1.
Message from AIAMI President Randy Case, AIA
One of the
perks that the AIA MI president gets is the ability to attend the
National AIA convention and this years’ event was a good one. Chicago is
a place of wonder for an architect on a normal day but mix in the
attendance of 22,000 plus building junkies in town for four
days and it is definitely overwhelming. I started out with a tour
excursion to the Calatrava designed Art Museum in Milwaukee which houses
one of the most beautiful below grade parking structures I’ve ever seen.
The introduction of natural light and sculptural structure provide the
base for this building that was designed as a “working Sculpture”.
Two videos were shown on the bus to highlight Calatravas’ design
approach as well as the museum boards approach to the project. It
would certainly be nice to have a board continue to say “Go for it” when
you are approaching $50 million over budget and have another great idea.
The tour was well organized and well worth the time and cost. I would
have to say that the original Saarinen designed museum that Calatravas’
design was attached to, as a structure to display art, was much superior
and much less expensive. (What wouldn’t be at $1000 dollars per square
foot.) The new addition did qualify as an awe inspiring kinetic
sculpture that, by the way, did house some art.
Thursday
had our States two favorite sons, National AIA President Gene Hopkins
(AIA Huron Valley) and AIA Michigan Regional Director Tom Mathison (AIA
Grand Valley) highlighting the architects of Michigan in a
most impressive way. Gene hosted the opening session to a packed house
of 10-12,000 AIA members and Tom Mathison, some say, delivered the
best speech of the convention during his quest for one of the three AIA
National V.P. positions. Eric Larson, the theme speaker, presented an
extremely interesting history and background of his book “The Devil in
the White City” which explains Daniel Burnhams impact in Chicago and the
history of architecture in this country with the creation of the
Columbian Exhibition.
Helmut Jahn was the
featured speaker Friday and highlighted his latest work, mostly
overseas, and his development of high-tech exterior glass “skins”
allowing very minimal
visible
structures. The work was very interesting. As a speaker he
makes a good architect. Enough said!
Friday
night around 11:00 pm we were treated to the news that Tom Mathison had
carried the delegate voting and was to be elected to National V.P.
position. (Thanks for your considerable efforts and willingness to
serve, Tom, and all who supported him with letters, calls and
endorsements)
Saturday theme
speaker was Virginia Postrel speaking on “Aesthetics”. She pointed out
how an aesthetic experience is sensed before it is cognitive. “It is
sensorily and emotionally gratifying, more than necessary”. She
showed examples of poor native women that had greater needs but were
uplifted by their red fingernail polish. Also “People in subsistence
societies spend a substantial amount of time on aesthetics…paintings on
their houses…something to enhance their existence”. She went on to
discuss the value of design as sources of: Function, Pleasure, and
Meaning leading to her conclusion that, ”Todays’ biggest issue is
Helping people to design their own identity.”
We had a
large Michigan contingent that met at UM, LTU, and UDM events and shared
good times with old friends. The AIA convention in Chicago was a very
worthwhile use of time and a great place to Learn, Celebrate and Dream
as this years theme had promised.
On the AIA Michigan
front it appears that some of our efforts in this years focus of
“Livable Communities: the impact of design” are having an impact. Last
year we were left out of Gov. Granholms’ Landuse Task Force committee
primarily because AIA Michigan wasn’t showing up on the Governors radar
screen. I feel the efforts this year by our radio spots (Public
awareness committee), work within the political process (government
affairs committee), grants provided to local chapters and preservation
organizations by MAF, as well as personal involvement by many AIA
members is bearing some fruit. This is acknowledged by the fact that
MDOT sought out AIA Michigan to be represented on a newly formed Context
Sensitive Design Committee at the direction of the Jennifer
Granholm to study the impact of design on structures, communities,
and economic development on transportation routes in the state. I am
representing AIAMI on the committee with Celeste Novak acting as an
alternate so if there are issues you want to bring forth let either of
us know.
Do great
work, support your community, and have fun this summer!
Randy L. Case AIA
2. “It’s Elementary” Curriculum
Released Across the State
The
Michigan Architectural Foundation has released its highly anticipated
curriculum designed to introduce elementary schoolchildren to
architecture and the built environment. “Architecture: It’s Elementary”
encompasses fundamentals of art, social studies, language arts, history,
science and math. The web-based materials, developed with input from
Michigan architects and educators, include ten lesson plans for each
elementary school year. The curriculum is available at no cost in PDF
format at
www.k5architecture.org.3. Mid
Summer Conference Brings Out the Stars
There’s no place like
the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in August to enjoy the stars – both
the nocturnal ones and the architectural kind. This year’s AIAMI
Mid Summer Conference is not to be missed. Normally we would host AIA
President Elect Doug Stiedl, FAIA at Mackinac, but this year, thanks to
our own Gene Hopkins election as President for 2004, we’ll host the
entire AIA executive committee and staff! In addition, Royal
Architectural Institute of Canada President Chris Fillingham and his
executive committee will join us. Presenters will include Architectural
Record editor Robert Ivy, FAIA, and renowned architectural photographer
Balthazar Korab. Children’s activities, bocci ball, golf, tennis,
swimming and many other activities promise a good time for families.
There’s still time to register.
4. Michigan Architect Honored With Exhibit
The
creative genius of architect Wirt C. Rowland will be honored with an
exhibit at the Guardian and Penobscot building lobbies this summer.
Rowland (1878-1946) worked for firms such as Albert Kahn, Smith,
Hinchman & Grylls, and George Mason. His work included the Buhl
Building, Penobscot Building, and the Guardian Building, considered one
of the most spectacular Art Deco buildings ever created. The exhibit
will be at the Guardian in July, the Penobscot in August, and the
Detroit Public Library Main Branch in September. Visit
www.wirtrowland.org for more information.
5. AIA-Flint Donates to Habitat for Humanity
The AIA-Flint donated
$1,500 of its golf outing proceeds to sponsor a Habitat for Humanity
house to being built in Grand Blanc this year. Flint chapter members
also provided hands-on labor on the project. In another goodwill effort,
four teams from AIA-Flint participated in the Charity Bowling Challenge
supporting Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Flint. Great community support,
Flint architects!6. AIA Placemakers
Directory Is a Resource for Design Services
AIA Michigan’s
Directory of Architects and the Placemakers Directory of Services
provides an up-to-date reference source for design services and
professionals. This easy to use directory of participating firms
provides public access to an alphabetical listing of firms with
locations, specialty of practice and a contact architect.
7. Opportunities
Masonry Design Awards
– Have you used concrete masonry as a primary construction material in
your projects? The National Concrete Masonry Association Design Awards
issued its call for entries for the 4th annual Design Awards
of Excellence, which recognizes excellence in projects featuring the use
of concrete masonry in the commercial, residential and landscape
markets. All entries must be postmarked by June 15, 2004. Winners will
be featured in a special issue of Concrete Masonry Designs
magazine in December 2004. For complete submission information,
requirements and entry forms visit
www.ncma.org or call 703-713-1900.
Design
Competition – National
AIDS Memorial in San Francisco will seek entries this fall for a
memorial feature in the seven-acre grove. The competition strives to
identify a design of notable significance that will galvanize the
grove’s impact, visually and spiritually. The winner may negotiate a
commission. Entry information will be finalized at
www.aidsmemorial.org in August, with submissions due in December.
Call for
Entries – Submissions are
invited for the Vetter Inspired Project Awards. Winners in each of seven
categories receive cash prizes of $1,000, along with recognition at the
2005 International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Eligible projects feature
Vetter windows or doors, started after Jan. 1, 2003
and completed by June 30, 2004.
Entry is free; submissions must be postmarked by Aug. 1, 2004. Visit
www.vetterwindows.com for an entry form and further information.
8. Firm News
Awards,
Recognitions
Gensler:
named “Most Admired” architecture and design firm in Contract Magazine’s
spring survey. The distinction applies across the company’s regional
markets, including the Great Lakes Region …
McIntosh Poris Assoc.:
received the 2004 Building Award from the
Michigan Historical Preservation Network for restoration of the famed
Eureka Building … JM Olson Corp.: achieved ISO 14001
Certification, which denotes establishment of best management practices
in environmental management.
New
Positions
AKA:
Pankaj Patel, AIA to senior
associate … The Collaborative Inc (TCI): Mike Muse, AIA to senior
associate … HarleyEllis Corp.: Jim Lemire, AIA to project
management team … Hobbs + Black: Brian Bagnick, Damian Farrell
and Bob Wight to senior vice president; Robb Burroughs and Norman Farhat
to vice president; Wayne Chubb, Maria Kook, Tim Murdock and Doug
Polhamus to associate; Elizabeth Wagner to director of interiors.
New Firms,
Names, Addresses, Mergers
Gazall, Lewis & Associates:
new address
at Mott Foundation Building, Ste. 100, 503 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI
48502 … Soils and Materials Engineers: launched new website at
www.sme-usa.com…Dale A. Suomela AIA PC: new location at 2370
S. Linden Rd., Flint, MI 48532; ph: 810-733-0880.
Help Wanted
Architectural firm specializing in health
care and education; development and historic preservation seeking the
following: Senior Architect with minimum of ten (10) years
experience with project management or project architect responsibility
for a wide range of projects and possess organizational and leadership
skills. Must be licensable in the State of Michigan.
Competitive salary and fringe benefits based on qualifications and
experience. Send or fax resume to: Human Resource Manager –
Gunn Levine Architects – 726 Lothrop, Detroit, MI 48202 – Fax (313)
873-8090
9. Grapevine
The Architecture Chapter of the Lawrence
Tech Alumni Association has elected new directors including Gary
Jelin, AIA of TMP Associates, Constantine Pappas, FAIA of
Constantine George Pappas, Victor Saroki, FAIA of Victor Saroki &
Associates, Brooke Smith, AIA of Barton Malow Design, and Paul
Urbanek, AIA of Smith Group … Alumni Notes of the spring issue of
LTU Magazine featured three architecture grads, including
Dominick Tringali for publishing Residential Architecture: Living
Spaces; Daniel Biber, AIA for his new role as senior project
manager with Duce Simmons; and Gregory Jancarik, AIA, project
designer for a new corporate headquarters for Carhartt Inc.… Robert
Rabeler, PE, vp of Soil and Materials Engineers, has been elected to
the board of directors of ASFE / The Best People on Earth.
For Sale
– Architects Residence (Carl Koch/Birkerts), Bloomfield Hills.
Three Bedrooms, Three Baths, Large Studio, Etc..One Acre + Property,
Lake
Privileges. Call Gunnar
Birkerts at 248-626-5661 after August 2, 2004
10. Mark Your Calendar
Highlights of Upcoming AIA
Michigan & Chapter Events
Be
sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
