AGC establishes Capitol Hill presence. The Associated General Contractors of America has completed the renovation of a 5,000-sq.-ft., more than 100-year-old town house that is one of the closest commercial properties to the U.S. Capitol. The three-story building, which will house the association’s legislative staff, is within four blocks of the Capitol. AGC purchased the building after initially renting it. The association’s headquarters remains in Alexandria, Va., where it moved two years ago.
AIA convention to keynote security design
In response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the AIA National Convention and Expo 2002, May 9-11, in Charlotte, N.C., will host a series of seminars and workshops focusing on improving building security through design.
Representatives from structural engineer Weidlinger Associates, New York City, will discuss recent advancements in materials and techniques that allow architects to design creative facilities, complete with large, transparent atria, that will withstand the effects of terrorist attacks. The collapse of the World Trade Center towers and the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City will also be discussed.
Randy Atlas, president of Atlas Safety & Security Design Inc., Miami, will outline essential elements of designing schools to be safe and resistant to crime, violence and terrorism. These include building layout, landscaping, signage and lighting.
For information on attending the AIA Convention and Expo, call 800-242-3837, or visit www.aiaconvention.com.
Museum may “spring” into Manhattan
A nonprofit public arts group last month selected New York City architect Diller + Scofidio to design its planned $60 million, 90,000-sq.-ft. museum on Manhattan’s west side.
The group, Eyebeam, stressed, however, that the winning, accordion-like design &M>which emerged from a year-long competition that drew more than 30 entries &M>conveys only the general look of the facility. Many details will need to be finalized before construction can start in 2004.
