Columns - the AIA Arkansas newsletter

We hope you enjoy the lastest edition of the AIA Arkansas newsletter. You may scroll down the page or use the links to the left to access articles in this newsletter.

If you have news you would like to share that meets the submission guidelines, please submit it to joie@brentstevensonassociates.com.

The next deadline is June 15th.

Enjoy!

DEADLINES

A message form the president

Frank Barksdale

Speaking of deadlines do you have your learning units for sustainability?

If not we have a great event planned May 19-21 in Rogers. REALgreen Sustainability in the real world will focus on real economics, real applications and real homes. The speaker list is very exciting and diverse. By now you should have received several emails about the speakers and the conference. You can also go to www.REAL-green.info to sign up for the event.

With each passing day we are all moving toward fulfilling the number of days we are allotted on this earth. Recession or good times I encourage you to embrace, engage and enjoy each day, spring is almost over.

I am honored to be your AIA president.

Frank Barksdale AIA

Our industry thrives on deadlines! It seems as though 80% of the work gets done in 20% of the time allotted. Our time is full of potential distractions and disruptions. Spring, my favorite time of the year, is here and we would all like to give spring a deadline I am sure. It seems spring is similar to this recession, just when you think things are warming up another cold front moves through. We know however, that spring will end soon. Unfortunately we do not know when this recession will end and all of us would like to give the recession a deadline, my preference would be tomorrow.

CONVENTIONS

AIA ARKANSAS STATE CONVENTION & EXPO

SEPTEMBER 15-17, 2011

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Be watching your email for convention announcements. Your convention committee has been working all year long to bring you a line up of speakers and events that you will not want to miss.

Just to get you started, here are a few of this year's Featured Speakers. More information on speakers, tours, events and more will be coming soon.

SO STAY TUNED!

Deborah Burke, FAIA

Deborah Berke + Partners Architects in New York, NY

David Basulto

ArchDaily in New York, NY

Steve Dumez, FAIA

eskew+dumez+ripple in New Orleans, LA

Rand Elliot, AIA

Rand Elliott + Associates in Oklahoma City, OK

Tim Hursley

Architecture Photographer

Matt Kreilich, AIA

Julie Snow Architects in Minneapolis, MN

Kevin Alter, Assoc. AIA

Alter Studio in Austin, TX

May 19-21, 2011

Rogers, AR

REALgreen will be the first conference of its kind that takes the ambitious goals of LEED and the greater green movement and explores how it is being applied in real-life situations today.

As architects, you will have to opportunity to recieve up to 11 SD credits. All classes submited to AIA National have been approved. Find out more about the conference by visiting www.real-green.info.

This event is for Building Professionals - architects, engineers, contractors / suppliers, LEED AP; Business People in building related fields - facility managers, school superintendents, developers, universities, manufacturers, and local and state governments; and Sponsors and Exhibitors

REALgreen Conference and Expo 2011 is being presented by a collaboration of the: American Institute of Architects- Arkansas Chapter, U.S. Green Building Council- Arkansas Chapter and the Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce.

AIA NATIONAL CONVENTION

GULF STATES RECEPTION

May 12-14

New Orleans, LA

Please make plans to join us in New Orleans as we celebrate the Gulf States Region Honor Award recipients!

We will also honor our newly elevated Fellows: Mac Ball, FAIA, New Orleans; Don Brown, FAIA, Montgomery; Patrick Davis, FAIA, Birmingham; and William Manning, FAIA, New Orleans.

ALL Gulf States Fellows are also invited to be our special guests at the gala reception. Convention attendees from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee are welcome to attend without rsvp.

As always, we'll have food, drinks and fellowship as we celebrate the quality and diversity of our Region's architecture and salute our Fellows!

Date: Friday, May 13

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Grand Salon, Section 3 & 6

2 Poydras Street, New Orleans 70130

Laissez les bon temps rouler, mes amis!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FACEBOOK

AIA Arkansas has plunged into the Social Network! Become our friend on Facebook and stay informed with what is happening with AIA Arkansas. Click the icon to the right to visit our page.

RAFFLE

Associate Collaboration Piece

For convention 2010, the Associate AIA created an image of the Ponte

Vecchio in Florence, Italy, using 30 individual "modules." Students from the Fay Jones School of Architecture, as well as emerging professionals around the state volunteered to created pieces that would all come together as one large scale art installation. (66"x60")

The piece was displayed at the Arkansas AIA Convention in 2010 and now needs a new home. We are raffling off the piece at the Convention in Hot Springs this year, so you have now until then to buy as many tickets as you like!

The raffle will be open to all individuals who would like to purchase a ticket, and the drawing will take place during convention. Tickets will be on sale from now until then, and there will be opportunity to buy tickets at Convention as well. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Dana Vickerson or attending the Central Arkansas Lecture Series.

TICKET PRICES: $5.00/Ticket or 5 for $20.00

For Questions Contact:

Dana Vickerson, Assistant Associate Director AIA Arkansas

dana@jacksonbrownking.com

501-590-5054

AIA Members Now Save Money on Lodging

A new relationship with Club Quarters hotels saves AIA members money. AIA Component staff can also take advantage of low subsidized rates during the week, and even lower rates on the weekend. If you are traveling for business or for personal reasons, you may book a room at any Club Quarters location by booking through the designated AIA Reservation Link.

Historic Preservation Award Program

Nomination Form

The Fayetteville Historic District Commission has organized the first City-initiated awards program for historic preservation. Nominations are being accepted for five awards to honor projects, organizations, and individuals that have displayed outstanding commitment, practice, and leadership in preservation in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

AIA Arkansas LegaLine

New Member Benefit

AIA Arkansas as a Component has recently purchased a subscription to LegaLine through the AIA Trust. LegaLine is a legal information service offered by Charles F. Heuer, FAIA, Esq. is aimed at small firms to help members negotiate and interpret contracts, determine whether they need to hire a lawyer, resolve or mitigate disputes, and help them manage risks and prevent lawsuits. Should you need this service please contact the AIA Arkansas office and we will put you in contact with Mr. Heuer at no cost through our subscription. Members who wish to purchase a firm subscription will receive a 6-month free subscription as a first-time member.

E. Fay Jones Guide Book

A new publication by Craig W. Stevens

Every known built work by E. Fay Jones is featured in the book, with addresses, maps and directions to the locations. Around 150 locations are featured in the book, with over 550 original photographs included. Works by Maurice Jennings and David McKee are also featured. This is a self published book which Stevens worked on for over two years. It is available at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1934204.

New ADA Standards

July 26, 2010, marked the 20th anniversary of a landmark piece of legislation that the American Institute of Architects was instrumental in shaping - The Americans with Disabilities Act. The law banned, for the first time, discrimination against people with disabilities. It required business, buildings, transportation, public transportation, and other services to accommodate the disabled and outlawed workplace discrimination against disabled workers.

Although the AIA applauds the Obama administration for implementing new ADA standards, it recognizes that there are a number of implications for architects. For more information and updates, please visit the ADA Resource Page.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

PROJECT ARCHITECT

Hnedak Bobo Group

Is 2011 your year for a career advancement? Join national hospitality design firm, Hnedak Bobo Group, in the integral role of Project Architect.

Project Architect

· Lead an architectural team in the coordination of all aspects of project documentation working under the direction of a Project Manager.

· Will have 7-10 years of quality technical documentation experience with demonstrated ability to develop final detailed solutions from conceptual design; successful history of coordinating external consultants; and ability to direct a team with strong communication and organizational skills

· Hospitality, entertainment, and/or gaming project history preferred

· Must be skilled in MS Excel, MS Word, AutoCAD and Revit.

Architectural license preferred

Perks include a flexible work schedule, 100% paid health insurance, and a collaborative team environment. Interested? Send resume along and project history to Laura Nick at lnick@hbginc.com or visit Hnedak Bobo Group.

INTERN ARCHITECT
Nielsen Architecture

Architectural Intern to help in the design and coordination of various types of commercial projects

Commercial design & interior design

Prefer Experience in Revit & Photoshop

Send resume to Eric Nielsen or visit www.nielsen-architecture.com

SENIOR ARCHITECT

SAIC

SAIC is looking for a dynamic person to join the firm as a Sr. Architect in their Lowell, Arkansas office. The ideal candidate will be seeking a career opportunity and upward mobility in a full-service, award-winning design firm engaged in executing challenging projects for private and public sector clients. This is a direct hire opportunity.

Job Location: Lowell, AR (reporting to St. Paul, MN)

Job Responsibilities

Work directly with clients to coordinate proto-type designs with local zoning requirements while maintaining customer branding requirements.
Entitlement activities including presentation of project concepts to local officials.
Work closely with clients and in-house multi-disciplinary colleagues to provide intelligent solutions on projects
Development of projects from space planning/programming and design through final construction documents and coordination of construction administration.
Develop final construction documents based on scope of work using clients standards and criteria
Field verification of existing conditions (some overnight travel required).

Job Requirements Job Requirements

Professional registration
LEED accreditation is a plus
Minimum of 6 years experience with 5 years in the retail industry
Experience with retail "big box" prototype design preferred
Sound working knowledge of codes, building systems and construction methods.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills.
Proficiency in preparing construction drawings/specifications and code reviews.
Computer literacy including AutoCAD, Word, Excel and Sketch-up.
BIM (Revit) experience is preferred
Experience working in a multi-discipline environment is a plus
Strong leadership and team building skills
Extensive experience working directly with customers is preferred
Ability to work with limited oversight and/or direction

SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, LLC, a subsidiary of SAIC, is a solutions-based firm that provides comprehensive A&E design, environmental services, systems engineering and integration, advanced communications systems design and in-house design build project delivery. The firm provides specialized consulting services to support project development in a variety of sectors including: retail, corporate design; education and training; energy; health care; research; transportation; industrial and manufacturing; oil, gas & chemicals; and mission-critical facilities.

"NCARB Talks" Video Series Debuts

Tips on how to develop a plan to get licensed by the architects who work at NCARB

Washington, DC-The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) has launched a new video series entitled "NCARB Talks," featuring short, informal conversations with architects on staff. These videos give viewers a glimpse of individual triumphs and challenges on the path to licensure. They discuss their experiences with the Intern Development Program (IDP), the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), and the importance of getting licensed and ultimately NCARB certified.

Whether you are a student considering the profession, or are an intern currently in the process of becoming licensed, this series provides insight into the licensure process. These videos are also a resource to illustrate the realities of the profession for those mentoring the next generation of architects.

In addition to the hundreds of volunteer architects from the 54 U.S. registration boards who work to contribute to the development of NCARB's programs, there are many architects on staff in its Washington, DC office. As is typical in the profession, each of these individuals had their own unique plan to earn their license to practice architecture.

The "NCARB Talks" series will first feature Assistant Director, ARE Development Jared Zurn, AIA, NCARB, and Manager, IDP Martin Smith, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate. For Zurn, the driving factor in seeking his license was independence-he knew that if he became licensed, he really had more opportunities. While for Smith, getting to licensure was about discovering his passion for the profession. Wherever his life takes him, he will maintain his licensed because he knows he will go back to it.

All videos will be available at www.ncarb.org and NCARB's YouTube channel at ww.youtube.com/user/NCARBorg.

PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITIES

Accessible Homes

Do you design homes for people living with disabilities?

Boston architect Deb Pierce AIA is working with Taunton Press on a book about accessible homes - for people with physical, visual, auditory, and cognitive limitations. The book will celebrate good design with ompelling case studies, engaging details, and inspiring concepts, where accessibility is seamless integrated or exuberantly expressed.

If you have projects you'd be willing to have included in this book. please respond with a short narrative about the project and a few photos. Credits and further conversations to follow if your projects are included i the book. Further details available by contacting Deb directly,

deb@piercelambarchitects.com, or by phone at 617-964-1311.

STYLE 1900

Do you know any great Arts and Crafts houses?

Style 1900 magazine is searching for Craftsman, Bungalow or Prairie-style homes for upcoming issues. The houses should feature furnishings, finishes, lighting and collectibles that reflect the movement's heyday, from 1890 to 1920. Interiors should be steeped in the artistry and atmosphere of the Arts and Crafts era, and should reflect the occupants' personal passion for the period.

If you know a private residence that might be appropriate, please e-mail a brief description of the project and some photos, if you have them.

We can't publish houses that have been featured in competing national magazines, but prior trade or local publication is acceptable.

Don't have an entire house that qualifies? We're also seeking "before" and "after" photos of rooms that have been made over in Arts and Crafts style, as well as Craftsman kitchens and baths.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Fred Albert, Editor in Chief

fred@style1900.com

206.463.9550 (8-6 Pacific Time)

MEMBER NEWS

Three Architecture School Alumni Honored With Design Awards

Top projects spotlight residential, cultural, historic preservation works

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Fifteen designs for homes, historic renovation, retail and corporate space, and structures dedicated to health care, education and religion vied for recognition in this year's Fay Jones Alumni Design Awards competition.

Entries came from Fay Jones School of Architecture alumni practicing in cities around the state, as well as in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. After careful review, the three-member jury chose four projects for accolades.

The alumni design awards were announced and presented April 11 during the school's annual Honors Recognition Banquet at the Arkansas Union on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville.

Reese Rowland took this year's top award, the Honor Award, as design principal for the Arkansas Studies Institute in Little Rock. Rowland, who graduated in 1990 from the university with a Bachelor of Architecture, is a principal with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects in Little Rock. Rowland won the first prize in the 2010 alumni design competition, with his design of the Heifer International Education Center in Little Rock, and was a co-winner of the 2008 alumni design competition, with his design of the Heifer International Headquarters in Little Rock.

The jury commended the Arkansas Studies Institute project for its "sensitive and innovative adaptive reuse of existing buildings" in the River Market District of Little Rock. "The architects successfully combined a modern, inviting series of spaces and materials, with the skillful and sensitive renovation of the historic existing buildings containing special collections as an extension of the main library.

"The porous, inviting exterior fenestration encourages public exploration and utilization of the building, with its excellent implementation of a unifying system or vocabulary of architectural elements, tying together three disparate existing structures. This inviting openness and airiness is achieved with the use of exposed steel framing, internal bridges and atriums bringing daylight deep into the building. The weaving of structure, program and architectural elements, such as skylights and internal bridges, supports the architect's primary concept of the building as 'open pages of a book.' The jury felt that this is clearly achieved and articulated, resulting in an exceptionally successful example of adaptive reuse, combining the existing urban fabric with modern spaces and forms."

Two Merit Awards went to Tim Maddox of deMx Architecture in Fayetteville for RomWoods and Bakhita Ridge, two homes in Fayetteville. Maddox is a 2002 graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture.

For RomWoods, jury members applauded the "clear, compact sense of scale and breakdown of elements." They also appreciated the architect's use of a formal diagram "interpreting the vernacular dogtrot plan as a local precedent, firmly rooting the house as a modern form interpreting local context and regional forms."

With Bakhita Ridge, the jury recognized the project's "strong, clear plan, clear forms and connection to the outdoors, bracketing or framing the exterior landscape garden and barn through the use of scale, massing and abstraction of the agrarian-inspired architectural language." The jury also noted the balance of contemporary and modern forms, with comfortable and warm interior spaces, which was achieved through contrasts, colors and materials.

An Honorable Mention was given to John Dupree of Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects in Fayetteville for restoration of the Historic Washington County Courthouse. Dupree is a 1969 graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture.

The jury said the "most spectacular achievement" in the restoration of the courthouse, built in 1905, was the refurbishment of the third-floor courtroom, complete with a gallery opening to the fourth floor, returning it to its original appearance. Jury members commended this project "for revitalizing an historic structure of great significance to the region, taking care to uncover and preserve the qualities that make this building an important landmark of historic significance and architectural importance."

Jury members were all faculty members of the architecture school: Santiago R. Perez, assistant professor of architecture; Mark Boyer, head of the landscape architecture department; and G. Marie Gentry, director of the interior design program.

UALR EIT Building achieves First LEED Gold Certification in the University of Arkansas System

Cromwell Architects Engineers would like to announce the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's George W. Donaghey Engineering and Information Technology Building a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification of Gold. The EIT Building is the first LEED Gold facility for the University of Arkansas System. As a leader in Sustainable Design, Cromwell designed the first LEED Certified building in Arkansas, also a University of Arkansas facility.

Cromwell would like to commend the University and Nabholz Construction for their commitment to sustainable design and green practices. The LEED Certification process was led by Cromwell's LEED Expert, Mr. Clint Whitley, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C. The 120,000 SF UALR EIT building is the first of its kind in Arkansas. The new building typology will train students to be proficient in computing science, systems engineering and information technology, and also conduct virtual e-classes all over the world, including India, China and Taiwan. The EIT building is a six story building with 4000 sf of server rooms, sixteen classrooms, a 215 seat 'black box' auditorium, 60 faculty offices plus dean's suite, recruiting/student lounge, coffee lounge and graduate student research spaces.

Some of the innovative sustainable technologies incorporated into the EIT building include: maximizing open space around the building, orienting the building along an E-W axis to limit solar gain, high efficiency plumbing fixtures, and a high level of system controllability. There is a custom air handling unit with an energy recovery wheel, recovering energy from the exhaust air to precondition the fresh air for the building. During construction, over 90% of the typical construction waste was diverted from landfills, to be reused, recycled, or repurposed. Priority was also given to install materials with low VOC content, high recycled content, regionally available materials, and materials that were harvested responsibly. The project incorporated several other environmentally responsible features to achieve certification.

The building was designed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) in order to help communicate and coordinate the building's systems. BIM was also helpful in making presentations to the university by creating a virtual model that the University's Administration and even the state governor were delighted in having a virtual walk through of the building more than two years before construction was scheduled for completion.

UALR EIT is a well balanced building of function, beauty, sustainability and economy.

New Johnson Dermatology Clinic Built to be Sustainable and Healthy

By BECKY GILLETTE - MEDICAL NEWS of ARKANSAS - MAY 2011

FORT SMITH--Johnson Dermatology Clinic is leading the way with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The facility owned by husband-and-wife team Sandy Johnson, MD, and Brad Johnson, MD, is believed to be the first medical clinic in the state to use green building techniques that would qualify it to become LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The project had complete buy-in on the concept of sustainability, said project architect Travis R. Bartlett, AIA, MAHG Architecture, Fort Smith.

"The owner, architect and contractor were committed from the beginning to envision, design, and build a project that would weave the thread of sustainability throughout the project," Bartlett said. "With buildings consuming approximately 40 percent of the world's energy and producing approximately 40 percent of all global waste, we as architects have to improve the way we design and construct buildings. We have to walk the talk."

The 12,000-square-foot clinic is located in a rural area of Fort Smith with a lot of farms around it. So instead of something stark and modern looking, they chose the concept of the modern barn to guide the design process. Bartlett said the project embodies the simple lines and exposed structure of a barn with the technology and science of a state-of-the-art medical practice and sustainable building.

"The modern barn concept followed through to the silo we use to store harvested rain-water for non-potable water use," said Michael L. Lejong AIA, a LEED Accredited Professional and partner with MAHG. "A geo-thermal system heats and cools the building. The light color of the roof and surrounding concrete parking reduce the overall heat-island effect. That results in less energy usage to cool the building during the summer months."

While the building was more expensive than conventional construction, long term there will be significant benefits, said the contractor for the project, Travis Beshears, a partner with Beshears Construction.

"Plus it is designed to get better payback for your employees," Beshears said. "For example, every room has natural daylight features that make people feel better about their work environment, which makes for happier and more productive employees. It is great, especially, to see healthcare professionals being more aware of how the work environment can affect people's health."

The federal government and a lot of schools including the University of Arkansas system have been building many of their new buildings to be LEED certified. And Beshears thinks more private businesses like Johnson Dermatology will be going after LEED certification.

"It makes me very proud to be part of construction of the clinic, especially it being one of the few buildings in Fort Smith that is going for LEED certification," Beshears said.

Sandy Johnson said the new "green" office is part of a commitment that started back in 2006 when they went to electronic medical records to avoid wasting paper. They also use cloth instead of paper gowns. Their home has many environmental features such as solar panels and geothermal heat and cooling. They also recycle and are careful about using green household products.

When it came time to build a new clinic, they decided to continue down the path of environmental sustainability.

"We feel that as medical professionals and community leaders, we owe it to our community, our patients, and our children to invest in a place that is as environmentally friendly as possible," Johnson said. "It is a lot more expensive to do it that way, but we feel the cost is worth it considering the decrease in the impact we will have on the environment. And, there will be cost savings in the future. Also, as dermatologists we discuss with patients how to be sun smart as we treat skin cancer on a daily basis. Anything that we can do to help the environment also helps us, our patients and the future."

The new clinic that opened April 1 was built with the Johnson's two children in mind.

"We have a ten-year-old son, and an eight-year-old daughter," Johnson said. "We are concerned about their future. They are integral in our recycling at the house. We talk to them about not leaving the water running and turning off the lights when they leave the room. This clinic is just an extension of our thought process."

They were careful to use green paints and other healthy building materials that minimize outgassing of volatile organic compounds that are hazardous to breathe.

"Some people say they like that new house smell, but those are actually toxins in our environment," Johnson said. "So we don't have any of that. A lot of people just don't know how important this is. We want our clinic to be as healthy as it can be."

Other green features of the building include artificial light controlled with motion sensors to minimize unnecessary electrical use. There are more than 50 temperature controls throughout the building to provide individual control for the people in the building. Rainwater is being harvested and stored. And landscaping is drought proof, eliminating the need for irrigation.

And the clinic is as esthetically pleasing as it is functional.

"It is beautiful," Johnson said. "It is amazing what it does for your sense of mood and overall happiness."

There are several different designations for LEED certification. The Johnsons plan to apply for Silver LEED certification.

ALLIED MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Innerplan is proud to offer the Haworth Very family of seating!

With the introduction of the Haworth Very Task chair, the Very family of seating is growing! With five different chair models, and many options to choose from, Very seating can complete any space from an executive boardroom to a breakroom and even a home office.

Look for even more additions to the Very family to come Summer 2011!

1.501.371.0300

Follow Innerplan on Twitterand Facebook!

www.innerplan.com

innerplan

MARVIN® EXPANDS FACTORY PAINTED INTERIOR FINISHES

White painted factory finish now available on all pine products,

wood or clad

Warroad, Minn., April 28, 2011 - Marvin Windows and Doors is living up to its "Built around you" promise by offering a factory-applied painted interior finish on all pine window and door products.

All pine Marvin windows and doors - both wood and clad - will be available in the factory-applied, White Painted Interior Finish option.

"Our customers asked for this option, and we heard them," said Bill Boyd, product planner for Marvin Windows and Doors. "Our factory-applied painted interior finish is beautiful, durable and more environmentally friendly than on-site painting."

The Marvin factory uses state of the art spray equipment to minimize any paint overspray or waste. VOC's (volatile organic compounds) are captured and filtered to minimize impact to the environment. That makes the factory finish "greener" than a finish that's applied on the jobsite.

The new finish option lets builders, remodelers and homeowners enjoy the many benefits of factory-applied paint:

Convenience: Eliminates the mess and time associated with painting windows at the job site - and ends the logistics hassle of having them painted off-site.
Durability: Our factory-applied paint topcoat meets or exceeds standards of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA TM 14-09 standards).
Integrated prime/paint system: A primer and paint system designed to work together for exceptional durability and paint adhesion.
Environmentally friendly: The water-based enamel primer and paint have zero Volatile Hazardous Air Pollutants (VHAPs) and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Marvin's White Painted Interior Finish will be introduced by region across the United States beginning in April and continue through the summer.

"We expect this to become a very popular option," Boyd said. "Expanding our range of factory-applied finishes makes for one less item that builders, remodelers and homeowners will need to worry about during their projects."

Acoustics

Noise tops the list of workplace distractions, and it's a very subjective issue; meaning that managing expectations is just as important as implementing an appropriate solution. By Reviewing the basics of sound control, you will learn about the options available to minimize distracting noise, and improve the overall acoustical quality of the space.

PRESENTER: Isabel Stoltzman, Workplace Consultant

WHEN: May 11th from 12:00-1:00pm (Lunch from 11:00-1:00pm)

WHERE: Today's Office at 717 W 7th St. in Little Rock

today's office

CONTACT INFO

Rhonda Bradley

(501) 375-5050 x151

mkholley@todaysofficeinc.com

AIA NATIONAL NEWS

Congress RepealS Punitive 1099 Provision in Health Care Reform Legislation

Congress handed down an important victory for architects and businesses across the nation. In a bipartisan 87-12 vote, the Senate voted for a bill, backed by the AIA, to eliminate a burdensome and costly new paperwork mandate.

As you may know, the health care reform bill passed last year included a new paperwork requirement that had little to do with health care, but would have dramatically increased paperwork burdens on businesses. The provision stated that, starting in 2012, all business payments or purchases over $600 would need to be accompanied by a Form 1099 filing.

The AIA, along with allied industries, businesses, and associations, called for the elimination of this requirement and made it a top advocacy priority. The mandate would have disproportionately affected smaller firms, which would have faced mounting fees for tax preparation, or even penalties for non-compliance. These small businesses provide jobs, service the community, and create opportunities for every day Americans. We could not afford to burden small businesses at such a critical time in our economic recovery.

Thanks to the efforts of AIA members and countless others, Congress has now passed a bill that eliminates this provision, and President Obama has said he will sign the repeal into law.

To learn more about the AIA's advocacy efforts in Washington and around the country, visit our site and see our press release. You also can contact the AIA's government relations team at govaffs@aia.org.

Lack of Financing for Construction Projects

It's no secret that a lack of financing for construction projects is the main barrier to getting our profession back to work. Even as demand for architects' services slowly begins to recover, the Federal Reserve is reporting that banks are still making it hard for businesses to get loans.

The AIA has made freeing up credit for design and construction its top advocacy priority in Washington - and I am pleased to say that Congress is starting to listen. This week, Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Mike Coffman (R-CO) and Scott Tipton (R-CO) introduced the Credit Access for Main Street Act (HR 1356). This bipartisan bill would enable small community banks to spreads out their commercial real estate loans over a longer period, which would give them more capital to invest in loans. That will help them provide more financing and create jobs.

Although this bill is not a silver bullet by any means, it is a critical component of the AIA's Plan for Rebuilding Main Street it unveiled earlier this year. A similar bill passed the House last year but died in the Senate.

We need your help in telling Congress they need to act on this bill as soon as possible to get our profession and economy moving again. Please click on this link to send a message to your House member.

For more information on the bill, click here. And to read the AIA's plan, click here.

The AIA Finds that Build America Bonds Supported $40 Billion in Building Construction

Part of the 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), the Build America Bonds (BABs) program was a new type of taxable bond that allowed a wider range of investors to purchase municipal debt and finance a broad set of infrastructure and construction improvements.

The program expired at the end of 2010 as Congressional leaders were unable to reach a deal to extend the program, but President Obama and members of both political parties have made efforts to renew the program this year or in fiscal year 2012.

The AIA recently called on Congress to renew in full the Build America Bonds program. This marks the first official position the AIA has taken on the BABs program.

Using data obtained from Thompson Reuters and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the AIA has estimated that BABs financed between $40 and $55 billion in building construction activity that was likely to require architectural services. Much of that money was used to finance construction in K-12 schools and higher education facilities, but it also financed office buildings, multi-family housing, theatres, and government buildings.

Now, AIA Government Relations wants to hear directly from our members. If your firm has received work for a project that took advantage of Build America Bonds in 2009 or 2010, write us at govaffs@aia.org.

GOLD RIBBON SPONSORS

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Jake Nabholz, Clay Gordon, Brad Hegeman

Southern Reprographics Inc.

P.O. Box 1878, Little Rock, AR 72203

(501) 372-4011

Phillip McColey, Pam Brawley, Farris Lance

Today's Office Inc.

717 West 7th Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 375-5050

Rhonda Bradley, Keeley Claude, Missy Holley

SILVER RIBBON CO-SPONSORS

Arkansas Granite & More

18525 Interstate 30, Benton, AR 72015

(501) 315-4500

Scott McElroy, Glen McElroy

Block USA

9712 Mann Rd., Mabelvale, AR 72103

(501) 804-2957

John Cook

Glen Jones & Associates

107 Cherrybark Lane, Vicksburg, MS 39180

(601) 634-0877

Glen Jones, Alex Prince

Kinco Constructors

12600 Lawson Road, Little Rock, AR 72210

(501) 225-7606

Art Kinnaman, Andrew Mincks

Curtis H. Stout, Inc.

2400 N. Cantrell Road #100, Little Rock, AR 72202

(501) 374-6694

Megan Gardisser, Becky Major

DuPont Tyvek

171 Mountain Valley Dr., Maumelle, AR 72113

(501) 804-7889

Mark Edds

Long Sales Agency

914 Barber, Little Rock, AR 72202

(501) 374-3088

Randall Long, James Long

Workplace Resource of Little Rock

409 East 3rd Street, Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 244-9696

Randy King, Jenny Harper

AIAAR Red Grey

1020 W 4th Street, Suite 400

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 661-1111 Phone

(501) 372-4505 Fax

info@aiaar.org