Design Detailings: Scott chairs tall buildings council

David Scott, a structural engineer and principal at Arup in New York, has been named to chair the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, an international body and leading authority on planning, design, construction and operation of tall buildings and urban areas. His three-year term begins Feb. 1.

Scott replaces Ron Klemencic, president of Magnusson Klemencic Associates in Seattle.

Scott has led Arup's structural design work on numerous large buildings throughout the world, including Norman Foster's Hongkong Bank in 1981, the international terminal at Hong Kong Airport and the Northeast Asia Tower in Songdo, Korea. He has been involved in projects such as New York City's Freedom Tower with Daniel Libeskind, and projects in London and Korea.

He said buildings such as Taipei 101 "demonstrate a very high level of confidence in the performance of tall buildings. We will continue to work toward a better understanding of the key issues that affect tall building design. By raising awareness of these issues, we will design and build better buildings."

SMPS meeting on Web sites

Learn about improving your firm's Web site at the Jan. 31 Seattle Society for Marketing Professional Services meeting. It will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at Parker, Smith & Feek, 2233 112th Ave. N.E. Bellevue.

The session will answer the question: "If you fix your Web site, will you fix your brand?" Other issues include how the Internet has affected marketing, myths about the Internet and what a Web site can do for your firm.

Steve Ater of Arscentia, a multidisciplinary creative firm specializing in visual communications, will lead the discussion. Cost for members is $45, $55 for non-members. For information, go to http://www.smpsseattle.org.

Sparling wins ACEC award in Ore.

Sparling recently received a Grand Award in the 2006 American Council of Engineering Companies of Oregon Engineering Excellence Awards Competition for its design of emergency generators for the central utility plant at Providence Portland Medical Center.

Thes project was recognized in the Building/Technology Systems category and is the first hospital in Oregon to synchronize electrical generators to the utility power grid.

Sparling teamed with CDi Engineers on electrical design for a central utility plant that serves an 11-story medical tower. A dispatchable standby generation power system uses emergency generators to provide power directly onto the electrical grid to meet the electrical utility's power peaking requirements.

DKA project in Chicago exhibit

DKA was recently selected as one of 13 firms to have a project be part of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry 2006 Black Creativity Program Exhibit.

The Seattle architecture and planning firm's Urban League Village at Colman School was selected from entries submitted by firms throughout the United States.

It will be on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, from through Feb. 28.

DKA entered the Urban League Village at Colman School in the "Place To Learn" category. The mixed-use project includes the Northwest African American Museum. The top two floors will have 36 mixed-income rental units and the main floor will hold the 17,000-square-foot museum.

It will open in summer of 2007 at 2300 S. Massachusetts St. The general contractor is Rafn Co.

Weigh-in on new seismic standards

The Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers will seek public comment from Feb. 3 to March 21 on the new professional standard seismic rehabilitation for existing buildings.

The standards are used by code officials in mandated seismic rehab programs, and for reference by building owners and design professionals in voluntary rehab efforts.

The procedures apply to the rehab of existing buildings, and are not intended for new building codes. Many new building codes include provisions that require designs with features essential for seismic performance. But many existing buildings were designed without such features, according the to ASCE.

To participate in the public comment period, contact ASCE Standards Administrator Eileen Boeing at eboeing@asce.org or (703) 295-6338. For more information on ASCE, or its standards programs, contact Joan Buhrman at jbuhrman@asce.org or (703) 295-6406.

Allied Arts hosts 'Waterfront Visions' Friday

"Waterfront Visions," a discussion sponsored by Allied Arts, will be held 7 to 10 p.m. Friday. Speakers will discuss the future of the stadium district, Pioneer Square and Coleman Flats.

Speakers will include council member Jean Godden and architect Val Thomas. Sally Bagshaw, chair of Allied Arts' Waterfront Committee, will moderate.

It will be held at 526 First Ave. S., Suite 521. Cost is $35, or $20 for members of Allied Arts. For more information, go to http://www.alliedarts-seattle.org.

Design Detailings: ACEC Awards set for Friday

The ACEC Washington Winter Meeting and Engineer Excellence Awards Banquet will be held Friday at Westin Bellevue Hotel, 600 Bellevue Way N.E.

Registration begins at 11 a.m., followed by an opening session with Kemper Freeman Jr., CEO of Kemper Development Co., as the keynote speaker. That will be followed by a 1 p.m. business meeting, a 2:15 p.m. legislative/regulatory forecast and a 3:30 p.m. economic forecast by John Mitchell, an economist with U.S. Bancorp.

The banquet begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m. This is the 39th annual banquet, and will feature motivational humorist Mack Dryden as the emcee.

Cost for the meeting and banquet is $180, or $100 for the banquet only. For information, call (425) 451-3521, or go to http://www.acec-wa.org.

National Trust needs nominations

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for the 2006 National Preservation Awards.

Those who have been involved in an outstanding preservation project completed in the past three years, or those who know of a corporation, nonprofit organization, public agency who has helped save a part local or national heritage are encouraged to submit a nomination.

The annual awards recognize success in preserving, rehabilitating, restoring or interpreting America's architectural and cultural heritage. Winners will be honored at the National Preservation Conference in Pittsburgh, Oct. 31 through Nov. 5.

Nominations must be postmarked by March 1. For more information, call (202) 588-6236, e-mail awards@nthp.org or write to 2006 Preservation Awards, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1785 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Wash., D.C. 20036.

DMJM Harris moves to Bellevue office

DMJM Harris's Seattle office has closed and its staff has joined the firm's Bellevue office at 10900 N.E. Eighth St., Suite 300. The phone number is (425) 454-5600.

"This brings together several key staff to focus our efforts in the transportation, transit/rail, environmental and construction markets," said Vice President Dennis J. Cearns.

DMJM Harris is the transportation division of AECOM Technology Corp., which has headquarters in New York and Los Angeles.

Freiheit & Ho celebrates its 20th

Bellevue-based Freiheit & Ho Architects recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Its national and regional client base includes McDonalds Corp., Payless ShoeSource, Safeway and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Projects have included the Future of Flight in Everett, Northwest Wine and Culinary Village in Woodinville, Newport Corporate Center in Bellevue, Massage Envy in Bellevue and Sycuan Casino in San Diego.

The firm employs 40 people.

Lecture on Sunday at the Frye Museum

Frye Art Museum co-curators Virginia Heckert and Mary-Kay Lombino will give a lecture at 2 p.m. Saturday on the museum's new exhibit "Candida Höfer: Architecture of Absence." The museum is at 704 Terry Ave.

This is the first North American retrospective devoted to the German artist, who studied photography under Bernd Becher from 1976 until 1982. She is the senior member of the first class of students to study at the Düsseldorf Academy under Becher's guidance. Her images include hotels and libraries. The free exhibit runs Saturday through April 16. For information, call (206) 622-9250, or go to http://www.fryeart.org.

Design Detailings: SMPS meeting on networking

The Society for Marketing Professional Services will hold its next meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave.

The speakers are networking experts Ellen Langan and Mary Bigelow. Langan, principal of Langan + Associates, is a speaker, trainer and professional organizer. She is a certified Myers-Briggs consultant, with clients located around the Northwest and the East Coast.

Bigelow provides training for corporations and uses humor to help participants understand real-world scenarios.

The cost is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. For information, go to http://www.smpsseattle.org.

Terracon acquires Zipper Zeman

Terracon Consultants of Lenexa, Kan., a geotechnical and environmental firm, recently purchased Zipper Zeman Associates of Seattle. ZZA will continue under the same name as a subsidiary of Terracon.

John Zipper will remain president of ZZA and will also serve as the Terracon division manager.

"The service offerings and technical expertise developed by Terracon over the past 40 years are a perfect fit with ZZA," said Zipper. "We are prepared to fully support the needs of Terracon's national accounts."

Dave Baska and Jim Brisbine will continue to manage projects in the ZZA Seattle office, while Tim Roberts and Yen-Vy Van provide project management in the Tacoma office.

Terracon has more than 75 offices nationwide and a staff of nearly 2,000.

ZZA has offices in Lynnwood, Seattle and Tacoma, and a staff of 28. ZZA services clients in real estate, architecture, engineering and government.

Integrus has new LEED staff

Integrus Architecture said the following staff members are now LEED accredited: Rebecca Baibak, Becky Barnhart, Brian Carter, John Cuddy, Heather Hirst, Johnny Hong, Jodi Kittel and Tim Rundquist.

Morss wins for medical center

The Masonry Institute of Washington recently presented Morss Medical Architecture with an Award of Commendation for design of the Charles L. Salmon Medical Center in Silverdale.

"It is important for patients that medical buildings are easy to find," said Jim Morss, president of Morss Medical Architecture. "The bold and attractive use of brick color and pattern makes this project easy to see and easy to find."

The medical center was completed last April.

Design Detailings: New year brings new LEED

The new year means significant changes in the LEED certification standards.

The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED version 2.2 became effective for all new projects registered with the council after Jan. 1, and is optional for all projects registered prior to that. For more information, go to http://www.interfaceengineering.com.

ASCE nominations due Thursday

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Thursday for the American Society of Civil Engineers 2006 Charles Pankow Award for Innovation.

The award was established by ASCE's Civil Engineering Research Foundation in 1996. It was named for industry visionary Charles J. Pankow, and recognizes organizations working collaboratively to bring innovative civil engineering approaches to design, materials use or construction research.

Applications are available online at http://www.cerf.org.

Architecture gala Feb. 10 in D.C.

The American Architectural Foundation and American Institute of Architects will host the 17th annual Accent on Architecture Gala on Friday, Feb. 10, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The event will feature presentation of the AAF Keystone Award and the AIA Gold Medal, Twenty-five Year Award and Architecture Firm Award.

Antoine Predock won the AIA Gold Medal, and Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners of Santa Monica, Calif., won the 2006 Firm Award. For information, go to http://www.archfoundation.org, or call (202) 626-7387.

Ginger Garff is LEED accredited

Weber + Thompson announced LEED accreditation for Ginger Garff. She is an architectural job captain working on planned community projects and is a member of the firm's in-house sustainable design education program, the Green Resource Group. The group is led by senior associate Catherine Benotto.

Weber + Thompson is designing several green projects around Puget Sound and in Spokane, including its new office in South Lake Union. That office will be completed at the end of 2006 and is designed to achieve a LEED Gold accreditation.

Design Detailings: YGH honored for recreation center

Yost Grube Hall designed BSU's Recreation Center.

Yost Grube Hall Architecture received Athletic Business Magazine's national Facility of Merit Award for the Boise State University Student Recreation Center.

YGH served as the design architect for the center, with Design West Architects of Boise acting as the project architect. The $12 million, 90,000-square-foot facility has a three-court gym, an 11-lap-per-mile walking/jogging track, climbing wall, outdoor equipment rental center, group exercise rooms, racquetball courts and strength-training rooms. The center has 201,000 visitors annually and is open to students, faculty, staff and alumni, and their families.

The design jury stated that the BSU center is, "a fine example of maximizing the effects of simple materials and expanding spaces with artful use of glazing to create a project that is both inviting and appropriate to the campus."

Earlier this summer, the center also received an Outstanding Sports Facility Award by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. Oregon State University's Dixon Recreation Center, also designed by YGH, received this award in 2005 as well.

Feb. 1 seminar on risk and profitability

The College of Architecture and Urban Planning Continuing Professional Education Program at the University of Washington hosts "Opportunity, Risk and Profitability When a Firm Grows" on Feb. 1. It will be at 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Tahoma Room of the Mountaineers Building, 300 Third Ave. W.

The seminar addresses issues that surround firm growth and where a firm is going, whom it will serve and how it will serve them, how it will be staffed, how it will prepare for the next generation and whether it will make sense financially.

Topics will also include developing a financial plan and parlaying goals into strategies and actions.

The presenter, Hugh Hochberg, has conducted seminars for the American Institute of Architects, the American Consulting Engineers Council, the Society for Marketing Professional Services, and the Professional Services Management Association.

Cost is $300. For more information, contact Lyn Firkins at (206) 685-8222 or jasper@u.washington.edu.

Billings index predicts construction growth in ‘06

The Architecture Billings Index, an economic indicator of nonresidential construction activity, showed growth for the 11th consecutive month in November, according to The American Institute of Architects. Because of the approximately six-month lag time between billings for architectural services and construction activity, nonresidential construction activity is expected to be a strong economic sector in much of 2006.

"It is especially noteworthy that if architecture firms report even modest billings gains in December, 2005 will be the first year since 2000 that gains were reported every month of the year," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "We are expecting improved business conditions for construction firms that specialize in commercial/industrial, as well as institutional projects."

The index predicts continued improvement in business conditions for U.S. architecture firms in the Northeast and Midwest, and firms in the South and West will have moderate growth levels.

For more information, go to http://www.aia.org.

Design Detailings: AIA sets new green goals

The national board of the American Institute of Architects has made sustainable design and resource conservation a new part of its mission. The board recently voted to set a goal of reducing by at least 50 percent the amount of fossil fuels used to construct and operate buildings by 2010.

The AIA will collaborate with other national and international organizations, scientific researchers and the public health community.

As part of the initiative, AIA will also promote sustainability in the educational curriculum for architects and architecture students. AIA also said it supports the development and use of rating systems and standards, such as LEED.

Tigard plan wins award

Parametrix's work with the city of Tigard, Ore., to develop a plan to improve the downtown helped the city win the 2005 Good Governance Award from the League of Oregon Cities.

The plan laid out how the city can convert its downtown into a higher-density, mixed-use urban village, with employment and housing served by transit.

City officials want to create compact areas of retail, cultural and recreational activities in a pedestrian-friendly environment. Parametrix examined the mix of land uses that would be needed and also trained a task force on how to get public input on the plan.

Art sought for Fire Station 10

The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is looking for two artists to create and install site-specific artwork in Fire Station 10, which will be built in the International District adjacent to Pioneer Square.

One artist will create an exterior artwork in a planting area along the Fifth Avenue South façade of the fire station, and one artist will create a three-dimensional exterior piece at the corner of South Washington Street and Fourth Avenue South.

Selected artists will work with lead design team artist Gloria Bornstein. For more information, contact arts.culture@seattle.gov or (206) 684-7171. The fire station is designed by Weinstein A|U.

Jonassen work on display

On Jan. 5 to 7, the Gallery at NBBJ will host a show of the art of Marilyn Jonassen. Her work is in private and institutional collections, and is described by the artist as "emotional expressionism." She works in oil on canvas and encaustic on board.

Jonassen is on the art committee of the Swedish Medical Center, and has advised on its collection.

Gallery hours begin with Pioneer Square's First Thursday Art Walk.

Design Detailings: Predock wins AIA Gold Medal

Predock

The Board of Directors of The American Institute of Architects recently announced that Tacoma Art Museum designer Antoine Predock won the 2006 AIA Gold Medal. Predock's firm is based in Albuquerque, N.M.

Thomas S. Howorth, chairman of the AIA Committee on Design Gold Medal Committee, said Predock's buildings have been "universally embraced."

"Antoine Predock designs buildings that grow out of their unique landscapes, creating, at the same time, symbols that are fearlessly expressive and sincere, simultaneously complex and guileless," Howorth said.

In addition to the Tacoma Art Museum, Predock designed the $285 million ballpark for the San Diego Padres, which approaches the concept of a stadium as a "garden" rather than a sports complex, and the new National Palace Museum in Taiwan.

Other commissions include the U.S. Federal Courthouse in El Paso, Texas, and the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts in Alto, N.M.

Predock designed TAM with executive architect Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects of Seattle.

The board gave the Architecture Firm Award to Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners of Santa Monica, Calif.

Otak takes two awards

The American Society of Landscape Architects and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officers recently honored two projects by Otak.

WASLA recognized Otak's work on the Shoreline Interurban Trail. Otak produced a preliminary design report for trail alignment and developed final design documents for its north and south ends. The trail, which provides a continuous network from Seattle to Everett, is an enhancement to the city of Shoreline's urban framework, according to Otak.

NAHRO honored Otak's Plum Meadows with Awards of Excellence in two categories: project design and community revitalization. Otak provided architecture, site design, planning, landscape architecture and civil engineering services for a multi-family development led by the Vancouver Housing Authority.

Anne Whitacre is CSI Fellow

Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership announced Anne Whitacre has been named a Fellow by the Construction Specifications Institute. Fellowship is a top honor granted by CSI.

She is the specifications writer for ZGF's Seattle office and one of eight people in the Seattle metropolitan area ever to receive this honor. Whitacre is one of 10 nationally to advance to Fellowship in April at the CSI Show & Convention in Las Vegas.

Whitacre has been a member of CSI for 27 years and was president of the Puget Sound chapter in 1988 and 1989. She has been a full-time specifier since 1978. She has published articles and is a frequent lecturer throughout the region.

Morss Medical puts tips online

Morss Medical Architecture has developed a Web-based resource called Planning Tips. Every other month, a new tip is added to the site. The tips are common sense guidelines for developing or designing medical facilities.

Current tips cover such topics as natural light and its importance in developing a patient-friendly facility and way finding.

Bainbridge Island-based Morss Medical Architecture specializes in medical architecture. Its Web site is http://www.morssarch.com.

Design Detailings: Green Futures Charrette Feb. 3-4

Local designers are invited to form teams to work on open space concepts for downtown Seattle in preparation for the Green Futures Charrette on Feb. 3 and 4. The charrette is part of "Open Space Seattle 2100," an effort to develop a 100-year plan for open space in the city.

The open space is needed to accommodate growing density and promote quality of life, according to sponsors of the initiative.

"Open Space Seattle 2100" is a six-month program that will include lectures and discussions, such as "The City Project: New Open Spaces for Social Justice in Los Angeles" on Jan. 24 and "Green Urban Infrastructure for the 21st Century" on Feb. 2.

The time and place of the Jan. 24 discussion has not been determined. The Feb. 2 lecture will be at 7 p.m. at University of Washington's Architecture Hall 147. The University of Washington College of Architecture and Urban Planning is a lead sponsor of the program.

The process will result in a report to be released by early summer. For more information go to http://www.open2100.org, or call (206) 543-9240.

Get certified as a green business

On Thursday, Dec. 15, Cleanerproduction.com will sponsor a seminar about sustainable economic development called "Design and Performance of Green Business Certification Programs."

It will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in the 15th floor Denali Room of the EPA's Region IX headquarters at 1200 Sixth Ave.

The seminar will address how green business certification programs work around the country and whether they could become widespread in the Pacific Northwest. The guest speaker will be Sarah Diefendorf, director of the EPA's Region IX Environmental Finance Center. The moderator will be Burton Hamner, producer of Cleanerproduction.com.

There is no charge. RSVP to seminar@cleanerproduction.com by Dec. 7, or call (206) 526-5308.

Marsh named Parametrix trustee

John Marsh of the Portland office of Parametrix was recently appointed the fourth trustee of the Parametrix Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Marsh was elected by the board of directors and recommended by a selection committee that included the ESOP trustees and representatives of the Board of Directors and Employee Ownership Committee.

He is the director of the firm's Endangered Species Act program and has 27 years experience working with federal, state, tribal and local governments.

Murphy passes LEED exam

ALSC Architects of Spokane announced that Ken Murphy recently passed the 2.1 version of the LEED exam. Murphy has been with ALSC Architects since 1993 and is an associate. Current projects include the North Spokane

YMCA, Ridgeview Elementary for Spokane Public Schools and the expansion and renovation of Senior Hall at Eastern Washington University.

Design Detailings: Panel looks at how to define your mission

Swenson Say Faget principal Ellen Southard will lead a panel discussion about defining a firm's mission at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

The session will include case study presentations. The panel includes Heather Johnston, founding partner of Place Architects; Don Lloyd, director of business development with Rushforth Construction Co.; and Dan Caine, principal and lead strategist of Incite, a branding consulting firm.

The event will be held at AIA Seattle, 1911 First Ave. For information, call AIA at (206) 448-4938, or go to http://www.aiaseattle.org.

Blackmer picked for accrediting board

Blackmer

Bruce E. Blackmer, president and CEO of Northwest Architectural Co., has been appointed to serve as an AIA representative to the National Architectural Accrediting Board's board of directors.

The NAAB evaluates U.S. schools of architecture for accreditation. He will be one of three AIA representatives on the NAAB board who deals with accreditation. He was appointed to a three-year term.

SEAW will host seismic seminar

The Structural Engineers Association of Washington will host a full-day seismic design seminar on Saturday.

The seminar is designed to help engineers transition to the 2003 International Building Code from the 1997 Uniform Building Code. It will be held at the University of Washington's Kane Hall, Room 130. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The seminar runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost is $130 for members, and $160 for non-members. For registration information, go to http://www.seaw.org, write seaw@seaw.org or call (206) 682-6026.

DIFFA holds AIDS fundraiser Thursday

On Thursday, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS continues its fight against AIDS with a fundraising event from 6 to 8 p.m. in the lobby of W Seattle.

The local chapter of DIFFA will present grant awards worth $30,000 to six local HIV/AIDS organizations: Bailey-Boushay House, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Rise ‘n' Shine, Rosehedge AIDS Housing, Seattle African-American Comfort Program and the Seattle/King County Humane Society's "Pet Project" AIDS Outreach Program.

For a suggested $20 minimum donation, guests will receive two cocktails and appetizers, with the proceeds to benefit DIFFA. Tickets can be purchased at the hotel on the night of the event. W Seattle is at 1112 Fourth Ave. For reservations, call (206) 763-8885.

Design Detailings: Integrus wins award for school

Photo courtesy Integrus Architechture White River High School in Buckley is organized into eight clusters.

Integrus Architecture recently received the 2005 James D. MacConnell Award for school design for the 230,000-square-foot White River High School in Buckley. The MacConnell Award is presented by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International.

The school is organized into eight clusters, five of which are specialized for career paths. Judges said the open, light-filled spaces promote learning and encourage collaborative efforts between students and staff.

"The judges complimented the planning process we used throughout the four years of building this special high school and the students they interacted with when they visited our campus," said White River Superintendent Jay Hambly.

Bill Goodwin is honored by APWA

Bill Goodwin, a consulting services manager at the Transpo Group, recently received the James Robertson Award at the American Public Works Association fall conference in Yakima.

Goodwin received the award for outstanding service in the field of public works. He is past APWA chapter president. As the award winner, Goodwin now becomes the Washington state chapter nominee for the national Swearingen Award for public service.

Headquartered in Kirkland, the Transpo Group provides traffic engineering and transportation planning services.

Anderson to re-fit Tacoma fireboat

Art Anderson Associates has a contract with the city of Tacoma to provide naval architecture and engineering services for the renovation and re-fit of Tacoma Fire Department's 30-knot fireboat The Commencement.

The contract is funded under the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

The Commencement is one of two rapid response fireboats operated by the fire department, providing fire suppression, search and rescue, evacuation, hazardous materials response and emergency medical service for the city and the Port of Tacoma. It was built in 1982.

Art Anderson will provide engineering and design services for the vessel's propulsion, pumping, hydraulic, electrical, and command and control systems, and will work with BMT Nigel Gee and Associates.

After the re-fit and renovation, The Commencement will be a versatile, Class-A fireboat with an expected service life of an additional 20 years, according to Art Anderson Associates.

Design Detailings: Northwest AIA awards Dec. 5

The Northwest Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will hold its annual NWAIA Design Awards at 7 p.m. Dec. 5.

Entries are from NWAIA members who are based in Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

Judges include Seattle architects George Suyama of Suyama Peterson Deguchi, Jim Brown of LMN Architects and landscape architect Shannon Nichol of Gustafson Guthrie Nichol.

The event will be held in McIntyre Hall on the Skagit Valley College Campus, 2501 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Cost is $15 and tickets can be purchased by going online to http://www.mcintyrehall.org, or by calling (360) 416-7727 or (866) 624-6897. Go to http://www.nwaia.org between Nov. 22 and Dec. 4 to vote for the People's Choice Award.

Walker Macy to design California river walk

The Portland-based landscape architecture, urban design and planning firm Walker Macy has been selected to plan, design and permit an extension of the West Sacramento River Walk in West Sacramento, Calif.

The river walk will be developed in industrial and mixed-use neighborhoods, and will resemble the firm's South Waterfront Greenway in Portland.

Walker Macy will create waterfront neighborhoods and districts, and make places for events along the Sacramento River.

Green design part of Third Thursday event

The Seattle Design Center's "Third Thursday" seminar on Nov. 17 will include sessions on different topics: "Offering Green Design to Your Clients," "Living With Leather" and "Furniture Reproduction Revealed."

The all-day free event runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The design center is at 5701 Sixth Ave. S. For information, call (800) 497-7997 or go to http://www.seattledesigncenter.com.