Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Publication opportunity

Keith Moskow AIA and his partner, Robert Linn, are working on a third book titled Urban Interventions. Such interventions are defined as visionary yet simple solutions to everyday problems inherent in contemporary American city life. The book will include 50 illustrated case studies -- both realized and theoretical. Keith would welcome examples of such projects that have been designed or built recently.

Those interested in this should send Keith an initial submission by email by June 1, 2008 -- the email should include a project description and low-resolution images.

For more information: KM@MoskowLinn.com or 617-292-2000x28.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ARE CANDIDATES

ARE 4.0 Reminder
If you have not PASSED any division of ARE 3.1, the last date to schedule an ARE 3.1 division is May 13, 2008 and the last date to test is May 15, 2008. Anyone who has not passed a division of ARE 3.1 prior to these deadlines will test in ARE 4.0. Whether you transition to ARE 4.0 or stay in ARE 3.1 is solely based on the date you test, not the date you receive your score report.

If you have passed a division of ARE 3.1 prior to May 15, 2008, you will be unaffected by these scheduling restrictions.

The first day to schedule an ARE 4.0 exam is May 18, 2008. The first day that ARE 4.0 will be available in the test center is July 1, 2008.

If you are an ARE candidate who has yet to PASS one division of the ARE (version 3.1 or earlier) and are at risk of not passing a single division by May 13, 2008, please be advised that if you make an appointment for any date after May 15, 2008, that appointment will be cancelled beginning May 15, 2008 and your exam appointment fee will be forfeited.

You will be transitioned to ARE 4.0 and will be required to remit payment when you schedule a new appointment. If you already have an appointment for a date after May 15, 2008, we recommend that you re-schedule that appointment for a date prior to May 15 to avoid any forfeiture of fees. Again, this refers ONLY to candidates who are likely to be transitioned to ARE 4.0 in 2008. Candidates who have passed at least one division will remain in ARE 3.1 and can continue to schedule appointments and test after May 15, 2008 through June 2009.

For more information: http://www.ncarb.org/are/index.html

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Volunteers Needed for Green Home Tour


Green Home Tour (~100 volunteers needed)
When and Where: Sunday, June 1st throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
Shifts available: Morning or Afternoon. 4 1/2 hour shifts allow time to visit other homes.

As a Tour Day volunteer you'll receive:

  • The official Green Home Tour organic cotton t-shirt
  • A special volunteer thank you gift
  • A FREE Green Home Tour guidebook with in-depth case studies of each home which grants you access to any home on the tour
  • A special orientation dinner for you and the tour organizers the week before the tour
  • FREE snacks on the day of the tour
  • Networking opportunities with green homeowners and building professionals
  • A unique opportunity to experience green homes
  • and so much more...

Tour Day Responsibilities include:

  • Assist homeowners in preparing for tour guests (setup registration table, signs, etc.)
  • Greet tour participants and verify all participants have a Tour Guidebook
  • Ensure participants remove shoes or wear provided booties
  • Facilitate the flow of traffic in the home
  • Refrain guests from entering identified off limits areas
  • Assist homeowners in closing down (remove signs, pack up supplies, etc.)

Volunteer Participation Criteria:

  • Enjoy public education and interaction
  • Be able to commit to the full volunteer shift
  • Must attend one of the Volunteer Orientations. Dinner will be provided.
    • Contra Costa County: Wednesday, May 28th 6:30-8:30pm at the City of Walnut Creek City Hall.
    • Alameda County: Thursday, May 29th 6:30-8:30pm at Green Building in Alameda County in Downtown Oakland.
  • Must be 16 years old. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by parent/guardian.

Pre- and Post-tour Volunteer Opportunities (~10-15 volunteers needed)

We're also looking for volunteers to help in our Berkeley office Mon-Fri before and after the Tour. Get a behind the scenes glimpse of what goes into the production of the tour and help us with:

  • Educational signage
  • Preparing materials and supplies
  • Evaluating participant surveys, etc.

Guidebook Distribution

(We are located at 1434 University Ave. in Berkeley, 4 blocks from North Berkeley BART)

Special Pre-tour Volunteer Opportunity (~5-10 volunteers needed)

Volunteer Applications: If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out a Volunteer Application which is available on our website at http://www.builditgreen.org.

The volunteer application deadline is Monday, May 19th. Please note on your registration form which opportunities you are interested in. We’ll do our best to match you up with the shift and county of your choice. Details regarding the mandatory Volunteer/Homeowner Orientation meeting will be emailed to you upon receipt of your application.

For more information: volunteer@BuildItGreen.org or 510-845-0472 ext 119

Monday, April 21, 2008

2008 Exceptional Residential: Bay Area Regional Design Awards

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO THURSDAY, APRIL 24.

Exceptional Residential: Bay Area Regional Design Awards is a unique design awards program. It was established to recognize the best in Bay Area housing design. ExRes 2008 emphasizes the important impact excellent design has on every day living.

Click Here to Register

Eligibility
Residential projects located in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa , San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma Counties. Projects must have been completed since September 1, 2001.

Project Types
Single Family Residential Design
• Renovation/Remodel
• Interiors
• New construction

Multi-Unit Residential Design (complexes or individual units)
• Renovation/Remodel
• Interiors
• New construction

Download submission guidelines here.




For more information: contact Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator at 510/464-3600 or visit our website at http://aiaeb.org/2008design.htm

ARE: Materials and Methods

Materials and Methods April 26 and 27 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

This seminar will cover the basics to assist you in passing the Materials and Methods exam.

1. Principles
2. Environmental Issues
3. Codes & Regulations
4. Materials & Technology
5. Project & Practice Management

Presented by Douglas Whiteaker, AIA

Time: 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact:
Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Click Here for Registration

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

Shearwall Systems

On Tuesday, April 24 at noon Simpson Strong Tie will present Shearwall Systems.

Here is an opportunity to hear first hand the very latest information regarding Simpson Strong-Tie's industry leading pre-fabricated shearwall systems. Presented will be the new Steel Strong Wall applications and installation methods which makes for much easier design work, especially when more doors and window openings are desired in residential and commercial construction/renovation work.

Time: Noon-1:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.
Contact:
Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Cost: None; this program open to all.
Please RSVP; this is a brown-bag lunch--only drinks will be provided.
1 CES/LU


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

Codes Forum: Disabled Access

Tuesday, April 23 at noon the AIA East Bay Codes Forum will host a roundtable discussion on Diasabled Access.

Join this roundtable discussion/forum on the disabled access on requirements from the 2007 CBC. The discussion will focus on Chapters 11 A and B and the changes found in the 2007 edition.

Time: Noon-1:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street , Oakland
Contact:
Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600 or Anthony Boutte, Allied Member
Cost: None; Drinks Provided. This Forum open to all.
Please RSVP.
1 CES/ LU

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

AIA Contract Documents Software: The Basics

On Tuesday, April 22 at 10:00 AIA East Bay will present a web seminar that
This Web seminar will provide an overview of the software and point out highlights of the design and features. Presentation topics include navigating the software’s five-tab structure, creating projects and using your Outlook contacts to create project team members, editing your document in Word, creating a G-form, configuring the software to best suit your preferences, and getting help.

Learning Objectives:
· Participants will learn how to navigate the software and learn about its core features
· Participants will be able to create and edit projects and contacts
· Participants will be able to create and edit agreements
· Participants will be able to create and edit contract administration and project management forms

The presenter, Maan Hashem, PMP, CAE, is the AIA’s managing director for contract documents products and services. The program provides 1.25 LUs for AIA members.


Time: 10:00 am-11:15 am
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.
Contact:
Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Cost: None for Chapter Members; $10 non-members
Please RSVP to
kellie@aiaeb.org
1 CES/LU

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

Thursday, April 17, 2008

AIA 2009 National Convention Call for Presentations

The American Institute of Architects is pleased to announce that the Call for Presentations for speakers for continuing education workshops, seminars, and educational events at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition has been issued.

We are encouraging speaking submittals from the nation’s brightest and most articulate, creative and provocative thought leaders to spur discussion about the convention theme: “The Power of Diversity: Practice in a Complex World.”

Special consideration will be given to individuals who are on the cutting edge of design, building performance, practice, leadership, collaboration, research, technology, training or mentoring.


We will accept proposals online until 11:59 p.m. PT, July 1, 2008.

For more information:
access the online submission site from
www.aia.org/conted_convention.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

EAST BAY / OAKLAND CHAPTER The Construction Specifications Institute,Presents a Half-Day Course

Friday, May 9, 2008, 8:30 am through 12:30 pm
General Conditions in the Construction Processwith special focus on
AIA’s new A 201-07
Course will include a detailed review of common requirements found in general conditions used to govern the administration of construction contracts. Special focus will be given on AIA’s new A 201-07. The course is designed for both those creating construction documents or engaged in contracting for construction.Architects, Engineers, Owners’ representatives, General Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Construction Managers, and those preparing for licensing exams will benefit from the information presented.


For more information: http://csieastbayoakland.org/events.html

Friday, April 11, 2008

Estuary Crossing Study

Water Taxi? Bicycle Bridge? Another tube? Bus Barges? Amphibious vehicles?

The Estuary Crossing Study is exploring new ways for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel between Alameda and Oakland-- and we need your help!

Come to this meeting to give feedback on intial project oppertunities and constraints:

Saturday April 12th 10am to 12pm
Pasta Pelican Restraunt
2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda

Come to one of these meetings to weigh in on potential project alternatives:

Saturday May 17th 10am to 12pm
Jack London Aquatic Center
115 Embarcadero, Oakland

Wednesday May 21st 7pm to 9pm
City Hall West
950 W. Mall Square, Alameda

Snacks will be provided at all meetings.

For more information: www.ci.alameda.ca.us/publicworks/0801_estuarycrossing_feasibility.html

California State Polytechnic University at Pomona Awarded $25,000 NCARB Prize Grand Prize

Washington, DC—The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) recently selected California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, Department of Architecture, as the recipient of the $25,000 grand prize of the 2008 NCARB Prize for the Creative Integration of Practice and Education in the Academy.

Jury chair and former NCARB President, H. Carleton Godsey, FAIA, made the formal announcement at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Annual Meeting last week in Houston, TX. Godsey also announced five additional NCARB Prize recipients that will each receive $7,500. In his recognition speech at the ACSA Annual Meeting awards ceremony,
Mr. Godsey noted that the NCARB Prize jury reviewed 31 submissions for the NCARB Prize from 22 architecture programs before making its selections.

In California State Polytechnic University at Pomona’s grand prize winning submission, “Low Cost Sustainable Housing for Tijuana, Mexico,” students, practitioners, and a U.S. non-profit organization created prototype housing for the people of Tijuana, Mexico using a variety of waste materials. The jury commented,
“the effects of this project are potentially far-reaching in terms of the benefits to the potential dwellers whose lives could be improved through a greener, more affordable housing solution.”

Members of the 2008 NCARB Prize jury noted that the project recognized local traditions in Tijuana and also addressed global issues of low-cost sustainable housing. “The integration of practitioners into the process added to the quality of the solution allowing the practitioners to learn more about sustainability and add value to their continuing practices…The project is a model for bringing practice and education to bear on a global problem that will demand continuing attention, commitment, and creativity.”

The 2008 NCARB Prize jury honored five additional programs, each of which received a $7,500 monetary award

The 2008 NCARB Prize jury was made up of members of NCARB’s Practice Education Committee and six academic representatives (department heads or chairs) of architecture programs accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Academic members of the jury included the dean from the institution that was awarded the NCARB Grand Prize in 2007, the University of Virginia, School of Architecture, and one representative from each of the five other NCARB Regions, nominated by NCARB’s Regional Directors.

For More information:

Contact Greg G. Hall, AIA, Ph.D.
Director, Education
202/783-6500


ghall@ncarb.orgTo learn more about the NCARB Prize and each of the recognized projects, visit NCARB’s web site at http://www.ncarb.org/prize/2008/index.html.
Information about the NCARB Grant is also available on NCARB’s web site at
http://www.ncarb.org/prize/grant.html.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Selection of Architect - Media Center/Communication Building Addition

The University of California, San Diego, will be selecting an Executive Architect to perform programming, design, construction drawings, bid, and construction phase services for an office addition to the existing Media Center of approximately 7,000 Assignable Square Feet (ASF) and 10,800 Overall Gross Square Feet (OGSF). The anticipated construction budget is approximately $3,446,000 at CCCI 4999. This project is subject to the campus/university academic and administrative approval process.

Proposals are due no later than 4: 30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23 , 2008.

For more information:
please contact Mark Rowland, Principal Architect, Facilities Design and Construction, at (858) 822- 0725, or Marcialene Holcomb, Senior Director of Project Management, Facilities Design and Construction, at mholcomb@ucsd.edu.

Green Open House

From: Ross Koningstein
Atherton is sponsoring an Earth Day event at our house at 130 Selby Lane, Atherton on Monday 21 April with FREE FOOD AND DRINKS FOR ARCHITECTS, CONTRACTORS, SUBS during the afternoon.

Renovation of a 1928 house with these "green" features:
- insulation to allow more efficient (low temperature) heating
- radiant barrier in insulation profiles for roof, walls and floors with x-ray sections on-site for viewing
- cool water cooling (no air conditioner needed)
- wine cellar that needs no refrigeration
- shower waste heat reclamation
- shower drain water reclamation
- cistern rain water reclamation
- reclaimed wood and tile
Tours of the house will be led by engineers and energy efficient building students from Stanford.
We look forward to meeting people and talking about building more efficient homes.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Forum of Design for the Public Realm


Please join us on Saturday, May 3rd from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM for Places25, a symposium celebrating 25 years of publication, co-sponsored by the College of Environmental Design and Places: Forum of Design for the Public Realm. Register now to ensure your place. Your $35 registration pays for attendance at the Symposium, a box lunch, and a one-year introductory subscription to the journal Places. Symposium attendance is free to current Places subscribers and students, although $15 is required in advance for each box lunch. Please respond with a check payable to Places25 and mail to Places25/College of Environmental Design, 390 Wurster Hall #1839, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1839, by April 25. We look forward to seeing you to celebrate 25 years of publishing in-depth writing about design of the public realm and to hear from you as we plan for the next 25 years and beyond.
For more information: placesjournal@yahoo.com

Berkeley Design Advocates 2008 Awards Program

Berkeley Design Advocates announces its Eighth Biennial Design Awards Program for projects completed in Berkeley during the past two years. These projects must be completed by October 1, 2008. BDA Awards are made in acknowledgment of excellence in urban planning and architectural design and technology, innovative and creative design solutions, and historic preservation. The jury will include other Berkeley Architects, a faculty member of UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, and members of BDA.

Architects, Landscape Architects, builders, and developers/owners may submit an application with up to five digital images for each completed project, together with a brief description of the project for review, not later than October 1, 2008. The application fee will also cover the cost of an annual membership to BDA through 2009.


For more information: contact David Snippen at dsnppn28@earthlink.net or Phillip Henry at phil@thearchitects.com.

Monday, April 07, 2008

Selection of Architect - UCSD Medical Center Hillcrest

The University of California, San Diego, will be selecting an Executive Architect for a master planning study for Women’s and Infants’ Services at the University of California San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest. The Executive Architect will be responsible for the preparation of a Master Plan that supports the Women’s and Infants’ Services and programs for the Med Center to the year 2022.

At the University’s discretion, the Executive Architect selected for this initial master planning phase may also be involved in subsequent follow-on projects that implement the master plan. Depending on the results from the Master Planning effort, the subsequent project could be limited as reconfiguration or modifications to the existing departments, expanded to other areas/floors of the Medical Center, or as an expansive as a new free-standing building to accommodate the program. The range of construction cost for the resulting project is estimated between $30,000,000 for renovation to $70,000,000 for new free-standing construction (excluding equipment) at CCCI 4842.

Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 17, 2008.

For more information: please contact Ken Seuberling, Principal Architect, Facilities Design and Construction, at (858) 822-4993, or to Jim Cleaton, Director of Health Care, Facilities Design and Construction, at (858) 822-1863.

XVI Pan-American Biennale of Architecture, Quito-Ecuador BAQ 2008

The XVI Pan-American Biennale of Architecture, Quito-Ecuador BAQ 2008 invites all design professionals to participate in this international conference and design competition. This Biennale theme is “Feeling the Latin-American Architecture”. The BAQ 2008 will take place from November 17 to November 21, 2008 in Quito, Ecuador, one of the cities nominated by the UNESCO as a World’s Heritage.

The Biennale includes Pan-American and International Design Competitions, a Symposium, Conferences, Architectural and Art Exhibits throughout the City, and other complementary activities. The goal of the BAQ, 2008 is to achieve a great participation of international professional achievements, with the highest level of design and professional standards, including sustainable and universal design.

There are several categories in which you can participate sending built projects completed during the last four years to enter the international design competition. The deadline for the submittals is September 8, 2008.
All projects submitted will be published in the book of the BAQ 2008.

If you are interest in participating in the design competition or any of the events offered at the XVIBAQ.2008, please go to the Biennale’s web-page
and also contact Gilda Puente-Peters, U.S. Coordinator via email, see contact information below.

For more information: Gilda Puente-Peters - US Coordinator
Gilda Puente-Peters, Architects
Universal Design Specialists
1076 Arlington Blvd.
El Cerrito, CA 94530
ph: 510-526-6226
fax: 510-527-5925
gildapp@msn.com

Dry Architecture: Design and Selection of Below Grade Waterproofing

Join the AIA East Bay's Women in Architecture Thursday, April 10th at 6:00pm as Veronica Martin, AIA, Principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates presents “Dry Architecture: Design and Selection of Below Grade Waterproofing.”

Come hear Ms. Martin give an overview of forensic architecture and some common waterproofing design problems many architects encounter, as well as an in-depth look at the critical issue of below-grade waterproofing.

Ms. Martin is an Architect specializing in the remediation of water intrusion problems in existing and historic structures and waterproofing design for new buildings. Her projects often require coordinating a complex mix of issues, including code issues, design review, materials durability, and phasing of construction during occupancy.

Feel free to forward to friends and colleagues- all are welcome.


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

Perspectives on Urban Infill Architectural Design in Contexts 'From the Past'

Join the Oakland Heritage Alliance and the AIA East Bay for this panel presentation and Discussion on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 7:30 pm. The panel will take place at the Chapel of the Chimes 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland.

Panel: Ian Birchall, AIA, RIBA, Principal, ib + a
David Hobstetter, AIA, Principal and Director at KMD Architects
Kirk Peterson, Principal at Kirk E. Peterson & Associates, Architects
Daniel Solomon, FAIA, Principal at WRT Solomon E.T.C.

This panel will present urban infill projects in historic contexts, examining the intent and result of a range of examples of infill architectural designs working with contexts from the past. Panelists will present architectural design approaches from historicist to contemporary designs and discuss how they respond to or dialogue with the existing historic context. Topics that may be explored and discussed include:

  • Design approaches that reinvigorate existing urban environments by relating the new to the old, yet create a building that represents its own age with integrity,rather than background architecture;
  • Historicist design versus false historicism - building on context versus copying context;
  • Analysis of the degree of differentiation versus compatibility of the new design to its historic context, with respect to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards - "the new work shall be differentiated from the old and shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale and architectural features to protect the historic integrity of the property and its environment."
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland
Cost: $8 for AIA/OHA Members, $10 for General Admission. Pay at the Door
1.5 CES/LU


For more information: www.oaklandheritage.org

ARE Pre-Design

On Saturday, April 12 the AIA East Bay will host a Pre-Design Seminar presented by Hafsa Burt, AIA

If you are studying for Pre-Design there are still seats available for this seminar. This section will cover programming and analysis, codes and regulations and project/practice management as well as other topics found on the Pre Design Exam.

Time:10:00am-5:00pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact:
Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600
Click Here for Registration

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

Revit User Group: Play Nicely Or Learning To Share In An IPD World

On April 18 at 11:30 the Revit User Group will present: Play Nicely Or Learning To Share In An IPD World. Faster, more accurate and more easily shared information, available to all members of the design+build team is the ultimate goal in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD).

In April we are bringing together members of the East Bay Revit User Group from the construction, architecture and engineering professions to speak about using Revit to collaborate. Bring your workflow related questions and best practices to this panel-format discussion. Presented by Ideate, co-sponsored by AIA East Bay

Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street , Oakland
Contact: Freddy Vasquez at 415/814-5539
www.ideateinc.com
Cost: None; Lunch will be provided by Ideate, Inc.
1.5 CES/LU


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

Let's Talk Shop: Experiences of Young Architects

On Tuesday, April 15 at 6:00 pm the Young Architects Forum will discuss their experiences as licensed professionals.

Particpants will discuss their current projects and issues that come with running a small office. They will delve into problems that come up on job sites and solutions to use in dealing with them in the future. Analysis of details and other aspects of design will be discussed.

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

Know What You Are Sourcing

Know What You Are Sourcing
(1.5 HSWs)
April 08, 2008
5:30 - 7:30 pm
AIA San Francisco, 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600

Many manufacturers claim their products are safe and sustainable, but how can Architects and Consumers know that these assertions are valid?

Labeling and certification is an important part of specifying sustainable products, yet not all certifications are the same. Enhance your purchasing power by learning more about why and how certifications work. Join Nina Smith of RugMark and Bob Nichols of Exotic Hardwoods + Veneers (a FSC Company) as they discuss independent certification in the carpeting and wood industries.

Presenters

Nina Smith, Executive Director, RugMark
Bob Nichols, Owner/President, Exotic Hardwoods + Veneers
Free!


For more information: RSVP HERE