September 14, 2005

Design Detailings: AIA Seattle seeks entries for awards

AIA Seattle seeks entries from Washington architects for its 2005 Honor Awards. There are two categories: completed and not-yet-built projects. The deadline for entering is Sept. 29, and completed submission packets are due Oct. 13. For more information, see http://www.aiaseattle.org/news_0504_honorawards05_preview.htm.

IIDA holding Oregon competition

The Oregon chapter of the International Interior Design Association is seeking entries for its design awards. Entry packets are available through Oct. 7. Fees are $60 for Oregon chapter members, or $120. To receive a packet, call IIDA at (503) 546-1280. See http://www.iida-or.org for more information. Winners will be recognized at a ceremony is set for Oct. 20 at the Crystal Ballroom in downtown Portland.

Carlos Jimenez at SAM Sept. 27

Rice University School of Architecture professor Carlos Jimenez will give a lecture on his work Sept. 27 at Seattle Art Museum at 6:30 p.m.

Born in Costa Rica, Jimenez moved to the United States in 1974 and set up a private practice in Houston in 1982. Harvard Design Press published "Carlos Jimenez, House and Studio, Reflections" in connection with his appointment as a visiting design critic at Harvard Design School.

Space.City, Seattle's art and architecture forum, is presenting the event. For $12 advance tickets, go to Peter Miller Books or see http://www.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets are $15 at the door. For more information see http://www.space-city.net or call (206) 842-2283.

New firm: Tran Tech Engineering

Khashayar Nikzad and several others have formed a consulting engineering company called Tran Tech Engineering in Bellevue. The firm will initially design bridges, highways and traffic signals, and later plans to offer comprehensive planning and engineering services in transportation.

Nikzad got a Ph.D. in structural engineering from University of Illinois and was with Alpha Engineering Group of Tukwila, which was purchased by Harding Lawson & Associates and then by MACTEC Engineering and Consulting. He has 20 years of structural design and project management experience and won awards for a bridge replacement design in Mount Vernon.

Jim King, who has 35 years of experience in bridge design, is a partner in the firm. Other staff members are Theo Trochalakis, senior structural engineer, Alan Gage, traffic engineer, and Prakash Limaye, principal engineer for quality assurance.

Tran Tech is working as a subconsultant a bridge inspection and rehabilitation for the city of Bellingham, and was also picked as a subconsultant for a two-year on-call transportation design contract with the Washington State Department of Transportation. For more information, see http://www.trantecheng.com or call (425) 453-5545. The office is at 626 120th Ave. N.E., Suite B100 in Bellevue.

Help Philly fill 40,000 vacant lots

Two Philadelphia groups are seeking submissions for a long-term vision for 40,000 vacant properties in the city. Together the empty lots represent nearly 1,000 acres.

Suburban sprawl has led to abandonment of these properties. The groups are holding a competition called "How can a city respond to the crisis of vacancy?" It is sponsored by the Van Alen Institute and a city parks association.

Jurors will include Diana Balmori, James Corner, Jerold Kayden, Mary Miss, Anne Spirn and Cathy Weiss. Register before Nov. 14. Submissions are due Jan. 6. For more information, see http://www.vanalen.org/urbanvoids.