July 2008 
Dear Friends of Public Architecture:
We have been unusually fortunate to have some truly remarkable people work here at Public Architecture. Many of them are here now, while others are off pursuing equally interesting endeavors. One of our current remarkables is about to make that transition. Evelyn Lee, Program Manager for The 1%, is leaving for UCLA to pursue an MBA.
Evelyn - like a growing number of architects - is drawn to a career that, while being tangential to a traditional architectural path, is outside the frame of conventional practice. She views her architectural education and experience as an aspect of a larger collection of skills and interests that allow her to create her own unique career calling.
Fifteen years ago, when I was Evelyn’s age, the idea of a career other than that of an “Architect” would have been unthinkable. I thought that any pursuit, even slightly off the narrow path of the classic architect’s role, would surely lead to me to something lesser. I know now that such a limited view of what an architect is, or who an architect can be, has hamstrung our profession. Evelyn - and others like her - will ultimately make architecture a better profession and improve the built environment through influence from places other than behind the drafting table.
We know that Evelyn will succeed at whatever she chooses. However, she will be greatly missed here at Public Architecture.
John Peterson
Founder & Chair
Contents:
1. The 1% Program Continues to Build Resources with the Help of Pro Bono Case Studies
2. Brainwash Plaza Receives a "Best of the Bay" Award
3. Public Architecture in Search of New Program Manager for The 1%
4. Upcoming Presentations and Participation
5. 10 Ways You Can Contribute to Public Architecture
1. The 1% Program Continues to Build Resources with the Help of Pro Bono Case Studies
 In an ongoing effort to support the work done by The 1% participant firms and nonprofits, the staff and friends of Public Architecture have been working hard to bring together resources that will soon be available online at The 1% Website, www.theonepercent.org. We're currently in the middle of reassessing the automated matching process thanks to the responses from both the firm and nonprofit surveys and all the helpful feedback we've received from the program participants. We've culled through the responses and will be making updates to the system to ensure that the process is easier to use, provides additional feedback to staff, and results in more successfully paired firms and nonprofits. In addition, keep on the lookout for the following updates to be rolled out this month: a FAQ section for both Firms and Nonprofits, Updated Case Studies from both a Firm and Nonprofit, and Legal Resources for participating 1% firms (you will have to log into your "My 1%" to access) with additional resources for nonprofits to be available soon.
In order to highlight the exemplary work of our 1% participating firms and learn from previous pro bono projects, we need your help in creating a case study database that covers the ins and outs of successful pro bono projects. Featured case studies will be displayed on the website and may even be included in the online slide library for upcoming presentations. Here's your opportunity to tell a compelling story about the pro bono projects you have been a part of, and help us continue to promote your achievements in pro bono design. If you are interested in sharing information about your project, please complete our Case Study Questionnaire and return it to info@theonepercent.org with “Case Study” in the subject line. A member of The 1% Program staff will contact you shortly.
Click here to access the Case Study Questionnaire for Architecture and Design firms.
Click here to access the Case Study Questionnaire for Non-Profit Organizations.
2. Brainwash Plaza Receives a "Best of the Bay" Award
 Last week, Public Architecture received another recognition for its design campaigns when "Brainwash Plaza," the first Sidewalk Plaza planned for construction, received a “Best of the Bay” Award from San Francisco Magazine. Brainwash Plaza, which will be constructed by the end of 2008 or early 2009, will extend the sidewalk in front of the Brainwash Café and Laundromat on Folsom (located in San Francisco’s South of Market Area) into an active public space. As an offspring of the initial project idea that helped inspire the formation of Public Architecture, Sidewalk Plazas are a significant tool in leveraging design to serve the public good. In this case, it is through the creation of quality neighborhood-supporting open space.
In light of the recent honor, it seems worthwhile to revisit the issues that drive the Sidewalk Plazas Design Campaign.
Approximately 30% of land in American cities is devoted to the street
(Jacobs, Great Streets, 1993). Yet, excessively wide streets, largely devoted to the private vehicle, eat away at the available open space where city life flourishes. As urban areas such as San Francisco’s South of Market Area increase in density, and with the recent urgency toward matters of sustainability, it is important to ask “Why is open public space important?”
Environmental: Open space has long been perceived as having environmental benefits. The presence of trees and green spaces in a city has great potential, including combating global warming and preservation of groundwater quality. One tree provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control and recycles $37,500 worth of water over the course of a 50-year lifetime (The Trust for Public Land).
Economical: Though sometimes neglected in the discussions around open space, numerous studies show that parks and open spaces increase the value of neighboring commercial and residential property. Yet, two-thirds of the residents of America’s largest cities do not have access to a nearby park, playground, or open space (The Trust for Public Land). Increasing the quality of public space along city streets will improve the leisure environment for residents and employees, and has the potential to stimulate local businesses through increased pedestrian traffic.
Social: Sidewalks can be a city’s primary social space. But in downtown San Francisco, more than 70% of the outdoor space is dedicated to the private vehicle (Rebar). Open public space creates opportunities for interaction between neighbors, recreation spaces for children, and expressions of neighborhood character. Amenities such as trees, green space, art installations, and places to sit increase the desirability of spending time in public space and help foster community spirit.
Open space can come in many forms, but the existing network of streets provides a tremendous opportunity to distribute open space and its benefits across an entire city. Brainwash Plaza is about more than sleek design or spacious outdoor seating; it resonates as a willingness to invest in the diversity and future health of a community through the enhancement of truly public space.
As we move towards construction of this project, stay tuned for project updates. We will also bring to you in coming months, examples of other efforts to provide innovative and responsive open space solutions.
3. Public Architecture in Search of New Program Manager for The 1%
 Change and growth is always exciting for Public Architecture and our small, but highly capable and optimistic staff. It was around this time last year that we welcomed that arrival of Public Architecture's first program manager, Evelyn Lee, to our staff of two. In that time she has served as steward for The 1% Program during a period of tremendous and exciting growth. With a little over a year of service to Public Architecture, we are sad to see her go but wish her well as she pursues an MBA at the UCLA Anderson School of Business in Southern California starting this fall.
Public Architecture is now in search of a new Program Manager for The 1%. The Program Manager oversees all aspects of Public Architecture’s pro bono design campaign, including architecture firm and nonprofit recruitment, project scoping and matching, as well as development of related resources.
The ideal candidate is a designer by training with a minimum of two years experience in project management. He or she can unite diverse stakeholders through strategic partnerships and extend the impact of The 1%. It is important that the candidate also be able to listen well, articulate ideas in clear and compelling ways, and is knowledgeable in basic HTML and database management.
We are committed to increasing the quantity and quality of architecture in the public realm, and are looking for someone passionate about doing the same.
Click here for the full description and application instructions for this position.
4. Upcoming Presentations and Participation
AIA Chicago YAF Speaker Series | Chicago, IL | July 9, 2008
Invited speaker
AIA Illinois Leadership Institute | Chicago, IL | July 10, 2008
Invited speaker
DFC Summit on Sustainable Design | Vancouver, BC | September 22-24, 2008
Moderator and Emerging Leaders Delegation Chair
Design Economies | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | September 25, 2008
Invited speaker
 5. 10 Ways You Can Contribute to Public Architecture
Click here for 10 ways to contribute to our work.
Established in 2002, Public Architecture identifies and solves practical problems of human interaction in the built environment and acts as a catalyst for public discourse through education, advocacy, and the design of public spaces and amenities. Visit www.publicarchitecture.org for more information.
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