As design professionals, we often enjoy the unique challenges that come with participating in a design competition. And who doesn’t like challenges, right?
In the spirit of fostering a little friendly competition and in the pursuit of the best solutions to any design problem, we frequently share news about the latest design competitions with our colleagues.
Here are the ones that caught our eye most recently:

Rising Tides – Seeks to respond to the sea level rise, primarily in San Francisco Bay. Interested in “design interventions…to sustain quality of life, preserve the environment and …

The American Institute of Architects chief economist is reporting that the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is slowly beginning to stabilize.
The index held at a level of 42.8, just lower than a March reading of 43.7. (A 50.0 reading indicates unchanged conditions – neither an increase or decrease in billings). Inquiries remained almost level at 56.8, indicating another rise in interest for architectural services.
The news comes after several months of all-time low performance, starting in the second half of 2008 and continuing through January-February of this year.
A rise in the inquiries …

This is a guest post by Jeff Curl, Director of Landscape Architecture, and active landscape architect in the Naples community.
It’s the question of the ages between acquaintances, friends, or spouses…
It’s tough to stay positive in a bad economic climate, and even tougher to find motivation to get out, find free entertainment, or even ‘reconnect’ (more on that later).
During hard times, you have a choice – commiserate or communicate. If you communicate in a positive way, you can avoid getting down on your own or other people’s bad situation. It may sound “hokey,” …

Several weeks ago, the Naples Daily News reported about an impact fee change that largely went unnoticed, but hopes to have a big impact (pun intended) on businesses in Collier County. The Collier County Commission’s vote froze impact fees for at least a two-year period for projects that undergo a “change-in-use.” This affects buildings that have been in place for at least a five year period.
Until the vote, if a new tenant wanted to change the use of a business space, for example – from general office to medical office, or …

One of the biggest solar arrays in the world is coming to Southwest Florida! Babcock Ranch, the development located east of Fort Myers (Florida), is promising to create a city that would generate over 75 megawatts of solar energy and essentially cover all of its power needs.
It would be the nation’s first solar-powered city, and the largest solar array in the world (the current largest is in Spain at 60 megawatts), although larger projects are in the planning stages. 17,000 acres of Charlotte and Lee County land would be turned …

PK Studios is pleased to report that the Naples City Council voted 4-3 on Wednesday to approve the new land use designation of “senior living” for the City of Naples and to rezone the property that will become the Bridges at Gordon River CCRC to a planned development zoning designation.
Update 9-16-2009: Naples City Council cast the final vote this evening, in a 6-1 affirmation to complete the entitlement, annexation, and re-zoning process and approve the project to proceed.
The planned CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) will feature 396 units, an additional …

A Florida Land Expert says when asked whether cutting back spending and promoting a “wait-and-see” approach is the right way to go for Naples real estate, Dennis Gilkey sounds a resounding “no.” Now the CEO of Gilkey Organization, the former Bonita Bay CEO spoke with The Banner (see Naples Daily News) about development, the environment, and the current state of the economy. Gilkey insists that now is the time to add value to your property, seek out buying opportunities, and focus on sustainable development. Highlights from the interview:

 “There are some great …

Since President Obama’s announcement that he would be visiting Ft. Myers today, Jim Moore, Executive Director for the Lee County Economic Development Office has been receiving a number of email and phone messages. As he states, a “chorus” is forming: residents, business owners & local officials are scrambling with ways to have their message to the President heard.
Read what some of their suggestions were:
Southwest Florida Residents Offer Suggestions to Obama

Interested in designing the classroom of the future? Architecture for Humanity and Orient Global are asking designers “to work with students and teachers to design the classroom of the future for a school of your choosing.”
Here is a link to an article posted on Daily Dose of Architecture a few days ago:
Daily Dose of Architecture – 2009 Open Architecture Challenge

The 2009 Grassroots Leadership and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. will kick off tomorrow and hold four days of events. The conference brings together more than 800 AIA leaders, including presidents of local and state chapters, executives, board members, leaders, and AIA national staff.
The conference is held to “provide opportunities for continuing education, networking, advocacy, celebrations, leadership skills and development, and knowledge sharing among members…” Activities will include networking, advocating on Capitol Hill, tapping the collective community knowledge, and learning new skills.
AIA’s website provides full information about the event.