CHELSEA, Mass., Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning architecture, historic restoration, preservation and master-planning firm The Architectural Team has announced that managing principal, Robert J. Verrier, has been elected to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) prestigious College of Fellows.

The Fellowship program, one of the highest professional honors for American architects, was developed by the Washington, D.C.-based AIA to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession.

"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized as an AIA Fellow, and one that reminds us that our mission goes beyond designing buildings," says Verrier, "It is a life-work commitment to making the world a better place in which to work, to live, to learn and to grow."

This year, 105 architects from around the country were awarded the Fellow designation, by showing they are "advancing the living standards of people through an improved environment" and "making the profession of ever-increasing service to society."

Verrier is well known nationally among architects involved in historic landmarks, affordable housing and multifamily development. His projects are noteworthy for revitalizing communities, especially waterfront sites, historic mills, hospitals, and disadvantaged zones of his native greater Boston.

Verrier's love of old buildings, and his passion for the preservation of historic fabric, has overlapped with his devotion to creating "quality, safe and attractive housing for those who could not afford it otherwise." Historic restoration projects with affordable housing include The Franklin Square House and Kenmore Abbey, both in Boston. Verrier enjoys an unusually strong reputation among real estate developers, business and institutional leaders, and charitable groups.

The announcement comes as The Architectural Team celebrates its 41st anniversary, and it adds to Verrier's long list of honors, including a lifetime achievement designation from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Boston in 2010.  

Founded in 1971, The Architectural Team, Inc. (www.architecturalteam.com) is a 60-person master planning and architectural firm with a portfolio of distinctive solutions for large urban mixed-use developments, multifamily residential, commercial, hospitality, recreational, and academic facilities, and a national reputation for historic preservation and adaptive reuse.

Contact: Chris Sullivan
914.462.2096 chris@ccsullivan.com

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The Architectural Team's Bob Verrier Elected to AIA College of Fellows

House Arc, by Bellomo Architects, is a prefabricated off-the-grid housing solution that facilitates compact living. The project was originally designed as an environmentally sensitive and affordable method of housing that is not only functional but also attractive to the eye. Furthermore, it is designed to be easily packed and shipped to any location, where it can then be erected by the user or community. "We designed it to be a kit of parts that can be assembled quickly-like an IKEA house," says House Arc architect Joseph Bellomo.

The House Arc is designed to be flat-packed and shipped in a remarkably small box that measures 4 x 10 x 3 feet (1.2 x 3 x .95 meters). The lightweight base structure consists of a modular system of bent steel tubes that can easily be assembled on site. Constructing the low-impact home requires no special training and is similar to building modular furniture, with a kit of parts and an easy-to-follow, graphic installation manual. Upon assembly, the House Arc becomes a curvaceous 150 square-foot (14 square meter) home that weighs 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg). The house features large windows that allow natural light to filter through the dwelling. A shading trellis limits the amount of heat that can infiltrate inside the building and the raised structure allows air to flow underneath for cooling, whilst also maintaining the permeability of the site. The House Arc can withstand the elements, including tropical winds, and also features a roof designed to support solar energy-generation.

Optional additions to further enhance the sustainability of House Arc include the installation of solar photovoltaic panels and insulation that can be added between panels.

Whilst the House Arc would make an attractive backyard retreat, the lightweight and easy-to-construct house could also function as an emergency shelter. It is a primary focus of Bellomo Architects to develop the House Arc concept so it can be used to house people in devastated areas after a catastrophic event or to replace housing that was not built to withstand such forces. "We foresee the House Arc in locations such as Haiti and New Orleans" says Bellomo Architects.

We just hope that they will drop the US$65,000 price tag for such a noble cause!

The House Arc will be a featured prefab house at this year's Sunset Celebration Weekend in Menlo Park, California from June 2-3.

Sources: Bellomo Architects, Bike Arc

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Modular home comes delivered in a 10 foot box and is assembled “like an IKEA house”

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Business activity for landscape architects continued to recede in fourth quarter 2011, but longer term, the profession is relatively optimistic about 2012.

Some 27.8 percent of respondents to the American Society of Landscape Architects’ fourth quarter Business Quarterly survey reported billable hours as slightly (plus 5 to 10 percent) or significantly (10 percent-plus) higher in fourth quarter when compared to the previous quarter. Another 34.8 reported billable hours as about the same (plus or minus 5 percent). This is down from the previous quarter, which showed 32.4 percent as slightly or significantly improved and 33 percent as stable.

Inquiries, too, showed a retreat, with quarter-to-quarter inquiries slightly or significantly improved for 31.9 percent of respondents compared to 35.7 percent in the previous quarter. Those reporting inquiries as stable remained unchanged at 33.8 percent.

Comparing fourth quarter 2011 to fourth quarter 2010, the picture improves slightly. Some 40.2 percent of firms reported improved billings, and 23.4 reported billable hours as about the same. Inquiries were 40.3 percent slightly to significantly improved, and another 28.6 percent reported inquiries as stable. In the third quarter, 39 percent reported improvement and 21.3 reported stability year-over-year when comparing billable hours; 39.1 reported improvement and 27.7 percent reported stability in inquiries.

A majority of landscape architecture firms, 75.3 percent, told the ASLA Business Quarterly survey for Q4 2011 that they do not expect to hire during the first quarter of 2012. While the number was high, it too is an improvement on the third quarter, when 81.3 percent said they were not hiring.

Asked about business conditions for the full year of 2012, 45.6 percent of respondents said they expected them to remain the same, but 43.1 percent said they expected conditions to improve. Only 11.2 percent expected conditions to decline. Concerning employment, a majority of 54.7 percent said they expected prospects to remain the same, while 34.3 percent said they expected prospects to improve. A minority of 11 percent said they expected prospects to worsen.

“Landscape architecture firms continue to be mired in the sluggish economy, and this is particularly true when it comes to hiring,” said ASLA Executive Vice President and CEO Nancy Somerville. “The year ahead, however, seems to hold some hope for firms that things may begin to move forward,” she said.

Regional Breakdowns

The West consistently ranked lowest in reporting improved billable hours and inquiries quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year. They also ranked highest in predicting improved employment and business conditions in 2012. The Midwest showed the strongest performance in three of the four measures, showing lonely a lower number in the quarter-to-quarter inquiries. Surprisingly, Midwest firms also were among the least optimistic when assessing the business outlook for 2012.

    Northeast   Midwest   South   West CT, ME, MA, IL, IN, MI, DC, DE, FL, AZ, CO, ID, NH, RI, VT, OH, WI, IA, GA, MD, NC, NM, MT, UT, NJ, NY, PA KS, MN, MO, SC, VA, WV, NV, WY, AK, NE, SD, ND AL, KY, MS, CA, HI, OR, TN, AR, LA, WA             OK, TX     3Q-to-4Q2011 billings somewhat or significantly improved   27.5   31.9   31.5   20.5 3Q-to-4Q2011 inquiries somewhat or significantly improved   34.5   33.8   35.4   25.4 4Q2010-to-4Q2011 billings somewhat or significantly improved   40.2   58.3   34.3   31.5 4Q2010-to-4Q2011 inquiries somewhat or significantly improved   46.0   48.6   38.6   33.1 Hiring will improve in 2012   34.5   33.8   32.7   36.4 Business conditions will improve in 2012   43.7   37.8   44.9   45.4  

About the Survey

The ASLA Quarterly Business survey asks about quarterly benchmarks on key statistics including billable hours, inquiries from prospective clients and hiring plans. The Q4 2011 national survey was completed on February 1, 2012 with 437 respondents.

About ASLA

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. The Society's mission is to lead, to educate and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our cultural and natural environments. Members of the Society use their “ASLA” suffix after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Learn more about landscape architecture online at http://www.asla.org.

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Business Conditions for Landscape Architecture Firms Retreat, but Survey Finds Some Optimism About 2012

BOSTON, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Margulies Perruzzi Architects, one of Boston's most innovative architectural and interior design firms, today announced that it has been selected to assist with interior design services for Mass Insight Global Partnerships, a Boston-based consulting and research firm that builds strategic pre-competitive alliances between higher education, industry and government. The firm and its non-profit affiliate Mass Insight Education are moving to a new 10,000 square foot office suite at 18 Tremont Street, a building where they both currently reside.

Mass Insight had outgrown its previous space and sought a more efficient and organized layout in the U-shaped building. With a mix of offices, workstations and meeting spaces, Margulies Perruzzi Architects was retained by the tenant to ensure adherence to their strongly established brand. By doing so, the interior palette features light neutral colors with high contrast color accents. In addition, Margulies Perruzzi Architects advised upon the open, light-filled design and provided input for efficient workspaces and better storage for Mass Insight's 40 employees. The project is slated for completion in early 2012.

"It was important to us that our new space reflect our mission as an organization, while providing a comfortable space for our clients, partners, sponsors, and staff," said Bill Guenther, president of Mass Insight. "Margulies Perruzzi Architects understood our business model and helped us set forth a confident and polished design that fosters communication. We look forward to moving into our new space."

Founded in 1989, Mass Insight Global Partnerships creates competitive advantage through public policy and partnerships of industry, universities, and government. Mass Insight Education is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 to transform public schools into high performance organizations and close the achievement gaps.

Fusion Design Consultants LLC is the architect of record for the project, responsible for construction documentation. The landlord for the building is BPG Properties, Ltd.

About Margulies Perruzzi Architects
Consistently ranked as one of Boston's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and corporate interiors for clients who value design. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, research/lab, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. Clients include Manulife/John Hancock, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Fallon Clinic, Sapient, Hobbs Brook Management and Forrester Research. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.

Media Contacts:
Michele Spiewak
Rhino Public Relations
617-851-2618
MPArchitects@rhinopr.com 

Link:
Mass Insight Selects Margulies Perruzzi Architects for Office Design

EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — KH Webb Architects is one of fewer than 70 companies featured in a new book, “21st Century Homes.” In chapters dedicated to single-family, urban, vacation, sustainable, and future homes, the 456-page book has photographs and renderings of a variety of project types and styles.

“I am very proud of our team. It is very exciting to have our designs featured in ‘21st Century Homes ‘and to be able to showcase projects that brought a client's vision to life, while incorporating natural elements and designs that create synergy. Meticulous attention to detail, consistent quality and spatial design are hallmarks of our designs and are all illustrated in this book,” said Kyle Webb, principal of KH Webb.

A release about the book states that it “celebrates the artistic contributions of dozens of highly regarded architects... and is intended for readers of varying levels of interest and expertise.”

“21st Century Homes will be available through the Bookworm of Edwards, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.

For more information, go to http://www.khwebb.com or call 970-477-2990.

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Vail Valley architects' work featured in new book

Architects presented a preliminary design for Lexington's CentrePointe block to the Courthouse Area Design Review Board on Wednesday. Rick Ekhoff, a principal in the firm of EOP architects, told the board he wanted their critique and feedback.

The design retained several pieces of the master plan done last year by Chicago architect Jeanne Gang and her firm Studio Gang Architects. Those pieces include a hotel and condominium tower on Vine Street, a low-rise office building at Main and Limestone, three and four-story retail buildings facing Main Street and an underground parking garage.

Board members were tactful in their remarks but said they wanted to see changes in parts of the plan Ekhoff presented.

Developers Dudley and Woodford Webb tore down 14 historic buildings in downtown Lexington in 2008 to make way for CentrePointe, a hotel/condominium project that has not materialized. The block remains empty, and the design presented Wednesday was at least the fourth.

The Webbs hired Gang in March to come up with a new vision for the block. In October, Dudley Webb announced that Gang had completed the job she had been hired to do and no longer was part of the project.

Ekhoff described the two-acre block as the core of the economic welfare, cultural strength and social vitality of the community. "Hopefully, with your blessing this project can move forward," he said.

The block is included in the Courthouse Area Design Review Zone, in which all new buildings and exterior changes to existing structures must be approved by the review board.

Several members said there needed to be more pedestrian access through the block, at ground level, so people could walk from Main Street to Vine Street.

Buildings facing Upper Street need more windows instead of solid brick walls, they said. One board member said it looked now as if the project had "turned its back on Upper Street."

Several members took issue with a pedway connecting the hotel to the Financial Center parking garage. It would be possible for people to walk from the CentrePointe hotel all the way to Lexington Center via pedways.

Board member Kevin Atkins asked whether that worked against the current push to get more people walking downtown. Last summer the city completed a multimillion-dollar, three-year project to build new sidewalks on Main and Vine streets and South Limestone.

Dudley Webb said women would feel safer at night on pedways when they had to walk from Lexington Center to the CentrePointe hotel.

The idea that people have to walk in "a conditioned, secure environment says something not so good about downtown. I live downtown. Downtown is safer than the suburbs here," said board member Michael Speaks, dean of the University of Kentucky College of Design.

What downtown needs is more pedestrian traffic, not less, he said.

"I really don't like the pedway, Speaks said."

Board chairman Mike Meuser said one thing the public appreciated about Jeanne Gang was that she had public meetings and solicited people's ideas, several of which she incorporated into her design. Meuser suggested Ekhoff also have a public meeting so the community would feel included in the process.

Board member Harry Richert asked whether the entire project, with all the buildings, could be built in phases. Webb said that would be too expensive, so it would be built at one time, he said.

Webb said three businesses — Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse from Cincinnati, Saul Good Restaurant and Pub, and Urban Active gym — have committed to take space on the block. J.W. Marriott will take the hotel space.

A public meeting will be scheduled, Ekhoff said. Then the design will be finalized, and EOP will file a formal application to the Courthouse Area Design Review Board. The board will schedule a hearing on the application three weeks after the filing.

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Architects present new preliminary design for Lexington's CentrePointe block

The inreal terminal is an innovation for use in architecture. Users can "access" their future home prior to construction. The key component of the terminal is a head-mounted display, 3D video glasses with integrated high-resolution motion sensors. They measure the position and movement of the head and, thus, allow for an adaptation of virtual environment in real time. Via tablet control, design wishes, such as changes of the wall color, floor cover, or room layout, can be made immediately. The terminal is advantageous for the client and reduces the architect's working time during the planning phase.

The terminal, consisting of the 3D video glasses, controller, 3D display, and tablet, may not only be used by architects, but also for other purposes. Any environment can be "modeled" on the computer and "accessed" via the terminal. "The terminal gives the users an authentic feeling of space due to intuitive navigation," explains Moritz Luck, one of the founders of the spin-off. In the future, the technology shall be developed further for home users.

This video is not supported by your browser at this time.

inreal Technologies was established in 2010 by the KIT students Thomas Schander, Michael Beyhs, and Moritz Luck. In cooperation with the Institute for Information Management in Engineering (IMI), the young entrepreneurs developed their ideas to maturity. For their innovative approach, they were granted a spin-off stipend under the EXIST program by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

Provided by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (news : web)

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Virtual reality supports planning by architects

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will soon have in place a panel of architects to verify and approve individual building plans on behalf of the civic body for residents wanting to build private houses.

Chief executive officer of the civic body Vinay Kumar Choubey said RMC had already issued a tender, asking city architects to enrol themselves in the panel and take up responsibility as envisaged by the new municipal act.

"On Saturday, we began the exercise of getting architects on board the panel. A tender was issued and we are sure we will get architects interested in the new task," Choubey told The Telegraph.

The new law ' Jharkhand Municipality Act 2011 ' eased the process of building plan approval for individuals wanting to construct homes. Those building small and medium houses now need not go to the civic body to get their plans approved. The new rule authorises private but empanelled architects to verify and approve individual building plans up to a size of 500sqmt. Even interested junior civil engineers have been authorised by the new act to play this role.

"We will be getting names of interested architects in the next 15 days. Following this, the panel would be formed," Choubey said.

According to the act, after approving an individual building plan, the empanelled architect has to submit the details to the chief executive officer of the civic body within 15 days from the date of approval. The architect would have to approve the plans as per norms set by the civic body.

Earlier, the task of verifying and approving building plans was the responsibility of Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA). Almost a year ago, the task was handed over to RMC, which can approve building plans in areas under its jurisdiction. The RRDA has the power to approve maps for buildings outside the civic body area.

"So far, we have approved nearly 500 plans. If everything including ownership of land and proposed layout is alright, it takes only around 20-25 days to verify the spot and approve the plan," said Gajanan Ram, the RMC town planner. Around 150 applications are lying for the consideration of the civic body.

The civic body has created a town planning cell at its office, engaging one town planner, two assistant engineers and four junior engineers. These men collectively verify a building plan and either approve it or ask the applicant to come up with a modified version.

"As a panel of architects is yet to be created, the civic body is now approving building plans of individual houses as well as apartments and commercial buildings. Once the architect panel is formed, the civic body will approve apartments and commercial building plans and those individual building plans whose area exceeds 500sqmt," Ram clarified.

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Panel to approve building plans

Public release date: 14-Feb-2012
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Contact: Sheryl Weinstein
973-596-3436
New Jersey Institute of Technology

Five members of the faculty at NJIT's College of Architecture and Design (COAD) will share their ideas at "Think Pieces" on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in the COAD Gallery. The public is invited to the free event which promises to provide a good insider's view into the world of architecture and design.

"This promises to be a stimulating and fascinating evening," said COAD Dean Urs Gauchat. "Students will learn more about what their teachers are thinking about, parents will learn about the caliber of the faculty, donors will appreciate the intellectual milieu, faculty will expound to their colleagues, and alumni will be exposed to the extraordinary thinking of faculty."

The faculty presenters, all architects, include associate professor Richard Garber, assistant professors Taro Naraharo, Georgeen Theodore and Andrzej Zarzycki; and university lecturer Jose Acala.

Theodore http://www.njit.edu/news/experts/theodore.php, who is also an urban designer, has participated in and led large-scale projects in the U.S. and internationally. As an associate professor in COAD's School of Architecture, she teaches design studio in both the undergraduate and Master of Infrastructure Planning programs. A key goal in Theodore's work is to bring large-scale design issues and methodologies to the forefront in both programs.

Garber http://www.njit.edu/news/experts/garber.php teaches design studios and directs a unique design and manufacturing laboratory, the FABLAB. His work uses computer simulation and computer numerically-controlled hardware to generate innovative design, construction, and assembly solutions. He is also principal of the New York City architectural firm GRO Architects.

Naraharo, a registered New York architect, teaches digital design studio and courses on gaming and physical computing at NJIT. He won the Peter Rice Prize, the Digital Design Prize, and a REAI Research Grant Award from Harvard University. He has practiced in the United States and Japan and been associated with firms such as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Gluckman Mayner Architects. He has collaborated on award-winning projects including the Mori Arts Center, Hotel Puerta de America in Madrid, and the MoMA Store in New York City.

Zarzycki is a designer and educator who uses digital tools to create experiential architectural spaces. His research focuses on media-based environments and on validation methodologies of generative design through building performance analysis and simulation tools. He is a co-winner of SHIFTboston Ideas Competition 2010 and a co-founder of TUTS (Tremont Underground Theatre Space) (the-tuts.org), a design initiative focusing on innovative adaptations of infrastructure into contemporary public spaces and on the integration of digital technologies into urban life. He has taught at Rhode Island School of Design and received a master of science in Architecture Studies from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Alcala has more than 20 years experience in both the practical and theoretical areas of the design field. He has designed electronic projects, furniture, exhibitions and even buildings. He holds 10 patents and has received several awards for his architectural and product design work, and maintains a strong alliance to both disciplines. Six years ago he helped found and today still coordinates COAD's Industrial Design Department. This NJIT work relates to private companies that Alcala co-founded to serve industrial, architectural, urban and sustainable design: (Morozov Alcala Design Laboratory LLC (MADLAB), and the Renewable Energy Laboratory LLC (RELAB). He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from NJIT and a master's degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute.

###

NJIT, New Jersey's science and technology university, enrolls more than 9,558 students pursuing bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in 120 programs. The university consists of six colleges: Newark College of Engineering, College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, School of Management, College of Computing Sciences and Albert Dorman Honors College. U.S. News & World Report's 2011 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT in the top tier of national research universities. NJIT is internationally recognized for being at the edge in knowledge in architecture, applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering and e-learning. Many courses and certificate programs, as well as graduate degrees, are available online through the Office of Continuing Professional Education.

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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5 NJIT architects and designers will share panel at free upcoming talk

Houston, TX (PRWEB) February 14, 2012

EPM Architects announced today that they will be exhibiting at the Microsoft Project Conference 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona from March 19-22, 2012. EPM Architects will be available at their exhibition booth to meet conference attendees, answer questions about Microsoft Project and Project Server functionality, discuss best practices, and talk about their world class line of services that make them one of the premier Microsoft EPM consulting companies in the world. In addition, they will also be giving away one registration for any of their Microsoft Project or Project Server training classes in their training facility in Houston, Texas.

Michael Samadi, President and CEO of EPM Architects said, “Since the last Microsoft Project Conference was in ’09 (prior to the company being established), we are very excited that Microsoft has selected EPM Architects to present at the Microsoft Project Conference 2012.”

For more details on EPM Architects’ products and services, please visit their website at http://www.epmarchitects.com or call them at their Houston office at 713.400.9200 or toll free at 1.888.444.3762.
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Microsoft Project Conference 2012 is the premiere Microsoft-led event to share the latest Microsoft Project and Portfolio Management tools and best practices with over a thousand members of the Microsoft Project community from across the globe. It will feature high-impact keynotes, breakout sessions, training sessions and networking opportunities to learn how to be more successful with Microsoft Project and Project Server.

Microsoft Project Conference 2012 is the event for the Microsoft Project Community. With attendees from all across the globe, you will connect with over a thousand passionate members of the Microsoft Project Community - project professionals, business decision makers, certified partners and the Microsoft Project team. Immerse yourself and take your success to the next level. Microsoft Project Conference 2012 focuses on you and what you can accomplish with Microsoft Project 2010. Through the high-impact keynotes, breakout sessions, trainings and networking opportunities, you will learn how Microsoft Project 2010 and Microsoft Project Server 2010 can transform and accelerate your success.    
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About EPM Architects

EPM Architects is an Enterprise Project and Portfolio Management consulting and training firm focused exclusively on the Microsoft EPM solution with a Microsoft Certified Gold Competency in Enterprise Project and Portfolio Management.

With clients from Global 50, Fortune 50, 100 and 500 companies, as well as small to mid-sized companies in several industry verticals, they provide unparalleled services in EPM Implementation, Solution Design, Envisioning, Custom Development, and 24/7 Support. Additionally, EPM Architects has a complete curriculum of hands-on open enrollment training courses in Microsoft Project and Microsoft Project Server which are provided at their state of the art Training and Solution Center in Houston, TX. Any training curriculum can also be custom tailored and delivered onsite to meet client needs.

EPM Architects’ mission is simple: To be the leading and most respected Microsoft Enterprise Project Management consulting company in the world by providing outstanding Enterprise Project Management services and solutions through dedication, passion, and excellence.

For further information please contact:

Lauren Skidmore
EPM Architects, Inc.
713.400.9200 ext. 103

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EPM Architects to Exhibit at the Microsoft Project Conference 2012