| Architecture Billings End 2006 with Highest Mark of Year
Following a six-point jump in November, the Architecture
Billings Index increased even more in December and finished
2006 with its highest score, the Washington, D.C.-based American
Institute of Architects announced.
The commercial/industrial sector recorded its highest reading
(63.0) in the history of the survey that originated in 1995,
while scores in the institutional market also showed improvement.
A score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.
With an approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture
billings and construction spending, the ABI is a leading economic
indicator of construction activity, and should translate into
a high level of activity throughout 2007.
The December ABI rating was 59.5, up from 57.4 in November.
Regional averages broke down as follows: Northeast (69.7),
West (61.2), Midwest (56.1) and South (52.1).
Sector index breakdown were commercial/industrial (63.0),
institutional (60.2), mixed (57.8) and residential (49.3).
The inquiries index was 58.5.
Ball State President Gets AIA Indiana's Blackburn Award
Jo Ann Gora, president of Ball State University in Muncie,
has received the Walter S. Blackburn Award from the Indiana
Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Gora was honored for her service and support of architecture
in Indiana, the AIA said.
"President Gora's dedication to the profession of architecture
and to Indiana is truly appreciated," said AIA Indiana
Board President Cory Miller. "Her commitment and partnership
with the Hoosier architecture community is creating a unique
synergy that will benefit Indiana now and in the future."
The award is given to a nonarchitect who has contributed their
time and efforts in service to and support of the architectural
profession in Indiana.
Walter Blackburn was a prominent architect and Indianapolis
civic leader who served on numerous local, state and national
arts and nonprofit organizations.
Two Midwesterners Get Architecture Research Grants
Two Midwesterners have received 2007 Research Grants in
Architecture from the Boston Society of Architects:
Pongsak Chaisuparamikul, COMING of the Illinois Institute
of Technology in Chicago, has received $10,000 for "Data
Exchange Model and Software Interoperability to Improve the
Energy-Efficient Building Design Process."
Ulrike Passe, COMING of Iowa State University in Ames,
will received $20,000 for "The Fluid Dynamics of Air
Flow in Free-Flow Open Spaces: An Architectural Approach to
Energy-Efficient Buildings."
Six other grants were given to researchers outside the Midwest.
This year 86 grant applications were received, and grants
were awarded totaling $81,629.
Madison Office Has First in LEED
A project designed by Milwaukee-based Eppstein Uhen Architects
is reportedly the first commercial interiors project in
Madison to be awarded for LEED certification.
The award was given for the firm's own office.
Special attention was given to those products that were
manufactured within a 500-mile radius. About 73 percent
of the materials and products were regional.
Some finishes were made with recycled and-or renewable materials
to reduce the extraction and processing of virgin materials.
Eighty percent of the construction waste was recycled. Renewable
energy was purchased to offset power usage completed.
Engineering, Business Programs Get Together in Southern
Indiana
A $32 million, 117,000-sq-ft classroom and laboratory
building that will serve both the Business School and the
Engineering Department at the University of Southern Indiana
in Evansville was announced.
The business and engineering programs will be served interdependently,
providing both dedicated and shared classroom and laboratory
space. The design allows each program to have a distinct
identity, yet overlap in a shared central atrium.
The building will also contain laboratory and office space
for the Department of Engineering of the USI Pott College
of Science and Engineering.
Sited at the southwest corner of the University's southern
quadrangle, the building has been positioned and shaped
to further define this part of the campus while maintaining
views to Reflection Lake from the quadrangle and from Rice
Library.
Predominant building materials of brick, limestone and glass
will connect the new building to existing campus facilities.
The Engineering Department will be clad in an ochre brick,
while the Business School will be clad in limestone and
masonry.
Large areas of glass will provide light and views while
making public the activities within the building. Entry
will occur along a seam between the business and engineering
programs, and arrival will be announced by an atrium filled
with views, natural light, and collaborative activity.
St. Louis-based HOK and Evansville-based Hafer Associates
are the designers.
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