Source: AIA (click to enlarge)

The Architects’ Billing Index has fallen at its steepest rate in a year and half last month, according to a report released by the American Institute of Architects yesterday.

Following a drop of almost a full point in June, the ABI fell again by more than a point in July. The ABI reflects the approximate nine- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The July ABI score was 45.1 — the steepest decline in billings since February 2010. – Miranda Neubauer [more]

The winning design by Ting Li and Maja Paklar (click image to enlarge)

Architect Barbie, unveiled by Mattel in February, has finally got her dream house, courtesy of the American Institute of Architects. The organization launched a design contest for Barbie’s unofficial future home this year, and after some 30 submissions, a winner has finally been announced.

The winning design was submitted by New York City-based architects Ting Li and Maja Paklar.

“We are very honored to have been chosen by AIA and Mattel as a finalist and as the public favorite. Barbie was both of ours’ favorite doll growing up in China and Croatia,” the pair said in a joint statement. “We hope to encourage more young female architects to flex their design muscles and just to have fun with architecture.” – Katherine Clarke [more]

Three of five finalist designs in AIA’s Architect Barbie dream house competition

Architect Barbie, unveiled by Mattel in February, is one week away from getting her dream house, courtesy of the American Institute of Architects. The organization launched a design contest for Barb’s unofficial future home at their annual conference this year, and after some 30 submissions, the judges have whittled those down to five finalists. The designs are on view here, and voting is open to the public through Aug. 1. The winner will be announced the following day, though Mattel currently has no plans to actually build the winning design. [Mediabistro] [more]

The American Institute of Architects is preparing to launch a nationwide database of stalled construction projects in an attempt to find ways to rejuvenate them, Real Estate Weekly reported. Over the next several months, the AIA expects to analyze projects that aren’t moving forward due to a lack of financing in the hopes that it will identify opportunities for collaboration and alternative funding sources, said Kermit Baker, chief economist for the organization, which puts out the monthly Architecture Billings Index, a key economic indicator for the construction industry. [more]

Daniel Libeskind, architect of the World Trade Center master plan, received the Medal of Honor from the American Institute of Architect’s New York chapter last night — its most prestigious distinction. AIA said in a statement that Libeskind’s “buildings address the cultural context of their communities while inspiring new understanding of the importance of design to go beyond the expected.” Libeskind, who founded Studio Libeskind, follows in the footsteps of past Medal of Honor recipients like David Childs, who was bestowed the honor last year, and other big names like Toshiko Mori, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Louis Skidmore. – Sarabeth Sanders

A home developed by David Wine, former vice chairman of Related Companies, has received the American Institute of Architects’ top prize for Long Island residential projects. The award, handed out by AIA’s Long Island chapter, honored the home at 55 Dune Road for its “design excellence.” The 3,800-square-foot Bridgehampton house, designed by Stelle Architects and developed by Oliver’s Company, which Wine founded earlier this year, includes beachfront views and an 800-square-foot pool house. The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home, which Wine describes as the “anti-McMansion,” sold recently for $14.25 million. TRD

The New York Chapter of the American Institute of Architects instated Margaret Castillo, principal at Helpern Architects, as its new president last night, the organization announced. Castillo, who is known for her expertise in “green” building and in historic restoration and renovation projects at Helpern, takes the helm from Anthony Schirripa, chairman of New York-based design firm Mancini Duffy, for the 2011-2012 year. TRD [more]

The American Institute of Architects awarded the first annual Women in Architecture and Design awards to Lori Garrett and Lira Luis, Media Bistro reported. Garrett, who received the Athena Leadership Award is senior principal, vice president and director of the higher education studio at Richmond, Va.-based Glavé & Holmes Architecture. Luis, the self-described “electric force” behind organic architecture-focused Atelier Lira Luis in Chicago, received the Athena Young Professional Leadership Award. The inaugural honors were bestowed at a recent New York City gathering by Martha Mertz, director and founder of Athena International. The honorees were selected by the AIA’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the planning
committee of the Women’s Leadership Development Summit. The awards were granted for demonstrating excellence, creativity and initiative within the design professions, provided valuable service to improve the quality of life for others and for actively assisted women within the design professions in achieving their full potential. [Media Bistro]

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A small increase in construction spending might be on the horizon, as the American Institute of Architects’ Billings Index climbed approximately two points in February, after declining three points a month earlier. The score in February, which AIA reported yesterday, was 44.8, while January’s was 42.5. Even so, things are not sunny for the design industry. A score below 50 “indicates a continued decline in demand for design services,” according to the report, and Kermit Baker, chief economist with AIA, said that the outlook is shaky. “We continue to hear that funding dedicated for construction projects in the stimulus package has not yet been awarded, resulting in a bottleneck of potential projects that could help jumpstart the economy,” Baker said. “That, coupled with a persistently rigid credit market for private sector projects, is a key reason why the design and construction industry continue to suffer at near historic levels in terms of job losses.” TRD

Kelly Mack, 36, is president of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group.
Specializing in the planning, design, marketing, and sales of luxury
residential developments, the company has generated over $9 billion in
sales since she became president in 2006. Mack earned her MBA at New
York University before joining Corcoran Sunshine, where she became
executive vice president in 2004. Last year, Mack was named the
first-ever Distinguished Young Alumna by New York University.

Which amenities are popular in new buildings today, and how has that
changed over the past year?
Amenities still create value — that
hasn’t changed. The strength of sales at a building like the Rushmore,
one of the most amenitized buildings in Manhattan, demonstrates that new
development buyers still want the complete package. That being said,
are there other developers who are scaling back on amenities during
predevelopment? Some are. 

Compiled by Candace Taylor. [more]