May 2009
Dear Friends of Public Architecture:
 Earlier this week, John Cary and I had the opportunity to partake in a special conversation to look critically at the potential and trajectory of the public-interest design movement. The event was hosted at The Philip Johnson Glass House in Connecticut, often described as "the longest-running salon in America"; from 1949 through the end of the century, influential architects and cultural and business leaders gathered at the invitation of Johnson to engage in intimate and lively discussion and debate. These gatherings launched careers, promoted cultural patronage, and fostered intellectual transformation.
Addressing the theme of "Citizen Designers," this most recent conversation--co-organized by the NEA's Maurice Cox and our own John Cary--united senior leaders from top design firms, foundations, government agencies, nonprofit design organizations, and schools. The participants brought a diversity of perspectives, and each bears the potential to catapult or dramatically expand the movement. They included: Maria Blair, Rockefeller Foundation
John Cary, Public Architecture
Maurice Cox, National Endowment for the Arts (moderator)
Dorothy Dunn, The Philip Johnson Glass House
Sunny Fischer, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Nicola Goren, Corporation for National & Community Service
Dr. Ted Landsmark, Boston Architectural College
Christy MacLear, The Philip Johnson Glass House
Wendy Nicholas, National Trust for Historic Preservation
John Peterson, Public Architecture
Monica Ponce de Leon, University of Michigan
Peter Schubert, RMJM
Katie Swenson, Rose Architectural Fellowship Program
Susan Szenasy, Metropolis Magazine
Billie Tsien, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects
 Our extended lunch discussion highlighted a variety of education, training, practice, and funding models represented by the participants as well as related nonprofit design initiatives, private and social ventures. We talked about the urgent need and opportunity to bring these models to scale given our current economy, but also to refine the way the design community thinks and speaks about its ambitions, impact, and potential. This is one of many such discussions taking place in and around the design and philanthropic communities at present, and Public Architecture is honored to be a part of this evolving conversation as we seek to improve our pro bono and public-interest design delivery models. Thank you for being a part of them as well through your support of Public Architecture.
John Peterson, AIA
Founder & President
Contents:
1. Public Architecture Selected for “New Practices San Francisco” Exhibit
2. The 1% Program Grows in April, Continues to Match Firms and Nonprofits
3. Pavement to Parks Opening Mid-May
4. Volunteer Profile & Call for Development Research Volunteers
5. Upcoming Events & Presentations
6. What You Can Do to Support Public Architecture
1. Public Architecture Selected for “New Practices San Francisco” Exhibit
 Public Architecture has been recognized as one of “the best emerging practices in San Francisco” through the recently established New Practices San Francisco--the West Coast premiere of AIA New York’s annual portfolio competition and exhibition. New Practices San Francisco is a platform for recognizing and promoting new and emerging architecture firms within San Francisco that have undertaken innovative strategies--both in projects and practice. Distinguishing this award from others given to new practices is the attention focused on how the winning firms are uniquely structured to facilitate the type of projects that they undertake.
Public Architecture, along with the other award winners including, CMG Landscape Architecture, Edmonds + Lee Architects, Kennerly Architecture & Planning, Faulders Studio, and Min|Day will be featured in an exhibition at the Center for Architecture in New York, from June 4-September 19, 2009. The exhibition will travel to the AIA San Francisco and Center for Architecture + Design Gallery from November 12, 2009-January 29, 2010.
2. The 1% Program Grows in April, Continues to Match Firms and Nonprofits
 The 1% program experienced another month of strong growth, with 26 firms and 8 nonprofits joining during the month of April. Click here for a complete list of these new participants.
Due to a higher volume of firm-initiated activity, a series of website and matching system improvements, and the efforts of The 1% Matching Audit volunteers, the program has seen higher firm and nonprofit participation and successful match rates. One of the recent matches was that between Site8 Architects, Ning Lin Architect and Bishop Mora Salesian High School of Los Angeles, CA who will be working together to modernize the school’s 3,000 sq. ft. library. According to school principle Samuel Robles, the library has “not seen an upgrade in 50 years, and therefore it is rarely used.” The renovation will include an emphasis on technology, “to provide students, many of which do not own a home computer, the required 21st century technological skills.” Information on this and other pro bono design projects can be viewed at The 1%’s project gallery.
Visit www.theonepercent.org for more information.
3. Pavement to Parks Opening Mid-May
 A Public Architecture-designed pedestrian plaza, to be sited at the intersection of 17th & Castro Streets in San Francisco, is expected to open in mid-May. This special project, which is part of our Open Space Design Initiative, reclaims an underutilized section of the public right of way for pedestrian use. The project is being implemented as a temporary installation, allowing Public Architecture, the City, and the surrounding neighborhood to test and adjust this innovative intervention in a way that a permanent development process might not allow. An ultimate decision on the project’s duration will be made after evaluating the project’s metrics and stakeholder interviews. The project is also considered a pilot, offering the potential to test assumptions and serve as a model. Twenty to 30 additional sites throughout the city have been identified as possible locations for similar interventions.
The official opening date and other details will be announced on the Public Architecture website next week.
4. Volunteer Profile & Call for Development Research Volunteers
 This month, Public Architecture wishes to highlight the enormous contributions of Nick McClintock, part of Public Architecture’s first-ever Development Research team along with Toni Hsu. Nick studied Architecture and Political Science at Middlebury College, where he developed a fascination with construction, fabrication, and teasing his projects into reality. Since graduating a little over a year ago, he has cooked professionally in Italy, worked in a metal fabrication shop specializing in custom furniture and architectural installation in West Oakland, and is currently working on green workforce and curriculum development at Asian Neighborhood Design. Nick who is “thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Public Architecture and support our mission” plays a vital role at Public Architecture, conducting research on funding prospects, and adding to Public Architecture’s funding pipeline.
Call for Volunteers
Public Architecture is currently seeking an individual with strong research and written communication skills to join the volunteer Development Research team. Click here for more information and other volunteer opportunities.
5. Upcoming Events & Presentations
Humanscale | San Francisco, CA | May 21, 2009
Invited presenter, Design Smart Seminar Series
AIA San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | April 16-May 29, 2009
Invited exhibition participant, "Architecture of (Social) Responsibility"
Note: Exhibition closing to be held May 28, 2009
The Ditchley Foundation | Oxford, UK | May 28-30, 2009
Invited participant, "How do architecture and society interrelate?"
AIANY Center for Architecture | New York, NY | June 4-Sept. 19, 2009
Selected exhibition participant, "New Practices San Francisco"
NeoCon | Chicago, IL | June 15-17, 2009
Special presenter, The Best of NeoCon ® Awards 2009 Ceremony
Green Giant presentation, Steelcase Showroom
 6. What You Can Do to Support Public Architecture
Click here for 10 ways to contribute to our work.
Established in 2002 by architect John Peterson, 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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