February 11, 2004

Design Detailings: 21st century home design competition

The American Institute of Architects Committee on Design sponsors "The New Home on the Range: A Housing Ideas Competition." The competition challenges architects and architecture students to design the 21st century seminal single-family house. Entrants are encouraged to explore the impact of their proposals relative to economic and social issues associated with housing, and the principles of sustainable design.

The program is for a 2,400-square-foot, two-car garage, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The garage is not part of the square footage. The site is in the western Great Plains northeast of Denver, amid residential developments currently being proposed adjacent to Denver International Airport. For purposes of determining solar conditions and annual climate profile, competitors should use that of Denver International Airport.

First prize is $3,000, second is $1,500 and third is $500. The winning entries will be displayed at the AIA 2004 National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago. Selected entries will be displayed on the AIA Web site. The winning designs may be published, at a later date.

The competition is open to all registered and non-registered architects and architecture students, and allied design professionals. Entries should be addressed to the Committee on Design Ideas Competition 2004, AIA Professional Practice, 1735 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The deadline is April 23.

SW Washington AIA annual meeting Feb. 18

The Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the University of Washington Tacoma's Mattress Factory building, 1953 C St.

The program will feature presentations by McGranahan Architects, Miller/Hull Architects and BOLA Architects on the recently completed renovations of the Mattress Factory and Cherry Parkes buildings, both of which are on the historic building register.

The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. followed by a catered dinner at 6:30. The cost of the event is $35 for AIA members and $40 for non-members. Registration is requested by Friday, by phoning (253) 627-4006 or e-mail to aia@aiasww.org.

Cooper Union dean reflects on WTC

Anthony Vidler, dean of The Cooper Union School of Architecture, will give a lecture Friday, Feb. 27, titled "Reflections on Architecture and the Public Realm: The World Trade Center 1964-2004." The lecture will be at 7 p.m. at the Kane 110 building at the University of Washington.

Vidler is a specialist in the history, theory and criticism of contemporary architecture and urbanism. He has published several works, including, most recently, "Warped Space: Architecture and Anxiety in Modern Culture in 2002." For information, go to www.depts.washington.edu.

Veterans memorial center seeks designer

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is seeking statements of interest and qualifications from design teams interested in designing an underground education center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The initial review process requires the lead designer organize a team of professionals and submit the team's qualifications for review. The team must include architects, exhibition designers, landscape architects and engineers. Other consultants may be added at the discretion of the team leader.

All submissions must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 20. A $100 entry fee must accompany the initial submission, and only professional teams will be considered. Send to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., Attn: Design Competition, 1023 15th St., N.W., Suite 200, Washington, D.C. 20005. For more information, go to www.vvmf.org.

Architectural Elevator opens office in Reno

Architectural Elevator Consulting, an elevator consulting firm that provides counsel, efficiency programs and design solutions for elevator and vertical transportation projects, has opened a branch office in Reno, Nev.

Headquartered in Seattle, the four-year-old consulting business will enhance its elevator project management and design offerings for architects, engineers and building owners in Nevada and Northern California, with local expertise and certified inspectors who know the codes in these states.

Ed Bies, a local elevator professional with more than two decades of elevator and escalator repair, maintenance and sales experience, will lead the Nevada/Northern California region for AEC.

AEC delivers new construction, modernization and efficiency programs including inspection services, quality assurance audits, bid management, in-house CAD drawings for new and existing elevator and escalator systems. It serves developers, building owners, architects, government officials and property managers in Seattle, San Francisco, Portland, Boise, Spokane and throughout the West Coast.

Some firms bucking open office trend

With the goal of increasing worker productivity, a Seattle company is using what it has learned about office systems in the computer industry to make office cubicle systems that create more private space for employees, bucking the open office space trend.

"Essentially you are seeing big manufacturers reversing themselves away from the open office system," said Scott Campbell, founder of Springbrain, a local furniture manufacturer. "Big furniture companies like Knoll and Herman-Miller are even publishing research showing open office systems reduce productivity. We certainly agree. Open spaces are noisier and more stressful. Our systems are designed to create open-feeling spaces with more privacy that look high-end and function like mini-offices."

The open-office movement was based on research that found that proximity between sales, development, management and accounting staff creates a dynamic environment and fosters easier, more frequent communication. Campbell said workers can have private spaces that still have easy access to co-workers.

For more information, go to www.springbrain.com.

New BallardWorks offers artist space

Art and Architecture designed the remodel of BallardWorks.

BallardWorks' artists-partners, Dionne Haroutunian, Jay Lazerwitz, Joan Stuart Ross and John Gleason announce the opening of BallardWorks at 2856 N.W. Market St. An open house will be held 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

BallardWorks provides artist work spaces, with 19 studios, exhibition spaces on two floors and two commercial storefronts. Architect and BallardWorks' partner Jay Lazerwitz, through his firm Art and Architecture, led the five-month remodel of the 14,000-square-foot building.

Lazerwitz focused on creating a space that would promote art and enhance community. The building has wide corridors, separate areas for exhibits and a lounge. Each studio is wired with CAT5, enabling DSL access, intercom access and multiple phone lines. Remodeling included increasing ceiling heights by removing former roof joists, seismic upgrades, and new electrical, plumbing and mechanical services.