Pecha Kucha Vol. 2 in Denver Next Monday

Pecha Kucha Night 20x20 returns to the Buntport Theater next Monday, July 14th.

See photos from Pecha Kucha Vol.1 via theartofwhere. designklub posts a flyer with a list of presenters.

AIAS FORUM 2008 in Denver

FORUM is the annual meeting of the AIAS and the global gathering of the architecture and design students. The event provides students with the opportunity to learn about important issues facing architectural education and the profession, to meet students, educators, and professionals with common interests, and to interact with some of today's leading architects through keynote addresses, tours, workshops and seminars.

This year's theme is energy, imagine that. Denver green architecture for students, I like it. More information to come - also, this video may cause seizures.

FORUM 2008 will be held in Denver, CO on December 29, 2008-January 1, 2009.

AIAS FORUM DENVER 2008

Denver Earthworks Expo This Weekend

EarthWorks Expo is Saturday and Sunday at the Merchandise Mart with some good workshops.

A Public Farm Grows in Queens

PS1's summer Warm Up Series sprouts this Saturday, June 21st with an installation by young architecture firm Work Architecture Company.

"PF1 (Public Farm One) is an urban farm concept that evokes the look of a flying carpet landing in the P.S.1 courtyard. Constructed from large cardboard tubes, its top surface will be a working farm, blooming with a variety of vegetables and plants. The structure will create a textured, colorful, and constantly changing surface in contrast with P.S.1’s angular concrete and gravel courtyard. PF1 will work as an interactive bridge between outside and inside, creating multiple zones of activity including swings, fans, sound effects, innovative seating areas, and a refreshing pool at its center. The installation will be a living structure made from inexpensive and sustainable materials recyclable after its use at P.S.1."

Public Farm 1
Check out My Ninja, Please
and Treehugger has opening night reviews

LaN-IN-FLIGHT Will Depart from Denver July 11th

Book now, deadline is 6/11. Anyone wanna sponsor me?

Boulder locals Monika Wittig and Luis E. Fraguada with James Coleman and Shane Salisbury recently won the DIA/DOCA Emerging Artist Program competition with their entry [Wind]ow Seat. As a result of the commission, the group is setting up a traveling seminar called LaN-IN-FLIGHT which will depart from Denver to LA, then to NYC, Boston then back to Denver from July 9th-18th. The seminar will focus on digital fabrication and the output will be published and presented in August at the LaN's [Wind]ow Seat exhibition. 10 days of traveling to cutting edge design firms and industry leaders including Ball-Nogues Studio, Contour Crafting, SCI-ARC, Commonwealth, REX, and others, looks like a lot of Rhino sessions in airport lounges.

This is a great concept and I'm sure will help inform the final exhibition, but why no seminars or visits in Denver itself?

From their site - "A Live Architecture Network is under the direction of 4 designers who landed in Barcelona to pursue postgraduate studies in Digital Tectonics at IAAC (Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia) and following have taken-off on the path of DIGITAL FABRICATION as a means to forwarding composite processes /collaborations driving architectural development. LaN recognizes the power of digital fabrication, not merely as a toolset of of a high technical caliber, but as the driver of particular groupings of resources–an organization of human, economic, and material assets–varying widely based on project circumstances. LaN’s mode of operation is parametric in nature, and seeks to with re-associate architecture with a flexible, non-authoritative, temporal, & data-rich practice of spatial design."

Photo Credit from LaB ,the Live Architecture Network's Blogsite.

Film and Design Series at Starz FilmCenter

Wednesday, May 21 - 7:00pm - Starz Filmcenter
Film and Design Series : Not the Usual Suspects
Featuring the films Kochuu and Louis I Kahn: An Offering To Architecture
Sponsored by AIA Denver

Denver Union Station Project Meeting on Thursday

The Union Station Advocates are hosting an update on the Union Station Project in Denver this Thursday, all interested citizens are invited. Some of the agenda items include a overall project update, a video project with Havey Productions, CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning studio wrap up, a planning/branding exercise and discussion, and a post meeting happy hour.

Thursday, May 15th 4 - 5:30pm at the Oxford Hotel, Theatre Room, $10 at the door, hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served with a cash bar for the post meeting happy hour in the Cruise Room. See this link for agenda and RSVP info.

Things to do in Denver & Boulder this Weekend

Washington Park Home Tour: Give your mother, aunt, grandma and YOU a Mother's Day weekend to remember by attending the Washington Park Home Tour on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 10 am- 4 pm. All funds benefit Steele Elementary School.

Northwest Denver Old House Expo - 9am-4pm. The free event will offer information and workshops from a range of experts on everything you need to know, including how to heat and cool your old house with energy efficiency; utilizing or expanding space; remodeling; caring for older windows and masonry; water efficiency; building and zoning permits; and choosing the right colors for your home. Stop by the Highlands Masonic Temple Center, 3550 Federal Boulevard.

Tour the CU Solar House in Boulder: 1pm-5pm in the field adjacent to Innovation Drive in the CU Research Park. University of Colorado teams won both Solar Decathlon competitions in 2002 and 2005, and placed 7^th overall in 2007. Lead by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the 2007 CU Solar Decathlon team returned to the National Mall with a compelling new design that responds to the changing energy needs of the American West.

Pangea Day: 12noon-4pm MST. Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future. In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that — to help people see themselves in others — through the power of film. Sites in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked live to produce a program of powerful films, visionary speakers, and uplifting music. Denver Open Media Pangea Day- Denver's Public Access TV station will be hosting a special community screening of the Pangea Day films. Attendance is limited to 100 individuals. 700 Kalamath St. or watch online.

Architecture for Humanity Burma/Myanmar Rebuilding Appeal

Architecture for Humanity is raising funds to support reconstruction efforts in Burma/Myanmar. Their work will focus on rebuilding sustainable clinics, schools, community centers and other critical infrastructure as well as housing. Please help them rebuild communities and lives. Support sustainable reconstruction. Make a donation today. I've also added a Architecture for Humanity donation link to the right sidebar. If you'd like to donate to Unicef or Direct Relief International you can do so by clicking on this link.

Green Drinks Denver Thursday April 24th

Every month people who work in or who are interested in the green design industry meet at informal sessions called Green Drinks which will be this Thursday, April 24th at 6pm at Marios' Double Daughter's Salotto, 1632 Market St. in Lodo Denver.

This month the featured guests will be Colorado Green Properties and C² Sustainable Development Consulting.

Colorado Green Properties is a multimedia website all about building, buying, selling and investing in green real estate from Denver to Durango. Colorado's largest selection of green homes and commercial properties for sale, as well as a growing collection of green real estate news and video, and many links to local sources of green building materials, experience and expertise.

C² Sustainable Development Consulting can assist you with all of your green building objectives. Whether you're planning a LEED Platinum office building, a LEED-ND resort or simply considering remodeling your home with today's healthiest, most energy-efficient products, they are here to guide you every step of the way.

Young Architect's References

Recently, I found a new website blog that has several good articles that relate to getting a job in architecture and the trials of the early years of practice based on his own personal experiences. YoungArchitect.net and sub link to articles about The Profession.

I also recently met with an architect who is involved in submitting and editing a new AIA website that is a great set of online resources for aspiring and established architects. It is called AIA Soloso.

The best forum for architects that I have found and have followed for years. Archinect Discussions. So if you have questions, these sites may have the answers. If you know of other sites that are similarly helpful please comment below.

Tonight is the Colorado AIA's Young Architects Awards Gala, the kick off event to Colorado Architecture Week and one of the most exciting events of the year. Celebrate the achievements of Colorado's passionate young architects, interns and students on Friday, April 11, at the Exdo Event Center (1399 35th St., Denver, 80205.

Birambye International Benefit at Cervantes Tonight

From the Birambye International website: "Birambye International is a non-profit charitable organization comprised of engineers, architects, planners, and other professionals from the greater Denver area. We are committed to participating with communities in need and developing sustainable environments that restore the health and wellbeing of community life. The Birambye team implements innovative solutions by combining our skills and knowledge in green design and construction."

Their current project is called the Birambye Lodge, in Rwanda.

L'Esperance Aid Rwanda operates the Children's Village Kigarama, an orphanage in Western Rwanda with 105 children. Once these children reach the age of 18, they are asked to leave the orphanage. Numerous problems have risen in helping these children become successful adults. Many of them have little to no education or financial means of supporting themselves once they leave. Victor Monroy, Director of Children's Village Kigarama, holds a vision of a sustainable society and a brighter future for the children that leave the orphanage. After visiting the orphanage and meeting Victor, Birambye Internation President, Mark Reiner agreed to kickstart this project. Birambye International will help plan and develop a lodge with the Children's Village Kigarama Orphanage can operate and manage. The project will provide the economic self-sufficiency that will nurture the intellectual, spiritual, social and physical growth of the children, while supporting the harmonic stewardship of the environment.

Benefit PDF Link $8 Thursday April 10th at 8pm Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom - 26th and Welton, Denver

Bands performing are U.S. Pipe, Apex Vibe, S.T.O.I.C., Kollage, Isolated Generation, AddVerse

Birambye International

Doors Open Denver This Weekend

Doors Open Denver
"150 Years of Denver Architecture"
Saturday & Sunday, April 12th & 13th 10am-4pm

2008 is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Denver. Doors Open Denver will celebrate by opening doors representing “150 Years of Denver Architecture” in a FREE two-day event that allows you to go behind the scenes of the city’s significant architectural gems and lesser-known treasures. Spend the day on a self-guided tour of both historic and modern buildings, register for an Expert Tour or embark on an Urban Adventure, a self-guided tour based on a theme.

via DenverInfill Blog

Here are some Expert Tours of interest:

An Emerald Gem in Lower Downtown – US EPA Building: EPA’s new regional headquarters is an excellent example of ‘green building’, and how the built environment can reduce its environmental footprint. Come learn about this state of the art building, and the strategies used to reduce impacts to the natural environmental, better conserve energy, use less natural resources, reduce waste and create a healthier workplace environment.

Alliance Center – Green Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Building: The Alliance Center demonstrates a hub for a state-based sustainability movement with thirty non-profit tenants. Tenants, partners and community members use the building as a tool for collaboration, education and social advocacy. It is one of two buildings in the world to receive two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications from the US Green Building Council – LEED Gold for Existing Buildings and LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors. The Center received Energy Star Leader certification. Over 50 signs and displays highlight the collaborative, green and historic features throughout the Alliance Center. This tour will explore the Alliance Center’s “green” ingenuity, design and unique characteristics

Discover How Easy It Is To Be Green…Creatively: Architect/ Developer Cheryl Spector & Associates will lead a tour of this LEED Registered, award winning green facility – Nine10Arts. Learn how being green is affordable. Following the tour you can visit with over 18 different artists who have their studios here, drink a cup of coffee, eat lunch in Studio 6 Coffee House or hang out in the Gallery and courtyard.