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Report of the Nominating Committee
Martha Seng, AIA, chair of the Nominating Committee, reports the following Committee recommendations for officers and directors for 2004. These candidates will be voted on at the Annual Meeting on October 23, 2003.
President Elect Randall Walker, AIA, Kirksey
Treasurer Peter Justl, AIA, Hermes Architects
Directors
Civic Affairs Richard Buday, AIA, Archimage
Design James McGregor, AIA, BrownPenlandMcGregorStephens
Education Jeffrey Brown, AIA, Powers Brown
Industry Affairs Andy MacPhillimy, AIA, Morris Architects
Public Relations Debra Sappington, AIA, Gensler
Intern/Associate John Benham, Associate AIA, LAN
Each will serve a two year term.
Remaining on the Board are:
President: Martha Seng, AIA, Jackson & Ryan Architects
Past President Chris Hudson, AIA, Morris Architects
Secretary/TSA Director Kurt Hull, AIA, Ziegler Cooper Architects
Directors
Continuing Education Bonny McLoud, AIA, Gensler
Honors & Awards Hill Swift, AIA, Hill Swift Architects
PIAs Gregg Moon, AIA
Practice John OConnell, AIA, Kendall Heaton
Serving on the Nominating Committee were: Rey de la Reza, FAIA, Meredith McCree, AIA, Marie Hoke, AIA, Barry Moore, FAIA, Charles Browne, AIA, and Calvin Powitzky, AIA.
Building Permit Fee Increase
The City of Houston has approved an increase in building permit fees effective January 12, 2004. The services of the Code Enforcement Division of the Planning and Development Department are funded through a permit fee structure that has been held constant since 1984. Revenues generated are insufficient to support the staffing needed to provide timely service and improved enforcement. Based on a five-year average, the raising of permit fees will increase revenues by about $2.6 million. Proposed additional staff costs would be about $2.5 million. Reserves will provide a cushion against periodic slow downs in the economy and will be used to continue technological enhancements to customer services.
Additional staff will:
1) Reduce the number of inspections per day per inspector
2) Increase the time per inspection
3) Reduce the plan review time per submittal
4) Provide capacity to support the new Energy Conservation Code.
Objectives for Increasing Fees:
1) Pay for an increase in the number of field inspectors, plan examiners, and clerical support
2) Pay for additional equipment to support the staff increases
3) Pay for a new satellite office facility including set up, ISDN line installation, monthly fees, furniture and landline for telephones
4) Equipment upgrades
Permit Fee Increase Schedule:
1) Structural fee increases from $.04 to $.05 per square foot of floor space for new construction.
2) Structural fee increases from $4.00 to $4.50 per $1,000.00 valuation for remodel construction.
3) Increase mechanical minimum permit fee from $25.00 to $30.00.
4) Increase electrical minimum permit fee from $10.00 to $15.00.
5) Increase plumbing minimum permit fee from $10.00 to $15.00.
6) Increase structural minimum permit fee from $30.00 to $35.00.
You may view an updated copy of the Houston Building Code, Section 117, Permit and Inspection Fees, on the Construction Industry Councils website at: http://www.cichouston.com/codechanges/feeincrease2003.htm.
IDP Survey Results
In early 1999, approximately 3,000 interns, former interns, and practitioners responded to a national survey of the internship experience that was conducted at Montana State University and funded by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. The project's findings, documented in an October 1999 report to NCARB, recently have been published in the May 2003 issue of the Journal of Architectural Education.
NCARB carefully analyzed the original survey results and responded in three significant ways. First, the importance of providing more meaningful intern development opportunities and mentorship was validated at two national summits on architectural internship. The professions five collateral organizations: NCARB, AIA, ACSA, NAAB, and AIAS have committed themselves to addressing these needs.
Second, survey results indicated that interns felt NCARB regulations and paperwork represented one of the biggest problems with the IDP process. To address these concerns, NCARB created an online IDP record-keeping resource using an Excel spreadsheet, completely revamped its Customer Information System to provide more timely Council Record services, and created opportunities for interns to access IDP and Council Record services online through the NCARB web site.
Finally, the falsification of IDP reports prompted NCARB to establish a system for auditing selected Council Record documents. All violations are given to Member Boards and/or NCARB's Committee on Professional Conduct for action.
The Architectural Internship Evaluation Project provided a long overdue analysis of the Intern Development Programs potential strengths and problems related to the internship process. Supporting and funding projects of this kind establish an objective basis for positive change within IDP to everyone's benefit.
For more information go to: http://www.ncarb.org
Houston: Poster Child for Sprawl? or Success
By Robert Litke, Director, Planning Department, City of Houston
I've always been a major booster of Houston, but even I have had some difficulty adjusting to a dawning new reality: Houston may well be a planning model for the future rather than an anachronism of the past.
In discussions with planning directors from across the country I've heard a recurring dissatisfaction with the traditional planning tools in dealing with the emerging realities impacting our cities. These realities are driven by changes in technology, where and how we live and work, the rise of a service economy, huge demographic shifts and other factors that are challenging our quality of life.
As the great engines of our nation, our cities need to be retooled to meet these new needs. The traditional tools, however, are not made for such precision work. Instead, many planning leaders are looking for flexible and performance standards-based mechanisms. The toolbox may be in the hands of planning's stepchild-- Houston.
Lacking traditional planning tools, Houston has handcrafted its own through a trial-and-error process. We started by encouraging our central urban area to act like one through incentives to increase density, encourage mixed-uses and promote pedestrian-friendly environments. Next, we added tools to preserve and strengthen neighborhoods by addressing building line and lot size issues that are often deciding factors in curbing incompatible development. We've also developed ways to address nuisance land uses.
These tools were developed through an open process with extensive stakeholder participation. Citizens play a key role in the implementation of our development rules as well. In a short period of time, 44 areas have been designated with prevailing building lines and 42 areas have been designated with prevailing lot sizes. All are established by city council based on petitions and outreach by property owners.
The common element has been the clarification of desired outcomes and the development of performance standards to meet them. The concept of performance standards is predicated on the idea that by meeting certain established criteria, new developments minimize their impact on the surrounding area and community as a whole. By adopting a performance standard system we can significantly improve the quality of our built environment and preserve the integrity of our neighborhoods while retaining the flexibility that we, as Houstonians, have traditionally enjoyed.
Most exciting of all is our current work on a concept to use area plans. These plans, subject to city approval, will allow modifications from the city's general requirements for lot sizes, building setback, density, open space, parking and other characteristics. Areas of at least 50 acres in size that include an economic corridor will be eligible to modify land-use restrictions that apply under existing city ordinances. Area plans will not dictate land uses. This may prove to be the most useful planning tool for Houstons zoning-free environment. The interest expressed by other cities demonstrates its potential usefulness for traditionally planned cities as well.
Houston will quickly demonstrate the results of our experiments. With a consistent average of $4 billion in annual new development the new rules of today will be visible at tomorrow's ribbon cuttings. Our tremendous growth in population will show us how the market responds to the resulting new products. Our ability to quickly and predictably approve new development plans nurtures an environment that embraces experimentation and adaptation. And our history of mixed-use development, coupled with an existing and unparalleled level of diversity and integration, will prove a unique test bed for the communities of the future across America. Keep an eye on Houston!
Brown and Neubek Elevated to the College of Fellows
Fellowship is the highest honor the American Institute of Architects can bestow on one of its members, other than the Gold Medal. It is awarded to those who have distinguished themselves over a period of at least ten years in design, urban design, management, practice, teaching, research, the application of the skills of an architect in some other arena, or public service. Two AIA Houston members will be invested in the College of Fellows at the AIA Annual Convention in San Diego.
Peter Hoyt Brown, FAIA
As a civic leader, community volunteer, teacher, practitioner and AIA leader, Peter Brown has made a unique contribution to improving urban and suburban life across the nation. He is a resourceful and effective advocate for urban design, neighborhood revitalization, transit-oriented development, smart growth and enlightened development regulations. Over the past 30 years, he has made an important difference in many cities, but particularly as a civic leader in Houston.
Through practicing and preaching the message of a human-scaled, pedestrian-friendly, visually exciting, and socially nurturing urban environment, he has set an inspiring example of the architect as agent of social change. As a demonstration of his commitment to this idea, he is a candidate for City Council in Houstons fall election.
Kurt M. Neubek, FAIA
Kurt Neubek is a nationally recognized leader in predesign services. Through his significant portfolio of work, pioneering non-architectural applications, and public outreach, he has distinguished himself as an "architect of decision-making." His first exposure to predesign came earlyat CRSS with Willie Pena, FAIA, and Steve Parshall, FAIA. He quickly learned and excelled in the Problem Seeking methodology. Adding other analytical methodsstrategic planning, business planning, meeting facilitation, decision making and quality processes, he earned a reputation as not only a leading programmer, but also a pioneer in using and developing complementary tools and techniques to aid client decision-making.
Kurt has given his clients, colleagues and students a broader understanding of what architecture is. By expanding the public's perception of the range and value of architects' services, he has raised the stature of the entire profession.
FKP Wins Firm Award for 2003
Randall Walker, AIA of Kirksey, the 2002 Firm Award winner, presented the 2003 Award to FKP Architects at Celebrate Architecture on April 12. A jury including Wes Good, AIA, of Kirksey and two other previous winners--Ray Bailey, FAIA, and Rey de la Reza, FAIA,-- reviewed the submissions and selected the recipient.
The Firm Award is one of the awards presented at Celebrate Architecture that is a surprise. Walker outlined their notable contributions to the profession before announcing the name of the firm. He said:
"Tonight we honor
A firm evolving over more than 60 years from a small office with a residential focus into a one of Houston's larger offices with large and complex projects.
A firm that nurtures its staff, providing in house professional development, support for interns on the road to registration, recognition of outstanding service to the firm. Career building is the firm's aim.
A firm that serves the profession through leadership in professional organizations, development of educational opportunities for interns and architects, representing the profession in civic organization, providing leadership at state and national AIA levels.
A firm that serves the community, volunteering in social service organizations and providing funding for emergency services.
A firm that serves its clients through careful attention to needs.
Winner of the 2002 Business Week/Architectural Record Good Design Is Good Business Award for the Texas Children's Hospital Clinical Care Center as well as dozens of awards in health care, research, and educational facilities, I am pleased to announce that the 2003 Firm Award goes to FKP Architects for a distinguished career in service to the profession. John Crane, AIA, is president of FKP.
James Blackburn Named Honorary Member of AIA Houston
Honorary Membership is reserved for individuals otherwise ineligible for membership who have rendered distinguished service to the profession. Previous recipients of this award include Congressman Ken Bentsen, Jr., parks advocate Terry Hershey, civic leader John Breeding, artist Rick Lowe, developer and community leader Ed Wulfe, and community activist, David Crossley.
James Blackburn is an attorney with a masters degree in environmental science who has been practicing law since 1973. His firm, Blackburn & Carter, is limited to environmental law. His efforts, both as a concern citizen and as a professional, have been particularly evident in the Galveston Bay area and recently with the Katy Corridor Coalition.
Mr. Blackburn also teaches at Rice University where he is an adjunct professor in Environmental Science and Engineering. He was awarded the Robert C. Eckhardt Lifetime Achievement Award of the General Land Office of the State of Texas in 1998, the Jesse L. Walls award for work in preserving waterways and the Herman Rudenberg Coastal Protection Award by the Sierra Club in 1999. In 2001 he was awarded the Conservation Achievement Award in the Legislative/Legal category for extraordinary contributions to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources by the National Wildlife Federation. He is chair of the Galveston bay Conservation and Preservation Association and co-founded of the Galveston Bay and Matagorda Bay Foundations. His Book of Texas Bays is to be published by Texas A&M Press in December, 2003
Three Community Organizations Receive Chapter Citations of Honor
The Citation is awarded to organizations that make outstanding contributions to the community in the fields of civic improvements, conservation, beautification, transportation, or social responsibility. Previous recipients include the Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County, the Bayou Bend Docents, the Galveston Historical Foundation, Avenue Community Development Corporation, and the Houston Downtown Management District.
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Created in 1986, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership is a coalition of civic, environmental, governmental and business representatives dedicated to enhancing Houstons historic waterway. Over its almost 20 year history, the Partnership has moved from defending the Bayou against channelization by the Corps of Engineers to introducing the Bayou to Houstonians through creative programming to raising private and public funds for the purchase of land and the design and implementation of projects that will transform Buffalo Bayou into the urban amenity that it is meant to be. In addition to the redevelopment of Allens Landing, Houstons birthplace, implementation of a series of parks in collaboration with various civic groups, and planning hike and bike trails, the current notable achievement of the Partnership is the coordination of a $1.4 million two year master planning effort released to the public in September 2002. Anne Olson is Executive Director of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership; F. Max Schuette is chairman of the Board.
University of Texas Health Science Center
UT Health Science Center in Houston receives the Citation of Honor for its commitment to sustainable design. The Centers goal for its School of Nursing is to create a landmark learning environment that promotes health, wellness, and communitya smart, healthy building that is flexible and resource efficient, civic and timeless, and fosters a healthy community. Building materials are 50% recycled content; 50% of the construction waste is recycled; and building materials originated within 500 miles of the site. Utility costs are to be 70% less than the current School of Public Health and construction costs are not to exceed 105% of a conventionally constructed building. The building should meet the LEED Green Building rating of 2.0. This effort is a concrete demonstration of concern for public health and a building process well worth emulating. James T. Willerson, M. D., is president of the UT Health Science Center. John Porretto is an advisor to the President and has provided leadership in the sustainability efforts.
Katy Corridor Coalition
The mission of the Katy Corridor Coalition is to replace the proposed Katy Freeway expansion plan with one that is less harmful and contains improved mobility alternatives that are socially, economically, and environmentally beneficial for the entire community. Playing David to the Texas Department of Transportations Goliath, this coalition of interested citizens has not only developed two alternatives to the TexDOT plan to widen the Katy Freeway to at least 18 lanes, but has also organized public meetings, lobbied city, county, and federal officials, and garnered increasing citizen and political support as well as editorial support from the Houston Chronicle. The Coalitions ideas are both more aesthetically pleasing than the mammoth at-grade freeway and more sensitive to environmental concerns, especially air and noise pollution, without sacrificing mobility. AIA Houston is proud to support their efforts at rational planning.
Polly Ledvina is chair of the Coalition.
Design Awards
A jury of Gunny Harboe, AIA, Chicago; Beverly Spears, FAIA, Santa Fe; and Stephen Harby, Santa Monica and New Haven, reviewed 92 projects, selecting 15 for awards:
Honor Awards
Architecture
* Kirksey, Emery/Weiner Center for Jewish Education
* m ARCHITECTS, LLC, Avance Head Start Center at Browning Elementary School
* MC2 Architects, Price/Martinez Residence
Interior Architecture
* Gensler, Baker Botts, LLP, Conference Center
* O'Neill Hill/FKP, Texas Children's Hospital
Renovation/Restoration
* Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects, Inc., 2337 Blue Bonnet
Merit Awards
Architecture
* C. Edward Bullock, AIA, Home Studio
* Powers Brown Architecture, Rtron Corporate Headquarters
* Ray and Hollington Architects, St. John Vianney Catholic Church
* Stern and Bucek Architects, Daniel House
* Taft Architects, Housing Prototypes, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
* Wittenberg Partnership, Sutton-Nagar Residence
Interior Architecture
* DMJM Rottet, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker, New York, New York
* Tackett Lodholz Architects with J. W. Wood, Architect, Emmaus Catholic Church, Lakeway, Texas
Restoration/Renovation
* STOA/Golemon/Bolullo Architects, Richmond Policy Headquarters
On the Boards Winners
Student work dominated the On the Boards competition with eight winners. Two studio projects, one from UH and one from Rice, were selected as well as individual projects from students and architects. Winning projects will be on display at Celebrate Architecture on April 12.
Best of Show
* Brett Zamore, The Maxwell House (The Shot-Trot)
Student Category
* Barry Moore, FAIA, Studio, University of Houston, City Houston/Style Modern Guidebook, Richmond Avenue Historic Resources Survey
* Mark Schatz, New School of Architecture for Oglethorpe University
* Johnny Harrison, Mass Customization
* Rice Building Workshop, Rice University, Extra Small House (x-s) Design + Build
Architect Category
* HOK, St. Elizabeth Christus Hospital Ambulatory Care Center, Beaumont
* Jay Baker Architects, Residence
* HOK, Shimao Sheshan Hotel and Conference Center, Sheshan, China
Thank You, Celebrate Architecture Underwriters
Benefactor
A&E, The Graphics Complex
Haynes Whaley Associates, Inc.
Matrix Structural Engineers
Morris Architects
University of Houston Downtown
Walter P. Moore
Patron
Bellows/Ziegler Cooper
Brookstone, LP
CHP & Associates
Douglas Group
Durotech
FKP Architects
Fretz Construction
Gensler
D. E. Harvey Builders
HOK
Houston Chapter Associated General Contractors
I. A. Naman
Jackson & Ryan
Kirksey
Lighting Associates, Inc.
Linbeck Construction Corporation
Marek Family of Companies
McCoy Workplace Solutions
Miner Dederick Construction
Mission Constructors
Powers Brown Architects
Ray Bailey Architects, Inc.
Rey de la Reza Architects, Inc.
Ridgway's, Ltd.
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.
SHW Group, Inc., Architects and Engineers
Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
SpawGlass Construction Corp.
SpawMaxwell
STOR/Golemon/Bolullo Architects
Tellepsen Builders, L. P.
Texas Children's Hospital
Tribble & Stephens Construction, Ltd.
Watkins Hamilton Ross Architects, Inc.
Wylie
Monticello
Pat and John Harris
Porter & Hedges, LLP
Sunland Group
USI Insurance Services of Texas, David Arntsen
Vaughn Construction
Woodlawn
Bury + Partners, Houston, Inc.
Busby & Associates, Inc.
Clark Condon Associates, Inc.
Heights Venture Arachitects, LLP
Humphries Construction Corporation
J. E. Dunn Construction
K-Grip North American, Inc.
Merriman Holt Architects
W.O. Neuhaus, III, FAIA
Office of James Burnett
Southwest Bank of Texas
Louis Skidmore, AIA
Quality Woodwork Interiors
William C. Ross, CPA
Renee Scott, AIA
South Coast Construction Svcs., Inc.
Stone Marketing International
TechKnowledge Consulting Corporation
University of Texas Health Science Center
Webb Architects
Friends
Crescent Real Estate
Artie Lee Hinds
Karl Kilian
Sally and Norman Reynolds
Lois and George Stark
Special Assistance
Kim Lighting
Lighting Associates, Inc.
Specified Lighting, Jim Lind
Swinerton Builders
Sandcastle Competition Winners:
Golden Bucket, SLI Group, "Noah's Ark(itecture)"
Silver Shovel, David A. Suplee
Bronze Shovel, Ray + Hollington Architects, "Mass Production"
Honorable Mention, Levinson Associates, "Cellular Static"
Honorable Mention, Spencer Partnership Architects, Dr. Suess, AIA: When Good Architects Go Mad"
Honorable Mention, Jackson & Ryan Architects, "Dude, Where's My Castle?"
People's Favorite, FKP Architects, "Gaudi Dude!"
Most Traditional, David Weekly Homes, "Traditional Sandcastle"
That's Entertainment, Carter + Burgess, "SpongeBob SandPants"
Let The Games Begin, Arcadis, "We Got Game ... Again"
Most Lifelike, SHW Group
Most Hilarious, HNTB, "Couch Potato"
6th Annual College Challenge, Prarie View A&M University
Best Architectural Theme, Insite Architecture, "Deep in the Heart of Texas"
Best Long Distance Team, Corgan Associates
Best Signage, Thompson, "Surfing the Web"
Best T-Shirts, PageSoutherlandPage, "Yabba Dabba Dune"
Best Costume, Rey de la Reza, "Animal Planet"
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
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