June 18, 2003

Design Detailings: Leavengood designs SAM studio

Photo by Sam Bennett Seattle Art Museum’s conservation studio, designed by Leavengood Architects, will be used for treatment of artwork.

Seattle Art Museum's new conservation studio opened this spring. The 1,600-square-foot Neukom Conservation Studio was designed by Leavengood Architects and is located on the fifth floor of SAM. The studio will provide space for preserving and examining works of art in the collection.

Led by Nicholas Dorman, SAM’s chief painting conservator, work in the studio will range from executing structural repairs to doing research in collaboration with curators.

Illuminated with daylight, fluorescent lighting and gallery lights, the studio includes its own heating, ventilation and air-conditioning unit as well as ceiling-mounted extraction tubes, a fume cabinet and a spray room to prevent conservation-studio aromas from disturbing workers in adjacent offices or visitors in the galleries.

The first works of art to be treated in the finished studio will include a number of paintings by Kenneth Callahan, Morris Graves, Guy Anderson and Mark Tobey for the new Tacoma Art Museum’s inaugural exhibition.

Fall seminar: designing for fire

The Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers will host a conference "Designing Structures for Fire," in Baltimore Sept. 30 to Oct. 1.

In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, building performance under fire conditions has received significant attention from the research and engineering communities. This two-day event will serve as a forum for exchange on recent advancements in fire resistance design among researchers, fire protection engineers, structural engineers, architects and regulators.

The conference kicks off with a session analyzing the failure of the World Trade Center structure. In addition, representatives from 12 countries will present 29 papers. Other sessions include: Fire Analysis; Alternatives to U.S. Codes; Fire Resistance Evaluation of Structural Members: Concrete, Wood, and Gypsum; Analytical Approach to Design Methods for Structural Response to Fire; and Real Building Design Case Studies.

Additional information for both programs can be found at www.sfpe.org or by contacting SFPE at (301) 718-2910.

Parametrix makes 'best companies' list

For the second consecutive year, Sumner-based Parametrix has been recognized as one of Washington’s best companies to work for by Washington CEO Magazine.

The Washington CEO’s "Best Companies to Work For" list includes 50 companies in Washington who ranked by their leadership, communication, hiring, training, rewards and recognition, responsibilities, standards, benefits and work environment.

Parametrix ranked 10th overall among medium-size companies based on total score and among the Top 50 companies in the state overall.

Founded in Washington in 1969, Parametrix is an employee-owned engineering, environmental sciences, and architectural company. The firm’s 425 employees are located in 10 offices in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and New Mexico.

AIA survey: firms seeing a recovery

The American Institute of Architects recently released the results of its Work-on-the-Boards, a monthly survey that provides a snapshot of the architecture and construction industry. WOTB lends additional perspective to traditional analysis and provides alternative data for use as economic indicators both nationally and regionally. Highlights include:

• U.S. architecture firms reported an improvement in billings in April, continuing a recovery that began in March.

• Business absorbs principals' time. With project work scarce and budgets tight at many firms, firm principals and partners are finding that they need to spend a lot of their time on project management and business development activities.

For the Work-on-the-Boards survey results, see www.aia.org/ecomark/otb0418.pdf.

Allied Arts has a ball on solstice

Allied Arts will hold its annual summer party on Saturday at Pier 57. The Waterfront Crystal Ball, from 7 p.m. to midnight, will celebrate the longest night of the year and support the work of Allied Arts to make the waterfront Seattle a great civic space. The dinner buffet features food from Alibi Room, Campagne, Cutter's Bayhouse, Earth and Ocean, and Essential Baking Co.

Entertainment is provided by Afro-Cuban salsa music, carousel rides and Zen tarot card readings, and performances by DJ Shapeshifter, Dappin' Butoh P.A.N.

Tickets are $75 and support Allied Arts of Seattle. Call (206) 624-0432 to pay by credit card or send check to: Allied Arts of Seattle, 216 First Ave. S., Suite 253, Seattle 98104. For more information call Allied Arts at (206) 624 0432.