Click to the December issue of AIArchitect.
  AIArchitect This Week—January 6, 2003

AIA Board December Actions
The AIA Board of Directors convened December 5–6, 2002, in Washington, D.C., to consider financial policy, strategic planning through 2005, awards, the national component management report, public policy, nomination and election procedures for national Institute officers, an agreement toward international licensure, and appointments to office. Full Story

FROM OUR FRIENDS AT AIA POTOMAC VALLEY
Component Honors 10 Projects
AIA Potomac Valley presented awards December 13 to the winners of its 2002 Awards for Excellence in Architectural Design program in College Park, Md. The organization also awarded its new Paul H. Kea Memorial Medal for Architectural Advocacy, Leadership and Service to the Profession to Roger K. Lewis, FAIA; Ralph D. Bennett, AIA; and John F. Corkill Jr, AIA. Full Story

Three Named Top Continuing Educators
Strong continuing-education programs add to the bottom line as firm culture and skills from basic to advanced are shared and institutionally saved. Service and product providers offer continuing education to clients as a way to build trust and, thereby, market share. Here are three examples from this year’s AIA Continuing Education System Awards for Excellence. Full Story

Geothermal Powers 1909 California School Into a New Life
Ratcliff architecture firm’s project combines energy savings with restoration
Ratcliff, a third-generation architecture firm in Emeryville, Calif., reports that its client, the Blue Oak School in Napa, Calif., has earned the distinction of being the first independent elementary school in the state to install a geoexchange heating and cooling system. The architects say that the HVAC system, which cost $400,000 to install, will pay for itself in energy savings for the 18,900-square-foot structure in less than five years. Additionally, the architects restored many of the 1909 building’s finest features. Full Story

PROJECT WATCH
Safdie Designs Archeological Oasis for Jerusalem
Moshe Safdie and Associates has won the competition to design the new headquarters for the Israel Antiquities Authority in Jerusalem, to be known as the Center for Archaeology and National Treasures. The new center will sit on a steeply sloped site adjacent to the Israel Museum and close to the treasured Billy Rose Sculpture Garden by Isamu Noguchi. Safdie proposes to make the new center a metaphor for archeological excavation. Because zoning laws restrict its height to one story above an upper access road, the building will be belowground and surround three descending courtyards. The upper level will offer exhibit space to the public, while the two lower levels will serve internal functions. A central tensile canopy (recalling tents used to shade archeological digs) will employ a net of supporting cables and dark fritted glass to provide a sense of shade. Perimeter walls of gold Jerusalem limestone will bond the structure to its landscape. Design will continue until the fall of 2003, construction should start early in 2004, and the building should open in early 2007.

Need to catch up on recent editions of AIArchitect This Week?
November 27 | December 9 | December 16 | December 23
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  News You Can Use

Enter the 2003 Business Week/
Architectural Record Awards Competition
Call For Entries in the January Record
Have you and your exceptional clients built anything lately that proves that good design is good business? Look for the 2003 Business Week/Architectural Record (BW/AR) Awards call-for-entry insert in the January issue of Architectural Record. Now in its seventh year, the annual global awards program recognizes distinguished collaboration between client and architect teams to achieve strategic goals and design excellence. The BW/AR Awards showcase the work of architects and clients who, together, are creating the most innovative and successful facilities in the world.

Public- and private-sector projects, completed anywhere in the world since January 1, 2000, are eligible to enter. New construction and renovation projects are welcome regardless of project or budget size. Order a BW/AR Awards submission packet by calling toll-free 888-242-4240 (or 202-626-7463 from outside the U.S). Entry information also is available on the AIA Web site, or www.architecturalrecord.com. (Pictured here is the Texas Children's Hospital Clinical Care Center, Houston, by FKP Architects, winner of a 2002 BW/AR Award. Photo © Hedrich Blessing Photographers.)

BEST PRACTICES
Safety Design Considerations for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Increase in use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners for medical diagnosis in hospitals, clinics, and freestanding facilities prompts consideration of special structural and safety basics for this equipment. In a Special Report for DiagnosticImaging.com, Robert Paul Junk, AIA, and Tobias Gilk, Junk Architects, Kansas City, Mo., outline spatial considerations for safe use of MRI scanners. Full Story

Design Matters! Poetry and Proof
The AIA 2003 National Convention and Expo2003 is just around the corner
The 2003 AIA National Convention and Expo, to take place May 8–10 in San Diego, will address the challenges of learning how to communicate the value of the magic of good design. This year’s convention offers three theme sessions, 148 continuing education programs, 58 tours (including some just for kids), 64 special events, and more than 600 leading-edge companies exhibiting valuable products, systems, and services. Full Story

Heads Up! Recognize Outstanding Associates and Programs Through 2003 NAC Awards Program
The annual National Associates Committee Awards Program recognizes outstanding accomplishments by associate members, as well as firms and architects who have contributed significantly to the development of associate members. The official call for entries and submission requirement packages will be available the first week in February. Additionally, the Intern Development Program (IDP) Firm of the Year Award, held jointly by AIA and NCARB in conjunction with the NAC program, seeks nominations by February 27. The presentation of these awards will take place at the AIA national convention in San Diego in May. Visit www.aia.org for updates.

Member Censured for Violating AIA Code of Ethics Full Story

Reminder: Entry forms for the AIA/HUD Secretary's Award Program are due January 10. Submissions are due February 7. For more information, visit www.aia.org/institute/ honors or call 202-626-7586.

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Copyright 2003 The American Institute of Architects