Design Detailings: ACEC/WA conference on government projects

The American Council of Engineering Companies/Washington hosts the Wheelin' Walla Walla Weekend Thursday through Saturday at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, 6 W. Rose St.. in Walla Walla.

The conference will focus on new opportunities in the government market for engineering, planning, land surveying and environmental consulting services. Many firms face challenges in doing business with government clients in the submittal and selection process, in contract negotiations process and in project delivery, according to ACEC. The program looks for strategies to succeed in the public marketplace.

The featured speaker -- David Stone, senior consultant, FMI Corp. -- will speak on value-based pricing from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Friday. Value-based pricing determines the fee a client will pay based on what they, or the market, feels it is worth to have a particular problem solved. The session will show participants how to begin the shift away from under-valued, cost-based pricing to high margin, value-based compensation.

Stone is a senior consultant for FMI Corp.'s engineering and architectural services group. He works with design professionals in the area of strategic planning, marketing and business development and project management. For information about the conference, call (425) 453-6655.

Interiors group to cruise on Sept. 12

The Washington State Chapter of the International Interior Design Association newly formed South Sound City Center announces its first annual cruise on the yacht "My Girl." The cruise will be 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, and will coincide with the city of Tacoma's Maritime Fest, Sept. 13 to 15.

Interior design professionals, architects, design suppliers and other associated professional services providers are invited to join the South Sound City Center and learn about the history of the Thea Foss Waterway and future planned improvements for Tacoma's waterfront.

The cruise will celebrate the city's redevelopment and will introduce the South Sound City Center's new committee members. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Prepaid reservations are required. Cost is $25 for IIDA Members, $35 for AIA, CSI, ASID, IFMA members, $50 for IIDA member and guest, non-members $40/person, and students $15. Send checks to IIDA Washington State Chapter, Box 12826, Seattle, WA 98111.

For more information or to sponsor the event, contact Kelly Shaw, IIDA, City Center co-director, at kelly@architectsbcra.com or Catherine Barker, co-director, at catherine_barker@msn.com. For information on IIDA's South Sound City Center and membership, contact Julia Gutt, at 206-762-6471 or visit the chapter Web site at www.iida-wa.org.

Design Detailings: Pierepiekarz forms MRP Engineering

After 17 years as a structural engineer specializing in risk assessment and mitigation services, Mark R. Pierepiekarz recently established his own structural risk engineering consulting company, MRP Engineering, LLC. The Newcastle firm is at 7528 134th Ave. S.E. The phone is (425) 430-0500 and fax (425) 988-0172.

The firm will assist clients in protecting their business operations from risks to physical assets resulting from the adverse impacts of natural and manmade disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes and explosions. "Our philosophy is to listen to your needs and provide you with practical and cost-effective structural engineering-based risk reduction solutions," said Pierepiekarz.

Services include:

• Structural risk analysis for earthquake, severe wind, blast and other natural and manmade hazards affecting buildings, equipment, piping, bridges and other structures, and lifelines.

• Structural engineering design for selective upgrade or rehabilitation of existing facilities.

• Structural engineering expert opinion in support of insurance claims and/or litigation.

"My personal expertise entails evaluating the potential for and mitigating the devastating effects of earthquakes, extreme winds, and other natural and manmade hazards," said Pierepiekarz. "My own facility retrofit designs have been tested by strong earthquakes -- with exemplary results. I am bringing that expertise to my new company, which specializes in performing structural risk analysis for various hazards, and providing expert opinion in support of insurance claims and/or litigation involving structural engineering issues."

Freeman Fong now in Lower Queen Anne

Freeman Fong Architecture has moved to accommodate its expanding business. Since January, the firm has doubled in size, making it necessary to move to newly remodeled space in Lower Queen Anne.

Previously located at 1514 11th Ave. W., the firm is now at 505 Third Ave. W. The phone number is the same; (206) 282-8245, and a new Web site is under construction at www.freemanfong.com.

Masten is new ACEC/WA president

Masten

Paul Masten, chair and managing principal of Reid Middleton, Inc., will lead the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington (ACEC Washington) as president for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Masten, a civil and transportation engineer, has served as a director for the organization and participated on various committees since 1988.

"Our primary focus this year will be to continue our government advocacy efforts on behalf of all consulting engineers," Masten said. "This means supporting funding to help solve this state’s transportation problems as well as maintaining close contact with all public agencies to eliminate unfair contracting practices." Other goals for the organization this year include increasing awareness of ACEC Washington as a primary resource on business practices and growing the organization to better serve all stakeholders in the built environment.

In addition to his roles at Reid Middleton, Inc., and ACEC Washington, Masten serves on the Board of the Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation and on the Snohomish County Economic Development Council.

The officers and directors who will serve with Masten include: president-elect John Rowland; vice president Jim Miller; vice president Kathy Robertson; directors Kurt Gahnberg, Don Graf and Jeff Shupe were elected this year. Continuing their terms are Directors Ralph Boirum and Jorge Garcia, and national director Jerry Williams.

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington is a professional trade association representing 200 consulting engineering, land surveying and affiliated scientific and planning firms statewide. Bill Garrity, ACEC Washington executive director, can be reached at (425) 453-6655.

Architects' guide to structural steel

Designing with Structural Steel -- A Guide for Architects is now available in its second edition from the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. The guide, created in response to research by AISC's regional engineering staff, provides an understanding of the structural systems, material properties and design details for structural steel. The new edition includes changes in available shapes and incorporates the new Code of Standard Practice, modifications and updates in interface details and new recommendations for specifying architecturally exposed structural steel.

The main purpose of the design guide is to supply information for architects so they can create interesting and cost effective projects in steel. Andy Johnson, vice president of marketing for AISC, remarked that the design guide "makes an architect's job easier. Everyday information that architects usually have to retrieve from several different sources is now found in one book." The guide is meant to be a teaching tool as well as a desk reference on structural steel.

For information on ordering Designing with Structural Steel-A Guide for Architects, please visit AISC's bookstore at www.aisc.org/bookstore. The design guide costs $60 ($40 for AISC members).

AISC, headquartered in Chicago, is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC's mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including: specification and code development, research and education.

Design Detailings: W&H finalizes re-purchase

W&H Pacific, a Northwest engineering consulting/design firm, has finalized the repurchase of the company from The IT Group, now Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure. Financing of the repurchase was provided by ASCG Inc., a consulting design firm headquartered in Anchorage. W&H Pacific will become an independently operated firm within ASCG.

"This repurchase is very positive for management, employees and clients of W&H Pacific," said Jeff Daggett, W&H Pacific's co-founder. "We are able to keep our core leadership and project teams in place with the help of an established partner that understands our industry. Our plan is to continue to grow the business and expand throughout the U.S."

W&H Pacific’s senior principals leading the effort include William Jabs and Daggett, the company's original founders.

Established in 1988, W&H Pacific has 225 employees in seven Northwest offices. The company serves the infrastructure development needs of clients in the transportation, land development and telecommunications industries. It has offices in Bothell and Sumner, Portland, Salem, Bend, Klamath Falls and Boise.

Carter wins county power contract

Carter & Burgess was recently awarded a contract for a portion of the work on the King County Metro Transit Division power distribution headquarters replacement facility. Carter & Burgess, a sub-consultant to Otak Architects and Engineers, will provide mechanical, plumbing and interior architecture services.

Work is scheduled to be completed by April 2003, and Carter & Burgess will be involved in all phases of the project. King County Metro Transit Division operates one of the few remaining electric trolley systems in the United States.

The Transit Division headquarters has been located at 2255 Fourth Ave. S. for many years. The new facility will be constructed on the north half of the existing site, while operations continue in the existing building on the south half of the site. Work will include demolition of existing buildings; architectural and engineering design of the new building and storage facilities; and site design, including parking, landscaping and environmental cleanup.

Carter & Burgess is a national consulting and management firm offering full services to a variety of industries that include public works, transportation, facilities, land development, retail stores and distribution, commercial, communications, energy and institutional.

ESM's Fun Run raises $6,000

Photo courtesy of Chris Landry Photography and MyRaceDay.com

ESM Consulting Engineers' Ridge to Rails Fun Run recently raised $6,000 to Preserve Green Spaces. The annual Ridge to Rails 6-mile Trail Run saw nearly 1,000 participants gathered at Snoqualmie Ridge to participate. New this year was the addition of the Trail Walk as well as a Kids Dash that proved to be popular for all but a few tots.

Ridge to Rails was developed three years ago to strengthen the relationships between ESM's major clients, consultants and the community. Proceeds from the race will be donated to the Mountains to Sound Greenway trust that provides funding for improving green and open spaces along the I-90 freeway corridor.

Sponsors include Key Bank; RCI Construction; Quadrant Corp.; ESM Consulting Engineers; GLY Construction; EarthTech; Raedeke Associates; Cam West; Nuprecon; and The Transpo Group.

Design Detailings: Top A/E posts still hard to fill

There may be a recession on, but hiring good people in top jobs in design firms is still difficult.

"Three years ago, firms were hiring just about anybody who was warm and breathing to keep up with demand," said John Kreiss, principal and manager of the Executive Search Group, part of Massachusetts-based ZweigWhite, a construction industry management consulting firm.

"Today, companies are much more selective with their hiring," he said. "While entry-level positions may seem easier to fill, firms are still having trouble filling their top-level positions with the right people. Senior level people who specialize in a particular market niche or market sector -- the leaders in those areas -- are still very difficult to find," Kreiss says.

He added that specialty areas where there's a dearth of qualified candidates include laboratory/life sciences, health care, education, and residential design and construction services.

UW to train firm leaders

The University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning will offer a certificate program in design firm leadership and management, as part of fall term. Topics covered in the course include: practice management, leadership, financial management, technology management, business strategy and risk management.

The program consists of three courses. The first, "Design Firm Management," focuses on balancing three critical aspects of firm management: planning, managing and producing. It runs Sept. 30 through Dec. 9. In the second, "Leadership," participants will explore the concept of leadership through extensive discussion and analysis of case studies with active practitioners. It runs Jan. 6 through March 17. The third, "Strategy and Marketing," will involve directing the vision of an organization, developing a strategy for the future and skills for aligning the strategy with the marketplace. It runs March 31 to June 9. All sessions meet 6 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Instructors for the course include Hugh Hochberg, a partner with the Coxe Group, Richard Hobbs, president of Strategy Design; and Ann Hearle, principal of DesignMatters. In addition to consulting in management and marketing, Hochberg has lectured at Harvard and the universities of Pennsylvania, Cal Poly/Pomona; Wisconsin, Kansas and Rensselaer. Hobbs, an advisor to the professional design community, has served for 10 years as vice president for professional practice with the American Institute of Architects. He is marketplace research advisor for the AIA and an advisor for the Tom Peters Co.: Research on Innovation in the Professional Service Firm. Hearle is the former director of new business development for Girvin Strategic Branding and Design, now principal of DesignMatters, a strategic consulting firm that advises creative groups on business issues.

Applications will be accepted until Sept. 9 and afterward on a space-available basis. Each term is $1,500. For more information, call (206) 543-2320.

Pacific Land becomes PacLand

Pacific Land Design has changed its name to PacLand. PacLand does land design and provides comprehensive development services which include planning, land-use approval processing, design and project management. PacLand is at 9709 Third Ave. N.E., Suite 203, Seattle 98115. The phone is (206) 522-9510.

Rice Fergus wins two contracts

Rice Fergus Miller has recently signed two contracts to provide architectural services. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, in Tacoma, has hired Rice Fergus to design and construct two new fire stations; and Rice Fergus has teamed with lead firm MacLeod Reckord to provide architectural services for the Kitsap County Special Events Center at the Fairgrounds. Rice Fergus Miller Architecture & Planning is located in downtown Bremerton.

Design Detailings: Exhibit blurs architectural boundaries

The Center on Contemporary Art hosts "Blurred" through Sept. 13, at 1420 11th Ave. "Blurred" is CoCA's inaugural architecture show, which explores the breadth and depth of architectural possibility, expanding the traditional definition of architecture in the Northwest. The participants, who represent Portland and Puget Sound, use CoCA's new gallery space to express their thoughts and hone their research through site-specific installations.

Participants include landscape architects, game designers, sole practitioners, artist architects, and graphic designers. The show features newcomers to the profession, as well as veterans who focus on the subtle nuances of the field. The exhibit will confront what blurs architecture's boundaries. Contributing artists/designers include Iole Alessandrini; Michelle Arab; Mike Barrette; Michael Culpepper; Marc Dombrosky; James Harrison; John Jenkins III; and Mark Johnson. For more information, go to blurred@cocaseattle.org or view www.cocaseattle.org.

Pacific Land becomes PacLand

Pacific Land Design has changed its name to PacLand. PacLand does land design and provides comprehensive development services which include planning, land-use approval processing, design and project management. PacLand is at 9709 Third Ave. N.E., Suite 203, Seattle 98115. The phone is (206) 522-9510.

Rice Fergus wins two contracts

Rice Fergus Miller has recently signed two contracts to provide architectural services. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, in Tacoma, has hired Rice Fergus to design and construct two new fire stations; and Rice Fergus has teamed with lead firm MacLeod Reckord to provide architectural services for the Kitsap County Special Events Center at the Fairgrounds. Rice Fergus Miller Architecture & Planning is located in downtown Bremerton.

Candela's brochure takes 1st place

Candela, an architectural lighting consultant firm, received first place for Best Brochure in the national 2002 Marketing Communication Awards Program sponsored by the Society of Marketing Professional Services. The Marketing Communication Awards Program recognizes excellence in A/E/C/ firm marketing materials. Kristy Alley, marketing manager, accepted the award on the firm's behalf at the awards gala held July 29 at the SMPS National Marketing Conference in Chicago.

A national panel of judges, including editors from major design industry publications, praised the brochure for its concise message, use of light, and market-focused approach. "This brochure effectively captures our diverse lighting design applications," said Denise Fong, Candela principal. "The response from our clients has been phenomenal."

Candela's services include lighting design in the corporate, health care, hospitality, retail, public/civic, museum, institutional, and residential markets. Specifically targeted to architects and owners, the brochure was introduced at 10 client events hosted by Candela. Since its distribution last year, Candela's revenue increased by 18 percent, with a 12 percent increase in its architectural client base and a 10 percent increase in national work.

"We wanted the brochure to reflect the innovation and creativity that our clients embrace, and to communicate that Candela's designs travel beyond the present and into tomorrow," Alley said.

Using a photographic portfolio approach, the brochure combines striking project photos and sketches with quotes that emphasize the power of light. The photography is supported by custom-created backgrounds illustrated by the lighting designer's tools of light, shadow, and texture. These backgrounds create dimension that "pops" the images off the page. Award-winning projects are subtlety noted on the back credits page. A velum casing finishes the piece.

Prakash new U.W. Architecture chair

Vikram Prakash, former associate dean for external affairs at University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning, was appointed chair of the Department of Architecture at University of Washington in July. Prakash taught at Arizona State University before joining the U.W. Architecture faculty in the fall of 1996. He also serves on the faculties of the Department of Urban Design and Planning and the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. He replaces Jeffrey Ochsner, who stepped down after six "highly successful years," he said. Ochsner will take a year's sabbatical, and return to teach at the university.

Prakash's specialties are in international design, modern architecture and global history. He has been active in a number of professional organizations, including serving on the AIA Seattle Board of Directors. He has also presented at and chaired several professional conferences in the United States and abroad.

Prakash's new book, "Chandigarh's Le Corbusier: The Struggle for Modernity in Postcolonial India," has just been co-published by the University of Washington Press (U.S.) and Mapin Publishing (India). He is currently working on "A Global History of Architecture," co-authored with Professors Francis D. K. Ching of U.W. and Mark Jarzombek of M.I.T.

Prakash received his B.Arch. from the Chandigarh College of Architecture, India (1986), and his M.A. (1989) and Ph.D. (1993) from Cornell University.

Design Detailings: AIA Southwest conference Aug. 7-11

The American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington Chapter is the host for this year's AIA Northwest & Pacific Regional Conference, Aug. 7 through Aug. 11. Two hundred architects from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Hong Kong are expected to attend.

"The A02 Urban Adventure: Remaking a City" conference includes tours of major new architectural projects in Tacoma and the retrofitting of the Capitol Building in Olympia. Projects will be discussed on site with at least one of the lead architects from the design team.

John Ruble of Moore Ruble Yudell will speak on the design process of the University of Washington Tacoma Campus; Arthur Andersson of Andersson Wise speaks on the Washington State History Museum; and Scott Allen of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen discusses the Tacoma Art Museum. Other speakers include Dale Chihuly; Mahlon Clements; Ilmar Reinvald of Thomas Cook Reed Reinvald and Arthur Erickson. The tour will culminate in a "fireside chat" with all of the speakers mentioned above, moderated by Mark Hinshaw.

Optional tours include the city of Olympia’s Percival Landing, Olympia Farmers Market, Heritage Park and the inside of the State Capitol Building, which is currently undergoing restorative construction; Lakewold Gardens, an estate garden on 10-acres adjacent to Gravelly Lake; and Thornewood Castle, otherwise known as Steven King’s "Rose Red."

There will be a practice and products fair, co-sponsored by AIA Washington Council on Friday at the Sheraton Tacoma Convention Center with national, regional and local suppliers. The products fair is open to other design related professionals.

The cost for the whole conference is $345 for AIA architects, and $395 for non-AIA architects and design professionals. For information about times and places, visit http://www.aiasww.org or call Karin Poppy McCarthy at (253) 627-4006.

Yudelson gives green talk in Oslo

Interface Engineering recently announced its sustainability director, Jerry Yudelson, has been selected to present a talk on "Value Propositions for Green Buildings," at SB02 -- the largest ever international conference on sustainable buildings. The conference will be held Sept. 23-25 in Oslo, and will feature 144 presentations by speakers from around the world. (http://www.sb02.com).

There are only seven U.S. presentations among 144 from around the world, according to Yudelson, who has 20 years experience with renewable energy systems. He is the only speaker selected from the Pacific Northwest to present at the conference.

"What I look at in my paper is how different owners value green buildings differently, depending on how long they plan to own the building, how strong their internal and external sustainability constituencies are, what values they are trying to embody in the building, and what other benefits the green building can bring to the organization or business," said Yudelson. "If you’re an architect trying to persuade an owner to build green, this paper helps you to assess how to make the case."

Yudelson will be making a similar presentation at the First Annual International Green Building Conference and Exhibition in Austin, Texas, in November. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council and will feature about 185 presenters.

Elliott Bay Design wins ferry contract

Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design Group secured a four-year level-of-effort contract with Washington State Ferries. This is the fourth such contract awarded the firm. Recent projects completed under the previous contract include a Fleet-Wide ADA Compliance Survey and the M/V Spokane and M/V Walla Walla generator replacement project.

DBIA design-build forum today

The newly formed chapter of the Northwest Chapter of Design Build Institute of America will hold its first event -- the Design-Build Forum and chapter meeting today, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at the West Coast Grand Hotel, 1414 Fifth Ave., Seattle.

The Design-Build Forum includes a panel discussion: Does Design-Build Work? Each owner on the panel will give an overview of his organization’s experience with design-build, with an eye to the advantages or disadvantages of using design-build as a project delivery system. Panel members include Scott Haskins, resource management branch director, Seattle Public Utilities; Chris Hunt, purchasing agent, city of Boise.

The session will be moderated by Ed Wundram, The Design Build Consulting Group. The luncheon program will include a presentation on "How a Design-Build-Operate Partnership can Create Value for a Building Owner" by Clete Casper, managing director for Seattle/Portland region, CarrAmerica Realty Corp., and Dean Allen, president, McKinstry Co.

For information, call (202) 682-0110. The cost for the event and lunch is $55 for DBIA member and $65 for non-members.

Following the form and chapter meeting, DBIA will be presenting two courses in Seattle on Aug. 1 and 2 at the West Coast Grand: "Successful Design-Build Project Delivery" and "Design-Build Contract and Risk Management." Registration can be made on line at http://www.dbia.org or by calling the number above.

Law firm puts up AEC Web site

ConstructionWebLinks.com, a guide to construction, engineering and architecture resources, has drawn more than one million user sessions, according to the New York-based law firm Thelen Reid & Priest, LLP. The site indexes, profiles and links to more than 5,000 Web sites of interest to construction industry professionals.

Thelen Reid & Priest launched ConstructionWebLinks.com to help professionals in the construction, engineering and architecture communities locate information on the Internet.

'Tenacious' WSU students help Boeing

A new method for measuring the exact thickness of a coat of paint, designed as part of a student senior project at Washington State University, is generating interest at the Boeing Co.

Because specifications are so detailed on plane orders, some components made of composite materials are often just under the required weight limitations. Adding a few extra paint strokes and going over the weight limit means workers have to dismantle the components, remove the paint and redo it. The process takes days of extra work, costing the company time and money. For composite materials used in modern airplanes, there hasn't been an effective method of measuring very thin layers of paint.

"It happens often enough that it has been identified as a problem that needs to be taken care of,'' said Edward Sergoyan, a lead engineer for Boeing.

Working with Bob Olsen, a WSU professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Sergoyan suggested that students do a feasibility study to come up with potential solutions as part of a senior design project. Working on the year-long project, the four-person team of students came up with two potential approaches, said Sergoyan.

In the first method, called the resonance method, the students inject a small microwave signal into a box with an open side. The changes that occur when the open side came into contact with the paint determine the paint thickness. In the second method, called the capacitance method, students put two electrodes on top of the paint and connected a voltage between the two electrodes. An electric current is created, and the students determined that the impedance, or how much current can't get through, depends on the thickness of the paint.

The system they devised would not require taking apart the plane to measure paint thickness. Instead, the system could be used directly on the aircraft after assembly.

"Compared to re-painting and taking the plane apart, this is dirt cheap,'' said Olsen, the students' adviser. "These students were innovative, and they worked well together. They were tenacious."

Boeing is evaluating reports and the test data. The company will then see if it is appropriate to build a prototype tool, which may be a project for next year's senior designers, said Sergoyan.

Design Detailings: AELC's golf tourney Sept. 25 at Echo Falls

The fifth annual Architects & Engineers Legislative Council Golf Fundraiser will be held Friday, Oct. 24, at Echo Falls Country Club. Deadline for registration is Sept. 25.

Eight trade associations and professional societies comprise AELC, including the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington; AIA Washington; American Society of Civil Engineers; Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; Structural Engineers Association of Washington; and Washington Society of Professional Engineers. AELC provides an organization for associations and/or organizations of architects and architectural firms, engineers and engineering firms in Washington to work on legislative objectives and issues for the improvement of business conditions.

The cost is $150 and includes golf, cart, lunch and prizes. Sponsors receive recognition on all tournament material, a sign on the course and a sponsor's gift. Sponsorship levels are: $100 for hole sponsor if foursome also golfing ($150 if not); $250 for long drive sponsor; $500 for closest to the pin sponsor; $500 for beverage cart sponsor; and $1,500 for tournament sponsor. Mail form and entry fee to AELC Golf Tournament, 700 112th Ave. N.E., No. 207, Bellevue, WA 98004. For information call (425) 453-6655.

ADA expert updates signage guidelines

Noted Americans with Disabilities Act expert Ken Ethridge will host a seminar from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31. The event will be held at Henry Art Gallery Auditorium. Participants in the program will gain an understanding of the aims and structure of the ADA. They will also gain specific knowledge of the signage aspects covered by the ADA's Accessibility Guidelines.

Ethridge is vice-president, corporate communications for ASI Sign Systems, Dallas. He represents the Society for Environmental Graphic Design to the ANSI 117A Committee on site and facility accessibility. He was a co-author of the society's ADA white paper. He also represented the society as an advisor on signage to the Federal ADAAG Review Committee. More information about SEGD can be found at www.segd.org. AIA continuing education credits are available for this seminar. Cost for the event is $10 for society members and students, and $15 for non-members.

Design Detailings: A look into the art of a curator

Corrin

Lisa Corrin, SAM's deputy director of art, and Jon and Mary Shirley, curator of modern and contemporary art, will present a free lecture at SAM downtown at 7 p.m. Thursday. They will discuss the innovative thinking of several artists, curators and institutions who have made the museum the subject of their work.

Prior to her arrival at SAM in September 2001, Corrin was chief curator of London's Serpentine Gallery, one of Europe's premier venues for modern and contemporary art. Corrin has curated exhibitions of the work of distinguished figures such as Brice Marden, Bridget Riley and Felix Gonzalez-Torre. Corrin also served as chief curator and educator of The Contemporary Museum in Baltimore, which she developed with its founder George Ciscle in 1989.

Fromherz wins as Young Engineer

Transpo Group transportation engineer Kerensa Swanson Fromherz has been named by the Washington State Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers as this year's Outstanding Young Engineer for her hard work in the field.

Holly Parsons, one of Transpo’s principals, presented the award in her capacity as past president of the ITE Section. Parsons highlighted Fromherz's recent project accomplishments at Transpo, her service to ITE at the local and national levels and her leadership in the Women’s Transportation Seminar.

Fromherz has been an active member of the Women’s Transportation Seminar since 1997, and was awarded the Puget Sound Chapter’s Annual Achievement Award in 1999. She is currently serving her second term as chapter president. Her work as a traffic engineer at The Transpo Group includes traffic impact analysis; intersection control and operations analysis; channelization and traffic signal design; traffic calming; and multimodal and non-motorized system planning, analysis, and design. Kerensa has worked for a variety of both public and private clients.

Design Detailings: Harris on ENR's Top 25 list

Seattle-based consulting engineering firm Harris Group Inc. made Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 25 in Fossil Fuel for the first time, based on its 2001 revenues in the industry. With $14.4 million in revenue from its work on natural gas- and coal-fired power plants, Harris Group ranked 22nd in the U.S. according to ENR's The Top 500 Design Firm Sourcebook 2002.

Harris Group's Denver-based energy business unit provides engineering and design for new and existing power plants. Its financial consulting group provides due diligence and independent engineering for new and operating power plants around the world. Harris Group maintained its fifth ranking among design firms serving pulp and paper mills according to ENR. With $19.3 million in revenue from its forest industries customers, Harris Group was the only pure design firm -- no construction services -- listed in the top 10.

Harris Group was also ranked 23rd in industrial process and manufacturing, and fifth in pulp and paper mills by ENR. Company revenues in 2001 were $51.9 million.

Harris Group Inc. provides engineering and design to five market sectors: energy, ethanol and biomass, forest industries, industrial manufacturing and microelectronics.

Join in AIA's national conversation

The American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington Chapter is hosting a series of informal lunch discussions for architects. They are held on the second Friday of every month, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the meeting room of Johnny's Dock Restaurant, 1900 E. D St., Tacoma.

The next discussion will be Friday, and will include viewing and discussing two video presentations. The first is a half-hour video Jim Merritt brought back from the AIA National Convention, "AIA: A National Conversation." It covers contemporary issues and changes faced by the architectural profession that were identified in the latest national AIA firm survey.

There will also be a five-minute video introducing events of the 2002 AIA Northwest & Pacific Regional Conference, "A02 Urban Adventure: Remaking a City," which the AIA/SWW Chapter is hosting Aug. 7-11 in Tacoma. The conference offers numerous educational and social events, with architects from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Hong Kong in attendance. For more information visit the Web site at aiasww.org.

Non-AIA members are encouraged to attend. For information contact Karin Poppy McCarthy at the AIA/SWW chapter office: (253) 627-4006, karin@aiasww.org.

King County seeks artists

The King County Public Art Program has released three calls for artists. Full application information is available on this Web site link www.metrokc.gov/exec/culture/callsforartists.

General Portable Works: deadline July 15. Open to artists living in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Existing artworks will be purchased for the King County Collection. Total purchase budget is $50,000.

King County International Airport Portable Works: deadline Sept. 5. Open to artists residing in Washington state. Existing artworks will be purchased for the King County International Airport. Total purchase budget is $34,000.

Poetry on Buses 2002: Sept. 30. Open to residents from King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Enter poems to be considered for publishing on the interiors of King County Metro Buses. Selected poets' fee: $125.

Design Detailings: Miller/Hull displays new library design

Miller/Hull's North East Library is on display July 10.

The public is invited to see the design for the 8,000-square-foot expansion of the North East Library from 4 to 7 p.m. July 10, at the North East Library, 6801 35th Ave. N.E. Architects from The Miller/Hull Partnership will be present to explain the design and answer questions.

The $4.6 million project will feature an updated collection of books and materials, more seating, new computer work stations and instructional areas, a meeting room, better lighting, upgraded technology services and equipment, new carpeting, better seismic safety, more parking and energy-efficient windows. The library, which opened in 1954, will expand to 15,000 square feet.

Elliott Bay's Complita receives license

Elliott Bay Design Group announced staff naval architect Michael J. Complita passed his professional engineer's examination and will receive his engineer's license in naval architecture and marine engineering from the state. Projects which Complita has been involved with include design and construction supervision of the 63-foot passenger/vehicle ferry, Daniel Matheny V, for the Oregon Department of Transportation, design of three cable ferries for the state of Montana, and various design support projects for Coastwise Engineering.

Parametrix makes Washington CEO list

Sumner-based Parametrix was listed as one of the Top 100 Best Companies to Work For in the June edition of Washington CEO Magazine. The list includes 100 top-ranked companies in Washington State who are leading the way in the areas of leadership, communication, hiring, training, rewards and recognition, responsibilities, standards, benefits and work environment. Parametrix scored in the top 5 percent in the medium-sized company category.

The themes apparent across each of the winning companies were trust, a sense of family, participative culture, open honest communication, mutual respect between management and employees, and commitment to workers.

Founded in 1969, Parametrix is a 100 percent employee-owned engineering, environmental sciences, and architectural company. The firm’s 390 employees are located in eight offices in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Harris on ENR's Top 25 list

Seattle-based consulting engineering firm Harris Group Inc. made Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 25 in Fossil Fuel for the first time, based on its 2001 revenues in the industry. With $14.4 million in revenue from its work on natural gas- and coal-fired power plants, Harris Group ranked 22nd in the U.S. according to ENR's The Top 500 Design Firm Sourcebook 2002.

Harris Group's Denver-based energy business unit provides engineering and design for new and existing power plants. Its financial consulting group provides due diligence and independent engineering for new and operating power plants around the world. Harris Group maintained its fifth ranking among design firms serving pulp and paper mills according to ENR. With $19.3 million in revenue from its forest industries customers, Harris Group was the only pure design firm -- no construction services -- listed in the top 10.

Harris Group was also ranked 23rd in industrial process and manufacturing, and fifth in pulp and paper mills by ENR. Company revenues in 2001 were $51.9 million.

Harris Group Inc. provides engineering and design to five market sectors: energy, ethanol and biomass, forest industries, industrial manufacturing and microelectronics.

Design Detailings: Landmarks board seeks A/E members

The city of Seattle is looking for applicants to serve on the Landmarks Preservation Board in the following positions: architect, historian, real estate, structural engineer and at-large.

The 11-member Landmarks Preservation Board makes recommendations to the City Council for landmark designation and reviews all proposed physical alterations to designated features of landmark properties.

The board is composed of two architects, two historians, one structural engineer, one representative each from the fields of real estate and finance, one member from the City Planning Commission, and three members at-large. All appointments are made by the mayor, subject to city council confirmation.

Board meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 3:30 p.m. The architect members also serve on the Board’s Architectural Review Committee. Board members generally must commit approximately 10 hours per month to board business.

Interested applicants must be Seattle residents. Board members serve without compensation. Those interested in being considered should send a letter of interest and resume by July 8 to Alex Field, Mayor's Office, 600 Fourth Ave., Seattle 98104-1873.

Engineers institute honors Ahmed

Mujib Ahmed, managing principal of Parametrix, received the 2002 Outstanding Service Award from the Washington state section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

Ahmed has been a member of ITE since 1981 and served on various committees and in section officer positions including president in 1989/90. During his tenure, the ITE section grew as new members joined and popular technical programs were introduced.

Ahmed is responsible for Parametrix operations in Boise and business development in the Pacific Northwest.

How to win state GA contracts

Find out what it takes to win contracts with the Division of Engineering and Architectural Services of the Washington State Department of General Administration. The July program and luncheon meeting of Marketing Associates of Spokane will include a presentation by John Lynch, assistant director for E&A Services.

The meeting will take place on Thursday, July 11, at noon at the Kress Gallery on the third level of River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave., Spokane. The cost is $15 for MAS members and $25 for non-members. Reservation deadline is July 8. For membership information or to make a reservation, contact MAS President Richard Myracle at (509) 459-9220 or see the MAS Web site at http://www.maspokane.org.

Delridge Library opens Saturday

Stickney Murphy Romine Architects' new $3 million Delridge Library, at 5423 Delridge Way S.W., opens its doors at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 29.

The 5,600-square-foot library anchors the first floor of a three-story building. Walsh Construction Co. was the contractor. This mixed-use project was developed in conjunction with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. Nineteen apartments are located above the library.

The library features a collection of 20,000 books and materials, reading and study areas, modern technology services and equipment, special areas for children and young adults, a meeting room and computer work stations.

CPL seeks bookshelf designers

Coughlin Porter Lundeen invites architects and designers to rise to a creative challenge -- designing bookshelves -- to help this year’s Page Ahead book drive. Page Ahead is a statewide children’s literacy non-profit based in Seattle. Founded as Books for Kids in 1990, Page Ahead helps at-risk children reach their full potential by providing them with the inspiration to read. To achieve this, Page Ahead provides new books to at-risk children to choose; encourages parents, caregivers, and community volunteers to read with children; helps schools & social service agencies to run successful literacy programs; and holds reading motivation events to inspire children's love of reading. Since 1990, Page Ahead has placed 725,000 new books into the hands of 265,000 at risk children in Washington State who would otherwise have no books at home.

The project is to create a series of unique bookshelves to display books from book drives and raise funds through their sale to support Page Ahead. The bookshelves will be placed in selected Starbucks stores, then auctioned to buy more books. Bookcases will be featured on Amazon.com Auctions.

The bookshelves should be durable and contain no toxic materials. There is no restriction on theme although designers are encouraged to think of ideas that might inspire children to explore, discover and read. There is no cost associated with entry other than time and materials to complete the design. Final designs must be ready for transportation Aug. 28. On Sept. 1-30, the bookcases on display in major Starbucks stores in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. For information, contact Jill Jago at Coughlin Porter Lundeen, (206) 343-0460.