July 16, 2003

Design Detailings: Architect Ann Beha speaks Thursday

AnnBehaArchitects is redesigning Portland's Masonic Temple as part of the Portland Art Museum expansion. The design establishes a new image for the landmark.

Ann Beha, of the Boston firm AnnBehaArchitects, will speak from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in a presentation titled "Mass Versus Glass -- Portland Art Museum." The event, part of AIA Seattle Continuing Education, will be held at AIA, 1911 First Ave. Cost is $35 for members, and $70 non-members.

Participants will take part in a discussion and presentation on the Portland Art Museum expansion. The project will be located in the 1927 Masonic Temple, adjacent to the museum. The Masonic Temple presents formal, closed facades and the new design offers access and transparency, using glass and light to contrast with the masonry mass. For information, call (206) 448-4938.

Design Center forum on garden serenity

Seattle Design Center presents two seminars on Thursday, part of its Third Thursday design seminar series. The seminars are "Water Sculpture: Add Movement and Beauty to Your Designs" and "Blending Design Styles Effectively." Both will be held at 5701 Sixth Ave. S.

From 9 to 10 a.m. water sculpture artist Archie Held presents his ideas, using Seattle Design Center's newest outdoor/leisure showroom as a background. He will show how to create wonder and serenity in both home and garden design through the use of water sculpture. Held's work includes Harrah's Resort in Nevada, Sky Tokyo Club in Japan and Sephora in San Francisco.

From 11 a.m. to noon, discover how to pair eclectic styles of rugs and furniture to create pleasing and cohesive designs. Latitudes Carpet and Rugs and Designer Furniture Galleries will join guest speaker Jennifer Wilder to share ideas.

Third Thursday seminars are free and open to members of the design trade only. Call (206) 762-1200 to RSVP. Free parking is available in front of the Atrium entrance and in the parking garage located just north of the Atrium building.

Former TAM director to run Building Museum

The Board of Trustees of the National Building Museum announced the appointment of former executive director of the Tacoma Art Museum Chase W. Rynd as president of the Washington, D.C., museum.

Between 1993 and 1998 at TAM, Rynd helped coordinate exhibits, including the only North American viewing of ceramics from the Marina Picasso Collection, comprising pieces originally in Picasso’s private collection. He was also instrumental in the museum’s campaign to build its new facility, designed by architect Antoine Predock.

From 1990 to 1993, Rynd developed and directed Seattle’s Security Pacific Gallery, a public gallery space with programs designed to enhance the city’s arts environment. Prior to that he owned his own art gallery and studied architectural photography.

From 1988 to 1992, Rynd served as chairman of the Seattle Arts Commission, a position to which he was appointed by the mayor for two consecutive terms. He started his career as a financial analyst and portfolio manager in New York City.

Most recently, he was executive director of the First Center for the Visual Arts in Nashville, which is dedicated to enriching educational and cultural opportunities for diverse audiences through special exhibitions and programming.

The National Building Museum opened in 1985. The museum recently began a major strategic planning process. Rynd will lead the development of this effort and be responsible for its fulfillment.

The museum’s programs focus on architecture -- ranging from pioneer log cabins to the Victorian houses of San Francisco to contemporary green architecture -- as well as construction, engineering, design, landscape architecture, urban planning and other topics.