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Perspective is now a monthly electronic edition. Please email your suggestions and comments to membership@aiahouston.org.
San Antonio’s Appeal to Architects as Championed by O’Neil Ford
It’s hard to resist the charm that San Antonio exerts on the designerly eye. Those charms were in abundance (and so was the heat) at the recently convened sixty-sixth annual Texas Society of Architects Convention, September 15 -17. Many of our Houston Chapter members attended and cheered for our members who won a variety of significant awards.
- TSA Firm of the Year – Rey de la Reza Architects
- Design Awards (three for us, out of a total of ten)
- De Santos Gallery, Brave/Architecture
- An Exploded Box, Peter Jay Zweig, FAIA
- Westchase District, Powers Brown Architecture with SWA Group
- TSA Vice President – Kurt Hull, AIA
- Citation of Honor – Rice Design Alliance
The Convention was a great learning opportunity, but it is San Antonio itself that really draws all of us back for more. And much of that design content was generated and protected by the legendary Texas architect O’Neil Ford and his many disciples. At one of the educational sessions, Ted Flato, Boone Powell, and Frank Welch (moderated by Ford biographer Mary Carolyn Hollers George) presented an engaging profile of ONeil Ford and his work.
Ford was the “master of Texas regional vernacular” and was particularly adept at the use of indigenous materials with “a design sensibility attuned to local climate and culture.” But we learned he also had some curious leadership traits:
- His flair for the theatrical was calculated and very effective at charming both clients and employees.
- As an autodidact, he operated from a basis of insecurity—offset by the wide range of his kaleidoscopic mind.
- With him at the top, the firm had no way to make operational decisions; he rarely instructed anyone directly, always using an intermediary to convey his thoughts.
- As his firm grew, he became less and less interested in its organization; he preferred a small “gang” of talented individuals operating under his apparent control and was always threatening to break away to form a smaller firm.
- And, most interesting to me, he “didn’t mind how complex something was as long as it looked simple.”
In today’s world of political correctness, a larger-than-life character like O’Neil Ford would be forced to meet challenges he never had to face. He was an agitator as well as a proponent. He was a steward of the past as well as an agent of change. And in part because of his tremendous influence, San Antonio itself reflects his character—underneath apparent simplicity lies amazing complexity.
Houston Sweeps TSA Awards
Randall Walker congratulates Houston winners: (left to right) Joe Powers, AIA, and Jeffrey Brown, AIA, of Powers Brown Architecture; Randall Walker, AIA; President, Rey de la Reza, FAIA, Rey de la Reza Architects; Fernando Brave, Brave/Architecture; and Barbara Amelio, Debner & Company, President of RDA.
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From Bailey Architects
Lane Wolf has joined Bailey Architects as Director of Construction Administration / Construction Management. He will lead the firm’s initiative to focus on the quality, consistency and efficiency of Bailey Architect’s construction administration services.
Trained both as an architect and a construction manager, Wolf has experience working for large contracting firms as well as architectural design firms. Wolf holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and served in the United States Air Force during Operation Desert Storm.
Bailey Architects is a Houston-based architectural, planning and interior design firm founded in 1975 and specializes in award-winning historical preservation, commercial, retail, renovation, library, educational and liturgical architecture. Headquartered in Houston , the firm’s clients include the City of Houston , ExxonMobil, The Houston Zoo, Rice University , University of Houston and Texas A&M University.
From Clark Condon Associates
Clark Condon Associates – Landscape Architects has received three American Planning Association – Houston Section awards:
Upper Kirby District Master Plan – “Enhancing Public Spaces”
Spotts Park Enhancement at Memorial-Heights (City of
From Morris Architects
Since joining Morris Architects in 2000, Asaud has been responsible for nearly $250M in healthcare projects. His client list includes the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Recent assignments include his role as Senior Project Manager for the newly completed Memorial Hermann Memorial City Heart and Vascular Center, a $35M facility occupying 92,000 SF on the top three floors of the new tower. He also served as Senior Project Manager for Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital's current $92M expansion, with a new 300,000 SF tower as well as planning and renovation for the existing hospital. Asaud is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
Established in 1938, Morris Architects provides comprehensive services in planning, architecture, interior design, environmental graphic design, and landscape design services with offices in Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Santa Monica, California. Please visit the firm's website at www.morrisarchitects.com.
From Natalye Appel + Associates, LLC
Jones Plaza Cornerstones
Natayle Appel + Associates announces a new project at Jones Plaza. This project was both an architectural contract with the Convention and Entertainment Department of the City of Houston, as well as an Artist Contract with the City through the Municipal Art program and Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County.
Twin concrete airshafts for ventilation of underground parking are eyesores and visual barriers at each corner of Jones Plaza, in the heart of Downtown Houston’s Theater District. The architects were challenged to transform these eyesores into landmarks, bringing the Plaza to the street.
Backlit stainless steel panels perforated in a square grid create a resonance in pattern, scale and material between surrounding office towers and the tile walls of Jones Plaza. An image representative of one of the surrounding arts venues will be sandblasted at each corner as a subtle wayfinding device. Glowing polycarbonate, bear-grass laminate rises from the top of each cube creating beacons that speak simultaneously to the plaza’s plantings and the spotlights of the surrounding theaters. Polycarbonate panels hung on slender steel supports provide protection and continuity with the canopies of Jones Plaza for pedestrians using adjacent stairwells.
Architects' Compensation Growing Faster
Than Comparable Professional Salaries
According to the 2005 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Compensation Report, average salaries at architecture firms have increased more than 10 percent between 2002 and 2005, approximately a 3.3 percent annual compound growth rate. These figures represent a notable increase in compensation considering that professional salaries in the U.S. economy grew by only 2.5 percent on average over the same period, according to U.S. Department of Labor figures.
Trends in compensation at architecture firms are indicative of the general health of the design and construction industry. Increased construction activity equates to more work for architecture firms, a need for more staff at architecture firms, and improved profitability, which can result in increased compensation.
“What is interesting about this data is that salaries for architecture positions have increased more than 10 percent during the same timeframe that there has been a recession in nonresidential construction,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “During the recession of the early 1990s, compensation for architecture positions did not even keep pace with inflation. That is no longer the case, as evidenced by increased compensation for architecture positions totaling almost 50 percent between 1996 and 2005. This news is very encouraging for the architecture profession as a whole.”
Other key findings of the survey include:
• 67 percent of firms offer a salary increase upon completion of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE)
• More than 40 percent of firms offer higher salaries for master’s degree holders
• Compensation gains for computer-assisted design (CAD) managers have averaged more than 25 percent over the three-year period
• Slower economy has caused a decline in firms offering sign-on bonuses
The 2005 AIA Compensation Report is researched and compiled by the AIA’s economics and market research department. Average compensation figures are provided for registered architects, interns, and other graduates of architecture programs. Non-guaranteed compensation figures (bonuses, profit sharing, and other incentive compensation) are also reported.
As a benefit for AIA members, the valuable information found in the complete 2005 AIA Compensation Report—including an executive summary, detailed benefits information, position descriptions, and tables for various regions, states, and metro areas—is available for the special price of $50. The price for nonmembers is $225.00, and the report can be ordered electronically by visiting the AIA Web site at www.aia.org.
Brochures and posters are available at various locations througout the city. You can buy tickets at the AIA office in advance or purchase them at any of the featured housed on the Tour days.
For more information www.aiahouston.org
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Natalye Appel + Associates Archtects Jain House 3728 Ingold Southside Place |
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Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects 3827 Merrick Braes Heights |
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Allen Bianchi, AIA 3012 Duke Street West University Place |
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m + a studio Small House 2 5910 Grace Lane Riverside Terrace area |
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Fernando Brave, AIA with Claudia Dasso Zapater Zapater House 307 East Gaywood |
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MC2 Architects |
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Carl Brunsting, AIA 914 West 23rd Street Houston Heights |
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Strasser Ragni, LLP Architects 8th Street at Tulane Houston Heights |
Canstruction 2005
CANSTRUCTION 2005, benefitting the Houston Food Bank, is an excellent opportunity for Houston area professional architects, engineers and design firms to aid in the fight against hunger. The competition will be held on Saturday, October 22; the canstructures will be will on display October 24-28; and dismantled on October 29. CenterPoint Energy building, 1111 Louisiana, tunnel, first and second level lobbies. For more information, click here to view a pdf flyer; visit www.canstruction-houston.com or call Mary Roder at 713.869.1103 or Kelly Mureen at 713.529.5071.
Call for Entries
AIA Houston 2005 Sandcastle Logo design Competition is underway! Click here for details.
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Logos from past Sandcastle Competitions.
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SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, AIA – AGC 2005 |
The AIA – AGC Joint Annual Meeting will be a great party plus a tour of the new Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch, designed by Michael Graves with PGAL. Linbeck is the contractor. The formal opening of the building will be the end of October, so we will be among the first groups to have a chance to tour the building. We are very fortunate to be allowed to hold our event there because of the bank’s “business only” policy. The evening will include guided tours of the building, a chance to see the money operations, shredded money souvenirs, open bars, and plenty of delicious food for only $25 per ticket. Look for your invitation and rsvp information in October. This will be a wonderful opportunity for contractors and architects to smooze. So save the date!
CALLING ALL INTERNS!
Historic Houston Can Provide Community Service Hours.
Click here for details.
AIA Houston and Walter P. Moore’s Volunteer Crew for
Rebuilding Together Houston
Fall 2005 Work Sessions:
Saturday, Oct. 15, 9am-5pm
Saturday, Oct. 22, 9am-5pm
Rebuilding Together Houston is a non-profit organization that enables volunteer crews from any company or organization to help an elderly or disabled Houstonian in-need. Clients who qualify to receive exterior and some interior repairs to their home must own their home, and they must be physically or financially unable to provide the work themselves. Each Spring and Fall season of Rebuilding Together, more than 120 crews from groups around the city work for two consecutive Saturday work days to finish their house project.
Houston is home to the largest chapter of Rebuilding Together in the country. 2005 marks the 20th anniversary of this program. See www.rebuildingtogetherhouston.org for more information or e-mail John Benham: jmbenham@leoadaly.com
AIA Houston’s participation with Rebuilding Together enables our organization to immediately help the lives of fellow Houstonians, with measurable results. This Fall marks our 9th season ofparticipation, and our fifth joint effort with the crew from Walter P. Moore Engineers and Consultants. Both registered professionals and interns are encouraged to participate in this event, and friends and family members are welcome as well. Architectural interns can earn up to 2 IDP Professional and Community Service units if they volunteer both work days. We ask that parents or guardians for individuals under 18 years old be present if their students participate.
Click on the above image to download a pdf version of the report.
| Ann E. Christensen, Assoc. AIA Kathryn E. Collier, Assoc. AIA Joby M. Copley, Assoc. AIA, Joiner Partnership, Inc. Juan Fernando Corrales, Assoc. AIA David W. DiPuma, Assoc. AIA, SBWV Architects, Inc. Jignesh H. Divecha, Assoc. AIA Thomas R. Haggerty, Assoc. AIA Maura G. Jaimes-Barnett, Assoc. AIA Stennis D. Lenoir, AIA W. Travis Mattingly, AIA, Architectural Solutions Inc Rashmi Murthy, Assoc. AIA Lauren A. Petak, AIA, FKP Architects, Inc. Joseph M. Przybyl, AIA William A. Reamer, AIA, University of Houston Christian N. Sheridan, Assoc. AIA Laura Nesbit Umansky, Assoc. AIA, Ladco Inc Leslie Kay Weitinger, Assoc. AIA, Interface Consulting Hei Yin Edmund Wong, AIA, EDI Architecture, Inc. |
Diamond Affiliates
| Ridgway's Haynes Whaley Associates McGraw Hill Construction Satterfield & Pontikes Tellepsen builders Turner Construction Co. |
Affiliates
A & E -- The Graphics Complex |
Jones & Carter |
Click on the above icon for a printable pdf of September's schedule.
Annual AIA Requirements are 18 LUs of which at least 8 are HSW
To register, contact Anna Paula via email at ana@aiahouston.org or call 713.520.0155
NO REFUNDS / CREDITS WILL BE GIVEN UNLESS CANCELLATION IS MADE 48 HOURS
PRIOR TO CLASS
Unless otherwide noted, programs are based on two hours: Members $20.00, Interns $15.00, and Non-members $40.00
New AIA Contract Documents Available
Changes and developments in the building industry sometimes necessitate drafting new contract documents and revising existing ones. As we discontinue A171; A177; A271; A571; A771; and B177, AIA Contract Documents maintain consistently high standards while still adapting to current trends and practices. Below is a list of our new documents:
A Series
A141™-2004, Agreement Between Owner and Design-Builder
A142™-2004, Agreement Between Design-Builder and Contractor
A175 TM ID-2003 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Vendor for Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment where the basis of payment is a Stipulated Sum
A201 TM SC-1999, Federal Supplementary Conditions of the Contract for Construction
A275 TM ID-2003, General Conditions of the Contract for Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment
B Series
B143™-2004, Agreement Between Design-Builder and Architect
B175 TM ID-2003 Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect for Furniture, Furnishings and Equipment Design Services
B204™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Value Analysis, for use where the Owner Employs a Value Analysis Consultant
B205™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Historic Preservation
B206™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Security Evaluation and Planning
B210™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Facility Support
B211™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: Commissioning
B214™-2004 Standard Form of Architect’s Services: LEED® Certification
G Series
G704/DB™-2004, Acknowledgement of Substantial Completion of a Design-Build Project
G716™-2004 Request for Information
FOR SALE: Metropolitan Designer Line - Two chairs beautiful detail, good condition, hardly used. Black leather back and seat cushion. One chair grey ash wood stain, other black stain. Very comfortable. $300 each or best offer.
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