Letter From the President: Gordon E. Mills, FAIA
NCARB President Gordon E. Mills, FAIA, shares his thoughts on NCARB's path to becoming a great organization.

Defining Your Moral Compass
For interns approaching the threshold of their career as a licensed architect, staying true to their moral compass is critical to the health, safety, and welfare of the public they serve.

The Six-Month Rule
At the Annual Meeting in June, Member Boards passed the "Six-Month Rule." The new rule will greatly improve the accuracy of reporting, which should help reduce the amount of time it takes to complete the IDP.

The Core Competency Study: Why Did We Do It? What Did We Learn?
The goal of the 2006 Core Competency Study was to find out if interns are being adequately trained in all 16 IDP training areas and whether they are capable of performing the required tasks independently after completing the IDP.

To Fish or Not to Fish (Without a License)
Before you "fish" for business in another jurisdiction, contact the specific state board directly to get current, explicit information regarding rules and regulations.

2008 Annual Meeting and Conference: Customer Service and IDP Dominate Discussions
Fifty-one of NCARB's 54 Member Boards gathered in Pittsburgh, PA, in June 2008 for the 89th Annual Meeting and Conference. During the meeting, delegates considered 12 resolutions. They also learned about the important rule changes taking place within the Council that are improving customer service.

Protecting the Public in the Face of New Technology
The IPD Hearing Task Force is conducting a study to determine how architects can retain "responsible control" when using new technologies like IPD and BIM.

NCARB Prize Rewards Programs for Merging Education + Practice
The worlds of architecture practice and education depend on each other for their purpose and vitality. Both bear responsibility for gainful employment and for continuing the lifelong professional education of architects. In the end, the academy and the profession also share an obligation to serve the needs of communities, the built environment, and society as a whole.

The BEA Path to Certification
Over the past decade, more than 300 architects have received their NCARB Certificate through the Broadly Experienced Architect (BEA) Program. Learn about one man's journey. Please note: Information and instructions in past Direct Connection articles may be out of date. Please check our web site for the latest information on NCARB's programs and services.

Monograph Examines Healthcare Design Trends
Leading architects from across the United States share their firsthand knowledge about all aspects of healthcare facility design.

Member Board Round Up
News from NCARB's Member Boards.

News Briefs
News Briefs: Staff Milestones Past President Receives Doctorate of Architecture NCARB Director Retires

Pushing the Building Envelope
NCARB Record holders can earn one HSW PDU free by reading this informative article about the complex issues associated with the design of building envelopes and then taking the online quiz.

Building Envelope
This mini-monograph examines the design and construction of conventional building envelopes and provides an introduction to the more unusual ones associated with many of today’s state-of-the-art practices. Based on NCARB’s Building Envelope monograph by the same authors, the mini-monograph encourages architects to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the complex issues associated with the design of building envelopes so that they can make appropriate decisions relative to particular projects, clients, and sites.