August 2005
The Public Architects Committee of the AIA is
guided by the principle that public architecture is the cornerstone of
American cities and American architecture. Indeed, our nation's history
and cultural heritage is reflected in the architecture of its federal
buildings, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, landlord
for the federal government.
The design of facilities for the public sector presents
architects with some additional challenges beyond the usual codes and
ordinances, predominantly requirements imposed as a part of the public
process including community outreach, bidding requirements, minority participation
and reporting.
In this issue of Full Circle, we'll explore some
of the emerging issues and innovative solutions in public sector architecture.
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Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
The design of public facilities - such as city
halls, convention centers and police, fire and emergency operations
centers - has evolved in recent years in response to the changing
needs of the clients. Some of these changes involve fresh features
such as the incorporation of emerging technologies. Others represent
increased emphasis on certain design aspects such as security and
sustainability. This article explores some areas of relatively vigorous
change we have noted in the course of our service to our public
sector clients.
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Nathan Butler, AIA, Senior Associate
Recipient of the AIA Orlando Chapter's 2005 Young Architect's
Forum Achievement Award, Nathan Butler entered college with an interest
in archaeology. However, lacking an aptitude for chemistry plus family
concerns that he would struggle to make a living in some remote part
of the world led him to a different course of study.
More Information ... |
College Park Community Center
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OC Firestation 56
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Orlando Public Safety Complex |
• CTH+A recently completed the project
design for the College Park Community Center, a collaborative effort
by the City of Orlando and Orange County Public Schools.
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Orange County has selected CTH+A to construct Fire Stations 35,
80, 81 and 84 based on a prototype design the firm developed for
the Orange County Fire and Rescue Department in September 2003.
• CTH+A has completed the project design
for the City of DeLand's City Hall / Municipal Complex, and Clancy
and Theys has been selected to build the project which is expected
to break ground in early September.
• CTH+A is providing planning and designing
services for Orlando's Public Safety Complex and recently completed
a comprehensive space needs study for the complex to accommodate
anticipated growth over the next 20 years.
• The Orange County School Board
selected CTH+A to provide design services for Sadler Elementary
School, Union Park Middle School and Lee Middle School
More Information ... |
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International Drive, Orange County, Florida
With more than 2.1 million square feet of exhibition
space, the Orange County Convention Center is the second-largest
facility of its kind in the U.S. It is owned and operated by Orange
County government and brings more than 200 events and an estimated
1.5 million attendees to Central Florida each year. C.T. Hsu + Associates
design for a new entrance for the exhibition and convention hall
earned top honors from the AIA Orlando Chapter in 2004 with an Award
for Design Excellence.
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• Insurance Against Terrorism
- Businesses are asking Congress to extend the 2002 law that makes
terrorism risk insurance more widely available. It is set to expire
on December 31, 2005.
• Qualifications Over Costs - A nationwide poll of
voters found that only 11 percent agreed with the viewpoint that "architects
and engineers who are hired by government agencies to design and construct
public buildings always should be awarded to the lowest bidder in
order to save money."
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• The American Institute of Architects,
Florida Chapter presented C.T. Hsu with its 2005
Hilliard T. Smith Silver Metal Award on July 30 at the organization's
annual convention.
• James Hughes, AIA, AICP, has been promoted
to an associate with firm.
More Information ... |
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In the next issue of Full Circle,
we'll explore
new architecture and design trends in commercial real estate. |
