The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has a program summary of their
continuing education programs which are worth one learning unit and are free to design professionals. Log on to www.ronblank.com or call 800/248-6364 for more information.
Decorative Center Houston will host The Design Market 2001 on October 3 and 4. Renowned designer Dakota Jackson and international textile expert Sherri Donghia will highlight the event. For more information call 713/961-1271.
The Texas Business Conference will be held on Friday, October 12 at the Western Galleria Hotel on West Alabama St. For additional information go to http://www.twc.state.tx.us/twcinfo/tbcforms/tbcfaq.htm
or call 512/463-6389.
Celebration of Design, Decorative Center Dallas, will be October 24-26. For information on continuing education units and to register call 214/698-1300.
AIA eClassroom Distance Education if offering a free seminar on the web to AIA members. The seminar,
Building Safety and Security, can be accessed by logging on to http://eclassroom.aia.org. Learning units will be recorded for AIA members at the University of Oklahoma, if you provide a valid AIA member number when you register.
Contract Alert:
It has come to our attention that a document similar to AIA Form G 702 is in circulation. Architects should note that in the similar form (Q 702), the architect's certification reads: "Architect's signature below is his assurance to Owner. . ."
Contract Language Alert:
From Schinnerer's Guidelines for Improving Practice: AGC's Owner-A/E Contract (AGC240) involves the design professional in
performing a full range of design and administrative services for the
project; there are issues, however, that should be examined prior to its
use. One provision that seems to increase the risk of the
architect/engineer is the shop drawing provision (3.2.8.1) in which the
architect/engineer is committed to a duty that it "check the Contractor's
submittals for conformance with the design and the scope of the Project and
for compliance with the Construction Documents." The word "check" may add
ambiguity to the interpretation of the traditionally limited review of
submittals by the design professional.
If you were not able to make the IBC Fundamentals and Means of Egress seminar on June 28, the manuals are still available for $12 in the Chapter office for members, $15 for non members.
Rice University is offering Management Development Programs through their Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management. Classes begin in July and go through March 2002. For more information log on to
www.rice.edu/executive.
Spencer Dunaway Jones & Smith, Inc. have five 8' x 10' work cubicles @400/mo and two 16' x 12' work cubicles @600/mo available for rent. Architectural Catalog Library Sharing, and coffee bar sharing is included with each cubicle. For more information e-mail: sdjs
The long-vacant Third Church of Christ, Scientist on Almeda and Binz has been restored and reopened as The Parador, an event facility. The Parador can accommodate over 500 people for seated dinner and many more for receptions and parties. Call 713/529-3050 for more information.
The Houston Hispanic Forum will be embarking on a capital campaign to restore and adapt the Houston Light Guard Armory Building in Midtown into a Hispanic heritage museum.
GHPA has begun to compile a database of Houston's historic resources, from buildings to parks, and districts to archaeological and landscape sites. The database will be used to help determine important
landmarks and eligibility for designation.
Senator Berensen and Representative Coleman led a legislative charge in an effort to beautify Texas roadways. As a result, SB 1128 was signed by Governor Perry. The Bill will not only provide funding for Houston's Green Ribbon Project but also for the landscaping along roads in many Texas cities.
The recent A/E Automation and Information Technology Survey conducted by PSMJ Resources is complete. The survey disclosed the highest satisfaction among firms that consider IT integral to business strategy. To purchase a copy of the survey contact Diane at 800/537-PSMJ.
The Best of Buffalo Bayou is a tour series highlighting the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of Buffalo Bayou. Tours offered are Natural Selections: Unique Greenspaces of Buffalo Bayou, Sunday, October 28, 2-5 pm; and Buffalo Bayou Canoe Tours. For more information call 713/752-0314.
The Board of Directors of TCB Inc., is pleased to announce the promotion of Gretchen M. Umbeck to senior vice president of both TCB Inc. and Turner Collie & Braden, Inc.
Knudson Associates announces J. Kent Marsh, AICP, as Principal of Planning Services.
The 2001 Referral System commences November 1. There are over 35 categories to choose from. To date the residential category, both new construction and remodeling, have received the most requests. The Chapter office receives calls daily. To participate, complete the insert in the September/October newsletter Perspective and mail or fax back to the Chapter office, 713/520-5134.
The GHPA Endangered Building Committee is looking for new members. Members of the Committee will assist GHPA in researching historic data and compiling information and photographs for the Historic Resources Database. The Committee is also looking for those who like to take photographs of old buildings. For more information contact Courtney Key Tardy at cktardy
The Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture will have a Q&A session with Architecture Students in the GDH-COA Archive Room on November 13 at 3 pm.
Brian Mackay-Lyons, who has produced some of the most innovative architecture in Canada today, will speak at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture Theatre on November 13 at 6 pm.
Turner Collie & Braden Inc. announces the appointment of Billy D. Parks, PE, to the position of principal and Andrew M. Rooke, PE, to the position of senior project manager.
Call for Entries
The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and Governor Rick Perry have joined together to recognize outstanding environmental programs. If you believe you have been involved in a project that shows measurable results, complete the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Application. The application deadline is November 9, 2001, and can be accessed online at www.teea.org. For more information or to obtain a sample of a winning application call the TNRCC at 512/239-4745.
The Western European Architecture Foundation is pleased to announce the thirteenth annual Gabriel Prize
competition. Requests for information should be made by letter or through the Foundation's website no later than December 1, 2001, to the Western European Architecture Foundation, 306 West Sunset Road, Suite 119, San Antonio, TX 78209. www.gabrielprize.org. A stipend in the amount of $15,000 is intended to cover all costs of travel and study between May 1 and August 1, 2002.
The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has received a grant from the National Endowment for the
Arts to conduct a national design competition with the intent to select the architect for the redesign of the
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. For more information regarding
the competition, including awards, competition submissions, and schedule contact AIA Dallas at 214/742-3242 or via the internet at www.artsmagnetdallas.org.
AIA New York announces a call for entries for the 2000 Travel Grants: up to five grants (totaling $15,000) to provide stipends for travel both within North America and overseas which will further the architectural education and professional development of the recipients. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens, full-time practitioners, either registered or non-registered with a professional architecture degree, and have a travel program within the 2000 calendar year. Complete details in the Chapter office or call 212/683-0013, ext. 14.
NCARB Monographs
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) introduces the tenth title in its Professional Development Program monograph series, "Why Buildings Fail." This monograph identifies the issues present when technical (e.g., internal systems run amuck or don't run at all) and architectural (e.g., inappropriate cladding is chosen and must be replaced) problems characterize a building project.
For more information visit www.ncarb.org.
NCARB's monographs are an additional way for architects to demonstrate ongoing learning in order to renew their professional registration. The successful completion of the quiz accompanying each monograph equals 10 AIA Learning Units and 10 Health, Safety, and Welfare contact hours. Most monographs are $95 ($75 for NCARB record holders). To order, or for more information, check NCARB's website at www.ncarb.org/publications or call them at 202/783-6500.
