September 21, 2005

Design Detailings: UW, WSU look at changes in design

Vikram Prakash, chair of the University of Washington Department of Architecture, and Greg Kessler, director of the Washington State University School of Architecture and Construction Management, will host a discussion about changes in architecture on Sept. 28.

Prakash and Kessler will present "Future Focus: New Dynamics of the Architecture Profession," focusing on changes in architecture and the role of architecture schools in helping to direct the profession.

The event will be held at 6 p.m. in the College Center Building at Pierce College's Puyallup campus, 9404 112th St. E.

The event, sponsored by American Institute of Architects Southwest Washington, will begin with a tour of the recently completed College Center Building, led by MSGS Architects of Olympia and Pierce College officials.

Cost is $30 for AIA members and $40 for non-members. For reservations, complete the registration form at http://www.aiasww.org or call Janet Matkin at (253) 627-4006.

Historic Seattle holds online auction

Historic Seattle's 2005 online auction runs through Oct. 12. The catalog includes vacations, ballet and symphony tickets, antiques, fine crafts, and tickets to Mariners and Seahawks games.

Proceeds help fund Historic Seattle, which has saved 45 buildings in its 30-year history. The organization is currently rehabilitating the 1889 Cadillac Hotel Building in Pioneer Square. For information, go to http://www.historicseattle.org.

Planning board has three open spots

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels want to fill three positions on the Seattle Planning Commission, beginning in January 2006. The terms are three years, and the unpaid commissioners must live in Seattle.

The 16-member commission advises officials on citywide planning goals, policies and plans. Candidates should have experience in transportation planning, comprehensive and land-use planning, housing development, and/or small business.

Send a letter of interest and a resume by Oct. 14 to Mayor Greg Nickels c/o Barbara Wilson, executive director, Seattle Planning Commission, city of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019.

Preservation help for Gulf Coast

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched a campaign to help preserve historic buildings, neighborhoods and communities in the Gulf Coast region affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Currently, the campaign includes three primary components: assessment; federal, state, and local tools for preservation; and public education.

The National Trust is assembling survey teams with expertise in architecture, construction, history and preservation, and will send them to the region.

To support the campaign, the organization created the National Trust Hurricane Katrina Recovery Fund. For more information, go to http://www.nationaltrust.org.

WSU prof studies psychology of design

Janetta McCoy, an expert in the effects of design on performance, creativity and stress, has joined the interior design faculty at Washington State University in Spokane. She was most recently an associate professor at Arizona State University.

McCoy examines workplace design and its impact on the mind and body, using social psychology, and environmental and behavioral studies.

In the next phase of her research, she will investigate places for creative leadership, including university faculty, corporate CEOs, university presidents and governors. She also examines design issues for children with autism and developmental disabilities.

The interior design program at WSU was ranked eighth in the nation in 2005 by Design Intelligence magazine in its annual survey of design professionals.