AIA is now accepting applications for the 2011-2014 IDP Firm Award and the 2011-2014 IDP Outstanding Firm Award on behalf of the IDP Advisory Committee (IDPAC), a committee co-chaired by NCARB and AIA. Granted annually to firms that engage with and enhance the internship process, these two awards bestow a three-year recognition to organizations that embrace and support the Intern Development Program (IDP) and the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Applications are available now on the IDP Firm Award Program page and will be accepted until October 12, 2011. The IDPAC will review applications beginning in October and announce the recipients in late November.

Detailed explanations for both awards are available in the IDP Firm Awards Program Guidelines.

STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE  PUBLISHES NEW RULES                

 AUGUST 15, 2011

Act 391 of the 2011 Louisiana Regular Session, regarding fire protection and means of egress requirements for commercial buildings, went into effect August 15 of this year. This bill enacts R.S. 40:1730.23.G, which states "A parish or municipality may accept determinations made by the state fire marshal as they pertain to life safety and fire protection as required in this Part." In order to allow for uniform application of this provision, the following procedures are being implemented by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections:

For full Memorandum and implemented procedures click here

The highest honor bestowed upon architectural professionals by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the President's Medal for Distinguished Service, went to seven deserving individuals at the organization's 2011 Annual Meeting and Conference, held in Washington, DC.

Mark I. Aspaas, AIA, NCARB; David Cronrath, AIA; Lenore M. Lucey, FAIA, CAE; George H. Miller, FAIA; Zerrin Sayar, Jose Luis Cortes Delgado and Andre Bourassa were announced and honored as the recipients of this year's President's Medal for Distinguished Service. In announcing the recipients, 2010-2011 NCARB President Kenneth J. Naylor, AIA, NCARB, Hon. RAIC, praised the medal winners for their commitment to the architectural profession and to the organization whose mission is to protect the public's health, safety and welfare by leading the regulation of standards for licensure and credentialing.

Click here to view full press release