Architecture Billings Index Drops Nearly Five Points

Following a stretch of three months with an increase in demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index dropped nationwide precipitously in January and the Midwest index showed a decrease in billings, the American Institute of Architects announced.

A score above 50 indicates an increase in billings. The January ABI rating was 50.7, down sharply from the 55.0 mark in December.

However, the AIA research department uses a formula from the Department of Commerce that reestimates ABI data based on seasonal factors resulting in a recalibration of recent figures.

The Midwest average, 49.3, indicates a decrease in billings and was the lowest of the four regions.

As an economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI shows an approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

Sustainability Awards Get Submissions from 90 Countries

The Zurich-based Holcim Foundation has announced that 4,774 submissions were registered for the $2 million, second-annual Holcim Awards for sustainable construction projects and visions from authors in 90 countries.

The competition seeks to inspire students, architects, planners and engineers on creating innovative construction projects that champion sustainability and promotes innovative ideas and solutions around the globe.

The competition will be evaluated by an independent jury. The “target issues for sustainable construction” serve to compare each submission and cover environmental impact, social responsibility and economic performance as well as architectural and contextual quality and the contribution towards quantum change and transferability.

The results of the regional competitions will be announced in five ceremonies in late 2008 in Madrid, Montreal, Mexico City, Marrakech and New Delhi. Winners of the gold, silver and bronze awards from each geographic region are automatically qualified for the global Holcim Awards to be announced 2009 following an additional in-depth evaluation by a jury comprised of international experts.

The juries in each region will be headed by internationally-renowned architects and academics and includes Adele Naudé Santos, dean of architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

AIA Indiana Names Board

The AIA Indiana has named the executive committee of its board of directors.

The comprise President Timothy Wall, chief architect of South Bend-based Ken Herceg & Associates Inc.; Vice President/President-Elect Debra Kunce, program manager/associate of Indianapolis-based Schmidt Associates Inc.; Secretary Jackson Faber, architect of Evansville-based Hafer & Associates P.C.; Treasurer Drew White, principal of Indianapolis-based Axis Associates. The past president is Cory Miller, associate of Fort Wayne-based SchenkelShultz Architecture.

Clyde Baker Gets OPAL Awards

A Midwesterner has received an award for lifetime achievement from the Reston, Va.-based American Society of Civil Engineers, the Outstanding Projects and Leaders Lifetime Achievement.

Clyde Baker Jr., senior vice president and senior principal engineer at Vernon Hills-based STS Consultants Ltd., an AECOM company, received the honor for design.

The OPAL awards recognize the lifetime achievements of civil engineers. There were four other winners were outside the Midwest.

Illinoisan Named New Face of Engineering

An Illinoisan was recognized for achievement as a young civil engineer during the recent National Engineers Week, Alicia Hermann.

Hermann, 29, is principal and senior manager of her own firm, Hermann and Associates LLC in Peoria.

In addition to managing her own firm, Hermann coordinates educational outreach events for local students, has established an annual canned food drive and serves as city engineer for West Peoria and village engineer for Peoria Heights and Creve Coeur.

In recognition of her accomplishments, Hermann was named a New Face of Civil Engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Va. The program promotes the achievements of young civil engineers by highlighting their contributions and impact on society.

NCSEA Announces Call for Entries

The Chicago-based National Council of Structural Engineers Associations has announced a Call for Entries for the 2008 NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering Awards Program. The award program recognizes creative achievement and innovation in structural design.

Submissions will be accepted on or before Friday, July 25, from a licensed professional engineer or structural engineer whose practice is primarily in the field of structural engineering.

Submissions will be judged based on the quality of the structural design portion of the project. New projects, renovations, rehabilitation, structural upgrades and adaptive reuse of buildings, other structures and bridges are eligible. Projects may be located anywhere in the world.

Categories include: New buildings under $30 Million, New buildings $30 Million to $100 Million, New buildings over $100 Million, New bridge and transportation structures, plus other structural design projects.

Applications and competition rules can be found online at www.ncsea.com.