August 7, 2002

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.