EVENTS & CONTINUING EDUCATION
2012 SMART GROWTH SUMMIT RESCHEDULED IN ALMOST ENTIRETY The 2012 Smart Growth Summit was postponed due to Hurricane Isaac in late August. 
Thanks to the flexibility of the speakers, the generosity of sponsors, and the hard work of the staff, Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) has been able to reschedule the 2012 Smart Growth Summit for November 26-28, the Monday through Wednesday immediately following the Thanksgiving holidays.
The Louisiana Smart Growth Summit is an annual convening in downtown Baton Rouge of elected officials, engaged citizens and local, national, and international experts in community planning and growth. The 2012 summit will focus on the smart economics of Smart Growth featuring topics such as: Parks and green-ways, bike infrastructure, art for revitalization, financing, water management, neighborhoods, preservation, transit and housing, coastal communities, communications, green building, crime in our communities, rural communities, economic development.
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NEWS AND LEGISLATION
ABI REFLECTS STRONGEST BILLINGS IN  | |
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NEARLY TWO YEARS Hiring at firms also begins to pick up steam By Jennifer Riskus
Architecture firms reported an improvement in business conditions for the second consecutive month in September, as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) climbed to a score of 51.6, reflecting the strongest growth in nearly two years. With the general economy continuing to show signs of improvement, there is hope for a more sustained period of recovery for the profession. Inquiries into new work remained strong this month, and fewer firms reported a decline in the value of new design contracts.
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NEWS AND LEGISLATION
ARCHITECTS USE DESIGN TO FIGHT OBESITY  By Haya El Nasser, USA Today
"Active design'' is the new weapon in the fight against the national obesity crisis. Stairs, open spaces, locating office equipment away from desks are design tools used to get people moving.
The push to reverse the obesity epidemic and promote physical fitness is spilling into design and architecture and beginning to target one of the nation's most sedentary environments: the office.
"Active design" -- the architectural principle of creating spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles -- is gaining popularity as more cities and companies join the fight and embrace healthy initiatives and "green'' measures.
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KIDS BUILD CARDBOARD CITYSCAPE
 At this year's Red River Revel, Shreveport's Fall Festival, one of the events kids could enjoy was a wonderfully kid friendly and interactive booth provided by the American Institute of Architecture Shreveport. Young people could build cardboard structures that were then placed together to form a cardboard cityscape. "Essentially, kids come in, get their plot; they have all the materials, and basically, there are samples from different architects' offices, which they can use to build, potentially a building," said Mike Sievers with the AIA. "Honestly, it's turned into a few buildings, and a little bit of art from kids taking these Formica samples and doing an art project instead of a building," said Sievers. "Really it's just to get their creative juices flowing, as long as they are designing something and having fun. |
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NEWS AND LEGISLATION
ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERING FIRMS LAG BEHIND ON SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
By: Steve Sanoski 
According to a recent survey by national consulting firm ZweigWhite, architecture, engineering, planning and environmental firms are behind the rest of the business world when it comes to using social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to market their services.
Just 15% of the firms participating in the survey report using social media to reduce their reliance on "traditional" marketing methods, and 29% of firms say they don't use any social media at all. Steve Maher, principal of Ritter Maher Architects, says he's not surprised.
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AWARDS
FAIA ARCHITECT WINS HIGH HONOR FROM HIS LOUISIANA PEERS
Architect Errol Barron, FAIA, was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA) Louisiana Medal of Honor, the highest award given by AIA LA, at its annual Design Conference in Lafayette on September 28.
Barron is a principal of Barron/Toups Architects, an award-winning firm entering its fifth decade of business. He is widely recognized as a designer, painter, educator, preservationist, musician, photographer, critic, lecturer, author and civic leader.
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AWARDS
DR. SAVOIE WINS LOUISIANA PATRON OF ARCHITECTURE AWARD
Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, President of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette (UL Lafayette), has been awarded the Patron of Architecture Award by the Louisiana Architectural Foundation. Prior to that he was Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education for the Louisiana Board of Regents.
The award was presented at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Louisiana Design Conference Awards Luncheon, held in Lafayette on September 28. The La. Patron of Architecture Award recognizes non-architect individuals, corporations, organizations and groups whose good works have encouraged, fostered or promoted public understanding and appreciation of quality in Louisiana architecture.
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PROCRASTINATOR'S SEMINAR
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PRESS RELEASE CORRECTION
The Alexandria firm Ashe Broussard Weinzettle Architects & Edward Cazayoux, FAIA of EnvironMental Design based in Breaux Bridge won an Honor Award and the Members' Choice Award in the American Institute of Architects Louisiana affiliate's annual Design Awards competition.
Read Full Release >>
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2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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PRESIDENT Jeffrey K. Smith, AIA
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT ELECT William A. Tudor, AIA
VICE PRESIDENT DISTRICT A George W. Minturn, AIA
VICE PRESIDENT DISTRICT B Lisa H. Nice, AIA, LEED AP
VICE PRESIDENT DISTRICT C Norbert L. Langlinais, AIA, NCARB
SECRETARY/TREASURER Samuel J. Herpin, AIA
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Mark F. Stielper, AIA
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NEW ARCHITECT RESOURCE PAGE
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Click image above to check out the New Architect Resource page provided by Smartvent.com
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AIA LOUISIANA HONOR AWARD WINNERS
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To view slideshow of projects awarded honors visit AIALA.com |
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AWARDS LUNCHEON
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Click picture above to enlarge image and view more
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