CONTRACTS
The American Institute of Architects has partnered with technical information company IHS to create the AIA Documents on Demand eShop, where customers can purchase and download 10 of the most popular AIA contract documents.
I.T. SUPPORT dell.com/sb360
For companies with little or no in-house tech help, Dell has launched Small Business 360, an online resource for finding industry-specific technology and business advice, community forums, links to other helpful websites, and more. The initial industries targeted by Dell are architecture and construction, real estate, accounting and finance, law, and retail.
EARTH ARCHITECTURE
Architect Frank Moreland has made earth-integrated buildings his life's work. In 1975, as a University of Texas professor, he coordinated a National Science Foundation conference on earth-covered buildings and edited the published proceedings; he did the same for the Department of Energy in 1979. In 1981, he prepared a report for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Moreland left academia that year to be a contractor and went on to build more than a dozen earth-bermed or -covered homes in and around Fort Worth, Texas. Now retired, he offers the benefits of his experience for free: Available for download are the government reports he edited and four books detailing the construction of two homes.
DOCUMENTARY plasmatic-concepts.com/lariver
Los Angeles is developing a master plan to revitalize the 32 miles of the Los Angeles River within the city. To help stimulate discussion about the effort, local design firm Plasmatic Concepts has made The Los Angeles River, a documentary that explains "how current and past efforts have shaped the debate about what the river and its adjacent areas should look like," says the firm. The 27-minute film, funded through a grant from the Graham Foundation, can be viewed on the Plasmatic Concepts website (pictured: deputy L.A. city engineer Deborah Weintraub). Select public screenings are also taking place.
