1 Mar

Lecture guests are requested to enter and exit through either the Audrey Jones Beck Building (Moneo Building) or the Museum Visitors Center/Garage due to a large event already scheduled in the Caroline Weiss Law Building.

Guy Nordenson, prominent New York structural engineer, is currently working with Renzo Piano on the expansion of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth. He continues to be an example and partner in collaboration with architects all over the world. Recent collaborations include projects with Steven Holl, Richard Meier, Yoshio Taniguchi and SANAA.

Professional accomplishments include co-founding the Structural Engineers Association of New York, developing New York Seismic Code from 1984 until the law enacted in 1995, and co-curating the "Tall Buildings" exhibition at MoMA. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to engineering and to architecture, and was the 2009 William A. Bernoudy Architect in Residence at the American Academy in Rome. A recent project "On the Water-the NY/NJ Upper Bay" won the 2007 AIA College of Fellows Latrobe Research Prize, and will be published in March as "On the Water/Palisade Bay".

In addition to his practice, Guy Nordenson is professor of architecture and structural engineering at the Princeton University School of Architecture.

Mr. Nordenson will sign On the Water | Palisade Bay his latest book, not yet released in the U.S. and exclusively for sale in limited quantities for this event at the museum. Call 713-639-7360 to reserve your copy.

Lecture attendees will receive a 10% discount. Only books purchased through the MFAH Bookstore will be signed by the author.

3 Mar

EVENT: One Peace at a Time film viewing and fundraiser for Architecture for Humanity's Rebuilding Efforts in Haiti
PRESENTED BY: Architecture for Humanity, Houston Chapter
DATE: Wednesday, March 3rd
TIME: 7:30 pm.
TICKETS: $15 tickets available at the River Oaks Theatre box office and website, 100% of Proceeds go to Architecture for Humanity to rebuild Haiti.
LOCATION: River Oaks Theatre
CONTACT: Bridget Rynne (afh.houston at gmail.com, or via facebook!)

ABOUT THE FILM:
Is it possible to provide basic rights - water, nutrition, education, healthcare, and a sustainable and peaceful environment - to every child on Earth? In his inspiring documentary, One Peace at a Time, director Turk Pipkin searches to answer this question, addressing some of the world's most pressing problems. Filmed in 20 countries on 5 continents, the solutions chronicled include Ethiopian Water projects with A Glimmer of Hope, education solutions with The Hole in the Wall, the model Indian orphanages of The Miracle Foundation, along with other innovative programs. The film includes insight from Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Physicist Steven Chu (Barack Obama's Secretary of Energy), Dr. Helene Gayle (CEO of CARE, International), Cameron Sinclair (Founder and Executive Director of Architecture for Humanity), and many others. Music by Ben Harper, Bob Dylan, Jack Johnson, Cat Stevens, Explosions in the Sky, and more.

ABOUT THE CAUSE:
The Houston Chapter screening, in collaboration with the Nobelity project, is part of Architecture for Humanity's international fundraising effort to provide immediate shelter and long-term reconstruction support after the January 12th earthquake that left much of the vital infrastructure of the country destroyed. Architecture for Humanity works primarily in the reconstruction phase of post disaster situations and will be focused on both transitional and permanent housing and community structures. AfH has partnered with Yele Haiti, AIDG and other local groups by supplying them with pro bono construction and design professionals, setting up community housing resource centers and support in the design and building of earthquake resistant structures. These include the Youth Sports and Disaster Recovery Center in Port-au-Prince, which was planned in 2009 and is ready to begin construction. Haiti Buildings

ABOUT THE HOUSTON CHAPTER OF ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY: THE BACK STORY
What started off as a $7 ticket to attend RDA's 2007 Lecture Series: Design Activism: Agents of Change has led to a $10,000 fundraising goal for disaster relief in Haiti. One of Cameron Sinclair's early visits to Houston challenged designers to build with conviction, or more aptly stated "like you give a damn." In early efforts to form a Houston arm of Architecture for Humanity, students, professionals, and professors gathered together and drank like they gave a damn, participated in local charrettes like they gave a damn and finally, joined AIA's Sand Castle competition like they gave a damn. There were honest efforts and good intentions of so many who have emailed and mingled at the invitation of Architecture for Humanity, Houston Chapter. However, AfH Houston has not had a project to occupy these humanitarian design ambassadors- until now. The level of destruction and loss in Haiti is massive. Relief will come in the form of awareness, collaboration and dollars. Support and donations can be made by purchasing tickets to ONE PEACE AT A TIME or donating directly to AfH Houston. Come on, Houstonians; donate like you give a damn.

To watch the film's trailer and learn more about The Nobelity Project go to: www.nobelity.org

To learn more about Architecture for Humanity, or make a direct donation to the Rebuild Haiti Fund, go to: www.architectureforhumanity.org

4 Mar

EVENT: Pecha Kucha Houston - Volume 2
DATE: Thursday, March 4th
TIME: Doors open at 6:30 pm for drinks and chit chat. Talks start at 7:30 pm.
TICKETS: Free and open to the public, Cash Bar.
LOCATION: The Atrium in the UH College of Architecture Bldg
CONTACT: Tony Medrano

Pronounced "peh-chak-cha'', a mix of show-and-tell, open-mike night and happy hour, it has become the forum for ideas on design, culture and a lot more that has swept the world in just four years now having taken place in over 200 cities globally.

Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each - enjoying 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.

What is lined up for PK Vol 2? Neuroscientists, Graphic Designers, Artists, Architects and Industrial Designers. And thats only half the roster!

Seating is limited so get there early.

Speakers
Joshua Gowin - Neuroscientist
Andrea Grover - Curator/Artist
Brenden Macaluso - Industrial Designer
David Morris - Programmer/ Artist
Zach Moser - Workshop Houston
Derek Rankins - Photographer
Brittanie Shey - Writer/Journalist
Judith Uzcategui - Designer/Illustrator
Abram VanElswyk - Designer
Tito Vargas - Architect/Student
Andrew Vrana - Architect

Parking directions
DIRECTIONS TO THIS BUILDING FROM I-45 SOUTH (DOWNTOWN)
- exit Cullen
- turn right on Cullen
- turn left at 1st light, Elgin St.
- turn right into UH Entrance 18
- the Architecture Building is straight ahead
- to park, turn right at stop sign
- turn right into parking lot 16B

PARKING INFORMATION
To obtain a visitor parking permit, visit the Information Center at Entrance 1 on University Dr. or the Information Center on Cullen Blvd near the Athletics/Alumni Facility. There is metered parking in the first row of lot 16B, and there is gated visitor's parking in lot 16F

Designed and built by students at the Rice Building Workshop for the Solar Decathlon on the Mall in Washington D.C. and then donated to Project Row Houses, the Solar House is to be permanently located at 2306 Stuart Street.

Zerow House is funded in large part by the following - The U.S. Department of Energy, Rice University Schools of Architecture and Engineering, Rice University Shell Center for Sustainability, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Boyer Inc., Project Row Houses, Rice Faculty Initiatives, Dr. Francisco Loya, and The Rice Design Alliance.

Pecha Kucha Houston Event image / information from Rice Design Alliance