News:
Call for Ideas | TransformKC
Whether it’s a streetcar, light rail line, commuter and/or high speed trains, rail transit has a transformative impact on the built environment. Such a long-term public investment opens the door for private development and urban revitalization that makes communities more livable, walkable and sustainable. Rail-based urban mass transit, taken together with a comprehensive multi-modal transportation System that includes infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, buses, and airplanes will create a paradigm shift in the way we design and build our cities.
Kansas City is on the verge of investing in several rail transportation projects. At this critical juncture, the Kansas City metropolitan region has the opportunity to develop a new vision of its future:
What will our new transportation infrastructure look like?
How will we rebuild our region?
Who will design our shared future?
Transform Kansas City invites you, no matter your background or experience, to submit your ideas on transportation, urban design and architecture to its 2013 International Call for Ideas.
If you are interested in getting involved with TransformKC contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Input Needed | Streetcar Stop Survey
The City and the project design team met this week with property owners along the streetcar route to discuss the design of streetcar stops. Meetings were held in the River Market, Central Business District and Crossroads to gather input on the design of the shelters, benches/leaning rails, way-finding signs and other stop amenities.
In addition to learning about the different options the design team is considering for the streetcar stops, property owners were asked to fill out a survey so the City could learn about their preferences regarding stops.
The project team also wants to hear from you. The team is interested in learning more broadly about people’s preferences regarding the overall look and feel of the stops as well as configuration preferences, color schemes and amenities.
To take the survey regarding streetcar stops, please click here. The survey will be available until May 24.
The results from the surveys will be shared with the City, design team, and Streetcar Authority.
To stay connected, please visit http://www.kcstreetcar.org or call the Streetcar Hotline at 816-822-3011.
ARCHITECT | AIA to Congress: Don’t Gut Energy Conservation Requirements
Anticipating the scheduled mark-up of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 8, more than 350 associations and companies have signed a letter voicing opposition to special interests that are lobbying to reduce or cut energy conservation requirements for federal buildings. The legislation up for discussion was introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), and promotes greater use of energy efficiency technology in commercial and residential buildings and by manufacturers.
In a letter released by the AIA and addressed to Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the signatories voice concern over efforts to weaken or repeal Section 433(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which requires federal agencies to phase out the consumption of energy from greenhouse gas-emitting sources in new or renovated federal buildings by 2030. Currently a waiver exists for buildings that can show that such reductions are not technically feasible. However, the letter notes, “some have argued that these requirements, in Sec. 433(a) of the 2007 law, are not achieveable, but the facts tell a different story.” To further support this, the AIA also released a “Myth vs. Fact” document on Section 433.
The letter states “weakening or repealing federal building energy policies will dramatically harm the federal government’s ability to design and build facilities that use less energy, save taxpayers money, and protect the environment.”
Click here for the entire article from ARCHITECT.
AIArchitect | Simple Geometric Forms Prevail with AIA Kansas City Design Awards
Outside of one omnipresent international standout that became the focus of last summer’s Olympics, many of AIA Kansas City’s 2012 Design Awards celebrated projects that stacked and layered simple shed-like forms, differentiated by materials and color. Glass-encased breweries, minimalist duplexes, and campground bunkhouses enlivened by splashes of color all emphasize a well-applied program before an over-designed form.
Check out all of our winners featured in AIArchitect.
Deadline on Friday: Applications for AIA Repositioning Ambassador
We always have our eye out for special opportunities for AIA KC members to volunteer and lead within AIA. AIA National has just announced a new program to support their Repositioning Initiative. It’s called Ambassadors, and it may be a good fit for your experience and your dedication to AIA. We would love to see someone from our chapter chosen as an Ambassador—there will be only 38 chosen nationwide.
Please take a look at the 1.5-page brief, which also has the simple application instructions. Application deadline is May 10.
2013 Virtual Convention: June 20-22, 2013
The AIA Virtual Convention is a great way to keep abreast of the 2013 AIA National Convention in real time! Here is how you can join:
Buy a one-day Simulcast Pass or a three-day Simulcast Pass to attend any one of the days, or all three days of the Convention in real time on your desktop, laptop, or smart device
Receive live streaming of 10 seminars of continuing education, straight from the Colorado Convention Center
Purchase a three-day pass, and receive on-demand access to all 10 Seminars runs until July 31, 2013
And visit our 3D Virtual Expo to interact with live exhibitors, industry peers and earn rewards for participation
All Virtual Convention Simulcast passes offer Learning Units (up to 12.5 LUs) and some courses even fulfill ADA, HSW and GBCI criteria.
As a member of AIA Kansas City you get an exclusive 10% discount by using this unique discount code MOKCVC2013. You may be also eligible for an additional 10% discount from AIA National if you register by May 31, 2013. AIA is offering special discounted pricing for Students and Young Professionals as well.
And don’t miss the Virtual Expo, an interactive 3D environment that mirrors the live trade-show experience. Create an avatar and explore the exhibition floor, chat live with exhibitors and other expo visitors, exchange business cards, and enter sweepstakes for your chance to win free education courses, Amazon gift cards, iPads and more!
Call for Entries | City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition
Registration deadline extended to June 1, 2013
Submission deadline extended to July 1, 2013
New York City, May 02, 2013 – FIGMENT, the ENYA Committee of the AIA NY Chapter, and SEAoNY are pleased to announce an extended deadline for their fourth annual design competition to design and build an architectural pavilion to serves as a gathering place for workshops, performances, communitybuilding, contemplation, and education on Governors Island for the 2014 summer season.
The 2013-2014 City of Dreams Pavilion Design Competition
Since Governors Island first opened to the public in 2004, the attention and interest that this new public place has received has increased exponentially. In 2012, over 300,000 people visited the island through its summer season to engage in a variety of arts and cultural programs, as well as to enjoy summertime activities like picnicking and bike riding on the island.
FIGMENT has once again teamed with the Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) of the American Institute of Architects NY Chapter (AIANY) and the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY) to host a competition to design and construct an architectural pavilion on Governors Island, the City of Dreams Pavilion.
To register and for more information, visit http://figmentproject.org/2014pavilion.
ARCHITECT | Pritzker Chat: Thom Mayne Interviews Toyo Ito
Thom Mayne, FAIA, the 2013 winner of the AIA Gold Medal winner and 2005 Pritzker Prize laureate, sat down (via Skype) with 2013 Pritzker Prize Laureate, Toyo Ito, Hon. FAIA. The SoCal Sculpturalist reached out across the Pacific to talk to Tokyo’s post-Metabolist master about his career in design and the changing role of architectural practice in a post-digital age.
Mayne describes Ito as an “architect’s architect”—and in this exclusive video for ARCHITECT, the two discuss what that means.
Click here to view the chat.
Pillars Leadership Program | Applications Now Being Accepted
Applications are now being accepted for the 2013-2014 class of AIA Kansas City’s Pillars Leadership Development Program. The program prepares a representative cross section of the chapter’s emerging leaders and individuals from the building community for their role in shaping the future of both the architectural profession and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The training program includes active participation in programs and exposure to community leaders and issues. Criteria for acceptance include proven career success and community involvement. The class will spend their time exploring core issues that will focus on issues that affect our profession and the region within which we practice. Through discussions with leaders and colleagues, dialogue among themselves, tours and research the group will be able to understand and present to the AIA as a whole how we can make a positive change within our community. The AIA Kansas City Pillars program is a nationally recognized program and should continue to raise the bar of what young professionals want out of their profession and how we as professionals can make an impact on our built environment.
ARCHITECT | ABI Up for Eighth Straight Month
In March, the American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Billings Index marked its eighth consecutive month of growth in the demand for architectural design services. While the national score of 51.9 is down three full points from February’s score of 54.9, the architecture industry is still seeing continued strength nationwide, and across all regions and industry sectors. (A score above 50.0 in the index means that demand is increasing.)
The score for project inquiries came in at 60.1, down from 64.8 in February. Still, March marked the third straight month that the project inquiries score topped 60, and it has been over 50 for more than four years now.
Click here for the entire article.