Give Back to the East Bay Community

AIA East Bay is pleased to participate in this year’s Block Building program, organized by Rebuilding Together, Oakland. Through this worthy program, a team of 25-40 volunteers will come together for two weekends to make much-needed renovations to one of 12 low- income homes in Sobrante Park. This area of East Oakland is on the San Leandro border, and desperately needs our members’ help and expertise.

The working days will be October 7 and 14th. While you need not be available for both days, it is always appreciated. We will be convening volunteers a few times in advance to determine roles, skills, etc.
Rebuilding Together Oakland will provide all needed materials, t-shirts, and meals. There is absolutely no financial requirement to participate. Please encourage co-workers, friends, and neighbors to participate. The more able bodies we have, the more improvements completed.

Please come to a planning session this Wednesday, August 23 at 12:00 noon at AIA East Bay. During this session the skill levels of the volunteers and the roles each of us will play will be determined.
This is a brown bag lunch, drinks will be provided. If for some reason you cannot attend, but would like to volunteer, call Kellie Hewlett, Program Coordinator, at 510/464-3600.

For more information: To RSVP for the information session, email Kellie Hewlett at kellie@aiaeb.org or call 510/464-3600.

South Bay Green Home Tour: October 1, 2006

From Build-It Green:
South Bay Green Home Tour

October 1, 2006
Sunday, from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

A one-day self-guided tour showcasing 11 green homes that will introduce attendees to homeowners and building professionals who have built or remodeled green. The tour covers the spectrum, from remodels to brand new custom homes, and will demonstrate materials and technologies such as FSC Certified wood products, natural linoleum flooring, radiant floor heating, passive solar design, and natural daylighting.

For more information: www.BuildItGreen.org or 1-888-404-7336

Call for Exhibits

The AIA East Bay Exhibit Call for Entries

The American Institute of Architects, East Bay is a dynamic organization that promotes access to architectural information, materials, and services to its members, design professionals, and the community. Toward this end, the AIA East Bay sponsors design exhibits throughout the year as a source of ideas and inspiration to promote discussion and dialogue.

Exhibits are chosen by the chapter’s Exhibits Committee according to the needs and interests of the membership and community, the variety of shows, the quality of the works, and the suitability of format for the AIA’s physical space.

Those interested in exhibiting are invited to submit a portfolio via emailed website link, jpegs/tiffs, or PDFs (no EPS or Quark files, please). Portfolios will be considered year-round, however, the submittal deadlines for upcoming exhibits are:

September 6, 2006 (Exhibit runs September 21-November 3)
October 18, 2006 (Exhibit runs November 14-January 2, 2006)
January 24, 2007 (Exhibit runs February 15-March 22)

Exhibits that fall within the following twelve categories will be considered during the above time period. Projects need not be built.

Exhibit Types:

1) Public Spaces 2) Arts and Culture 3) Sports and Athletic
4) Learning Centers 5) Civic and Community 6) Religious
7) Caring and Wellness 8) Hospitality 9) Housing
10) Industrial 11) Commercial 12) Transportation

Submittals should include:
Up to 20 labeled images of projects, including architect, photographer, and location.
Brief statement on each project/body of work.
Brief biographical statement for architect/group/firm, as appropriate.
Contact information of submitter.
Size of boards/items.

Submittals will be considered as parts of exhibits and, where appropriate, entire exhibits.

All accepted work must be prepared for presentation without framing. Standard installations are 30Xx30” foam core boards, however, other sizes and installation types will be considered. For unusual mountings, please include weight.

Please note the AIA East Bay is not a gallery; items will not be sold.

The AIA East Bay will:

• Install exhibit, produce descriptive labels and exhibit notes for distribution.
• Produce show announcements.
• Assume responsibility for damage and losses for an appraised value not to exceed $500 per piece while items are exhibited, unless a contract is signed otherwise.
• Submit press release and PSA to local media.
  
  The exhibitee will:
• Provide all items in ready-to-install format by date specified.
• Hold harmless the AIA East Bay for any damages above $500 per piece while items are exhibited, unless otherwise arranged.
• Provide all credits and descriptive information in electronic format.
• Be available to speak to the media.
  

Please send submittals and/or queries to Sidney@aiaeb.org, 510/464-3600.

Solar Homes Tour

From Marvin Hamon, PE, allied member:

"The annual solar homes tour in San Francisco is taking place on
September 30th and might be of interest to the local AIA members. Here
is a link to the specifics: http://www.norcalsolar.org/tour/sf/

I went to the one last year in the east bay and found it pretty
interesting with a mixture of single family residences up to some good
sized condo developments. They don't include any commercial buildings
unfortunately."

For more information: http://www.norcalsolar.org/tour/sf/

Historic Timber Frame

Historic Timber Frame Available:

Unique 1850, hand-hewn, read oak church frame. 30' x 40' with five tapered king post trusses. Complete from posts up. Excellent condition. Carfully dissasembled, coded and ready to ship. Will make spectacular modernist or traditional home, guest house studio, chapel, or....

$60,000.

For more information: Stephen Powell, 812/320-3490 liveoak@mcn.org

XV Pannamerican Biennale of Architecture - Ecuador

The XV Quito Architecture Biennale invites all design professionals of the Americas, to participate in this XV Biennale. The competition will be open to architects from all over the world.

The BAQ-2006 will take place from November 13-17, 2006, in Quito, Ecuador. The deadline to submit projects for the design competition is August 28, 2006

For more information: www.baq2006.com

Historic Old Oakland Live/Work Loft.

Historic Old Oakland Live/Work Loft

919-1,000sf ground floor. Great natural light with huge windows and high ceilings. CAT 5 Wiring/Communications. Lofted semi-private office space. Private bath and full kitchen. $499,800-538,800


For more information: Call Peggy at Market Square 510.893.2222

Pay-to-Play Publishers

If you get a call from someone who says they are publishing a book (about dream homes, or gorgeous restaurants, or inspiring schools, etc.) and are interested in meeting to discuss your firms’ work as part of the book, ask a few questions first.

Is there a financial commitment for firms that are included? Many of these publications are so-called “Pay-to-Play” publications. They run small initial print runs and distribute the title in a limited area. To offset a potential shortfall, they charge the participants. Fees can range from $1,000 per-page to upwards of $15,000.

Are the firms that are committed receiving financial compensation or discounts? Sales people often get a few well-respected firms to agree to be in their publication. In exchange for heavy discounts or compensation, the sales people can now use these “anchor firms” as leverage.

What are the criteria for publication? The publishers should be able to give you an idea of what they are looking for. Project types, years since completion, style, award-winning, etc. If they say that they know when they see it, or that the firm’s quality needs to meet their own aesthetic standards, dig deeper.

Will you be required to purchase a certain number of copies? Many vanity presses will not charge initially for publication, but do require all included to purchase copies after the fact.

Other questions to consider include:

Is there a guarantee of publication? What is the publication schedule? Who will write the copy? Does the firm provide the photographs or will the publisher arrange a photo shoot? Can you have a list of firms to contact who have been published in similar titles?

Once you have a good understanding of the nature of the publication, you may decide it warrants a meeting in-person. You should see samples of other publications produced by the company, or, if this is an editor/writer compiling the book, samples of other books and/or articles in the same field.

Knowing all that is involved, then you can make a decision as to whether this is a marketing venture you want to be a part of, or if it’s one your marketing budget can do without.

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

Women in Architecture Forum Forming

A large number of members and design professionals have requested the chapter revive the Women in Architecture Forum.

We'd like to know your thoughts, involvement, and areas of interest. Please take our survey, and encourage female Bay Area design professionals to do so as well!

The Women in Architecture Forum will be open to all--regardless of gender, age, or membership status (ie., non-members are welcome).

Click here for the survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB225JMX8HA9W

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

Survey: Technology and the Architectural Practice.

Architecture firm owners & employees: Please take our survey on Technology and the Architectural Practice.

It's quick and your answers will help our ArchNews editorial board.

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

Save Money on Pre-Design!

Did you know that the AIA East Bay Pre Design ARE Seminar is quickly approaching?? Register now at www.aiaeb.org for Pre Design with Marina Rubina! There will be a $40 late fee added on Saturday, August 5. Register now and save yourself money!

8/19/06
ARE Seminars: Pre-Design
Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland
Contact Person: Click here for cost and registration Information

For more information: Call Kellie Hewlett at 510/464-3600.

Ray Kappe, FAIA to Chair 2006 Residential Design Awards

The AIA East Bay is pleased to announce Ray Kappe, FAIA will chair the 2006 Exceptional Residential: Bay Area Regional Design Awards.

Joining him will be Steven Shortridge, AIA of Callas Shortridge Architects and William Stout of William Stout Architectural Books.

Registration Forms and submittal guidelines will be available online in early August.
Deadline for all submittal binders is Wednesday, October 25, 2006.
The Presentation of Winning Projects and Reception will be Tuesday, November 7, 2006.

We're also pleased to announce that Diablo Publications/Design for Living (DFL) is our media sponsor. All winning projects will be published in DFL in their Spring 2007 issue.

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

Siegel & Strain's Sunset House Hits Miami

The Miami Herald published an article on Siegel & Strain's Sunset Celebration Idea House on Sunday, July 30, 2006.

For more information: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/home/15145362.htm

BIM & the Future of Collaborative Design & Construction

From Tom Simmons, allied member :

"Members of the Bay Area Construction Industry are making plans for a grassroots effort to draw architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and building owners in the Bay Area together for a state of the future discussion group.

Join the first discussion group this Thursday, August 3, to talk about BIM and the Future of Collaborative Design & Construction: Retooling the Construction Industry for Collaboration & Technology 2006 - 2010

Keynote Speaker: Patrick MacLeamy (CEO of HOK Architects)
BIM Software Presentations By ARCHICAD, Revit and Triforma
An AEC Panel Discussion
Audience Q&A Discussion

Thursday, August 3, 2006
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Pacific Energy Center
851 Howard Street, San Francisco, 415-973-6359

Future discussion topics will include 3D Virtual Design Technology, Better Communications through Information Sharing, Just-in-Time Decision-Making, Breaking Down Old Habits, Risk-Sharing, An Open Book Approach to Performance and Fiscal Auditing, Partnering and Collaborative Business Relationships, and the Better Balance Between Cost, Schedule and Design.

Please RSVP by August 2 to: info@archvista.com phone: 800-522-0554