Honored AIA Member Passes

Evan Cruthers, FAIA, retired President and CEO of Media Five Ltd., passed away after a long illness in Port Angeles, Washington, on July 23, 2009.

Cruthers was greatly involved in AIA activities. In 1987 he served as the President of the Hawaii Component; in 1990 became a member of the AIA National Board; and in 1991 was elected Region Director at the Whistler, B.C. Region Conference. He served alongside James R. McGranahan, FAIA as junior director. In 1993 he assumed the position of senior director.

For 28 years Cruthers worked for Media Five Architectural firm. He started there in 1972 and retired as President and CEO in 2000. Cruthers was the catalyst for the firm’s international growth into Japan, Australia and California. With his work on the USS Arizona Hall, Cruthers was one of the first architects to recognize sustainability. He will be deeply missed.

Cruthers is survived by his wife and family. Donations may be made in his name to 1st Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles, 139 W. 8th Street, Port Angeles, Washington 98632.

NGA Endorses 2030 Goals

The AIA has received press coverage from the New York Times regarding its 2030 goals. What garnered the attention of the paper was an endorsement by the National Governors Association (NGA) as part of their resolution on energy efficiency.

Washington State was at the forefront of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the passage of Senate Bill 5854 during the 2009 Legislative Session. Governor Gregoire announced shortly after signing the bill that she would be taking the new legislation to NGA meeting so that other states could effectively mirror it.

With NGA’s resolution a new push for every state to implement a carbon neutral construction code will begin. You can read the NY Times article here.

Sales Tax to be Applied to Online Services

Beginning July 26, 2009, you will need to start paying closer attention to the services you use online. With the passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill (ESHB) 2075, sales or use tax will be due on digital products ranging from downloaded music to streaming video.

The bill clarifies how taxes apply to products that exist only as computer bits and bytes. Specifically, it:

• Defines digital products as goods and services transferred electronically.
• Includes certain exemptions for businesses and end consumers.
• Requires sellers of digital products to electronically file their tax returns.
• Provides amnesty to those who didn’t collect or pay sales or use tax on digital products that were taxed before July 26, 2009.

What digital products are subject to tax?
While downloaded digital goods (music and movies, etc.) have always been subject to sales or use tax, ESHB 2075 applies sales or use tax to all digital products, regardless of how they are accessed (downloaded, streamed, subscription service, networking, etc.).Digital products subject to sales or use tax include:

• Downloaded digital goods (music and movies, etc.)
• Streamed and accessed digital goods
• Digital automated services (DAS)

The bill also covers remote access software (e.g. application service providers), which is now subject to sales and use tax too. It does not matter if the purchaser obtains a permanent or nonpermanent right of use. If you have questions about what this bill applies to, how it will be enforced, what is exempt and more you can visit the Washington State Department of Revenue’s question and answer webpage.

Local Author Writes about AIA Seattle Endeavor

Crosscut writer Knute Berger wrote an article discussing a new AIA Seattle venture: FutureShack . Its ultimate result according to Berger was to note, "the kind of design that will help us pick our way through the minefields of a changing city."

The Seattle Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is sponsoring the program which invited Washington state architects to submit recent residential project for judging by two panels, one of professional architects and planners, the other of lay people. Knute Berger was on the citizen's panel.

Over 70 projects were submitted. Each jury had to pick five winners. The two juries have deliberated but their verdicts are not yet known and will be announced in the Seattle Times on September 13. You can read the whole article here.

Building Code Resources

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Structural Engineering License Qualifications to Change

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) has issued a press release stating that “examinations that are presently used by the state of Washington to qualify individuals for licensure in structural engineering will be changing.”

For questions regarding the changes please send your inquiries via email ONLY to this address: engineers@dol.wa.gov. The DOL will respond and include the question/answer in all future notices.

Starting in April 2011, the primary structural licensing examination for WA will be the examination developed by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).

The last offering of the NCEES Structural II examinations will be October 2010.

The new exam will be offered every April and October starting in April 2011.

For more information and answers to frequently asked questions you can visit the DOL website here and click on the Changes to Structural Exam PDF.