American Institute of Architect (AIA) 2006 Convention Highlights
| The American Institute of Architects are currently meeting during their annual AIA Convention 2006 through June 10th in Los Angeles. Beside the obvious professional courses to obtain continuing education credits to maintain their state licensing and AIA membership, one of the major highlights are the many days of professional tours, of which there are nearly 20 pages of them. Tours of interest varied from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, The Getty Center, various Historic districts, Beach Houses, Brentwood Homes, Museums of Pasadena, and Sony Studios to even topics such as Reading, Writing, Lounging – Learning in Los Angeles. Mayor Antonio Villaragosa, welcomed attendees to Los Angeles during the opening session. Unfortunately missing from the opening session were world renown architect Frank Gehry (Walt Disney Center, Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and recently a new jewelry collection for Tiffany & Co.) and Arata Isozaki (MOCA in Los Angeles, Team Disney Building). In their stead were Craig Webb principal designer from Frank Gehry’s office and Thom Mayne of Morphosis (2005 Pritzker Prize Laureate with a current exhibition a the Centre Pompidou in Paris through July 17th) and originally scheduled Jose Rafael Moneo (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels). We were disappointed not to see Frank Gehry, but then – he know where his bread is buttered. The challenges in working with a city spread out such as Los Angeles, were a topic of discussion, leading to the traditional concept of a city core and not hundred of smaller communities joined together through sprawling development. Exhibition highlights were: 1) Interlam 2) Pink Inc. Designs 3) Terramai 4) Big Ass Fans 5) Various organizations represented Interlam’s, www.interlam.com, architectural panels were a show stopper. Uniquely different, and priced to make design within reach, or should we just say priced to sell. How refreshing. The panels themselves offer a broad variety and can even serve as an option to the granite, Silestone and Avonite kitchen countertops at a fraction of the price. Not reserved for commercial applications and hospitality, there are residential possibilities. The pictures on their website don’t do it justice. When you see it, you’ll want to touch it, it’s just that inviting. Pink Inc. Designs, www.pinkincdesign.com, a tension fabric design, manufacturing and rental company. They combine visual and performing arts with their fabric architecture techniques. They are often spotten at events where a dramatic visual impact is desired, such as music festivals, themed events, and trade shows. Once you’ve seen it, you’ll notice the work and smile each time you see it. Terramai, www.terramai.com, will make you tree lover conservationists happy. Their products lines highlight unique reclaimed woods from around the world. One of my favorites is a Rose-Mix which is a mix of burgundies, pinks and purples laced with gold to create a deep, plush patina. The wood species in the Rose Mix include Rosewood, Pradu, Pyinkado, Narra and other rose-toned woods. Rosewood railroad ties with accented spike holes create an unusually charming character and a stunning look that can’t be duplicated with today’s younger forests creating the wood products. Big Ass Fans, www.BigAssFans.com, deserve mention if not only for their sense of humor but one of the most descriptive and accurate names for their product line. Their logo even has, well you guessed it, a donkey. They do have a big story to tell – they developed the greatest improvement in high-volume/low-speed fans, providing 35% more cubic feet per minute (cfm) than their award-winning Wickerbill Airfoil Fan. A remarkable 400% increased energy efficienty with 50% lower costs to operate. Various organizations were represented including the American Concrete Institute the Hardwood Council, American Concrete Institute, Italian Trade Commission, International Code Council, Western Red Cedar Lumber Associatio While the AIA convention is intended for the trade, non AIA members may also attend. Next year’s convention will be held in San Antonio Texas when AIA will be celebrating it’s 150th year anniversary. We have already talked to the pr representavtive and hope to have a invatation to next years event. The people at the AIA know how to treat their guests with liquid refreshments on the floor to both keep you cool or to warm you up. |
