Claire Ryan, 12, of La Jolla, shows her house design with a waterslide that runs from the roof to the ocean. Photo Shelli DeRobertis

By Shelli DeRobertis

More than a dozen middle and high school students spent a week drawing, measuring, tracing, touring homes and designing their own at the first Young Architects Camp, hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society, July 23-27, at Wisteria Cottage, 780 Prospect St.

The class of nine boys and four girls met daily for six-hour sessions and were taught tools-of-the trade by three seasoned professionals.

Architects Trip Bennett and Laura DuCharme Conboy who combined, have 45 years of experience creating homes were teaching the session on July 27, when Bennett jokingly introduced DuCharme Conboy.

Shes the second best architect in town, Bennett said.

Joking aside, both architects have had their work featured in many publications, and both are members of the La Jolla Historical Society, which works to preserve the towns beloved sites and structures.

Jeffrey Shorn, another private-practice architect in La Jolla also shared his expertise and helped teach the camp.

Twelve-year-old Cami Hickman, of La Jolla, said she was excited to attend.

I really enjoyed it, she said. I like that we got to design our own space. For her finished product, Hickman drew a three-story modern.

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Local architects in La Jolla host camp for young designers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Today, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the selection of five new honorary members to the Society for their work in education, activism and dedication to the landscape architecture profession. The presentation ceremony will take place at the ASLA Annual Meeting and EXPO in Phoenix on October 1.

Honorary membership is among the highest honors ASLA can bestow upon non-landscape architects in recognition of notable service to the profession. Since its inception in 1899, ASLA has inducted only 158 honorary members.

This years honorees are:

Stephen M. Benz, Partner, OLIN Benz has not only contributed enormously to civil engineering and sustainable site design, but also has been a determined advocate and steward of the practice of landscape architecture and green infrastructure. He has also made critical contributions to the discourse of green infrastructure through his service to the U.S. Green Building Council and the Sustainable Sites Initiative. View nominating and supporting materials.

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards, Maryland Congresswoman Edwards has established herself as a national leader in active transportation and stormwater management issues. She has worked diligently to protect and preserve our nations natural resources and has championed innovative approaches to water management, smart growth, and transportation policies. View nominating and supporting materials.

Dr. Richard J. Jackson, M.D., Professor and Chair, Environmental Health Sciences, and Professor, Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, Urban Planning, UCLA School of Public Health Dr. Jackson is a champion of improving public health through better community design. His research, publications, speeches, and advocacy over the decades of his professional career speak to his commitment to one of the critical issues of our time. Dr. Jacksons influence has changed the dialogue about design and public health in ways no other public figure has accomplished. View nominating and supporting materials.

Robin C. Moore, Affiliate ASLA, Professor of Landscape Architecture, Director of Natural Learning Initiative, North Carolina State University Moore is a scholar and exemplary practitioner of landscape design and architecture. Of Moores many notable contributions, he has focused on designing landscapes that optimize childrens healthy development. He has also created and shared knowledge that is helping landscape architecture practice become more evidence-based, particularly in intergenerational design. View nominating and supporting materials.

Dennis Pieprz, Affiliate ASLA, Principal, Sasaki Associates, Inc. As an architect and urban designer, Pieprz has led complex urban projects both nationally and internationally. He brings a collaborative approach to his work as well as a critical understanding of the forces that shape contemporary cities. Pieprz has made visible the essential role that landscape has in making important and lasting public places around the world. View nominating and supporting materials.

About ASLA Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing nearly 16,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 76 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their "ASLA" suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture online at http://www.asla.org.

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ASLA Names Five New Honorary Members

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Information Architects Corporation (IACH) announced today on Monday, August 6th, the company signed a contract to acquire The Miami Prevention & Kidney Center LLC. (MPKC). Founded in 2008, the centers will provide lifesaving hemodialysis to individuals diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The initial center is scheduled to begin providing dialysis services for patients in the South Florida area beginning by the end of the third quarter 2012. IACH is in negotiations for a funding commitment to open the first five centers, with plans to continue development in stages. Company estimates are that each center can generate approximately $750,000 revenue per quarter.

The management team of MPKC is extremely well-seasoned in the operation and administration of acute dialysis service centers. Management has broad experience in virtually all aspects of dialysis center operations including maintaining compliance with the Joint Commission of Accreditation on Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) and Medicare standards. This management team will remain post acquisition and will oversee the development and operations of the dialysis centers.

Nationally the number of people suffering from ESRD is expected to increase four to six percent over the next 2 years. However, the increase of individuals in South Florida suffering from ESRD is expected to rise at a much more alarming rate as this number is up to 20 percent in the past few years for South Florida's Dade County. The sum of these factors is that the need for dialysis within the US and particularly in South Florida is increasing greatly in proportion to the rise in the prevalence of ESRD.

Commenting on this latest IACH development, Mike Ostrow, IACH's President stated, "We are extremely pleased to be moving forward with this acquisition. The opportunity to fill a growing need in the community while at the same time producing a robust revenue stream for IACH is rewarding on many levels. This acquisition exemplifies IACH's commitment to growing and developing the company and shareholder value and we are optimistic about other opportunities to further this growth."

CORPORATE PROFILE

Information Architects Corp. (IACH) is a worldwide Marketing and Distribution company.

"Forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Information Architects Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions (including in the information technology and financial information industry), actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies, and the purchasing activity or lack thereof by registered web mall members.

Benchmark Partners 858 568 7059

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Information Architects Signs Contract to Acquire Medical Services Operation

The idea of modern architecture often conjures images of brutally angular and cold houses. Not so in the Bay Area, where contemporary design is about creating true living spaces that are connected to the people who live in them and the natural world around them. Indoor-outdoor interplay (in a climate that makes such design possible), taking sustainable building to the next level and innovative design are all hallmarks of Bay Area architecture.

These features are on display on the American Institute of Architects' home tour, returning to the East Bay for the second year with seven houses in Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany and Lafayette.

Selected by an AIA committee with the goal of showcasing the diversity of East Bay living, each house on the tour will be open to the public for self-guided tours on Saturday. The houses were all designed by AIA architects, who will be present at their respective house's tour.

Budgets ranged from modest to generous. "The tour is trying to talk about architecture that really reaches out to the community and shares what architects can do for you," said architect and East Bay home tour co-chair Steven Stept.

Each home comes with its own story and personality. From a 58-year-old California ranch house whose traditional gable roof was inverted to catch and recycle rainwater to a two-story prefabricated house that produces as much energy as it uses, all speak to a greater acceptance of modernism and assumption of sustainable building in architecture.

And in the Bay Area spirit of entrepreneurship and risk taking, the homes also symbolize a push for transformational, advanced design.

"Modernism is in," says Stept. "As a trend, it's great to see how it's transforming all types of situations."

A peek at the homes on the tour:

2010, Faulkner Architects

This Lafayette house is named for both its physical appearance - an inverted roof that mimics the shape of a butterfly's wings - and a story of architectural metamorphosis. Greg Faulkner transformed a 3,000-square-foot suburban ranch house into the ultimate sustainable modern home. The traditional gable roof was inverted to collect rainwater that the homeowners use to wash clothes and then irrigate the garden. The cabinetry, ceilings and floors are made of wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, meaning it was sustainably harvested.

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American Institute of Architects home tour

They are banned from publicising their work until next year, under draconian rules to protect Olympic sponsors. These rules are against the whole spirit of the Olympics, claims Angela Brady, the president of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Crushing the small guy is just not on.

She has written to Lord Coe, the chairman of the organising committee, to demand that the ban is overturned immediately. Coe is my last hope, says Brady. If Seb cant overturn the ban, then no one can. The end of the years no good. All eyes are on London right now. I want the architects to be able to stand proudly in front of their buildings and talk about them to international TV crews.

Princess Michael of Kent, who once said she would go anywhere for a free meal, takes a keen interest in men's wallets. Jeremy Robson, the publisher, tells Mandrake: We brought out a book on the Orient Express and took a number of celebrities on the luxury train. Princess Michael asked me for my business card, but when she saw the state of my wallet she was appalled and asked how could I have such a battered old thing. I didnt know she was such an expert on wallets.

New chapter for Ed Balls

Having bankrolled Ed Ballss failed attempt to become leader of the Labour Party to the tune of 127,500, Ken Follett and his wife, Barbara, turned their attentions to Ballss wife, Yvette Cooper. They helped her to pay for a member of staff.

Happily, the best-selling author has not lost faith in Coopers husband. He has now donated 30,000 to the shadow chancellors office.

Ethics? They are an ad hoc matter

The Conservative Partys annual report includes a list of its committees. Of the chairmanship of its Ethics & Integrity body, it says: Appointed on an ad hoc basis

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London 2012 Olympics: Architects call on Lord Coe to end Olympics ban

Faith Zaba

A ROW is brewing over potentially corrupt selection of architects for major government public works projects, amid allegations that plum contracts are mostly being given to Zanu PF-aligned consultants. In interviews with Zimbabwe Independent, local architects accused the ministry of public works and other government departments of favouring a few individuals connected to Zanu PF when selecting architects to design and supervise major government projects. However, senior officials in the ministry of public works dismissed allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts, saying the nomination of consultants was done on merit, not cronysm. But a Harare-based architect said: There are about 30 to 40 black architects in the country, but government works programmes are being given to just a few people. One person who has benefitted the most is JB (Joel Biggy) Matiza, when there are so many other architects who can also do the job. This has always been a big issue among local architects. Matiza has a big advantage over other architects because he is an MP and he gets to know about state projects before us. We have always been advocating the equitable distribution of public programmes. One way of making the process more transparent and accountable would be to subject the process to design competitions. This way, the best company wins and it also deals with corruption. Some of the big projects which Matizas Studio Arts company designed include the first proposed parliament building which was supposed to be constructed in the Kopje area but has since been shifted to Mount Hampden; the unfinished Central Registry offices; Interpol offices; the Social Security Centres; Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Kariba airports; Zimdef building in Bulawayo; and the Bindura, Chinhoyi, Lupane and Masvingo state universities. The most recent contract awarded to Matiza is the Victoria Falls United Nations World Tourism Organisation conference project, expected to cost US$1 billion, involving the construction of two hotels, a shopping mall, convention centre and a golf course. Architects are paid 6% of the total cost of the project, while quantity surveyors get 3% and engineers 5%. However, Public Works permanent secretary Engineer George Mlilo said Matiza was awarded the contracts on merit. He said a consultant is usually chosen from a pool of architects depending on the project. Mlilo said they consider the architects track record and his or her companys ability to design and supervise the project. We know all the consultants and we know their performance and their track record and from that we then decide who to commission to do the design and supervise the project, he said. Some of these architects dont supervise to our satisfaction. Some of them dont perform; they dont have the staff to supervise and monitor the projects and this comes out in their reports. We choose the ones that have a reputation to deliver, which Matiza has. He designed the proposed parliament building and this has not been implemented and I am not sure if we even paid him for that project. Normally, we dont pay fully until the project is implemented. University jobs are a repeat job. Mlilo said there are 520 government capital projects, which are at a standstill because of lack of funding. These range from hospitals, to decentralised registry offices and clinics. These projects are spread across local architects. Our aim is to finish up the projects that we started because we are losing our investment on these projects the longer we take, he said. Another top official in the ministry pointed out that just like you, you go to the best doctor, you dont just go to any. We choose the best person for the job. We cant give everyone. Matiza is a very good architect and he is very enterprising. We look at company profiles as well. (See page 5)

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Row over public works contracts

Regional News of Thursday, 2 August 2012

Source: GNA

The Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH) would soon clamp down on illegal activities of some foreign and local architects and engineers operating in the Built Environment.

The move is in compliance with the Architects Decree 1969 and Bye-Law of the Architect Registration Council (ARC) that required the professionals to seek license from the Council before operating in the country.

Dr Hannah Louisa Bissiw, Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, announced this at the 12th Induction ceremony organised for newly registered architects in Accra on Thursday.

She said the Ministry would work in close collaboration with the ARC to provide the appropriate sanctions for offenders.

Dr Bissiw said Whereas some have complied, others have crept into the country and are cowardly operating without license".

The Ministry is urging all such illegal architects to do the right thing by seeking license from the ARC.

She stressed that MWRWH would be At the heels of such unauthorised persons...and would deal with them in accordance with the laws of Ghana.

Dr Bissiw said the Government was working to ensure that the standards for architectural and engineering designs as well as building code and regulations were developed and enforced through the National Human Settlements Policy and Strategy.

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Government to clamp down on illegal foreign and local architects

After years of often acrimonious debate on the issue, including the failure of a previous bond issue, Alamo Heights residents on July 24 finally got their first look at detailed plans for a new municipal complex.

Overland Partners Architects unveiled several different configuration proposals for the $6.3 million structure, which will replace: a 1927 City Hall building that is deteriorating and cramped, and a fire station that was built as a temporary structure in 1952 and does not even meet present building codes.

The new facility will also include new City Council chambers. The awkward layout of the current chambers has been a source of consternation for residents attending city meetings.

Some participants in the first of two community input meetings July 24 had to stand due to a lack of space, and others were clustered in a part of the council chambers where they could not see the presentation from architect Joel Albea.

"In addition to a very functional building, it is our desire to create a great public presence," Albea said. "This will set an example to the community for redevelopment along the Broadway corridor."

All of the proposals floated consist of 25,700 square feet of professional space constructed on the existing site, with the present 78 parking spaces increased to 98.

All proposals involve a two-story fire station on the north end of the property, at the corner of Broadway and Bluebonnet, with parking spaces along Bluebonnet.

Overland Partners also call for a two-story administration building, and the police station along the back of the building, facing a parking lot for police cruisers.

One proposal has the council chambers in the back of the building, near the parking lot, while another moves council chambers to the southwest edge of the property, where it can placed prominently on Broadway.

The designs contain an arcade along Broadway that would enclose a courtyard, and provide direct access into the city administration area, council chambers and police station.

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Architects preview designs for new City Hall complex

SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, a leading regional business weekly, listed BCA Architects among its top 25 architecture firms in the Silicon Valley and San Jose business community in 2012. BCA Architects ranked number 10 on the list this year, marking the fourth consecutive year the firm has been recognized by the business publication which focuses on news and key trends in various industries, including real estate, engineering, architecture, construction, technology, and retail.

"We are very proud that as with previous years BCA Architects is on the list of top architecture firms in the region because they really are among the best firms we have worked with," said Ron Galatolo, Chancellor of San Mateo County Community College District. "They consistently provide first-rate service; create designs that are visionary; and deliver innovation to their clients that help transform communities."

Since 1981, Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal has identified and ranked the top architecture firms in the region according to revenue and data for the previous fiscal year. This year's top architecture firms list will be added into the publication's Book of Lists which ranks the most dynamic companies in the area across various fields.

"We are thrilled to be ranked so highly by such a reputable media source. Our headquarters strength in San Jose reflects the strength of all of our offices in California," said Paul Bunton, AIA, president of BCA Architects. "Our clients can depend on consistently receiving the highest quality of design work from us regardless of the requirements, the economy or other challenges," Bunton added.

BCA Architects partners with clients on a mission to achieve excellence in design. Since 1989, BCA strives to strengthen communities through projects to design facilities, help define partnerships, locate financing, and save energy or present alternate delivery methods. BCA goes above and beyond the task at hand to ensure their clients succeed. Visit http://www.bcaarchitects.com.

Media Contact: Rachel Del Fierro, (925) 785-1435 or RachelD@bcaarchitects.com

This press release was issued through eReleases Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

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Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal Recognized BCA Architects in 2012 Ranking of Top Architecture Firms

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Of the multitude of architects the Venice Biennale has honored, only a handful have done traditional architecture, and of those few the firm Michael Burch Architects is the first specializing in the Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean Revival Style. The husband and wife firm, comprising principals Michael Burch and Diane Wilk, is one of five American firms selected to exhibit in the Palazzo Bembo at the 13th International Venice Architectural Biennale. This prestigious fall exhibition, which runs from August 29-November 25, presents 60 architects from six continents, representing 26 countries from around the world.

L A Times architectural critic, Christopher Hawthorne, has called the Biennalea cultural institution since 1895"...the most anticipated and ambitious design show in the world, not to mention the only one featuring cocktail parties in canal-side palazzi..." The exhibition at the Palazzo Bembo is entitled, "Traces of the Past and Future Steps" and the firm was selected as the premier practitioner of the Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean Revival Style.

This historical architectural thread that began in the Mediterranean and traveled across the Atlantic to the US now returns to the Mediterranean from the Pacific coast where, over two centuries ago, Spanish Colonial Architecture was introduced to Southern California. The firm will present a multi-media exhibit "California's Spanish Architecture: Yesterday and Today", which weaves the story of how the Style emigrated and evolved into the quintessential Californian buildings seen today. Selections from the firm's portfolio of recent projects are also showcased. The exhibit includes a model, generated using satellite imagery, which shows the pervasiveness of the Style, both vintage and modern, in the Greater Los Angeles area.

Michael Burch Architects, refers to its work as "Returning to Authenticity" because the more modern versions of the style have, "devolved into kitsch," said Michael Burch. Their work clearly embodies those aspects of the Style as it was practiced in the 1920s and 30s. As leading experts in the Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean Revival style, Michael Burch Architects is acknowledged for both historically accurate restoration and renovation work. The widely published firm is also creating exciting 21st century estates and houses in the traditional vernacular which Burch and Wilk said they are proud to be able to share in such prestigious company.

Visit http://www.michaelburcharchitects.com to find out more about the firm and click on the link to see the video, "California's Spanish Architecture: Yesterday and Today"

Media Contact Diane Y. Welch BBCBusiness Bloom Communications Dianewelch@dianewelch.com

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A Venice Biennale First: Authentic Spanish Colonial/Mediterranean Revival US Architects Exhibit