Frank Harmon Presents "America's New Regionalism" at 2007 AIA National Convention

Raleigh, NC, May 05, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Raleigh, NC-based architect Frank Harmon, FAIA, principal of Frank Harmon Architect and an associate professor of architecture at the North Carolina State University College of Design, presented a seminar entitled “America’s New Regionalism” during the 2007 National American Institute of Architect Convention held in San Antonio, Texas, May 3-5.

Harmon’s seminar identifed principles of innovative regional architecture. The purpose of the seminar, he says, was to help architects across the nation learn how to: (1) discover the many influences a building derives from its region, from overall design to construction details; (2) identify methods for combining traditional building components and techniques to create new, sustainable buildings; (3) analyze systems for designing comfortable buildings that minimize damage to the environment and maximize the enjoyment of light, air, color, texture, and patterns; (4) comprehend public perception of regionally appropriate design; and (5) evaluate techniques for achieving design excellence on limited budgets.

Internationally acclaimed architects Ted Flato, FAIA, of Lake/Flato in San Antonio, Trey Trahan, FAIA, of Trahan Architects in Baton Rouge, LA, and AIA Gold Medal winner Antoine Predock of Albuquerque, NM, joined Harmon for the seminar and, along with Harmon, used their own work to demonstrate “America’s New Regionalism.”

Harmon’s work, which ranges from small sheds to 70,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, has won more AIA/NC awards than any other firm in the state and has been published in international, national and regional periodicals and books, including Architectural Record and Waterfront Homes & Design. His work has become synonymous with sustainable, or “green,” architecture, and his firm was named Top Firm Of The Year by Residential Architect magazine in 2005. In 2004 he received a Business Week/Architectural Record International Honor Award for his design of the Blacksmith Studio at the Penland School of Arts & Crafts, Penland, NC. His work is currently featured in the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Harmon is a veteran design awards judge and speaker at regional and national design conferences, and an accomplished writer. He has presented seminars for past National AIA conferences and his writing on architectural issues has been published in numerous periodicals including the international Docomomo Journal.

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