FORM VIDEO INTERVIEW: Thom Mayne on Inspiration

For more on inspiration, RSVP to the February 3 issue event panel with architects Michael Webb, Mehrdad Yazdani, Benjamin Ball, Lorcan O'Herlihy, and Annie Chu.

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Architecture Billings Index Continues Positive Momentum

On the heels of its highest mark since 2007, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) jumped more than two points in December. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to 12 month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the December ABI score was 54.2, up from a reading of 52.0 the previous month. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 62.6, up slightly from a mark of 61.4 in November.

“This is more promising news that the design and construction industry is continuing to move toward a recovery,” said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. However, historically December is the most unpredictable month from a business standpoint, and therefore the most difficult month from which to interpret a trend. The coming quarter will give us a much better sense of the strength of the apparent upturn in design activity. ”

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AIA/LA Design Awards 2010 - Some Event Pics

Sneak Peek: This Sunday's AIA/LA Fall Home Tour - Off Sunset: Brentwood to Palisades

Sunday October 17 from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The tour is self-driven, self-guided, rain or shine.

To purchase tickets, click HERE

AIA/LA site info

Before you go, check out these summaries on the featured homes:
THE CARILLO RESIDENCE - Pacific Palisades, CA
Designed By Steven Ehrlich, FAIA - EHRLICH ARCHITECTS
The Carrillo Residence occupies a long narrow site on the rim of Santa Monica Canyon. Designed for a young couple with two children, the house addresses the formal and informal needs of the family while taking advantage of the Southern California climate and views. The orientation of the house reinforces the geometry of the site. A series of stone masses define the ground floor program while a floating white box houses the bedroom wings and slides over and past the stone to gesture towards the canyon and the views.  The glass living room volume sits at the far end of the site adjacent to the main bar of the house and divides the outdoor space into two distinct courts. 

LA MESA HOUSE - Santa Monica, CA
Designed by John Dutton, AIA, LEED AP - D U T T O N  a r c h i t e c t s
The original front of a 1924 Santa Monica historic landmark- an early adobe house by John Byers- was restored; the rest of the house was demolished and a new courtyard house built behind the historic front. The architectural ‘completion’ of the house allowed for interiors to be contemporary, and for the design and detailing to become more modern toward the rear of the site, where a detached guest house and an infinity-edge lap pool provide views to the Santa Monica Mountains and the ocean.  The emphasis was on integration of interior rooms with both the central courtyard and ancillary exterior spaces.  Research from Byers’ archives as well as forensic analysis of the original house provided clues as to the materials and finishes that were used for the rest of the house.  

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Transit Oriented Housing Community Sets Precedent for Future Community Living Spaces

Designed by San Francisco based architect David Baker and built in tandem, these two affordable designed housing communities, Armstrong Place and Armstrong Senior Housing, compose a new landscaped neighborhood that fills an entire city block. Encircling a vast public courtyard, Armstrong Place offers 124 affordable for-sale townhouses targeted to keeping families in San Francisco. Across a shared pedestrian mews, Armstrong Senior Housing brings 116 affordable senior homes, prepped for aging in place, to the area, as well as retail space for a teen health clinic and and organic juice bar. The Senior building, which features solar panels, a rain garden to manage storm water and, a "quilt wall" inspired by traditional African fabrics, was recently awarded LEED Gold Certification.

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