Intelligent Cities Initiative

The National Building Museum announced the launch of its Intelligent Cities initiative.

Over the next 12 months, the project will explore how data and information technology are changing cities. Information surrounds us - data on how much energy we use in the home, projected traffic congestion, and census reports. But how do we make sense of all this information? How do we make connections between the way we travel and our health or the growth of cities and economic output? The Intelligent Cities attempts to make these connections visible and more importantly USEFUL. Starting with the November 1 issue of TIME magazine (on newsstands today), NBM will have a full page ad mashing up data about the home and asking the public to respond to a series of questions that will be geo-coded by zip code. These ads will continue each month through April, 2011. As part of this initiative, NBM will host a public forum in June 2011, a publication next fall and ultimately all of the work will culminate in an exhibition opening in 2013.

NBM released their first polling question, asking how one chooses where to live. And then compare your responses to fellow citizens. Next month will feature the next infographic and polling question about how kids travel to school.

Visit the Intelligent Cities web page, for essays, videos, and related links.

TIME magazine has created their own Intelligent Cities channel on their website featuring links to our site and an initial article by Bruce Katz, Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings.

NSF Workshop – Collaborative Practice: When Engineering Design Meets Architecture

Penn Design, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pa
November 4 - 5, 2010

The Architecture Program at Penn DESIGN in collaboration with The Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture and the Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State University will host the NSF Workshop – Collaborative Practice: When Engineering Design Meets Architecture.

The event, co-sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF), will be held in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania on November 4th and 5th, 2010. The workshop is dedicated to the cultivation of a common research language amongst architects and engineer with the goal of overcoming many of the historic barriers that have hindered effective collaboration between the disciplines. Throughout the two day event, successful interdisciplinary teams of researchers will communicate their strategies for obtaining NSF support for research in design. A select number of professional and industry partners will discuss building related advances that have resulted from research in both fields, while NSF personnel will clarify the organization’s goals, procedures and evaluation criteria. We are interested in devising new and effective strategies for increasing the range of collaborative opportunities available to architects and engineers.

To this end, the organizers seek participation from academic colleagues primarily from universities with strong programs in both engineering and architecture. Interdisciplinary research teams working across institutional boundaries who have or who are planning to participate in funded research are encouraged to apply for a sponsored workshop registration. Interested parties are asked to submit a one page project description of their collaborative research whether past, present or in the planning stages, clearly identifying all team members. Participants who are selected are not expected to make a presentation, but should they wish to can by communicating their interest within the project description. Teams of researchers who submit by September 1 will be assured consideration. Sponsored participants will be contacted by September 20, 2010. Please address all responses and enquiries to Franca Trubiano at trubiano@design.upenn.edu.

William Braham, Penn Design
Tim Simpson, Penn State
Franca Trubiano, Penn Design
Dan Willis, Penn State

GSA/NEA Call for Proposals

The General Services Administration and the National Endowment for the Arts have partnered to offer a new opportunity to perform research, analysis, and planning for a new design initiative. Please find the RFP below:

As stated in the RFP below, excellence in Federal design is not a luxury, but rather a government imperative. Quality design and effective design processes can improve the reach, efficiency and quality of government program delivery. It can enhance the quality and impact of public architecture, infrastructure, and urban design services that government provides to the American people, as it symbolizes our nation’s enduring values.

The project will aim to translate this understanding into a new initiative that enhances the General Services Administration’s commitment to design excellence, and informs the National Endowment for the Arts investments in good design, livable communities, and creative place-making. Overall the aim is to foster the precepts of “The Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture,” as well as inculcating an ethic of quality design across Federal agencies in such areas as urban design, landscape architecture, graphic design, and in public spaces generally.

This project is a partnership between the GSA and the NEA. Please follow the link below for more information and to apply for this Federal Business Opportunity:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=878ebcca84130744428405ab62d814e2&tab=core&_cview=0

Proposals are due on or before 12:00pm, E.S.T., September 9, 2010.

Please note: Potential contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) before being considered for award. Information concerning CCR requirements may be viewed via Internet at www.ccr.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423.

Sincerely,

Jason Schupbach

Design Director

National Endowment for the Arts

1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 729

Washington, DC 20506

p:202-682-5786 | c:202-604-3508 |f:202-682-5721

schupbachj@arts.gov

Casey Jones

Director, Design Excellence and the Arts

U.S. General Services Administration

1800 F St, NW 3341

Washington, DC 20405

[O] 202 219 3859 | [C] 202 570 1418 | [F] 202 501 3393

casey.jones@gsa.gov

GSA/NEA Call for Proposals

The General Services Administration and the National Endowment for the Arts have partnered to offer a new opportunity to perform research, analysis, and planning for a new design initiative. Please find the RFP below:

As stated in the RFP below, excellence in Federal design is not a luxury, but rather a government imperative. Quality design and effective design processes can improve the reach, efficiency and quality of government program delivery. It can enhance the quality and impact of public architecture, infrastructure, and urban design services that government provides to the American people, as it symbolizes our nation’s enduring values.

The project will aim to translate this understanding into a new initiative that enhances the General Services Administration’s commitment to design excellence, and informs the National Endowment for the Arts investments in good design, livable communities, and creative place-making. Overall the aim is to foster the precepts of “The Guiding Principles for Federal Architecture,” as well as inculcating an ethic of quality design across Federal agencies in such areas as urban design, landscape architecture, graphic design, and in public spaces generally.

This project is a partnership between the GSA and the NEA.

Please follow the link below for more information and to apply for this Federal Business Opportunity:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=878ebcca84130744428405ab62d814e2&tab=core&_cview=0

Proposals are due on or before 12:00pm, E.S.T., September 9, 2010.

Please note: Potential contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) before being considered for award. Information concerning CCR requirements may be viewed via Internet at www.ccr.gov or by calling 1-888-227-2423.

Sincerely,

Jason Schupbach

Design Director

National Endowment for the Arts

1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 729

Washington, DC 20506

p:202-682-5786 | c:202-604-3508 |f:202-682-5721

schupbachj@arts.gov

Casey Jones

Director, Design Excellence and the Arts

U.S. General Services Administration

1800 F St, NW 3341

Washington, DC 20405

[O] 202 219 3859 | [C] 202 570 1418 | [F] 202 501 3393

casey.jones@gsa.gov

UIA: Architectural education research

UIA announces an international competiton for research papers that

aims to encourage creativity in architectural education. It is

organised in the framework of the reflection groups of the UIA

Architectural Education Commission by the Federation of Institutes of

Korean Architects (FIKA), UIA Korean Section.

This competition is open to individuals or groups of individuals

holding a graduate degree from 5-or-more year programmes in

architecture or urban design and architects entitled to practice in

their countries of residence. It is organised exclusively on-line. The

first selection will be made on a Regional basis. An international

jury will make the final selection.

The research papers, of 30 000 characters maximum, will focus on

teaching and learning methods in architecture; heritage and

sustainability; architecture for all; cultural diversity; spatial

needs; architecture and urbanism.

Prizes

The international jury will award one grand prize of 1500 euros; two

second prizes of 1000 euros each; three third prizes of 500 euros each

and nine honourable mentions. These will be presented during the 2011

UIA Congress in Tokyo.

Main dates

• Regulations posted on web site 3 June 2010

• Registration period 15 October - 30 December 2010

• Transmission of texts 1st February - 30 March 2011

• Publication of results 30 June 2011

• Presentation at UIACongress September 2011.

Participation

The competition language is English. The registration fee of 20 euros

will be paid on-line, by PayPal or credit card, at the time of

registering on the competition site:

www.uia-researchcompetition1.org

Learn more about the UIA Architectural Education Commission

http://www.uia-architectes.org/texte/england/Menu-4/2-Commissions-b.html

ACSA Feedback Request

ACSA is planning for future conferences and would like your input. We have a brief survey that will take less than 5 minutes to complete. It asks about areas of international research and about partnerships with engineering.

We would very much appreciate your input by [7 days from date sent].

ACSA Survey

Virginia Tech Wins European Solar Decathlon

The European Solar Decathlon announced Virginia Tech as the first place winner for their entry, Lumenhaus.

The CRE Solution

Architecture 2030 has released a report to address the commercial real estate (CRE) meltdown currently underway in the US. Titled "The CRE Solution," the report ties tax incentives to high-performance buildings. It is targeted to thaw the frozen CRE market, reduce foreclosures and small business failures, create building sector jobs, reduce energy consumption and emissions, and provide a robust and viable market for PACE and building efficiency revolving loan funds now being established in parts of the US.

Architecture 2030 recommends that Congress implement the ‘CRE Solution’, providing a tax deduction tied to specific energy reduction targets that will create 1.3 million jobs while restoring credit capacity and liquidity in the CRE market.

Read the report: http://www.architecture2030.org/pdfs/theCREsolution.pdf

Design in Action: Inspiring Solutions for People and Cities

2010 Association of Architecture Organizations Conference

November 15-16, 2010 Chicago, IL

Join us for a two-day conference of inspiring ideas and practical solutions. Hear from today’s game changers who are mobilizing design to transform our world now. Learn from colleagues at leading architecture centers who are inventing new ways to solve old problems. Discuss real opportunities for collaboration. Find out who is reaching growing audiences despite the squeeze on financial resources. Rethink and energize your approach to common challenges.

Registration begins July 15, 2010

The Association of Architecture Organizations’ Annual Conference is a catalyst for international dialogue and practical learning on issues confronting design educators and leaders of nonprofit architecture centers.

Interested in leading a Conference Workshop? Learn more.

Special Pre-Conference Boot Camp:

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Don’t miss this exclusive workshop designed for start-ups and emerging architecture centers. Space is limited. For more information, please contact aao@architecture.org.

View flyer online.

AIA 2011 National Convention Call for Presentations

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

The AIA 2011 Convention in New Orleans presents an opportunity to explore how innovative approaches to planning, design, and construction, along with evolutionary or revolutionary approaches to practice, collaboration, and partnerships can create more resilient urban ecosystems where cities of all scales contribute to a region’s sustainability and regeneration. If you are interested in presenting during next year’s convention (May 12-14, 2011).

Click here for submission requirements.

Deadline for proposals is July 1, 2010

AIAS Studio Culture Public Policy for review

At the AIAS spring meeting, the Board of Directors accepted the first draft of a public policy on the topic of “Studio Culture.” The Board has released a draft statement to its members and stakeholders for a 30-day public review and comment period.

Upon the closing of the comment period, a special working group will incorporate the comments into a final draft of the statement to be considered at the Grassroots Board of Directors meeting in July. The Board may then refer the statement back to the designated group for further work, reject it, or approve it as a statement of AIAS policy. Once approved, the policy statement will be issued in an appropriate form and will be included in a compilation of official policies maintained by AIAS and distributed to all AIAS constituencies.

The current edition of the AIAS Public Policies, approved in July 2009, can be found at the AIAS Web site: http://aias.org/advocacy_service/public_policies.php

Please address all comments and suggestions to Vice President Brett Roeth at broeth@aias.org. Comments must be received no later than Friday, June 11.

Studio Culture Draft Statement

The Student Architecture + Design Initiative launches their first annual Global Student Showcase

Non-profit SADi just launched their first annual census of student architecture and design at www.student-showcase.org with the aim of collecting, organizing, displaying, and celebrating undergraduate and graduate thesis work. Students face a July 1, 2010 deadline for uploading images and an artist’s statement from their 2009/2010 thesis. Over time, SADi hopes to build and disseminate the definitive open-access collection of student architecture and design.

The patchwork of existing student showcases are useful but difficult to navigate and synthesize. Coverage is spotty, there is no uniform publishing schedule, and this work, once removed from the school sites, is typically lost to the viewing public. Geoffrey Rubin, SADi cofounder, notes the benefits of a permanent, universal repository of student work:

“Students can draw from the collection as they develop their own projects, and they can host their finished work on this free, dependable platform. Universities can archive and display the complete thesis work of their students, facilitating both accreditation and outreach. Academics can use the collection to develop lesson plans, ensure the originality of student submissions, and study the evolution of student thesis work over time. And lay users can enjoy the breadth and depth of exciting, daring, and beautiful architecture and design.”

The success of this initiative hinges upon participation and organization. To encourage student submissions, SADi will offer a variety of cash awards and host an awards ceremony each fall. SADi will also work over the summer to ensure that submissions are properly catalogued, organized, and searchable. Rubin notes that, “this must be more than a virtual bulletin board; the full power of this initiative will only be realized when users can nimbly build their own albums and narratives.” Viewer access starting in September, 2010, will support advanced search, custom albums, special collections, and idea networking.

Please encourage your students to upload their work before the July 1, 2010 deadline. Learn more at www.student-showcase.org, or contact Geoffrey Rubin directly at grubin@sad-i.org.

Builders dream of a better Haiti - latimes.com

Builders dream of a better Haiti - latimes.com

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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Plans for Forum on R&D Commercialization at Universities

CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

202-482-4883

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced today his plans to host a forum with university leaders and key stakeholders on the roles of universities in innovation, economic development, job creation, and commercialization of federally funded research next month in Washington, D.C

The forum, to be held February 24, will open a dialogue among administration officials, university leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders on the effectiveness of existing government and university policies, programs and practices that impact job creation and commercialization. Participants will discuss potential collaborative steps that the Commerce Department and administration can take working with universities and industry to increase and accelerate commercialization of federal R&D in universities.

“It’s not tenable for the United States to continue with the status quo,” Locke said at the Kauffman Foundation’s State of Entrepreneurship event. “In a world where innovation is critical to U.S. competitiveness, we must do everything in our power to optimize commercialization that stems from our nation’s vast research investments. The Commerce Department is working hard to find solutions, and as has always been the case, we will look to America's entrepreneurs to help chart the path back to recovery.”

Universities cultivate many of the critical capabilities needed to build an innovation economy, including the creation of new fundamental knowledge and technologies, the production of skilled industrial and research workforces, and entrepreneurship and leadership development. The federal government makes substantial investments in university-based R&D and has a long relationship with the university community. With input from many stakeholders, the Commerce Department will explore ways to increase and accelerate commercialization of new ideas from R&D that lead to new businesses and new jobs.

Source: Department of Commerce Press Release