'Archtoberfest': Buildings + beer

The Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton is one of many nominations submitted so far for the annual Orchids & Onions awards program, one of the headliner events during Archtoberfest in October.

If Oktoberfest is all about beer, local architects hope their first-ever "Archtoberfest" will be about buildings, landscapes, planning and environmental sustainability.

And lots of beer, wine and other refreshments, of course.

The monthlong program in October will start with Orchids & Onions, the nearly 40-year-old awards program for good and bad design, and end with local American Institute of Architects' chapter annual Design Awards program (for only good work).

"I think it's going to be great fun," said Bastiaan Bouma, executive director of the AIA chapter that's putting together the schedule.

(The name is pronunciationally challenging: it's "ark-tober-fest.")

Modeled after the "Architecture in the City" program in San Francisco and the Open House Chicago architectural tour that Bouma previously ran, San Diego's festival also takes its cue from the area's growing reputation as a national capital of craft beer. One of the proposed events is an "ArchiBall" costume party on Halloween at Stone Brewery.

Besides the AIA, other sponsors and partner organizers come from the San Diego Architectural Foundation, Friends of San Diego Architecture, San Diego Design Film Festival, professional design organizations, museums and schools.

Confirmed events include the two award presentations, a four-day film festival and several lectures, museum exhibitions and parties.

Many events will be free, including an Oct. 3 afternoon program on fire safety while building near canyons and in backcountry wildlands. The local chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects is the organizer.

Originally posted here:
'Archtoberfest': Buildings + beer