LEED 2009 Now Open for Public Comment

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) on May 20 opened the first public comment period on LEED® 2009, the next evolution of the LEED green building certification system. The public comment period will be open until June 22. LEED 2009, according to the USGBC, represents a reorganization of the existing LEED rating systems for commercial buildings, combined with a series of major technical advancements focused on improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and addressing other environmental and human health outcomes.

The LEED Green Building Rating System was developed by USGBC in 2000 to drive market transformation in the building industry by defining a consensus metric for leadership in green building that forms a basis for continuous improvement. Detailed information about specific proposed technical changes to the rating system can be found in the background documents that accompany the public comment forms on USGBC’s Web site.

For more information: USGBC’s Web site

A Light Affair VI

The Pacific Energy Center and the Golden Gate Section of the IESNA are pleased to host the sixth annual

A Light Affair: Lighting Product Showcase
San Francisco, CA
Thursday, June 12, 2008
3:00PM - 9:00PM

PREREGISTER for this popular event at:
www.pge.com/pec/lightaffair


Taking place shortly after Lightfair 2008 in Las Vegas, A Light Affair hosts manufacturers displaying their newest and most efficient lighting products and technologies. This is a great opportunity to see state-of-the-art lighting technologies, meet manufacturer's representatives, and network with the Bay Area lighting community. Due to increasing interest and participation we have extended the hours of the event! We are pleased to host our sixth annual A Light Affair in partnership with the Golden Gate Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society. Refreshments will be provided. We hope you will join us for this special event!

Please note there are still seats available in the Best Practice Lighting Report class in Oakland on June 6.


For more information: www.pge.com/pec/classes

New AIA Integrated Project Delivery Contract Agreements

The AIA introduced two sets of documents May 15 at the AIA 2008 National Convention and Design Exposition. The first, a set of three agreements, is a transitional approach to integrated project delivery and features an owner-architect agreement form, a separate owner-contractor agreement form, and a general conditions document that defines the responsibilities of each participant, with a guaranteed maximum price amendment.

The second, more novel agreement, is the C195™–2008, Standard Form Single Purpose Entity Agreement for Integrated Project Delivery, which creates a limited liability company among the owner, architect, construction manager, and possibly other parties, according to the specifics of a particular project. Howard Goldberg, Esq., outside counsel to the AIA Documents Committee, has prepared a detailed explanation of these new documents, available here.

For a full range of AIA Document resources, with a 100+ year history of consensus development,visit aiaeb.org.

For more information: Contact Sidney Sweeney at 510/464-3600

Design for Aging Committee Meeting

All Bay Area AIA members are invited to the next Design for Aging Committee meeting will be on Tuesday, June 3rd at Noon- 1 p.m., AIA SF- 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600 San Francisco (Brown Bag)

From Tom Brutting, AIA, Chair:

"We did not meet in May as there were Conferences and Conventions, and those in attendance can update on latest conversations and trends in Senior Housing from both ASOC (San Diego) and AIA Convention (Boston).

Attached is the last AGC Data DiGest information sent from Dave Downey at Sundt Construction. Thanks Dave!

I'm also attaching our meeting meetings from April as a reminder, and basis for the agenda for this coming meeting. We have a lot of planning ahead!"

If you would like a copy of the attachments or the April meeting minutes, please contact Sidney Sweeney.

For more information: Sidney Sweeney 510/464-3600 x11

CSFEI invites you to the first “CFSEI West" Dinner Meeting!

Oakland- June 19th 5:30 –8:30 PM
Earn 1 Professional Development Hour

This presentation will be based on the new CFSEI technical note and will discuss what changes have occurred to the cold-formed steel lateral design provisions between the 1997 UBC to the 2006 IBC. It will include discussions of: a new shear wall type, additions to the shear wall assemblies permitted, expansion of the framing members permitted for use in shear wall and strap braced wall assemblies, the increase of the aspect ratio, addition of shear wall and diaphragm deflection equations, clarification of the design method when an R value equal to or less than 3 is used and where this is permitted, and the new diaphragm provisions.

Dinner Included & Cash Bar
Drawing for a Set of AISI Cold-Formed Steel Standards
Tickets: Members -$35 ($45 After June 12th) Guests -$40 ($50 After June 12th)

For more information: For Reservations, log onto website at http://www.casfa.org/or email
zaeng@bizla.rr.com.

Selection of Design Build Contractor - UCSD Cogeneration Plant Expansion

The University of California, San Diego will be selecting a Design Build Contractor to perform engineering, design, procurement, construction and commissioning services for the Cogeneration Plant Expansion Project (Project). The Work will be performed as a Design/Build Project on a lump sum, turn-key basis. UCSD is utilizing the Design/Build approach to bring the best available, integrated design and construction capability, expertise and experience to the Project. UCSD has determined that Proposers that submit Design/Build proposals for this Work must be prequalified.

The Project has been programmed to be a nominal 15 MW cogeneration addition to the existing 30 MW, combined cycle, cogeneration plant (Plant). The Plant and Project are located within, and are an integral part of, the UCSD Central Utility Facility (existing Facility) located at 9500 Gillman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093. The Project will include, but not be limited to, a combustion turbine generator (CTG), a dedicated heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), emissions control system to meet permit requirements, full and complete balance of plant, building additions and all necessary Plant, campus and utility interfaces necessary to accommodate this expansion.

I have attached the Request for Qualification document, University Form Attachment B, and a sample Standard Form 330 for your use if you choose to submit a proposal.

Proposals are due no later than 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

For more information: commercial questions should be submitted to Rhonda Mitchell, Manager of Contracts at (858) 822-3126, technical questions or questions regarding the scope of the Project should be directed to Gerry White, Director of Services, Facilities Design and Construction, at (858) 534-2987, or Fred Jaeger, Principal Engineer, Facilities Design and Construction, at (858) 534-1984.

Jennifer Nielsen
Contracts Assistant
UC San Diego
Facilities Design & Const.
jjnielsen@ucsd.edu
858.534.3887

Focus Group Openings

Architects and design professionals are invited to attend a Focus Group centered around architectural building materials. The materials focused on will be manufactured thin stone veneer and interlocking concrete pavers. Participants will do a product comparison and analyze sample boards and marketing materials as well.
If you agree to attend you will be awarded a $150.00 American Express Gift Card! Your obligation should take no more than 10-15 minutes, lunch will be served as well.

Space is limited please reply as soon as possible.

Date: Tuesday June 3rd
Time: anytime between 12:30-2:30, lunch served
Place: Marriott Hotel
2600 Bishop Dr.
San Ramon, CA 94583

For more information: (925) 244-6100 Sarah A. Lewis Architectural Specifier

USGBC will be hosting a series of LEED 2009 Webcasts

LEED 2009 resets the bar for green building leadership because the urgency of our mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before. LEED 2009, coupled with an expanded third-party certification program and significant enhancements to LEED Online make up a multi-faceted initiative that we refer to as LEED v3. You will be hearing more specifics about all these changes over the next few months, which will include the fruition of an initiative to integrate LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) into LEED credits.
But the immediate need is your engagement in the public comment process on LEED 2009. All stakeholders in the building community are invited to comment.
We urge you to participate in this important next step in delivering on our mission of green buildings for everyone within a generation

USGBC will be hosting a series of LEED 2009 Webcasts*. The first two Webcasts will begin on
Thursday, May 22 2008 at 11 AM – 12 PM EDT and 1 – 2 PM EDT.
Hosted by Scot Horst, Chair of the LEED Steering Committee, attendees will view the proposed changes
to the LEED system; walk through the public comment process and be able to ask questions.

to particpate in webcast click here:
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=4129

Owner of the Year 2008

COMING IN SEPTEMBER 2008

Please help California Construction magazine find the best private and public owner/developer/client by nominating a large or small firm or entity in our Owner of the Year 2008 award. Winners will be selected by California Construction’s editorial staff and announced in our upcoming September 2008 issue. Winners will also be honored during the Best of California award events in December 2008.


C A L L F O R E N T R I E S
• Demonstrates sensitivity to community aesthetics
• Maintains robust pipeline containing high-profile projects
• Advances technology, especially BIM
• Acts as a public steward and gives back to community
• Facilitates new and innovative workforce development
(mentor/protégé programs that help small disadvantaged
businesses, job training, jobsite tours for students, etc.)
• Hires top talent and consistently uses quality sub-contractors
• Demonstrates philanthropic and social responsibility
• Exhibits clear understanding of building processes and the
knowledge necessary to successfully complete a project
• Drives communication
• Possesses financial capabilities
• Advances green/sustainability construction methods


SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY! DEADLINE IS MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008.
• Describe the nominated owner’s attributes in 500 words or less
• Include nominee’s work on the current or recent project that leads to their nomination
• One private and one public owner will be chosen
• Complete entry online at www.california.construction.com or
send separate email to Robert Carlsen, Managing Editor,
California Construction, Robert_carlsen@mcgraw-hill.com.

For more information: Questions? Call (415) 357-8019.
Contact us for advertising information and opportunities!
Michael Moffat 415-357-8092 Sandra Brown 916-972-9042
Maggie Hartley 626-932-6174

Build It Green Home Tour in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties!

Don’t miss the third Build It Green Home Tour in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties! On Sunday, June 1, 2008, from 10am-5pm, 17 homeowners will open their doors for the Tour.

This one-day self-guided tour will introduce attendees to homeowners and building professionals who have built or remodeled green. Folks can check out a wide array of green features such as solar hot water and solar electric systems, radiant floor heating, natural flooring, green roofs, dual-flush toilets, grey water systems and repurposed shipping containers!

A guidebook is required for admission ($30/person or $50/admits two) and is available for purchase online or at local retail locations - visit www.BuildItGreen.org. Directions to each home are provided in the tour guidebook.

For more information: please visitwww.BuildItGreen.org or call 1-888-404-7336.

Monthly Program Michael E. Willis, FAIA--On the Brink of 20/New Work Takes Flight

On Wednesday, May 28 at 5:30 pm Michael E. Willis, FAIA, NOMA will discuss his firm’s presence in its dominant sectors of water, land, air and place. This talk will focus on the firm’s recent and unprecedented growth as Michael Willis Architects continues to gain momentum at 20 years young, and wrestles with the growing pains [good ones] while accepting the challenge of becoming a signature national practice.

Time: 5:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Cost: $15 for AIA members and East Bay members guests; $25 for non-members
Click Here for Registration
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Young Architects Lunchtime Forum: Hardwood Floor Finishes

The Young Architects Forum will host a lunchtime presentation on Tuesday, May 27 at noon.

Golden State Flooring will present an informative talk on the appropriate hardwood finish systems, and maintenance for hardwood floor projects. The difference between pre-finished and site finished floors. Finish appearance, sheen variables, performance expectations, and the appropriate maintenance will be introduced.

Time: Noon-1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Gerard Lee, AIA
Cost: Free; Please RSVP Lunch will be provided
This Forum open to all.
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Professional Practice Forum: Sticks and Stones; Words Can Hurt

On Thursday, May 22 at noon Moya Henderson of Dealey, Renton & Associates and Jordan Rojas of Long Lovitt will lead the discussion on how the misuse of words can hurt you, your client and your practice. The presntation will focus on techniques on how to prevent verbal and written suicide. Join us for lunch and learn the differences between "inspect and observe"

Time: Noon-1:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street , Oakland .
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Tim Craig, AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all. Please RSVP
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Regional Urban Design Forum: Transit Orient Design and other Multi-Modal Issues

Join the Regional and Urban Design Forum on Wednesday, May 21 at noon for an informative discussion on Transit Orient Design and other Multi-Modal Issues. Presented by Jason Patton, City of Oakland. He will discuss the updated Bicycle Master Plan and the effects on urban architecture.

Jason Patton, PhD is the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager for the City of Oakland Transportation Services Division

Jason received his Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in science and technologies studies (STS). His academic work addresses street design for multi-modal transportation, environmental justice planning, and the relationship between material change and social change in the urban built environment.

Time: Noon-1:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Ann Panopio, Assoc. AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all. Please RSVP
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Greening Our Practices

On Tuesday May 20 at 6:00 pm the Young Architects Forum will present Greening Our Practices

Bay Area Green Business Certification is an attractive prospect for small- to medium-sized, locally-based businesses seeking to market themselves as environmentally responsible. Enrollment and certification rates have steeply increased, but who can benefit most from this certification, how and why? Alameda County's Green Business Coordinator presents these basics, and compares the Bay Area Green Business certification to other types of 'green' certifications/accreditations.

Pamela Evans has been Alameda County's Green Business Alliance Coordinator since the Program's inception in 1997. Since then, Pamela has overseen the 'green' certification of 400 Green Businesses in the East Bay. She has built partnerships with over 35 local partners, including government, utilities, special districts, nonprofit and business organizations to create a local environmental certification process that has served as a model for over a dozen other local green business programs in and beyond California. Pamela has worked in environmental regulation and pollution prevention education since 1980.Agenda (not necessarily in this order): What is the Green Business Program?What is the benefit?Who is it for - and not for?What are the standards? How does it work?

Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Gerard Lee, AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all. Cocktails provided. Please RSVP.

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

What's New in 2009 Autodesk Solutions

On Tuesday, May 20 from 9:15 to 3:15 Ideate will host the new 2009 Autodesk Solutions feature powerful tools to immediately impact your design process and your business, enabling you to experience your designs before they are real. Join us at one of our ‘What’s New in 2009 Autodesk Solutions’ events and see how these tools increase productivity, reduce errors and save valuable time.

Throughout May Ideate is hosting multiple events across Northern California, Nevada and Oregon. Experts from the Ideate team will present their favorite new features in select 2009 Autodesk Solutions including:

Revit Architecture
Revit Structure
Revit MEP
Civil 3D
Map 3D
AutoCAD

Seating is limited at each event so please select the product(s) you have the most interest in. Registration is required for each presentation.

More information: 888-662-7238 x 6892 or marketing@ideateinc.com

Time: 9:15am-3:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Freddy Vasquez at 415.814.5539
Cost: None; Lunch will be provided by Ideate, Inc.
To register: http://www.ideateinc.com/2009products/

For more information: Freddy Vasquez at 415.814.5539

Transbay Taskforce Meeting, 5/13

Next Transbay Taskforce MeetingTuesday, May 13, 2008Noon-1:00 p.m.
The Latest on TransLink and Fare Change Proposals

You won’t want to miss the next Transbay Taskforce meeting on Tuesday, May 13. We’ll have a representative from the TransLink team to provide the latest updates and answer questions. We’ll also further discuss the fare change proposals being considered by AC Transit’s Board of Directors at a public hearing on May 21. We’re sure you'll want to have a say in what happens to Transbay fares, so come and have your voice heard. As usual, bring your lunch and we’ll provide beverages and treats.
PG&E Conference Center, Room 1417245 Market St. (at Beale)

For more information: San FranciscoQuestions? Contact Karen Bakar (510) 891-7153, kbakar@actransit.org

Architecture for Humanity - Myanmar Rebuilding Appeal

Architecture for Humanity is raising funds to support reconstruction effortsafter this weekend's devastating cyclone in Myanmar.

Architecture for Humanity: Myanmar Rebuilding Appealhttp://www.architectureforhumanity.org/node/754 http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/myanmar

Often media attention focuses on relief efforts. Months later, after thecameras have left, communities face the difficult task of rebuilding with little support. Architecture for Humanity offers long-term technicalexpertise when it is needed most during the reconstruction phase. Our work will focus on rebuilding sustainable clinics, schools, communitycenters and other critical infrastructure as well as housing. Past experience has shown that these buildings serve as critical anchors inhelping communities rebuild and families restart their lives.

How your contribution can make a difference:
* $15,000 supports a design team for six months to a year.
* $50,000 builds a transitional school (Just about the most important thing you can do as it allows parents to rebuild and begin working again)
* $150,000 builds a community complex (health clinic, daycare center, jobstraining center, government offices.)

If you are interested in getting involved, contact us at: volunteers@architectureforhumanity.org .
To support sustainable reconstruction, make a donation today by visiting: http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/donate We will be posting updates to our site as well.

For more information: Barb@Architectureforhumanity.org
Architecture For Humanity, 848 Folsom Street #201, San Francisco, CA 94107 415.963.3511

WIA: Mitigating Risks – Non-Traditional Thinking

Risk is defined as hazard or chance of loss. Join the Women In Architecture Forum on Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 pm as they discuss active and passive risk management.

“What do you stand to lose?” The list is long: money, business, current and future clients, business relationships and employees…. And above all the life safety and welfare of the public is at risk.

Traditionally design professionals think about reviewing documents, but they don’t think about the other things that can cause a team to perform poorly. All the things on the following list are actually active ways to mitigate risk, but not what we generally think of at first.

· the decision to pursue a project
· terms of your contracts,
· record keeping, policies and procedures
· client relationship
· quality assurance procedures,

Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Jamie Brown, Assoc. AIA
Cost: None; this program open to all. Cocktails provided. Please RSVP.
1 CES/LU

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Lunchtime Learning: Oakland's Planning and Zoning

Wednesday, May 7 at noon the City of Oakland's Planning and Zoning Department will discuss the updates on the Planning and Zoning regulations to make them consistent with the General Plan, which the City adopted in March 1998. The zoning regulations are being streamlined and tailored to reflect community needs. The revised Planning Code will be an updated, more user-friendly framework for reviewing and approving development projects.

Time: Noon-1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact: Neil Gray , Strategic Planning (510) 238-3878
Cost: None. This meeting open to all chapter members.
Click here for more information

For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600

Announcing May Workshops on the Regional Transportation Plan

Help Plan the Bay Area's Transportation Future

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is currently in the process of updating the region's long-range transportation plan and invites you to participate in the discussion about how to spend our transportation dollars over the next twenty-five years. A series of nine public workshops - one in each of the nine Bay Area counties - is being held in May and all members of the public are encouraged to attend.

For more information: Find a workshop in your area click here.

2008-09 Grants for Research in Architecture Announced

This November, Rafael Viñoly Architects will award up to five grants of US$60,000 each for studies focused on transformations in the built environment within dynamically changing societies. Singular grants have been a vital component of the practice's Training and Research Programs since their 2005 introduction. This year, to commemorate the firm's twenty-fifth anniversary, multiple grants will be conferred..Proposed projects should emphasize original research focused on any region of the world, though there is particular interest in studies addressing relevant issues in China, the Middle East, Russia, and South America. Study subjects might include new demands for housing and infrastructure due to urban immigration in China, South Asia, and Africa; the proliferation of new cities in sparsely populated regions of the Middle East; threats to historic resources posed by development or changing political climates in Russia, Eastern Europe, and former European colonies; and more. The firm seeks insights into how these and other transitions are reshaping the work of architects and others charged with managing our physical surroundings..Studies may be framed in reference to aspects of architectural design, engineering, construction, planning, project delivery, and conservation; the techniques, technologies, practices, and materials associated with these; the governmental policies, economic, and social factors that shape them; or the trades, crafts, and professions with which they are involved..Citizens of all countries are eligible to apply for the grants individually or as teams. In addition to receiving financial support to pursue their studies, Rafael Viñoly Architects Research Fellows may elect to spend a portion of their time in residence at the firm's New York offices. In 2010, the firm intends to publish the Fellows' final papers in book form and to sponsor a New York conference at which the Fellows will present and discuss their work.

The deadline for submitting grant proposals is August 1, 2008. Grant recipients will be notified in November.

For more information: www.rvatr.com for more information.Click here for Calendar Listings Text