Click to the January issue of AIArchitect.
  AIArchitect This Week—January 20, 2003

Economic Plans Offer Tax Breaks, Help for Businesses
President Bush and Congressional Democrats have offered separate plans in recent weeks to help stimulate the nation’s economy, both of which focus on tax relief for individual investors. While the proposals target personal income tax relief, a few provisions may spark particular interest for firms and architects looking for ways to manage their expenses. Full Story

UIA Endorses The AIA’s Continued Sponsorship of Professional Practice Commission
The AIA announced January 13 that it will continue its sponsorship of the International Union of Architects Council (UIA) Professional Practice Commission. This announcement follows a November 2002 decision by the UIA Council, voted on at its recent meeting in Curitiba, Brazil, to endorse the continued AIA sponsorship of the commission. Full Story

Lucky Thirteen: AIA Puerto Rico Honors Eight Projects and Five Individuals
AIA Puerto Rico presented Honor Awards to eight projects and Recognition Awards to five individuals during the chapter’s annual convention last month. Jury members Terry Brown, FAIA, Albuquerque; Alex Diez, AIA, New York City; and Jesus Amaral, FAIA, Puerto Rico, served as jury members, evaluating projects in four categories. Full Story

Grassroots Conference Seeks Grassroots Involvement
In a tradition dating back almost 40 years, local, state, and national leaders of the AIA will gather March 5–8 at the Grassroots Annual Leadership and Legislative Conference (fondly known as “Grassroots”) to share information on specific challenges that relate to their own experiences and enhance their leadership skills through innovative and creative workshops. Full Story

WORK-ON-THE-BOARDS
December Weakness Extends Streak to Six Down Months
A lot of architecture firms ended up with a lump of coal in their stocking this holiday season. Due to time off for the holidays by both architecture firm staff and their clients, December is traditionally a slow time for work at firms. This year, the downturn was particularly sharp, as almost 30 percent of firms reported a drop in billings compared to November levels. Inquiries for new projects also raise concerns: They recorded the sharpest drop since the days after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Full Story

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December 16 | December 23 | January 6 | January 13
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  News You Can Use

Enter the 2003 AIA Photo Competition, Sponsored by AIA St. Louis
Slide entries are due April 1
AIA St. Louis once again presents the AIA Photography Competition, open to all architects, AIA associate members, and AIAS members in the U.S. The top 15 entries will be exhibited at the 2003 AIA Convention in San Diego, May 8–10. Pictured, "Sunrise," Lake Tahoe, by Christine Bingham, Assoc. AIA. Full Story

BEST PRACTICES
The Seismic Implications of Seven Design Factors
Earthquakes inflict powerful and unpredictable forces on buildings. Some of the most difficult design problems faced by structural engineers involve anticipating and accommodating seismic forces. Full Story

Small Tips: Big Dividends
The latest issue of the Small Projects Forum Journal offers the “Best of Tips and Techniques” gleaned by the SPF PIA’s 2002 advisory group from issues dating back to the publication’s launch in 1994. Topics include: accurate note taking, architect-builder relations, client relations, time management, and marketing publicity. Full Story

Top 10 Green Projects Program Online Entry Forms, Requirements Up and Running January 23
Submissions due March 3
The AIA Committee on the Environment will launch its Web site for online submissions and requirements for entry for the 2003 AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects program on January 23. The program seeks to identify and recognize exemplary built projects that demonstrate the benefits of a high-performance, sustainable design approach. This design competition evaluates projects based on a broad and inclusive definition of design quality that includes performance, aesthetics, community connection, and stewardship of the natural environment. The AIA features the 2003 Top Ten Green Projects prominently in national exhibitions and presentations at the National Building Museum, AIA national convention, and U.S. Green Buildings Council annual meeting. The deadline for online submissions is March 3. For more information. For more information, check next week's AIArchitect. (Pictured is the Puget Sound Environmental Center, Bainbridge Island, Wash., by Mithun. The 2002 Top Ten award-winner features rainwater and wastewater collection systems, photovoltaics, rooftop solar hot water panels, and operable skylights for ventilation. Photo © Art Grice.)

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Copyright 2003 The American Institute of Architects