Rochester trade organizations unite in the name of charity.

Over 18 months ago, two professional trade organizations came together to brainstorm ideas to pool their resources for a worthy cause and give back to the community in which they live and work. In early 2005, the Rochester Chapters of The American Institute of Architects and the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York approved a joint venture with Rochester's Flower City Habitat for Humanity to sponsor, design and construct a home for a deserving family. This unprecedented collaboration between Rochester's finest architectural and engineering professionals has been called the ACES house, which stands for Architects Collaborating with Engineers for Shelter.

The ACES house will be a three-bedroom, one-and-one-half-story bungalow, approximately 1,250 s/f in size. The house has been designed by the AIA/ACEC New York design committee and brings a fresh look to the Habitat portfolio. The AIA and ACEC New York have actively raised over $40,000 of the $67,000 needed to bring the project to completion. The groups will also provide the volunteer labor to build the house and change the life of a deserving family.

The ACES House chairman, Edward G. Parrone, P.E., president of Parrone Engineering, is thrilled to see the two groups working together.

"Habitat for Humanity is such a wonderful organization. The look of gratitude on the faces of the family receiving the keys to their new Habitat home gives you such a tremendous sense of accomplishment," he said.