Ed Kodet inaugurated as national AIA Chancellor of The College of Fellows

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows inaugurated Edward J. Kodet, Jr., FAIA, as its 2010 Chancellor. In this prestigious leadership role, he will focus on the areas of Fellowship, mentorship and research. Founder and president of Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd. in Minneapolis, Mr. Kodet has practiced architecture for nearly 40 years and combines the knowledge and skills of his academic and professional careers.

Of the AIA’s 80,000 members, the AIA College of Fellows includes approximately 2,700 members from across the globe. Fellows are selected by their peers for making a significant contribution to architecture and society, and for achieving a standard of excellence in the profession. “Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects is one of the highest honors that could be bestowed upon a member,” says Mr. Kodet, who received his Fellowship status in 1994.

Mr. Kodet has initiated many new programs and grants that have advanced the AIA College of Fellows’ role in supporting emerging architects’ professional development and success. In December 2009, he assumed his current responsibilities as Chancellor, which include presiding at the annual business meeting, Executive Committee meetings and Convocation of Fellows. He also will lead the esteemed Latrobe Prize, a $100,000 grant for research on sustainable design in the urban environment.

Prior to being elected as the College of Fellows’ 48th Chancellor, Mr. Kodet served as Bursar in 2006 and as national Vice President in 2002. In addition to his leadership with the AIA College of Fellows, he is an AIA national board member, a member of the AIA National Committee on Design, and past president of AIA Minnesota.

He also served a three-year term as regent to the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) in Washington, D.C. and as Chair of the Foundation’s Octagon Advisory Committee. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961, The Octagon is considered one of the best examples of Federal period architecture in the country. It also serves as the oldest public museum in the United States dedicated to architecture and design.

He earned his undergraduate from the University of Nebraska and attended the graduate program at the University of Minnesota. He served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota for more than 20 years and his volunteerism included chairing the College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Alumni Board, of which he remains an active member.

About The American Institute of Architects
For more than 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. The AIA College of Fellows seeks to stimulate a sharing of interests among Fellows, promote the purposes of the Institute, advance the profession of architecture, and be of ever-increasing service to society. The College of Fellows, founded in 1952, is composed of members of the Institute who are elected to Fellowship by a jury of their peers. Learn more online.

About Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd.
An award-winning, Minnesota firm, Kodet Architectural Group provides full architectural services such as architectural programming, planning, feasibility studies, accessibility, renovation, historic preservation, owner representation, and interior design. To learn more about Kodet Architectural Group, Ltd., please visit the Web site.
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Filed under: CLIENT NEWS | Comments Off on 01.25.10 Association News

AAMA Surveys Building Team Members on BIM to Guide First Standard for Commercial Fenestration

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is surveying architects, specifiers, general contractors and other members of the building team to learn about their use of building information modeling (BIM) programs. The data will be used by the AAMA BIM Task Group to develop the first standard that addresses commercial fenestration products within BIM.

AAMA invites building team members to complete the 10-question online survey, which should take less than five minutes for most participants to complete.

“The purpose in developing a standard for commercial fenestration products is to better assist users of BIM files in understanding the level of information contained within the manufacturer’s model. This will benefit the overall industry by standardizing the data contained within the model so that BIM can be implemented across a broad range of products efficiently and effectively,” says Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO.

He continues, “Ideally, BIM tools can help identify and resolve design challenges before construction begins in the field. Research has shown that BIM helps decrease change orders, increase the use of pre-engineered products and accelerate project schedules, which each contribute to saving time and money. When these models vary from location to location, the intended advantages may be significantly reduced.”

AAMA’s BIM preliminary survey results will be reviewed at the association’s 73rd Annual Conference to be held Feb. 14-17, 2010, in Palm Springs, Calif. The AAMA BIM Task Group seeks to present a copy of the document for a vote in September 2010.

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Filed under: AAMA, CLIENT NEWS | Comments Off on 01.21.10 Association News

Beyond shapes and sizes, Kolbe’s custom window and door designs create spaces as imaginative and individual as the people inside

During the International Builders’ Show (IBS), Kolbe showcases truly custom creations. Beyond unusual shapes and exaggerated sizes, customers can choose performance and aesthetic combinations including glass in elegant to whimsical patterns, exterior cladding in attention-getting metals, finishes in any color, and wood trim in any species.

exterior cladding in attention-getting metals

“Whether choosing all-wood, aluminum-clad or vinyl units, Kolbe brings a breadth and depth of customization that no other manufacturer can offer,” says Cindy Bremer, Kolbe’s director of marketing.

Spotlighting a few of the custom designs displayed in Kolbe’s IBS booth #N2645, Bremer points to “a copper-clad inswing casement with oxidized silver patina exterior finish and Alder wood interior with Coffee Bean stain. The window’s narrow performance divided lites are arranged in custom pattern and coupled with Verona style hardware in an oil-rubbed finish to convey classic elegance.”

Continuing to highlight style, performance and functionality, Bremer demonstrates “a tilt-turn window with beautiful, vertical grain Douglas fir interior and durable, fluoropolymer-finished, aluminum-clad exterior. The solid construction and energy-efficient, triple-insulating glass helps this unit achieves the R-5 insulating value (0.19 U-Value/0.16 SHGC). This not only meets the requirements for home renovation projects’ stimulus-funded tax incentives, it’s worthy of an ENERGY STAR rating for almost any residential project.”

Kolbe’s windows’ energy-efficient performance can be complemented with wood species certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Combining FSC-certified options with energy-efficient glass choices further supports environmentally sensitive projects such as those pursuing recognition by ENERGY STAR®, Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes™, National Association of Home Builders’ Model Green Home Building Guidelines, and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® Rating System for Homes™.

High-resolution photos and a Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Tradeshow Thoughts | Comments Off on 01.20.10 Client News

Kolbe launches Latitude Series windows and doors offering high-performance, high style and a high level of customization

Expanding and enhancing its window and door product offering, while simplifying the purchasing process, Kolbe has streamlined three of its product lines into one. What once was known as Inspiration® Series, Foundation® Series and Resolution® Series is now unified as Kolbe’s new Latitude™ Series.

Kolbe launches Latitude™ Series

The Latitude Series provides a full line of premium quality, vinyl windows and patio doors for both new construction and renovation applications. These include casements, awnings, single hungs, double hungs, sliders, and geometric windows, as well as sliding and swinging patio doors.

“As its name suggests, ‘Latitude’ offers freedom from narrow restrictions. These products mirror the creative potential and exceptional performance, style and extensive options available in our wood products. This presents customers with a low-maintenance, alternative material of equivalent quality and dependable construction,” says Mark Harger, general manager of Kolbe’s facility operations in Manawa, Wis.

He emphasizes, “These are not cookie-cutter windows and doors, these are as customizable as any of Kolbe’s products – from the high-performance glass and the UltraVue™ screens, to the historically-styled performance divided lites (PDLs). Exterior colors and trims extend the design flexibility needed to complement nearly any architecture or décor.”

Specified with PDLs, Latitude windows mimic the look of true divided lites. Earning approval by the Department of Interiors for historic preservation projects, these windows combine traditional aesthetics with an ENERGY STAR® rating. Kolbe’s Latitude Series products rely on high-performance LoE glass as standard to deliver energy-efficiency, helping homeowners save money on heating and cooling bills.

The standard, BetterVue® screens‘ charcoal-colored fiberglass mesh enhances the sense of openness, while increasing light transmission and insect protection. Rust- and corrosion-resistant, it is certified by GREENGUARD® for superior indoor air quality performance.

Kolbe’s Latitude series improves upon the previous three product lines with quieter, smoother-operating balance systems, and greater air and water resistance. These products may be further enhanced with UltraVue screens and ThermaPlus™ LoE insulating glass options. Installers also will note the choice of jamb sizes, brickmould and replacement options, easily accommodating both new construction and renovation projects.

High-resolution photos and a Word document of the full news release are available in Kolbe’s online press room.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. | Comments Off on 01.19.10 Client News

Kolbe’s online Press Room presents the latest news, photos

To meet in-person with a Kolbe representative and learn more about the products, tools and custom capabilities showcased at the International Builders’ Show 2010, please visit Booth #N2645.

Kolbe continually updates the Media section of its Web site to keep journalists and others informed of the company’s new and enhanced products, online tools and updated literature, and individual’s accolades and project team’s success stories.

No registration is required for editors and reporters to preview text and images, then download Word documents and high-resolution images.

During IBS 2010, Kolbe has added the following to its online Press Room:

Beyond shapes and sizes, Kolbe’s custom window and door designs create spaces as imaginative and individual as the people inside.

Kolbe launches Latitude™ Series

Kolbe launches Latitude™ Series windows and doors offering high-performance, high style and a high level of customization. What once was known as Inspiration® Series, Foundation® Series and Resolution® Series is now unified as Kolbe’s new Latitude™ Series.

Kolbe's new ThermaPlus LoE glass

Kolbe’s new Windquest EP windows provide top tier energy performance.

Kolbe’s new ThermaPlus LoE glass expands window choices to meet federal tax credit requirements for home energy efficiency improvements.

Old Sacramento’s the Orleans recaptures the city’s history, while expanding to invest in its future. Contributing to this replica exterior, Kolbe provided the 10-foot-high, wood, double doors that open onto the boardwalk and large windows with true divided lites.

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Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Tradeshow Thoughts | Comments Off on 01.18.10 Client News

Tubelite introduces EcoLuminum recycled aluminum extrusions for all of its architectural products

Tubelite Inc. now manufactures all of its architectural, extruded aluminum products with EcoLuminum™, a high recycled-content aluminum billet composition featuring environmentally-friendly finishes. The company developed this industry-leading formulation to support customers’ green goals such as contributing to commercial building projects seeking LEED® Green Building Rating System™ certification.

To maximize the environmental benefits and energy-efficient attributes of EcoLuminum, Tubelite‘s storefront, curtainwall, entrance and daylight control systems are offered in a choice of eco-friendly finishes and a range of high thermal performances and condensation resistances.

“Our products’ superior performance helps building owners and occupants save energy and money, and our EcoLuminum, with its high recycled content and durable finishes reduce waste,” says Mary Olivier, Tubelite’s marketing manager. For example, she notes, “EcoLuminum’s recycled billet consumes 95 percent less energy to produce than that of standard, non-recycled billet. And, its eco-friendly anodized finish sends 90 percent less waste to landfills than traditional, caustic etch anodizing. Painted finishes are also applied and controlled in an environmentally effective manner.”

“We are proud to provide products and services that represent exceptional, energy-efficient solutions without compromising the environmental impact upon future generations,” adds Ken Werbowy, Tubelite’s president. “We actively participate in environmentally-focused associations such as the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Construction Specifications Institute, Daylighting Collaborative, Glass Association of North America, National Fenestration Rating Council, U.S. Green Building Council and others.”

He continues, “We selectively partner with suppliers that share this same passion and collaborate not only on developing and improving energy-efficient fenestration products, but also on creating and utilizing environmentally-responsible methods to produce these products. These methods help us in reducing our overall carbon footprint by dramatically lowering greenhouse gas, solid waste and water use.”

Toward these goals, Tubelite formulated EcoLuminum’s standard billet composition to contain a minimum of 80 percent reclaimed aluminum. This incorporates a post-consumer content average of 34 percent. Special requests for even higher recycled content can be provided, up to and including meeting specifications requiring 100 percent reclaimed aluminum.

Tubelite’s Therml=Block™ 300ES Curtainwall is the newest product manufactured using EcoLuminum. “The design of the system, which features a 1.5-inch thermal strut, results in superior energy-saving performance,” says Olivier. She adds, “The system’s efficient construction allows for different finishes to match both exterior and interior décor.”

The new Therml=Block 300ES Curtainwall joins the company’s other energy-savings products, which include the Therml=Block insulated door and the Max/Block™ daylight control sunshade system.

To learn more about Tubelite’s storefront, curtainwall, entrance and daylight control systems manufactured using the company’s new EcoLuminum finished aluminum materials, please visit www.tubeliteinc.com.

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Filed under: AAMA, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Tubelite Inc. | Comments Off on 01.15.10 Client News

AAMA Announces 2010 Schedule of Events

American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) will host its 73rd Annual Conference for fenestration industry leaders and decision-makers, Feb. 14-17, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, Calif. The conference will feature keynote speaker Mark Whitacre, the highest-level executive of a Fortune 500 company to become a whistleblower in U.S. history. After turning informant in 1992, Whitacre then worked undercover with the FBI for three years, donning a wire everyday in one of the largest price-fixing cases in history. His presentation will focus on his experiences and the importance of personal and business ethics.

Also convening during the Annual Conference is the AAMA Green and Sustainability Specification Development Task Group. Due to high interest in this initiative, the schedule has again been arranged so that all conference attendees will be able to participate in this meeting.

In addition, AAMA’s Annual Awards Banquet provides attendees the opportunity to honor the leaders, chairmen and many members who are responsible for AAMA’s continued success.

“At a time when the legislative landscape is changing rapidly it is vital to ensure that member concerns are shared with leaders of influence in Washington, regional and local government organizations,” says Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO. “These conferences and meetings are essential in establishing and maintaining association-wide initiatives that ensure that the voices and concerns of our members are heard.”

Two additional national conferences and two regional meetings are also planned for 2010.

AAMA’s complete 2010 schedule of events includes:

• Feb. 14-17, 73rd Annual Conference at the JW Marriott Resort in Palm Desert, Calif.
• March 23-24, Southeast Region Spring Meeting at the Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, Texas
• May 5-6, Western Region Spring Meeting at the Waterfront Plaza Hotel in Oakland, Calif.
• June 6-9, National Summer Conference at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott in Oak Brook (Chicago), Ill.
• Oct. 10-13, National Fall Conference at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Santa Ana Pueblo (Albuquerque), N.M.

“The national conferences and regional meetings address issues of critical importance to AAMA’s member companies, both large and small, domestic and international, that manufacture fenestration products” says Walker.” AAMA’s councils and committees represent aluminum, fiberglass, glass, vinyl and wood and cellulosic composite products in both the commercial and residential market segments.”

In addition to the 2010 dates listed above, 2011 events are also available on the events page of the AAMA Web site.

For more information on AAMA’s events, please visit www.aamanet.org or e-mail Florence Nicolici, AAMA meetings manager, at fnicolici@aamanet.org.

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Filed under: AAMA, CLIENT NEWS, Green Goals, Wausau Window and Wall Systems | Comments Off on 01.09.10 Association News

Old Sacramento’s the Orleans recaptures the city’s history, while expanding to invest in its future

The Orleans, once known as the Gold Rush-era hotel where California’s early state politics took form, once again takes its place as an iconic building in Old Sacramento. monighandesign in Sacramento, Calif., fastidiously re-created the three-story street-front to match the 1865 original architectural proportions and details.

The three-story street-front was fastidiously re-created to match the 1865 original architectural proportions and details.

Contributing to this replica exterior, Kolbe provided the 10-foot-high, wood, double doors that open onto the boardwalk and large windows with performance divided lites. Kolbe’s double hung and casement windows also were chosen for the two-story addition, which was designed using perspective analysis to carefully conceal the expansion from direct view and preserve the historic façade.

No longer a hotel, the building re-opened in late 2008 as a mixed-use space including 24 lofts with ground-floor retail and a high-end restaurant. Its neighboring buildings – the Union Hotel and the Adams Express – are more than 150-years-old and were essential in calculating the Orleans’ restored scale and style.

“Usually, you’d have lots of historic photos and lithographs available for reference, but the only reliable print we had was a fairly small lithographic that showed the Orleans and the adjacent buildings,” explains monighandesign‘s principal, Bruce Monighan, AIA.

He and his team digitally enhanced and enlarged the available image to capture the lithograph’s depiction. “We did it old school and used rulers and calipers to measure the image’s details and compared them to the existing structures. From this, we were able to determine the height of a balcony, the size of a window, the symmetry and proportion of the configurations, and even the thickness of the walls.”

Monighan started his architectural career working on historic preservation projects in Old Sacramento. “I cut my teeth in this business directly across the street from the Orleans. From 1972-80, I contributed to many of the area’s historic projects, which were funded by the federal historic preservation tax credits. When those went away in the late ’70s, there were three lots left empty and the Orleans was one of them. When the project came up three years ago, I jumped at the chance to return to my roots, revisiting my own personal and professional history.”

The developer, Harvego Enterprises, selected Monighan to conduct a feasibility study. Later, they hired the firm to recreate the historic building suitable to its origins, coupled with an appropriately designed, functional structure suitable to modern life.

According to Monighan’s research and experience, “Old Sacramento was designated as the first historic district in the U.S., even ahead of Jamestown. Typically, a place is determined to be historic because of its look, its time, its material or the things that happened in that building. The Orleans was the centerpiece of California politics and where the decision was made to establish Sacramento as the state capitol.”

With respect to the area’s heritage, the architectural team managed the extensive approval process involving many local, state and federal agencies. “Frankly, the development team needed more square-footage to make this a leasable space,” says Monighan. “But building up is not historically correct. Addressing this, we set the expansion back 20-feet from the street’s main entrance. We provided perspective rendering to show that you can’t see the two additional floors from this view. Most people have no idea how large of a building it really is.”

The Orleans' two-story addition is invisible from the streetscape.

Putting it bluntly, Monighan says, “The back is fake and the front is real, but we often get more compliments on the back because it features exposed brick. Today, we have a romantic attachment to brick and wood. During the 1850s, people didn’t want to see natural wood or exposed brick. These were considered building materials that should be covered with decoration – painted and plastered.”

Constructed of pine wood with custom, the interior trim on Kolbe’s windows and doors were shipped pre-painted with brickmould detached for field installation. The exteriors were finished in a K-KRON II Truffle color. Burnett & Sons Millwork in Sacramento, Calif., served as the distributor connecting the design and building team with Kolbe.

“I assumed that we’d need all custom millwork to get the look we wanted,” admits Monighan. “In the ’70s, Burnett built most of the historic-looking windows and doors from scratch. When we started discussing the Orleans, they recommended Kolbe. At first, I was skeptical, but we got exactly what we wanted at a much better price point than building from scratch. I think Kolbe is one of the only manufacturers of this size that really understands historic work. They got it emotionally and were a real partner in trying to put this project together.”

Dave Coffin of Burnett agrees, “Kolbe makes that history pop right out of the building. Everyone loves it,” says Coffin. Proving this point, he proudly adds that due to Burnett’s successful involvement with the Orleans, the company will be working on another Old Sacramento hotel featuring Kolbe’s windows and doors.

“The Orleans has returned to be part of this historic fabric. People who don’t know that it’s a re-creation have no idea that it wasn’t there for the past 150 years,” says Monighan. “It’s been very satisfying to fill the historic district in a way that hadn’t been accomplished for 30 years.”

High-resolution photos and a Word document of the project success story are available in Kolbe’s online newsroom.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS, Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. | Comments Off on 01.07.10 Client News

Plumbing Manufacturers Institute hosts 2010 Spring Meeting

The Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI) will host its 2010 Spring Meeting, March 14-17, at the Hotel Del Coronado, located in San Diego, CA.

This year’s meeting will revolve around the theme “Expanding the Value.” 2010 PMI President, Lee Mercer, director of product compliance for Moen Incorporated, has pledged, during his term, to expand PMI value to existing members, prospective members and globally.

In keeping with the theme, PMI is working to expand the value of the Spring Meeting by putting together a list of top-notch speakers and guests that both inform and entertain.

The PMI Spring Meeting will kick off with an opening keynote by Brett Farmiloe and Zach Hubbell, who will present a program entitled, “Pursue the Passion.” This program focuses on a subject many managers are facing today, how to motivate and ignite the passions of younger generations.

Sustainability, legislation, regulation and standards harmonization remain high on PMI’s radar screen. As such, PMI will host a plumbing industry profile, set for Tuesday, March 16. This roundtable event will cover international and domestic plumbing issues affecting the industry. Guests invited to participate in this discussion include representatives from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore and key water and plumbing associations in the United States.

The Hotel Del Coronado, the location for the PMI Spring Meeting, is a beachfront gem located on Coronado Island in San Diego. This historic hotel was built 120 years ago and maintains a rich legacy. The Del Coronado has hosted celebrities and dignitaries from around the world.  PMI has secured a group rate of $199 a night and encourages attendees not to miss out on a great meeting being hosted in a great location at a great price.

Please see the full news release available at PMI’s online press room.

Filed under: CLIENT NEWS | Comments Off on 01.06.10 Association News

AAMA Encourages Industry to Understand the Safety and Cost Implications of New EPA Lead Requirements

In an effort to reduce exposure during renovations involving lead-based paint, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has targeted an implementation date of April 22, 2010, to enforce new regulations for lead-based paint renovation, repair and painting, including installation of windows, as part of the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule.

According to the EPA’s Web site, “Lead poisoning may cause a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure, and hypertension.” Because children six years old and younger are at a higher risk, the EPA expanded the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule that previously exempted some housing from the rule’s requirement that contractors be trained and certified and use lead-safe work practices in pre-1978 housing.

The program is applicable to pre-1978 housing, where children under age six and/or pregnant women reside. After April 22, 2010, federal law will require contractors to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices. To become certified, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to EPA.

A 34-page handbook entitled, “Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right,” can be found on the EPA’s Web site. Additional compliance information, including interpretive guidance on the rule’s requirements, a pre-renovation disclosure form and a list of training providers, is available on the EPA’s Web site or by contacting the National Lead Information Center (800-424-LEAD).

A full news release is available online at AAMA’s online news room.

Filed under: AAMA, CLIENT NEWS | Comments Off on Client News 12/30/09