Historic Black Social Club Starts Renovation, Seeks Black Architects to Restore Charlotte Landmark
The new owners of the historic Excelsior Club announced this week they are seeking distinguished Black architects from around the nation to participate in the redevelopment and revival of the club, a longtime epicenter of African-American politics and culture in North Carolina. The Excelsior Club opened in 1944 as a fashionable nightclub that attracted Black professionals and politicians…
AIA Releases Strategies and Illustrations for Reducing Risk of COVID-19 in Senior Living Communities
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing strategies and illustrations today that can help senior living communities mitigate risk of COVID-19. These resources were developed by a team of architects, AIA’s Design for Aging knowledge community, public health experts, and engineers, to assist with pivoting communities toward a more sustainable set of strategies that can reduce…
AIA Expresses Support for Moving Forward Act
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pledging support for the vertical infrastructure investments in the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2), which is expected to receive a vote from the House of Representatives next week. As part of the proposed $1.5 trillion investment, the Moving Forward Act prioritizes $100 billion for facility upgrades at high-poverty schools,…
Architecture Billings Downward Trajectory Moderates
WASHINGTON – June 24, 2020 – Demand for design services in May saw few signs of rebounding following a record drop in billings the month prior, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for May was 32.0 compared to 29.5 in April, but still…
Clemson Architecture Students Repurpose 3D Printers to Create Face Shields for First Reponders
It’s a selfless sentiment seen time and again among the Clemson community since the COVID-19 crisis began. At the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities (CAAH), a group of research professors, graduate students and 2020 graduates took 18 3D printers normally used to make scale models and repurposed them to make face shields. Led by…
Preparing for Office Re-Entry: A Case Study
Since the beginning of our work-from-home experience, the workplace design team at Progressive AE has been focused on building a plan for our eventual office re-entry. Mitigating risk and keeping staff safe have been foundational to our efforts. To help guide our work, we made the decision early on to follow federal and state-issued guidelines,…
Architecture billings continue historic contraction
WASHINGTON – May 20, 2020 – Demand for design services in April saw its steepest decline on record, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 29.5 for April reflects a decrease in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any number below…
Architects Release New Resource for Safer Re-occupancy of Buildings
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is releasing a new re-occupancy assessment tool today that provides strategies for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in buildings. “Design is a response to the conditions, needs and functions of our society,” said AIA 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA. “This may be the most pivotal and defining moment in our lifetime for…
Architecture Billings Index points to major downturn in commercial construction
WASHINGTON – April 22, 2020 – Reflecting the deteriorating conditions in the overall economy, demand for design services from architecture firms recorded a record fall, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 33.3 for March reflects a decrease in design services provided by…
AIA Task Force Launches Tool for assessing COVID-19 Alternate Care Sites
As communities across the country race to expand available hospital bed space in response to COVID-19, an American Institute of Architects (AIA) task force is providing a new tool for public officials to quickly identify buildings suitable to be adapted for patient care. The COVID-19 Alternate Care Sites Assessment Tool provides a checklist highlighting important areas to consider when…
