Blogs

Architect Barbie Adventures: I Can Be A Fellow Here

By A. Lira V. Luis posted 08-12-2011
3 people recommend this.
Taliesin, where a woman can be a fellow here. As Architect Barbie, the doll from " BARBIE® I CAN BE...™ ” series hits stores on August 15th, I can’t help but think about a girl, whose story of wanting the doll upon seeing an image of it from the internet earlier this year. When Catherine Lorraine Johnson requested her grandfather for an Architect Barbie, it struck a chord and gave me an a-ha-moment. I sensed an imaginary bond that connected that four-year-old girl with the grandpa, who happens to be the respected architectural designer, Michael P. Johnson . Architect Barbie trying on Frank Lloyd Wright's original drafting table for size. ...
2 comments

Is the Architecture Profession in Need of a Makeover Despite the Upturn in the Economy?

By Tara L. Imani AIA posted 06-25-2011
3 people recommend this.
The Changing Role of Architects: Can Traditional Practice Continue to Survive and Thrive? I first voiced this concern at a Saturday morning seminar on Life/Work Balance at the 2008 National AIA Convention in Boston, MA while participating in a small group talk. In that 4-hour seminar, we were set in groups of 10 at round tables to discuss issues we face as architects and how we approach them. When our group leader listed our top concerns about the profession, he did add mine at the tail end, namely, that "architects, as sole practioners, seemed to be facing obsolescence." To my surprise, no one said anything. No one screamed. No one argued. No ...
16 comments

Puff Pastry And Architecture

By A. Lira V. Luis posted 01-16-2011
1 person recommends this.
During a recent screening of the documentary Kings of Pastry at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago's theater district, I had the pleasure of asking one of its leading characters, Chef Jacquy Pfeiffer from where his design sources come. He tells me he's a big fan of the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly , stating that he studied the processes and techniques of glass blowing, and incorporates them in some of his culinary sugar sculptures. Kings of Pastry fell on my radar when I saw this image: The expression on the chef's face reminded me a lot about architecture school when I had to build scaled models, trying to make sense of how to construct ...
6 comments

Review of Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction, 2nd Edition, 2010

By Stephen Martinson posted 03-10-2011
2 people recommend this.
Review of Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction, Second Edition, 2010 About a month ago I posted a question on the Residential Knowledge Community board asking if anyone had seen the second edition of Architectural Graphic Standards for Residential Construction , and if so, what they thought. Though I did not get any review comments back, I was fortunate enough to receive a note from the AIA asking if I would like to review the book myself and post my review as a blog on the AIA KnowledgeNet. I accepted, and they sent a copy of the book to me. See below for my review. I have been an architect for many years, but most of ...
5 comments

4 - The IGCC is totally unnecessary – It requires extensive municipal code-effort to comply with

By George J. Tracy Jr posted 03-08-2011
2 people recommend this.
As a continuation to my previous commentary on the IGCC; this article involves two aspects: a) the effort by a municipality to perform permit-reviews; and, b) the effort by the A/E to prepare documents for permit-submission. a) Getting a building permit in the City of Houston (my hometown jurisdiction – C of H) is a pain. That’s because the C of H utilizes a “thorough-plan-review” system, which gives broad powers to the plans examiners, and less power to the field-inspectors. Unfortunately, the pain increased when the city underfunded its pension obligations, and many experienced plan-examiners / inspectors “retired” to take advantage ...
4 comments

Post Modern Religious Art & Architecture

By Richard S. S. Vosko, Hon. AIA Hon. AIA posted 06-03-2010
1 person recommends this.
Why is it that so many mainline religions in the U.S. continue to replicate architectural forms from other cultures, other countries, rather than commission architects to create something fresh and contemporary? Is it a strong desire to connect with ancestry, to protect the status quo? Or is it the lack of courage on the part of the architectural profession to help clients imagine the possibilities? I am wondering what others think?
4 comments

Build less. For more people. Design circular.

By Clare J. Miflin AIA posted 10-15-2019
2 people recommend this.
The seven-word maxim in my title (inspired by Michael Pollan’s maxim for healthier eating) could be a way for our community to take a big leap in climate action. The COTE Top Ten measure “ Design for Economy ” states that “Space should be seen as a resource to conserve, just like water or energy.” This sounds like common sense, but is unrewarded by our green building rating systems -- and, indeed, by our entire real estate economy. Designing a building to be used more – by more people, more of the time – makes it harder to achieve LEED, Living Building Challenge, or Net Zero standards. I know of a net zero certified school that couldn’t let the local community ...
4 comments

Visioneering: What is the X-Prize for the Built Environment?

By Tara L. Imani AIA posted 04-14-2011
1 person recommends this.
Envisioning the X-Prize: How Lessons from the Space Industry May Help Architects Transform the Built Environment http://www.xprize.org/ Jane Poynter, Author and Environmentalist of Biosphere fame and President of Paragon Space Development Corporation, has laid down the gauntlet. During her presentation at a recent Summit, she asked a group of thought leaders in architecture: “Why don’t we have an X-Prize for the built environment?” A poignant question. What is an X-Prize? I didn't know for sure, so I googled it and found this exhilarating video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjokzUTpqjw&feature=player_embedded Jane Poynter ...
4 comments

LEAVING THE SEASONED PROFESSIONALS BEHIND

By Paul A. Mendolia posted 09-17-2010
2 people recommend this.
I just wanted to get something going here for those of us trying to work or get work and who might not be as technically, in the way of computer drawing as we would like to be. I know that all the firms want the REVIT and CAD and forget that the experience is what is most important. We can also be good suprvisors and teachers in the office. Not to mention spec writers, Constrction Administrators etc. I would love to get comments from anyone who has an interest in this subject.
3 comments

Letter from the Chair- June 2020

By Julie Hiromoto FAIA posted 06-11-2020
2 people recommend this.
Dear COTE members, Every year, I’m amazed by the COTE Top Ten Award winning projects , this year is no different. But before we celebrate these winners, we should reflect on the social justice atrocities that have been tolerated for too long. The COTE A dvi s o r y Group supports The National Organization of Minority Architects’ (NOMA) and the AIA Board’s statements o n systemic racial injustice . We must act, as individuals and within our firms and organizations, to mobilize broader change against inequity and racism. COTE commit s to refine our mission to articulate this position and ...
3 comments

What do you want to Learn - part 2

By Lisa J. Stacholy posted 08-10-2010
1 person recommends this.
Oke-Doke! AIA is in the process of migrating all past blogs to this new venue - There is one comment on a recent Small Firms Idea Exchange blog that just can't wait (see below for question and original blog post if you [sigh] haven't seen it. Thank you to Oscar to asking such a large question for initial real 'blog' in this venue. FIRST: AIA has that anti-trust thingie that makes it so we can't discuss specific actual fees; we can however discuss the philosophy on how one determines what their fees should be, or debate 'fixed fee' versus 'hourly' contracts. SECOND: 'how to get clients' is way more fun - let's start there. There has been a number of AIA ...
3 comments

3 - The IGCC is totally unnecessary - It expands (and redefines) the standard-of-care…

By George J. Tracy Jr posted 02-23-2011
1 person recommends this.
To continue my previous blogs: The IGCC is totally unnecessary…there, I said it! 1 – The IGCC is totally unnecessary – It’s a stretch to the meaning of “construction / building codes”, and 2 - The IGCC is totally unnecessary - It costs architects in fees… …As everyone knows, we live in a very litigious society; and, without question, the threat and reality of litigation impacts what we draw, say, and even imply as professionals. Much of the basis for litigation comes from what we “should do” or what we “should have done” – while compared to “what another prudent architect would do, in similar situations, in the exercise of ...
3 comments

Letter from the Chair- September 2019

By Marsha A. Maytum posted 09-17-2019
2 people recommend this.
Congratulations to all COTE members and to the AIA! On September 4 in Pittsburgh the AIA Board ratified Resolution 19-11: Resolution for Urgent and Sustained Climate Action (overwhelmingly passed by AIA members in June) and adopted the AIA Framework for Design Excellence (based on the COTE Top Ten Measures) to transform day-to-day practice by all architects to achieve a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient and healthy built environment. This is an historic moment for the AIA and a moment of great achievement for the members of the COTE community. I presented the Framework for Design Excellence to the Board on September 4 and witnessed the unanimous ...
3 comments

Can a Single-Family House be a Model of Sustainable Design?

By Kira L. Gould Hon. AIA posted 07-17-2018
2 people recommend this.
Image: Olson Kundig By Kira Gould The AIA Committee on the Environment’s COTE Top Ten awards program celebrates the integration of design excellence and sustainability. Among the 2018 recipients was Olson Kundig’s Sawmill House, an off-the-grid performer chock-full of innovations (11kW array with battery storage, thermal mass, sun shading, ground source heat pump and radiant floor, LED lighting and passive cooling strategies and the use of salvaged materials from the site). By these measures, the project seems an obvious contender for exemplary sustainable design excellence, the purpose of COTE Top Ten. On the other hand, does a 4,000-square-foot house ...
3 comments

ArchEX2011: Challenging the paradigms about the practice of architecture in the coming decade (306 What’s Your Plan B?)

By A. Lira V. Luis posted 11-03-2011
1 person recommends this.
Architecture Exchange East conference is in full swing in Richmond, Virginia. Read some of the Take-aways from this session: 306 What’s Your Plan B? Does the present economy make you feel like there is more truth to Murphy’s Law than fiction? Do you wonder about alternative career paths for architects? An expert panel of professionals who have not followed typical career paths considers the options. Presented by Rob Rosenfeld Heather Simmons, AIA, HDR, Inc. Kathryn T Prigmore, FAIA, NCARB, CDT, LEED AP, Vice President, HDR, Inc. Leslie McDonald, Architectural Designer at Abrahamse & Company Builders Amy Eichenberger, AIA, Senior Project Manager, ...
3 comments

Where do I find the Current Building Codes?

By John C. Workley posted 06-02-2010
1 person recommends this.
Where do you start, and what are the best practices to search out the correct codes? Start with your state - your state will adopt a national code. Most have adopted the international building code (IBC printed from the ICC) international code council. << History lesson: The international code has grown from the Building Code Council and Southern Building Code into the National presence it is today. >> Next, Drill down to the local level by calling the CITY HALL of the area where you are working. Check with their building department and/or Development department. Next check is the internet: search for the code they gave you ...
3 comments

Library Makerspaces: A New Alternative Education Environment

By John W. Clark AIA posted 03-13-2017
2 people recommend this.
Since 2013 when the American Library Association (ALA) an­nounced the formation of its Center for the Future of Libraries, it has focused much of its work on identifying new emerging trends relevant to libraries, librarians, and their communi­ties. Though we can’t predict the future, we can identify trends. Understanding these “currents” shaping society can better enable us to envision the future. ALA’s Center is itself modeled on the American Alliance of Museums’ (AAM) very successful Center for the Future of Museums (CFM), which highlights social, technological, political, and economic trends ways that museums are addressing these trends. So it is not surprising ...
2 comments

HOW TO: Find & Attract Quality Facebook Fans

By Ann Novakowski posted 06-19-2012
4 people recommend this.
Or; How to Get More Facebook Fans and Potential Leads Without Being Unethical I know that title's a doozy, but it certainly explains it all. Where do you find real, engaged, potential client fans? I will answer your (my) question with another question: Who is your ideal client and where would they hang out online? Are they reading House Beautiful magazine? Do the obsess over Farrow & Ball? Let's brainstorm some ways you can reach your ideal client. You can run very complex Facebook ads, promote your fan page updates for $5 a pop, launch a Google adwords campaign, buy more fans from some sketchball computer programmer in Malaysia...but those things ...
2 comments

Small Project Design Grant Recipients

By Carolyn Perricelli posted 07-09-2021
1 person recommends this.
Small Project Design Grant Recipients The Small Project Design advisory group is pleased to announce the recipients of the Small Project Design Knowledge Community Grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide financial support for non-profit organizations working with architects on community-based projects. Along with supporting the work of non-profits, we want to demonstrate the value of hiring an architecture firm (and AIA member) for community projects, by helping cover some of the costs associated with hiring the design team. 2022 Recipients The Garden Gateway Organization: Center for Court Innovation Neighborhood ...
2 comments

The Joint Commission requirements for food and sanitation

By Billy G. Linton AIA posted 01-12-2011
1 person recommends this.
The state of Alabama is currently in the process of have a new psychiatric hospital designed. The patients will be fed in the new hospital, however, the food will be prepared in another facility and transported to the new building. I have been told that the new building will be required by The Joint Commission to have a dishwasher in the building even though the food is prepared elsewhere. Is this true and where can I find the regulation?
2 comments