight month, up from 46.1 in March to 48.5.  Measured by the AIA, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) serves as an indicator of future building for offices, warehouses and retail properties.  The indexes are developed each month by asking AIA firm participants whether their billings increased, decreased, or stayed the same in the month that just ended.  The score is generated based on the proportion of respondents choosing each option.  Breaking the index down regionally, the Northeast fared the best with 51, followed by the Midwest at 49.2, the South at 46.5, and finally, the West at 44.7.

However, we know that statistics often times don’t clue us in on the real happenings, so we’d like to hear from you.  What has been your experience?  Do you feel that the economy is finally turning around and the worst is over?  Or, are you worried, due to the latest economical problems with Greece and crisis of the Euro, that another crash is due to affect our profession? read more »

The 2010 Washington UNBUILT Awards Program recognizes excellence in projects that to date remain unbuilt – theoretical, academic, and other unbuilt projects. Projects entered will be displayed and judged as part of the DesignDC conference in August 2010. This competition is conducted by the Washington Chapter/AIA and is conducted independently of other awards programs sponsored by the National American Institute of Architects and other AIA components.

Digital submissions must be registered online at www.aiadc.com and received at the offices of the Washington Chapter/AIA between April 15 and June 30, 2010. Seen at Death by Architecture.

DesCours is a free, public, week-long architecture and art event now in its fourth year, held the second week of December in New Orleans. This event invites internationally renowned architects and artists to create 14 architecture installations within ‘hidden’ locations in the heart of New Orleans, including private courtyards, rooftops, abandoned buildings and walkways, all locations normally unseen, inaccessible or unused by the public.

AIA New Orleans is presenting the event in partnership with the Downtown Development District (DDD), the City of New Orleans, the Louisiana Architecture Foundation and numerous private businesses, organizations, and individuals. AIA New Orleans is proud to present this event free of charge and open to the public.

You can find more information and download the request for proposals details in the official website.

Special N°9 House

Earth Day today, just in time to annunce the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design by the AIA and its Committee on the Environment (COTE). Check them all after the break. read more »