WASHINGTON, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) (http://www.aia150.org/ ) launched two new AIA layers in Google Earth today: Blueprint for America (http://www.aia150.org/bl150_default.php ) and America's Favorite Architecture (http://www.favoritearchitecture.org/ ). Marking AIA's 150th anniversary, the AIA and Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/index.html ) partnership demonstrates architecture's impact on the world to more than 200 million Google Earth users.

America's Favorite Architecture layer features the American public's favorite structures, as selected by a Harris Interactive poll announced earlier this year. Google Earth users can now see many newly-created 3-D models of the ballparks, bridges, buildings and memorials that characterize architecture for Americans and comment on the poll results. By clicking on the America's Favorite Architecture layer, users can view texturized 3-D images of the nation's most popular landmarks created with Google SketchUp, right down to the trees lining the sidewalks and flags flanking the entrances.

The Blueprint for America layer documents community service efforts funded by the AIA, in which AIA members donated their time and expertise to collaborate with community leaders and local citizens to address issues such as homelessness, sustainable communities and downtown revitalization. Clicking on the Blueprint for America layer enables users to explore how AIA members and local citizens are working together to resolve real issues in their communities to create a vision for their future. The Blueprint projects are demonstrations of AIA civic engagement and foster an understanding of how citizens can find their voice to address specific issues related to the design and planning of their community.

"Architecture defines the communities where we live, work and play, and thanks to the technology of Google Earth, we hope to connect communities to one another by opening the door to virtual exploration of design and the design process without the constraints of distance," said AIA CEO and Executive Vice President Christine McEntee.

"The AIA partnership with Google Earth reinforces the message that architects and local citizens are part of a growing global effort to create a better quality of life in their community," said AIA President RK Stewart, FAIA. "By following the Blueprint for America projects as they are completed over the course of the next year, local citizens everywhere can find inspiration and insight into how they might become active or more effective in their community."

The process of designing buildings and communities is changing due to new technology, such as Google Earth's SketchUp - a powerful yet easy-to-learn 3-D modeling software that combines a robust tool-set with an intelligent drawing system. Google SketchUp users can build and modify 3-D models quickly and easily, making architectural drawings more streamlined and efficient so that more alternative visions of the future can be explored.

"We're delighted that the AIA community is sharing their important work with new audiences in Google Earth," said Michael Jones, chief technologist for Google Earth and Google Maps. "The AIA layers in Google Earth enable users to better visualize, understand and appreciate the world around them."

For more information on AIA and Google Earth, visit http://www.aia150.org/, or watch the AIA/Google Earth YouTube video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpNaMbMr1CM .

About AIA150

Celebrating 150 years, the AIA is the premier professional organization for America's architects. The AIA150 program, "Celebrating the Past. Designing the Future," honors architects for their dedication and commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities. The cornerstone of AIA150, Blueprint for America, serves as a nationwide platform to unite architects and citizens to collaborate on their communities' design priorities. The AIA also released America's Favorite Architecture, as voted by the public through a nationwide poll with Harris Interactive. The AIA acknowledges the important financial support of AIA150 Corporate Founders Circle contributor McGraw-Hill Construction (Official Media Sponsor). For more information on other AIA150 news and events, including Blueprint for America, visit http://www.aia150.org/.

About Blueprint for America

Blueprint for America is the cornerstone of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 150th Anniversary Celebration. Comprised of 156 community service projects funded by the AIA, Blueprint for America brings architects and the public together to address community needs related to design and livability. From downtown revitalization projects to affordable housing modules, Blueprint for America inspires people to think about the way architecture impacts their daily lives. Once completed, case studies from individual Blueprint projects will be compiled and shared with local officials interested in implementing similar programs in their communities. The completed piece, titled "Blueprint for America Mosaic: A Gift to the Nation," will be presented in 2008. The AIA acknowledges the important financial support of AIA150 Corporate Founders Circle contributor McGraw-Hill Construction (Official Media Sponsor). For more information, visit http://www.aia150.org/.

About The American Institute of Architects

For 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. AIA members have access to the right people, knowledge, and tools to create better design, and through such resources and access, they help clients and communities make their visions real. Visit http://www.aia.org/.

Contact: Meghan Norville, Imre Communications meghann@imrecommunications.com 410-821-8220 Aaron Cohen, Imre Communications aaronc@imrecommunications.com 202-547-0500

CONTACT: Meghan Norville, +1-410-821-8220,
meghann@imrecommunications.com, Aaron Cohen, +1-202-547-0500,
aaronc@imrecommunications.com, both of Imre Communications for The American
Institute of Architects

Web site: http://www.aia.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpNaMbMr1CM