a/e ProNet Member Archives - Page 2 of 7

2015 ACEC Professional Liability Insurance Survey of Carriers in Engineering, Inc.

By Lynda

Design firms preparing to purchase or renew professional liability insurance ask the same few questions every year.

How will my professional liability premium be calculated? Will my professional liability premium go up? Should I change professional liability insurance companies?

One helpful resource to answer these questions is the 2015 Professional Liability Insurance Survey of Carriers, a report published annually by the ACEC along with a companion analysis in Engineering, Inc. that includes insight from insurance companies and other experts This year, the title of the article says it all: 2015 was “Smooth Sailing” for the professional liability insurance industry, and that means good things for architects and engineers.

“The ACEC Risk Management Committee worked with the American Institute of Architects, the AIA Trust, and the National Society of Professional Engineers to survey 18 carriers.” With construction spending higher than it’s been in years and expected to rise, the number of insurance companies providing professional liability insurance to architects and engineers is also growing. New markets increase the competition for more established companies, and keep rates stable, which means Eric Moore, President of a/e ProNet and Vice President of Moore Insurance Services, is optimistic.

“Nonrenewal is about the only reason Moore would suggest changing carriers” this year. “If you do see a claim, a carrier you’ve been with a few years is less likely to drop you, he says.”

Also quoted in the article are representatives from several of the top-tier professional liability insurance carriers, like a/e ProNet sponsors Travelers, Beazley, and Victor O. Schinnerer, as well as Tim Corbett of SmartRisk, a performance management consultant for the design and construction industry, who has written for a/e ProNet many times.

You can read a digital version of this article in the January/February 2016 issue of Engineering, Inc.

As always, if you have any questions about this report or the professional liability market, please contact your local a/e ProNet broker today.

John Ronan Architects is an Obama Presidential Library Finalist

By Lynda

Chicago architecture firm and a/e ProNet client John Ronan Architects is one of seven finalists for the design of the Obama Presidential Library, which will be built on Chicago’s South Side. The remaining seven firms hail from all over the world, so it’s exciting that at least one “local” architect made the cut. John Ronan Architects may be best known for the dramatic Poetry Foundation building in Chicago. Best of luck to the team!

Shout-out Credit:

Mike Welbel
M.G. Welbel and Associates
650 Dundee Road, Suite 170
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: 847.412.1414
mwelbel@mgwelbel.com

Announcing our New Scholarship for Engineering Students

By Lynda

Attention engineering students! This year, a/e ProNet has partnered with the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) to offer a brand new scholarship:

The a/e ProNet Engineering Scholarship
Award: $2,500
Deadline: March 7, 2016

Eligibility

Students must be entering their junior, senior, fifth, or master’s degree year, in the fall of 2016 to qualify for the general scholarships. In addition, a student must be a U.S. citizen pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering or in an accredited land-surveying program to qualify.

Bachelor’s students must be in an ABET-accredited engineering program; Master’s students must either be in an ABET-accredited Master of Science (MS) engineering program, or have a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program.

You can find the ACEC Scholarship Application here.

For more information, visit the ACEC website’s scholarship page.

The scholarship will be administered by the ACEC, and a/e ProNet member Mark Jackson of JCJ Insurance Agency in Orlando, Florida will serve as our representative on the committee. Good luck to all applicants!

ProNet Clients Among 2015 Indiana Design Award Winners

By Lynda

We’re excited to see some a/e ProNet clients among the winners at the recent 2015 Indiana Design Awards.

ONE 10 STUDIO Architects

Honor Award – New Construction
(Project cost greater than $1 million)

Project Name: 5855 Irvington Lofts (Indianapolis, IN)

Jury Comments:

This project uses economical materials judiciously and successfully. The minimalist language makes for striking architecture that does not look like affordable housing; the same reductivist approach is beautifully expressed in the highly disciplined floor plans as well. Generous expanses of glazing open up the interiors, making spaces feel larger than they are, and accent colors provide a vibrancy to the design both inside and out.

Merit Award – New Construction
(Project cost less than $1 million)

Project Name: City Farmhouse (Bloomington, IN)

Jury Comments:

The taut restraint exhibited in the design of this project transforms the farmhouse vernacular into a contemporary residential icon for the community. The simple, well-balanced composition, culminating in a corner-wrapping porch stepping down to grade is exceptional. Interiors are surprisingly open and light. Though obviously painstakingly designed, this project appears completely un-self-conscious and rooted in authenticity.

Axis Architecture + Interiors

Honor Award – Interior Architecture
(Project cost greater than $1 million)

Project Name: Jarden Home Brands (Fishers, IN)

Jury Comments:

This was a beautiful presentation, and was consistent with the attention to detail, and vibrant color and texture present throughout the design. The jury appreciated the process drawings, and was taken with the imaginative use of the client’s products in the design. Floating ceilings simultaneously celebrate building systems, filter natural light, and define spaces in a minimal, interesting way. This looked to us like a wonderful place to work.

Citation Award – Interior Architecture
(Project cost less than $1 million)

Project Name: Taxman Brewing Co. (Bargersville, IN)

Jury Comments:

his project was also very well presented, beginning and ending with contextual photos that helped the jury appreciate the importance of the immediate environs. A taut, industrial aesthetic is judiciously deployed, complementing the earlier industrial architecture, while tastefully accenting the client’s products. The result is a space that feels exciting, contemporary and authentic.

Read about all the winning projects and architects of 2015 on the AIA Indiana website.

Shout-out Credit:

Holly L. Gill, CIC
Agent, Professional Liability
Walker & Associates Insurance
317-759-9320 (office)

Award-Winning Scorpion House Lists for $5.5M

By Lynda

Undoubtedly one of the most dramatic homes in the American Southwest, the so-called Scorpion House has recently been put up for sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. Designed by a/e ProNet client Eddie Jones of Jones Studio in 2001, the 4,700-square foot Scorpion House blends “poured concrete, glass and oxidized titanium panels into a curvilinear plan that spans the desert and boulder outcroppings in an organic form to protect the natural setting.” It holds an impressive roster of design awards, including ‘Gold, Architecture under 5,000 Square Feet’ by The Arizona Home Book Design Excellence Awards. The property has also been featured in Architectural Digest and Desert Living Magazine.

See more beautiful photos of this luxurious private residence on the Xtravaganzi blog.

Shout-out Credit:

Jeff Gerrick
Professional Underwriters of Az., Inc.
Scottsdale, AZ
Ph: 480-483-0440

Managing Employee Benefits: A Three-Legged Stool of Protection

By Lynda

For many design firms, the ability to offer and maintain competitive employee benefit programs continues to be one of the keys to attracting and retaining the best available talent. Yet, the regulatory and legal environment within which these benefit plans are being designed and administered is more complex than ever. Not only are there ERISA issues, but there is a literal alphabet soup of COBRA, FMLA, HIPAA, etc. With this greater complexity and heightened scrutiny comes risk: risk for the company itself, and the executives and administrators responsible for overseeing and administering the benefit plans.

The good news is that the risks are manageable and design firms with employee benefit programs can take advantage of a three-legged stool of insurance protection – Employee Benefits Liability Insurance, ERISA Bonds, and Fiduciary Liability Insurance. Many executives and administrators are confused about what each of these covers and whether or not they need them. This article will explain how each coverage evolved and what specific exposures they address. We also examine some risk scenarios based on actual litigation.

Employee Benefits Liability Insurance

Employee Benefits Liability insurance (EBL) very simply provides protection against claims arising from errors in the administration of employee benefit plans. This coverage was developed in the mid-1970s largely in response to exposures that arose from the 1962 court decision in Gediman v. Anheuser Busch. In this case, an employer was held accountable to the estate of a former employee for providing incorrect information to the health insurance company, which then in turn denied the employee’s claim. Thus, EBL insurance addresses claims arising out of errors or omissions in the administration of benefit plans. Three typical exposure scenarios covered by EBL insurance include:

An employer failing to properly enroll an employee for health insurance coverage, resulting in a denial of coverage.
An employer not providing an employee with the appropriate COBRA information after termination, resulting in the ex-employee being unable to continue participating in the health insurance plan as required by law.
An employer incorrectly calculating the amount of an employee’s pension benefit so that the employee decides to retire early only to find that the amount is much less.

Continue reading “Managing Employee Benefits: A Three-Legged Stool of Protection”

AIA College of Fellows Elevates Christ J. Kamages of California

By Lynda

Churches, cathedrals, and temples have historically drawn attention for their architectural beauty. Sometimes these buildings took centuries to complete, employing tens of thousands of craftsmen, all to meet the original vision of a single architect, inspired by the great Architect in the sky. It would be a mistake to think that–with the exception of project length and the architect’s scope of services–this has changed. Modern churches and temples continue to rise all over the world, and the architects behind them are often motivated by their own faith. These buildings are often spectacularly intricate, having been designed with a whole and holy purpose in mind.

One architect who has dedicated his practice to the design of such buildings is a/e ProNet client Christ J. Kamages of CJK Design Group in California. Many of the glorious, golden domes of modern Greek Orthodox churches, cathedrals, and missions across the country can be attributed to him. Last month, Mr. Kamages’s 33-year career earned him the honor of being elevated to the AIA College of Fellows at a ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia.

As noted on the CJK Design Group blog:

Established in 1857, the American Institute of Architects is a professional association made up of Architects and a related field, which seeks to “promote the scientific and practical perfection of its members” and “elevate the standing of the profession.” Through the AIA, standards of ethics and business practice have been developed and members hold each other up to maintain the highest standards. Each year, the AIA selects Architects from its membership to be elevated to the status of Fellow. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the AIA can bestow upon a member. Elevation to Fellowship not only recognizes the achievements of the architect as an individual but also elevates before the public and the profession those architects who have made significant contributions to architecture and to society.

Mr. Kamages was one of only 147 architects to be elevated to the College of Fellows this year. Of the 85,000-architect membership, only 3,200 have received this distinction.

Congratulations to Mr. Kamages and his fantastic team. We look forward to seeing many more beautiful designs from you in the years to come!

Shout-out Credit:

Leslie Pancoast, CIC, RPLU
Managing Partner
IOA Insurance Services – Pleasanton, CA
Email: Leslie.Pancoast@ioausa.com / Phone: 925-416-7862

a/e ProNet Holds Spring Meeting in Trendy Austin

By Lynda

Every spring, our members gather to network with one another, as well as to meet with representatives from the top-tier professional liability insurance providers. While our fall meeting is always held in Chicago, our spring meeting changes locations each year. For 2015, the choice was clear: trendy Austin, Texas!

10167978_10206206928070756_4679841597472695152_n — Above: Our crew enjoys the southern cuisine and atmosphere at Threadgill’s

The three-day meeting wraps up today, and our members will scatter back to their respective states, ready to assist their clients, newly equipped with the latest industry intelligence.

Are you a design professional with an insurance-related question? Get in touch with your local a/e ProNet broker today!

A Couple Celebrity Homes in Architectural Digest

By Lynda

When Hollywood celebrities shop for real estate, they seem to congregate in and around Los Angeles, where the famous hillside neighborhoods offer spectacular views of sunny Southern California. Once a big, beautiful house has been purchased, though, everyone likes to put his or her own stamp on the property. That’s when folks like Michael Bay (Transformers, Pearl Harbor) and Brian Grazer (Splash, Apollo 13) call on Rios Clementi Hale Studios.

Michael Bay residence, Los Angeles hills

“Miami architect Chad Oppenheim came up with the original concept for the 30,000-square-foot, three-story dwelling, modeling its sculptural massing of rectilinear forms and astonishing cantilevers after an unrealized proposal he had for a group of Caribbean villas. ‘I wanted the house to have the feel of a resort,’ recalls Bay, who is based in Miami but uses the residence for parties and relaxation during trips to L.A. ‘I looked at the first sketch Chad showed me and said, ‘That’s the house I want!” Architect Mark Rios of the L.A. firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios, in turn, translated that vision into nuts-and-bolts reality, collaborating closely with decorator Lorraine Letendre, who created the main living and bedroom spaces. Designer Lynda Murray, meanwhile, tackled the spa, gym, and lower-level guest quarters. Add to this formidable roster of talent a battalion of contractors, engineers, artisans, and consultants, and one  begins to fully grasp the ambition of the undertaking.” Excerpt from AD.com; read full article here.

Brian Grazer residence, Pacific Palisades neighborhood

‘A 12,000-square-foot behemoth in Santa Monica initially seemed anything but promising… Grazer’s friend Brad Grey, chairman of Paramount Pictures, introduced him to architect Mark Rios, founding principal of the L.A. firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios, who saw in the long, central volume at the heart of the existing hodgepodge the makings of a sleek contemporary barn. That design conceit, however, wasn’t an easy sell. ‘To Brian, the word barn wasn’t positive,’ Rios recalls. ‘It sounded too country. Then I showed him some Swiss houses that are tied to that vernacular but are very modern, and gradually he came around.’ Rios streamlined the main body of the house, removing a number of unnecessary and visually disruptive architectural protuberances, skimming dormers and clerestories, and staining the cedar façade a color that matched the slate roof to achieve a crisp, harmonious whole. “I wanted the house to have a tailored quality,” says the architect. ‘Self-assured without being grand.’ Excerpt from AD.com; read full article here.

Pick up the Celebrity Homes edition of Architectural Digest next month to read the full profiles of these two gorgeous projects. Congratulations to Mark Rios on this success!

Shout-out Credit:

Alicia K. Igram, AAI, VP & Branch Rep
Design & Consulting Liability Specialist
IOA Insurance Services – Aliso Viejo, CA
Email: Alicia.Igram@ioausa.com / Phone: 949-680-1789