AIA's 150th anniversary celebrated through 3-D images on Google Earth
WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of
Architects (AIA) (http://www.aia150.org ) launched two new AIA layers in
Google Earth today: Blueprint for America
(http://www.aia150.org/bl150_default.php ) and America's Favorite
Architecture (http://www.favoritearchitecture.org ). Marking AIA's 150th
anniversary, the AIA and Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/index.html )
partnership demonstrates architecture's impact on the world to more than
200 million Google Earth users.
America's Favorite Architecture layer features the American public's
favorite structures, as selected by a Harris Interactive poll announced
earlier this year. Google Earth users can now see many newly-created 3-D
models of the ballparks, bridges, buildings and memorials that characterize
architecture for Americans and comment on the poll results. By clicking on
the America's Favorite Architecture layer, users can view texturized 3-D
images of the nation's most popular landmarks created with Google SketchUp,
right down to the trees lining the sidewalks and flags flanking the
entrances.
The Blueprint for America layer documents community service efforts
funded by the AIA, in which AIA members donated their time and expertise to
collaborate with community leaders and local citizens to address issues
such as homelessness, sustainable communities and downtown revitalization.
Clicking on the Blueprint for America layer enables users to explore how
AIA members and local citizens are working together to resolve real issues
in their communities to create a vision for their future. The Blueprint
projects are demonstrations of AIA civic engagement and foster an
understanding of how citizens can find their voice to address specific
issues related to the design and planning of their community.
"Architecture defines the communities where we live, work and play, and
thanks to the technology of Google Earth, we hope to connect communities to
one another by opening the door to virtual exploration of design and the
design process without the constraints of distance," said AIA CEO and
Executive Vice President Christine McEntee.
"The AIA partnership with Google Earth reinforces the message that
architects and local citizens are part of a growing global effort to create
a better quality of life in their community," said AIA President RK
Stewart, FAIA. "By following the Blueprint for America projects as they are
completed over the course of the next year, local citizens everywhere can
find inspiration and insight into how they might become active or more
effective in their community."
The process of designing buildings and communities is changing due to
new technology, such as Google Earth's SketchUp - a powerful yet
easy-to-learn 3-D modeling software that combines a robust tool-set with an
intelligent drawing system. Google SketchUp users can build and modify 3-D
models quickly and easily, making architectural drawings more streamlined
and efficient so that more alternative visions of the future can be
explored.
"We're delighted that the AIA community is sharing their important work
with new audiences in Google Earth," said Michael Jones, chief technologist
for Google Earth and Google Maps. "The AIA layers in Google Earth enable
users to better visualize, understand and appreciate the world around
them."
For more information on AIA and Google Earth, visit http://www.AIA150.org, or
watch the AIA/Google Earth YouTube video available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpNaMbMr1CM .
About AIA150
Celebrating 150 years, the AIA is the premier professional organization
for America's architects. The AIA150 program, "Celebrating the Past.
Designing the Future," honors architects for their dedication and
commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings
and communities. The cornerstone of AIA150, Blueprint for America, serves
as a nationwide platform to unite architects and citizens to collaborate on
their communities' design priorities. The AIA also released America's
Favorite Architecture, as voted by the public through a nationwide poll
with Harris Interactive. The AIA acknowledges the important financial
support of AIA150 Corporate Founders Circle contributor McGraw-Hill
Construction (Official Media Sponsor). For more information on other AIA150
news and events, including Blueprint for America, visit http://www.aia150.org.
About Blueprint for America
Blueprint for America is the cornerstone of the American Institute of
Architects (AIA) 150th Anniversary Celebration. Comprised of 156 community
service projects funded by the AIA, Blueprint for America brings architects
and the public together to address community needs related to design and
livability. From downtown revitalization projects to affordable housing
modules, Blueprint for America inspires people to think about the way
architecture impacts their daily lives. Once completed, case studies from
individual Blueprint projects will be compiled and shared with local
officials interested in implementing similar programs in their communities.
The completed piece, titled "Blueprint for America Mosaic: A Gift to the
Nation," will be presented in 2008. The AIA acknowledges the important
financial support of AIA150 Corporate Founders Circle contributor
McGraw-Hill Construction (Official Media Sponsor). For more information,
visit http://www.aia150.org.
About The American Institute of Architects
For 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have
worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable,
healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have
access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design,
and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities
make their visions real. Visit http://www.aia.org.
Contact:
Meghan Norville, Imre Communications
meghann@imrecommunications.com
410-821-8220
Aaron Cohen, Imre Communications
aaronc@imrecommunications.com
202-547-0500
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