AIA: Billings at U.S. Firms Approach $30 Billion Annually

Paced by a recovering market for nonresidential projects and expanding housing activity, billings at U.S. architecture firms increased 11% between 2002 and 2005 to reach $28.7 billion annually, the American Institute of Architects announced.

The total construction value of projects that architecture firms directly designed approached $360 billion, accounting for almost 3% of overall U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

These findings are from the AIA's Business of Architecture: 2006 AIA Firm Survey which is conducted every three years to examine issues related to business practices of AIA member-owned architecture firms.

The study also revealed continued improvement in diversity in the profession and an increase in the number "green" design projects.

"State and local governments were the leading architecture clients, followed closely by developers/construction companies," said survey co-author, AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "The most common project delivery method remains traditional design-bid-build, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of project activity at architecture firms."

Diversity continues to increase within profession. Women comprise 26% of all architecture staff, up from 20% in 1999, and the percentage of minority architecture staff has risen from 9 to 16 %over the same period.

"Of particular note, women and minority architects have both made advances in leadership positions," Baker added. "Women principals and partners at firms have quadrupled from 4% in 1999 to 16% in 2005. Minority architects have also increased their share as principals and partners across the spectrum of firm sizes."

Green architecture is growing in popularity.

Due to rising energy costs and growing concerns over the impact that construction activity has on the environment, there has been a rise in the use of sustainable design principles. In 2005, just over one-third of firms with nonresidential projects and a quarter of firms designing residential projects characterized some of their projects as green.

Additional details are available in the survey relating to fees and profitability, range of services offered, international work, marketing practices, information technology expenditures, liability insurance and continuing education at U.S. architecture firms. The survey is available at no charge to AIA members and can be ordered by calling 800-242-3837, option 1.

Fisher to Lead AIA Chicago

Laura Fisher, an independent architect in Chicago, has been installed as the president of the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Also elected was First Vice President/President Elect Richard Master, manager of architectural systems in Chicago with USG. Three vice presidents were named, Fred Brandstrader, vice president of project management with Pyramid Project Management in Chicago; David Brininstool, principal with Brininstool + Lynch in Chicago; and Grant Uhlir, principal with Gensler in Chicago.

The past president is Peter Schlossman, senior associate with Chicago-based Loebl Schlossman & Hackl.

Also installed were Secretary P.K. VanderBeke, a self-employed architect, and Treasurer Christopher Chwedyk, principal with Gage Babcock & Associates Inc. in Oak Brook.

Miller to Lead AIA Indiana

Cory Miller, architect with Fort Wayne-based SchenkelShultz Architecture was elected to lead the Indiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Also elected were Vice President/President-Elect Timothy Wall, chief architect of South Bend-based Ken Herceg & Associates Inc.; Treasurer Debra Kunce, architect associate of Indianapolis-based Schmidt Associates Inc.; and Secretary Drew White, principal of Indianapolis-based Axis Architecture & Interiors.

The past president is Kato Smith, principal of Anderson-based Kato Design Studio.

Jason Shelley was recently elected the chapter's executive director.

St. Louis Campus Goes for Gold

St. Louis Community College's Wildwood, Mo., campus in West St. Louis County has not had any construction since 1965.

But it is making a splash by targeting LEED Gold certification for the first phase of an $18 million project.

The project will result in a 73,000-sq-ft structure clad in red brick and cast stone that merges two- and three-story wings as it blends green design elements with traditional Gothic motifs.

The design, by St. Louis-based Wm B. Ittner Inc., creates energy efficient and flexible space for future growth on the 66-acre campus.

The design incorporates a green roof, accessible from the central atrium, planted with sedum, a drought-tolerant plant. The sedum will overcome the heat island effect from the building by reflecting heat from summer sunlight. In the winter it will insulate the building. A light-reflecting membrane will be applied to the remainder of the roof.

Optimal energy efficiency through the use of numerous ceiling fans that will uniformly distribute cooled air and enhance ventilation. The structure will be 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical code-compliant building of its size.

Artificial lighting that automatically balances to accommodate variations in natural light with fenestration consisting of "T"-shaped windows with sunscreens and interior light shelves. Seventy-five percent of the building is capable of harvesting natural light.

The school's layout facilitates interaction between students and faculty and also includes public space. The light-bathed central atrium will serve as a crossroads for students and faculty, linking the student service center, academic support, book store and the student lounge. It will also orient visitors to public spaces, including multi-purpose rooms.