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

Architects line up to design first East Croydon Gateway building

10:40am Wednesday 1st August 2012 in News By Nick Hitchens

Architects line up to design first East Croydon Gateway building

Architects have been commissioned to design the first office building of the 500m Ruskin Square development.

Developers Stanhope Schroders have asked four architects to design the first section of a project neighbouring East Croydon which has seen the site lay empty for almost a decade.

The preferred bidder is expected to be chosen before the end of the year, and a detailed planning application submitted to Croydon Council in 2013.

A spokesman for Stanhope Schroder said: "We have asked four architects to give us an idea of how they would design an office space as part of our masterplan. They have not been given any specifications and we are waiting to see what they will come back with."

A 4m grant from the Local Enterprise Partnership allocated in May will be used to fund the power infrastructure on the site.

The developers have outline planning permission for the site, which included providing 3m towards a new 200 seat theatre to replace the Warehouse Theatre on Dingwall Road.

The Warehouse went into administration in May and the developers have issued them a notice to vacate by November Administrator Jeremy Frost stated Stanhope Schroder have refused to meet him to discuss options.

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Architects line up to design first East Croydon Gateway building

My personal opinion-project Promenade is quite interesting in Europe, 31 July, said at a press conference the new elected President of the St. Petersburg Union of architects Oleg Romanov, evaluating used a construction project in the historic centre of Saint Petersburgs multipurpose complex residential and social and business purpose (area-10 ha). Some officials have suggested instead building the Smolny do Park at this place, but as a reporter BakuToday, oleg Romanov stated that the structure of this Saint Petersburg project.

The only thing that upset the new President of the Union, is the architects-designers of homes in Promenade of Europe: when I was in the jury of the architectural competition, then mesmerized me with promises that the houses will be designed by different architects. This is done as promised, but not domestic architects, and the Italians or the poles .

Honorary President of the St. Petersburg Union of architects Vladimir Popov recalled that the master planners project-Evgenij Gerasimov and partners LLC and architectural Bureau Sergei Tchoban & partners were selected during the international competition, in which the jury were presented to the specialists of the architectural profession. As noted by the representatives of the Union, this architectural competitions-a rare occurrence in St. Petersburg, because often the winners of contests choose not professionals.

We remind that the project Promenade of Europe is a construction on a 10 ha in Petrogradsky district of Saint Petersburg (near Petrovsky Stadium between dobrolyubova, embankment of the River Neva Small, borderes and the western border area of academician of Likhachev) several quarters of elite residential real estate as well as office buildings and shopping centers, five tgostinicy and the dance Palace of Boris Eifman. The project is financed by OJSC VTB Bank, received the rights to its implementation in the year 2006. At the moment, the project manager-VTB-development began releasing land from old buildings and rehabilitation of liberated land. The project cost is estimated at $ 47 billion rubles. Project realization terms-the year 2017. Land is the property of the Russian Federation (before there was Federal Institute of applied chemistry).

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President of the St. Petersburg Union of architects believes “Promenade of Europe” an interesting project

A Laketown Township home designed by a West Michigan firm is generating attention from architects on a national level.

The 2,000-square-foot, two-story home overlooks Lake Michigan. It features a walk-out basement and a variety of green features, including wood steps reclaimed from a 1800s-era blacksmith shop in Indiana. The home met the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's (LEED) Platinum standard the group's highest designation for green buildings.

"We're very pleased," said the home's architect, John Allegretti. "One of the things we gained a number of points for was we had a limited footprint we only took out a few trees."

In addition to being environmentally-friendly, the home looks good, too, and was recently featured in a photo slide show on the website of Architectural Record Magazine.

The building received several design awards, including one from the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture.

Allegretti wouldn't say exactly how much the project cost to complete but said it came out to about $250 per square foot roughly $500,000, based on the home's size.

The home was designed by the Allegretti Architects, Inc. of St. Joesph. starting in 2008. Construction wrapped up 2010. The main contractor for the building was the Hudsonville-based Lamar Construction, with some work subcontracted from Holland, Allegretti said.

The client is an artist from the Kalamazoo area who will use it as a summer home for her family, Allegretti said.

"She had grown up in Muskegon ... and really wanted a place close to the lake," he said.

Follow this reporter on Facebook and on Twitter, @BizHolland.

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Laketown green home winning design awards