July, 2016

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Metal Roofs Have Solar Advantage

BD+C

Most of the energy on Earth comes from the sun. Sunshine reaching the earth’s surface, averaged over the entire planet, is about ¾ of a KWh per square foot per day. But that also includes energy filtered or reflected by the atmosphere and areas closer to the poles where the angle of light is highly oblique. When there is bright sunshine at ground level, it rains down about 100 watts per square foot during the sunniest times of the day.

Roofing 88
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Best Architectural Websites 2016

Life of an Architect

After exhaustive research ( a.k.a. my internet explorer history ) and peer feedback ( I asked some people I know ) I have created “the” definitive listing of the Best Architectural Websites in the World for 2016. In all seriousness, I have spent weeks putting this list together, read far more cruddy websites than I care to think about, and fallen behind on Marco Polo in my effort to bring you a quality list of architectural websites that should be in your online rotation.

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How To Enjoy an Annual Summer “Shut Down” as a Small Firm Architect

EntreArchitect

The European Holiday Shut Down. Every summer, much of the European continent takes holiday at the same time. During the month of August, the city streets empty and the summer resorts fill up. Many architects have experienced the result of this shut down when ordering products or materials from European suppliers. If you order tile from France in July, don’t expect delivery until September or October.

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Daycare / Drop-Off Center

Bruce F. Roth Architect

Child Advocacy Centers, Cook County. The Courthouses in Cook County have been adding drop-off type childcare spaces to each of their facilities. Called Child Advocacy Centers, there purpose is to provide short-term care to kids who might have to accompany their parents to court. This serves parents that have no one else to take care of the kids and have no option but to bring them along.

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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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New game challenges players to create a utopian city block

BD+C

Think of those ultra-sped up videos we have all seen, the ones that show a plant poke the first of its leaves through the soil, grow and flower, and then, petal by petal, begin to decay. It is a vexingly entertaining, and, by more dramatic accounts, beautiful thing to watch. It is also the same mentality game developer Jose Sanchez is using in Block’hood , a neighborhood simulator where the city is treated much in the same way as the growing and dying flower; as a living entity.

Cities 81

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Shanghai’s latest tourist attraction: an outside, rail-less walkway around one of its tallest skyscrapers

BD+C

The public can never get enough of death-defying diversions, from flagpole sitters in the 1920s to today’s ever-crazier rollers coasters. The last two “Mission Impossible” movies—which featured Tom Cruise actually scaling the outside of the Burj Khalifi and hanging onto the wing of a jet in flight—combined did nearly $1.4 billion in box office sales internationally.

IT 75
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Turner turns to design-build, P3, Lean practices, and engineering services

BD+C

Contractors need to be nimble enough to position themselves for whatever the market yields. “We want to be a ‘must consider’ for every project, and to be that, we must constantly improve,” says Pat Di Filippo, Executive Vice President of Turner’s Northeast region. For the past several years, design-build has accounted for 10–15% of Turner’s work. “If you’re going to do design-build, you have to be able to drive the design,” Di Filippo says.

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ARCHITECTURE GIANTS: Innovations from 50 top design firms

BD+C

A quick rundown of architecture and A/E firm innovations this year: • Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture Implemented VR into its standard design and visualization plan; using Grasshopper and Dynamo to create more robust Revit-to-Rhino interoperability. • Architects Hawaii Limited Created the AHL Wahine Collaborative, a forum where female employees can share “talk stories” to create a “workplace of trust for women.”.

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Designing with Office Heroes: Lessons from a network of startup professionals

BD+C

They’re the unsung heroes in the workplace: the “Jack and Jill of all trades” in emerging and startup companies who help keep an office running, doing everything from project management to managing payroll and operations. Over the course of two years, Gensler has engaged with a professional network known as the Office Heroes League (OHL). This network is comprised of over 600 office managers, administrative/executive assistants, and office professionals from various companies in the San Franci

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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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Pokémon Go Is Helping People Discover Their Cities

BD+C

For many who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s, the sound of a parent yelling from upstairs to stop playing video games and go outside and enjoy the beautiful summer day was probably a fairly common occurrence. It was often times met with a “One more level!” or “I’ve almost beaten it!” plea. Others tried a bolder strategy of not moving or making a sound when the call inevitably came downstairs, hoping their parent had movement based T-rex vision and would soon realize their mistake and move on.

Cities 75
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New San Francisco mixed-use tower billed as most earthquake-resistant building on the West Coast

BD+C

The developer of 181 Fremont, a 70-story residential and office tower being built in San Francisco, claims this will be the most earthquake-resistant building on the West Coast when it is completed in the summer of 2017. Jay Paul Company acquired this development from SKS Investments in 2013, and estimates its cost at $665 million. The Class A building will include 432,000 sf of office space, 67 luxury condos on its top 17 floors, and 3,000 sf of retail space.

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How design mitigates environmental stressors

BD+C

When we talk about designing for climate adaptation, we first and foremost concern ourselves with the preservation and protection of human life. While the understood goal of resilient buildings is to physically protect both the property and the people, resiliency can also have positive mental health effects for building occupants.

Design 75
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Stantec to open VR showrooms in two offices

BD+C

About a year ago, Stantec began testing the compatibility of virtual reality technology with its various design platforms. It tested the number of hours and costs to implement VR, and how this tool could be used to present projects to clients. It appears that this initial research has convinced Stantec about the utility of VR in project design. This month, Stantec launched Phase 2 of its virtual reality research initiative, which will explore methods for integrating VR technology with building d

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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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Houston architect offers novel idea for Astrodome renovation

BD+C

Indoor waterparks are great. They allow for year-round use regardless of whether it is raining, snowing, or below freezing outside. But the main reason they exist is to allow people who live in climates that aren’t necessarily water park friendly the opportunity to join in on the fun. Given the option, wouldn’t the majority of us pick an outdoor water park to an indoor one?

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University housing of the future will blend life and study

BD+C

With a huge inventory of 1960s and 1970s campus housing stock in need of renovation or replacement, increasing university enrollment and a shortage of on-campus housing nationwide, there is tremendous pressure on universities across the country to meet the demand. Total undergraduate enrollment in degree-granting post-secondary institutions was 17.5 million students in Fall 2013, an increase of 46 percent from 1990, when it was 12 million students.

Housing 75
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San Diego’s waterfront redevelopment would go beyond a mere ‘project’

BD+C

San Diego Unified Port District last week voted 6-1 in support of a $1.2 billion waterfront redevelopment plan that includes as one of its centerpieces a 480-foot-tall spire. The plan, known as Seaport San Diego , calls for 75% of the approximately 70 acres of redeveloped land to be used for parks, beaches, and other public spaces.

Project 75
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World Green Building Council sets goal of 100% net-zero buildings by 2050

BD+C

The World Green Building Council recently unveiled its "Advancing Net Zero" initiative that aims for 100% net-zero buildings by 2050. The Council’s interim goal is to have all new buildings and major renovations designed for net-zero energy use by 2030. The organization will organize Green Building Councils around the world to develop net-zero certification programs for existing and new buildings.

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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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How to Find an Architect

Life of an Architect

It’s really hard for people to find an architect; at least that’s what the emails in my inbox are telling me. To further get to the point, it’s not hard to look one up that’s in your hometown – that’s easy. What’s hard is trying to figure out which one you should hire. That’s when people email me with questions, asking for advice and guidance.

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Perkins Eastman designs Open Transit concept for Denver’s Civic Center Station

BD+C

Denver’s downtown Civic Center Station is being upgraded to better serve people who take public transit — and possibly those who don’t. Construction has begun on a $26 million renovation to the 30-year-old station. Perkins Eastman is the project’s Design Architect, SEH is the architect of record, and Mortenson Construction is the prime contractor.

Concept 75
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Summer is for the Young at Heart

Life of an Architect

From my earliest memories, summertime in Texas means watermelon and cantaloupe, ice cream, swimming, riding my bike, and being gone all day looking for trouble … as long as I was home before dark. While I am still capable of remembering my childhood challenges, most of the memories I have from summertime are wonderfully nostalgic. Being a kid is great, but being a grownup who still acts like a kid is even better.

Roofing 75
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CetraRuddy designs office tower for Manhattan’s Meatpacking district

BD+C

Architecture and interior design firm CetraRuddy has designed an 18-story office building at 412 W. 15th St. in New York City, located in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking district. The firm will also lead the renovations of 85,000 sf of additional office and boutique retail space in connecting buildings.

Firms 75
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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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CF Møller designs LEGO world headquarters complex in Denmark

BD+C

New designs were unveiled for the LEGO world headquarters, and surprisingly enough, they did not include step-by-step picture guides on how to build the place. Located in Billund, Denmark, the 52,000-sm complex will still incorporate many familiar themes from the popular plastic building block toys.

Design 75
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AIA selects seven winners of healthcare building design award

BD+C

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) has selected the recipients of the AIA National Healthcare Design Awards program. The program showcases the best healthcare building design and healthcare design-oriented research. Projects exhibit conceptual strengths that solve aesthetic, civic, urban, and social concerns as well as the requisite functional and sustainability concerns of a hospital.

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Apartments continue to shrink, rents continue to rise

BD+C

The average new apartment in the U.S. is about 8% smaller than the average was a decade ago. And that shrinkage wasn’t confined to urban markets, either. Those are two of the main findings in a recent survey of the apartment market , conducted RENTCafé, a nationwide apartment search website, using data provided by Yardi Matrix, a sister company that researches and reports on multifamily properties of 50 units or more across 121 markets in the U.S.

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Repairing the world’s infrastructure hinges on the construction sector crossing the digital divide

BD+C

Is the construction industry up to the challenge of repairing the world’s crumbling infrastructure? A new report from McKinsey & Co. answers with a definitive “No,” unless the industry can place itself firmly into the digital future in its organization, documentation, management, and information sharing.

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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.