Architects for Obama

If you haven't been to Architects for Obama lately...

David — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:24:55 EDT

...you should check in. We're at Architects for Obama.

Our group is hot. We have well over 100 members; we score a 10 (of 10) on the MyBO Activity Tracker, meaning we have tons of calls, events, and blogs .

And we have been givers...bigger givers than some of those fancy Doctor- and Lawyer- "4Obama" groups! (Just kidding, but architects are notoriously pretty sedate, so its hard to believe that as a group we've raised $100,000)

So stop by the site, read the blog posts, join up, and send an e-mail to the group.

And, oh, yeah...make a donation!

Thank you, David

So many houses

David — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:39:16 EDT

I have one house with a mortgage.

I'm an architect and I sometimes design houses, big ones, for wealthy people. They often have two or three houses. Or even four. And maybe a timeshare condo.

I also design buidings for developers and landlords. They have lots of houses and condos and apartment buildings and often house their family members and firends and business associates in them. These are often held in ownership by various corporate entities and agents, for tax purposes. These are people who live around the tax laws, all very legal, but not quite ethical either. Especially compared to those of us with a house and a mortgage.

John McCain isn't like me. He's not like "normal" wealthy people. He's a business. His wife is a business. They seem to think like abusiness, as in: "I have my staff count the houses." When you are a business, it's not really clear anymore. I'm not so clear about John McCain.

First Guam then the Nation

David — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:15:35 EDT

More from Greg at the group Architects for Obama on Energy Independence:

"I have a plan to bring about energy independence in the United States. The first nation on Earth with the opportunity to become fully independent of fossil fuels is the tiny island nation of Iceland. By exploiting the vast renewable energy resources found on the island, Icelanders have been able to grow their economy and cut dependence on foreign energy. Renewable energy resources currently tend to be more expensive than traditional sources, although with gas at over $4.00 across the United States, things are starting to balance out. Still, the most cost effective use of renewable energy tends to be in remote locations far from electric grids and fossil fuel resources.I believe that if Iceland can become energy independent then certainly the small island territories of the United States can be. Many of them have resources that Iceland does not such as solar, sugarcane ethanol, and ocean thermal energy conversion. If one island territory can be made independent of fossil fuels, then why not another? If each island territory eliminates the need for fossil fuels then why not Hawaii, the state most dependent on foreign fossil fuels? And if Hawaii can succeed, why not the rest of the nation?I believe that Barack Obama, commited to renewable energy and having been born and raised on an island, is uniquely well suited to implementing this plan.The United States is planning to spend over $15 billion dollars in the next six years to relocate our troops from Okinawa to Guam as we pull our troops out of Japan. It is the largest expansion and construction effort in the history of Guam. Our military owns about one-third of this island, and much of the remaining jungle will be bulldozed to build military headquarters, housing, hospitals, schools and commissaries to support about 8,000 additional marines. The construction effort will require 25,000 temporary workers. To put this project in perspective, Guam's current population is about 173,000 people and the total annual GDP for the island is $3.2 billion.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/30/asia/30guam-gates.php

"As long as we are going to spend $15 billion building in Guam, why don’t we take the opportunity to do so in an environmentally sustainable manner? Let us build the military bases, hospitals, schools, and housing on Guam using green building design methods. Let us expand power plants to meet the energy needs with local renewable resources. Let us require environmentally friendly cars and trucks on the island - a miliary truck running on diesel can just as easily run on biodiesel. Lets not wipe out the native habitat and eco-system found on Guam in the process.

"If Guam can be made energy independent then perhaps every state in the union can be too. First Guam, then the nation."

Energy Independence: Which State Will Be First?

David — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:57:31 EDT

Please read this inovative post from Greg at the group Architects for Obama.

Will Barack Obama help to make his native state the first 100% free of fossil fuels?

Hawaii, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands collectively use over 183 million barrels of oil per year. At the current rate, this one state and five territories will have consumed over 5 billion barrels of oil by the year 2028. Why is that significant? If we choose to drill for oil in ANWR (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) today, it is expected that the peak production from this source will occur in the year 2028. Government estimates indicate that there may be no more than 5 billion barrels of oil total in ANWR but perhaps as many as 15 billion barrels. Converting the one state of Hawaii and territory islands of the United States to a 100% renewable energy economy could over the next generation more than offset all of the oil that could be produced in ANWR. The oil currently being shipped to these islands could be diverted to other locations. About 40% of Hawaii’s oil (21 million barrels) is shipped from Alaska annually. If Hawaii converted to renewable energy, this oil could instead be shipped to Washington, Oregon, California, and the other lower 48 states without a drop coming from ANWR. By converting these remote islands to renewable energy the technologies will become more mature and economically attractive on the mainland.

These islands share a number of similar energy challenges. Hawaii is the most oil dependant state in the nation. 95% of Hawaii’s electricity comes from burning fossil fuels – none of which can be found on the island. As islands, they all lack interconnection to larger electrical grids that would provide emergency backup power or economies of scale. Lacking indigenous sources of fossil fuels, they are almost entirely dependent on imported oil or refined petroleum products for electricity generation. This dependence causes electricity prices to track with petroleum prices, contributing to electricity rates that are higher than anywhere else in the United States. Yet each of these islands has enormous renewable energy resources which are not being used to the fullest extent.

The fact that these islands are so distant from fossil fuel resources makes them some of the most attractive places to build renewable energy infrastructure in the United States. Is it possible for a small island to become energy independent? Iceland already has. Iceland, with about as many people as American Samoa and Guam combined, was once almost entirely dependent upon imported fossil fuels for its economy just like the major islands of the United States. Icelanders took it upon themselves to exploit the vast natural energy of their island to produce heat and electricity from geothermal and hydroelectric sources. Today as it converts all of its vehicles over to electric and hydrogen fuel cells, it will soon become the first nation on Earth completely free of dependence on fossil fuels.

These islands have resources which surpass those available in Iceland. Not unlike Iceland, the islands of Hawaii, Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands have enormous geothermal production potential. Hawaii has had a proof-of-concept geothermal power station with a capacity of 30 MW in use for many years. But these islands have many renewable energy resources which Iceland does not. These tropical islands also have solar energy potential Iceland does not have. They have the potential for biofuels such as ethanol from sugarcane and biodiesel from coconut trees which Iceland will never have. Puerto Rico's prime agricultural product through the middle of the 20th century was sugarcane - a far more efficient source of ethanol. Puerto Rico could produce nearly 200 million gallons more of ethanol per year from its trash and reduce its landfills.

These islands can produce electricity from ocean thermal energy conversion which is only possible in tropical climates where a large temperature differential exists. They have the potential to create floating wind farms in the open ocean away from the sight of beaches. They can produce electricity from tidal currents. Conversion of the fleets of cars and trucks to local renewable resources such as electric cars, biofuel vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells especially make sense on small remote islands.

Because of their remoteness, geography, and tropical climates, these islands offer ideal locations to build renewable energy economies. The high costs of shipping fossil fuels make local renewable resources more attractive economically. Energy independence will benefit the local economies of the islands by producing jobs and cutting foreign imports. The rest of the United States would benefit by conserving more oil than could be pumped out of ANWR even while the renewable technologies mature and become more economically attractive on the mainland.

A4O turns 99

David — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:55:50 EDT

The group Architects for Obama just welcomed our 99th member, "William." We're looking for our 100th, and the next hundred after that. If you know anyone who is an architect and interested in Obama send them to my.barackobama.com/page/group/ArchitectsforObama.

Architects are an elusive group of Obama supporters: A4O is often the FIRST group our members join, its usually the ONLY group they join, and they tend to actually donate as a group to the campaign. It seems to be a good place for these creative, all-nighter types.

So, send your designer friends along and get them involved!

It's not just about the guns...

David — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:25:30 EDT

I support the Second Amendment, of course. I support the military. I support sportsmen and the agricultural tradesmen requiring firearms in their work. Obama supports these positions, too, but this is not the point. It seems appropriate to use the occasion of today’s ruling to highlight the ever encroaching militaristic intrusion in the character of our communities, of the countryside and in our daily life .

I do personally disagree with the interpretation by the Supreme Court mostly on the grounds that it edges us further toward a personal property right vs. a civil right of the People (capital P) to bear arms for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a Militia, solely because it expands this uncivil architectural trend.

That is (for one example only), the guard rails, highway signs and type faces, turning radii, fences, scrub landscape and overpasses of the Eisenhower roadway system (and now much of our secondary road system) is far different aesthetically than, say, Britain’s. There is a reason for this seemingly stylistic difference. It has to do, first, with the role of arms in America, and NOT the turning radius of the Bentley. As this role has evolved, it has advanced, and it has, in fact, changed our built environment, whether you see it in your personal commute or not.

Why else is the national park service at liberty to have a completely different, more civil roadway designs? And the Parkway system in America, which for a time elevated automobile travel to a civil, aesthetic experience, was halted primarily on the grounds that our highways must facilitate military maneuvers.

Andres Duany and other planner have spent their careers fighting the DOT and other agencies, which had become in effect, through their militaristic designs standards, an effectively an arm of the military. As a result they paradoxically act AGAINST the very second amendment rights of the People to be protected to live their life without intervention of the government. Instead we see its influence everywhere.

We could look at the militaristic design of many aspects of America, and yes, WalMart is at the top of my list, and not just because they sell guns. They have physically removed civility, fulfillment, and joy from the marketplace. Also on the list would be public transportation infrastructure, public housing, post offices, airports, college campuses, and much else that the Federal government has built since WWII. These all veer toward utility with no delight.

For the record, if we are to understand it, here it is: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” This confirmed the People’s right to be protected, and to form militias to protect themselves, not to collect guns. The Bill of Rights nowhere gave us STUFF. The Bill of Rights was confirming God-given rights of action and control, NOT that we should all have rifles, or a chicken in our pot, or even health care (although these ideas may have merits, they are not civil rights). But arms are NOT a property right.

If we are to design our world as if the enemy has won, well, then, he has already won. And if this is the case, the right of the People to a protective Militia - strong enough that they can freely live in a civilized, non-militaristic society - has been infringed. This is NOT the Platonic or Aristotelian City I understand our best thinkers to be directing us toward.

David

Architecture 2030: Cracking the Code

David — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:19:08 EDT

From Peter from Santa Fe, NM:

CRACKING THE CODE

A Much-Awaited Approach for Dramatically Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

SANTA FE, NM - In a major announcement today, Architecture 2030 released an unprecedented and much-anticipated guide for every city, county and state in the nation to swiftly meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets through existing building codes. Architecture 2030 is the non-profit research organization that issued the 2030 Challenge, the widely adopted plan for dramatically reducing GHG emissions in the Building Sector. Published in a new white paper, titled "Meeting the 2030 Challenge Through Building Codes", a single chart provides the key to deciphering various building energy codes and standards as they relate to the immediate 50% reduction target called for in the 2030 Challenge.

According to Edward Mazria, executive director of Architecture 2030, "meeting reduction targets through existing codes is the critical 'missing piece' to getting major reductions underway immediately." Michelle Wyman, executive director of the US branch of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, an international membership association of over 700 local governments, agrees. "Mayors have unanimously adopted the 2030 Challenge and have been eager to implement it. Being able to do so through existing building energy codes will allow them to move much more quickly with strong, measurable reductions in building emissions," she said.

More and more governments and professionals across the US are looking to the 2030 Challenge as an effective way to tame the excessive CO2 emissions of the Building Sector. Buildings are the major contributor to climate change, being responsible for almost half of all US energy consumption and GHG emissions. The 2030 Challenge calls for a 50% reduction in energy consumption, including fossil fuel, GHG-emitting energy, of all new buildings and major renovations by 2010, and for incrementally increasing the reduction every five years, so that all new buildings are carbon neutral by 2030.

The urgent need for a code-based approach prompted Architecture 2030 to develop 'code equivalents', which are the additional reductions needed beyond the requirements of a particular code, standard or rating system to meet or exceed the initial 50% target of the 2030 Challenge. These code equivalents can be easily incorporated into existing codes by ordinance.

Ken Colburn is Senior Consultant for the Center for Climate Strategies, a non-profit organization that has worked with more than 20 states to design, launch, and successfully manage the creation of comprehensive state climate action plans that significantly reduce GHG emissions. According to Colburn, "By comparing current building codes to the level of greenhouse gas reductions called for by the global scientific community to stem global warming, Architecture 2030 has taken a giant step toward delivering those very reductions."

R.K. Stewart, 2007 president of the American Institute of Architects, the first organization to adopt the 2030 Challenge, also expressed the importance of Architecture 2030's white paper. "Using the recommendations offered in this white paper to improve energy performance beyond current regulations and standards will enable us to act both decisively and immediately to bring energy use in the Building Sector under control."

Architecture 2030 believes that states, local governments and professional organizations are the real heroes on climate change. "They have taken the lead on addressing this crisis. We are excited to be able to provide them with such a useful and powerful tool for making the 2030 Challenge a reality in their communities," said Mazria.

The success of the 2030 Challenge is attributed to the fact that it can be implemented immediately, it spawns the creation of many new, local, permanent jobs and it is much more cost effective than other approaches, such as nuclear and coal with carbon capture and storage. Architecture 2030 released its own study, 'The 2030 Blueprint', last month, providing a side-by-side analysis of various approaches to emissions reductions, showing unequivocally that building energy efficiency via the 2030 Challenge is the clear winner.

Architecture 2030 is not the only group coming to this conclusion. According to Coburn, "In state after state, analyses by the Center for Climate Strategies, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, McKinsey & Company, and others demonstrate that steps to achieve substantial greenhouse gas reductions from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings are not only possible, they are available today and can provide significant net cost savings, more jobs, and other economic benefits where implemented."

Architecture 2030

kershner@architecture2030.org

*Architecture 2030 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate, campaign or political party.

Bush Pardons Bush: Stranger Than Fiction

David — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:39:07 EDT

Bush Pardons HIMSELF of all war crimes. The bill (which was signed into law as the Military Commissions Act of 2006) gives Bush and his staff retroactive immunity for possible war crimes that date back to September 11, 2001...go figure.

This information was issued by Charles "Chip" Roberson - Sonoma, CA. chip.roberson@mac.com CA CD1 Team Lead and Delegate for Senator Obama http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/chiproberson

For more details see:

http://belowgroundsurface.org/belowgroundsurface/framespage.htm?loc=http://belowgroundsurface.org/belowgroundsurface/Comments.aspx

Here's a link on this issue (including Jack Cafferty's comments) on the DailyKos.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/21/14169/4685/793/440595

If there is ever a time that Americans woke and up and took notice of what is happening to their government and their country, it would certainly seem now is the time. In recent history, the Democrats have done a good job of protecting our rights (e.g. Chris Dodd's filabuster of the FISA amendment and telecom immunity earlier this year) but I personally believe fear of not wanting to seem tough on terrorism is causing collateral damage to our Bill of Rights.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#25274098

Living in a free society doesn't mean we get to live in a society free of all risk. Americans seem so preoccupied with the threat of terrorism that we don't see what we're doing to ourselves. Allow me to quote Former Sec. of State Colin Powell:

"What is the greatest threat facing us now? People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing?"

http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/09/colin-powell-te.html

Sierra Club Endorses Obama

David — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:32:15 EDT

My friend Glen Besa sends this message:

Dear Friends,

As a Sierra Club staffer and a long time Obama supporter, I am excited to share with you the news that today at 10 AM in Ohio the Sierra Club will announce its endorsement of Barack Obama.

While federal election laws and spending limits significantly regulate what we can do on Obama's behalf, we'll be doing all we can to support a November victory!

This is an exciting day!

Glen

Global Warming 101

David — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:55:47 EDT

I'm borrowing this from my friend Ken Levenson over at the group "Architects for Obama" with thanks...

"While supporters of Obama appreciate his commitment to fighting climate change many may still be a bit unsure of what climate change/man-made global warming - a.k.a. anthropogenic global warming or AGW - is really all about. Like the tobacco battles disinformation is everywhere.

We have only a few years to understand the enormity of the crisis and successfully act, so that our children might avoid the worst effects in the following decades. Therefore ignorance of the subject should not be excused.

This post (slightly modified from a post I put on DailyKos a few days ago) attempts to provide a short list of resources that clearly and succinctly explain global warming. Please read what you can. Pass a link to this post on to those you suspect have questions or doubts about it - express your concerns and ask them to read too.

(The fun starts after the jump.)

GLOBAL WARMING 101 - A READING LIST:

The Basic Scientific Understanding:

Basic Fossil Fuel Facts - an indispensable condensed explanation, at the end of a letter addressed to Governor Gibbons of Nevada by Jim Hansen. (It starts on page 5, but the letter is very good too.)

Climate Code Red: The case for a sustainability emergency - a great summary of the science up to the start of this year, giving the crisis the urgency it deserves.

Understanding and Attributing Climate Change - IPCC makes the case.

Detecting and Attributing External Influences on the Climate System: A Review of Recent Advances - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Assessing key vulnerabilities and the risk from climate change - the IPCC's take on what's at stake.

The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity, Executive Summary - U.S. Dept of Agriculture

Global Warming Fact & Our Future - National Academy of Sciences covers almost every angle in a great interactive website.

Special Report: Climate Change - covers the crisis from many angles.

The Science Behind the Science and Why it can be trusted:

Scientists Explain How They Attribute Climate-Change Data - A Wall Street Journal article shows why the science can be trusted.

Models 'key to climate forecasts' - BBC's examination of our most powerful tool in understanding global warming.

Addressing Doubt:

Climate change: A guide for the perplexed - has great links covering many of the questions people naturally have when first confronted by the enormity of global warming.

Skeptical Science: Examining the science of global warming skepticism

MORE READING Best Global Warming Blogs:

Related Websites:

Climatic Research Unit

Hadley Center for Climate Prediction

Jim Hansen

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Snow and Ice Data Center

Climate Ark

NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Books:

With Speed and Violence: Why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change by Fred Pearce - The best A to Z treatment I've read.

Hell and High Water: Global Warming--the Solution and the Politics--and What We Should Do by Joseph Romm

The Discovery of Global Warming by Spencer R. Weart

Censoring Science: Inside the Political Attack on Dr. James Hansen and the Surprising Truth About Global Warming by Mark Bowen

Heat: How to Stop the Planet from Burning by George Monbiot, Matthew Prescott

The Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World's Greatest Challenge by Kristin Dow, Thomas E. Downing

The Revenge of Gaia: Earth's Climate Crisis and the Fate of Humanity by James Lovelock, Crispin Tickell

And Now Action: Okay, enough reading! Armed with the facts, go out and fight for our children's future - change our personal, political and public lives. While supporting and insuring that Obama is the single biggest thing we can do to save ourselves, a comprehensive place to start is at (my blog): Checklist Toward Zero Carbon. Download it, edit it, make it your own, and pass it on."

From the Blog at "Architects for Obama"

David — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:19:59 EDT

Obama Issues Statement on Climate Change Bill

Originally Posted By kenlevenson - Jun 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm EDT

"I wished Obama had made a statement on the Senate floor during the debate of the Lieberman-Warner climate bill. But with his statement over the weekend, I now understand why he probably chose not to speak - because like many of us, he was conflicted on the legislation.

"I'll clip it up here with some brief comments.

"First, Obama sets it in a global context:

'As this week’s debate on climate change has unfolded, the American people and those watching us around the world had every reason to hope that we would act. Every credible scientist and expert believes action is necessary. This is critical and long overdue legislation that represents a good first step in addressing one of the most serious problems facing our generation.'

"Then, states his mixed feelings:

'Like many of my Senate colleagues, I believe the legislation could have been made even better. Had there been a substantive Senate debate about some of the concerns with this bill, I believe the outcome could have generated broad support. It certainly would have received my support.'

"Then he pivots and goes for McCain's throat:

'Unfortunately, the Republican leadership in the Senate has chosen to block progress, rather than work in a good faith manner to address this challenge. This is a failure of our politics and a failure of leadership — a President who for years denied the problem, and a Republican nominee, John McCain, who claims leadership on the issue but opposes this bipartisan bill.'

"And pivots again! Why the politics matter - and he states the consequences plainly:

'We can’t afford more of the same timid politics when the future of our planet is at stake. We are already breaking records with the intensity of our storms, the number of forest fires, and the periods of drought. By 2050, famine could force more than 250 million from their homes. And if we do nothing, sea levels will rise high enough to swallow large portions of every coastal city and town.'

"After rattling off some positives of Lieberman-Warner he ups the ante:

'Let me clear, this bill is not perfect. Emissions reductions must reflect the scientific consensus, which are reductions of at least 80 percent 2050. We must ensure that more middle-class families reap more of the financial benefits created by this bill. And we must direct greater resources to the regions of the country that will bear the brunt of this critical transition to a clean energy economy.'

"Sounds to me like Obama is headed in the direction of Representative Markey's climate bill: 'Investing in Climate Action and Protection Act,' - of which dkos' own Adam Siegel did an initial run down on, here. If so, this is another right note, in a just wonderfully terrific first four days. Makes me hopeful."

Welcoming Hillary & Her Supporters

David — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:56:25 EDT

The following message was posted at "Architects for Hillary" at the Hillary Clinton campaign website and was also sent individually to members of that group. I hope you'll take a moment and reflect on ways to invite Hillary's supporters to join our ranks. Please feel free to cut and paste this message to send to any Hillary fans in your life. They may be feeling frustrated or uncommitted or simply wondering where to find like-mined friends, so this message is intended purely as a greeting and a way to welcome anyone into the fold that may share our commitment to a better designed world.

Hello,

This is a message from "Architects for Obama", a group page on the main Obama campaign social networking website (http://my.barackobama.com). We want to reach out and greet our fellow design professionals who may have been supporters of Hillary for President. You can also find us via the main campaign website at http://www.barackobama.com/index.php under the "Action" tab.

We share common goals of improved housing, sustainable construction practices, improved transportation, and many other issues. Both Hillary and Obama have frequently used building metaphors in there campaigns. Many of the issues they agree on relate directy to caring for the environment, strengthening communities and rebuilding and improving the public infrastructure. Surely we all stand ready to work together to improve the lives of our fellow Americans through design of the built environment.

We invite you to visit our group page at http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/Architectsfor.... Hopefully, you'll find a lot in common with us and with Obama. We would love to have you join our ranks and participate by posting to the group blog, sending messages, making friends or simply finding out more about what we've been doing to support Obama.

Thank you for your hard work for Hillary,
David (Administrator of Architects for Obama (http://my.barackobama.com/page/dashboard/public/gG...)

New Groups forming for Development Professionals

David — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:05:17 EDT

If any of you are development professionals - architects, urban designers, transportation experts, city planners, civil engineers - please contactc John Chamberlain on the www.barackobama.com site letting him know your background and profession. He's looking to build on the group Architects for Obama, as well as groups for the groups New Urbanists for Obama and Obama for Smart Growth and Urbanism.

Mystery Event

David — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:40:02 EDT

Fellow Architects for Obama:

Please ignore our only listed event which unfortunately does not lead to an informational link, and which, according to the Obama campaign HQ, cannot be removed! In fact, we have no events, and have had none! This seems to be a pervasive problem on barackobama.com, so much so that it has an official technical name: "Phantom Event."

Sorry for this confounding problem of etiquette and decorum (would Emily Post send regrets?); we'll keep you notified on any actual (vs. virtual) events.

New Urbanists for Obama

David — Sat, 31 May 2008 08:37:34 EDT

If your architectural interests extend to New Urbanism, Traditional Neighbothood Design, and perhaps even to Classical Architecture (and the inherent environmental benefits of these approaches) you may want to check out the group "New Urbanists for Obama."

From the Group Profile:

"The group is for those wishing to improve our built environment through good Urbanism, Sustainable Design, Zero Emissions building, the use of LEED and LEED-ND in the construction of villages, towns and cities, the promotion of mass transit, cycling, pedestrian access in developments, the inclusion of green spaces, horticulture and other civic needs within our communities, and a move away from the unsustainable cookie-cutter sprawl you see everywhere in modern America. This group will attract members of existing large-scale national Urbanist movements and many others interested in good urbanism and who support Barack Obama and his policies..."

Architect of Change

David — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:40:18 EDT

Cheers to the blog Architecture MNP (http://architecture.myninjaplease.com/?p=2982) which tracked down this clip and posted it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNOp2VaUoQ4

Sure, EVERYBODY'S an architect these days (Bill Gates?, Karl Rove?...c'mon, why don't ya? Try 6 years of school and a 3-year internship and a liscensing exam, guys!), but where Obama's invloved, we'll make a special exception. He is the Honorary Architect of Change.

That makes him the legitimate leader of our group Architects for Obama. For all of you architects out there fighting for better communities, improved infrastructure, quality housing and greener buildings, please join your fellow professionals at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ArchitectsforObama.

And if you're not an architect, but know one, please encourage them to join us. Architects are notoriously introverted (we actually like those all-nighters) so this is a simple way to get begin to get involved.

Blue Virginia: Part 3 (or A Big State Hillary Can't Win)

David — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:36:51 EDT

DEMOCRATS SEE A POSSIBLE BLUE VIRGINIA

Party leaders hope last week's elections will elevate Virginia to a battlefield state in 2008.

By Michael Sluss, The Roanoke Times

RICHMOND -- By taking control of the state Senate in Tuesday's General Assembly elections, Virginia Democrats continued a long rebuilding process that has seen them win consecutive elections for governor in 2001 and 2005 and unseat an incumbent U.S. senator in 2006.

Now, some party leaders insist those results should get the attention of national Democrats and elevate Virginia to a battleground state in next year's presidential election, even though no Democratic presidential nominee has carried the state since 1964.

But state Democrats also caution that a national candidate must appeal to middle-of-the-road voters to break that trend.

"I think that you can make a strong case that kind of moderate, centrist, get-things-done candidates fared pretty well," said Gov. Tim Kaine on Wednesday, one day after Democrats picked up four Senate seats to gain a 21-19 majority.

Republicans won 54 of 100 seats in the House of Delegates, but Democrats picked up four seats to reduce the GOP's majority.

"Virginians are slowly warming up to Democrats," said state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath County.

The gains made by Virginia Democrats are not lost on party officials at the national level, Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera said.

"This is a state that is trending toward Democrats," LaVera said. "It really does show that Virginia will be in play" in 2008.

The Virginia legislative elections added "icing on the cake" for national Democrats who already were eyeing the Old Dominion, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.

"They were already excited about Virginia because of the election in 2005 and especially [U.S. Sen.] Jim Webb's in 2006," Sabato said.

A major statewide race also will draw national attention to Virginia in 2008, as voters choose a successor to retiring U.S. Sen. John Warner, a Republican who has served five terms. Former Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat who is unrelated to the senator, already has announced his candidacy. Former Gov. Jim Gilmore has expressed interest in the Republican nomination and may announce his candidacy soon.

Warner's 2001 election as governor marked a pivot point for Virginia Democrats. The former governor, who strongly considered a presidential bid, has criticized national Democrats in the past for ignoring the South in presidential campaigns and concentrating on a limited number of states that can deliver the 270 electoral votes needed for victory.

But Gilmore questioned whether Virginia voters will buy what national Democrats are selling after more than four decades of backing Republican presidential candidates.

"They're not going to think that a continuing pattern of wanting more spending and taxing and a growth of government at the national level is the right answer," Gilmore said Friday.

Republican leaders acknowledge that Tuesday's legislative elections underscore some weaknesses for the party, particularly in the fast-growing suburbs of Northern Virginia.

"Where we had a strong, consistent message, we did well," said former Lt. Gov. John Hager, the chairman of the state Republican Party. "Where the message got diluted and we tried to be Democrat-light, we didn't do well."

Gilmore said Tuesday's legislative elections "don't point yet to a particular direction" for 2008.

"As long as Republicans address issues of regular Virginians, stand by their principles and don't shift their positions once they're in office, they're all right," said Gilmore, who was elected governor in 1997 by vowing to eliminate the personal property tax on automobiles.

GOP leaders also questioned whether any of the Democrats' top-tier presidential candidates, particularly Sen. Hillary Clinton, could have broad appeal in the state.

"The current candidates for the presidential nomination are far more liberal than Virginia," Hager said.

Top contenders in both parties have made campaign visits to Virginia, even though the state will have little impact on choosing the Democratic and Republicans nominees. More than half of the states will hold primaries and caucuses before Virginia's Feb. 12 primary, beginning with the Jan. 3 Iowa precinct caucuses.

It's too soon to tell how seriously Democrats will compete for Virginia's 13 electoral votes next year. In 2004, John Kerry and running mate John Edwards made a handful of appearances in the state. But the campaign moved its top Virginia staffers to more competitive states in early October, and President Bush ultimately won the state by 8 percentage points.

Kaine's election in 2005 and Webb's upset of incumbent Sen. George Allen last year seemed to defy the conventional wisdom that Virginia is a solid red state.

But the party's recent gains don't automatically make the state more competitive for a presidential contender, Deeds said.

"Virginia is still a right-of-center state," said Deeds, who lost the 2005 race for attorney general by a mere 360 votes. "It's still going to be tough to win here."

Sabato said a Democrat with centrist or regional appeal could put Virginia on the electoral battlefield next year. But, he said, "if it's Hillary Clinton, I don't think a major investment will be made."

Kaine, who has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in the presidential race, said Tuesday's election results suggest that candidates will succeed in Virginia by winning the race for the political center.

"The outcome speaks for pragmatism and moderation -- of either party," Kaine said.

Update: A4O turns 70

David — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:25:10 EDT

This is an update from the group Architects for Obama where we have just welcomed our 70th member!

Architects for Obama work everyday for better communities, greener buildings, social justice and quality of life. That's why we're behind Obama. We're here to support his vision to build a better future. We're ready to help him get elected and then we're ready to rebuild this country: it's infrastructure, it's educational facilities, it's neighborhoods and it's public lands. There's a lot to be done, and we feel like WE CAN DO IT!

Most architects have not felt this way since school studio days...that's the great, inspiring, energizing thing about Obama.

If you know an architect or designer that's not heard about us, please send them our way. Architects are notoriously apolitical. Invite them to get involved, at Architects for Obama they can participate by sending a message, requesting friends, posting on the blog, and...oh yeah,,,making donations. (By the way, we're a fairly giving group, I'm proud to report.)

Check us out at http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/America4Obama!

Why doesn't Hillary wear a flag lapel pin?

David — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:28:13 EDT

And why does no one in the media ask her about it?

my last hurrah in philadelphia

David — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:33:23 EDT

Friends,
Please read this phenomenal, inspiring blog post from a young member over at the group Architects for Obama.
It's determined, passionate people like this, who are willing to go out and fight for Obama while at the same time facing life's unfair struggles, that have humbled me time and time again in this campaign!
I'm proud to count Dominic among my new "Obamacan Friends," although I've never met him and may never will...
"Yesterday I went out and voted for Sen. Obama, with my good friend chris here down from Connecticut. It is kinda bittersweet for me because even despite his loss to Hillary, I felt very good about myself for the first time in a long time. I say this cause I am a recent college graduate who lost his job here in Philadelphia back in January.

While vigoriously searching for another entry level architecture position, it seems like the only thing that has really gave me comfort were Barack's speeches. A few weeks ago I even went out and cleaned a park in a visibility effort and it was great. I did not do as much volunteering as the countless others since I really needed to find a job in my field. It has been three months and everything has fell through here. I have had four interviews and gone nowhere because of my lack of experience. Those who do not believe we are in a recession better wake up fast. Between the competition and the number of people looking for jobs in this city, I never really had a chance.
My vote for Barack Obama is my last giant triumph in Philly as I will be moving back home to West Haven, Ct in a few weeks after nearly five years living in the city of brotherly love. I am very saddened and disappointed by this, but I think it is the best thing to do. I did not stay here to have a regular job; I stayed to work in an interesting architecture firm in a city full of many. I can get a regular job back home if I have to, but I will continue my search there.
What I leave here is a great city with great people and great food. People who came from out of state and from London and Japan to volunteer for Barack (as I saw last night at a watching party I went to in Chinatown). I'm also going to leave the architecture and the life that is soo vivrant in this historical place. My friends who will graduate from Temple's Architecture Program next month will also be greatly missed. They will have to head out into the real world and face the same struggles as myself and many other young adults are facing now. The one thing I can take from all of this is that sometimes hope is all we have in times of despair. If we believe and have faith in what we want in life, it will happen. You can just ask me - I was told by a studio professor in my sophomore year to leave architecture, but I am still here fighting for what I want to do with my life. So, don't let anyone deter your dreams either. I thank Philly for all the great memories I have had here over the past five years. Yes we can, Yes we can!!'
-Dominic Cacioppo

Architecture 2030 Part 2

David — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:51:35 EDT

A new study, the '2030 Blueprint' finds that solving climate change with building energy efficiency in place of coal or nuclear power will save billions of dollars and energize our country's economy. Following is a press release. The complete study can be downloaded at www.architecture2030.org.

SOLVING CLIMATE CHANGE SAVES BILLIONS

The 2030 Blueprint Study

SANTA FE, NM - Amidst increasingly dire news about the economy and climate change, Architecture 2030 released a seminal study at the Eileen Rockefeller Growald Symposium on Collaborative Philanthropy today, showing how a small investment of only $21.6 billion in the Building Sector would produce 216,000 permanent jobs and save 86.7 Million Metric Tons (MMT) of CO2 in a single year. This same amount invested each year for five years would net over one million permanent jobs and save 433.5 MMT.

According to Edward Mazria, founder of Architecture 2030, "Although difficult, the economic and global warming crises are the motivation we need as a nation to retool our thinking. If we're smart enough to jump on this opportunity, we will not only solve global warming, we will set the US up for unprecedented economic success."

The study is a comparative analysis of three approaches to addressing climate change: building energy efficiency, 'clean' coal (coal with carbon capture and sequestration) and nuclear power.

According to the study, "The economic feasibility of any proposed actions regarding climate change is a particularly important consideration in this time of looming recession. Therefore, the study is an investigation not only of the most effective actions that can be taken in addressing climate change, but also of the implications of these actions on the US economy."

The study concludes that, of the energy and climate change solutions proposed today, the one that costs the least and offers the greatest benefits to both the planet and the economy, is energy efficiency in buildings.

Buildings are responsible for almost half (48%) of all energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the US annually. With an investment of just $21.6 billion, building energy efficiency would replace 22.3 conventional coal-fired power plants, reduce CO2 emissions by 86.7 MMT, save 204 billion cu. ft. of natural gas and 10.7 million barrels of oil, save consumers $8.46 billion in energy bills and create 216,000 new jobs. As Mazria explained, because building is a local activity (construction jobs cannot be outsourced), the money invested in the Building Sector cycles through local economies several times, bolstering the entire US economy.

Neither 'clean' coal plants (with carbon capture and sequestration) nor nuclear plants can compete with the clean energy, cheap price, widespread economic benefits and job creation of building energy efficiency. Investing the same money in either 'clean' coal plants or nuclear plants costs significantly more (rather than saving consumers money), replaces far fewer conventional coal plants, reduces CO2 by far less and would create no new jobs, since the jobs at these new plants would be replacing existing conventional coal plant jobs.

To bring the energy use of the Building Sector under control, Architecture 2030 issued the 2030 Challenge in January 2006. The 2030 Challenge calls for all new buildings and major renovations to reduce their fossil fuel GHG-emitting energy consumption by 50% by 2010, and incrementally increasing the reductions every five years so that all new buildings are 'carbon neutral' by 2030. According to the study, by addressing several key factors, the 2030 Challenge offers a comprehensive, effective approach to the Building Sector's role in the climate change crisis. The Challenge calls for the necessary reductions required to avert dangerous climate change, is achievable within the timeline set by scientists, centers on building energy efficiency and renewable energy as the preferred means to achieve the reductions called for, and is already widely adopted.

Based on this information, and the momentum of the 2030 Challenge, Architecture 2030 has developed the '2030 Blueprint', a roadmap for turning the global warming and economic crises into an historic opportunity. The 2030 Blueprint calls for the US to i) implement an immediate moratorium on the construction of any new conventional coal plants, and the gradual phasing out of all existing conventional coal plants by 2030 to place an immediate cap on coal plant emissions while allowing time to retrain coal workers for new jobs, ii) require that all developments using federal funds meet the 2030 Challenge targets to create additional models of building energy efficiency for the marketplace, iii) upgrade the National Energy Conservation Code Standard to the 2030 Challenge targets for residential and commercial buildings to immediately stabilize and begin reducing energy demand in the Building Sector and iv) invest $21.6 billion each year for five years in building energy efficiency measures through existing federal programs (i.e. New Markets Tax Credits; Low Income Housing Tax Credits; a five-year extension and increased funding for efficiency in the Energy Policy Act) and new energy efficiency incentives, tax credits and programs to stimulate building construction, reduce annual Building Sector energy consumption by 5 QBtu, reduce annual U.S. CO2 emissions by 433.5 MMT, save consumers $128 billion (which more than covers the cost of this solution) and create more than one million permanent new jobs and v) fund and implement a joint labor-management job training program for displaced coal industry jobs based on successful models developed over the past two decades in the tire/rubber, steel, automobile and communications industries.

The study concludes that there is a clear, simple, realistic and achievable solution to addressing climate change with significant economic benefits: building energy efficiency.

*****

Contact Info: Kristina Kershner, Director, Architecture 2030

Kershner@architecture2030.org

www.architecture2030.org

Please note:

*Architecture 2030 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not endorse, support or oppose any candidate, campaign or party.

More than ever...and then some

David — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:28:42 EDT

The last few weeks have been grueling. But Barack, in his amazing way, has handled himself with dignity and intelligence. At one point, he even pointed out that this has been a good thing for the campaign! Amazing. And yet, that seems true: we need to talk about America’s problems, not head into our separate corners; we need to be honest and take the opportunity to learn about each other; we need to keep this campaign fresh and new and interesting…and boy has it been interesting!

I don’t know about you, but I am more committed than ever. I have learned so much this past week about my own feelings about race, religion, family, my fellow Americans, and Barack. No other candidate stands as great a chance of taking this nation into new and hopeful ground for reconciliation and personal advancement for everyone.

Now I can’t wait for the future! No matter what it means.

Architects for Obama turns 60!

David — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:25:28 EDT

Today, we welcomed the 60th member to the Architects for Obama Group!

If you haven’t visited or been by in while, come check it out, leave a post, or send a group e-mail. Better yet, invite a friend who may be an architect or designer to join us. And if you can, make a contribution through the fundraising page on our group page and make sure we’re counted!

Letter from the Future & BYOBlue

David — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:43:49 EDT

I wanted to share a note from a fellow Obama supporter working with the group Architecture 2030 to combat Global Warming. It's something we all can do.

Hello David,

I want to thank you for bringing attention to the 2030 Challenge at Senator Obama's site last December. Architecture 2030 continues to address Global Warming not only on the demand side (with the 2030 Challenge) but also on the supply side by calling for a moratorium on coal. Towards the latter, we have just unveiled a new initiative that I want to bring to your attention: BYOBlue.

Architecture 2030 is rallying the nation to participate in the BYOBlue campaign by calling on everyone to wear BLUE during Earth Day 2008 to signify a vote for NO COAL.

BYOBlue is a nationwide collaborative between Architecture 2030, Earth Day Network and numerous other groups calling for an immediate moratorium on the construction of any new coal plants. In 2007, Fifty-nine coal plants were canceled - over a third of the 151 planned. That was before millions of people joined together to say No Coal by participating in BYOBlue.

Please, help us to get the word out about this historic event. Earth Day 2008 takes place April 19-22. A complete description of BYOBlue with additional ideas and information is below. More details can be found at www.byoblue.org and in Ed Mazria's article posted at Grist (http://gristmill.grist.org/...).

Thank you very much for your consideration - and for your continued attention to Architecture 2030 projects and initiatives. If you have any questions at all, or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Best regards, Peter

Peter Chapman, Marketing Coordinator, 2030, Inc. / Architecture 2030, 505-988-5309 x17

chapman@architecture2030.org

BYOBlue / Earth Day 2008, April 19-22

Want to stop global warming? Wear BLUE for Earth Day 2008!

Join millions of people around the world who will be wearing BLUE to signify their vote for NO COAL.

•••••

Earth Day 2008 is going to be historic! Architecture 2030, along with numerous other groups around the nation, is calling on everyone to wear BLUE during Earth Day 2008 to signify their vote for No Coal. Events will be happening around the world from April 19th through April 22nd, so…

If you're attending the Earth Day event on the National Mall in Washington, DC on April 20th, wear BLUE.

If you're attending another Earth Day event, wear BLUE. No matter what you're doing for Earth Day 2008, wear BLUE. A BLUE shirt, top, sweater or jacket…whatever. Just wear BLUE.

Then, on April 22, as a culminating action, pick up the phone, call Congress at 202-224-3121 and ask for an immediate 'Moratorium on Coal' - a halt to the construction of any new coal-fired power plants. Through this Call for Climate event, Earth Day hopes to generate over a million phone calls to Congress. Visit Earth Day's website to learn more about this critical event.

Your BLUE vote will count. Fifty-nine coal plants were canceled in 2007. That's over a third of the 151 planned. That happened before millions of people joined together to say No Coal.

BYOBlue for Earth Day 2008. Be the vote that tips the balance.

Architects for Obama Building

David — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:48:24 EST

This week, the group Architects for Obama welcomed our 50th member, an awesome milestone for us.

Go to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ArchitectsforObama/circle_list.php

We're working hard (and making donations!) to do our part to keep this campaign moving forward and growing.

We know there are more designers out there. Join us (or tell your architect friends to join us). We have a voice and we're making a difference!

Public Architecture

David — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 18:27:50 EST

This post is all about Public Architecture. Specifically, the non-profit group of the same name at http://www.publicarchitecture.org/.

The way architect and founder John Peterson puts it, "ten years into my practice, I found myself in a position in which many architecture firm principals do: yearning to provide a more balanced experience for myself and my staff, beyond our largely high-end residential projects and clientele. I wanted to address issues that would have an impact on a larger segment of our community."

Sound familiar? If you're an architect, and want to use your talent for good, now you can. Just get involved via this organization, and it's sister organization THE1% (http://www.theonepercent.org/) or at the annual confab they co-sponsor Structures for Incusion in San Francisco (http://www.publicarchitecture.org/outreach/conference.htm). THE1%, especially, is a unique tool that is a sort of eHarmony matching up architects who commit to dedicating 1% of the hours to non-profits that have a compatible need. The results are astounding and prove in real life examples that there is a link between social justice and design.

Architects for Obama is a growing group at my.barackobama.com/page/group/ArchitectsforObama whose membership focuses on advancing issues in Obama's campaign regarding sustainability, community design, transportation infrastructure and great architecture. This is a blog post from Architects for Obama where we share good works and ideas as a means to generate support for Obama. Join us!

Blue Virginia (Part 3)

David — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:18:01 EST

Can there be any question that Virginia is no longer a Red State, not even Purple, but officially, died in the wool Blue?

Take a look at the New York Times' excellent graphic summarizing the results of last week's Virginia Primary (http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/states/VA.html).

FIRST, the Democrats turned out in a nearly 2:1 ratio to the Republicans. This, in a Red State? Granted, this is just a primary, but the ennui exhibited by the GOP is telling, and countered by the extreme enthusiasm on the Democratic front, one can only assume that Virginia is turning Blue.

SECOND, Barack Obama recieved 623,000 votes to McCain's 244,000 votes. The interesting thing here is that Obama recieved 64% of the Democratic vote, while McCain recieved just 50%. As my father used to say, the key ito success is in "compounding." Obama has an enthusiastic electorate, enthusiatically ready to elect him. McCain has a luke warm electorate, modestly behind him. Again, we're going Blue.

THIRD, and this is the facscinating part, if you check out the "Margin of Victory" maps, Barack beat McCain mostly in the same counties (the eastern and the northern part of the state), while Clinton and Huckabee duked it out in the sparsely populated counties (the Southern and Western corners of the state). The more dense urban areas and counties, where the population has shifted scince the last presidential election, are determining the outcome and they have become Blue.

Beautiful Blue, Blue, Blue Virginia!

Architecture for Humanity

David — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:25:53 EST

Architects for Obama is a group (at http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ArchitectsforObama) that's committed to helping realize Obama' vision of stronger communities, improved infrastructure, healthier buidings and great public design.

On our blog we share opportunities to advance these ideals in our daily lives. One great example is Architecture for Humanity. (http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/)

From thir website: "One billion people live in abject poverty. Four billion live in fragile but growing economies. One in seven people live in slum settlements. By 2020 it will be one in three. We don't need to choose between architecture or revolution. What we need is an architectural revolution."

"Architecture for Humanity is building a more sustainable future by bringing design services to communities in need. We believe that where resources and expertise are scarce, innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can improve lives."

They provide a range of services to community groups, NGO's and others seeking architecture and design services. In addition they provide support to designers seeking to provide pro bono services to community groups through our design fellowship program and fiscal sponsorship.

Architecture for Humanity offers volunteer opportunities and design fellowships for architects and designers. Opportunities range from short-term volunteer stints to long term paid commitments.

Check out Achitects for Obama and get involved. Better yet, also get those architect out there to get involved!

Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility

David — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:29:38 EST

This is a blog post from the group Architects for Obama. We're ready to build the future with Obama. This blog focusses on way that architects can get involved and make a difference.

A great example is Architects/Designers/Planners for Social Responsibility (see: http://www.adpsr.org/). This group is fighting for change in many amazing ways.

For instance there's the New Village Press, "a national publishing project of ADPSR...that addresses topics such as youth justice, community gardens, and community-based arts, spanning the fields of social justice, architecture and planning, economic development, ecology, and urban culture. The Press crosses boundaries between academic and informal education with books that engage both professionals and community activists working together to rebuild neighborhoods. Most significantly, its publications go beyond abstract policy and present the human story, the motivations that stir the soul to make a certain part of the world a better place to live." Check it out at http://www.newvillagepress.net/index.php.

Or there's their Katrina Task Force based on the premise that "the idea that poor people could be permanently displaced from their communities and not given a voice in its rebuilding, especially in New Orleans, in the name of 'reconstruction' is unacceptable to responsible architects, designers, and planners." You can learn more and get engaged at http://www.adpsr.org/

It's a little known fact that when Obama was asked what his choice of careers would be if he had not been a lawyer was to be an architect. It's easy to see why with so much alignment between his goals and ours. Tell your architects friends to join us on www.barackobama.com and sign up for the group Architects for Obama.

Diggin' with the Architect

David — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:26:22 EST

This is a post from the blog from the group Architects for Obama where we're supporting Obama at the intersection of strong communities, a healthy environment, better public infrastructure and plain old good design.

Seems like we are not alone. Check out: http://diggin88nine.wordpress.com/category/architecture/

Tarik Moody, a graduate of Howard University's School of Architecture in Washington, DC, maintains this design-centric blog with lots of great visuals and a clear-headed vision. Post-of the-moment has got to be his got "Obey Obama!" poster, probably the finest graphic icon produced by anyone furing this campaign season (for any candidate). See it at http://diggin88nine.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/obey-obama/

Elsewhere the site tackles socially-conscience architectural issues like Mr. Pitts "Make It Right" effort, the green movement, and of course, politics.

The group Architects for Obama is growing again! If you or someone you know is engaged in a profession involving the built envornment, Architects for Obama is a great place to get engaged and support our candidate!

Congress for the New Urbanism

David — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:41:50 EST

This is a post from the group "Architects for Obama," which promotes architecture and community building as tools in the effort to elect Obama. The architecture and design professions overlap many of Obama's policies including environmental sustainabily, affordable housing, urban redevelopment, and supporting strong neighborhoods.

The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) is a group that is an excellent example of how architecture can help Obama achieve his campaign's goals.

(For those of you who may still think New Urbanism is retrograde, or somehow invalid, check out this recent Time Magazine article http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1696857,00.html about how New Urbanism addresses the problems of global warming and public health, amoung other things. After all, our built environment accounts for the majority of the polutants effecting the climate. And that has as much to do with where we build and how we get places as it does with what we build.)

From www.cnu.org: CNU is the leading organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to sprawl. CNU takes a proactive, multi-disciplinary approach to restoring our communities. Members are the life of the organization – they are the planners, developers, architects, engineers, public officials, investors, and community activists who create and influence our built environment, transforming growth patterns from the inside out. Whether it's bringing restorative plans to hurricane-battered communities in the Gulf Coast, turning dying malls into vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods, or reconnecting isolated public housing projects to the surrounding fabric, new urbanists are providing leadership in community building.How Urbanism Slows Global Warming

This is not about building Disneyland or fake communities, this is a real way to solve problems that we all care about in troubled urban zones and poor rural areas. Help us support Obama. If you are a designer or an architect, join Architects for Obama. Or if you know someone who is, this is an excellent way to get them involved. Thanks!

Blue Virginia Part 2

David — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:25:13 EST

Virginia will be 2008's Florida and Ohio combined. But where is the campaign?

Last night, at Richmond's New Year's gathering in Carytown, with surely 25,000 people, there were 4 hardy souls holding Obama signs and handing out fliers. Fortunately, the response was overwhelmingly positive. (On the other hand the only other group I saw was bullhorning for Ron Paul).

Over a year ago Virginia Governor Tim Kaine endorsed Obama. Obama filed first in Virginia with Tim Kaine at his side. We've elected two democratic governors in a row. We elected Jim Webb to the Senate. We will have a state campaign of national prominence this year.

Yes, all eyes are on Iowa today and tomorrow, and we're proud of the man, but we better get going down here in Virginia.

We can go Blue, Virgnia.

Architecture 2030

David — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 09:40:01 EST

This blog is from the group "Architects for Obama" that explores the link between policy and the built environment.

One of the most critical connections between our buildings and ourselves is global warming. Architecture 2030 is an organization focusing the attention of the design community on the responsibility to act now. This resonates with Obamas message.

From their website: "Buildings are the major source of demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG). Slowing the growth rate of GHG emissions and then reversing it over the next ten years is the key to keeping global warming under one degree centigrade (°C) above today's level. It will require immediate action and a concerted global effort."

To accomplish this, Architecture 2030 has issued something they call "The 2030 Challenge."

Check it out at: http://www.architecture2030.org/home.html

The group Architects for Obama was formed to help rally American Architects to support Obama and highlight our ability to help him get elected through issues related to the built environment.

Blue Virginia Part 1

David — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:20:42 EST

As a New Yorker transplanted to Virginia over 15 years ago now, I have mostly had to grit my teeth and grin and bear the republican red state of affairs. But it now seems clear that the tide is turning, if it hasn't already in the Old Dominion and we may now be firmly in the swing state catagory if not, in fact, turning completely blue.

Case(s) in point: Virginia has had two Democratic governors in a row: Tim Kaine (my neighbor!) and Mark Warner. Together they have taken a financial mess and landed us on the best run states list. Then there is Jim Webb who has become a go-to guy for the media and put us in a national spotlight.

All of this is probably best explained by the phenomenal growth in Northern Virginia where well eduacted prefessionals and techies have joined with immigrants to create a booming - and liberal - economy.

So the next question is which of these three will be Obama's VP pick? In this regard, Virginia has one other plus, we're in the south and the traditional role of the VP is to cover a geographic area that the presidential candidate can't claim.

At any rate, we certainly hope to see more of the candidates down here in 2008 that we did in 2004 when we felt helpless.

- Just an observation from a Yankee on Confederate Avenue.

Design Corps

David — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:15:32 EST

This blog is from the "Architects for Obama" group. The goal of this group is to explore the link between policy and the built environment and how it can be a tool for Obama in his vision to rebuild the nation.

The non-profit Design Corps is an awesome example of this. Check them out at www.designcorps.org.

One remarkable undertaking is their Self-Help Housing project in Marion, Alabama. Here, the local county’s percentage of people living in “extremely overcrowded” conditions is three times that of the state average. Numbers for households lacking complete plumbing and kitchen facilities and phone service are, more often than not, at least three times higher than the state average. The built solution has been to start a federal housing program called "Self-help Housing," which is just as it sounds; families helping each other build their own housing. In this case, they have the opportunity to sit down across from a Design Corps Fellow and individually design their house for economy, efficiency and suited to their family situation.

Another example is their Farmworker Housing Services, which develops housing for low-wage workers providing professional design services where they could not otherwise be afforded. These units will are constructed with input from both the farmer and their workers, in order to receive federal funding for 50% to 100% percent of the construction costs.

And then there is their Job Training Center in Marion, Alabama. Thus far, this project has been awarded two significant grants to help construct the new Center. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded a $40,000 grant and The Rural Housing & Economic Development (RHED) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $400,000 to help build this facility. Twelve partners in the project have committed $220,000/year for the day-to-day operation of the center. And a self-help housing program is under funding steps to be housed in the job training side to train families while they build their own homes.

The “Architects for Obama” blog is also meant as a way to use our voices to encourage Obama to target his leadership toward the architectural design community, which stands ready to build a new future. Check it out and join the discussion. There’s lots to build.

Bruner Foundation

David — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:21:34 EST

This is the inaugural blog for the "Architects for Obama" group. One of the goals of this blog is to explore the link between policy and the built environment. This is also meant as a way to use our voices to encourage Obama to target his leadership toward the architectural design community, which stands ready to build a new future. Several high profile (and iminently worthy) organizations tend to receive most of the media attention, but there is a world of archtects and designers making a difference everyday. in this blog we'll try to uncover the unsung heroes and meaningful stories out there.

The Bruner Foundation, is an excellent example of the opportunities to harness change through American creativity. From their website: "The Bruner Foundation was established in New York in 1963 by Rudy Bruner. As an immigrant to New York from Europe, Mr. Bruner built a successful metals company that grew from a small operation in a Brooklyn basement to a multi-million dollar public corporation. Throughout his life, Rudy Bruner was known for his great compassion for people, particularly those less fortunate than himself. Together with his wife Martha, he established the Bruner Foundation to create opportunity for others, and to instigate meaningful social change." Lately this growing organization has become increasingly focused on architecture, planning and urban design as it relates to the lives of citizens. For instance, in Portland, their Bruner Loeb Forum hosted a meeting of policy makers and community activists to discuss Oregon's landmark Senate Bill 100 Its Past, Present and Future. Experts from across the country discussed the regional growth controls in a national and statewide context. That measure, a product of shrewd political deal making between industry and farm interests, created a statewide planning system that has shaped the state's landscape and helped to define its values ever since. But now it is newly under siege.

Another example is The Bruner/Loeb Forum which was forged from a partnership between its own awards program, the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA), and Harvard's Loeb Fellowship Program, for mid-career design professionals. These are two of the preeminent national programs dedicated to the urban built environment. The goal of the Bruner Loeb Forum is to advance the thinking on a wide variety of challenges facing our cities, and to make the learning and creative thinking inherent in RBA winners and in the work of Loeb fellows available to practitioners and policy makers across the country.

Working together we can make meaningful change, both large and small, everyday. Clearly we stand ready to be called upon by Barack Obama.

That's just a couple of their many initiatives. Learn more at http://www.brunerfoundation.org/