Lake|Flato Architects proudly sponsored a lecture by internationally-acclaimed photographer and National Geographic Eco-Ambassador Chris Jordan, who presented his art and our society's environmental impact. He has captured staggering statistics, such as how many plastic bags we consume, into digestible images, engaging us to look at the impact we have as individuals and a society on our environment. An exhibit of Chris Jordan's work that explores the role we play in the stewardship of our planet is at the San Antonio Library and the Southwest School of Art & Craft through August 29.

"Michael Hoke, Shangri La's director, sees the impact of Shangri La as informing a three part audience…First is the influx of architecture students, teachers, and design aficionados, all of whom are willing to travel across the state to visit the new platinum-certified project and carry home lessons learned. Second are all of the contractors and suppliers who have become part of new, locally established networks. And third is the demystification of "green" for the general public, especially for the people of Orange."

Lake|Flato Architects has been named as one of the Top Mountain Architects by Mountain Living magazine in their guide that "celebrates those gifted professionals who possess the skills and the vision to transform dreams of the perfect high-country home into a beautiful and inspiring reality."

"Arizona State University has occupied the old Williams Air Force Base on the border of Mesa and Gilbert for more than a decade, and finally, it looks less like a military site and more like a college campus. This month, in time for the fall semester's start, ASU Polytechnic will officially open a cluster of buildings that house classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, labs and even a black box theater for students interested in drama, music and other fine arts… The boxy brick edifices are called Santa Catalina, Peralta, Picacho and Santan halls. Together, they'll double the space for students and faculty at the campus…"

The TSA Associate Mentorship Award will be presented to Jonathan Smith, AIA, for his commitment and dedication as a mentor to young professionals and high school students. Jonathan was a founding board member of San Antonio's ACE High School Mentorship Program; has co-chaired Canstruction, a citywide design-build competition that raises awareness and money for the San Antonio Food Bank, for the past two years; and has been instrumental in establishing an in-house mentorship program at Lake|Flato. The award will be presented during the 69th Annual TSA Convention October 23-25 in Fort Worth.

The Francis Parker School has been awarded a 2008 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Award by the AIA California Council. Out of more than 50 projects submitted, the Francis Parker School was one of two Merit Awards.

"Three buildings comprise this weekend compound. The architects used a muted palette of materials, such as weathered wood, exposed concrete, and Cor-Ten steel, which allow the buildings to blend into their surroundings. Large sliding doors open the main 'lodge' house to the outdoors; a smaller, multipurpose building provides a visual barrier to the neighbors. The jury notes that while it 'recalls earlier rustic 'camps' in the region, it is a thoroughly modern building.' "

Two Lake|Flato projects—the Lake Austin Residence and Friends Meetinghouse in San Antonio—were selected from 267 built projects to receive Design Awards. The winning projects will be featured in the September/October issue of Texas Architect, and Design Awards will be presented during the TSA convention in Fort Worth, October 23-25.

"What a treat that W.W. Norton has offered an English translation of Inspired by Nature: Plants: The Building/Botany Connection (even if the title is rampantly punctuational). First published in Barcelona in 2006, the book proposes "to reveal the analogical similarities that can exist between contemporary architecture and the vegetal kingdom as a result of adaptation processes." The innumerable life-forms of the plant kingdom, each the result of a long process of natural selection in its particular environment, provide worthy topics for study and may offer architects inspiration in both structure and design." Lake|Flato's World Birding Center is included in the section on Water Control.

This new conference center at DePauw University is the first in Indiana to achieve Gold LEED certification for new construction. Completed in collaboration with CSO Architects of Indianapolis, the Institute opened in October.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas, is the first project in Texas and one of only 50 projects worldwide to earn the USGBC's Platinum Certification for LEED-NC (New Construction). “The buildings and grounds of Shangri La reflect the heroic mission of the institution by not only incorporating an innovative sustainable design, but, even more significantly, they demonstrate how man can work in harmony with nature,” said Ted Flato, FAIA. The Gardens open to the public on March 11.