AIA

Washington, D.C. - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During the first two months of 2011 the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is not exhibiting the strength of business conditions that were seen in the final quarter of 2010. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI score was 50.6, up slightly from a reading of 50.0 the previous month. This score reflects a modest increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.4, compared to a mark of 56.5 in January

Washington, D.C - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Economic pressures and the overall decline in home values resulted in the more modest design of kitchens and bathrooms in recent years. That trend appears to be changing towards homeowner preference for larger, and in some cases additional, kitchens and bathrooms. Households continue to desire products and features that promote energy efficiency and adaptability in the use of space for seniors and those with accessibility concerns.

Washington, D.C. - March 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected the 18 recipients of the 2011 Housing Awards. The AIA’s Housing Awards Program, now in its 11th year, was established to recognize the best in housing design and promote the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit and a valuable national resource.

Washington, D.C. - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement on the fiscal 2012 budget President Obama presented to Congress this morning

Washington, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors (BOD) voted today for Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects (BNIM) to receive the 2011 AIA Architecture Firm Award. The Kansas City, Mo.-based firm celebrated for advancing the design of sustainable architecture from nearly its inception to today when it has become a preeminent force fundamentally re-shaping the built environment.

Washington, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The AIA Board of Directors elected Chester (Chet) A. Widom, FAIA, as the 2011 recipient of the Edward C. Kemper Award. Named in honor of the AIA’s first executive director, the award recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the profession of architecture through service to the Institute. Widom will be honored at the 2011 AIA National Convention in New Orleans

Washington, D.C. - December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced it was sponsoring a Haiti reconstruction conference in early January that will bring together a host of organizations to identify and coordinate opportunities in Haiti for design assistance teams, building assessments, resources and other programs.The AIA Summit on Haiti will be held on January 13 – one day after the first anniversary of the Haitian earthquake of 2010 – at the Loew’s Hotel in New Orleans. Organizations participating in the AIA’s Haiti conference include The American Red Cross, National Urban League - Greater New Orleans, Adecco Group North America, United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Architecture for Humanity (AFH), National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), Public Architecture and Black Design Network News. More organizations are expected to attend.

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ken L. Ross, FAIA, FACHA, joined the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in the newly created position of Vice President, Design and Practice. Mr. Ross, who recently retired as Senior Principal and former President of WHR Architects, Inc., a 170-person Houston-based full service architecture, interior design and technology planning firm, will serve in this position on an interim basis

Washington, D.C. - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Over the last several years there has been increasing demand for housing options within close proximity to public transit, employment centers, retail and entertainment options, and access to open space for recreation. Houses with porches that allow for more neighborhood connection, durable and low-maintenance products for home exteriors, sustainable features and solar reflective roofs also remain popular.

Washington, D.C. - November 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following the first positive reading since January 2008, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped nearly two points in October. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the October ABI score was 48.7, down from a reading of 50.4 the previous month. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 61.7, down slightly from a nearly three-year high mark of 62.3 in September

Washington, D.C. - November 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On behalf of its 80,000 members nationwide, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) today began sending letters to each member of the new 112th Congress, congratulating them on their election and promising to work with both political parties to foster policies that encourage job creation in the hard-hit design and construction industry.

Washington, D.C. - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Local and state building code officials last week approved a package of revisions to the commercial section of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that represent the largest single-step efficiency increase in the history of the national, model energy code. The changes mean that new and renovated buildings constructed in jurisdictions that follow the 2012 IECC will use 30 percent less energy than those built to current standards.

The program seeks submissions featuring exemplary efforts to diversify the architecture profession. The jury will select up to 12 submissions as diversity best practices meriting the following recognition:

Washington, D.C. - October 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Housing and Custom Residential Knowledge Community, in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), recognized four recipients of the 2010 AIA/HUD Secretary Awards. The categories of the program include (1) Excellence in Affordable Housing Design (2) Creating Community Connection Award (3) Community-Informed Design Award (4) Housing Accessibility - Alan J. Rothman Award. These awards demonstrate that design matters, and the recipient projects offer examples of important developments in the housing industry

Washington, D.C. - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced that it will release new and updated documents for regional or urban planning, single-family, and mixed-use residential projects. These documents address the unique requirements of urban planning, single family residential development, and multi-family and mixed-use residential projects.According to the National Association of Home Builders it will be necessary to build more than a million housing units each year to meet the underlying needs of the nation’s population and, over the next decade, the rate of new household formations is expected to average at least 1.4 million a year. Moreover, it will be necessary and desirable to replace some of the existing 125 million housing units in the U.S. with housing that is more energy efficient and otherwise built to modern standards

Washington, D.C. - September 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) have selected the recipients of the AIA National Healthcare Design Awards program. The AIA Healthcare Awards program showcases the best of healthcare building design and healthcare design-oriented research. Projects exhibit conceptual strengths that solve aesthetic, civic, urban, and social concerns as well as the requisite functional and sustainability concerns of a hospital.

Washington, D.C. - September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement in support of Senator Baucus’ introduction Thursday of a revised tax extenders bill.“This tax extenders legislation is a vastly improved bill,” said AIA President George H. Miller, FAIA. “This bill has tax incentives for green homes, extends the “Build America Bonds” program created by stimulus legislation and contains many other attributes that will help the design and construction industry in this recessionary economy.”

Washington, D.C. - September 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The troubled housing market has homeowners concerned about affordability with an increasing preference for functionality over extravagance in special function rooms and home features. There also continues to be a strong willingness to invest in energy efficient products and systems to help reduce utility costs. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey for the second quarter of 2010 that focused on emerging home features: systems, technologies and function rooms in the home.“As the overall economy has slowed in recent years home offices have become the new home theaters,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Homeowners are placing a far greater priority on specialty rooms that get the most use, as well as incorporating outdoor living elements within their lifestyles.”

August 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) WHAT: Administered by ATHENA International and presented to leaders across professional sectors, the ATHENA Award’s rich history, international scope and focus on mentorship distinguish it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive. The ATHENA Award is presented to a woman - or man - who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.As part of the 2010 Women’s Leadership Development Summit, the WLDS Planning Committee is pleased to partner with ATHENA International and accept nominations for the following AIA ATHENA awards:

Washington, D.C. - August 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) have selected nine educational and cultural facilities for this year’s CAE Educational Facility Design Awards. The purpose of the design awards program is to identify trends and emerging ideas, honor excellence in planning and design, and disseminate knowledge about best practices in educational and community facilities.The 2010 CAE Educational Facility Design Awards jury includes: jury chair Caroline Lobo, Assoc. AIA, Orcutt | Winslow; Peter Lippman, Assoc. AIA, JCJ Architecture; Tom Kundig, FAIA, Olson Sundberg Kundig Architects; Bruce Lindsey, Washington University and Jeanne L. Narum, Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL)

Washington, D.C. - July 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Even with modest improvements in the overall U.S. economy, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by more than 20 percent in 2010 with a marginal increase of 3.1 percent in 2011 in inflation adjusted terms. Poor conditions remain because of an oversupply of nonresidential facilities in most construction categories, weak demand for space, continuing declines in commercial property values, and a strong reluctance to provide credit from real estate lenders. These are highlights from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters

Washington, D.C. - July 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Even with modest improvements in the overall U.S. economy, nonresidential construction spending is expected to decrease by more than 20 percent in 2010 with a marginal increase of 3.1 percent in 2011 in inflation adjusted terms. Poor conditions remain because of an oversupply of nonresidential facilities in most construction categories, weak demand for space, continuing declines in commercial property values, and a strong reluctance to provide credit from real estate lenders. These are highlights from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters

Washington, D.C. - June 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After three straight months of improving conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell nearly three points. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the May ABI rating was 45.8, down substantially from a reading of 48.4 the previous month. This score reflects a continued decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings), and comes on the heels of the highest score since January 2008 when revenue at architecture firms headed into recession. The new projects inquiry index was 55.5.

Washington, D.C. - June 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The prolonged economic downturn in the housing market, coupled with growing concerns about rising utility costs has resulted in greater interest in smaller homes and lot sizes. There have also been some broader lifestyle changes with U.S. households eschewing upscale amenities, opting instead to invest in more low maintenance projects, particularly for property improvements. Accessibility within the home continues to be a concern, especially for an aging population, and there is an increasing demand for more flexible design and informal space within homes. Business conditions for residential architects are beginning to indicate improving conditions with the first quarterly increase in billings since mid-2007. These findings are from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trends Survey that focused specifically on overall home layout and use in the first quarter of 2010

Washington, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- George Miller, FAIA, President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Taro Ashihara, President of the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), sign an Accord on Professionalism in Architecture renewing the relationship between the two organizations. The event, taking place during the 2010 AIA annual convention and exposition in Miami, marks the third accord of a relationship that was formed more than twenty years ago.

Washington, D.C.- June 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) applauded the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ endorsement today of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), a comprehensive set of requirements intended to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the natural environment while maintaining safety standards and increasing long term peak performance.The Mayors’ Conference endorsement today of the IGCC at its annual meeting is a major expression of support from an organization outside of the building and construction industry. Such resolutions document support for a policy and represent ways for mayors to learn about and support policies nationally that they are free to adopt in their communities.

Miami, FL - June 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) Young Architects Forum (YAF) and Committee on Design (COD) have selected the recipients of the first annual YAF/COD Ideas Competition.Submitters were asked to explore the issue of temporary relief housing that could have a permanent function, through a concept design problem. While successful site adaptability is a key goal and criterion for this competition, the specific site to demonstrate the solution consists of approximately 200 acres at Houston’s Astrodome and the surrounding parking lots. Entrants could include modifications to the structure of the Astrodome in their proposal, may allow the Astrodome to remain untouched and focus solely on the surface parking areas, or may have some combination of the two. Individual entries could focus their solutions on the provision of either temporary or permanent housing. Entrants were encouraged to address issues of uncertainty associated with either types of housing and with temporary solutions that become permanent.

Miami, FL - June 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the voluntary 2030 commitment program where architecture firms and other entities in the built environment pledge to develop multi-year action plans and implement steps that can advance the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) goal of carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030, the AIA has unveiled a new tool that generates a report on predicted energy use and project modeling

New Documents Include Two Integrated Project Delivery Agreements and Owner-Architect Agreement for Pro Bono Services. Washington, D.C.- June 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On June 10, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) will announce the release of three updated bond forms as well as three new agreements, including an owner-architect agreement for pro bono services and two Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) agreements. Collectively called the “4.3 Release,” these six documents, A312™–2010, Payment Bond; A312™–2010, Performance Bond; A310™–2010, Bid Bond; B106™–2010, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Pro Bono Services; C198™–2010, Standard Form of Agreement Between Single Purpose Entity and Consultant for Integrated Project Delivery; and C199™–2010, Standard Form of Agreement Between Single Purpose Entity and Contractor for Integrated Project Delivery, build on the AIA Contract Documents program’s 120 years of experience as the industry standard in defining the contractual relationships that govern the design and construction industry. These documents, and the bond forms in particular, highlight the AIA’s efforts to collaborate with industry stakeholders and practitioners in the development process.

Joint Design Fellowship will support sustainable reconstruction efforts in Haiti. June 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- American Institute of Architects (AIA) have announced their support of an Architecture for Humanity Design Fellow, which will help play a critical role rebuilding the infrastructure that was demolished in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The qualified design professional selected will make a two-year commitment to work directly with community members on the ground in Architecture for Humanity’s Rebuilding Center based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.