CHICAGO: 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

The Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently celebrated its 50th year of presenting design excellence awards. Chapter president Thomas Kerwin observed: “This year’s winners demonstrate that great architects and great architecture remain an enormous part of Chicago’s identity.” One of the honor awards went to the boldly contemporary Perspectives Charter School by Perkins+Will (photo by James Steinkamp). Next week we'll take a look at this and some of the other honorees.

RACE TO THE SUN

Seventeen teams of architecture students from around North America, joined by a team from Spain, have demonstrated once again that their generation of design professionals will be prepared for a responsible, low-energy future. These students met in Washington DC in October 2005 to participate in the Solar Decathlon. On the National Mall they assembled solar-powered houses that they had designed and demonstrated various technologies to the public. Next week we'll see some of the results. (Pictured: the overall competition winner from the University of Colorado.)