Dear Friends of Public Architecture:
This past month we saw growing exposure and support for design firms committed to providing pro bono service. The AIA announced the new contract document B106 - 2010, the first ever contract for pro bono services. Public Architecture was happy to be a part of that document's development. On-the-ground support is critical to the success of the movement and you will be seeing more from Public Architecture in the near future. We hope that this new contract is evidence of the AIA's interest in further support for pro bono projects as well.
This month also brought increased press surrounding firm participants in The 1%. The June issue of Architectural Record features Peter Bohlin, 2010 AIA Gold Medalist. The San Francisco branch of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson recently joined The 1% and are working towards articulating their firm's approach to pro bono work.
The 1% was well represented in Architect magazine's Architect 50, which ranks American architecture firms based on profitability, sustainability and awards won. Three of the top ten firms of 2010, Perkins+Will, HOK, and Gensler, are firm participants in the program. Perkins+Will was profiled as the greenest firm in the country for the second year running. We would like to congratulate all 1% firm participants featured in the article, including Tate Synder Kimsey Architects, CO Architects, HKS, Mark Cavagnero Associates, OWP/P | Cannon Design, EHDD Architecture and STUDIOS Architecture.
John Peterson, AIA
Founder & President
Contents:
1. The 1% Welcomes 24 Firms and 9 Nonprofits in May
2. Open Space: Valencia Streetscape Improvements Project
3. Volunteer Spotlight: Frances Kwong
4. Partner Spotlight: Teknion
5. Call for Volunteers
6. Upcoming Public Architecture Presentations
1. The 1% Welcomes 24 Firms and 9 Nonprofits in May
 This May, The 1% welcomed a healthy 24 new firms and 9 new nonprofits, bringing program participation to 790 firms and 379 nonprofits. Click here for a complete list of new participants.
As the The 1% continues to grow, so does the diversity of professional services and service requests represented in program. Alongside architecture, increasingly allied services such as landscape architecture and interior design are in demand. One firm answering the call is Marpillero Pollak Architects (MPA) based in New York City. Practicing architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design, the firm integrates social, environmental, and cultural aspects of a project to find innovative and technically responsible design solutions.
 From 2006-2008, MPA collaborated with the Horticultural Society of New York (HSNY) GreenBranches Program to create learning gardens at three branch libraries: one for Queens Library in Whitestone Queens; and two for the Brooklyn Public Library. Each garden dramatically transforms underutilized outdoor space into engaging, multifunctional program spaces. Use of salvaged materials and donated plants helped keep costs within the $25,000 budget. The projects employed members of HSNY's GreenTeam, a transitional work program for recently released inmates that provides vocational training.
Visit www.theonepercent.org for more information.
2. Open Space: Valencia Streetscape Improvements Project
 This month, the San Francisco Department of Public Works (DPW) will complete the Valencia Streetscape Improvements Project after nine months of construction. The project is one of ten initiatives undertaken by DPW as part of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s Great Streets Program, which was established in 2005 to demonstrate the positive impact well-designed neighborhood streets can have on civic life, safety, environmental issues, and traffic.
 By eliminating a central median on Valencia, DPW was able to relocate car lanes and widen sidewalks by six to nine feet. Other improvements include new trees as well as amenities like pedestrian-scale lighting, kiosks, and sidewalk bulb-outs which will likely become "bicycle oases," with bike racks. The improvements were implemented along a vibrant stretch of Valencia between 15th and 19th Streets, which is home to restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Public Architecture applauds the City for reimagining the role and potential of San Francisco's streets. We are extremely excited to see this and other improvements taking shape.
3. Volunteer Spotlight: Frances Kwong
 Since Frances Kwong began volunteering for Public Architecture in February 2010, she has proved herself capable of taking on any number of tasks, all while working remotely from Denver. Focusing primarily on development, Frances has assisted Public in researching foundations, consolidating our contact database and taking on various odd jobs, like hunting down photos of the Atlanta Beltway for "The Power of Pro Bono" book. Sharp and responsive, Francis has assisted us greatly.
Frances graduated with a BA in Architecture in May 2009 from UC Berkeley. Since September, she has been working as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. She builds houses and leads volunteers on the construction site, keeping them safe, productive and happy. While in Denver, she has also been working with a local community garden and with Denver Urban Gardens as a Master Community Gardener. Her AmeriCorps term is up in July, upon which time she will be looking for new ventures with architecture firms.
4. Partner Spotlight: Teknion
 We would like to take the opportunity to thank our partners at Teknion. Teknion is a leading international designer, manufacturer, and marketer of mid to high-end office systems and a key advocate for Public Architecture and The 1% program in the corporate world. Just this Monday, Teknion presented us with a generous contribution at an event for NeoCon 2010, the commercial interiors convention taking place this year in Chicago. They have been instrumental in helping us engage design professionals in the pro bono design movement through in-kind donations and program support.
Teknion has supported our organization in a number of ways. Most recently, Teknion has sponsored a series of Public Architecture lectures across the country, greatly increasing our outreach efforts. Teknion also supports our operations through a generous year-end contribution. Maxine Mann, President of Teknion's U.S. operations, and Mary Ellen Magee, Teknion Director, Marketing and Communications, have been impassioned allies and we thank them and the entire Teknion team sincerely for all their support.
5. Call for Volunteers: Check out the Website for Upcoming Opportunities
In the coming weeks, we are going to announce a number of new volunteer positions, relating to filmmaking, social media, and new developments within The 1%. Please stay tuned to the website or email Operations Associate, Cali Pfaff, for more information.
5. Upcoming Public Architecture Presentations & Participation
AIGA SF Design Week | San Francisco, CA | June 16, 2010
Invited speaker, "Forces for Good: Design for Social Impact"
Toward a Just Metropolis Conference at UC Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | June 19, 2010
Invited panelist, "Architects in the Community: Beyond the Office"
USGBC Emerging Green Builders Competition | New Orleans, LA | August 26-28, 2010
Invited juror
IIDA MN Northland Chapter | Minneapolis, MN | October 4, 2010
Invited speaker, First Monday Forum
Click here for more information.
 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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