This years AIA Architecture tour in Tucson is going to be one not to miss.
The tour includes:
This year tickets can be purchased online or in person. See the AIA tour page for details.
The AIA 2010 Architecture Week website states it best:
The American Institute of Architects
Southern Arizona Chapter (AIA-SAC)
proudly presents
Architecture Week 2010Saturday, September 25th – Sunday, October 3rd
Architecture Week is a celebration of architecture in Tucson and is presented annually by the American Institute of Architects – Southern Arizona Chapter (AIA-SAC). AIA-SAC will host this year’s annual self-guided tour, lecture series, mall exhibits, KIDSTRUCTION, and NEW this year, CANSTRUCTION along with a other events emphasizing the influence of architecture in our community.
The goal of architecture week is to promote a greater appreciation for architecture within the general public while also heightening the awareness of environmental aspects and/or systems that can be integrated into homes and other buildings to help mitigate impacts on this earth.
All events are designed to educate, entertain and raise public awareness and appreciation for architecture.
Please refer to The American Institute of Architects Southern Arizona Chapter website for a complete listing of displays, tours, and other events.
Things change. That’s a given but what captivates my interest in change is trying to identity why things change. Specifically I’m interested in what some call The Tipping Point? You know, “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point” at which “the momentum for change becomes unstoppable”. Try it sometime; observe change and ask the question: What caused that, what transpired, what conditions were required to exist for X, Y, or Z to happen? It is a fascinating subject (or at least in my mind it is).
Much like the recovery to a depression or an architectural movement some time must pass before we look back at the historical context and ask ourselves what happened, what caused X, Y, or Z? History will tell.
Now let’s discuss some relevant architectural change:
In mid June The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) published an article on the subject of average home sizes. Specifically the fact that they are shrinking:
The size of new single-family homes completed declined last year, dropping to a nationwide average of 2,438 square feet, according to detailed information about the characteristics of new homes completed in 2009 that was released recently by the Census Bureau.
According to the article home sizes have been on the increase for almost 30 years. That’s one long upward trend from the old and comfortable row houses, bungalows and other dwellings until we hit today’s Mc Mansions. Did you happen to catch that square footage? Okay – 2,438 S.F. That’s nothing to laugh at and that figure is average S.F. I grew up, a family of 6 in a home approximately the same size (after remodeling from a 2000 S.F. house). Hrmm… average family size is 3.14, average home built in 2009 was 2,438 S.F. which equals 776 S.F. per person. And Jake grew up with about 400 S.F. per person. I digress.
Not to dwell too much on the topic but It would be easy to insinuate that the recent economic woes were the tipping point. In fact there seems to be no better indicator than one of financial need for households to downsize. I do believe this helped give momentum to the smaller homes movement but think there are other social indicators which laid the foundation for the downsizing movement. Consider this – Who uses a formal dining room on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? No? I didn’t think so. Who uses a formal living room on a daily or weekly basis? No? I’m shocked.
Don’t people want more of anything? Why yes, how about outdoor space? Yep, check out another of our posts on just that subject.
Are American families growing or shrinking? Do we still need a 4 beedroom house, or a 4 bedroom with a “bonus” room? Well, yes, but it’s not because of family sizes. I would argue that the extra room(s) are being used for something else. Does an office sound familiar? Oh, yes, computers and home offices are pretty much standard for today’s working families. How about a hobby room, or a room just full of unused items (storage?).
If housing sizes interest you here is an interesting piece I stumbled upon: Moya K. Mason – Housing: Then, Now, and Future
Also check out these books that were selling like hotcakes in the early 2000’s (prior to the recession):
Not So Big House (Susanka) by Sarah Susanka
Creating the Not So Big House: Insights and Ideas for the New American Home by Sarah Susanka
As a side note I knew an architect specializing in very large custom homes. In his first meeting with clients he would give them a copy of the Not So Big House and ask them to give it a read before they would begin the design process of their house.
Marana has decided that growth is in it’s best interest. Thusly so they have begun to offer incentives for midsize or large companies who may want to locate in Marana.
Marana has pledged to speed up the development review process to potential companies thinking about locating in the area… To qualify for the expedited review process, applicants must have at least 25 employees who earn at least $40,000 each – or be able to create those wages when the building or expansion project is complete – and they cannot be retail operations….In exchange, the participating company’s project gets priority in the town review process, moving it ahead of nonqualifying developers for review. http://blog.azbiz.com/?p=616
And get this, act now (or in the next 3 years) and they’ll throw in a dedicated building inspector for your project.
