AIA Washington Council

AIA|WA Bill on Contract Fairness Receives Hearing in House

2012-01-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

On the first day of the 2012 Legislative Session, the AIA|WA was already pushing its agenda forward. The legislature opened with a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on EHB 1559; a bill drafted and supported by the AIA|WA and its allies in the design professions.

This bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives in 2011, but ran into a wall of opposition from public agencies in the Senate.

Peter Rasmussen, FAIA, AIA|WA Immediate Past-President testified in support of EHB 1559 along with Stan Beck, an attorney with Lane Powell in Seattle, and other representatives of the design professions.

EHB 1559, puts a new provision in law that prohibits agencies from requiring that architects indemnify and pay for the agencies’ defense costs for actions not resulting from the architect’s negligence. This is a growing problem as agencies look to shift any costs they can to someone else. As the lead design professional on projects, the risk is highest for architects.

Agencies claim that shifting risk and costs to the architects is fair. They claim they don’t pressure anyone to sign these contracts; they are willing to take them out if asked. But, we know different. We know that agencies present these onerous provisions with an ultimatum: sign the contract or lose the job.

The AIA|WA is fighting to ensure that architects are only responsible for their insurable risks resulting from acts of negligence or errors and omissions. We know that without insurance to protect architects, their businesses and even their homes could be put at risk by a single lawsuit. The public agencies’ lawyers and lobbyists do not care. But, we want a law that is fair and equitable to all parties.

After meeting with many state and local agencies since the last legislative session, the AIA|WA drafted technical changes to address the concerns that they raised. We are hopeful that they bill will move forward this year. Even so, it will be a difficult road as some local government agencies remain steadfastly opposed to giving architects and engineers equitable rights in contracts.

You can watch a recording of the hearing on www.TVW.org. Enter 1559 in the search engine and select today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing.

There is money for your stalled project - the AIA can help

2011-10-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

The AIA has launched a major initiative to develop a database that would assemble projects that have been stalled for no other reason than lack of financing. Concurrently, the AIA was contacted by a large number of investment firms asking to be listed in this database.

So, AIA National undertook a four-month long effort to develop a page on AIA.org - the Stalled Projects page http://www.aia.org/stalledprojects/index.htm, which will act as a networking website for real-estate investors and clients, the developers.

This unique page of AIA.org seeks to put architects more in control of their own destiny. Instead of waiting for the banks, members will be able to reach out to a group of investors who have chosen to list themselves for the sole reason of lending money to creditworthy projects.

In order for the initiative to be a success, AIA needs your help. Please list your stalled projects on this page, to populate the site so that investors will find it worthwhile! As times goes on, the AIA hopes to help build hundreds of working relationships and get stalled projects moving! Please email any comments about the site to stalledprojects@aia.org.

There’s money out there for your project; all that’s needed is for you to list it on the AIA’s Stalled Projects page.

Remembering Mark Bottemiller

2011-10-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

Mark Bottemiller, 2011

On October 17 Mark Bottemiller, a valued AIA member, lost his battle with cancer. Mark was the AIA Vancouver President in 2004, a former AIA|WA Board Member, and a respected colleague.

“Mark has represented the dignity and value of the profession of architecture to his peers and to the community. His consistent volunteer efforts and service to the AIA exemplifies his commitment to the profession of architecture that we as professionals should all aspire to provide. His actions have made a lasting positive influence on our community and the profession of architecture.”
– Timothy Buckley, AIA

The AIA Vancouver will be especially impacted by Mark’s passing. He was instrumental in the creation of the component’s student grant. To honor his contribution the grant will now be called The Mark Bottemiller Scholarship. Annually at least one graduate student attending the School of Architecture at Washington State University is helped by this scholarship.

“Mark was one of the most selfless people I have met and certainly one of the most active members of our component. His most notable contribution to the AIA Vancouver is his work on the scholarship fund. Without his efforts, the annual scholarships that AIA Vancouver has provided to students wouldn’t be on the stable economic foundation they are today. Countless students have, and will, benefit from his generosity, caring and energy.”
– Ryan Wilson, AIA

Mark kept loved ones updated as he battled cancer through website: www.caringbridge.org/visit/markbottemiller. You can still visit this website to leave condolences, show support, and make donations. The site is filled with wonderful comments about Mark from AIA members.

“I met Mark through the AIA Vancouver component about five years ago and I already miss not having him at our meetings and participating in our long emails. He was such an important part of our organization… he spent many volunteer hours, he never complained and was always happy to help out. I will miss him greatly and so will all the other architects in town and around the state. He was a good friend, a great colleague and a wonderful architect.”
– Sue Mangin, AIA

Mark was not only a committed architect but also a devoted Cougar fan and WSU alumni. Due to his love for the Cougs, and his wish not to have a formal service, his family has asked that those who attend his Celebration of Life Service wear cougar colors or cougar clothes. The service is being held this Saturday, October 29, at the First United Methodist Church in Vancouver, 401 E 33rd street at 1:00 p.m.

Audit Scrutinizes DOC Program to Weatherize Low-Income Homes

2011-08-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

A performance audit was released yesterday by State Auditor Brian Sonntag that evaluated the State Department of Commerce ( DOC) home-weatherization program. The goal of the audit was to evaluate the DOC’s process for making sure funds were spent appropriately at the local level.

The DOC run program received a major funding increase in 2009 through the federal economic stimulus act. The results of the audit were good and bad.

The Good

The projects - meant to reduce energy use in needy families' homes through new insulation, furnaces, energy-efficient windows etc. - ramped up in 2010, with contractors weatherizing more than 8,049 Washington housing units. The average in 2005-2008 had been about 3,300.
Local agencies like Pierce County Community Services and the Metropolitan Development Council of Tacoma contract for the improvements, with oversight from the DOC.
There were 329 housing units weatherized through the Tacoma nonprofit last year, more than triple any of the previous five years. Another 742 homes were weatherized by Pierce County.

The Bad

The DOC did plenty of inspections but officials didn't consistently follow up to make sure agencies fixed problems.
A September re-check that involved 47 homes where local agencies said problems were corrected, and found incomplete or shoddy work in nine of them.
During one inspection a local agency was allowed to pick the project that state officials would inspect. The DOC said this instance was an anomaly because the employee of the agency refused to cooperate with DOC officials. The agency later fired the employee.

If you would like to see the entire audit please click here to download the PDF.

Calling All Stalled Projects

2011-08-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

The AIA continues to promote policies that help turn our economy back around and get communities back to work building again. As part of this effort, the AIA must show the public, media and government the dire business climate our profession is facing in nearly every community in the country.

AIA National and the AIA|WA want to hear your real life experiences so we can tell this story. If you have projects that are being held up due to a lack of financing, or tied up because of regulatory burdens, we want to hear about them. Please email us and share your experience.

Be sure to include:

Your name, firm name and contact information
The project type and name
City and state of the project
How large the project is, in terms of square feet and cost per square foot
How many jobs your firm or your contractors could hire if it moves forward, if known
An electronic picture of the project or design (jpeg or other similar format, please)

And answer the following questions:

Why has the project stalled?
Were any jobs lost due to the hold up?
Would an increase in the energy efficient tax deduction help this project move forward?
Would increased access to financing through the Small Business Administration or other programs help move the project forward?

AIA National President Clark Manus, FAIA, message to architects

2011-08-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Seven Easy Steps - Take Action Now

View Event Pictures from the 2011 Civic Design Awards

2011-06-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Civic Design Awards were a fun night for all! Check out our pictures.

Help us know you better: take our one question poll!

2011-06-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

Observations from Japanese Earthquake Reconnaissance - Seminar 6.15.2011

2011-06-06T15:50:00.000-07:00

Structural Engineers Association of Washington will present findings from Japan. Anyone interested in first-hand accounts of the earthquake’s devastation and lessons learned may attend. (see below for online registration)
Wed. 6.15.2011.
4PM -8PM
UW- Kane Hall

On Friday, March 11, 2011, the northeast coast of Japan was struck by a magnitude 9.0 (M9.0) subduction earthquake as the boundary between the Pacific and the North American plates ruptured. The rupture extended about 200 miles, resulting in approximately 100 feet of vertical slip and causing a series of devastating tsunamis. A similar event along the Cascadia Subduction Zone could extend from Vancouver Island to Northern California, affecting western Washington and Oregon communities.

Recognizing how an earthquake like this could impact the Pacific Northwest, a reconnaissance team of engineers went to Japan to evaluate the damage. The team traveled the metropolitan cities of Tokyo and Sendai; met with Japanese earthquake research organizations, design/construction professionals, and public officials to learn more about the extent of the damage and standard design practices in Japan.

The team will present their findings at this seminar intended for anyone interested in first-hand accounts of the earthquake’s devastation and lessons learned.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
4:00 - 8:00 PM (sign-in begins at 3:30 PM)
University of Washington Kane Hall, Room 120

SEMINAR COST (includes box lunch-style dinner at mid-presentation break)
AIA Members/SEAW/UW Faculty* $45.00
Non-Members $60.00
UW Student**/Unemployed Members* $15.00
Late Registration fee, additional $10.00
* SEAW/AIA 2011 Dues must be paid
** Students may attend for free without dinner

REGISTRATION
Please register no later than Noon, Friday, June 10th to avoid late charge.
Register online at seaw@seaw.org to reserve your spot.
Prepayment is required.

AIA|WA Continues to Make Strides in Sustainable Development

2011-06-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

AIA|WA is riding a wave of success in the promotion of more sustainable development practices. In 2005, Washington was the first state to pass a requirement that publicly funded buildings meet LEED Silver or equivalent standards.

In 2009, AIA|WA successfully helped pass the Efficiency First Law; which requires improvements to the Washington State Energy Code over the next 20 years. The goal of the law is to get to net zero carbon impact for energy consumption by buildings.

This session the AIA|WA stopped an effort to roll-back the 2009 Washington State Energy Code. Two bills, House Bill 1388 and Senate Bill 5751, were introduced with the aim of returning the state to 2006 energy code criteria. The AIA|WA worked hard to educate lawmakers about the importance of energy efficiency improvements. AIA|WA testified about how detrimental and expensive it would be to change the energy code because projects are already using the 2009 requirements.

The attempted roll-back of the energy code was one of several sustainability battles this session. Despite being in effect for six years, the Washington High Performance Public Buildings law continued to be attacked. As it was introduced, Senate Bill 5300 (SB 5300), would have removed LEED standards from state law. It also would’ve forced the use of wood in construction. AIA|WA successfully amended SB 5300 to mirror current law regarding the use of wood. With the AIA-backed amendments, the bill passed.

Later, another challenge to the state building code was presented with Senate Bill 5485 (SB 5485). This bill would have required the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to create a pro-wood bias in the building code. AIA|WA successfully argued that the state government should not dictate material selection through the building code. Architects select building materials based on safety, function, performance, client opinions and aesthetics. The choice of materials should be left to architects.

SB 5485 would also have required public buildings make an expensive analysis of their building materials based on “embodied energy” amounts. Embodied energy measurement is a worthy goal, but there is no standard metric for it. Without a standard metric, each project would be forced to develop its own standard; which leads to inconsistent results.

The AIA|WA worked with the wood industry and educators to successfully change the bill into a study. The study requires the University of Washington and Washington State University collaborate on the examination embodied energy. The universities will make recommendations to the Department of General Administration and the legislature about the implementation of metrics for measuring embodied energy. The study is due to be completed by September 2012.

Session Efforts - AIA|WA Introduced Bill to Stop Unfair Contracts

2011-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

In the past few years architects have been seeing onerous contract provisions from public clients. A common contract provision requires architects to indemnify and defend a client from any lawsuit related to a project. These provisions make the architect liable regardless of the reason for the lawsuit.
A top priority for AIA WA Council was to reform indemnification in public contracts. The AIA|WA did a good job getting a bill unanimously through the house. This bill is all about fairness and we need to continue to strategize its passage.”
Peter Rasmussen, FAIA, AIA|WA President

Recently, a Pierce County firm became a prime example of how indemnification provisions are damaging and costly. The firm was paid $8,000 to conduct a code review on a city project. The firm’s only involvement with the project was to confirm the building met code standards. A lawsuit was filed against the city three years later. The city forced the firm to pay for the cost its defense, even though the plaintiff never said the firm had done anything wrong. In the end, the firm spent over $300,000 on a legal defense in a suit that had nothing to do with them. None of the costs were covered by the firm’s insurance policy.

These indemnification provisions are unfair and uninsurable. Architect’s Errors and Omissions Insurance policies do not cover defense for the negligence or fault of others.

AIA|WA introduced a bill to stop these unfair contract clauses: Engrossed House Bill 1559 (EHB 1559). The bill would prohibit agencies from including excessively broad indemnification provisions in their contracts. EHB 1559 would limit liability for architects to damages “caused by the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the design professional.”
In short, design professionals will only be responsible for their errors and not held liable for mistakes made by contractors or others.

EHB 1559 passed the house unanimously, 98-0; but was ambushed by lawyers and lobbyists in the Senate. The first notice of any public agency opposition came just a few hours before the Senate hearing. After enduring a massive attack in the Senate public hearing, the AIA|WA and allies met with stakeholders to negotiate.

The AIA|WA brought three people to the meeting. Public agencies brought over 20 lawyers and lobbyists to browbeat supporters of EHB 1559; in order to protect their unfair actions they resorted to intimidation.

While EHB 1559 did not pass this year, the AIA|WA will push the bill again in 2012. During the next several months AIA|WA will meet with lawmakers and public agency lawyers to work through their resistance. Senators Adam Kline and Nick Harper have pledged to work with the AIA|WA during this process. In the House, Representatives Roger Goodman and Matt Shea are taking the lead to help AIA|WA find a resolution.

Session Ends - AIA|WA Budget Efforts are Successful

2011-05-31T16:32:00.000-07:00

On May 25, the Washington State Legislature adjourned its 2011 Legislative Session; one month overdue. An imperative of the AIA|WA this session was to protect the capital construction budget.

Leading up to the Session
Recently, the Washington legislature has shifted more than one billion dollars away from the construction budget. It also steeply cut design funding under the guise of promoting “shovel ready” projects. Shovel ready is burying architects.

Consequently, the AIA|WA funded groundbreaking study of the public design and construction budget. The study, conducted by Hebert Research, found that every billion dollars spent on construction creates 1,000 more jobs and $55 million more in wages than the same amount in the general government budget. View the study at www.aiawa.org.

Armed with new information, AIA|WA set out to demonstrate the importance of design and construction spending. AIA|WA shared the study results with lawmakers and the press. Using guest editorials and letters to the editor, the results were broadcast statewide.
AIA|WA members helped spread the message. During the AIA|WA annual lobby day, architects from across Washington delivered giant pencils to every lawmaker. The pencils were inscribed with a message: Pencil Ready Creates Shovel Ready Jobs.

Capital Construction Budget
Entering the session, the poor economy almost eliminated Washington’s ability to sell bonds. State revenue had plummeted. The Washington Constitution limits bond sales and interest payments to 9% of the averaged state revenue. When the state revenue dropped, the allocated 9% maximum fell too; suddenly the state was close to its bond sales limit.

“The state budget deficit was the backdrop for the 2011 legislative session. This made all other issues very difficult to address.”- Peter Rasmussen, FAIA, AIA|WA President

Nearly half of the state’s capital budget comes from bond sales; funding for building design and construction comes mainly from that half. If the state was not able to sell more bonds, architects were in trouble. However, the legislature decided to adjust what was considered “income” in the revenue calculation. By shifting funds, more bond capacity was created; momentarily design funding levels were stable.

Midway through the session another threat arose in the form of a constitutional amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 8215 (SJR 8215). The amendment would freeze the state’s bond sales at recessionary levels. SJR 8215 would have cut design/construction funding by nearly $7 billion dollars over ten years.

Stan Bowman, Hon. AIA|WA, the AIA|WA Executive Director worked with key lawmakers, such as Capital Budget Committee Chair Rep. Hans Dunshee, Hon. AIA|WA, and stopped SJR 8215. But politics kept the bond argument going. In the end, budget negotiators compromised with Substitute Senate Bill 5181 (SSB 5181).

“We dodged a bullet by avoiding a constitutional reduction in the capital budget thanks to Stan’s skillful lobbying. We are indeed being served well by Stan and our staff in Olympia. However, I suspect this issue will come back.”- Peter Rasmussen, FAIA, AIA|WA President

SSB 5181 will gradually lower the state’s working debt limit to 7.75% by 2021. SSB 5181 also creates a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine state debt practices and make recommendations. The AIA|WA is very concerned about shackling the state to a lower bond sales limit. But, initial reductions don’t start until 2015; so, the legislature has four years to find a better approach.

Once agreement was reached with SSB 5181 budgets were completed quickly. The resulting capital budget is roughly $2.8 billion, including $1.1 billion in bond sales. Unfortunately, the final operating budget still takes over $450 million from the capital budget in the next two years. This is better than the billion dollars taken out previously, but it’s still problematic.

“I understand that the legislature’s budget actions turned out much better than could have been expected on the eve of what looked like near destruction for the capital budget. We all owe the AIA|WA a big thank you for its continued tenacity in representing the interests of the profession and the larger impact on the state economy. Thank you! - George Shaw, AIA, AIA Seattle President

Next Steps
The AIA|WA is talking with other stakeholders to prepare for the commission. The AIA|WA will ensure that all commission participants are educated on the importance of the state’s use of bonds for design and construction projects. The AIA|WA will also spend the interim between sessions talking to lawmakers; there is concern that some legislators have already made up their minds. However, the AIA|WA was successful in educating lawmakers this session and continue that effort in the forthcoming year.

“It is rewarding to see the positive influence that architect’s have on State policy. During the past legislative session, AIA Washington Council was effective in making the voice of the profession heard on important issues. Architects lobbied for the long term sustainability of our State’s public institutions and economic health. Our ability to engage in the political process gives us a sense of purpose in the role that architects can play in the community and the energy to continue to participate.” – Walter Schacht, AIA

House Committee Passes Debt Reduction Bill

2011-05-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the House Capital Budget Committee passed a revised version of SSJR 8215 to lower the state’s bonding limits. The state sells bonds to finance the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure.

The AIA|WA is still evaluating the impacts of the bill. The Washington Construction Industry Council released a press statement expressing significant concerns about the new version. They state that it is an improvement over the Senate version, but still cuts deeply into overall bonding capacity.

Details of the Bill

The state constitution limits the total amount of outstanding debt (including interest) to 9% of the average of the last 3 years general state revenues. The state has working debt limit of 8.75% in the last 2 years, but used 8.5% prior to that.

The House committee proposed to drop that to 8.5% in 2017. In 2015 the limit would be based on the average of the last 10 years of general state revenues and include the property tax in the calculation.

The House version also includes an “advisory debt limit” that is one-half percentage point lower than the constitutional limit. Thus, it creates a working limit of 8%. But, it allows that “the advisory limit may be adjusted to reflect changes in economic trends and conditions.” In other words, the legislature can increase the working debt limit when a boost to the economy is needed from additional construction spending.

So the House is meeting the Senate halfway to its proposal. The senate eventually lowers to 7% (in 2022) while the House gets to a working limit of 8%. Both the House and Senate move to 10 year averaging starting in 2015.

Impacts

Over the next 10 years, the House proposal would reduce total bond sales by only about a million dollars. This is because the 10 year averaging would kick in right before the next projected recession and would bridge the steep drop in projected revenue associated with a recession. It would lower bond sales in 2013-2019, but it would create increased capacity during a projected recession of 2019-2023. However, over the next 10 years (years 11-20) it would cut bond sales by about $4 billion.

The Senate version cuts $2.774 Billion over the next 10 years and $7.389 Billion over 20 years. So, the House proposal preserves a net $2.773 Billion in bonding capacity over 10 years and $3.918 Billion over 20 years, as compared to the Senate version.

Of course the real impacts that SSJR 8215 backers are looking for are the savings in debt service on the operating budget. In the first decade, the House version cuts debt service by $1.042 billion, but preserves the spending capacity. This is only $761 million more in debt service than the Senate version.

Policy Questions

The big question is whether this new version is acceptable or whether more modifications are needed. Left unsaid by lawmakers is that simply moving to the 10 year averaging and including the property tax results in savings, too. The cuts are not as deep or the savings as big. But, this move without cutting the bond limits would provide stability and predictability to the state’ debt capacity.

The House version provides for more flexibility than the Senate version, but still results in deep cuts to bonding capacity. In the first three biennia it cuts bonding by $760 Million, $821 Million and $887 Million. Of course, in the next two recessionary biennia, it increases debt capacity. So, in the first 10 years it’s about even with current law, but does lower debt service payments.

The bigger concerns come in years 11 and later. As state revenue grows the gap between current law and the House proposal continues to grow. By about the year 2033, the gap is about $1 Billion a biennium. This is lower than the Senate gap of about $2 billion a biennium, but still a big hit to future construction capacity.

The flaw in all of this is the inability to accurately predict the depth or length of future recessions. The deeper the recession, the less the overall impacts (because of 10 year averaging). But, shorter, shallower recessions will exacerbate the differences and make the cuts even deeper.

Committee Debate

The vote was 6-5 with a Republicans and Democrats on both sides. Voting “yes” were: Dunshee (D), Warnick (R), Moeller (D), Asay (R), Pearson (R), and Ormsby (D). Voting “no” were: Zeiger (R), Lytton (D), Smith (R), Jenkins (D) and Tharinger (D).

The Democrats who voted yes generally stated they did not like the idea of cutting capital construction spending nor tying the hands of future legislatures. But, they voted for it because the Senate is holding the current $3.1 Billion capital budget hostage and they cannot abide the thought of that necessary spending being blocked by recalcitrant Senators.

The Republicans who voted yes generally stated that this is a work in progress and hope for deeper cuts, but want to keep the discussion alive.

The Democrats who voted against the measure were against the whole concept of cutting the debt limit. They stated that the debt service is very low compared to household or business debt payments. They cited the need for funding critical building and infrastructure improvements.

The Republicans who voted against it generally stated that they support much deeper cuts to the debt limit and this bill does not go far enough.

Next Steps

The committee debate could be precursor to the final floor debate in the House. Senators Kilmer (D) and Parlette (R) reject the current House proposal as not going far enough. A recent press report indicates they may be willing to move to 7.25% with a longer, more gradual decline to get there. They said the House version is a small step in the right direction.

AIA|WA, contractors, unions and other allies will evaluate the bill and determine our next steps for lobbying strategy. The general consensus is that we want to keep everyone talking in the hopes that a deal can be reach that preserves the current capital budget, but doesn’t sell future budgets short.

AIA/WA Opposes 8215

2011-04-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

When the State legislature returns on Tuesday, April 26, Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8215 (SSJR 8215) will still be on the table for consideration. The AIA/WA opposes this legislation since it will restrict state construction spending and thereby negatively impact architects and the state economy as a whole. SSJR 8215 is moving way too fast to be considered good policy. However, because the legislation is being used as a political pawn to block passage of the capital budget, it continues to be debated.

AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman; AIA/WA President, Peter Rasmussen; and AIA/WA member, Walter Schacht testified to the importance of opposing this legislation during the final week of the regular legislative session. (SEE BELOW)

Proponents of SSJR 8215 say the legislation would save the state money. In reality the bill only shifts spending from critical infrastructure to other areas with lower economic returns. Over the course of ten years SSJR 8215 will take roughly $6.8 billion dollars away from construction spending!

As the AIA/WA funded Hebert Research study shows - every billion dollars spent on construction creates 13,820 jobs and $723 million in wages. That is nearly 1,000 more jobs and $55 million more in wages than if those same funds were spent in the general government budget.
Proponents of SSJR 8215 have stated that the bill will invest money in schools, social services and criminal justice. But, money spent on these services is nullified if there are no facilities to host the services. Better education cannot be offered without classrooms. Doctors cannot heal the sick without hospitals and clinics. Law enforcement cannot keep criminals off the street without police stations.

The AIA/WA will continue to oppose this SSJR 8215 with the legislature and in the media. If you would like to know more about what the AIA/WA, and the construction community, will be doing regarding this legislation contact us at stephanie@aiawa.org.

Get the AIA/WA Issue Brief on SSJR 8215 here

Check out more AIA/WA activity concerning the capital budget here

AIA|WA Protects Design Funding

2011-04-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

After the legislature transferred nearly one billion dollars out of the capital budget to the operating budget the AIA/WA funded a study to examine the effect of the State’s capital construction spending.

As a result of the report's findings, the AIA/WA has joined a PR campaign with our friends in the construction community to protect capital budget funding. As part of that effort we are contacting local papers across the state.

Today an article was published in the Seattle Times as a result of our combined efforts! Please take a moment to read the article: Washington Legislature must not raid the capital budget to solve budget crisis.

Data from the study mentioned in the article and the results can be reviewed in full on our website at: www.aiawa.org/CapitalBudget2011.html.

Dues Payment Plan - Last Chance

2011-04-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

AIA members who have not renewed their membership and would like to take advantage of the Membership Dues Payment Plan will get two “last chances” tomorrow, April 19, and Tuesday, April 26. No one can enroll in the Membership Dues Payment Plan after April 30.

After April 30 all members can still renew in full and/or apply for a hardship adjustment/waiver. If you have any questions, please contact AIA National via Jay Politzer at jaypolitzer@aia.org.

AIA|WA Testifies on the Capital Budget

2011-04-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

The AIAWA testified today on the adoption a 2011-2013 capital budget in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Noting the newly released report from Hebert Research, funded by the AIAWA, the Council was able to express concern about the continuing budget transfers from the capital construction budget. The report clearly demonstrates that the state gets more “bang for its buck” from capital spending and that architects are suffering in this economy.

For example, the AIAWA testified that the study found:

•Investing $1 billion in capital projects, rather than general government spending, creates nearly 1,000 more jobs and almost $55 million more in wages.

•For every billion dollars invested in capital construction activities, the state gains 13,820 total jobs and $732.6 million in wages.

This information can be summarized to mean: for every dollar transferred out of the capital budget a job is put at risk! Other data also supports that architects, engineers and contractors employees continue to face economic hardship in Washington State. The American Institute of Architects billings index shows that the Western Region of the United States (including WA) has seen declining architecture billings since mid-2008. Employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Washington has lost 6,000 architecture and engineering jobs since 2008.

Tonight - AIA Seattle Welcomes Dow Constantine!

2011-04-07T10:57:00.001-07:00

King County Executive Dow Constantine Hon. AIA Seattle will be speaking on the challenges and opportunities of promoting livability on a region-wide basis. The discussion will take place in the building Constantine helped preserve: the former First United Methodist Church, now Daniels Recital Hall.

Moderating the dialogue will be CR Douglas, host of Seattle Channel's public affairs program, City Inside/Out.

For more information and to register visit: www.aiaseattle.org/node/5485

Embodied Energy: How Should it Affect Design Standards?

2011-03-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

The issue of embodied energy in building materials is heating up in the Washington Legislature.

Under current state laws, the design of new buildings must include an energy life cycle cost analysis. The ELCCA requires designers to run energy models to project the costs to operate a building over its lifecycle.

But, those models don’t account for the energy used to produce, manufacture, transport and construct buildings. Nor do they account for the energy to deconstruct and dispose of or recycle building materials. In other words, they do not account for embodied energy.

SSB 5485 authorizes a study to evaluate current standards and models for assessing the embodied energy in building materials. It also asks for recommendations about the next steps for taking embodied energy measurements from theory to practice.

The AIA|WA has been at the center of redrafting the bill to ensure that the study is unbiased and produces effective results. AIA|WA worked with stakeholders on all sides of the issue. At a hearing last week AIA|WA testified to the need for such a study, but also cautioned that embodied energy is only part of the picture. But, one must put the parts together to get the whole picture.

The proposed study will provide lawmakers with valuable information on which to make future policy decisions.

A revised version SSB 5485 passed the House Environment Committee this morning, with the AIA|WA’s support. Rep. Christine Rolfes led the efforts in the House to improve the quality of the study.

Watch this video for AIA|WA’s testimony.

Here is the entire hearing on the bill:

Cities and Counties Launch Late Attack on AIA|WA Contract Fairness Bill

2011-03-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, with only a few hours warning, a consortium of city and county governments launched a last minute attack AIA’s bill to bring fairness to public contract provisions, EHB 1559.

EHB 1559 seeks to prevent unfair contract language from being forced on architects and other design professionals by government agencies. Many public agencies are putting a clause in their design contracts that require the prime design consultant to indemnify and pay for the defense of any lawsuit arising from the project, regardless of negligence.

These clauses are an abuse of the contract to unfairly shift risk and costs to the consultant that properly reside with the client agency or other contractors on the project. Even more problematic is these requirements are not covered by the design consultant’s insurance. Thus, the architecture firm is directly liable to cover any resultant legal fees and even the individual architect may find their personal assets entangled in the legal battles

AIA worked with our colleagues in the engineering, land surveying and landscape architectural community to develop legislation to prohibit these unfair clauses. EHB 1559 would limit the design consultant’s liability to actions arising out of their own negligence and forestall liability resulting from the actions of those not under the control of the design consultant.

Representatives for design professionals and their insurance providers testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee to the need for this bill. They cited examples of contract abuses and explained how EHB 1559 would restore parity of risk in public agency design consultant contracts.

City and county agencies testified against the bill. They stated, “We don’t make anyone sign these contracts; they can always walk away.” Their defense of current provisions rests on the premise that they want someone else to pay for their legal costs, regardless of fault or negligence.

AIA|WA will continue to push hard to get the bill passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

You can view the full hearing at TVW’s Website.

To see only the AIA|WA’s testimony, watch this segment:

Here is the video for the full hearing:

The Capital Budget: Will there be one?

2011-03-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, the new revenue forecast for the State of Washington will be released. That revenue forecast will determine the size, and to some extent the shape, of the 2011-2013 biennial budget. Projections are that revenue will be down below previous forecasts by $500 Million to $2 Billion.

This will have a dramatic impact on the capital budget. The state's bonding capacity is tied directly to general fund revenues. The state constitution limits construction debt to 9% of general fund revenues.

The available money to pay for bonds has dwindled. At the beginning of the year, the Governor proposed about $900 million in bonds to be sold. That is down from $1.7 billion in the current biennium and $2.7 billion in the prior biennium.

As the state’s revenues have gone down, so has the available bond capacity. This is further hampered by the fact that prior biennial budgets spent much more on bond projects. So, the previously high spending combined with lowered revenues have hit the next capital budget hard.

Right now, there is talk that there may not be any bond bill for the 2011-2013 biennium. In January, the bond projection had less than $200 million in available capacity. And, that is likely to go down after the next revenue forecast.

We could very well see a situation where not only is there no available money for bonds, the state could already be over the constitutional limit.

Should the Debt Limit Be Adjusted?

A related issue is a proposal by some senators to adjust the state debt limit (SB 5181 & SJR 8215). Their stated goal is to lower spending limits in good economic years to free up spending capacity in bad years. That would allow the state to increase capital construction spending at a time when private sector projects are struggling.

The challenge with the proposals is that they rely upon a belief that the legislature would actually spend more in lean years. In the current biennium, rather than spending existing capacity on construction projects, the legislature and the governor transferred nearly a billion dollars from the capital budget into the operating budget. Pressure from state employees’ unions and social welfare advocates over whelmed the economic plight of design and construction professionals.

Thus, any proposals that relies upon trusting the legislature to do the right thing is difficult to support. AIA|WA continues to be in talks with proponents. Our earlier concerns with this approach pushed them back to the drafting table to redesign the proposal. Budget writers are working with the State Treasurer and the State Treasurer's Bond Financing Advisory Committee.

Stay tuned, this is a big week for architects, contractors and others who work on state projects.

Earn Credits - 12LU/12HSW/12SD

2011-01-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

Attend the AIA Medical Design Forum Feb. 10 and 11

Join AIA Seattle and the Washington Architecture for Health Panel for the annual Medical Design Forum and Building Tour. The program features a case study of Peace Island Hospital, a building tour of the new tower at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, networking, interactive learning, panel debates & audience Q&A.

This popular annual forum features leaders in healthcare design, including keynote speaker Ray Pentecost PhD, FAIA, President of Academy of Architecture for Health.

Feb 10 10am-5:30pm (Registration starts at 9:15am)
Feb 11 8:30am-4pm
Everett Station, Weyerhaeuser Room
3201 Smith Ave, Everett, WA
Credits: 12LU/12HSW/12SD

To register, click here.

For more information click here.

AIA|WA Member in the Spotlight

2011-01-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

The AIA/WA encourages you to check out this insightful article, by AIA/WA member Sue Lani Madsen, recently published on the AIA National website! Her perceptive comments on Best Practices are a benefit to any architect.

Read the Article here: http://www.aia.org/practicing/bestpractices/AIAB086593

Madsen graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Architecture and has practiced architecture in the Spokane region for over 30 years. She founded Madsen Mitchell Evenson & Conrad in 1999 with three long-time colleagues, and continues to work with MMEC as a Consulting Principal.

Madsen's professional interests in rural communities led her to run for the state legislature in 2004 and 2008; the AIA/WA has backed her both times. Madsen is an active member of the AIA/WA board and Chair of the Budget & Taxes Resource Group.

AIA National Photo Competition

2010-12-31T13:39:00.000-08:00

AIA National Photography Competition, produced by AIA St. Louis, is taking submissions. The competition is open to any and all architects actively registered in the US; Associate members of the AIA and student members of AIAS in good standing.

The deadline is March first 2011.

Four images will be selected for cash awards:

First Place - $500
Second Place - $400
Third Place - $300
Albert Fuller Award - $200 (American Architecture Subject)

Entry Fees:

$30 for 5 images - AIA members (AIA & Assoc. AIA)
$15 for 5 images - AIAS members
$50 for 5 images - non-member registered architects

To read the guidelines and to obtain an entry form, visit www.aia-stlouis.org; click on Features; click on Photo Contest or call 314-621-3484.

The fourteen winning images will be on display at the 2011 convention in New Orleans and will be used (with an additional 38 images) to produce the 2013 engagement calendar published by Universe. Each entrant whose image is selected for the calendar receives a complimentary copy.

AIA Seattle Helps Pass Landmark New Code

2010-12-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

This week the Seattle City Council unanimously adopted a comprehensive update to how buildings are developed in Seattle’s low-rise multifamily zones. These changes will allow for more variety in housing types, improved open space use, incentives for green building, and improvement in building design.

The multifamily code update was adopted after substantial rounds of review and feedback from neighbors, architects, builders, and other design professionals.

AIA Seattle has long been a proponent of these code changes. AIA members David Neiman, Brandon Nicholson, Bradley Khouri, and AIA Seattle staff have worked tirelessly for two years to get this code legislation passed.

The new code should prevent most of the features that inspired the majority of neighborhood complaints by creating a new Streamlined Design Review (SDR) process that will allow for closer scrutiny of project design.

Among other changes the new code will:

Encourage a diversity of housing types among them: townhomes, row houses, cottages, apartments, and auto-court townhomes;

Require new design features. For example: At least 20% of street facing façades must be windows and doors, building materials must be varied, townhouse parking garages must be designed to fit large cars;

Incentivize “green building” and hiding parking underground or at the back of the lot;

Use Seattle's “Green Factor” landscaping requirement, thus keeping trees/planting new ones;

Allow for shared open space, for larger usable common areas;

Waive parking requirements for projects in growth areas and within .25 mile of frequent transit service, allowing the market to dictate the level of parking needed

Waive density limits for certain housing types when good design features are achieved.

Next AHP Meeting November 19th

2010-10-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

When: Friday, November 19, 2010, Puyallup, WA

Where: Good Samaritan Hospital , 407 14th Ave. SE, Puyallup, WA

Time: 9:30 - 4:00

Topic: Facility Strategy in the Accountable Care Era: How the Recession and Reform will Impact the Health Care Infrastructure

RSVP: Please make your reservation for all Architect for Health Panel (AHP) meetings with Jenny Soderlund, Mahlum, at 206-441-4151 or jsoderlund@mahlum.com

Reservations for the November 19 AHP meeting must be received prior to Friday, Nov. 12 at 5 PM

Click Here for a Nov. AHP Meeting Agenda, Costs, and Instructions

Architects for Health Panel (AHP) Board:
Duncan Davidson, Mahlum Architects, Chair
Marguerite Jamieson, MAS Architects, Chair Elect
Scott Combs, Clark/Kjos Architects, Past Chair
Douglas McNutt, Treasurer
Erik Goodfriend, Recorder
Michael Newbury, Sparling, Affiliate
Jill Connell, CDi Engineers, Affiliate

What AIA is Doing in Your Area?

2010-08-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Northwest –
The AIA Northwest Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 27. There is a 1pm shotgun start and tons of prizes up to $25,000 in cash. Click here for more information.

The NWAIA Design Awards will be held on December 6 from 6-9pm at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon, WA. For information and deadlines for the awards email: info@nwaia.org

Seattle –
FutureShack! Will be held September 15 from 1-5pm at the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center. Credits are offered. You can find out more about costs and credits at: www.aiaseattle.org/futureshack_2010. FutureShack is judged by a panel of both designers and engaged members of the public. The Seattle Times' Pacific Northwest Magazine will publish the jurors' selected projects on September 12. The public will also be able to choose their favorite as part of the People's Choice Award.

The AIA Seattle 2010 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture will be held on November 8th at the Moore Theater. The registration deadline is September 21. Visit the AIA Seattle website for more information at: www.aiaseattle.org/2010-honor-awards.

Southwest (Tacoma) –
The Southwest Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will hold its Annual AIA Golf Tournament on Friday, September 10th at the Classic Golf Club in Spanaway. Please click here to learn more details about how to sign up and on sponsorship opportunities.

The Luxuries of Life Dinner & Auction is happening on October 29, 2010 starting at 6p.m.Festivites will be held at the Hotel Murano, Venice Ballroom. Tickets are $70 for an individual ticket or $490 for a table of 8. Menu Options include: Prime Rib, Seared Halibut and a Vegetarian Option. For details on reservations, donations, and sponsorships visit: www.aiasww.org/events/auction.htm.

Spokane -
The AIA Spokane Design Awards will be Thursday, September 23rd. The dinner and awards reception will be at the Phase 1 Building at Washington State University -Spokane. More information will be posted in next month's issue Spokane’s newsletter the Inland Architect. To start receiving copies of the Spokane newsletter email: office@aiaspokane.org

The 1st CSI/AIA Golf Tournament will be held on September 16th, 2010 at 1pm. The tournament is a shotgun scramble at the Creek at Qualchan Golf Course. Cost is $65/person, which includes all greens fees, golf cart, range balls, dinner, tee-off goodies and more. Contact John Eckert, jeckert@nacarchitecture.com, for more information.

Vancouver –
The Design Drafting Competition Kick-off meeting will be held Thursday, September 23 from 6 to 8 pm. For more information email: info@aiavancouver.org.

Governor Requests Your Input on State Budget Choices

2010-07-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

Governor Gregoire has scheduled a series of hearings that seek to answer critical questions on our state budget process and how to ensure state spending relates to the essential functions of government. The latest budget estimate shows that our state will face another projected $3 billion shortfall for the next budget period in 2011-2013. This series of budget hearings will be held to gather citizen input on the difficult budget choices facing the state.

EXECUTIVE BUDGET HEARINGS IN JULY:

Wednesday, July 21,2010 - TONIGHT
7:00– 9:00 p.m.
EverettCommunityCollege
Parks Building, Multi Purpose Room
2000 Tower Street
Everett

Thursday, July 29, 2010
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Spokane City Hall
City Council Chambers
808 W Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane

ATC-20 Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings Course

2010-06-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Want to be part of the second team of volunteers to Haiti? There is an open opportunity for ANYONE interested in helping to participate in training.

ATC-20 Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings Course

Friday June 18

with instructor Behrooz Emam

12:30-4:30 pm

Students will receive an ATC-20 field manual.

Register at: http://aiaseattle.org/node/4399

You can also join the group later that evening for a Designers 4 Haiti celebration and hear from the architects who volunteered in Haiti. Register at: http://www.aiaseattle.org/node/4347

Clark County Commissioners adopt the National Green Building Standard

2010-05-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

AIA/WA former president, Timothy Buckley of Greenstone Architecture, testified before the Board of Clark County Commissioners on May 25. Buckley testified in support of adoption of the Green Building Standards as a volunteer program.

Buckley spoke to how theses standards are easy to use, flexible for developers and builders, simple, and easy to follow by comparison to many other standards. This is a good starting point and one that is based on international codes (ICC). Mirroring the ICC will streamline the process and thereby help to prevent many of the road blocks that architects have encountered with other green building issues.

This is volunteer program will help promote energy efficiency, sustainability and lower impact developments and increases health benefits for the community.

You can see Timothy Buckley’s testimony below or by clicking the link that follows. Fast-forward to the 17:36 minute marker.

http://www.co.clark.wa.us/bocc/hearings/VideoArchive.html

Local Students Receive AIA Scholarships to Get Degrees in Architecture

2010-05-28T11:49:00.000-07:00

The AIA Southwest Washington Component selected two outstanding high school seniors to receive annual scholarships. Anna Guenther and Katrin Kreutz were each awarded a $1,500 scholarship towards their college tuition.

Anna Guenther is a graduate of Gig Harbor High School and will be attending California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California to pursue a degree in Architecture.

Katrin Kreutz is a graduate of W.F. West High School in Chehalis, Washington and will be attending the University of Idaho to pursue a degree in Architecture.

The AIA Southwest Washington Scholarship Program is open to any high school senior graduating from schools located in the Southwest Washington chapter’s six-county area. The recipient must also plan to attend a university with an accredited architectural degree program. It is funded, in part, through a matching grant from the AIA National Component. This year’s scholarship committee was chaired by Garner Miller, AIA with MSGS Architects.

Further information can be found at http://www.aiasww.org/.

Latest Tax Hike Proposal Hits Architects Harder

2010-04-08T13:56:00.000-07:00

The new “Go Home” tax proposal in Olympia will hit architects squarely on the chin. It proposes a 20% Business & Occupations Tax hike on service businesses on architects. This tax hike would cost architecture and engineering firms over $23 million the first year and roughly $70 million over its three year term.

WA Lost 2,400 A&E Jobs This Year

Washington lost 2,400 A&E jobs in just January and February this year. Since July 2008, Washington has lost 7,000 A&E jobs. Here is a graph from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics on the jobs situation for our industry.

Architects Cannot Afford a 20% Tax Hike

Architects already pay the highest B&O tax rate of 1.5% of gross receipts. The latest compromise increases the rate to 1.8% for over three years.

We agree with Governor Gregoire when she says that higher costs on the construction industry will prolong the recession. This tax increase will hamper architecture, and thus construction, from helping Washington State out of the current economic recession.

The state is relying upon construction. Construction relies upon architects. Put simply, if a project is not designed it cannot be constructed.

Every dollar spent on design supports $10 to $15 in construction. Every $10 million dollars spent on building construction typically requires 160,000 labor hours and creates 285 full-time, family wage jobs.

Don’t Raise Taxes on Businesses that are Barely Surviving

A&E firms in our state are coping with the current recession by closing offices, cutting staff, lowering benefits and reducing wages.

The direct impact of the current recession cannot be told just by the employment figures for. Many laid off architects are working from home trying to get design projects or performing consulting work. And, firms are reducing hours and using furloughs to keep staff employed but at reduced salaries. Their income is just a fraction of their previous job, but they are not technically “unemployed.” So, they don’t show up in the government reports

Since the B&O tax is levied on gross receipts, any additional tax burden will come directly out of staff, salaries and benefits. This tax is also being levied on contracts that have already been signed, but for which the work is ongoing.

The Double Whammy of Budgets and Taxes

This tax increase is a double-whammy on architects who are being hurt by other state decisions. In the proposed budget, the state is transferring almost $1 billion out of the capital budget to the operating budget. As a result, state funding for design projects has been cut dramatically.

At a time when the private sector cannot get credit for major construction, the state had curtailed its spending because of these budget transfers.

Thus, the state has cost architects their jobs through both its spending and taxing decisions.

Design Professionals Needed Immediately to Volunteer in Haiti

2010-03-29T14:19:00.000-07:00

Hands On Disaster Response is looking for design professionals immediately to volunteer in Leogane, Haiti to perform building damage assessments. Needed:
- architects or designers with ATC training (or other relevant experience)
- structural engineers

Architects Without Borders-Seattle is gathering a team from the Pacific Northwest to volunteer for the 1-2 week trip organized by Hands On Disaster Response.
The projected departure date is no later than May first.
There may be some monetary and organizational support for the team, but volunteers should be prepared to cover their own travel expenses to and from Leogane.

You can find more information and answers to most questions about the trip here.

If you have read through the information from the links above and are still interested, please contact either:
Rachel Minnery - rminnery@gmail.com (architects) or,
Scott Douglas - sdouglas@dci-engineers.com (engineers)

In a similar vein, Minnery noted, with the earthquake in Chile concerns have arisen about the adequacy of current building codes in the Pacific Northwest. You can read an enlightening New York Times article on the topic here.

Architecture Law Reforms to be Signed Today

2010-03-19T11:04:00.001-07:00

SB 5529, modernizing Washington’s architecture licensing laws, will be signed into law by Governor Gregoire today.

It has been 25 years since the architecture law last saw major revisions. A lot has changed in the practice since then. This new law will bring the architecture law into the 21^st Century. The bill itself is the product of over 6 years of work. The first drafts and reviews of the law started in 2004, shortly after I first came to work for the AIA|WA. Over the next few years a task force was formed, concepts discussed and the bill drafted. A bill was first introduced in 2008 during that year’s 60 day legislative session. During three legislative session the bill was refined. Remarkably, the final law will look very similar to the bill that was introduced back in 2008. There were a few tweaks here and there, but the core framework remains.

AIA|WA is working on a detailed summary of the new law. An update will be sent to the membership in the coming weeks. Right now, we are focusing on finishing the special legislative session that is ongoing in Olympia.

There are a lot of people who deserve credit for this law. At the risk of not mentioning everyone, we would like to acknowledge a few who did yeoman’s work on the bill.

First, Jeffrey Hamlett, AIA, took the lead early on to work on drafting the bill and leading the discussions. He researched most every state’s laws to find provisions that we should emulate in Washington. In 2005, he led a member workshop on the licensing law during the AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Conference in Seattle. He has remained involved for the duration of the effort.

Second, Peter Rasmussen, FAIA, provided legislative testimony and negotiated changes with other organizations. As a former chair of the state’s licensing board and NCARB officer, his knowledge of licensing laws and practices was invaluable during the process (especially when we ran into roadblocks).

Third, Dave Huotari, AIA, and his colleagues at AIA Spokane did outstanding work in heading off problems that arose from that area of the state. They were able to remove a major roadblock by working a key legislator to garner his support for the bill.

Fourth, the members of the Board for Architects (licensing board), were very supportive and helpful in providing feedback on the needs to be addressed in the legal reforms and input as to the feasibility of implementing its provisions.

Next, there have been many officers and board members cycle through the AIA|WA in the last few years and members of the AIA|WA Practice Resource Group who have contributed to the ultimate framework and success of this new law. They are too many to mention, but we thank them all for their input, guidance and advocacy efforts.

Finally, AIA|WA thanks the legislative sponsors. Former Senator Fred Jarrett worked very hard for this bill during his tenure. He took another position as Deputy King County Executive this year, but stayed in touch as the bill progressed. When he left the Senate, Senator Curtis King stepped in as the other Senate cosponsor to move the bill through the process.

We had a House companion to this bill, too, HB 1634. Representative Scott White was the prime sponsor there. He worked very hard on this bill over the last two years. We asked him to sponsor a bill that at the time had no opposition and was to be a nice easy bill for a freshman work on. As it turned out, problems kept popping up. He met every challenge and worked tirelessly with us to resolve concerns and keep the bill moving.

And, we also appreciate the work of the other House cosponsors: Jim Jacks, Christine Rolfes, Bruce Chandler, Reuven Carlyle, Marko Liias, Larry Crouse, Hans Dunshee and Steve Conway.

Of course, we should also mention the hundreds of AIA members who responded to our action alerts over the last 3 legislative sessions. Their grassroots support of the bill made it easier to lobby for in Olympia. An association is only as good as its members. We have some great members and their efforts will last for many years in the form of the new law.

Again, thank you to everyone who helped to craft and pass this new law. While this part of the effort will conclude tomorrow, the next phase is beginning. We will start working with the licensing board on the rulemaking necessary to implement the bill. Some of the bill’s provisions will take effect this year, some next year and a few in 2012. Look for a detailed review soon.

Renewable City

2010-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Ideas to Repurpose Vacant Urban Spaces

To what creative uses can we put vacant or underutilized buildings? Can partially constructed projects contribute to, rather than diminish, our neighborhoods?

AIA Seattle’s Forum magazine is seeking illustrated ideas that repurpose or rethink underused or vacant spaces of all kinds for an upcoming issue. Designers and artists are urged to think boldly about innovative approaches to underutilized land, buildings or infrastructure.

Submittal Instructions
Send a 72dpi jpeg with a 100 word synopsis to Isla McKetta at imcketta@aiaseattle.org by the deadline below. Jpegs should be at least 8.5”x9”. The magazine cannot accept previously published images.

Ideas due May 14, 2010

Publication date August/September 2010

For more information, contact Isla McKetta at imcketta@aiaseattle.org.

Architecture Week, April 11-17, Planning Begins

2010-03-12T10:57:00.000-08:00

National Architecture Week 2010 is April 11–17. The AIA focus this year is - Design Matters: a yearlong conversation about the power and legacy of architecture and architects’ contributions to their communities.

AIA National is launching an Architecture Week 2010 Facebook page, on April 1, that will be the hub for online discussions about why design matters, accompanied by videos posted to the AIA National YouTube Channel, the AIA Shape of America Web site, and occasional live chats on Twitter. You are invited to post your own images, videos, and comments and encouraged to share the invitation with your clients, colleagues, and community!

AIA National will be compiling all the submissions to build a compelling showcase of multimedia presentations that prominently feature all of the public celebrations and conversations taking place around the nation about the impact of architecture on our lives.

Specific information about how to post to the Facebook page will be included in the March 17 issue of Component NewsFlash. Mark your calendars now for Architecture Week 2010, April 11-17. Plan to join the conversations and add your examples of why Design Matters.

New Taxes have Devastating Economic Impact on Architects

2010-03-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

The legislature is still planning to raise B&O taxes on AIA/WA members. There are 37 hours left in the 2010 Legislative Session. Lawmakers must be told about the impact the proposed tax increases will have on your firms.

Contact your legislator today and tell them to oppose new taxes on architects.

Unemployment Rates Soar for Architects
Architects have been hit hard by the current recession. Engineering News Record reports unemployment rates for design and construction were up to 25% in January. Washington State has lost over 4,400 design jobs since 2008, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Revenues - Lowest Since 2006
Quarterly architecture and engineering (A&E) firm revenue has fallen by $434 million, and has not been this low since 2006. And, revenues are continuing to fall.

In the Architecture Billings Index any number under 50 means declining revenues. The latest number is 42.5 and falling. National data shows “...architecture firms have lost almost 51,000 positions.”

New Taxes on Firms that are Barely Surviving?
The state is facing difficult decisions but architecture firms have made harder decisions – to let many people go. Recently an AIA/WA member’s firm, one with originally more than 100 employees and 2 offices, closed its doors. They stated that projects simply ran out.

The state should take steps similar to what private sector businesses have done to keep their budgets balanced in these difficult economic times.

This proposed B&O tax increase will not come out of profits. There are no profits right now for Washington architecture firms. This tax will be paid by more people being laid off, by salaries being cut and by benefits being reduced.

Contact your legislator today and tell them to oppose these new taxes on architects.

Licensing Bill Gets to the Governor's Desk

2010-03-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

After a nearly unanimous, concurrence vote in the Senate (42-5), the architects licensing bill, SB 5529, has been sent to the Governor. It is now very likely that the bill will become law. The last day of the 2010 Legislative Session is March 11. After the final day of session the Governor has twenty days to sign, veto or partially veto the legislation that has been delivered to her.

Given that it has been 25 years since changes have been made to WA architectural licensing laws, the passage of this bill is a great achievement for state architects! The new law will stop illegal plan stamping, modernize licensing standards that have significantly changed, simplify corporate registration and more.

For more information on this important legislation you can read the AIA/WA issue brief here, check out the AIA/WA blog coverage of this bill, or contact Stan Bowman, AIA/WA Executive Director, at 360.943.6012.

Two Bills that Tax Architects Introduced Yesterday

2010-03-06T12:01:00.000-08:00

At noon yesterday, two bills were introduced that would cause severe difficulties for the profession. Parts of these bills make it expensive for firms to operate and pay their bills; while they also make firm employees personally liable for taxes if the firm fails! Then, without any public hearing or opportunity for public input, legislators rushed the bills through committee.

The first bill, Substitute House Bill 3191 (SHB 3191, part 12) will make it difficult for Washington firms to recruit and retain qualified employees by making firm officers and employees liable for unpaid taxes “regardless of fault or whether the individual was or should have been aware of the unpaid tax liability.”

Part 20 of this House bill increases the Business & Occupation (B&O) tax rate to 2.0% for environmental consulting services. Architects act as the prime consultant on design projects by bringing together different disciplines under a single contract to provide a complete set of services. It’s nearly impossible to separate out environmental consulting services from the other services provided in the contract.

The second bill, Substitute Senate Bill 6143 (SSB 6143, part 7) also creates new personal liability for corporate officers and key employees for unpaid taxes. Under current law, the state may go after business owners for unremitted sales tax but cannot go after employees who did not know or could not have known about the tax liabilities. This law changes that.

Part 20 of this Senate bill directly increases the B&O Tax rate for architecture firms to 1.75%. Architectural firms already pay the highest B&O tax rate of 1.5%. Increasing the tax burden on the service sector may bring unfortunate yet predictable results – architectural firms relocating out of state. This part also unfairly targets small firms as large multi-state firms already have the option to outsource projects; small and medium firms do not.

The AIA/WA is currently working to get harmful parts of these bills removed and to have legislators vote against them if they are not removed. You can find your legislator here, and let them know your concerns with SHB 3191 and SSB 6143.

The Home Stretch - 5529 Passes the House

2010-03-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

Today, March 3, ESSB 5529, the architects licensing bill, was passed out of the House unanimously. The 98-0 vote is proof of the broad support this legislation now has.

Due to the efforts of many AIA members who have contacted their legislators, and responded to our action alerts with calls and emails, ESSB 5529 now stands a good chance at passage this year!

Now the bill will return to the Senate for concurrence. The Senate may concur with the amendments proposed by the House, negotiate alternative language or the bill will end up in dispute.

If agreement cannot be reached on a bill in dispute, a conference committee consisting of members from both chambers can be appointed and, eventually, a conference committee report prepared. If the report is approved by the Senate and the bill is passed, then it may be considered by the House.

At this point, the report for the bill is either accepted or denied. If accepted, it moves on to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The deadline for concurrence is this Thursday, March 11.

This is important legislation for state architects. It has been 25 years since changes have been made to WA architectural licensing laws but in the meantime new technologies and modern practice methods have significantly changed the practice. This legislation will clean up confusing provisions, update qualifications standards, and simplify corporate registration.

Please look for an email update on the status of this significant bill, and other highlights from the 2010 Legislative Session, at the end of this week.

Architect Licensing Bill Advances

2010-02-25T17:07:00.000-08:00

The architects licensing bill, SB 5529, had a hearing today, Thursday, Feb. 24 before the House General Government Appropriations Committee and was voted out unanimously. Previous groups in opposition have compromised with the AIA/WA, are backing the bill and even testified in support today. Legislators also indicated that they are anxious to see this bill pass.

Now that the bill has made the appropriations committee cut-off it goes to the House Rules Committee, and then to the House floor for a vote. The deadline for it to be voted on is next Friday, March 5.

This is important legislation for state architects. It has been 25 years since changes have been made to WA architectural licensing laws but in the meantime new technologies and modern practice methods have significantly changed the practice. This legislation will clean up confusing provisions, update qualifications standards, and simplify corporate registration.

You can see testimony below by the AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, and AIA/WA president elect, Peter Rasmussen.

AIA|WA Supports Changing Requirements for SBCC Membership

2010-02-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

The AIA/WA testified in support of HB 2775, in the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee on Feb. 23. Previously the AIA/WA testified “with concerns” on HB 2775, regarding membership on the State Building Code Council (SBCC), on Jan. 21.

AIAWA was concerned with a section of the bill that would have made appointments to the SBCC subject to Senate confirmation. Currently members are appointed by the Governor with no confirmation procedure. Subjecting volunteers to confirmation could deter qualified people.

However, the section that mandated Senate confirmation was removed and the AIAWA testified in support of the remainder of the legislation.

HB 2275 will restrict people from representing a specific sector on the SBCC if they are no longer employed in that sector. AIA/WA believes this will ensure that SBCC members are appropriately knowledgeable for their sector.

You can see the AIAWA testimony below.

Cathy Dahlquist to Run for State Rep

2010-02-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

On Friday, Feb.5, Cathy Dahlquist kicked off her campaign for State Representative. Cathy is married to Jeff Dahlquist, AIA, and who has owned Jeff Dahlquist Architecture since 2003. Before owning his own firm Jeff worked at Schultz Miller and NBBJ.

Dahlquist is running for the seat being vacated by Dan Roach. Representative Roach spoke at the kick off event, asking people to make contributions to Dahlquist’s campaign.

Dahlquist has served as President of the Enumclaw School Board for the last two years so education is an issue that is close to her heart. In addition, she’s a fiscal conservative who has said she would take those values to Olympia.

Dahlquist is excited about the amount of interest her campaign, “There is a lot of passion and energy right now,” she said. “People want to make their voices heard for a more efficient state government that has the right priorities.”

AIA/WA is Successful in Washington D.C.

2010-02-10T16:52:00.000-08:00

The weather didn’t keep the AIA Washington Council members out of DC for the AIA Grassroots 2010 Leadership and Legislative Conference. This year fourteen AIA/WA members attended the conference.

Attendees were able to participate in presentations on: the AIA federal legislative agenda, developing leadership expertise and communication skills. Those attending also learned about resources provided by AIA National and heard from two key-note speakers, Dr. Richard Farson and Puanani Burgess.

Most importantly, AIA/WA members were able to meet with members of Congress, and their staff, to lobby on the profession’s federal issues. The focus of the advocacy effort is outlined in the Blue Print for Economic Recovery. The “Blue Print” includes advocating for: credit for commercial project development, the continuation of Community Development Block Grants, tax deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings and more.

Washington’s U.S Senator Maria Cantwell opened the conference with a key-note speech. Senator Cantwell discussed the need for American energy independence. She noted that role architects can play in reducing Americas energy use by designing more resource efficient buildings.

You can visit the AIA National website to see some of the presentations from Grassroots online. You can also visit the Grassroots Facebook page to see what members are saying about the event.

Legislation Attempts to Block Progress on the Energy Code

2010-02-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

The AIA/WA testified in opposition to House Bill 2928 on Friday, Jan. 29. This bill was introduced because the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARRC) submitted two petitions regarding the State Building Code Council (SBCC) processes regarding creation of new energy codes.

JARRC asserts that the SBCC didn't complete the requested small-business impact statement or a satisfactory cost benefit analysis, so they turned to the legislature. The SBCC stated that it did comply with the requests of the JARRC in the best manner possible and that such an analysis based on one code, not all codes as a whole, is nearly impossible.

The AIA/WA believes the intent of this bill is focused on slowing the institution of new energy code policy adopted in 2009. HB 2928, while focused on the process of how the SBCC carried out its duties, effectively blocks implementation of the new energy code. If passed, HB 2928 will obstruct the new energy code policy and put Washington behind on its energy efficiency goals.

AIA/WA Executive Director Stan Bowman testified in opposition and Angie Homola, County Commissioner for Island County and a licensed architect, testified as well.

Homola sits on the SBCC and was able to highlight the rigorous steps taken by the SBCC during rule creation for the new state energy code. Homola testified in opposition and stated her willingness to work with the sponsor, Rep. Hasegawa, to find a different approach regarding processes.

AIA|WA Testifies in Support of Fire Sprinkler Bill

2010-02-01T07:39:00.000-08:00

AIA/WA testified in support of Senate Bill 6451, concerning the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems, on Jan. 28, in Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee. This legislation clarifies rules for fire sprinkler systems and confusing liability issues regarding their use.

Due to the hard work of the building code advisory group set up to examine his issue, all groups that testified on the bill were in support. Testimony was heard form the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Puget sound, the Washington Public Utility Districts Association, the Olympia Fire Department, and the AIA Washington Council.

AIA Opposes SBCC Move to L&I in Companion Bill

2010-01-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

The AIA/WA testified in the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee, yesterday, Jan. 27, regarding Senate Bill 6515. SB 6515 is the companion of HB 2658 which proposes to move the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

As previously written the AIA/WA opposes the move because there is a conflict between the function of L&I and the role of the SBCC. The SBCC does not conduct any enforcement activities, whereas L&I is enforcement oriented.

And, the AIA/WA is in opposition because the move would be greatly disruptive, while having no fiscal impact on the Department of Commerce (Commerce). SBCC is self-funded through fees.

The AIA|WA recommended SBCC remain at Commerce, but if it must be moved, that it be transferred the Department of General Administration (GA). GA has division of Engineering and Architecture services that deals with, and understands, codes and development rules. The suggestion was well received by the Committee.

You can see testimony by AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, below.

New Warranty Bill Doesn’t Offer Solutions

2010-01-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

The AIA WA testified yesterday, Jan. 26, in Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee. The testimony was regarding Senate Bill 6701. This bill is another in a line of attempts to create warranties on single family homes.

The bill was introduced by Senator Kline with the intention of mirroring the “Condominium Act” and protecting home owners from shoddy construction. However, this bill misses the mark. The goals of the “Condominium Act” were to prevent and solve problems in construction without costly lawsuits. SB 6701 does not have any prevention clauses and encourages litigation as the answer.

Further, as AIA/WA testified on similar legislation last year, provisions of this bill make projects uninsurable for architects. Since architects are covered by Errors and Omissions insurance, if this bill passes architects would not be able to gain coverage for these residential projects or have to work without insurance.

The AIA/WA encourages a different approach like the amendment that Senator Haugen added last year. An approach like Senator Haugen’s provides legitimate redress to consumers and models itself after the Condominium Act by decreasing the need for litigation.

You can see the AIA WA testimony on the bill below.

Another Bill Aims to Change the SBCC

2010-01-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

The State Building Code Council (SBCC) continues to be under fire in the legislature. The AIA/WA testified on HB 2775, regarding membership on the state building code council, yesterday, Jan. 21 in the House Local Government & Housing Committee.

Portions of the bill seek to change the appointment process for members of the SBCC. HB 2775 would make appointments subject to Senate confirmation. Currently members are appointed by the Governor with no confirmation procedure. Subjecting volunteers to confirmation could deter qualified and necessary people from serving on the SBCC.

HB 2775 would also put restriction on board members appointed to represent a specific sector, if they are not longer employed in that sector. This element of the bill is supported by the AIA/WA as it will ensure that SBCC members are appropriately knowledgeable for their sector.

You can see the AIA/WA testimony below.

QBS Saves More Money than "Lowest Bid"

2010-01-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

The AIAWA is continuously checking to ensure that Qualification Based Selection (QBS) is used when procuring architectural services in Washington State. QBS keeps requests for proposals focused on competency not cost. Many times groups or agencies try to circumvent these standards because they don’t allow rummaging for a “low bidder” and therefore projects cost more.

However, according to an article in BNi Building News, a recent study finds that QBS does in fact save Government agencies more money! Using QBS also, “consistently meant lower overall construction costs, reduced change orders, better project results and more highly satisfied owners.”

The study was conducted jointly by the University of Colorado and Georgia Institute of Technology. The article states, “Researchers drew from a database of approximately 200 public and private construction projects in 23 states. The sample included transportation, water, commercial, and industrial projects, ranging in size from relatively small projects to those costing hundreds of millions dollars. The study compared various procurement methods including: Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS); Best Value, Low- Bid, and Sole Source.”

You can read the entire article here.

AIA|WA Opposes Move of SBCC to Labor and Industries

2010-01-20T21:39:00.000-08:00

The AIA/WA testified in the House Community, Economic Development, Trade Committee today, Jan. 20, regarding HB 2658. Section eight of HB 2658 proposes to move the State Building Code Council (SBCC) to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I).

Primarily, the AIA/WA opposes the move because there is a conflict between the function of L&I and the role of the SBCC. The SBCC does not conduct any enforcement activities. Whereas, L&I is enforcement oriented. In order to be effective the SBCC must combine divergent views to create codes that are proper, safe and able to be implemented; this requires independence from enforcement.

The AIA/WA is also opposed because this transfer is unnecessary to save funds and could be greatly disruptive. The SBCC is self-funded through fees so this move has no fiscal impact. Currently, the SBCC is successful in the Department of Commerce, especially in regard to the synergy it has created with energy efficiency programs.

This was not a shift that was determined by a stakeholder process, unlike other changes suggested in the legislation. You can see testimony by AIA/WA Executive Director, Stan Bowman, below.

AIA|WA Testifies on Architect's Licensing Bill

2010-01-19T14:17:00.000-08:00

The architects licensing bill, HB 1634 - Modernization of Architecture Licensing, had a hearing on Friday, January 15, 2010, at 8 a.m. before the House Commerce & Labor Committee. The hearing was on the Substitute version that was passed out of the policy and fiscal committees in 2009.

Based on discussions with legislators over the interim, the AIA/WA asked that an additional amendment be made to the bill that deals with the alternative pathway. The amendment will mirror the one introduced at our request by Representative Scott White for consideration during floor action (Amendment 1634-S HELA 033). The current length of time for an applicant, to have met the prerequisites to take the exam, is 8 years. Last year, the bill changed that provision to 12 years. This year, after significant discussion in committee, the AIA/WA will propose a compromise at 9 years. Nine years mirrors the current traditional pathway, which is typically 6 years of school and a minimum of 3 years of experience.

You can see the AIA/WA testimony (by Stan Bowman, AIA/WA Executive Director; and Rep. Scott White, the bill’s prime sponsor) in support of the bill bellow.

Architects Can Help in Haiti Earthquake Relief

2010-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

AIA National President, George H. Miller, FAIA, and Executive Vice President/CEO, Christine W. McEntee, have composed a letter regarding the crisis in Haiti. In this letter they give many ideas and contacts for how architects can be of assistance to those in need.

Please click here to read the letter.

No Design = No Construction, AIA|WA Testifies on the Capitol Budget

2010-01-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

AIAWA testified in the House Capitol Budget committee yesterday regarding the broad based policy impacts of the 2010 Supplemental Capital Budget.

In this budget architects and design professionals took a disproportionally large loss, with some estimates saying that up to half of the construction/design budget was cut with the remaining dollars going toward “shovel ready” projects. The AIAWA testified to the mis-placement of design dollars noting that if buildings are not designed years in advance they can’t be built – so ultimately, if there are no design jobs there will be no construction jobs.

The AIAWA further noted our concern that the Governor is planning to transfer more money from the construction budget to put towards programs. Another cut would undeniably impact jobs in the construction/design sector. For every 10 million we spend on construction projects there are about 285 full-time jobs, with benefits, provided. New cuts could put hundreds of people out of work.

You can see the full hearing by clicking here. You can see testimony from AIAWA Director, Stan Bowman, below.

AIA|WA Testifies in Support of Design Funding in Capital Budget

2010-01-12T10:42:00.000-08:00

The House Capital Budget Committee held its first hearing of 2010 on the Governor’s supplemental Capital Budget.

The news was not encouraging for architects, engineers and contractors who do public work. Because of lowered revenue the capital budget about $500 in the hole for the current biennium. More concerning is that the Governor is proposing to take another $157 million out of construction and put it into the state’s general fund programs.
Every $10 million dollars spent on building construction typically requires 160,000 labor hours and creates 285 full-time, family wage jobs. With private sector construction at a standstill, we need the state to protect its public construction dollars and invest them in design and construction jobs.

Also concerning is that the Governor is not proposing to rectify the inequities in the budget toward design projects. Design projects were disproportionately cut in the 2009-2011 Capital Budget. Depending on the numbers used, design was cut between 50% and 75% from the previous budget.
AIA|WA testified at the hearing to encourage lawmakers to consider the impacts of such low design funding. If design is not funded now, then construction projects will not be ready when the economy improves and there is money to be spent. Starting from scratch it takes three to four years to move a project through design to construction.
The design professions employ more than 37,000 workers with an average annual wage of $71,491 (in 2008). Total wages were $2.65 billion from 2,956 firms. However, 2008 was the height of design employment. Since August 2008, employment had dropped by more than 4,200 design workers.
This is just the direct employment of design professionals. Also affected are office support staff, consultants, interior designers, computer aided drawing (CAD) technicians, drafters, construction cost estimators and many more. Adding in these workers would multiply by many times the impact of the current recession on the industry.
AIA|WA will continue to advocate for restoration of design projects not funded in the current budget.

You can view the hearing at www.tvw.org.

First Week of Session - Architect’s Bill Gets a Hearing

2010-01-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

On Friday, January 15, at 8 a.m. the Architect’s Licensing bill and the interior design licensing bill are up for a hearing before the House Commerce & Labor Committee. A few AIA architects and the Executive Director of AIA/WA, Stan Bowman, will be testifying.

The hearing will be held in: House Hearing Room B, in the John L. O'Brien Building at the State Capitol in Olympia. To go to the Legislature sight and read the bill summary, and/or in their entirety, click on the links below.

HB 1608 - Concerning the practice of interior design.
SHB 1634 - Regarding architects. (If measure is referred to committee.)

Check back to see video coverage of the hearing.

NCARB - New Rules Jan.1, 2010

2009-12-22T15:48:00.001-08:00

NCARB sent an alert today. The alert states that the Intern Development Program (IDP) has several new rules that will go into effect on January 1, 2010 as part of the phased implementation of IDP 2.0.

However, while the changes will go into effect on January first - due to the holiday - NCARB's electronic Experience Verification Reporting (e-EVR) system will not reflect these changes until January 4, 2010. Also, the e-EVR will be unavailable for several hours on January 4 while the system is updated.

For more information about the upcoming changes to the IDP, please see FAQs on the NCARB web site, the latest issue of NCARB's Direct Connection, or the November IDP e-News.

Audit Report on Building Fees (Draft) Released

2009-12-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

In the last legislative session a law (SB 5120) was passed requiring the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of building permit and inspection fees. The auditor has released his draft report.

The bill also required that permit fees not exceed the direct and indirect costs associated with reviewing permit applications, conducting inspections, and preparing specific environmental documents.

The auditor reviewed 8 counties for their permit fees and the reasonableness of those fees. The audit finds:

“Among the eight counties surveyed, there were varying approaches to the determination of building permit fees. Most of these approaches focused on setting the rates at a reasonable level in relation to an established benchmark. These new restrictions will require the counties to set permit fees at a level sufficient to recover only the costs of administering the program. Achieving this objective will require counties adopt a cost recovery methodology to fee setting.”

The report also notes some aspects of the bill, and implementation, which are difficult:

Many counties do not have systems in place to track the indirect costs of building permit programs; the bill requires fees to be tied to costs, but provides incomplete guidance on how costs are to be determined.
The bill does not address the need for a surplus to be built during good times to get departments through lean times. For instance, because permit revenue is down in the last year most departments would be eliminating staff or radically adjusting their fees to meet the basic permit needs.

As noted, this is a draft report. The final report should be issued in January. The draft gives the oversight committee a chance to review it and make comments prior to its final issuance. They are not seeking public comment on the draft.

Please review the report here and share any comments you may have.

Governor Gregoire Announces Boards/Commissions Cuts/Changes

2009-12-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Governor Gregoire recently issued recommendations for changes to the many boards and commissions in Washington state. (Follow the link for the Governor's press release and lists of affected agencies.)

She eliminated 17 boards via executive order and has proposed another 78 be eliminated by legislative action. She is also proposing the consolidation, movement and merger of some boards and sub-cabinet agencies.

For the most part there is very little impact on the architectural profession by these proposals. The licensing board, for instance, would be unaffected. And, many of those being eliminated likley will not be missed by the profession or the people of Washington. However, there are a few proposals that merit a closer look by the AIA|WA.

Architects serve on the following boards being proposed for elimination:

• The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB)
• The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee

In addition the AIA has had an interest in the following board being proposed to be eliminated:

• Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

CPARB is a board that the AIA|WA helped to create and has protected against elimination in the past. It serves a vital regulatory and oversight function regarding the use of alternative public works procurement processes by state and local government agencies. Norm Strong, FAIA, is the AIA’s current representative on CPARB. It is not clear if the Project Review Committee, which reports to CPARB, would also be eliminated.

The Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee, “Advises the State Capitol Committee and the director of General Administration to review programs, planning, design, and landscaping of state capitol facilities and grounds and to make recommendations that will contribute to the attainment of architectural, aesthetic, functional, and environmental excellence in design and maintenance of capitol facilities on campus and located in neighboring communities.” The law requires that the appointees be: two architects; one landscape architect; and an urban planner. The AIA members serving on the committee are Paul Blanton, FAIA, of Spokane and Alex Rolluda, AIA, of Seattle and Dennis Haskell, FAIA, of Seattle.

The Home Inspector board was created only recently to oversee the development and implementation of the home inspector licensing program. AIA|WA supported the creation of the licensing program.

The Governor is also proposing to create an environmental and land use hearings office by reducing and combining the Growth Management Hearings Boards and the Environmental Hearings Office

Finally, Gregoire proposes to reorganize the Department of Commerce (formerly CTED). Currently, the State Building Code Council is housed at Commerce. Gregoire is proposing to move it to the Department of Labor & Industries. John Cochran, AIA, of Seattle, serves as AIA's main representative on the board and we have several members serving on the Council and on technical advisory groups (too many to succinctly list).

There is some logic to this move. Related programs, such as elevator and electrical inspection, are housed at L&I. But, L&I is an agency that has a very political culture and has been problematic in a number of other areas. For instance, we’ve received complaints about the lack of responsiveness of the elevator inspectors.

What are your thoughts on the elimination proposals? Are they needed reforms. Or, are there problems with the proposals. Comment below.

2010 AIA Gold Medal Awarded to Peter Bohlin, FAIA

2009-12-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Profession’s highest honor goes to architect known for exceptional contextual use of materials.

The Board of Directors of The AIA voted today to award the 2010 AIA Gold Medal to Peter Bohlin, FAIA. Bohlin is the founder of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, which has offices in Seattle, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.

The AIA Gold Medal, voted on annually, is considered to be the profession’s highest national honor. The Gold Medal honors an individual whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Bohlin will be honored at the 2010 AIA National Convention in Miami.

AIA President Marvin Malecha, FAIA, notified Bohlin by telephone immediately after the Board made its decision. “I’m so pleased and I’m surprised,” said Bohlin. “We all believe in architecture. It is our life to a great extent. Like athletes, we all know that it’s hard work to make it look easy, and we’re all constantly striving to do that.”

Over the course of his long career, Bohlin has designed rural houses and nature centers as well as excellent urban buildings. The key to success for both building types is their contextual use of materials. Locals can see an example of Bohlin’s work: the Seattle City Hall.

“He moves from the log cabin to the glass box with the same unassailable ethic,” wrote Mack Scogin, FAIA, of Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects, in a recommendation letter.

Bohlin’s projects have earned 14 national AIA Awards, including nine Institute Honor Awards, COTE Top Ten Green Project Awards, AIA Committee on Education and AIA Housing Awards. Bohlin is the 66th AIA Gold Medalist. In recognition of his legacy to architecture, his name will be chiseled into the granite Wall of Honor in the lobby of the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Public Meeting on Climate Change

2009-12-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

Public meeting to gather input on the development of the state’s integrated climate change response strategy will be held:

December 10th, 2009
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
310 Douglas St.
Wenatchee, WA 98801

In 2009, the Washington legislature passed Senate Bill 5560 directing the Department of Ecology to partner with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation “to develop an integrated climate change response strategy to better enable state and local agencies, public and private businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals to prepare for, address, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.” The strategy is due to the Legislature in December of 2011.

The agencies are requesting initial feedback from the public. These meetings will be used to provide an overview of the strategy framework, provide background on the need for such a strategy for Washington State. Check the DOE website for more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/adaptation.htm.

New Rules for Harvesting Rainwater - Former President Publishes Article

2009-11-19T15:56:00.001-08:00

Past AIA/WA President, Timothy Buckley, of Greenstone Architecture, recently published an article on rainwater harvesting in the Vancouver Business Journal. Although the collection and use of rainwater is beneficial to the environment, Washington architects have had a hard time getting rights to harvest it.

In his article Buckley notes, “for years, the region's green building community has been working with the DOE and the State Legislature to get the rules changed. Unlike our neighbors in Oregon, developers wishing to harvest rainwater in Washington were required to wade into a state water rights permit backlog - considered by many to be a futile effort.” However, as Buckley details further, some difficulties with water rights are changing.

You can read about all the new policies that are changing the rules on water harvesting and the entire article here.

AIA|WA Annual Meeting Held - Resources Available

2009-11-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

The AIA|WA held a successful Annual Business Meeting last Friday, November 13, at the award winning TOC Conference Center in Everett.

Presentations included the Tacoma Commuter Rail System, Architects and Disaster Assistance, and an overview of the 2010 Legislative Priorities for Washington Architects, and more.

Delegates voted in a new president, Jon Hopwood, AIA, (AIA Central Washington) and secretary/treasurer. The new secretary/treasurer is Lois Wardell, AIA, (AIA Central Washington) who also received the Jennie Sue Brown Award for her long dedication to the profession and AIA|WA.

For pictures, details about the meeting, and resources on all the above presentations, click here to visit our website.

AIA Architects Recommend Changes to Port Angeles

2009-11-10T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Peninsula Daily News reported that the “city of Port Angeles is working its way through the 85 recommendations made by the American Institute of Architects to determine which ones are feasible to undertake now and which should be put into long-term plans”.

The article goes on to note that there are some dramatic suggestions from the AIA that include - to "decouple" First and Front streets and make them both two-lane roads which will reconfigure how bicycles and pedestrians navigate the city.

You can read all the AIA Architect's recommendations in their report here , or visit the city's Web site at http://tinyurl.com/ybzpbsm.

This report, based on a three-day visit from a six-member AIA design team in March, was funded by a $15,000 grant and $5,000 from the city. The city has selected 30 of the recommendations as feasible to do in the near future.

You can read the entire article here.

2009 Election Update

2009-11-05T15:47:00.000-08:00

While all of the ballots have been cast, most likely less than half have been counted. Washington’s vote-by-mail system significantly prolongs elections on the beginning and end of Election Day. In fact, Election Day has truly just become “Organize the ballots and count a few day.”

Nevertheless, some elections are clear enough to be called. To learn more about the Washington State General Election Results visit the Secretary of State at: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/.

Republicans Sweep Legislative Races

There were three legislative races held this year (all special elections) in the 9th 15th and 16th Districts.

The 9th District had two Republicans face-off in a “top two” election. Businesswoman Susan Fagan won that election. Notably, she is employed at Schweitzer Engineering and has links to the design profession.

In the 5th District, appointed incumbent, David Taylor, was easily re-elected. Of course, it didn’t hurt that his Democratic opponent dropped out of the race, endorsed him, and then moved to California.

The only seat to switch parties was the 16th District; where appointed incumbent Laura Grant (D) lost to Terry Nealy (R), who has roughly 58 percent of the vote.

This is the second consecutive election where the Washington House Republicans have gained a seat.

Architects Get Mixed Results in their Elections

There were several races with AIA members or other architects on the ballot.

The most notable race is for Tacoma Mayor; where Jim Merritt, FAIA, is locked in a tight battle. He trails by less than one percentage point, 117 votes. There are too many ballots that remain uncounted to determine the outcome of the Tacoma Mayoral race. It could take days, or even more than a week, for this race to be decided.

David Cooper, AIA, is winning re-election to be Mayor of Yarrow Point with about 66 percent of the vote.

Cynthia Richardson, AIA, was unopposed for her reelection to the Anacortes City Council.

John Cheney, AIA, is losing his reelection bid for Mount Vernon City Council. He has served on the council since 1985.

In the general election the final Washington architect of note, but non-AIA member, is Patsy Bonincontri. Bonincontri is running for Bellevue City Council. She was appointed to the position and is trailing at 48 percent. However, there is still a large number of ballots to be counted.

Ballot Measures

There were two, high-profile, statewide, ballot measures and a few local measures that the AIAWA tracked.

Initiative 1033 would have limited tax increases and required voters to approve new taxes. It is garnering only 44 percent of the vote and is expected to fail.

Referendum 71, “concerning rights and responsibilities of state-registered domestic partners” is narrowly passing with 51 percent of the vote. The election is very close and it is difficult to know the fate of this measure until more votes are counted.

In Spokane, three measures creating a “community bill of rights” are failing badly. This package of measures included many anti-business and anti-development provisions. Proposition 4, the main measure, was losing with over 75 percent of voters rejecting it.

In Seattle, the AIA Seattle supported, Proposition 1 is passing with 64 percent. The proposition creates a seven year property tax increase to “fund affordable housing and other housing needs of low-income households.”

National Results

Nationally, the Republicans won three key elections: the Virginia Governor, the New Jersey Governor and the New York City Mayor. These elections are seen as pivotal due to historical data. These elections often signal changes in party leadership.

Four years ago several Democrat wins in Virginia and New Jersey were seen as a repudiation of President George W Bush’s politics. The following year, Democrats had gains in the US House and Senate.

In 1993, Republican victories in these races were a harbinger of a Republican landslide in the 1994 midterm election. The midterm election, held during President Bill Clinton’s first term, led to more than a decade of GOP Control in the Congress. This year’s election results could be a cautionary flag to the Democrats and President Obama.

Don’t Forget to Support the Architects PAC for Washington

While the 2009 election season is rapidly receding, the AIAWA and the Architects PAC are preparing for 2010. In 2010, the entire Washington House and half of the Senate will be up for election. These races are getting more expensive every year. If AIAWA is to continue to have legislative success, then we must prepare for electoral success with the right candidates.

Your financial contribution to APAC helps us to project a strong image of the AIA to legislators and candidates. Previous success in electing architect-friendly lawmakers has resulted in legislative success. You can support APAC online at http://www.aiawa.org/apac.html.

Your Opinion is Needed

2009-11-05T10:49:00.000-08:00

Would a materials research lab, geared toward design professionals, be a useful resource for you? An AIA architect, the Portland Development Commission, and an extensive group of professionals in various design disciplines (architectural, industrial, apparel, etc) are working to answer that question.

A survey has been created to gauge interest for the lab amongst professionals. The AIAWA felt that making this survey available could be valuable to the profession.

The survey aims to uncover the feasibility of establishing a materials lab in the western United States. Establishment of a lab is the first step in a larger vision to develop a Creative Exchange on the west coast. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete.

Please click here for the survey (or cut and paste this address: https://lcb.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_a5EXe3thMyZ1Igc&SVID=Prod)

Feel free to forward this survey to other professionals, friends, colleagues, and organizations/associations in the creative industries

The Seattle Housing Levy

2009-10-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Since, AIA Seattle is dedicated to promoting sustainability in the built environment they urge a YES vote for Proposition 1, the Seattle Housing Levy, also known as Yes for Homes.
Renewal of the Housing Levy will:

Provide 1,850 affordable homes serving thousands of families and individuals over the next 50 years.
Continue to help our most vulnerable neighbors including seniors, people with disabilities, victims of domestic violence and working families.
Create design and construction jobs that are sorely needed in our community.

Successful passage of the 2009 Housing Levy is especially relevant to the architectural community in the following ways:

Jobs and the Economy
An inflow of affordable housing projects can assist the architectural community through one of the toughest times in our industry and help provide jobs for the thousands both in architecture and our allied professions to help spur our economy and keep Seattle moving.

Livable Communities
Seattle architects are dedicated to promoting livable communities beyond the building envelope. Livable communities include a wide variety of housing for all income levels.

Civic Engagement
The spirit of civic education and engagement is encouraged and applauded within the architectural profession and has been formally adopted as a profession-wide policy. Support of the Seattle Housing Levy is a natural extension of the work of civically-engaged architects in increasing the quality of life in our communities.

If you would like more information about AIA Seattle’s stance on Proposition1 please visit: www.aiaseattle.org.

Seattle Firms Recognized for their Forward-thinking Approach to Urban Living

2009-10-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

During the last weekend of September, eleven projects from Seattle architects were recognized for designs that answered the question: What is the future of urban living and where does architecture fit in?

The architecture firms were recognized during FutureShack; which was held in conjunction with residential architect magazine's Reinvention Symposium, in Seattle. The program boasted 300+ attendees and Steve Scher, of KUOW’s Weekday, as the moderator.

FutureShack is a new residential architecture program that celebrates progressive solutions for urban living across a wide range of building types, budgets, constraints, and social agendas.

Submittals were from around the region and were judged by two separate juries - one comprised of outspoken members of the public and another comprised of design professionals.

An online gallery of all 73 projects submitted by local firms can be found here: http://futureshack.aiaseattle.org/.

The juries of design professionals and non-design professionals picked the eleven winners from these 73 projects because their approach soared beyond typical residential design.

The eleven recognized firms are:

ruffcorn mott hinthorne stine
The Miller/Hull Partnership
GGLO
Prentiss Architects
b9 Architects
Workshop Architecture Design
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
SMR Architects
Adams Mohler Ghillino Architects
Johnston Architects
Ross Chapin Architects

L&I Holds Public Hearings on Proposed Workers' Comp Rate Increases

2009-09-21T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced an increase to workers’ compensation insurance premiums for 2010; however they are lower than predicted. The expected average increase was to be 15-20% next year. L&I Director Judy Schurke today proposed an average increase of 7.6%.

“We have pushed this proposed rate increase down to the lowest possible level given the uncertain state of our recovery from this deep recession,” Schurke said.

With an increase of 7.6 percent, average premiums would go up by about 4 cents per hour worked. The proposed increase is an average for all Washington employers. Individual employers could see their rates go up or down, depending on their recent claims history and changes in the frequency or cost of claims in their industry.

You can attend a public hearing to comment before the final 2010 rates are adopted. There are six hearings that will be held in different areas across the state. You can attend a hearing in/on:

Tukwila: Oct. 27, 1 p.m., L&I Office, 12806 Gateway Dr.
Tumwater: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., L&I Headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way S.W.
Vancouver: Oct. 28, 10 a.m., Red Lion Inn at the Quay, 100 Columbia St.
Bellingham: Oct. 29, 1 p.m., Bellingham Quality Inn, 100 E. Kellogg Road
Spokane: Oct. 30, 9 a.m., Spokane Airport Ramada, 8909 W. Airport Dr.
Richland: Oct. 30, 2 p.m., Richland Hampton Inn, 486 Bradley Blvd.

Written comments, accepted through Nov. 7, may be e-mailed to Ronald Moore, Employer Services Program Manager, or mailed to him at the Department of Labor & Industries, P.O. Box 44140, Olympia, WA 98504-4140. Faxed comments should go to 360-902-4729.

WA Supreme Court Dealt Blow to Tort Reform

2009-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today the LRC issued a press release that discussed the results of the recent State Supreme Court decision, Putman v. Wenatchee Valley Medical Center. The decision effectively ends the certificate of merit statute.

The AIAWA is one of the founding members of the Liability Reform Coalition (LRC) and a longtime advocate for certificate of merit, which has been enacted in a dozen states.

What the certificate of merit does in the physician liability system is require a plaintiff to provide a qualified expert, at the time of filing a lawsuit. The expert must be willing to state there is a probability that the defendant's conduct did not meet the required standard of care.

The State Supreme Court tossed out the certificate of merit declaring it unconstitutional. It’s noteworthy that the trial court found not having a certificate of merit unconstitutional - the opposite ruling. The LRC writes, "In the 2006 legislative session, personal-injury lawyers and physicians negotiated several modest liability reform measures, one of which was the certificate of merit. Over the past three years these reforms have incrementally aided in the fight to end lawsuit abuse in the medical liability arena."

With the certificate of merit no longer required the door for frivolous law suits has been opened. The AIAWA was considering seeking a certificate of merit law for design lawsuits; this now seems like an impossibility. You can read the entire ruling by the court here.

Pending U.S. Legislation that will Affect Energy Codes.

2009-09-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

According to an article written by Architecture 2030, the current U.S. House Bill, H.R. 2454: American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, is vital to AIA goals. The bill was passed by the House and is now on the U.S. Senate floor pending a vote.

The article highlights just how important the passage of this bill is, “ No matter what else is compromised or changed in the climate bill working its way through the Senate, Section 201 must not be changed or weakened. Why? Because all other energy and emissions reduction approaches pale in comparison to what Section 201 will accomplish. Without it, we simply cannot meet the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets called for in the bill. We won’t even come close.”

The article goes on to highlight how the new building energy codes will change current standards. You can read the entire article here.

Pending Rulemaking on Renewable Energy

2009-09-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Department of Revenue is holding a public meeting regarding Renewable Energy System Cost Recovery (Rule 273 - WAC 458-20-273).

The meeting will be held:
September 22, 2009 @ 10:00 AM
WA State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC)
19010 - 1st Avenue South
Burien, Washington 98148

The public meeting will examine amendments to Rule 273 due to the passage of Senate Bill 6170, which is the new legislation that amended the rule.

The effects of the new legislation are:
(1) increases the annual payment limitations to consumers,
(2) increases the limitations on the incentive payments made by participating light and power businesses,
(3) changes the formula used to determine payment amounts based on "economic development kilowatt-hours," and
(4) extends the incentive program to community solar projects.

You can see the agenda for the meeting and find out additional information by clicking here.

Architects Put Themselves Before the Voters

2009-08-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

Two architects went before the voters in last Tuesday’s primary election. While they were not successful in making it past the primary, they put important issues before the voters.

Marty Kaplan, AIA, was in a tough three-way race for Seattle City Council. He was running against an entrenched incumbent and a popular challenger. He was able to garner about 15% of the vote. Marty put issues on the table that other candidates were not able to articulate, such as city planning and development’s impact on jobs, economic development and strengthening of neighborhood communities.

Matt Gregory, AIA, was also in a difficult three-way primary race for Kirkland City Council. He received roughly 24% of the vote. Matt was successful in getting the endorsement of the Seattle Times. The Times noted Gregory’s experience as an architect and on the planning commission as making him well qualified for the post.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”

The AIA|WA congratulates Marty and Matt for being courageous enough to put themselves in the arena, for tackling the tough issues in their communities and for putting positive visions before the voters. While they may not have found success before the electorate, their communities are better for them having been in their races.

Another architect running for local office this year, Jim Merritt, FAIA, did not have a primary in his bid for Tacoma Mayor. He automatically advances to the general election in November. You can follow his campaign efforts at his website: http://www.merrittformayor.com. You can also listen to an online interview with Jim at http://themelononline.com/podcast/2009/JimMerrittFINAL.mp3. In the interview he discusses how his work as an architect positively impacts the community and prepares him for public service.

Are you interested in supporting quality candidates for public office? You can through the Architects PAC. APAC researches candidates running for office in Washington State and supports those who can best help implement the larger vision for Washington architects. Read more about APAC and how you can support its efforts at: http://www.aiawa.org/apac.html.

New Law Impacts State Funded Residential Projects

2009-08-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

A new law, effective 07/26/09, amends RCW 39.12.030 regarding awarding agency public works contract specifications. The law states: if an agency grants a contract and concludes the work entailed fits the definition of residential construction the contract must state that. [See SB 5903. A link to the law is provided below.]

The law also states that if workers on a project were paid residential minimum wage rates and its later determined that the project is actually considered commercial construction then all workers on the project must be paid the difference between residential and commercial minimum wage.

L&I stated that it “encourages agencies to exercise caution in designating residential construction rates in contract specifications, and is available to provide assistance on the issue.”

You may find a review of Prevailing Wage Policies 11242008, 10272008, and 07282008 helpful. You may access these policies through the links provided below. For further information, please contact L&I, Prevailing Wage, at pw1@Lni.wa.gov or 360-902-5335.

Links:

The New Law, Senate Bill 5903

Prevailing Wage Policies
11242008 (PDF)
10272008 (PDF)
07282008 (PDF)

Honored AIA Member Passes

2009-07-27T14:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-20T17:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-08T10:24:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program is a national resource for building energy codes information, technical assistance, training, and compliance software tools. Access all of BECP's materials through www.energycodes.gov.

Learn about BECP’s activities and how those activities may benefit your organization in BECP's overview brochure and Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report.

You can also join more than 90,000 Setting the Standard quarterly newsletter readers by becoming a subscriber.

Sign up for BECP’s RSS feed to receive weekly updates on BECP’s activities and energy code-related news from around the Web.

Structural Engineering License Qualifications to Change

2009-07-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

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.

Buy American Rule could Cause Problems for WA

2009-06-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

According to a Puget Sound Business Journal (PSBJ) article, "Washington state business leaders are stepping up their warnings that the 'Buy American' provisions of the federal stimulus act could backfire on U.S. companies."

Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business, is quoted in the article describing just how difficult it is for Washington companies to create anything made only of parts from the United States because so many "rely on global supply chains."

The biggest concern for Washington State is retaliation from Canada and/or the inability to use Canadian materials. The article notes that Canada was "the state’s largest trading partner last year" and exported over "$9.1 billion in exports."

The PSBJ states that the "issue is likely to pick up steam as more stimulus money ripples out across the nation this summer, and may be a concern in trade-dependent but relatively union-friendly Washington."

Read the article here.

On a lighter note... Making Pizza with Peter

2009-06-25T16:57:00.001-07:00

"Former Seattle City Council member Peter Steinbrueck has been making pizza since he was ten—which, by my rough count, means he’s spent nearly four decades perfecting his pizza technique. Recently, Steinbrueck invited FoodNerd over to his house—a modest rambler near Northgate with an envy-inducing backyard garden—to make and share a few pies."

Click here to read the rest of this pizza making adventure published on Publicola.

Revenue Forecast Predicts Another Decrease

2009-06-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

A press release published yesterday, June 18, by the State of Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC), states that it “appears that we are finally approaching the end of this Great Recession.” This prediction regarding the end of the financial is based on “claims for unemployment insurance” peaking and “monthly job losses are diminishing.”

However, the release states that the bottom is still lower than predicted in March. The forecast goes on to state that “job losses will likely continue through the end of this year.” And, according to the EFRC, when the economy does rebound the improvement is likely to be gradual.

The predication also stated that the General Fund forecast for the biennium is “$27.2 billion” which is $185 million less than projected. Many newspapers have noted that Governor Gregoire intends to make even deeper budget cuts, payroll cuts, and to cap hiring because of the decrease.

Paperless Reporting is Now Mandatory

2009-06-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) will not accept paper employment verifications (Form 123) from interns in the Intern Development Program postmarked on or after 1 July 2009.

All interns will be required to use the online electronic Experience Verification Reporting (e-EVR) system to document their IDP experience after this date.

Please spread the word to your interns. You can contact us with questions at info@aiawa.org or you can visit the NCARB website.

Desperate times equal low bids on public works

2009-06-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

An article on TDN.com highlights how “public works contracts are coming in well below agency estimates, even in cases were estimates were adjusted downward for the lousy economy.”

The TDN.com quotes Kurt Henthorn, president of the Lower Columbia Contractors Association, saying, “contractors are not taking any real profit margin. They’re just trying to keep the doors open and people working. Everyone is just down to their core people.”

But, according to the article, what is a crisis for the construction industry is seen as a boon for others. The article states that the public is “getting a respite from high construction prices earlier this decade.” And, it goes on to note that “statewide, lower bids are allowing transportation officials to stretch federal stimulus dollars and undertake extra infrastructure projects.”

However, according to the story, stimulus dollars aren’t creating as many jobs as was hoped for. Henthorn states, “It has not seemed to get people off the dime like we thought it would.”

Read the whole story here

It's Filing Week for 2009 Primary & General Election

2009-06-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the first day of filing for the 2009 elections. This includes local government, municipal and county offices (except in Pierce County), cities, school districts and special purpose districts.

There are also mayor's elections in Seattle and Tacoma, county executive in King County and a special election for auditor in Pierce County. Filing ends Friday. The primary is August 18 and the general election is November 3.

You can see who has filed at these links:

Secretary of State
Pierce County
King County

Summary of New Tax Legislation Available Now

2009-06-02T15:34:00.000-07:00

The Department of Revenue issued a summary today detailing new tax legislation enacted during the 2009 legislative session.

The Department generates the tax summaries annually to help make businesses aware of changes to the state tax system. The 2009 summary covers 43 bills and their projected fiscal impact over the next four years. You can read it here.

Additional information on specific legislation that replaces resale certificates with sellers’ permits, clarifies the taxation of digital products, and requires monthly taxpayers to file and pay their taxes electronically, is available at http://dor.wa.gov/.

The 2009 CDA Winners are Part of a Nation Wide Trend

2009-06-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

The AIA Washington Council held it's annual Civic Design Awards (CDA) on Thursday, May 14, 2009 at the ACT Theater in downtown Seattle. Eight awards were handed out to local firms and agencies. Each design was praised for its transparency which was especially noted as a grand contribution to schools, where vibrant design can be a tactile encouragement of children's growth.

This exciting focus on sustainable design of schools is leading a nation wide trend. According to a recent article in the New York Times, “school districts across the county are experimenting with new construction and renovations that save energy as well as improve educational facilities.”

The 2009 CDA winners continue to demonstrate how environmental awareness can still function beautifully for a community. For more information about the winners, and to see pictures of the winning projects please visit our website.

L&I Begins Campaign to Help Homeowners

2009-06-02T15:29:00.000-07:00

The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is doing its part to help with the problem of residential construction when homeowners who used unregistered and unqualified contractors get burned.

L&I recently published a press release that offers good advice on finding a contractor and explains that the “lowest price isn’t always a good deal.” The Department is also beginning an ad campaign that started May 22 and will include radio ads, print ads, and billboards.

Landmark Efficiency Legislation, Supported by the AIA|WA, to be Signed Today

2009-05-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

AIAWA supported, testified, and worked endlessly to get SB 5854, designated the Efficiency First Bill, through the legislature this session.

Today the efforts will result in success when the bill gets signed by Governor Gregoire at 10:30 a.m. AIA members, and members of environmental groups, will be present during this significant event.

This legislation marks a turning point for Washington as the state will now be a leader in environmental building methods. The bill pushes for the 2030 goal set by the AIA National. Although specific percentages aren’t set, an annual reduction mandated in the bill of slow and steady reductions, will produce 70 percent more efficient construction in all new homes and commercial buildings by 2031. Washington will have attained the National goal within one year of the ideal.

The bill produces another result that is highly important during the current economic crises: the creation of jobs. According to a recent Puget Sound Business Journal article this legislation, “could generate a business bonanza for companies ranging from architects and engineers to mechanical contractors.”

The article goes on to state that, “the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says that increasing buildings’ energy efficiency 20 percent by 2020 could create 800,000 jobs nationwide. A 70 percent efficiency increase, as called for the legislation, would have a greater impact.

In the Seattle-King County area, a report by the Seattle Jobs Initiative said that the building industry will add 2,200 jobs, focused in whole or in part on energy efficiency, between 2009 and 2016.” (You can read a PDF of the entire article here.)

The AIAWA will continue to work for legislation that is profitable and impactful for both architects and the environment; and to ensure that goals set by this legislation will be followed. Our thanks goes out to all those members who helped make this law a reality through hard work and dedication.

3 Days Left Until the Legislature Adjourns

2009-04-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

The major tax increase bills are having a tough time getting the votes to pass. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said today that the income tax bill is dead for this year. The News Tribune is reporting that there are not enough votes in the House to pass any tax referendum this year. Since they are referenda, they only need a simple majority to get through the legislature. But, there are not enough Democrats supporting them to send the taxes to the voters.

That leaves SB 6173, to change the way contractors collect and remit sales tax. The fiscal note was revised yesterday from $40 million the first two years to $100 million, $450 million over the next 6 years. The AIA|WA, contractors and retailers worked today with the House to significantly improves the bill. All direct impacts on architecture firms were removed. The process was improved for contractors and retailers. Much work will need to be done on the rulemaking. But, it is a dramatically better bill. The House passed it with bipartisan support.

On the budget, the House and Senate Democrats reached an agreement last night on the operating budget. The House Democrats announced today that the operating budget will be voted on Friday and the Capital Budget on Saturday. No word on the timing of the final vote on the transportation budget; likely it will be Saturday or Sunday. They have not released any public documents on any of the three major budgets – possibly late tonight. So, we don’t know what’s in and out of them. We are especially interested to know if the design projects are back in the capital budget. House Chair Hans Dunshee has been fighting for more design projects. The question is whether the Senate Chair Margarita Prentice or the lead on the capital side, Senator Karen Fraser, will agree to restore the design projects.

The House late last night passed the bill to fund the deep bore replacement tunnel for Alaskan Way in Seattle. Since the bill was amended it will go back to the Senate for final passage, which is expected to concur. There were some anti-Seattle amendments attached, namely requiring Seattle taxpayers to fund any cost overruns on the project (even the state-funded portions). But, that was the only way it could get out of the House. Interestingly, Chopp was the lead proponent of that little amendment. After it passed, he voted against the bill, anyway.

Rep. Mike Armstrong (R-Wenatchee) was hospitalized last night after suffering a mild heart attack. He had surgery today to put in a stint. The word is that he is doing well. Please keep him in your prayers.