January, 2015

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The Crummy Pillow Paradigm

Life of an Architect

'Every morning when I wake up, I make the bed. I don’t really have that many household morning chores other than letting the dog out and feeding all the pets so a few years ago I took it upon myself to start making the bed. I don’t particularly like doing it but who likes going to bed in the evening in an unmade bed? Animals, that’s who.

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Must see: Atlanta Falcons stadium will have retractable 'roof petals'

BD+C

'A video of the new home for the Atlanta Falcons has been released. The star of the show is a retractable roof designed by 360 Architecture (recently aquired by HOK) with eight "roof petals” that will rotate open in less than eight minutes, with the motion of a camera lens. Clad with translucent ETFE, the petals will allow natural light to pass into its interior even when closed.

Roofing 108
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The Story of Eero Saarinen’s Famous Tulip Chair

Dwell

The classic furniture design from the Finnish-American architect’s 1950s Pedestal Collection was also one of his last creations. In 1922 at age 12, Eero Saarinen won his first design contest, illustrating a story entirely with matchsticks for a Swedish newspaper. The prize was 30 Swedish kronor (about $8 at the time). The Finnish-American architect grew up surrounded by design.

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Developing a Time Management Discipline

EntreArchitect

This week I am very happy to share a guest post written by Steve L. Wintner, AIA, Emeritus , an architecture management consultant and co-author of the book, Financial Management for Design Professionals: The Path to Profitability. To learn more about Steve, his firm Management Consulting Services or to dive deeper into the subject that Steve is sharing with us here at Entrepreneur Architect, visit his website at ManagementConsultingServices.com.

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Revolutionize Concrete Durability with Kryton’s Integral Waterproofing Solutions

Kryton International leads the way in integral waterproofing solutions for concrete, helping architects, engineers, and developers protect their projects from moisture-related damage. With Kryton's Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) technology, concrete becomes inherently waterproof, extending the lifespan of structures while minimizing maintenance. This proven technology is trusted worldwide for its ability to self-seal micro-cracks, protect against water ingress, and withstand harsh conditions.

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My Favorite Things … Again

Life of an Architect

'“ Bob, what are some of your favorite things? ” is a question that I get asked all the time, which makes perfect sense because who doesn’t want to know what “My Favorite Things” are? … again. I generally don’t have answers to these sorts of questions just lying about but since that is the topic of today’s #ArchiTalks post I had better answer the question(s).

Mining 111

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Architectural Sketches – Keep or Throw Away

Life of an Architect

'I typically don’t give it a lot of thought – as soon as my architectural sketches have served their purpose, they get thrown away. I don’t consider them valuable or even worthwhile to keep. Am I crazy? ( with specific regards to this particular item ) Unlike a lot of firms, we do have several stacks of flat files in our office and starting about a 3 months ago, I decided that my sketches might live on in these archives.

Sketching 111
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An urban wind and solar energy system that may actually work

BD+C

'The compact, building-top wind turbine has been receiving a lot of heat for not being able to deliver what it promises in terms of energy production. This has led to accusations of the building developer putting these little turbines not to generate power, but to make an environmental statement. Body Image: read more.

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Schneider Electric and Autodesk begin collaboration on building lifecycle management

BD+C

'Schneider Electric has announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding. According to this agreement, Schneider Electric and Autodesk plan to collaborate to enhance current practices for building lifecycle management based on Building Information Modeling (BIM). read more.

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NIBS report: Small commercial buildings offer huge energy efficiency retrofit opportunities

BD+C

'In a report this week from its Council on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (CFIRE), the National Institute of Building Sciences issued the findings and recommendations on the financing of small commercial retrofit projects for energy efficiency. read more.

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Overcoming Challenges in Specification Writing for Architecture

This ebook is a helpful guide for architects & specification writers, focusing on the crucial role specifications play in building design. It dives into different types, relevant regulations, & best practices to keep in mind. You’ll find practical tips.

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Tesla Motors starts construction on $5 billion battery plant in Nevada

BD+C

'Work has begun on Tesla Motors’ “gigafactory,” a $5 billion project on 980 acres in Sparks, Nev., that, when at full capacity in 2020, could annually produce 50 gigawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries, or enough for 500,000 of Tesla’s electric cars. Body Image: read more.

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23 projects win AIA's highest architecture award

BD+C

'The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected the 2015 recipients of the Institute Honor Awards , the profession’s highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture, and urban design. Selected from roughly 500 submissions, 23 recipients located throughout the world will be honored at the AIA 2015 National Convention and Design Exposition in Atlanta.

Project 97
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Chinese company 3D prints six-story multifamily building

BD+C

'Will 3D printing become the future of multifamily construction? One Chinese company tested the waters, and completed a building six stories high, designboom reports. Shanghai-based WinSun Decoration Design Engineering Co. also built a French-inspired chateau using the 3D printer. Body Image: read more.

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A new record: 97 buildings taller than 200 meters completed in 2014

BD+C

'The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat has released their 2014 Year in Review report. According to the report, the total number of buildings over 200 meters completed was higher in 2014 than in any other year on record--not to mention another first, which was the completion of 11 supertalls. The market continues to shift to Asia, with 76% of tall buildings completed there. 60% were in China alone.

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The Ultimate Guide To Data-Driven Construction: Optimize Projects, Reduce Risks, & Boost Innovation

Speaker: Donna Laquidara-Carr, PhD, LEED AP, Industry Insights Research Director at Dodge Construction Network

In today’s construction market, owners, construction managers, and contractors must navigate increasing challenges, from cost management to project delays. Fortunately, digital tools now offer valuable insights to help mitigate these risks. However, the sheer volume of tools and the complexity of leveraging their data effectively can be daunting. That’s where data-driven construction comes in.

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Snøhetta unveils design proposal of the Barack Obama Presidential Center Library for the University of Hawaii

BD+C

'Scandinavian firm Snøhetta paired up with Honolulu-based WCIT Architecture to design a proposal for the Barack Obama Presidential Center Library at the University of Hawaii. Body Image: read more.

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Lego X by Gravity elevates the toy to a digital modeling kit

BD+C

'The people at London-based sketch and modeling studio Gravity have found a way to turn Lego blocks into a digital modeling kit. read more.

Sketching 108
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It’s a New Year and I’m already over it

Life of an Architect

'It has taken me almost 30 minutes to write this sentence … and it isn’t interesting in the slightest way. Creative funk? No, I think it has more to do with cobwebs and the lethargic tendencies that have settled in blog-wise over the past few weeks. The first blog post of the year is a big deal … right? I hope not – although I do feel like this post will set the tone for the rest of the year.

IT 93
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Nonresidential construction hiring surges in December 2014

BD+C

'The U.S. construction industry added 48,000 jobs in December, including 22,800 jobs in nonresidential construction, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary estimate released Jan. 9. November''s estimate was unchanged in this release, remaining at 20,000 net new construction jobs, but nonresidential construction''s November jobs figure was upwardly revised to 7,100 jobs. read more.

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Architectural Visualization Trends and the Rise of AI

A new industry study conducted by Architizer on behalf of Chaos Enscape surveyed 2,139 design professionals to understand the state of architectural visualization and what to expect in the near future. We asked: How are visualizations produced in your firm? What impact does real-time rendering have? What approach are you taking toward the rise of AI?

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Sales of apartment buildings hit record high in 2014

BD+C

'Investors bet big time on demand for rental properties over homeownership in 2014, when sales of apartment buildings hit a record $110.1 billion, or nearly 15% higher than the previous year, according to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), a professional services and investment management firm. Body Image: read more.

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Daring hotel design scheme takes the shape of cut amethyst stone

BD+C

'The Dutch practice NL Architects designed a proposal for a chain of hotels shaped like a rock cut in half to reveal a gemstone inside, designboom reports. The first Amethyst Hotel is planned for a man-made island development called Ocean Flower in the China sea, north of Hainan. Body Image: read more.

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Mystery buyer pays highest ever price for NYC residence

BD+C

'The 89th and 90th floors of 157 W. 57th Street have just been purchased by a mysterious buyer for over $100 million. Fox News reports that it is the most anyone has ever paid for a New York City residence. 157 W. 57th St. is also known as ONE57, a luxury condominium complex known as "billionaire''s row." Designed by Christian de Portzamparc, it contains an indoor pool complex, a private dining area and a library. read more.

Cities 91
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AGC survey: 80% of construction firms to expand payrolls in 2015

BD+C

'Eighty percent of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2015, while only 7% expect to reduce headcounts according to survey results released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Body Image: read more.

Firms 90
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From Plan to Reality: Unlocking the Power of Aerial Imagery for AEC

Aerial imagery has emerged as a necessary tool for architecture, engineering, and construction firms seeking to improve pre-construction site analysis, make more informed planning decisions, and ensure all stakeholders have access to an accurate visualization of the site to keep the project moving forward. Download our guide and take a deeper look at how aerial imagery can be leveraged to drive project efficiency by reducing unnecessary site visits and providing the accurate details required to

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Construction materials prices fall in November

BD+C

'Construction input prices dipped 1.4% during the final month of 2014 and are down nearly 1% on a year-over-year basis, according to the Jan. 15 producer price index release from the U.S. Department of Labor. Inputs to nonresidential construction fell even further, down 1.7% for the month and 1.9% year over year. December''s report marks the sharpest decline in input prices since late 2008 during the global financial crisis and the fifth consecutive month construction materials prices have faile

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Department of Energy seeks public input on definition for zero-energy buildings

BD+C

'The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department), has funded the National Institute of Building Sciences to assess various potential definitions of Zero Energy Buildings and propose draft definitions with input from a number of subject matter experts and stakeholder organizations. read more.

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A reconstructed Taliesin West is the largest Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Model [slideshow]

BD+C

'LEGO artist Adam Reed Tucker has unveiled a model of Taliesin West , the largest LEGO model of any Frank Lloyd Wright building. Body Image: read more.

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Santiago Calatrava talks with BBC about St. Nicholas Church on Ground Zero

BD+C

'Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava sits down with BBC Magazine and talks about his design for the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which ArchDaily reports is “the only non-secular building on the 9/11 Memorial site.” read more.

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7 Ways Real-Time Visualization Can Solve Architectural Challenges

In the dynamic world of architecture, design, and construction, creative problem-solving is crucial for success. Traditional methods often fall short in effectively conveying design intent to clients. Real-time visualization empowers you with a solid decision-making tool that smooths the design process. Discover the power of real-time visualization: Effective Communication Convey your vision clearly and align with clients.