| Volume 2, No. 6 - May 5, 2008 |
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 Butterfly Pavilion, Smithsonian, by HSMM | AECOM (more info) |
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Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future by Marna Wilber, ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions |
 One of the most celebrated architects of his time, Eero Saarinen (1910-61) was also one of the most controversial. His work, widely admired by his clients and the general public, often drew unfavorable reviews from contemporary critics for the lack of unifying style, his choice of materials and use of technology.In the postwar decades of what has been called "the American Century," Saarinen helped create the international image of the United States with his designs. For some, these designs were the most potent symbolic expressions of American Identity. The iconic 630-foot tall, stainless steel St. Louis Gateway Arch (1948-1964) along the Mississippi River commemorates the nation's westward expansion. The aluminum and glass General Motors Technical Center (1948-1956) outside Detroit, Michigan has been called "an industrial Versailles" by some while the swooping concrete vaults of the TWA Terminal (1956-1962) at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport thrilled travelers with the glamour of international travel.  Saarinen, who rejected a single unifying style for his buildings, felt that each project had a "unique site, program and spirit." This view of modern architecture and emphasis on technology to accomplish this is seen in the Deere & Company (1957-1963) corporate headquarters. Cor-Ten steel, which weathers and rusts over time, was used to reflect the ruggedness of the company’s farm machinery. The Ingalls Rink (1953-1959) on the Yale University campus and the Dulles International Airport Terminal (1958-1962) established Saarinen as a "virtuoso of dynamic forms."Details, too were paramount for Saarinen. He proclaimed, "The character or expression of any building can only be achieved if it is itself a total expression. Like any work of art, it must be dominated by a strong, simple concept. All of its parts must be an active part of one dominant attitude." This constant reinforcement of the concept was an expertise of Saarinen who in fact designed door hardware and other furnishings at times to complement his architectural vision.  On May 3, the National Building Museum will open the exhibition Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future. It will remain on display through August 23, 2008. One of the most prolific, fascinating and unorthodox maters of 20th century architecture, Eero Saarinen changes the face of domestic and corporate design in the US. Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future is the first major retrospective of this work and features full-scale building models, never-before seen drawings, furniture, photographs, films and other artifacts.Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future is made possible by ASSA ABLOY, global sponsor of the exhibition. ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions – Chesapeake is organizing an Architectural Design and Saarinen Presentation at the National Building Museum on May 29. The event offers four AIA/CES presentations, lunch, a product and solution fair as well as guided tours of the Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future Exhibition. For information and registration, please visit www.assaabloydss.com/washingtondc. 
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The Power of Design - How it Affects You |
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It is a fascinating concept ... signals from the environment determine expression of our DNA. Scientific research is beginning to explain how the human body and brain react to design elements like light, color and sound. The emerging field of Epigenetics strives to understand how and why the human body receives interior environmental stimuli and the consequences of design selections. |
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2008 Design Awards Jury to Assemble in Miami by Mike Nawrocki, AIA |
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Armed with a couple of excellent recommendations from David Jameson, FAIA who obviously has his finger on the pulse, I quickly tapped into the mother lode of outstanding Miami designers and easily assembled an outstanding jury for this year's Design Awards. |
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ARE Prep Seminars Continue, Featuring Structures and Graphics Workshops |
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The Chapter's Architect Registration Exam (ARE) Preparatory Seminars are continuing with Material and Methods on May 10; Structures with David J. Thaddeus, AIA June 6-8; Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing in June; Pre-Design in July, ending with the Graphics Review on July 26. Organized by the Young Architect's Forum, the seminars offer the opportunity to learn from a professional in each discipline and use that knowledge in preparation for the ARE. In addition, study groups meet regularly to share resources and discuss the seminar material. Most sessions are held on Saturdays at DMJM Design in Arlington. Two special workshops are organized for the Structures and Graphics portions of the exam. Once again the chapter welcomes David J. Thaddeus, AIA, NCARB, on June 6-8 for a three-day intensive workshop to review for Structures I and II. The sessions are at the Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus. Registration is now open and additional information is available on the Chapter's ARE website. The Graphics workshop is scheduled for Saturday, July 26 and offers an overview of all three Graphic Divisions. The instructors are Kurt Wassenaar, Architect and Principal of the Wassenaar Design Group, PC; Bruce Grulke, AIA, Project Architect with Clark-Nexsen Architecture and Engineering; and Greg Winkler, also an Architect with the Wassenaar Design Group. The workshop, organized by all three metro area AIA Chapters and Virginia Society, will be held at the University of Maryland School of Architecture in College Park. Online information will be available on the VS website shortly. Questions may be directed to Jim Walker at (804) 644-3041 x207 or via email. |
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Butterfly Pavilion at the Smithsonian's National Museum of
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For the past two months, visitors to the National Museum of Natural History have experienced the world of butterflies in their innate environment, while remaining entirely indoors. HSMM | AECOM partnered with The Smithsonian Institution to design a 1,200-SF Butterfly Pavilion for the permanent exhibit Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution.
HSMM | AECOM's museum design team worked closely with The Smithsonian Institution to design the fully-enclosed, tropically-tempered house located on the Museum's second floor. The pavilion's structure consists of vertical aluminum ribs that form a curved shape in both plan and elevation. The diaphragm between the ribs consists of translucent polyester resin panels supported by T-shaped horizontal aluminum purlins. The interior features lighting that mimics outdoor daylight and curving walls to prevent butterflies from becoming trapped in corners and crevices.
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May 6 - Fast Forward : Architecture Now May 9 - Design Award Submittal Deadline May 10 - ARE Seminar : Materials & Methods May 12 - AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting May 12 - Firm Tour of DMJM Design with the AIA Northern Virginia Board Meeting May 13 - The New Frontier in Healthy Living - Seminar on Epigenetic Design May 15-16 - AIA National Convention in Boston May 21 - AIA Northern Virginia Lunch Series: Hazard Mitigation Technologies for Windows June 1 - Deadline for Early Registration to Attend DesignDC : Leading ReNEWal June 6-8 - ARE Structures Review June 7 - AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Gala |
