Texas Society of Architects

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Advocacy for Architecture Update: WEEK 4

We’re 31 days into the 140-day legislative session and no heart-pumping news to report yet; however, we now know a few important things that give us pause and comfort:

LEADERSHIP IS STICKING TO THE PROMISE OF NO NEW TAXES
• Both House and Senate Chambers have each filed a base budget (HB 1 and SB 1) that includes no new revenue sources but instead proposes significant cuts to state government. The Governor’s proposal does the same – even going so far as to eliminate four agencies: Texas Historic Commission, Arts Commission, Board of Land Surveyors, and Board of Geoscientists. All proposed budgets refrain from using the Rainy Day Fund which is projected to have about $9.4 billion.

o Good News: We’re safe at the moment on the issue of taxing services. Bad News: Tweaks to the underperforming franchise tax are being explored through a number of bills. We don’t know yet how these “tweaks” might impact us. And, with no new revenue streams to make up for the $27 billion shortfall, we should expect to see proposals to allow bidding of architectural services (one has already been filed) and expect to see proposals that would allow for standardizing architectural plans for K-12.

KEY HOUSE COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP IS FAVORABLE TO ARCHITECTS
• Yesterday, the Speaker released his House Committee Assignments. TSA is pleased to see good, smart House members appointed to leadership positions.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

2011 TSA Design Awards and Studio Awards

The Texas Society of Architects/AIA invites submittals for its annual Design Awards program. April 22 is the deadline for entries into the Design Awards program, and June 3 is the deadline for entries into the Studio Awards program. The 2011 Call for Entries are posted here. Winning projects will be featured in Texas Architect magazine and recognized during the TSA Convention in Dallas in October. The sponsor for this year's awards program is Blackson Brick.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

2011 Economic Outlook for Architects

In a nutshell, the architectural billings index indicates a positive upward trend since November 2009, which means we expect construction spending to increase in the next 9- 12 months. In Texas, the data shows the loss of about 20,000 jobs in the A/E industry from November 2008 to November 2009. That plunge of employment seems to be steadily trending upward (albeit gradually) as of November 2010. See AIA Economic Forecast one sheet below for details. (Click on the image to enlarge it.)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Event: Architecture as Found Object

Historic Preservation Symposium to Focus on Adaptive Reuse Research

Texas A&M's Center for Heritage Conservation will focus on the adaptation of old structures for new purposes during "Adaptive Reuse: Architecture as Found Object," the 12th annual Historic Preservation Symposium set for Feb. 25 and 26 at the Langford Architecture Center's Preston Geren Auditorium.

"Adaptive reuse is one of the most sustainable things we can do," said Robert Warden, director of the CHC. "A lot of data shows that reusing our existing building stock preserves culture and saves energy and materials."

Kansas City's Union Station serves as a good example of adaptive reuse. Abandoned and decaying, renovation of the grand old train station, overseen by Nancy McCoy ('81) an outstanding alumna of the College of Architecture, was completed in 1999. Union Station now houses Science City, a family-friendly interactive science center, an IMAX theater, shops, restaurants, and temporary museum exhibit space.

The symposium begins Friday, Feb. 25, with a public keynote address at 6 p.m. by K.T. Ravindran, head of the Department of Urban Design in the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, India.

The symposium continues 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, with presentations by: Ryan Jones, Lake | Flato Architects; Aaron Lubeck, author; Elisabeth Knibbe, Quinn Evans Architects; and Ron Staley, The Christman Company.

A speaker from Brand + Allen Architects, a design and planning firm with offices in Houston and San Francisco, will also make a presentation Saturday.

For more information and registration details, visit the symposium's website at http://archone.tamu.edu/.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Call for Entries: 2011 Holland Prize

The Heritage Documentation Programs (includes the Historic American Buildings Survey, the Historic American Engineering Record, and the Historic American Landscapes Survey) seeks submittals for the 2011 Leicester B. Holland Prize. Open to students and professionals, the prize recognizes the best single-sheet measured drawing of an historic building, site, or structure prepared to HABS, HAER, or HALS standards. The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a certificate of recognition, and publication of the winning drawing in Architectural Record. For more information, click here. Entries must be completed by MAY 31

Advocates for Architecture Day Recap

On Jan. 25, over 200 architects convened at the State Capitol to speak with legislators about issues affecting the profession. This was TSA's first Advocates for Architecture Day, and the event was a huge success.

Before heading into the Texas State Capitol to speak with legislators, all the participating architects gathered for a group photo to document the day. See the short video below.

Below is the brochure that was distributed that day, highlighting the importance of architecture and outlining the issues that were discussed.

Thank you to all who participated and who lent their voice to speak for Texas architects and the profession.

Photos below by Thomas McConnell and Holly Reed.

San Antonio delegation on the Capitol lawn.

Gerard Kinney and others preparing for visits with legislators .

TSA EVP James Perry and Tommy Cowan, FAIA, of Austin.

David Rodriguez, AIA, of Dallas.

Filo Castore, AIA, and Caryn Mims-Ogier, AIA, Houston, briefing themselves for a visit.

Donna Kacmar, FAIA, Houston, speaking with a colleague while waiting to visit a legislator.

Tommy Upchurch, AIA, and Elizabeth Price, AIA, Brazos, meet with legislative staff.

Discussing the issues at the Capitol.

Rep. Sarah Davis, Houston, visiting with architects.

Charlie Burris, AIA, and Andrew Hawkins, AIA, Brazos, gather in the extension of the Capitol prior to a legislative visit.

Allen Swift, AIA, Imad Abdullah, AIA, and Thomas Jackson, AIA, from Houston, speak about the importance of the architectural profession.

Architects review their schedules for the day.

Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, of Austin, speaks with Paul Bielamowicz, AIA, Emily Layton, AIA, and Heather McKinney, FAIA, all of Austin.

Houston architects take a break to appreciate the Capitol extension addition.

McKinney signs a limited-edition print of the Capitol for the TSA office.

Limited-edition poster signed by participating architects of the first TSA Advocates for Architecture Day 2011.

2011 AIA Fellows Announced

The 2011 Jury of Fellows from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has elevated 104 AIA members to its prestigious College of Fellows, an honor awarded to members who have made significant contributions to the profession. Fourteen Texas Society of Architects members were recognized with Fellowship.

The 2011 Fellows will be honored at an investiture ceremony at the 2011 National AIA Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans, May 13, 2011.

The Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession. Election to fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of architects as individuals, but also their significant contribution to architecture and society on a national level.