William Pena, FAIA, to Receive the Thomas Jefferson Award at Celebrate Architecture
The first architect to receive the award, William Pena, FAIA, is being honored for his pioneering work in architectural programming.
As a practicing researcher, he advanced architectural programming to a sophisticated, analytical science benefiting both architects and clients. He gave the profession the analytical tools demanded by the complexities of design problems and to the clients, the communication techniques to make their needs known.
In 1950 Pena programmed his first project. By the time he retired in 1984, he had personally participated in the programming of more than 400, one-third of CRS projects completed in 38 states and 9 foreign countries.
After twenty years of practice, he developed the Problem Seeking programming process. In 1969 he wrote the first edition of Problem Seeking with John Focke, FAIA, now with Ray Bailey Architects. This publication became a standard text in architectural programming courses. Armed with a documented, teachable process, he went on to introduce programming to a great many young professionals at CRS, known as the unofficial graduate school of the Southwest. Before he retired, he had conducted programming workshops and lectured at over 100 professional, corporate and academic sessions.
The Jefferson Award was created in 1993 in celebration of the inventive spirit and in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth. Named in honor of our only architect-president, the award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated the creativity, expansive vision, and renaissance approach to the public good exemplified by Mr. Jefferson.
Previous recipients include Dr. Michael DeBakey (medicine), George Mitchell (land development), Jack and Laura Lee Blanton (philanthropy), Linda Ellerbee (journalism), Larry McMurtry (literature), Eleanor Tinsley (politics).
Hosted by The American Institute of Architects Houston, Celebrate Architecture benefits the Houston Architecture Foundation.
2000 Young Architect Award
The Call for Entry for the 2000 Young Architect Award program was sent to firms in February. The program recognizes demonstrated talent in one or more areas of architectural practice by a young professional under the age of 40 or in the first ten years of practice. The nominator must be a member of the Chapter; the nominee need not be.
The submission includes a digest of achievement, three or more letters of recommendation, and a portfolio of work. For a copy of the Call for Entry, call the Chapter office, 713/520-5138. Leave your name and address or fax number.
A jury that includes the past president of the Chapter, the dean of one of the local schools of architecture, and last year's Young Architect will review nominations. The winner will be announced at Celebrate Architecture on April 14, 2000.
Chapter Wins Component Excellence Award
At the annual leadership and legislative conference in Washington in January, Ron Skaggs, FAIA, national president, presented AIA Houston a national Component Excellence Award for a single public affairs initiative. Our 75th Anniversary Celebration was cited for "raising public awareness of architecture and design among the residents of Houston and demonstrating the importance of the architectural profession to the built environment." The nomination featured Box City, the Home Tour that included representative residential architecture from each decade, the Sand Castle Competition, and 75 That Made a Difference: From T Square to High Tech, the exhibition highlighting the history of architecture in Houston since 1924.
Congratulations to the organizers of each event: Marie Hoke, AIA; Leonard Lane, AIA; Tom McCarthy, AIA; and Gerald Moorhead, FAIA, as well as the anniversary chair, Joe Webb, AIA, and the scores of volunteers that made all of these events possible.
10 Projects Chosen for Design Awards
A jury of Karen Fairbanks, Fairbanks* Marble, New York; John Patkau, HFAIA, Patkau Architects, Vancouver; and Vaughan Davies, Eckstut Erankrantz and Kuhn, Los Angeles, reviewed 116 built and unbuilt projects and selected 10 for Honor Awards in the 2000 Design Award competition.
Two projects were selected in architecture: the Reid residence, Marshall Reid, AIA, and Lunning House + Studio, Val Glitsch, FAIA. Interior Architecture: Vitol S.A., Inc., Planning Design Research Corp.; Lemon Grass Restaurant, New Orleans, MC2 Architects. Renovation: Edgar Allen Poe Spark Park, Poe Parent Architects in conjunction with Rice University School of Architecture; Garten Varein Pavilion, Galveston, David Watson, Architect. Urban Design: Cotswold 200, Rey de la Reza Architects, Inc.
On the Boards: Cerntro de Artes del Mercado, Jackson Ryan Architects; University of Houston Downtown, Bricker + Cannady Architects. Winning Best of Show in the On the Boards competition and the scholarship to the International Conference on Design in Aspen was Brian Kelly Burke for a student project: Symbiosis.
Architects and clients will be recognized and projects will be displayed at Celebrate Architecture on April 14.
HAF 1999 Grants Report
The Houston Architecture Foundation, chartered in 1986, supports architecture, planning and urban design through grants for programs and initiatives in public and professional education and research. The Foundation seeks to be a catalyst for public understanding and interest in architecture and urban design. Since its inception, the Foundation has relied on an annual fund drive to support its grants process. The major source of funding has been the proceeds of Celebrate Architecture, the annual gala of the American Institute of Architects/Houston. Growing in size and effectiveness since 1994, Celebrate Architecture attracted more than 600 attendees last year and grossed $126,000.
Thousands of Houstonians have been affected by the variety of programs and projects selected for funding. Since 1986, sixty-nine grants have been awarded totalling $500,450.
Enhancement of public education is a primary focus of Foundation support as expressed in several important programs in 1999.
More than 4500 students, kindergarten through high school, participated in the classroom segment of Box City, a community-based, interdisciplinary resource using architecture and city planning principles to encourage critical thinking, decision-making, analysis, and synthesis through a variety of academic disciplines. The project was launched with a series of six workshops for 130 classroom teachers and administrators and culminated in a display of the students work at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Box City was organized and managed by the American Institute of Architects with broad based community support.
A special emphasis on middle school education supported the development of a magnet school for architecture at Sharpstown Middle School in HISD.
The Michael Meyers Scholarship is awarded annually to the winner of the High School Design Competition conducted by AIA Houston to recognize design talent in area high schools.
A scholarship to the International Design Conference in Aspen is awarded annually to the winner of AIA Houston's On the Boards competition. In 1999 Peter Zweig, FAIA, a member of the faculty at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture was the recipient of the prize. In 1998 a Rice University student was the recipient.
For several years the Foundation has assisted the Architecture Discovery Program at the University of Houston College of Architecture with scholarship funds for talented high school students exploring a career in architecture.
In 1999 the Foundation awarded a second grant to the Community Design Assistance Center to assist community based groups to secure the technical assistance they need to proceed with affordable housing projects.
The final grant was to assist with an exhibition, From T-Square to High Tech: 75 Years of Houston Architecture, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of AIA Houston. A major feature of the exhibition was a time line depicting the history of Houston through her buildings and the people -- architects, engineers, builders, developers, patrons -- that made them possible.
Frank Douglas, FAIA, is 1999 President of the Houston Architecture Foundation. Joe Webb, AIA, is the President in 2000. Board members include: John Beddow; John Breeding; Laurie Bricker; Raymond Brochstein, FAIA; John Carson; John Casbarian, FAIA; Anthony Frederick; Susan Garwood; Vergel Gay, AIA; George Greanias; Chuck Gremillion; James D. Hill, AIA; Pat Kiley; Suzanne Labarthe, AIA; Ray Messer, PE; Richard Morris; Robert Phillips; Ken Ross, AIA; Louis Skidmore, AIA; John Spear, AIA; Barbara Tennant, AIA; Eleanor Tinsley; David Watkins, FAIA; Larry Whaley, PE. Martha Murphree, Hon. AIA, is Executive Director.
AIA. What's in it for me?
Information: publications, seminars, conferences
Access: to industry standard contracts, a network of job leads, civic and business leaders
Recognition: design and service awards, national television and radio advertising, appointments to public boards
Influence: on public and Institute policy
Mentoring: one-to-one, firm to firm, professional to student
Representation: before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies
Advocacy: for the health, safety and welfare of the public, qualification-based selection for public projects, comprehensive planning and design excellence
Fellowship: with architects, with colleagues in related fields, with industry and political leaders
Officers and Directors for 2000
President: Ernesto Maldonado, AIA, Glassman-Shoemake Maldonado
President Elect: Ray Leiker, AIA, Ray Bailey Architects
Secretary and TSA Director: Tim Conroy, AIA, HOK
Treasurer: Martha Seng, AIA, Jackson & Ryan Architects
Past President: James Hill, AIA, Ambrose and McEnany Architects
Director for Civic Affairs: Dan Brents, FAIA, Gensler
Director for Continuing Education: Pam Vassallo, AIA, Ray Bailey Architects
Director for Design: Rey de la Reza, FAIA, Rey de la Reza Architects
Director for Education: Marie Hoke, AIA, Ray and Hollington
Director for Honors and Awards: John Farrell, AIA, FKP
Director for Industry Affairs: Hal Caton, AIA, Caton Consulting
Director for PIAs: C.C. Lee, AIA, STOA
Director for Practice: Dan Searight, AIA, Morris Architects
Director for Public Relations: Chris Hudson, AIA, Morris Architects
All terms are two years, except the President Elect.
Prairie View School of Architecture Introduces eMentor Program
Architects and interns are invited to mentor entering freshman using the Internet and email. With only fifteen to thirty minutes a week, mentors can provide advice and information. Call Professor Peter Wood at Prairie View, 409/857-2014, or send your email address to him at P Wood @ pvamu.ed.
