Issue CXXVII
Aug 22, 2008
Greetings !
In this issue, you'll read:
Astle to Receive Gold Medal
AIA NE Fall Conference Registration Open
Continuing Education at the 2008 Conference
AIA Nebraska Membership Meeting / Candidates Offered
Art x Architects
Exhibitor Advertisements
Central States Regional Conference, October 23-25
NCARB Grants
In Memory - Michael E. Wiemers, AIA
Donate on-line to the AIA NE PAC
AIA NE to Feature KidStructures - Sponsored by the Lauritzen Gardens Guild
Calendar of Events - August 22
Astle to Receive Gold Medal The Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal for Architectural Excellence in the State of Nebraska commemorates the achievements of Harry Francis Cunningham who came to Nebraska as lead architect for Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue's office during completion of the tower phase of construction for the State Capitol following Goodhue's death in 1924. It was Goodhue's revolutionary building design which won the nationwide competition in 1920 for the creation of the state house in Lincoln. Cunningham subsequently established the first school of architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Neil Astle was actively involved in his profession as a practicing architect at the very highest level, a participant in community design activities, and a professor of architecture, planning, and design. He expressed a lifelong passion for teaching and design. His many lifetime achievements in design make him deserving of this prestigious honor," said nominator Donald P. Polsky, FAIA, 2002 Gold Medal Recipient. A Utah native, Astle received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Architecture both from the University of Utah in the mid to late 1950's. He received his Master of Architecture and Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959. Astle came to Nebraska in 1964 as a visiting Professor and also contributed as a Lecturer and Critic at the University of Nebraska College through 1973. In 1973 he became the originator and director of Urban programs Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln through 1976. Martin H. Shukert, FAICP, writes "As an intern and later young staff member in Omaha's planning department, I was inspired up close by Neil's quiet humility, quest for excellence, and willingness to teach both his students at the University of Nebraska and those, like me, who had the opportunity learn from him outside of the academic setting. Neil taught both by his work and words." Through the years Astle received many State and Regional AIA Design Awards, as well as two Architectural Record "Record Houses" awards. In addition, his buildings were featured in several national and international publications. In 1983 he became a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and was licensed to practice architecture in nine states. Moving back to his native State of Utah in the early 1980's, he designed many important buildings at the University of Utah while continuing to practice in Nebraska. He has a son and daughter, both practicing architecture in the State of Utah. He has been deceased since 2000. This year's conference partners/sponsors include: ASI Modulex, Central Spec, Heartland Brick, Hyde Speakers Series, UNL College of Architecture, Nebraska Masonry Institute, RK Digital and Sunderland. Next week's Nebraska Architecture will highlight this year's exhibitors. Continuing Education Opportunities September 12: 10:00 - 11:30 am Educational Session 1 The Liberty Memorial: Design Generates New Life, Meaning, Value - Room 205 2:15 - 3:45 pm Educational Session 2 IDP/ARE Bootcamp for Principals and Emerging Professionals - Room 207 4:00 - 5:30 pm Educational Session 3 Integrated Project Delivery - Room 206 Conference Tours include: 2:00 - 3:30 pm 4:00 - 5:00 pm 5:30 - 6:30 pm September 12 Booths are SOLD OUT - Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The conference is an opportunity for suppliers to showcase products and services to Nebraska architects. You can register one of two ways: 1) President-Elect, Kristi Nohavec, AIA, The Clark Enersen Partners Directors (2 Elected) Associate Member Please print the following documents to be reviewed at the meeting: 21st ANNUAL EXHIBIT- Criteria / Registration: Deadline August 28: Submission of Entry Registration and Payment Jury Members: Elizebeth Murphy, President Emspace; Bob Wilson, Wilson Custom Design Tile Company; Laurie Victor Kay, Laurie and Charles Photographs. Proposals for the 2008 NCARB Grant must be submitted electronically to ncarbgrant@ncarb.org by e-mail no earlier than Tuesday, September 23, 2008 and no later than Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 5:00 p.m. EDT. Visit the With Senators' term limits in its second cycle since the Nebraska law passed; there are a total of 26 legislative races that will take place in 2008. Fifteen State Senators are term limited, ten are eligible to run for re-election and one Senator must run for the unexpired balance of his predecessor's term. To continue to effectively represent architecture in the State of Nebraska, we need to do a better job of influencing legislation and public decision making in Nebraska. Fortunately AIA Nebraska has formed a Political Action Committee (PAC) to help elect public officials in Nebraska who appreciate the value that we bring to our communities and State. The PAC has established a No one else is going to do this for us. Architects: Leo A. Daly,Kris Nelson, James Leach, Drew Johnson, Lloyd Meyer Contractors: Kiewit Building Group, Jason Prebyl, Cauitta Robeson, Don Buboltz, Brian Buboltz, Jim Francois, Vern Kuehn, Jim Price, Kory Kyllo, Randy Kibbon, Brian Mlnarik, Jon Andrews, Chris Helms, AJ Waters, Todd Ernesti, Scott Willhoit Donors: Millard Lumber, Joel Russell Architects: Bruce Carpenter, William DeRoin Contractors: Kiewit Building Group Imagine the forest transformed into a dream world of inspired technology, unique architecture and vast opportunities to play and reflect. Bicycles turn on lights. Shelters pop up from plastic bottles. Roofs grow with life. Explore seven structures along Riverview Boardwalk at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. The EcoHuts were designed and constructed by local architects and builders for this exclusive Fontenelle Nature Association exhibit. KEVA Planks are back on exhibit at the University of Nebraska Parametric Modeling, August 27 - 20, UNL College of Architecture, CSI Golf Outing, Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008, 9:00 AM, Tara Hills,1410 Western Hills Drive, Papillion. The tournament will be a 4-person scramble format with numerous hole and team prizes featuring the possibility of winning up to $10,000 cash for a hole-in-one! Team and Hole Sponsorships are available. Nebraska Women In Architecture September Event sponsored by Suzan Karrer Rohrig, AIA & Nicole Malone, Assoc. AIA - Wednesday, September 3, 2008 @ 6:00pm. Event: Ladies Night Out at the Melting Pot -17151 Davenport in Village Point, Cost: $22 per person, includes either two specialty martini's or two featured glasses of wine with cheese fondue and chocolate fondue. Why: To try something new with the group & possibly some of those who have not been involved might be able to attend this event since it is during the week. We hope this is an opportunity to meet more women in architecture in a fun, social environment. RSVP by Wednesday, August 27, 2008 to nmalone@thearchitecturaloffices.com. This is a very popular event so get your RSVP in early!!2008 Green Home Tour- September 6, 1:00 – 5:00 PM, Starts: 1412 North 35th St. Presented by: Green Omaha Coalition's Green Neighborhood Council - An opportunity for metro area residents to learn how to green their living environment, whether they own or rent. For more information about this event, contact: Camellia Watkins, Sierra Club Omaha Office, 5170 Leavenworth, Omaha, NE 68106, (402)551-9480 camellia.watkins@sierraclub.org - $5.00/person - 12 years old and under free. Purchase your tickets at any of the tour-homes on the day of the event - see flier for additional information. FREE GIVEAWAYS at each home while supplies last! Special GRAND PRIZE drawing at each home (need not be present to win) Proceeds will help programs and activities of the Green Neighborhood Council. FOOD HOME - 1412 North 35th St., Edible garden tour ENERGY HOME - 350 North 36th Ave., Examples of energy-saving practices that will work in your home or apartment WATER HOME - 5073 Jackson St., Indoor and outdoor examples of water conservation MATERIALS/RESOURCES HOME - 1018 South 36th St., »Constructed of repurposed materials and designed with energy savings in mind TRANSPORTATION - A walking tour of one of Omaha's sustainable neighborhoods - Gifford Park. This guided tour will include stops at the Gifford Park Community Garden Design Build Institute of America Mid America Region Nebraska Chapter - September 18, 2008 - Nebraska Conference - September 18, 2008 - 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, “Reddy for Preservation!” Iowa’s Statewide Historic Preservation Conference in Sioux City! The conference is scheduled for September 19-20, 2008. Green Roof Infrastructure: Plants and Growing Medium 401 - Wednesday, October 22, 2008 layout, registration-2.pdf
Neil Astle, FAIA, will be awarded, posthumously, the Harry F. Cunningham Gold Medal for Architectural Excellence in the State of Nebraska. The Gold Medal is the highest honor that AIA Nebraska can bestow and is awarded in recognition of the most distinguished achievement in architecture or service to the profession of architecture in the State of Nebraska. Astle was a founding partner of Astle / Ericson Associates, Omaha, Nebraska. The award will be presented at the Designing Economics - Excellence in Design Awards Banquet on September 11, at The Paxton Ballroom, Omaha. 
Benedictine Monastery
While in Nebraska, Neil Astle became widely known throughout the country and demonstrated a profound effect upon architecture in the State of Nebraska. Though his innovative ability, he designed several noteworthy projects in the State of Nebraska including the Benedictine Monastery, Schuyler; Desoto Wildlife Refuge, Nebraska Border; Tollefon residence, Wausa; and Milltown Village, Omaha. "With his use of natural materials, he was ahead of his time in developing green architectural solutions. His work was not trendy or geared toward splashy special effects, but was always so well organized that it's inherent beauty, as well as the spatial experience that came from entering and using it, was an integral feature. It was timeless architecture that was inspiring and often event quietly breathtaking," remarks supporter, J. Daniel Reinhardt, AIA.
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AIA NE Fall Conference Registration Open 
This year's AIA Nebraska Fall Conference, Designing Economics, will be held September 11-12 at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Download this year's conference brochure and register on-line. Early registration is through August 29. AIA Nebraska has planned two days filled with tours of recently renovated buildings and projects under construction, opportunities for learning units presented by award winning architects, networking opportunities, and the latest products and services offered. Scholarship opportunities for AIAS + Associate members is available; download application via word doc/pdf or the AIA Nebraska website. Hotel deadline is today, August 15.
KEY PRESENTERS: 
Kermit Baker, Chief Economist, American Institute of Architects - Design and Construction Overview for 2009 and their Implications for Architecture Firms
Jury Chair, Todd DeGarmo, FAIA, CEO, STUDIOS Architecture
Self Marketing Power: Branding Yourself as a Business of One - Room 206
The Economics of Redeveloping Downtown - Room 207
Rebuilding Greensburg - Room 205
LB889 Brings Alternative Delivery to Public Sector Projects in Nebraska - Room 206
Midtown Crossing at Turner Park - Room 207
Greening Your Office - Room 205
September 11
10:30 am- 12:00 pm
AkSarBen Village
NoDo
Joslyn Museum Garden Sculpture
The Paxton
5:45 - 6:45 pm Construction Site Tour - Midtown Crossing at Turner Park
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Continuing Education at the 2008 Conference 
A REMINDER: Continuing education sign-in sheets for individual sessions will not be provided. Conference participants will be presented a one-page document (C-1) at registration or you may download now. The document will list all of the sessions offered and enable participants to select the sessions attended for continuing education credit. The document must be returned to AIA Nebraska.
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AIA Nebraska Membership Meeting / Candidates Offered
Plan to attend this year's AIA Nebraska Membership meeting in conjunction with the Conference, Friday, September 12, 1:30 - 2:00 pm, Ballroom B, Qwest Center Omaha. The AIA Nebraska Nominating Committee will offer the following slate of candidates for the 2009 Board of Directors. Nominations from the floor will be accepted.
Secretary, Tammy Eagle Bull, AIA, Encompass Architects
Treasurer, Robert Ripley, AIA, Capitol Commission
Kenneth West, AIA, DLR Group
John Dineen, AIA, HDR
Matthew Kuhn Associate AIA, HDR
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Art x Architects 
Art is not what you see but what you make others see - Edgar Degas
Art x Architects is an opportunity for architects & associates to showcase their creative artistic talents, whether it was developed for a client or purely for pleasure. The art work will be on display at the AIA Nebraska Conference.
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Exhibitor Advertisements 
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Central States Regional Conference, October 23-25 
The 2008 Central States Regional Conference, in Kansas City on October 23-25, is delighted to announce that Kansas City’s Young Architects Forum will host Pecha Kucha Night to kick off this year’s conference. Pecha Kucha Night is an informal presentation format originally devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein-Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in 2003 as a place for designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. In just four years, the presentation and networking event has spread from its first meeting in their Tokyo office, to a well-attended, routinely held gatherings in more than 100 cities around the globe. You can witness this world-wide phenomenon for yourself in the Central States, exclusively in Kansas City, by registering now for the Central States Regional Conference. Seating is limited. Receive early bird registration prices from now until September 15th. Registration Open
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NCARB Grants 
Each academic year, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) awards up to a total of $10,000 through one, two, or three grants to programs that are accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) and programs that are candidates for NAAB-accreditation to support the creation of new curricular initiatives that integrate practice and education.
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In Memory - Michael E. Wiemers, AIA
Michael Wiemers, AIA (High Plains Architects) passed away on August 11, 2008. See attached obituary. Michael was serving on the Western NE AIA Chapter Board of Directors.
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Donate on-line to the AIA NE PAC 
Dear AIA Nebraska Member - AIA is ready to make its voice heard and we need your help. Attempts are continuously being made to marginalize our profession by nibbling away at the edges of what we do. Accounting firms want to program; attorneys and contractors want to define delivery systems, and how they are used. Everyone thinks they can design, and should be allowed to do so. The challenges to architecture in the State of Nebraska are significant and growing.
Thank you for your generosity, and please contact one of us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Greg Smith, Chair Lowell Berg, Vice Chair
greg.smith@davisdesign.com lberg@clarkenersen.com
402.476.9700 402.477.9291
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AIA NE to Feature KidStructures - Sponsored by the Lauritzen Gardens Guild
Imaginative KidStructure exhibit to run May 17 through October 5, 2008 - A Project of the Lauritzen Gardens Guild. 
Whorl: Inspired by the natural spiral growth pattern found in many plants, Whorl uses standard, interlocking timbers to create a dynamic sculptural form. The simplicity of materials and connections relates to the Japanese Sunpu Castle Gate design. 
playGROUND - Playing in the Mud - Inspired by the classic childhood experience of playing in the mud and dirt, playGROUND draws its form from the natural Loess soil of the Missouri River Valley. A sculpted, rammed earth base dug into the path establishes a sense of place for the children with a series of terraced levels for seating, lounging and climbing. Sitting atop the earthen base is a wooden canopy designed to shelter and protect the structure's inhabitants. The angled forms open a window for viewing the sky while relaxing on a quiet day, establishing a sense of quietness where the cool ground, wood ceiling and bright sky create a moment of peace.
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Calendar of Events - August 22
Calendar of Events 
Open Now Thru November 3 - Fontenelle Forest Nature Center (Projects to be featured in AIA NE Update) Sponsored by Sarpy County Visitors Committee/Regular Admission Applies to Non-Members
and Community Bicycle Shop Omaha. Tour begins at the ENERGY home.Sign up Today!
Scott Conference Center, 6450 Pine Street, Omaha NE 68106. This conference will feature Nebraska's recently enacted Design Build and CM At Risk Legislation allowing Nebraska public subdivisions to include these methods for building projects Presentations include: Overview of the legislation;Examples of design-build public projects; How to implement the process & What to expect Keynote Speaker: Lee Evey, DBIA National President. Hotel Reservations Available at Doubletree Guest Suites-7270 Cedar Street, Omaha NE 68124, 1-800-222-8733 or 1-402-397-5141. Reserve your room before August 28th to guarantee pricing at $109 per night. Questions, please contact: Nebraska District Chair Bill Stazzoni or Janelle at (402) 453-8600 DBIA-MAR Executive Director, Oretta Smith at (816) 506-1881.
Climate Change & the Physical Environment: Effect and Affect - Featuring local and regional experts discussing solutions for a better world. September 18 - 19, College of Architecture, Sponsored by USGBC Nebraska Flatwater Chapter, AIA Nebraska, Lincoln Green by Design. 3 AIA CEU's provided by AIA Nebraska. This event is free and open to the public, however guarantee seating and for reception attendance please RSVP to Doris Devries, ddevries1@unl.edu by September 12. Omaha 2008 - Green Roof Training Courses:
Green Roof Infrastructure Waterproofing & Drainage 301 - Tuesday, September 23, 2008
This is GRHC’s third course in the Green Roof Accreditation Program. This new course will provide participants with an overview of waterproofing and drainage construction and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It lays out technical vocabulary and materials and presents detailed design solutions and implementation best management practices for waterproofing and drainage in green roofs. Tuition: $399
This course will provide participants with an overview of plants and growing medium design considerations and maintenance for green roof assemblies. It establishes design and implementation best management practices for plants and growing medium in green roofs. Tuition: $499
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