August 2006
Dear Friend of Public Architecture,
We are very happy to announce the launch of a totally-redesigned Public Architecture website, now online at www.publicarchitecture.org. Building on our original graphic identity developed by MendeDesign, the new site was designed in association with RedClay.
The new Public Architecture site includes:
 - expanded image galleries for each design project and many of our other initiatives;
- profiles about the people and supporters of Public Architecture;
- a calendar of upcoming and recent presentations;
- links to related groups and organizations; and
- a list of 10 ways you can support our efforts.
Many of the people on this email list were introduced to Public Architecture via our leadership of the 1% Solution and ScrapHouse as well as co-host of the recent Structures for Inclusion conference. If you are not interested in receiving our monthly newsletter for whatever reason, simply reply to this message and let us know.
With the redesign of our site and this corresponding email newsletter, we pledge to more regularly update you on our work and related initiatives. We also look forward to hearing from you.
On behalf of Public Architecture,
John Peterson
Founder & Chair
Contents:
1. Organization Advances
2. 1% Solution Update
3. Coming to a City near You
4. Recent Press
5. Public Architecture on the Move
6. What You Can Do to Support Public Architecture
1. Organization Advances
Now in our fourth year, Public Architecture is presently engaged in five public interest design projects, our 1% Solution program, as well as a number of other initiatives.
 Public Architecture took a significant step forward just over a week ago by hosting our first full board of directors since we began our board expansion effort nearly two years ago. The following day, the board convened at the new de Young Museum, where it took a number of actions. In addition to electing a slate of officers, each board member assumed a specific role relative to areas such as board development, design, donor relations, corporate giving, corporate sponsorship, internship and volunteer program development, as well as advocating on behalf of the 1% Solution.
Public Architecture is also delighted to announce the hire of our first fulltime Designer & Project Manager, Liz Ogbu. Click here to read Liz's bio. We promise a more formal introduction following her August 21 start date.
2. 1% Solution Update
 The 1% Solution program continues to attract pledges from firms of all sizes. Recent pledges in the past month alone have included: Perkins & Will (Chicago, IL); Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. (Minneapolis, MN); EPoc Partnership (New York, NY); Ellen Pulner Hunt Architects (Austin, TX); Hall Barnum Lucchesi (Houston, TX); James D. Marshall Jr., AIA (Prairie Village, KS); KR Kohlhaas (Austin, TX); Kroiz Architecture (Baltimore, MD); Ranney Michaels Architects (Westport, CT); and Studio A International (Columbus, OH).
As will be formally announced shortly, Perkins & Will represents not only the largest firm to pledge, but they are the first to participate in our new sponsorship program called "10 for 1" with a donation of $10,000. Encouraged by their example, Public Architecture will be reaching out to other leading design firms who would like to contribute to improving and sustaining the 1% Solution. To learn more about the "10 for 1" program, email jcary@publicarchitecture.org.
Finally, we are also aware of multiple ongoing, discussions within a range of firms and organizations, generating debate and discussion as well as fostering greater understanding about the importance of pro bono architecture practice. We look forward to announcing the fruits of those discussions as well as a number of other advances in the weeks and months ahead.
Click here to visit the 1% Solution website.
3. Coming to a City near You
 In the coming months, one or more Public Architecture representatives have confirmed visits to Monterey, CA; Washington, DC; Charlottesville, VA; Hampton, VA, Santa Fe, NM; Indian Wells, CA; Ames, IA; Phoenix, AZ; Boston, MA; and Southfield, MI. Specific dates are posted on our website and will be detailed in upcoming newsletters.
We welcome invitations and opportunities to speak at firms, schools, and other events around the country. To schedule or coordinate a visit in one of the aforementioned cities or elsewhere, email jcary@publicarchitecture.org.
Click here for a complete list of upcoming presentations and events.
4. Recent Press
 Public Architecture continues to garner a great deal of press within the design world, including the following recent articles: Founder John Peterson was recognized as one of "10 Architects Making a Difference" in the June 2006 issue of Residential Architect magazine.
The 1% Solution was cited among a host of other groups in the June 1, 2006 issue of The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The article, "Architects & Charities Can Make Good Partners, Experts Say," was one in a series focused on design.
Executive Director John Cary contributed the essay "Design for the Public Good" to the June 2006 issue of Contract magazine.
Public Architecture was cited by author Tom Fisher in "Designing for the Disadvantaged," which appeared in the June 2006 issue of Architecture magazine.
Author Jason Pearson also profiled Public Architecture in "A Larger Context for Design," published in the Summer 2006 issue of ICON, The Magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers.
Finally, and most recently, we want to commend one of our newest 1% Solution firms, Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, on its pro bono redesign and renovation of the Alvar Street Branch Library, a New Orleans landmark damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Click here to read more about the project in the July 21 issue of AIArchitect.
Click here for a complete list of articles about Public Architecture.
5. Public Architecture on the Move
Public Architecture recently relocated the office it shares with Peterson Architects and MendeDesign by moving just half a block to a converted warehouse space at the corner of 8th & Folsom in San Franciscos South of Market Area. Our new address is 1211 Folsom Street, 4th Floor. Please update your records.
We also welcomed two new professionals and their respective firms as co-tenants. They include Kenneth Caldwell of Caldwell Communications and marketing professional Yosh Asato, formerly Director of Marketing for SOM's office in San Francisco.
During the last two months, Public Architecture also said farewell to four young professionals who contributed significantly to our work over the past year. They include:
Zachary Heineman, who joined Public Architecture to work on ScrapHouse in April 2005 and subsequently became involved in virtually every aspect of the organization; Zach has relocated to New Haven, Conn., where he will be pursuing a Master of Architecture and Master of Business Administration from Yale University.
Kiel Schmidt, who joined Public Architecture as a Judith Lee Stronach Fellow to advance our day laborer project in September 2005; Kiel recently completed a month-long design/build studio in Nicaragua, and he has returned to work in his hometown of Fresno, Calif.
Daniel Lee, who joined Public Architecture in April 2006 to assist with the launch of our new website as well as the construction of a database of community design centers and related groups; Daniel is presently participating in a summer architecture studio at Columbia University in New York City.
Clay Carroll, who was an Ingram Fellow with Public Architecture last summer, recently completed his second summer with us; he will be returning to Vanderbilt University, where he is a senior majoring in studio art. Clay was instrumental in a range of efforts, particularly preparation for our recent board of directors meeting and the design of the image bar on our new homepage.
6. What You Can Do to Support Public Architecture
Wondering what you can do to support 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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