VANCOUVER -- Local architects known for their modern towers, malls, hospitals, plazas and libraries, are scaling down their designs to raise money for families in need.

Their whimsical drawings will be built into futuristic playhouses and put on display at the Pacific National Exhibition this August, and sold off to corporate buyers who will donate them to community groups across the province. The proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity, a charity that helps low-income families build and buy their own homes. The designs and materials are all donated, and the finished playhouses will ultimately be made accessible to the public.

The idea came from Canfor, a forest product company, which is celebrating its 75th year in business next year. Its first wood products were used to build the famous Mosquito bomber planes during the Second World War, and the playhouse design theyre sponsoring takes the shape of that propeller plane.

The company wants to send a positive message about building with wood while benefiting Habitat for Humanity, said Canfor president Don Kayne.

Were trying to raise our profile as the industry rebounds from a pretty tough recession over the years, Kayne said. Its important to connect more with the community and connect more with the younger generation.

Other forestry firms have signed on as well, including West Fraser, Interfor, Western Forest and Conifex, Kayne said. Each will work with an architect and a local builder to turn the drawings into wooden playhouses. Kids can play in them at the PNE and then wherever theyre placed in public after the 17-day fair is over. Michael Green Architecture, DGBK Architects, Dialog Design, and Hughes Condon Marler Architects are among some of the local creative teams that have signed up to participate. There will be eight playhouses in all.

Besides the propeller plane, which was designed by architecture students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, other playhouses take on cubist or geometric designs. Theres even a teepee, designed by Michael Green and his 11-year-old son, who told him kids love teepees.

Its not that he meant literally build teepees, but that we should capture the spirit of what a teepee feels like to a kid, and why being in a teepee invokes our imagination, said Green, who is also designing the Ronald McDonald House for BC Childrens Hospital. He hopes his playhouse, made of stacked Douglas fir and chalkboard paint with a ball room inside, will end up there eventually. Green estimated the cost of his playhouse at $35,000 for materials, design and construction.

Canfor spokeswoman Christine Kennedy said the fundraising process at the PNE will determine how much money is raised for Habitat for Humanity.

zmcknight@vancouversun.com

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Builders, architects to create playhouses for housing charity

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the recipients of the Societys 2012 Honors. Selected by ASLAs Board of Trustees, the Honors represent the highest awards ASLA presents each year. The awards ceremony will take place at the 2012 ASLA Annual Meeting & EXPO, September 28October 1 in Phoenix.

ASLA Medal: Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, FASLA

Cornelia Oberlander, FASLA, will receive the ASLA Medal, the Societys highest award for a landscape architect. Oberlander has been and continues to be among the most important practitioners emphasizing sustainable design in all her built work, frequent lectures, influential publications, and numerous awards, such as the Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe award from the International Federation of Landscape Architects in 2011. She was one of the first women in the post-World War II era to establish her own practice. Her more than 35-year collaboration with Arthur Erickson, Canadas leading architect, included several noteworthy projects in Canada and the United States: the Robson Square Provincial Government complex and Courthouse in Vancouver, the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, and the Canadian Chancery in Washington, D.C., as well as the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, and the Vancouver Public Library with Moshe Safdie Architects.

ASLA Design Medal: Peter Walker, FASLA

Peter Walker, FASLA, will receive the ASLA Design Medal in recognition of exceptional design work over a sustained period of at least ten years. Walkers fascination with materials and experimental use of water, landform, and plant materials have produced some of the most provocative projects in the profession. His portfolio includes Foothills College in Los Altos Hills, California to the IBM Solana Campus in Southlake, Texas to the National September 11 Memorial in New York City. Walker co-founded the firm Sasaki, Walker and Associates in 1956 and opened its West Coast office, which became the SWA Group in 1976. In 1983, he formed Peter Walker and Partners, now known as PWP Landscape Architecture. Walker received the ASLA Medal in 2004, and the International Federation of Landscape Architectss Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Gold Medal in 2005 for lifetime achievement.

Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal: Herrick Smith, FASLA

Herrick Smith, FASLA, will receive the Jot D. Carpenter Teaching Medal. The award recognizes significant and sustained excellence in landscape architecture education. Smith taught in the University of Floridas Department of Landscape Architecture from 1966 until his retirement in 1995 as professor emeritus. Known as a tough but insightful teacher, Smith served as a catalyst for thousands of students to explore ideas and opportunities in the field. ASLA awarded special recognition to Herrick in 1982 for helping to establish six landscape architecture programs at Auburn University, the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Toronto, and North Carolina A&T University.

LaGasse Medal - Landscape Architect: Mary Hughes, FASLA

Mary Hughes, FASLA, will receive the LaGasse Medal for contributions to the management and conservation of natural resources and public landscapes. Since 1996, Hughes, a noted landscape preservationist, has been the university landscape architect at the University of Virginia. She has guided the campus both in its preservation as a historic place and in its evolution as home to one of the nations most vital 21st century universities. She also successfully advocated for, and implemented, an innovative stormwater master plan on the campus.

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ASLA Announces 2012 Honors

June 27, 2012 11:35

Brighton metal band will take new album 'Daybreaker' out on the road

Photo: Victor Frankowski/NME

Architects have announced a full UK tour for later this year.

The Brighton metal band, who released their fifth album 'Daybreaker' last month, will play seven shows in mid-November.

The tour kicks off at Southampton Mo Club on November 9 and runs until November 16 when the band headline Nottingham Rock City. The run also includes gigs in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Newcastle. Support on the tour will come from Deez Nuts, The Acacia Strain and Bury Tomorrow.

Speaking to NME previously about 'Daybreaker' and how it moves on from their fourth album 'The Here And Now', guitarist Tom Searle said: "Some people might say we've regressed, but I think we've found our enthusiasm for playing heavy music again. I'm excited again by what I've come up with on guitar and lyrically it's much more political and less personal."

He continued: "I wanted to go back to being heavier and I think we've got our balls back. We're not a band that should be on daytime radio and even when we got that stuff, it felt a bit uncomfortable. I think we were out of our comfort zone and the shoe didn't fit."

You can watch the video for the band's recent single 'Devil's Island' by scrolling down to the bottom of the page and clicking.

Architects will play:

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Architects announce November UK tour – ticket details

NEW YORK, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects announced that The Avenue, its mixed-use development in Washington, D.C., is one of 29 finalists for the Urban Land Institute's Global Awards for Excellence.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120627/NE31318 )

Widely recognized as the land use industry's most prestigious awards program, the competition rewards real estate developments for best practices in design, construction, economics, planning and management. ULI selected finalists from nearly 200 international entries. Up to 14 finalists will win awards.

Developed by Boston Properties, The Avenue is an urban town center that connects George Washington University to the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods. Adjacent to Washington Circle, the 1.4 million-square-foot development includes a 12-story apartment building and a 10-story, LEED Gold-rated office building. Shops, restaurants, and a Whole Foods grocery store create a vibrant shopping street.

The Avenue establishes a landscaped public courtyard with flowering trees at the center of the 2.6-acre site. This garden is made possible by submerging parking and a full-sized loading dock below grade. A water feature with aquatic plantings anchors the courtyard and provides stormwater management by collecting rainwater for irrigation.

Along Pennsylvania Avenue, a three-story glass-fronted atrium joins the office building's two towers. The lobby's curved travertine walls define a through-building pedestrian passage. A grand two-story granite lobby connects the two towers of the apartment building -- the west tower, with a rooftop pool, and the east, which has a rooftop deck. The 335-unit building is set back from the street, creating a lively pedestrian plaza adjacent to sidewalk dining, shops and the Metro station.

Engineering News-Record chose The Avenue for its "Best of the Best" list. The Washington Business Journal named the project "Deal of the Year" for new office and multi-family development.

About Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects Founded in 1977 and led by Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, and Rafael Pelli, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the world's most recognizable buildings, including the World Financial Center in New York, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and the International Finance Centre in Hong Kong. The firm has been honored with critical acclaim and hundreds of design awards, including the American Institute of Architects' Firm Award and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

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Washington, D.C., development by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects finalist for international award

EPM Architects announced today the opening of the newly expanded state-of-the-art Microsoft EPM Training and Solution Center in Houston, Texas. Upon the June 8th completion date, the new Center opened its doors to the first class.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) June 26, 2012

EPM Architects decided to nearly triple their capacity because of the growing demand for their Microsoft Project 2010 and Project Server 2010 courses and implementations. Students have been so impressed with the quality of the training and caliber of the instructors that demand has been steadily rising. To meet this demand, the training center went from providing enrollment for 12 attendees to now offering availability of up to 50 attendees a day in a multiclass facility. Along with expanding their space, they are also increasing their curriculum. Currently, students can earn up to 28 PDUs by attending EPM Architects Microsoft Project 2010 and Project Server 2010 courses, and with the new growth they will offer fundamental and intermediate Project Management courses as well.

EPM Architects President and CEO, Michael Samadi, commented, Recently, at the PMI Annual Conference and Expo, I had an opportunity to present to over 500 attendees. When I asked the audience how many had used Microsoft Project, nearly every attendee raised their hand. However, less than 10 felt that the Microsoft Project training they had received was valuable or worth the money they spent. Mr. Samadi added, Our training is second to none, our material is entirely internally authored and our curriculum is carefully produced based on the real world experience of our team. Our hands on labs and the flow of the courses are so well thought out, that every student has followed up with praise for our instructors and courses.

The center is located at 6300 West Loop South in prestigious Bellaire, Texas, and is conveniently situated directly off I-610 at Bissonnet, just west of Downtown. The location is near two major airports, the Galleria, the Museum District, the Medical Center, and an abundance of restaurants and hotels. The new center offers ample free covered parking and a fully equipped lunch and break room.

In celebration of the new opening, EPM Architects will be giving away two $1,000 training vouchers every month for the rest of the year. On the third of each month they will be announcing the winners on their Facebook page and on the front page of their website. The drawing is open to everyone. Entries can be made directly on an entry form on their website; only one valid entry per person.

Along with the monthly giveaways, EPM Architects will be hosting several complimentary events and workshops in the coming months to celebrate the opening of the new center. Be sure to visit their website and Facebook page for these events.

About EPM Architects, Inc.

EPM Architects is an Enterprise Project and Portfolio Management consulting firm focused exclusively on the Microsoft EPM solution, mainly Microsoft Project and Project Server. We are one of the top Microsoft Gold Certified Partners in the Project and Portfolio Management competency. As the largest EPM company in the region and one of the premier Microsoft EPM companies in the US, we are quickly building a reputation as the "go-to" EPM company for implementation, development, training and support. Our clients consist of Global 50, Fortune 50, 100 and 500 companies as well as small to mid-sized companies in several industry verticals.

For more details on EPM Architects products and services, please visit us at http://www.epmarchitects.com or call us at 1.888.444.EPMA.

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EPM Architects announces expansion of its dedicated EPM Training and Solutions Center

SANTA MARIA, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --After a comprehensive selection process, BCA Architects was selected to design the new 400-seat performing arts center for Pioneer Valley High School. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District administration prepared a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit architectural services for the planning and construction of the performing arts center at Pioneer Valley High School. Letters and RFQs went to 165 firms requesting proposals. Proposals came in from 19 firms and a committee of five reviewed and narrowed them down to six firms who were interviewed for consideration.

Ultimately, two firms were selected by the committee for a second round of interviews that included a member of the Board of Education. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District administration recommended BCA Architects as the firm to contract with to design the performing arts center. The Board of Trustees ratified this decision in their regular meeting on June 20, 2012.

"After an extensive interview process, we are thrilled with our decision to select BCA Architects as our district architects for the design of the new 400-seat Performing Arts Center at Pioneer Valley High School. It was clear to us that BCA Architects emerged from the pack as the most qualified architectural firm to design our new Performing Arts Center -- I have absolute confidence that they will create an outstanding performing arts center for our students and community," said Doug Kimberly, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.

Situated on 53.5 acres of land, Pioneer Valley High School is one of the district's largest high schools. The Performing Arts Center will be the newest addition to the school's facilities which include six full computer labs, a college and career center, library, cafeteria and multipurpose facility with indoor and outdoor seating, and an outdoor amphitheater.

"We are excited about this challenge and look forward to designing a performing arts center that is imaginative and rooted in the community's traditions and mission of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District," said Paul Bunton, AIA, president of BCA Architects.

BCA Architects is recognized for its educational facilities, including its performing arts centers. Last year, ABC San Diego presented BCA Architects with an Award of Excellence for its performing arts facility at Chula Vista High School, which is a part of a two phase project including a library that is seeking LEED Platinum certification, the highest level for energy design.

"The BCA team looks forward to planning the district's new performing arts center with a focus on arts instruction as well as live events for the campus and local community," stated Steve Pollock, vice president, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, a leading theater, media facilities, and lighting consulting firm working with BCA Architects on the project. "The design will be student-friendly, relevant, and turn-key without the need for additional staffing by the district."

Construction of the performing arts center will begin in 2013.

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

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BCA Architects Selected to Design New 400-Seat Performing Arts Center for Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Media Release 25 June 2012

Auckland Art Gallery Wins International Award

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tmaki has won the International Award for Architectural Excellence from The Royal Institute of British Architects the first time a New Zealand building has won.

The awards, the winners of which were announced last Thursday, are given to only 12 buildings a year and recognise some of the worlds most imaginative, dramatic and green buildings. Other winners in 2012 include the worlds tallest building, the Guangzhou Finance Centre. From this round of winners, a visiting jury will select the winner of the prestigious Lubetkin Prize.

Gallery director Chris Saines said, We set out to develop a world class gallery and FJMT+Archimedias elegant and considered design has been instrumental to achieving that goal. Judged on the response of the near 600,000 visitors to date, this heritage restored and expanded building has become a flag-bearer for the citys architectural and urban design future.

The development of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tmaki was commissioned and project managed by Auckland Council and included a series of emblematic, sculpted tree-like canopies cut from massive Kauri trees that enclose the forecourt, atrium and gallery areas.

This international award comes within a month of the gallery also winning the supreme award, the New Zealand Architecture Medal, at the New Zealand Architecture Awards and the highest accolade as the countrys top commercial property development for 2012 at the annual Property Industry Awards.

Projects such as this reflect the Mayors vision to make Auckland the worlds most liveable city and are a strong benchmark for other developments and transformations in the City Centre planned by Auckland Council as part of the City Centre Master Plan.

Full list of awards won by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tmaki in 2012: 2012 Royal Institute of British Architects - International Award for Architectural Excellence

2012 NZ Museum Awards - Project Achievement Award for Museum or Gallery Development

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Auckland Art Gallery Wins International Award

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 00:00 EST, 23 June 2012 | UPDATED: 09:51 EST, 23 June 2012

Barbie's Dream House, the Mall of America and Trump Tower have all earned the ire of a slew of architects that say the world would be better off without them.

In the most recent issue ofCalifornia Home + Design magazine, 25 'eye-searingly awful' buildings have been formally elected to be forgotten forever.

The list runs the gamut of modern monstrosities to futuristic fiascoes and no doubt answers the question for whom the wrecking ball tolls.

The Blob: Formerly known as The Experience Music Project, a museum celebrating popular music and science fiction, this building was designed by none other than the famed Frank Gehry. Guess that makes the EMP Museum in Seattle, Washington, his biggest mistake

Eyesore: Oakley Headquarters in Orange County, California, has some architects seeing red. 'Their Star Wars-esque headquarters, built as "a monument to the machine age, a building designed to honor invention," hasn't been cool since, well, ever'

Black and White and Bad All Over: 8500 Melrose Avenue, in Los Angeles, California, just might be Tinseltown's great tragedy. 'Maybe we would let the building stand as a monument to ugliness,' joked architect Rebecca Rudolph

Bored to Death: Both the AT&T Central Office in Houston, Texas, right, and the Ziggurat Building in West Sacramento, California, left, are the opposite of inspiring

Xana-don't: Even New Jersey Governor Chris Christie hates the Meadowlands Xanadu in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 'It's by far the ugliest damn building in New Jersey, and maybe America,' he said

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Are these America's ugliest buildings? Architects name structures they'd like to see leveled for the love of design

MIAMI LeBron James walked over to the side of the championship stage before proudly facing the other members of "The Four Horsemen" standing about 20 yards away. With his NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy cradled in his arm and a championship hat on his head, the Miami Heat forward yelled out, "Yo."

James then pointed at his friends, saluted them with his right hand and put his hand on his heart before dipping his head to give a silent thank you. The moment was missed by most of the celebrating Miami Heat fans as red and black confetti fell to the court after Miami's clinching 121-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. But for Maverick Carter, Randy Mims and Rich Paul, James' longtime friends and business managers, that show of love and appreciation after their bumpy road together will never be forgotten.

"He has us in his heart and we've been there with him the whole way," said Carter, wearing one of James' old Nike "Witness" T-shirts.

Said Sims: "It's a long time coming for him. I know everything he has been through."

[Related: Victorious Gatorade bath for Erik Spoelstra]

This group of childhood friends, who called themselves "The Four Horsemen," formally announced their arrival in 2005 when James fired agent Aaron Goodwin. They decided as a team they would determine the All-Star's fate off the court. The move seemed ridiculous at the time given their inexperience. Goodwin also had negotiated more than $135 million in endorsements for James, including a $90 million Nike contract.

"The Four Horsemen" gave birth to their own marketing firm to not only represent James but other athletes like Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and NFL wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. James did eventually sign to be represented by agent Leon Rose with Creative Artists Agency. But Carter, the CEO of the LRMR group, led James' endorsement portfolio.

LRMR was initially laughed at. Now seven years after departing from Goodwin, James was recently ranked fourth on Forbes' list of richest athletes after making $53 million from June 2011 to June 2012. He is the top-ranked NBA player in that group.

"Being young and black and going into a business where you are trying to establish position and where you are able to make business decisions with the lack of what people would call an education, not having a degree, no one wanted to give us a chance," Paul said. "We were able to come through that and learn from a lot of people that we had around us and position ourselves to be, not necessarily just successful economically, but successful from a positioning standpoint to have a bright future.

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Architects of 'The Decision' get to enjoy LeBron James' moment of glory as NBA champion

The Irish Times - Friday, June 22, 2012

EMMA CULLINAN

TWO IRISH public buildings have won architectural awards from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, and have been included on its British equivalents 50 best new buildings list for 2012.

The Lyric Theatre in Belfast, designed by ODonnell and Tuomey Architects, won the Best Culture Project award from the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), it was announced last night.

The Wexford County Council headquarters, by Robin Lee Architecture, with Arthur Gibney and Partners, won the RIAIs Best Public Building award.

Both are also on the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) 50 best new buildings of 2012 list. This puts them in the running for the Stirling Prize shortlist later this year.

The RIAI judges, headed by Eddie Conroy, county architect of South Dublin County Council, praised the Wexford County Council HQs rhythmic balance of solid and void and the power of the materials, while the Lyric was admired for its robust and expressive forms, in particular the interlocking relationship of volume and movement of its public spaces.

Also on the international scene Heneghan Peng architects working out of Dublin on projects in Egypt, Riyadh, Germany and London took the International RIAI award for its Olympics bridge in London. Henchion Reuter based in Ireland and Germany was awarded Best Leisure Project for a Tropical Biome in Leipzig, Germany, that recalls the glass globes at the Eden Project in Cornwall by Nicholas Grimshaw Architects and the British Museum Great Court cover by Foster and Partners.

The awards recognised established practices: McCullough Mulvin won RIAI Best Health Project for its Dublin Dental Hospital; and Paul Keogh Architects won Best Housing Project for the Sen Treacy House scheme in Dublin.

There was also recognition for relative newcomers, including Steve Larkin, who took the Emerging Practice Award, but also the prize for Best House, for Bog west, Co Wexford.

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Award-winning Irish public buildings shortlisted for top British prize