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NAC|Architecture News 2010
:
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Fox Theater Wins National Preservation Award
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Highline Medical Center's New Birch Wing Addition Opens
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Glacier Peak High School Lands National Award
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Cathcart Site and Eastgate Elementary School Win AIA Washington Council Civic Design Awards
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Eastgate Elementary School Garners Learning By Design Citation
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Cathcart Site Honored with AIA CAE Award of Excellence
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Eastgate Elementary School Honored with NSBA Citation
• NAC|Architecture Profiled in
Inland Business Catalyst
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Staff Promotions
NAC|Architecture Wins Competition to Reimagine the American Classroom: NAC|Architecture's "Fifth-Grade Exploration Studio" has been named the winner of Slate magazine's contest to reinvent the American classroom. More than 350 entries were submitted to the online publication's competition to design a better fifth-grade classroom. "Their classroom embodies the word connection. Students are connected to the earth, to the Internet, to one another, to their teacher – who can see them from anywhere in the room, even though it's a busy space," states Linda Perlstein, public editor for the Education Writers Association and author of the Educated Reporter blog for Slate. She adds that NAC|Architecture "thought of just about everything in their entry: adjustable furniture, a messy art area, video screens large and small, communal areas for classes to share, carefully placed mirrors that allow for eye contact when a student and teacher sit at a computer together." Trish Fineran, the teacher on the panel of judges, liked that the tables were on wheels and that the integration of spaces enables solo work as well as large and small group projects. While fifth-graders might not quite be ready to handle all the opportunities the room offers, if it were her class, Fineran explains, "They would gradually earn the right to move freely about the room and take more and more responsibility for working independently as they demonstrated responsibility to do so." Slate will share NAC|Architecture's entry with school and government officials interested in changing American classrooms. NAC|Architecture K-12 Thought Leader Greg Stack, AIA, LEED AP, was interviewed by American RadioWorks® about the firm's winning entry. The podcast can be heard at
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/podcast.html
NAC|Architecture Among Nation's Fastest-Growing Architecture Firms: NAC|Architecture has earned the distinction of being on The Zweig Letter "Hot Firm 2010 List" of the 175 fastest-growing architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms in the country, making this the third straight year NAC|Architecture has appeared on the prestigious list. Inclusion on the annual list – compiled by ZweigWhite, a management consulting and research firm – is based on percentage revenue growth as well as absolute dollar revenue growth over a three-year period. "We are very pleased to have been named a 'Hot Firm' once again," Bruce E. Blackmer, president and CEO of NAC|Architecture, explains. "It is always an honor to be recognized for sound fiscal management; however, numbers tell only part of the story. The true reward is the knowledge that this recognition reflects the same fiscal diligence that we apply to our clients' budgets while delivering exceptional service and design excellence."
NAC|Architecture Recognized as One of Top Two Places to Work Among Architects Nationwide: NAC|Architecture has been named the #2 "Best Architecture Firm To Work For" in the U.S. for 2010 by ZweigWhite, a national management consulting and research firm, and engineering media specialists Stagnito Media. The annual list, on which NAC|Architecture has previously been included, identifies outstanding employers based on their commitment to provide a positive work environment and challenging and interesting work opportunities for their staff members. The ranking is based on the results of a comprehensive survey of workplace practices and an independent survey of employees, with the final standing of the top three decided based on an intensive review by a panel of independent judges. NAC|Architecture was recognized for its "Leadership through Collaboration" corporate culture. Judges cited the firm's development of a coaching-based professional development program last year to replace the annual review process. The new program focuses on goal setting achieved through mentoring rather than assessing performance and specifying corrective action. Judges commended the process that aligns individualized goal setting with NAC|Architecture's strategic plan. "Good communication promotes transparency, participation, and empowerment, all of which facilitate the highly collaborative environment," explains Nancy Usrey, FSMPS, CPSM, principal consultant, Partners Usrey, one of the judges. "Small discussion groups, brownbag lunches, and individual conversations helped manage the pulse of the firm. Aligning individual professional development with the strategic plan shows the employees how their successes affect the firm's successes." Another judge noted the firm's creation of thought-leadership positions in an effort to infuse new thinking into its design work and enhance career development. Pamela Britton, principal of The Knowledge Environment, states this "strong theme of institutional knowledge development, including its thought leaders and lifelong learning" catapulted the firm to the top of the ranking. "This recognition is particularly meaningful because it is based, in part, on employees' views on working for NAC|Architecture, and by extension, for our clients," Bruce E. Blackmer, president and CEO of NAC|Architecture, explains. "It's acknowledgement that our staff shares our vision to offer inspired design and extraordinary client service. Our employees are remarkable. We're glad they value working for NAC|Architecture because we value their dedication and creativity, which produce exceptional results for our clients and communities." Read the "
2010 Best Architecture Firms To Work For
" article published in the October 2010 edition of Structural Engineering & Design.
NAC|Architecture Breaks into Top 100 Firms in Architectural Record Annual Ranking: Architectural Record recently published its Top 250 Firms annual ranking, with NAC|Architecture placing 93rd for 2010, up from 104th in 2009. "To have broken into the top 100 firms is an inspiring achievement for us," Bruce E. Blackmer, FAIA, president and CEO of NAC|Architecture, explains. "We believe this ascent in stature affirms the success of our collaborative, client-centered design process and our commitment to design excellence. While this recognition is an honor, the true return on investment is that this achievement translates for our clients and the communities in which we live and practice our profession in the creation of architecture that enriches people's lives."
• NAC|Architecture Ranked in Top 100 by ARCHITECT: ARCHITECT magazine has released its ranking of the top 100 architecture firms in the United States, with NAC|Architecture listed 63rd, having placed 90th the previous year. Firms were ranked based on caliber of design, sustainable practices, awards garnered in 2009, and fiscal responsibility. "We are very pleased to have advanced 27 positions in national ranking in a single year. It is especially gratifying when that recognition is based on criteria that emphasize design excellence and environmental stewardship rather than financial metrics alone,” explains Bruce E. Blackmer, FAIA, president and CEO of NAC|Architecture. “We attribute this significant rise in standing primarily to our collaborative, client-engaging design process; the prestige and number of national design excellence awards won in 2009; and demonstration of our commitment to sustainability through 73 LEED Accredited Professionals on our staff. These factors have deep meaning for us as architects and as a firm; however, the real reward is knowing that they benefit every one of our clients as well as the communities within which we all live."
Colin Jones Appointed to Washington State Board for Architects: Colin R. Jones, AIA, CSI, LEED AP, has been appointed to the Washington State Board for Architects by Gov. Christine Gregoire. Jones, a principal with NAC|Architecture, was recommended for the post by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Washington Council. The board examines and licenses architects within the state, investigates violations of state regulations related to the practice of architecture, and recommends rules and regulations for administering the licensing laws. Jones, whose board term ends in June 2016, has been licensed as an architect in Washington state since 1989. A leader in the profession for sustainable design and professional development, he specializes in the technical aspects of architecture and how they apply to environmentally sensitive buildings. Jones possesses a wealth of knowledge regarding the AIA Intern Development Program that is invaluable to the board as it develops new rules in this area.
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