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April 11, 2008

SPOTLIGHT ON CINCINNATI PUBLIC SCHOOL DESIGNS NEW GREEN WORKS PREMIERE APRIL 24

Schoolchildren in Cincinnati Public Schools are among the first in the state and the nation to enjoy the benefits of “green” design. Cincinnati architects are putting the final touches on sustainable designs for new and renovated CPS buildings, which they will introduce in a public exhibition Thursday, April 24, 6-8 p.m., at GBBN Architects, 332 East 8th St.

Students in the Hughes High School Zoo Academy are already attending classes in the light- and plant-filled Schott Education Center at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The Schott Education Center, designed by Cincinnati-based Glaserworks, is the first, and thus far the only, LEED Silver certified building in the city. But its solitary status will change soon—thanks to an ambitious program by Cincinnati Public Schools

GBBN Architects’ Robert L. Knight, AIA, is CPS Sustainable Design Coordinator. A former president of Cincinnati AIA and current director of the Architectural Foundation, Knight predicts that “the unique program adopted by CPS will make a difference for generations to come. Our architects are on the cutting edge of school design, not just in Ohio, Kentucky, and the Midwest, but in the nation,” Knight says.

Schools with plans on display are AMIS by GBBN Architects; North Avondale by Cole+Russell, Fanning/ Howey, Moody Nolan; Pleasant Ridge and Sands Montessori by SHP Leading Design; Robert A. Taft Technology High School by Voorhis Slone Welsh & Crossland; Hartwell Elementary and College Hill Elementary by Moody Nolan; Dater Montessori and Clark High School by Glaserworks; and Western Hills/Dater High School by SFA Architects. All of the lead architectural firms are based in Greater Cincinnati.

Pleasant Ridge Montessori and Community Learning Center is the only example now under construction. It will open in September. SHP Leading Design and DH Architects worked closely with volunteer leaders to create the healthy, functional building the community wanted. Pleasant Ridge boasts expansive windows that omit natural light, under-floor air-delivery systems, and solar roof panels. All of these features are known to stimulate student achievement and reduce absenteeism.

In their designs for CPS facilities, architects are following national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) guidelines established by the U.S. Green Building Council and advocated by the local and national American Institute of Architects. CPS is the first major urban school district to mandate sustainable design strategies in all new construction. The district expects all new buildings will be LEED Silver Certified. One or two difficult renovations may not accrue enough points to reach Silver status.

The GBBN exhibition and reception is open to the public at $10 per person charge. It is hosted by ALLY and the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati. Reserve by April 22 with ALLY nesgreenschools@yahoo.com or (513) 541-4607.  

February 20, 2008

Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati Announces Grants

Cincinnati OH-The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati awarded grants totaling $10,800 for projects beginning in spring 2008.

Recipients are Architecture By Children, a nationally acclaimed program offered each year to area public, private, parochial, and home schools at no charge by AIA Cincinnati volunteer architects; Cincinnati Museum Center for a free exhibition about Cincinnati Union Terminal, which opened 75 years ago; Cincinnati Preservation Association for printing an architectural walking-tour guide to Over-The-Rhine; and Miami University for an architecture student field trip to Cincinnati.

In addition to its own regular public education lectures and programs, AFC contributes toward community projects that educate youth and the public about architecture and design and that advance improvement of the built environment. The foundation does not fund "bricks and mortar" construction or renovation projects.

The Architectural Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in March 2007. AFC's annual Apple Award Gala is its principal fundraiser. This year, the Apple Award will go to Towne Properties partner Arn Bortz, at a May 7, gala dinner at the Hilton Netherland Plaza. Turner Construction Company is the Presenting Sponsor. Associate Sponsors to date are Cole + Russell Architects, HGC Construction, One River Plaza/Miller-Valentine Group, and Towne Properties.

January 28, 2008

Arn Bortz to be honored at Architectural Foundation Apple Award Gala

The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati gives the Apple Award each year to an individual or entity who exemplifies the foundation's mission. The 2008 honoree is Arn Bortz.

A partner in Towne Properties, Bortz pioneered new construction and adaptive reuse projects for downtown living, He will receive the prestigious Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Apple Award at a banquet on May 7 at the Hilton Netherland Plaza.

Arn's brother, Neil Bortz, a founder of Towne, received the Apple Award in 1998. Past honorees have included architects, developers, architecture patrons, and architectural photographers. Honorees are selected because each has contributed to the improvement of the built environment of Greater Cincinnati or increased awareness of its significant historic and contemporary buildings, landscapes, and urban places.

Bortz is a distinguished business and civic leader. He was a Cincinnati City Councilperson for nearly a decade, serving as Mayor in 1983-84. He led the Towne initiative for residential, mixed-use projects that sparked the downtown living movement in Cincinnati. Beginning in the Garfield Park neighborhood, Towne constructed the nationally acclaimed Gramercy on Garfield (1992) and Greenwich on the Park (1996), and continued with the adaptive reuse of Groton Lofts (1997) and the Lofts at Shillto Place (1999). Arn Bortz's dedication to urban living is evident in his more recent residential projects, which include Adams Landing and Roebling Row.

Since 2004, the Architectural Foundation has given the award at a gala dinner held in the Hall of Mirrors at the architecturally significant Netherland Plaza hotel. The Apple Award Gala, which is held each May, has become a major benefit for the education and outreach programs of the foundation. Mark McKillip is chair of the event. Christine Schoonover is president of the foundation.

FAST FACTS -Apple Award Gala 2008

WHERE: Hall of Mirrors, Netherland Plaza Hotel
WHEN: Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m.
HOW to RESERVE: Admission: $250 per person patron; $2,500 patron table. (Sponsorships available.) Reservations: Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati. Send check or card number information to AFC, 2449 Fairview Ave., Cincinnati OH 45219. Select: Steak, Salmon, or Vegetarian. Reserve by March 14 for patron listing on the invitation. Information: PainterAFC@aol.com or (513) 421-4469.

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January 27, 2008

Green Valentine Day Celebration at the Zoo

The Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati and the Mercantile Library are inviting members and the public to a green Valentine Day celebration at the Zoo.

Titled, "Green Spaces, Green Places," the luncheon program will feature opening remarks by Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Executive Director Thane Maynard. Mark Fischer, the Zoo's Senior Facilities Director, will discuss green architecture and planning at the Zoo.

The event will be held Thursday, February 14, at noon, in Harold C. Schott Education Center & Zoo Academy, a LEED Silver building, and the first "green" education facility in Ohio.

The Cincinnati Zoo Academy has been a part of the public school system in Cincinnati since 1977. In 1995, the program underwent a substantial change from a strictly vocational program with an emphasis on natural resources and wildlife management to a four year college preparatory program. Students spend their ninth and tenth grade years in the Cincinnati Academy of Mathematics and Science (CAMAS) at Hughes Center. Their eleventh and twelfth grade years are spent at the Zoo Academy.

glaserworks designed the Zoo Academy in conjunction with Cincinnati Public Schools.
This building has been Certified Silver by the USGBC. Features include a 4500 SF greenhouse with a discovery forest exhibit and Zoo outreach facilities

Some of the sustainable features for LEED certification are:

Design architect Paul Duffy, AIA, glaserworks, will lead tours of the building, which won two top honors at the November 2007 Cincinnati Design Awards competition.

Individual admission is $15 AFC and Library members; $18 for guests and public includes lunch, free parking and zoo admission. Reservations held by name at Zoo gate and Education Center.

Reservations with payment by Feb. 12 to AFC, 2449 Fairview Ave., Cincinnati OH 45219.
Information: PainterAFC@aol.com or (513) 421-4469.

December 3, 2007

Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati Elects New Officers and Trustees

Christine Schoonover is the newly elected president of the Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati. Schoonover, manager of Huff Realty's Metropolitan Office, is the first woman to lead the foundation, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. She succeeds Michael Moose, AIA, a principal with glaserworks, who was named advisory chair of the board. Vice president is David Arends, AIA, president and CEO, Cole + Russell Architects. Michael Huseman, HGC Construction, was reelected treasurer and Mark McKillip, secretary.

Three new trustees were elected at the Annual Membership Meeting, held at the Niehoff Urban Studio on November 29, 2007. They are David Arends, Aaron Betsky, architectural critic and director of the Cincinnati Art Museum, and Paul Jacobs, legal counsel, USI Midwest. Michael Moose, Keith Smith, and Alice Weston were reelected as trustees.

The Architectural Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization open to all with an interest in the built environment. Its purpose is to increase awareness of Greater Cincinnati's new and historic architectural treasures through public educational programs and publications, such as its Architecture in Cincinnati book. For additional information, see www.architecturecincy.org.

Public invited to help plan new look of Over-the-Rhine

FAST FACTS WHAT: FREE Over-the-Rhine design charrette, where teams of architects, students, and participants will produce new designs for residential infill buildings.

WHO: Presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, AIA Cincinnati, Art Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Preservation Association, and Over-the-Rhine Foundation with support from BHDP, leading local architects, and University of Cincinnati.

WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 2008. Morning session begins at 10 a.m., afternoon session resumes at 2 p.m. Closing reception with exhibition of designs at 4:30 p.m. Advance registration required for sessions.

WHERE: Art Academy of Cincinnati, Jackson and 12th streets in OTR. Reservations: info@cincinnatipreservation.org or (513) 721-4506. Information: http://otrfoundation.org/

Cincinnatis Over-the-Rhine neighborhood presents architects, planners, developers, and residents with rare opportunities. For the first time in decades, new residential construction is being planned for vacant lots. These infill projects are expected to affect the districts economic viability and distinctive character. On Saturday, January 19, at 10 a.m., community people are invited to a design charrette led by local architects. (A charrette involves professional designers and the public in collaborative design activity. See (www.charretteinstitute.org) Reservations are required for session participants.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Architectural Foundation of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Preservation Association, and Over-the-Rhine Foundation are organizing the free public event at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, Jackson and 12th streets in OTR. At the charrette, teams of architects and students will produce designs for representative lots in Over-the-Rhine. These designs, which will be conceived with audience collaboration, could serve as models for future neighborhood development. Finished elevation drawings will be exhibited at 4:30 p.m.

John Senhauser, Cincinnati-based architect and president of the Cincinnati Historic Conservation board, and Royce Yeater, Director of the Midwest Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, will introduce the subject at 10 a.m. They will be followed at 11 a.m. by working sessions and at 1 p.m. by preliminary presentations from the four teams of architects, which include Donald Beck, Bob Burnham, Andy Corn, Steve Hampton, Graham Kalbli, John Isch Paul Karalambo, Marcie Kinney, John Kornbluh, Sari Lehtinen, Mike Mauch, Michael McInturf, Bob Nienaber Ty Provosty, Jeff Raser, Paul Shirley, and Kyle Smith. Michael Moose and Ken Jones are coordinating the practicing architects who are volunteering their time and talents. University of Cincinnati professor Virginia Russell is directing architecture student volunteers. From 2:00 until 4:00 pm, the working sessions continue. Teams will discuss projects at the 4:30 p.m. public reception.

Guests may attend all or part of the sessions. Reservations are required (513-721-4506). The event will provide the opportunity for the community to observe star local architects at work on designs for new construction and to offer their input to the designers. The goal is to produce context-appropriate designs with sustainable elements, and explore the potential of OTR. The architects will demonstrate that there is more than one way to fit buildings into a historic context and that new infill can be green. This program will be of interest to neighborhood residents and business owners, prospective downtown residents, developers, architects, and urbanists.