Island Architect Weekly - Monday, March 28, 2016

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AIA National Update

Modest Expansion for Architecture Billings Index

The Architecture Billings Index saw a dip into negative terrain for the first time in five months in January, but inched back up in February with a small increase in demand for design services.  As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending.

The AIA reported the February ABI score was 50.3, up slightly from the mark of 49.6 in the previous month. This score reflects a minor increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 59.5, up from a reading of 55.3 the previous month. It also remains that the south continues to have the highest regional average score.

“March and April are traditionally the busiest months for architecture firms, so we should get a clearer reading of underlying momentum over the next couple of months,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD.  “Hopefully the relatively mild weather conditions recently in most parts of the country will help design and construction activity move ahead at a somewhat faster pace.”

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Ethics: From Building to Architecture - The dream of the art of architecture

Read an article by Cornelius (Kin) DuBois, FAIA posted on the AIA National website and watch the 5 min video that embodies the challenges/considerations architects go through.

Ethical obligations shouldn't come with negative connotations: The “devotion to the art of architecture” that Carl Sapers, Hon. AIA, references as his fourth “tension point” in the video “Ethics: From Building to Architecture” might also be termed an ethical obligation—or, more safely, an ethical aspiration. His cohorts in the video—Henry Cobb, FAIA, and Mack Scogin, FAIA—exhort architects to go beyond the limits of what we consider professional ethics (what Cobb terms “the ethics of practice”) in order to fully realize the potential of architecture.

Hawaii State Licensing Reminder

Need Credits? Hawaii State Licensing for Architects due April 30, 2016

The State of Hawaii's renewal cycle for professional licensing of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Landscape Architects (every two years) is coming up on April 30, 2016 - Renew Online.  Continuing Education Requirements: Between May 1, 2014 - April 30, 2016 you need 16 hours of continuing education in public protection topics, such as health, safety and welfare (HSW).

Check your AIA transcripts using the date range of May 1, 2014 through April 30, 2016.

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Still Need Credits? AIAU is Open 24/7

Bundle and save an extra 15%!  Take advantage of AIAU's bundle discount and save an additional 15% when you buy four or more courses. 

That's 15% off the special member price of $25/course. Non-members save 15% off the non-member price of $40/course. View all courses > Browse by instructor >

In Remembrance

Aloha Arthur Kohara, AIA ME

It is with sad hearts we inform you that longtime AIA Honolulu member and past presdent, Arthur Kohara Age 88, of Honolulu passed away on February 23, 2016.

He was born in Honolulu, spent his youth in Hilo, and was a graduate of McKinley High School, Class of 1945. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan. He attended the University of Hawaii, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. He served as Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma, School of Architecture, obtained his Professional license and opened his own practice. He was self-employed, dba Arthur A. Kohara Architect, Inc., and retired in 2004.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy H. Kohara; sons, Jeffrey (LeAnn) and Scott (Tina) Kohara; daughters, Lynne (Gregory) Hayashi and Kimberly (Keith) Nakano; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; brother, Roy Kohara; sisters, Mildred Takabayashi, Marion (Akira) Iwata, Evelyn (Thomas) Tanouye, and Jean (Richard) Iwamuro. He was a member of the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin for over 40 years, serving as President of Sudhana Fellowship; a Charter Member and past President of the Ala Moana Lions Club; past member and President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hawaii Chapter; past member of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts; and President of the Wisteria Dance Club.

Visitation from 3:00 p.m. followed by service at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway. No flowers. Aloha attire.

Program & Event Update

Bettina Mehnert, FAIA & Glenn Mason, FAIA - Honored at AIA Honolulu Fellows Dinner

On Thursday, March 24 our AIA Honolulu Fellows had a business meeting at the Center for Architecture. 

At this event they also took the opportunity to honor and pin our newest fellows Bettina Mehnert, FAIA and Glenn Mason, FAIA. Congratulations again to the both of them. They will also be honored at the 2016 National AIA Convention in Philadelphia. View photo's on Facebook.

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View Photos from Mayor Kirk Caldwell's Visit

View our pictures on Facebook page from when our Mayor Kirk Caldwell came to the AIA Center for Architecture for our popular monthly AIA General Membership Meetings on March 18. View photo's on Facebook.

The Mayor came to talk about the future of Honolulu and the “quality of life”.

2016 Architecture Month in April

First Up - Our Architectural Photography Workshop April 1, 2 and 16!
Join Us for Fun and Educational Events

Spread the Word! Attend our free and low cost public events during April in the 10th annual celebration of Architecture Month in Hawaii. In 2016 we will see a slate of new events, as well as the return of the architectural walking tour of historic Waikiki. Register early, as this event has sold out in previous years!

View below links for more event and registration information:

• April 1, 2 & 16 - Architectural Photography: An Exploration of Form (3 Part)

  Join T.E. Garduque, FAIA, an advocate for Critical Seeing in three informative sessions as he discusses the joy of architectural photography; gives instruction and guidance for field practice and summarizes the day’s shoot with a critique session. Event Summary Flyer.

• April 6 - Hawaii Public Radio Pledge Drive
  Support/Pledge on April 6 from 3pm-6pm!
      Step 1 - Tune in to HPR on 88.1 or 89.3 on your FM dial.
      Step 2 - Call HPR at 944-8800 (KHPR) or 941-3689 (KIPO)
  
  
• April 9 - Architectural Walking Tour: Historic Waikiki 
  Join us for an all-new tour of Historic Waikiki, led by AIA architects and other design-minded volunteers, on Saturday, April 9. Over the course of two hours, walkers will learn about architecturally significant historic buildings and areas in Waikiki – a world-famous locale that we are all familiar with, but that too few of us appreciate as a center of historic architecture. Tours are $15/person. Advanced reservation required.
  
  
• April 27 - Free Oahu Film Night at the Center for Architecture " URBANIZED"
  As part of the Architecture Month celebration, the Center for Architecture will host a free screening of Gary Hustwit’s “Urbanized,” a feature-length documentary about the design of a modern city.  The film night will take place on Wednesday, April 27 at the Center for Architecture. Doors will open at 6:00pm and introductions and movie will start at 6:30pm.  The film will be followed by a Panel Discussion.
  
  
• April 29 - Architectural Firm Crawl in Honolulu
  Our Firm Crawl in Honolulu will take place on Friday, April 29 from 5:00-8:00pm. For this events attendees get a map over participating firms who will open their doors to the public and welcome them to visit their space in any order they like. Stay tuned for online RSVP and participating firms.

Co-Related Events on Oahu for Architecture Month

• April 7 & 16: Free Architecture Month Sketch Events
  AIA Honolulu and the non-profit Urban Sketchers Oahu have partnered for the first-ever Architecture Month Sketch Events, informal gatherings for sketchers of all experience levels.
  Thu, April 7, 6-8pm in the front courtyard of the King Kalakaua Building
  Sat, April 16, 3-5pm in front of the Center for Architecture
  
  
• April 21 - Ala Moana Scavenger Hunt (Sponsored by Docomomo)
  Join AIA Honolulu and Docomomo for a fun Scavenger Hunt at the Ala Moana Shopping Center on Thursday, April 21. The starting point will be at Design Within Reach and the event goes from 6pm-8pm.  Team up with a friend for some possible prizes and some fun. RSVP Online.

Architecture Month on the Big Island

The Hawaii Island Section of AIA Honolulu will celebrate Architecture Month with free showings of “Alejandro Aravena: The Power of Synthesis” and “Olmsted and America’s Urban Parks” in Kona, Waimea and Hilo.

When & Where:

• Kona: Thursday, April 14, 6pm at the Donkey Mill Art Center.
• Waimea: Thursday, April 21, 5:30pm at the W.M. Keck Observatory Headquarters
• Hilo: Thursday, April 29, 5:15pm at the Hawaii Innovation Center at Hilo, Conference Room

Associate AIA Update

Apr 5: ARE Prep "Programming Planning and Practice (PPP) Exam Review"

APRIL 5 SESSION: RSVP Online! Are you on licensure track? Attend our April 5, Programming Planning and Practice (PPP) Exam Review session at the Center for Architecture from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.

PROGRAM AGENDA:
5:30pm-6:00pm: Check In | Socialize (Remote users need to login)
6:00pm-6:20pm: Jason Takeuchi, Assoc, AIA will provide an overview of the site zoning vignette and applicable strategies.
6:20-7:20pm: Hazel Go, AIA will cover the content in the multiple choice section of the PPP exam    

COST: Register online in advance to receive the lower fee of $10 for AIA/AIAS members and $20 for non-members.

Go-To-Meeting Available! Interested members and non-members on licensure track or emerging professionals from neighboring islands to sign up and attend remotely. Email us if you are interested so we can give you more information.

Local Allied Members Corner

Introducing Local Allied Member Schnackel Engineers

Schnackel Engineers was established in 1968 with a single engineer – within 48 years it has evolved into an innovative Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) engineering firm with more than 100 employees.  Schnackel has successfully completed over 15,000 projects in all market sectors, and has offices located in New York, Omaha, Los Angeles, Seattle and now Honolulu.  Having worked in the Hawaiian Islands since 2004, Schnackel has assisted on many notable local projects including Hoʻokele Elementary School, Ala Moana Center’s Ewa Wing expansion, Ala Moana Center’s Nordstrom expansion, Royal Hawaiian Center, and Ward Village Shops.

Schnackel consistently delivers reliable, responsive and innovative services using AEA Integration, a revolutionary MEP Engineering design process that gets projects designed and built more quickly, at a substantially reduced construction cost, with long term operating cost savings.

Questions?  Email Sharon Ann Thom, Local Allied Member, or call her at (800) 581-0963.

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The 1050c is a high-performance, high-speed, 36-inch, large-format printer using thermal Inkjet technology. Its new ink system (printhead + printhead cleaner + ink cartridges) provides 600 dpis and 350/175 cc of ink in a continuous refill system.

Interested? Email Amy Okada or call before noon at 808-941-3000.

AIA Honolulu Job Board

One New Job Just Listed on our Job Board

Jobs on the AIA Honolulu Job Board are posted for 1 month.