1. Message from AIAMI President Celeste Novak

Message from AIAMI President Celeste Novak, AIA

Summer 2003 was a great time to watch the approach of Mars, toast our members at the AIA Michigan convention at the Grand Hotel and sing together at the campfires of the Design Retreat.

This year at Mackinac we made sure all new members were welcomed to the conference. As usual, this meant they often placed the highest in bocci, golf and tennis. From the egg drop at family night to networking at porch receptions, this event was successful financially and socially – certainly a highlight of the year. Thanks to our many sponsors, we continue to grow our alliances with others in our industry.… Click here for the full story

2. AIA Introduces Revamped Contract Documents Software
The American Institute of Architects released EF v3.0, a thoroughly revamped version of its electronic-format contract documents software. One of the key new features lets users       work on several documents at the same time, speeding project paperwork. Other improvements include easy customization of documents, enhanced navigation tools, and a new meter-based pricing option. The new EF V3.0 includes current forms and editions for more than 75 AIA standard form contract documents, and a new flexible pricing structure allows users to purchase documents only as needed. For a free demo copy of EF V3.0, contact AIA Michigan at 313-965-4100; or  click here for more information.

3. NCARB News: Updated ARE and Practice in Australia
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards has announced coming improvements to the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). The first of these will be implemented in February 2004. NCARB also officially rolled out a Protocol for Practice in a Host Nation with Australia. Under the agreement, U.S. and Australian architects can practice in one another’s country while in association with a licensed architect. For more information,  click here.

4. Traveling to Washington, DC? Catch This Not-To-Be Missed Exhibit
If your travel plans include Washington, D.C. before December 3, be sure to schedule a stop at the Octagon Museum, The Museum of The American Architectural Foundation. “The World Trade Center: Preserving an American Treasure” features the newly-conserved original presentation model of the World Trade Center and a stunning collection of photographs by Balthazar Korab. In the design phase for the original WTC twin towers, Michigan architect Minoru Yamasaki, FAIA, and his colleagues built more than a hundred models of the project. Of these, only this model remains, reflecting the sheer size and mass of the original site. For more information, click here.

5. Architect Input Sought for Wirt Rowland Exhibit
A traveling exhibit featuring Michigan architect Wirt C. Rowland will open in May 2004. The exhibition committee is seeking participants for brief pre- and post-exhibit surveys as part of their grant requirements. The survey is very brief – only six questions. Participants will receive an Exhibition Guide and Catalog. In addition, the committee seeks information, sketches, letters, etc. that may help in preparing for the exhibit. For information, contact Sharon Scott, director of the exhibition, at sascott2@comcast.net.

 6. Construction Slips One Percent
New construction starts in August retreated one percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $514.2 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge. The housing sector stayed robust, but its August gain was outweighed by a slight drop for nonresidential building plus a more substantial decline for non-building construction (public works and electric utilities). During the first eight months of 2003, total construction was reported to be essentially even with the same period of 2002.

7.  Hiring Tips from ZweigWhite
Consulting firm ZweigWhite provides these tips to successful hiring:

1. Keep resumes from job candidates who don’t fit the current opening, but may be a perfect fit for a different position in the future.

2. Use an electronic resume filing system with top-priority candidates flagged.

3. Handle all potential candidates with courtesy and respect, since they may become prospects in the future.

4. Maintain contact with top-priority candidates.

8.  In Memoriam
AIA Flint member Robert G. Mengel passed away on June 24. He was 78. Mr. Mengel, a resident of Grand Blanc, retired in 1992 as president of MacKenzie Knuth and Klein Architects in Flint. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, two daughters, and two grandchildren.

9. Firm News
New Positions…
FTC&H: Adam Meeker, AIA to senior architect and studio leader …HarleyEllis: Carolyn Surine to marketing and business development team for Cincinnati region …O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates, Inc.: Diane Evans as business manager … SmithGroup: nine to Associate including Scott Courtney, AIA, Jeff Gerwing, Sandra Knight-Pogue, Bob LaMont, Rodrigo Manríquez, Sue Muller, Celeste Novak, AIA, Matthew Pettit, PE and Andrea Reynolds, PE.

Awards, Recognitions…
Duce Simmons Associates (DSA Associates): New Constructor Award from the National Association of Women in Construction – Detroit; and DSA was named 59 on the Zweig White Hot Firm 2003 List of the 100 fastest-growing A/E firms in the country … Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc. awarded the Certificate of Merit by School Business Affairs magazine for design of Deerfield Elementary School, Novi …Progressive AE: third place award in 2003 Society of Marketing Professional Services Annual Marketing Communications Awards in the direct mail category, for its 40^th Anniversary Post Card Campaign …SmithGroup JJR: Merit Award from Society for College and University Planning and AIA Committee on Education 2003 Excellence in Planning Awards Program, for The University of Michigan Central Campus Planning Study.

New Firms, Names, Addresses, Mergers…
Duce Simmons Associates (DSA Associates) joins SHW Group, Inc. …Rossetti: relocated to Two Towne Square, Ste., 200, Southfield,MI 48076; ph: 248-262-8300; www.rossetti.com.

11. Mark Your Calendar

Highlights of Upcoming AIA Michigan & Chapter Events
Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

More Events...

15. Opportunities

Students are invited to compete in a zero energy design competition. Entries are due by July 30, 2004 for the Zero Energy Home design competition, sponsored by the State of Michigan and AIA Michigan. Individual or teams of students can compete for monetary scholarship prizes. For further information, contact John Sarver at (517) 241-6280, or email at  jhsarve@Michigan.gov.

Classified Advertising:

 

We encourage you to provide feedback on the contents of E-News by e-mailing aiami@aiami.com or if you have a change of e-mail address go to our home page and remove your old email address by unsubscribing and then subscribe with your new address. For other types of updates send a note to use at aiami@aiami.com.

Do you have any comments regarding this newsletter? 
Please send them to aiami@aiami.com