Design Detailings: Pike Place Market seeks applicants

Two positions are open on the Pike Place Market Historical Commission: one property owner position and one merchant position.

The 12-member Pike Place Market Historical Commission is responsible for the review and approval of all use and design changes within the 10-acre Pike Place Market Historical District.

The commission is composed of two market merchants, two market property owners, two market residents and two members each representing Friends of the Market, Allied Arts and the Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Members serve a three-year term.

Interested applicants for the property owner position must own a property within the Pike Place Market Historical District, and the merchant position must own a business within the district.

Send a letter of interest and resume by Oct. 23 to Mayor Greg Nickels c/o: Heather McAuliffe, coordinator, Pike Place Market Historical Commission, city of Seattle, Department of Neighborhoods, 700 Third Ave., Fourth Floor, Seattle, WA 98104.

Free tour of Tacoma downtown housing

What's it like to live in downtown Tacoma? Find out Saturday and Sunday, when 15 of downtown Tacoma's most popular new and renovated condos, town homes and apartments open their doors.

Tour downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and get a feel for the downtown Tacoma lifestyle. The downtown properties will serve food and offer entertainment. The tour is free and the public is encouraged to park at the Tacoma Dome Station and ride the Tacoma Link light rail into downtown. The homes include The Bostwick, 755 St. Helens Ave.; Cliff Street Lofts, 1120 Cliff Ave.; Harmon Lofts, 1944 Pacific Ave.; Hawthorn Hill, 3222 E. D St; and The Metropolitan, 233 St. Helens Ave.

"The more people we have living downtown the more Tacoma will continue its transformation into a vibrant, 24-hour city," said Juli Wilkerson, director of the Tacoma Economic Development Department. "Increased population will also support existing businesses and make us attractive to new retail and office firms considering locating in Tacoma."

Maps of the self-guided tour, including a list of participating properties and merchants, are available online at www.TacomaBIA.org/Housing.asp or www.CityofTacoma.org.

Does architecture affect the brain?

On Monday and Tuesday, the Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects sponsors a discussion on research into the links between architecture and neuroscience. Learn about current research into how the built environment affects functions of the human brain, including stress and the immune system.

From 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Washington State History Museum, John Eberhard, president of the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture, will present the film "Beyond Intuition," and provide an introduction to the field of architecture and neuroscience.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, a symposium at CI Shenanigans in Tacoma will explore architecture, design and neuroscience, as well as stress and the immune system. Joining John Eberhard in presenting the symposium will be Dr. Giovanni Cizza, senior clinician at the National Institute of Mental Health.

The cost for the Monday event is $30 for AIA members, $40 for the general public. The cost for the Tuesday symposium is $90 for AIA members and $100 for the public, with discounts available for those registering for both events. Registration information is available online at www.aiasww.org/docs/Events.asp, or by phoning (253) 627-4006.

NYC AIA chapter unveils new quarters

Photo by David Sundberg/Esto AIA New York's new 12,000-square-foot Center for Architecture has a common room, resource center and 18-foot-tall presentation hall.

The American Institute of Architects New York Chapter on Tuesday unveiled the Center for Architecture, an institution devoted to the role of architecture in urban life.

Designed by the firm Andrew Berman Architect and located in New York City in a former industrial space at 536 LaGuardia Place, the center has a 64-foot-wide glass façade looking into three floors of galleries -- establishing a relationship between the activity within and the life of the street. The 12,000-square-foot facility was renovated at a cost of $2.5 million and features galleries, a lecture hall, public resource center, library, meeting rooms and offices for the chapter and its affiliate, the New York Foundation for Architecture.

Tuesday's opening kicks off Architecture Week: six days of activities, including talks on contemporary architecture and free guided tours of new and historic buildings in the five boroughs.

"We hope this facility will serve as a catalyst to further the spirit of mutual support and respect, so that architects, planners, building industry professionals and the public can come together and learn from each other," said George Miller, president of the chapter. For more information, call (212) 683-0023 or e-mail info@aiany.org. The chapter's Web site is www.aiany.org.

Design Detailings: City seeks urban planner

The city of Seattle is looking for an urban planner with transportation planning expertise to serve on the Seattle Design Commission, beginning in late fall. Design Commission members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council to serve renewable, two-year terms.

"I urge urban planners with a passion for keeping Seattle a great city to consider this important work," said Mayor Greg Nickels.

The Design Commission was established in 1968 to consult and advise city officials on the design and environmental aspects of capital improvements. The commission reviews projects at each design phase. Members also sit on the consultant selection panels convened by various departments for city projects. The commission consists of nine members: two registered architects, one artist and one member-at-large; and at least one of each of the following positions: urban planner, licensed engineer, landscape architect and urban or environmental designer.

Send a letter of interest and resume by Oct. 24 to Mayor Greg Nickels c/o: Layne Cubell, coordinator, Seattle Design Commission, City of Seattle, 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 2000, Seattle 98104-5070. For more information, contact Cubell at (206) 233-7911 or via e-mail at layne.cubell@seattle.gov.

Chico's taps Callison for retail concept

Chico’s FAS, Inc. has selected Seattle's Callison Architecture to develop the retail environment for its new intimate apparel and active wear concept. In addition, Callison will be working with Chico’s to refresh its existing store concept. Launch of the new concept is scheduled for 2004.

Callison provides planning and design services to retail, hospitality, residential, health care and corporate clients worldwide, and was ranked as the top retail design firm by World Architecture in January.

Oct. 2 lecture on rebuilding communities

Town Hall and CityClub present "Seattle 360: Better Together," an evening with authors Robert Putnam and Lewis Feldstein, at 7 p.m. Thursday at Town Hall. Putnam, a Harvard professor and author of "Bowling Alone," will discuss success restoring the American community. He co-authored, with Louis Feldstein, "Better Together," which studies how citizens rebuild communities by working together, bridging social divides and making space for new leadership.

Tickets are $5 in advance at Elliott Bay Book Co. Town Hall is at 1119 Eighth Ave. Call (206) 682-7395 or go to http://www.seattlecityclub.org.

O'Connor, Kriegh form Bainbridge firm

O'Connor

Kriegh

Architect Peter O'Connor, principal and owner of O'Connor Associates, and Julie Kriegh, owner of Loci Architects, have merged their Bainbridge Island-based practices to form O'Connor Kriegh Architects.

O’Connor has practiced architecture for 35 years, the past 23 years on Bainbridge. He has managed projects ranging from commercial, educational, religious, civic and municipal facilities to high-end single-family and multi-family residences.

Kriegh, who has practiced architecture for 23 years, worked for NBBJ, Miller/Hull Partnership and Weinstein Copeland Architects before founding her own firm three years ago. Her experience includes commercial, religious and medical projects, as well as single and multi-family residential construction. Kriegh currently serves on the Bainbridge Planning Commission.

Current projects include the Mammoth Hospital Orthopedic and Physical Therapy Building in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.; The Winery, a 42-unit housing project on Bainbridge; the University of Washington Bothell Donor Wall; and several new residences in the area.

Pyatok joins housing consortium

Pyatok Architects has joined the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County as an associate member. The addition brings the nonprofit trade association’s membership to 29 nonprofit members and 34 associate members. All share an interest in affordable housing.

HDC's nonprofit members have developed nearly 15,000 units of affordable housing, primarily in the Seattle-King County area. Associate members include architects, contractors, financial institutions, law firms, consultants and government agencies.

"Most of our clients belong to HDC," said Tom Eanes, principal at Pyatok Architects' Seattle office. "Our firm focuses on affordable and market-rate multi-family housing, community planning, student housing and mixed-use development within inner cities and suburbs. We specialize in providing architectural services to nonprofit housing development organizations and nonprofit social service providers in Washington, California and other western states."

Pyatok Architects has offices in Seattle and Oakland, with a staff of 25 architects. The firm's most recent projects include the Refugee Women's Alliance Center in south Seattle and the Eliza B. McCabe Townhomes in Tacoma.

Oct. 9 meeting on the art of etiquette

The Oct. 9 program and luncheon meeting of Marketing Associates of Spokane will be presented by etiquette consultant Merrily Bjerkestrand. She will speak about the skills needed to make a positive impression on clients and others. Bjerkestrand will present a refresher course in business etiquette and dining skills to help increase confidence and authority.

The meeting will be held at noon at the Red Lion River Inn, 700 N. Division St. Cost is $15 for MAS members and $25 for non-members. Reservation deadline is Oct. 6. For membership information or to make a reservation, contact MAS vice president Greg Sofio at (509) 534-0451 or visit the MAS Web site at http://www.maspokane.org.

Design Detailings: Port hosts master plan talk

The Port of Olympia on Thursday will host a discussion about developing a master plan for its East Bay property in Olympia. Bounded by State Avenue and Marine Drive, the property is zoned urban waterfront, a designation that allows mixed commercial/retail, residential, limited light industrial, open space and park in a waterfront environment. The area is centrally located, connecting the Port’s mixed-use Swantown and Market District properties, Olympia’s urban downtown, and the residential neighborhoods of East Bay and Bigelow.

The core of the planning process involves four public workshops scheduled for Sept. 25, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, and Jan. 29. All workshops will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Multipurpose Room A of the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St. NW, Olympia.

The first workshop will focus on history of the site, community values and possible land uses for this property. Information will also be presented concerning zoning and environmental considerations to be taken into account during the process.

The port selected NBBJ and Civic Partners to help with the discussion process. For information about the workshops or planning process, contact the port at (360) 528-8000, email inquiries@portolympia.com or go to the Port’s Web site at www.portolympia.com.

SMPS hosts kick-off party

The Society for Marketing Professional Services, Seattle Chapter’s kick-off party will be 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. The event, which will feature Karen Johnston of Johnston Training Group, will be held at the Woodmark Hotel, 1200 Carillon Point in Kirkland.

The seminar will be "How to Really Win an Interview." A cocktail reception will follow from 5 to 8 p.m. Johnston is a member of the Seattle Chapter and author of "Relationship Selling: Building Trust to Sell Your Services."

The cost is $30 for SMPS members, $35 for member firms and $40 for non-members. To register, contact Grace Vigil at Parametrix, (425) 822-8880 or visit www.smpsseattle.org.

Predicting A/E's future

ACEC Washington hosts a Business Practice Breakfast 7 to 9 a.m. Oct. 1, titled "How to Predict and Impact the Future of Your Firm." Management consultant Ed Edelsteino will speak at the event, at University Plaza Hotel, 400 N.E. 45th St.

Edelstein works extensively with engineers, architects, attorneys and construction companies and is a contributor to ACEC and its member firms. He has taught leadership and personal development and strategic business planning in ACEC Washington’s Core Competencies for Principals Program since its inception. Register online at www.cecw.org.

Design Detailings: UW program on firm leadership

The University of Washington is offering a certificate program in design firm leadership and management, beginning this fall. The program is structured as a three-quarter sequence of three-credit courses: Design Firm Management, Leadership, and Strategy and Marketing. The program addresses the multi-disciplinary nature of design, and will include courses taught by Mithun's Anne Haerle.

The program is designed to give participants tools to move into leadership positions in large and mid-size design firms, or to better manage their own practices. Students are encouraged to learn and inspire each other through a hands-on format. Guest speakers will include Virginia Anderson of Seattle Center; Karl Bischoff of Phinney Bischoff Design House; Lee Copeland, Mithun; Craig Curtis, Miller/Hull; and Jon Magnusson, Magnusson Klemencic Associates.

The program is for design professionals with at least four years experience in architecture, construction, engineering, interiors, graphics or landscape architecture who seek to move into firm leadership and management. For more information, call (206) 685-8936 or e-mail tdvorak@ese.washington.edu.

WSU profs look at Islamic architecture

Bashir Kazimee and Ayad Rahmani, professors in the Washington State University School of Architecture and Construction Management, recently released a book on Islamic architecture, "Place, Meaning, and Form in the Architecture and Urban Structure of Eastern Islamic Cities.''

Kazimee, a native of Afghanistan, and Rahmani, originally from Iraq, examine how places play a key role in "elevating consciousness" and helping Muslims align spiritual values, according to the authors.

In many Islamic cultures, the orientation of buildings and architectural features means more than simply a shelter or a workplace, they said. The book examines specific places and features, such as the walls, paths and houses traditionally seen in Middle Eastern architecture, and how they represent important aspects of spirituality for Muslims. The professors did research for the book in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The book is published by Edwin Mellen Press.

Prakash speaks on teaching design

Vikram Prakash, chair of the University of Washington Department of Architecture, will present "The Future of Design Education in Washington and the World" today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. He will be joined by Greg Kessler, director of Washington State University School of Architecture & Construction Management.

The lecture will be held at the UW Bothell campus. For more information, contact AIA Seattle, (206) 448-4938, or aia@aiaseattle.org.

AUE celebrates six-month mark

Armour Unsderfer Engineering LLC, a structural engineering firm, is celebrating six months in business. The firm has worked on the structural design of mechanical unit supports, financial facilities, community centers and aquarium exhibits.

The firm was started by William Armour and Brian Unsderfer, who each have 15 years of structural experience each. The firm is at 13456 S.E. 27th Place., Suite 200, Bellevue 98005. The phone is (425) 614-0949.

Magnusson to speak at AIA event Sept. 24

Jon Magnusson, CEO of Magnusson Klemencic Associates, will speak Sept. 24 as part of AIA Seattle's Honors Series. The event will be held at noon at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.

Following Sept. 11, Magnusson shared insights into the engineering behind the World Trade Center. In May, the AIA named Magnusson as one of eight Honorary AIA members. For more information, call (206) 448-4938 or go to www.aia@aiaseattle.org.

New digs for Swimmer Photography

Lara Swimmer Photography, architectural photography firm, has relocated from 200 W. Highland Dr., No 301, Seattle 98119, to 3606 35th Ave. S.W., Seattle 98126. The contact numbers remain the same: telephone (206) 284-5213; fax (206) 284-2085; and e-mail is lara@swimmerphoto.com. The Web address is http://www.swimmerphoto.com.

Kersels: re-enacting his story at SAAM

Martin Kersels, a Los Angeles-based sculptor, will perform an episode from his artistic history at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Kersels works in performance art, photography, music, installation and video. He uses humor and explores themes of gravity and the human form. He has created a series of photographs that capture his body in midair as he trips on city sidewalks or shows his friends in midair as he tosses them skyward. One of Kersels’ installation pieces, created in 1995, consists of his disembodied voice booming out of a speaker submerged in water titled "Attempt to Raise the Temperature of a Container of Water by Yelling at It."

Hickory Chair unveils new line

Hickory Chair, a furniture manufacturer with nearly 100 years of history creating and reproducing classic American designs, will introduce a chair line to the Northwest design community Thursday and Friday. The 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will be in Atrium Suite 228 at Seattle Design Center, 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

The line includes more than 14 collections in a variety of styles.

"Designers and homeowners will appreciate how well this line blends with Northwest interiors, in terms of design details, styles and flexibility," said Lorry Greenberg, owner of L. Greenberg & Associates.

Design Detailings: ASCE hosts monorail discussion

The American Society of Civil Engineers Seattle Section sponsors a discussion on the monorail expansion project Wednesday, Sept. 17. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Ballard Yankee Grill, 5300 24th Ave. N.W.

The presenter will be Ven Knox, director of citywide public outreach. He will offer a monorail overview and update. For reservations, call (206) 926-0482 or e-mail house@seattleasce.org.

Portico to design Las Vegas museum

Seattle's Portico Group has been selected by the Las Vegas Springs Preserve and the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs to provide architecture, landscape architecture and exhibit design for the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas. Working in collaboration with Paul Steelman Design Group in Las Vegas, the project team also includes BRC Imagination Arts.

The Portico Group created the 2000 Master Plan for Las Vegas Springs Preserve, which is an ecologically sensitive site surrounding the historic spring that fostered the initial settlement of the Las Vegas area. Other facilities at the preserve include the Desert Living Center, the Mojave Desert Visitor Center and display and demonstration gardens.

The Nevada State Museum collects, preserves and interprets historical artifacts relevant to southern Nevada and the Mojave Desert. Its new building at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will be approximately 70,000 square feet, including 20,000 square feet of interpretive exhibits.

The Portico Group is beginning its 20th year of business in Seattle. Other ongoing projects include the new building and exhibits for the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, exhibits at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park and a Master Plan for the New York Aquarium.

Design Detailings: AIA seeks nominations for 2003 Honor Awards

The Seattle AIA is calling on design professionals in Washington to submit nominations to the 2003 Honor Awards. The awards will be titled "Idea Realized," a consideration of design as it originates and manifests. Categories include residential, commercial, adaptive re-use, industrial/institutional, historic preservation, urban planning, interior and miscellaneous.

The jury will include Shigeru Ban, Enrique Norten and Brigitte Shim, with moderator Matthew Stadler of Nest Magazine. The entry application/fee deadline is Sept. 18, and the submission deadline is Oct. 16. Entrants should submit materials for jury review and public communication in digital format (8-12 images, including text elements, in jpeg format. The Honor Awards will be held Nov. 10 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. For more information, go to http://www.aiaseattle.

New Arcade issue: Portland architecture

On Thursday, Arcade will release its autumn issue, entitled "Portland: The Architecture of Connection," edited by Randy Gragg, independent curator and journalist for The Oregonian. The event will be held at the new offices of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen.

The open house will take place from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. at 159 S. Jackson St., Sixth Floor. For additional information, call (206) 971-5596.

Jones & Jones hosts first Field School here

Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects, Ltd., recently wrapped up its first summer Field School in Seattle with design students from the University of Oregon School of Architecture, Allied Arts and the University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning.

The purpose of the field school was to share the firm’s approach to design practice -- a hands-on process of working as activists with communities to make their places healthy through landscape intervention. The four-week studio was taught by Grant Jones, Nathaniel Cormier and Mark Johnson of Jones & Jones.

The focus of the Field School was to join the Duwamish River communities of Georgetown and South Park. "We wanted to elevate landscape leadership to the level of civic duty," said Grant Jones. The students explored how green infrastructure could help neighborhoods realize their relationship to the river and how a shared experience of the river could strengthen ties between them.

The studio was broken into three parts. Part 1: Spirit of Place; Part 2: Place, Health, and Connections; and Part 3: Get Down To It!

Professors from both universities, as well as practicing architects and landscape architects, provided critiques of each phase of the studio. The students were introduced to citizen activists, government officials and business owners in Georgetown and South Park to get to know the neighborhoods intimately.

R.W. Beck wins for Idylwood Creek

The American Society of Civil Engineers recently honored management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck with the 2002 Outstanding Water Resource Project Award for the Idylwood Creek restoration project in Redmond.

The Idylwood Creek watershed drains a neighborhood developed with few detention facilities to control the increased runoff from streets and homes. High flows in the creek and a steep channel gradient had created a wide, incised channel with degraded aquatic habitat and high vertical banks. The high banks were threatening property and structures, and creating a safety hazard for people who used nearby Idylwood Beach Park for recreation.

The restoration diverts high flows around a backyard ravine into a 4,150-foot-long, 36-inch bypass pipeline. The project also included major modifications to the creek in the park to change hydraulics, improve safety and rehabilitate aquatic habitat. The corridor for the creek was further protected by a wooden fence and re-vegetated with 9,000 native plants.

'Creative class' author speaks here Thursday

Richard Florida, professor of economic development at Carnegie Mellon, and best-selling author of "The Rise of the Creative Class, And How It's Transforming Work, Leisure, Community and Everyday Life," will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The event will be held at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave.

Florida contends cities that attract, embrace and encourage creative people and diverse ethnic communities, are also the centers of economic prosperity. Areas rich with artisans, street musicians, integrated diversity and a lively cultural scene are the ones that flourish, he said.

"The Rise of the Creative Class" offers a look at how companies, communities and people can survive and prosper. Florida is the winner of the 2003 Political Book Award by the Washington Monthly, and head of the Software Industry Center.

Cost is $5. For information, call (206) 684-7372 or go to http://www.seattle.gov/arts.

Mithun's William Kreager inducted as AIA Fellow

Mithun recently announced the induction of William Kreager into the American Institute of Architect’s College of Fellows in a ceremony at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Calif. The event was a highlight of the 2003 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Diego.

Fellowship is an honor awarded to AIA members who have made substantial contributions to the architecture profession.

Kreager earned the distinction of Fellow through more than 20 years of leadership in the AIA and other professional organizations such as the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Home Builders.

Design Detailings: Entiat building named for engineer Larry Wade

Friends and co-workers of Larry Wade gathered recently to dedicate a building in his name in Entiat.

The city of Entiat recently honored civil engineer Larry Wade by dedicating the new public library and City Council chamber facilities as the Wade Building.

Wade was serving a 25-year tenure as city engineer when a plane carrying University of Washington alumni crashed over Mexico on Sept. 12, 2001, killing all passengers on board, including Wade and his wife, Judy.

Wade was also president of the Seattle-based engineering firm Hammond Collier Wade Livingstone. Entiat Mayor Wendell Black hosted the day of recognition.

Wade's expertise was instrumental in many modernization and beautification projects within the city, Black said. He added that Wade was passionate about improving community resources and infrastructure.

True North Surveying opens in Pioneer Square

True North Land Surveying is a new, certified DBE/WBE land surveying firm located in Pioneer Square, at 157 Yesler Way, Suite 301. The principals are Eileen Forrester and Tim Ingraham, who have more than 40 years of combined experience.

The firm provides services for government agencies, businesses and individuals, and looks for teaming opportunities with A/E firms and other surveying firms. Services include boundary and property surveys, ALTA/ACSM land title surveys, plats, preparation of legal descriptions, and construction, hydrographic, design, utility and roadway surveys.

The phone is (206) 332-0800, and fax is (206) 332.0802. Forrester's e-mail address is eileen_truenorth@qwest.net.

AIA to collaborate with facilities group

The American Institute of Architects' Facility Management Professional Interest Area recently announced a collaboration agreement with the International Facility Management Association.

The collaboration will allow attendees of IFMA's annual conference, World Workplace 2003, to have continuing education credits for all sessions offered at the conference, as well as open the door to a greater understanding between building owners, facility managers and the architects they hire. World Workplace 2003 will be held at the Dallas Convention Center, Oct. 19-20. This year's theme is "Pure FM, The Business of Sustainability."

Members of the AIA will be able to join IFMA members at all events, and will be eligible to receive AIA continuing education credits for all of the educational sessions offered at the conference. The AIA has created one track of educational sessions to be incorporated into the World Workplace program. The focus for the AIA-provided sessions is design and collaboration. Sessions with topics such as, "Calculating the ROI of Sustainable Design" and "What Owners Want From Architects" will be presented by architects as well as facility managers.

Zervas designs senior housing for Stanwood

Ground was broken recently for the Lincoln School Senior Apartments, located at the Stanwood Senior Center in Stanwood. Zervas Group Architects of Bellingham designed the affordable housing for seniors in affiliation with Designs Northwest Architects of Stanwood. The new building was designed to complement the architecture of the adjacent 1920s-era Lincoln School which has been converted to house the senior center’s activities as well as affordable housing.

The project is being constructed by Synergy Construction of Woodinville, and is expected to be completed in May of 2004. It is funded by grants from the HUD 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, and Snohomish County.

Zervas Group is a 12-person firm founded in Bellingham 42 years ago, specializing in public, commercial, multi-family and custom residential projects.

Art Anderson designs Kitsap ferry prototype

Naval architecture and engineering firm Art Anderson Associates has been selected to develop the prototype for the Kitsap Transit Passenger ferry fleet. The vessels will carry 149 passengers, establish a new standard for low wake and fuel economy, and achieve high-speed transit and short headways.

Competition for the state-of-the-art vessel and docking system attracted firms from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The Art Anderson Associates’ team drew on recent research in advanced composite dock systems; advanced hull form research including foil-assisted catamarans; and more than a decade of low-wash vessel design. Additional strength came from previous employees who are specialists in key aspects of passenger ferry systems.

Art Anderson Associates has local offices in Bremerton and Seattle, and four other office locations in the United States.

Design Detailings: Parametrix begins

$103M EPA work

Parametrix recently began work under a 10-year, $103 million architect/engineer services contract with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Under the agreement, Parametrix will provide EPA with professional architect/engineer, technical and management services to support remedial response and enforcement oversight at Superfund sites in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska.

For EPA, the AES contract plays a major role in the effective streamlining and acceleration of Superfund site cleanups and early action to reduce immediate risk to human health and the environment. This will be accomplished through integration of remedial and removal activities, with a focus on removing redundancies in the site assessment process and creating a one-step site screening and risk assessment process. Parametrix is the first company nationally to be awarded a remedial action contract under EPA’s streamlined approach.

The contract is the biggest in the firm’s history and will serve as a foundation for Parametrix to continue to increase their involvement with environmental restoration and remediation projects with the federal government.

Survey: A/E profits are bouncing back

After hitting a low in 2001, architecture, engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms' profits are on the rise again in the first half of this year.

ZweigWhite's 2003 Financial Performance Survey of A/E/P & Environmental Consulting Firms reported that the overall median net pre-tax, pre-bonus profit on net service revenue is 9.5 percent, up from 8.8 percent in the previous year.

"This was unexpected, given the still-uncertain economic conditions," said Ian Rusk, CFO at ZweigWhite and a financial consultant to the A/E/C industry. "A closer look at the data shows that the weak economy is still having an impact, as evidenced by downward pressure on the net multiplier." The net multiplier (net service revenue divided by direct labor cost) dropped from 2.92 to 2.87 over the past year.

Rusk said even with virtually stable labor utilization rates, firms still managed to increase profit margins by controlling overhead. The median overhead rate (total overhead expenses divided by direct labor cost) fell from 160 percent to 159 percent.

The survey is available from ZweigWhite for $345, plus $4 shipping and handling. Contact ZweigWhite, P.O. Box 8325, One Apple Hill Drive, Natick, MA 01760; call (508) 651-1559; or e-mail info@zweigwhite.com. The Web link is zweigwhite.com/store/svfnp03.

Joseph Greif wins Home of Year Award

Seattle's Joseph Greif Architects recently received a Home of the Year Award for the Jensen residence on Mercer Island. The award is from Seattle Homes and Lifestyles magazine.

The two-story, 4,000-square-foot house features locally quarried stone, which anchors the house to its 1-acre site and provides a framework for the stucco and timber elements. Sculpted wood columns and undulating glass walls help make the connection to nature.The contractor was Steve Williams Custom Homes; interior design was by Kate Dougherty; and the landscape architect was Greenline Services.

Saturday tour: Working Waterfront

Photo by Sam Bennett The Working Places tour on Saturday centers on the Bell Street Pier on Seattle’s waterfront, featuring buildings such as the World Trade Center and the new cruise ship terminal.

Seattle Architectural Foundation hosts "Explore Seattle's Working Waterfront Working Places: Trade and Tourism," from 9 to noon Saturday. The Working Places tour centers on the Bell Street Pier on Seattle's waterfront, featuring buildings such as the World Trade Center and the new cruise ship terminal, and discusses their impact on our area. Cost is $20.

"The City of Destiny Tacoma Renaissance" tour will be held 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. Tacoma is undergoing a face-lift in its historic warehouse district, Union Station and Foss Waterway. New developments include a mix of residential, office, retail, educational, cultural and government facilities. This full-day tour will include looks at the museums in Tacoma's new cultural center, the University of Washington Tacoma Campus, Chihuly's Bridge of Glass, and selected waterfront residences.

Following the tour will be a chance to explore either the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum, or the Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art. Cost is $50. Call (206) 667-9184 to register for either event.

Flexible space for School of Massage

After 14 years in lower Queen Anne, Brenneke School of Massage enlisted full-service architecture firm Weber + Thompson to help consolidate their three disparate facilities into one South Lake Union location.

Running on a tight design and construction schedule to meet Brenneke's new June 1 class quarter, Weber + Thompson's interior design team created an environment that met Brenneke's need for a flexible space that served both massage clients looking to relax and a body of active students.

When planning their new space, Brenneke charged Weber + Thompson with combining the sense of calmness associated with massage with the energy and activity of student life.

"We created a design concept for the school that was flexible enough to accommodate the two distinct groups - students and massage clients," said lead interior designer Donna Shuman, a Senior Associate at Weber + Thompson. "The student spaces, such as the student lounge and study space, have lighter, brighter colors and more active flooring, while the space in the clinic - where clients receive massages from students under the supervision of an instructor - is more serene with deep color accents, sliding wood doors with bronze hardware, and lower lighting levels."

The new Brenneke school is 12,589 square feet and large enough to house their student and clinic facilities as well as the administrative offices. There are four large classrooms, designed to maximize flexibility, with built-in storage space for massage tables. Other areas include a conference room, faculty resource room, faculty lounge and a library.

The project team included S. D. Deacon, general contractor; Merit Mechanical, mechanical engineering; Evergreen Electrical Services Inc, electric engineering; and Valley Flooring, floors.

Seattle-based Weber + Thompson is a full-service, West Coast design firm specializing in architecture, interior design and planning.

Design Detailings: UW's Prakash speaks on Asian design

"Ajanta and Khajuraho: The Symbolic Role of Painting and Sculpture in South Asian Architecture," will be the topic of a lecture Saturday by Vikram Prakash. He is chair and associate professor of the University of Washington Department of Architecture. Prakash will discuss the interdependence of the arts in South Asia. The 3 p.m. event will be held at Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., with a reception to follow.

The event is co-sponsored by People for Progress in India, in conjunction with SAM’s current exhibit, "Painted Visions from India and Pakistan, Past and Present/Intimate Worlds: Masterpieces of Indian Painting from the Alvin O. Bellak Collection." Cost is $7, and includes admission to the museum. For information, call (206) 232-8619.

Berger/ABAM makes ENR list

Berger/ABAM Engineers has been named by Engineering News-Record as one of the nation’s top 500 design firms for civil and structural engineering in the general buildings, transportation and water supply market categories. Berger/ABAM’s parent company, Louis Berger Group, Inc., in East Orange, N.J., ranked 22 of 500.

The 2003 ENR survey report was compiled by ranking design companies throughout the nation according to their revenues for professional services provided in 2002. The firms were individually classified as architect, engineer, engineer-contractor, engineer-architect, architect-engineer, environmental, geotechnical engineer, planner or other. Companies’ percentages of revenue were analyzed by market categories, including general building, manufacturing, power, water supply, sewerage/solid waste, industrial process, petroleum, transportation, hazardous waste and telecommunications.

Industra joins Portland's URS office

The URS Corp., Portland office and former employees of Industra Engineers & Consultants recently announced that they will join forces effective immediately. The former Industra employees have joined the URS team in its downtown offices at First and Southwest Columbia.

Mike Roberts, Industra's managing vice president, said several clients have already awarded new projects to URS as a result of the added resources, including the fast track design of a major new $10 million chemical manufacturing plant in Edmonton, Alberta.

Industra was most recently a wholly owned subsidiary of BE&K Engineering Company of Birmingham, Ala., and had provided engineering services in Portland since 1986. URS Corporation offers a broad range of planning, design, program and construction management services. URS has Northwest offices in Bend, Boise, Spokane, Seattle, Anchorage, and Vancouver, B.C.

Tours: Art Deco to adaptive re-use

Upcoming Historic Seattle tours include Art Deco Seattle Discover Tour, 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday. Cost is $12. In the upbeat period following World War I, architects combined modern structural advances with a lively catalogue of organic designs that expressed the power and rhythm of 20th century America. Visit rich interior lobbies, and see how Seattle architects incorporated distinct Pacific Northwest images into Art Deco skyscrapers, commercial building, and department stores. The tour begins at the Foundation Gallery, 1333 5th Ave.

On Tuesday, tour the Butterworth Building from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Built in the 1920s, the neo-classical gateway to the Pike/Pine corridor originally operated as the Butterworth Manning Ashmore Funeral Home. Waiting rooms and altars are now offices, and a former chapel will soon be converted into a martini bar. Tour guests will learn the difficulties of adaptive re-use projects, including how to handle "otherworldly" former tenants. Meeting place and other details will be sent with registration confirmation. Cost is $10. For both tours, contact Seattle Architectural Foundation at (206) 667-9184.

Design Detailings: Kristen Scott leads Seattle AIA

Scott

Kristen M. Scott, a principal at Weber + Thompson, is gearing up to begin a two-year term as president of the Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Architects in September.

Scott was elected in 2002 for a three-year commitment to the AIA board of directors, during which she will hold the positions of first VP/president-elect, president and past-president.

Scott's first task is developing a business plan. "This plan will broaden our programming to better serve local and regional members and forge stronger connections with the allied design community," said Scott. "Having fewer, bigger events on the calendar will allow those from afar to come to Seattle for a few days, catch up with colleagues and attend the workshops we have planned."

Another item on Scott's agenda for 2004 is preparing for the 2005 Pacific Regional AIA Conference, which will be held in Seattle to honor the 111th birthday of AIA Seattle.

Scott has been a principal at Weber + Thompson since 1996. She has led the master planning team and overseen all master planned community developments. Scott is a graduate of the University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in architecture.

SvR wins award for biking to work

For the second consecutive year, SvR ranked highest on the WRQ Bike to Work Challenge for mid-sized firms. Out of SvR’s 35 employees, 17 participated in the month-long challenge, posting a 49 percent ridership.

SvR participates annually for the former Bike to Work Day that was expanded this year into a month-long event from May 16 to June 15. SvR organized two teams this year -- Some Virtuous Riders and Spinning Velo Righteousness. Each participant was required to make at least eight round trips to work during the challenge. The firm's 18 riders logged 211 trips, 2,340 miles and just three crashes.

Freeman Fong's new office space honored

Freeman Fong’s new offices feature six environments, including conference and task spaces.

Freeman Fong Architecture's new office space at 505 Third Ave. W. recently received a 2003 Excellence in Remodeling Award from the Building Industry Association of Washington. The contractor was Thornberg Construction Co.

The space was selected for the award in the Commercial Under $100,000 category. The studio is located in lower Queen Anne and was a dark, cramped dot-com office before it was remodeled.

The open floor plan uses furniture layout and lighting, rather than internal structure, to create six distinct environments: reception, conference, task, library/layout, living and storage. The conference room features floating doors that are suspended from an I-beam track. The doors utilize transparent, corrugated plastic to create a private space without compromising the size of the office.

A double-decker perforated metal catwalk provides overhead storage for work stations, while plywood shelves tucked behind the conference room support product manuals and employees’ bicycles. Raw and original building materials create a natural minimalist feel in an industrial space. The stained concrete floor complements the natural wood of the workstations and furniture.

Design Detailings: Thursday talk: Skyspace construction

Photo by Laura Swimmer Skyspace visitors can see the sky through an opening in the roof.

Henry Art Gallery director Richard Andrews will lead a discussion Thursday titled "Light and Sky: Building the Henry's Skyspace." Bruce Donnally of Donnally Architects and Richard Manderbach, principal with KrekowJenningsInc, will also speak. The event will be at 7 p.m. in the Henry Art Gallery Auditorium.

This event explores the design, construction and details that went into creating James Turrell's Skyspace. Andrews initiated and directed the project, and Donnally was the architect. Richard Manderbach, project manager, will discuss the process of developing the design to Turrell's specifications, and describe the challenges of the work. Cost is $8.

Spending jumps for A/E marketing

Marketing expenses among architecture, engineering, planning and environmental consulting firms have reached an all-time high of 5.3 percent of net service revenue, an increase of 18 percent over the 4.5 percent reported in 2002.

According to ZweigWhite's 2003 Marketing Survey of A/E/P and Environmental Firms, A/E firms are investing a greater percentage of net service revenue (gross revenue minus subconsultants' fees and reimbursable expenses) than ever -- a notable statistic in light of the economic difficulties many firms have been facing over the past couple of years.

A/E firms' total marketing spending has increased by 36 percent since ZweigWhite started tracking the statistic in 1998. The survey said more than a third of firm leaders are expecting to continue to increase their spending over the next year. For more information, call (508) 651-1559.

Weber + Thompson wins marketing award

Revolutionary Marketing, a bi-monthly newsletter, honored Weber + Thompson at the recent Ideas in Action conference with a 2003 Revolutionary Marketing Award. The award was for a two-level holiday package that Weber + Thompson developed.

Designed by marketing director Courtney Rosenstein, the award-winning piece has two levels. One level, sent to vendors and colleagues, is a card that enhances the Weber + Thompson brand. The second level, sent to clients, is a gift certificate to the Bellevue's SeaStar Restaurant and Raw Bar (designed by Weber + Thompson) enclosed in a special envelope sealed with a custom cast-glass sea-star.

"We wanted our clients to have a fabulous dinner at SeaStar to thank them for working with us," said Rosenstein. "At the same time, we wanted to keep our clients thinking about how they could use Weber + Thompson in other capacities. Educating them about our restaurant design skills accomplished both."

Stormwater Plus opens in Burlington

Stormwater Plus, a Burlington-based civil engineering firm, opened in May. The company provides stormwater related services to civil engineering firms and public agencies statewide, including stormwater reviews, analyses, designs, specifications watershed studies and permitting assistance.

Although primarily a subconsultant to other firms, Stormwater Plus can also provide general civil engineering services for surveyors, architects, developers, water systems and public agencies. Staff can work either out of the Burlington office, or directly at project sites or client offices.

Stormwater Plus is owned by Robert Freers. Freers has Puget Sound area consulting engineering experience since 1990, and became a licensed engineer in 1995. Stormwater Plus can be contacted at (360) 757-0380 or P.O. Box 1055, Mount Vernon, WA 98273; or visited at 130 Sharon Ave.

R.W. Beck adds fuel market services

Management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck, Inc. recently launched a practice area that will focus on providing fuel market consulting services to support the natural gas and power industries.

The practice will integrate power, fuel and gas market expertise. R. W. Beck has hired a 17-year energy industry veteran, Catherine Elder, to lead these activities. She will be based in Sacramento.

Elder has been involved in helping clients understand natural gas market risk and developing gas price forecasts and fuel plans to match that risk with power market economics.

The fuel market practice will offer market outlooks, natural gas market price forecasts, fuel plans, regulatory support, strategy development and due diligence reviews/studies for project financing, divestitures and acquisitions.

Mithun takes bike-to-work honor

Mithun earned a top-tier ranking in Seattle’s first Annual WRQ Bike to Work Month. Thirty-two Mithun staff members participated in what is one of the nation's largest bicycle commuting events. The former WRQ Bike to Work Day has been expanded into a month-long event to raise awareness of bicycle commuting benefits, including increasing physical fitness, reducing stress, saving money and reducing traffic congestion

Mithun earned the top prize for the highest percentage of riders in any workplace or organization with 100 or more people, with 32 of the firm's 132 people participating. At 24 percent participation, Mithun beat second-place-finishers the Washington State Department of Transportation and the National Parks Service by 15 percentage points.

Mithun’s biking team, "Top Heavy," finished second for the most new bike commuters and trips for one team, with 10 riders logging 82 new commuter trips.

"Our offices were designed with bicyclists in mind -- we have a newly expanded bike rack and showers on-site," said Mithun's Sean Cryan. "When your company goes out of its way to make biking to work this easy, there’s no reason not to do it."