AThe founder of one of the world's leading real estate firms, Houston-based Hines, is honored for his contribution to the development of tall buildings.

Gerald D. Hines was recently honored at the 2004 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat awards. At an awards dinner held in Chicago, Hines, founder and chairman of Houston-based Hines, received the Lynn S. Beedle Achievement Award for what the CTBUH describes as his "extraordinary contributions to the development of tall buildings and to the improvement of the urban environment."

The CTBUH also cited Hines for "leadership in support of innovative architecture and quality design as part of a fundamental business strategy that has positively influenced urban centers around the world."

Leslie E. Robertson, director of design for Leslie E. Robertson Associates RLLP, New York, was presented with the Fazlur Rahman Khan Medal for his leadership in the structural design of tall buildings.

2004 TSA Design Awards Announced

The Texas Society of Architects 2004 Design Awards were presented during the TSA's annual convention in Houston.

• Lester E. Palmer Events Center, Austin, by Barnes Taniguchi Centerbrook (joint venture, Austin and Houston).
• LSU Hilltop Arboretum, Baton Rouge, La., by Lake/Flato Architects of San Antonio.
• Lucky Boy Ranch, Kimball County, by Lake/Flato Architects.
• Martin Boathouse & Bridge, Austin, by Andersson-Wise Architects of Austin.
• Prototype Infill Housing: Throckmorton Site, Dallas, by Edward M. Baum of Dallas.
• Ramp House, Austin, by M.J. Neal Architects of Austin.
• Texas A&M University Master Plan, College Station, by Barnes Gromatsky Kosarek Architects of Austin with Michael Dennis & Associates of Boston.
• Texas Travel Information Center, Amarillo, by Richter Architects of Corpus Christi.
• VIA Kel-Lac Transit Center, San Antonio, by Sprinkle Robey Architects of San Antonio.
• Yoakum Street Townhouses, Houston, by Wittenberg Oberholzer Partnership of Houston.
  A TSA Studio Award was given to the Saturn V Temporary Shelter, Houston, a project by RTKL Associates of Baltimore.

AGC Signs Agreement with NAMC

The Associated General Contractors of America and the National Association of Minority Contractors signed a partnering agreement pledging to promote construction markets, improve the industry's image and provide opportunities for all construction firms.

The associations' goals in partnering are to develop meaningful dialog to foster development of communications at the national and local levels, promote the use of mentor programs by empowering minority-owned firms with access to business services and other programs designed to increase competitiveness and collaborate on industry issues that improve the business climate for all contractors.

NAMC represents members in 49 states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands including general contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, manufacturers, suppliers, local minority contractor associations, attorneys, accountants and other professionals. The association seeks to address construction industry concerns common to minority groups.

CSI and McGraw Hill Construction Release Project Resource Manual

The Construction Specifications Institute and McGraw-Hill Construction recently announced the release of The Project Resource Manual-CSI Manual of Practice. The manual is an expanded, new edition of the U.S. commercial construction industry's guide for developing building specifications and using construction documents to aid on-time and within-budget project delivery and efficient facility management.

Using CSI's standardized methods, formats and guidelines, the PRM documentation facilitates design, construction and facility management by fostering communication among project participants.

Specific documents facilitating the clear communication vital to smooth project delivery include specifications (the detailed written instructions to the contractor), drawings (formerly called blueprints), reference notes on drawings, data on building materials to be installed, cost data and project scheduling.

The manual, written by CSI and published by McGraw-Hill Construction, also aids the commercial construction and facility management process by explaining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved, including owners, architects, specifiers, engineers, contractors, construction managers, construction product representatives, building owners, facility managers, regulatory authorities, lawyers and financial institutions.

The various types of construction delivery methods also are described, including design-bid-build, design-negotiate-build, construction management, design-build and owner-build.

For more information or to place an order log on to csinet.org/projectresourcemanual or call 800-689-2900.

ARTBA Elects 2004-2005 Officers

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association recently announced the election of its 2004-2005 officers and directors. Three Texas-based individuals were elected.

C. Michael Walton, E.H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, was named first vice chairman. Robert Heitmann, director of business development for Zachry Construction Co. in San Antonio, was named vice chairman at-large. Robert C. Lanham, vice president of Williams Brothers Construction Co. Inc. of Houston, was elected for a three-year term as an ARTBA director