March, 2013

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Will Google Glass revolutionize the construction process?

BD+C

When Google introduced its wearable computer glasses, called Google Glass, last year, it opened many people's eyes (pardon the pun) to the power of augmented reality (AR)—where a person's view of the physical world is overlaid with a computer-generated sensory input, such as graphics or data. Of course, AR has been around for years, and many tablet computer and smartphone apps utilize the technology, mostly for entertainment and gaming purposes.

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Construction Administration is NOT an Option

EntreArchitect

One of the most popular topics over at the Entrepreneur Architect Linkedin Group (almost 2,000 members strong) is the role of the architect during the construction phase. I am often surprised by the number of firms providing architectural design services and forfeiting the final phase of the process, Construction Administration. Here is a recent comment from the group; “I need to get better at selling my clients on construction administration.

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A Sustainable Brownstone Transformation in Brooklyn

Dwell

How do you make a Brooklyn brownstone more sustainable? First, get rid of the brownstone. The street facade of New York City’s first certified Passive House, known as Tighthouse, is clad in pale gray stucco, sculpted with a few historic-looking details. But, if you knock on that wall, it sounds hollow: The stucco is merely the outermost layer in a 20-inch-thick insulated sandwich.

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Walgreens to build first net-zero energy retail store

BD+C

Walgreens announced plans last week to build one of the nation's first net-zero retail stores. The Evanston, Ill., location will utilize solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal technology, LED lighting and ultra-high-efficiency refrigeration to produce energy equal to or greater than the building consumes. read more.

Building 111
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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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PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'

BD+C

WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS. Hosted by Geoff Baer, the program looks at important structures ranging from Thomas Jefferson's Virginia statehouse (1788) to the Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry (2003). Baer explores how the buildings changed America's ideas about architecture.

Building 109

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8 cool cultural projects in the works

BD+C

In each issue of Building Design+Construction , we feature the latest new construction and renovation projects in a section called, On the Drawing Board. Here, we have assembled eight of the most notable cultural facility projects currently in the works. They include a soaring opera center in Hong Kong, a multi-tower music center in Calgary, and a massive expansion to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.

Project 102
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World's first LEGO museum planned in Denmark

BD+C

Bjarke Ingels Group and Ralph Appelbaum Associates will team up with the LEGO Group to design the physical home for The LEGO House , the world's first museum dedicated to LEGO. LEGO owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen said the museum will be equal parts education and entertainment, with a focus on exhibits where children can learn through LEGO play. read more.

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Gehry unveils design for Santa Monica hotel-condo tower

BD+C

If all goes as planned, Frank Gehry will design the first building in his hometown in some 25 years. The architect revealed his scheme for a proposed 22-story, 244-foot-tall tower at Ocean Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in downtown Santa Monica, Calif. Last week, local developers M. David Paul Associates and the Worthe Real Estate Group submitted their plans to the city, which will vote on the proposal later this month.

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World's tallest data center opens in New York

BD+C

Sabey Data Center Properties last week celebrated the completion of the first phase of an adaptive reuse project that will transform the 32-story Verizon Building in Manhattan into a data center facility. When the project is completed, it will be the world's tallest data center. 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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Stanford researchers develop nanophotonic panel that reflects sun's heat out of the atmosphere

BD+C

It sound like something out of a Sci-Fi movie. Researchers at Stanford University have developed a nanophotonic material that not only reflects sunlight and prevents heat from being absorbed, but it actually beams the thermal energy at a specific wavelength so that it leaves the earth's atmosphere. read more.

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Detroit's historic Whitney Building to be renovated for hotel, apartments

BD+C

Detroit's David Whitney Building , a 19-story landmark erected in 1915, will be renovated for an Aloft hotel and apartments. The $82 million project involves Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide , developer Roxbury Group and hotel management company Trans Inns Management. Financial partipants include the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., Michigan Economic Development Corp., and Invest Detroit. read more.

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Singapore R&D campus takes top honor in Lab of Year competition

BD+C

The Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, has been named Laboratory of the Year by R&D Magazine. Now in its 47th year, the competition recognizes excellence in research and science laboratory design, planning, and construction. Body Image: read more.

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7 most endangered buildings in Chicago

BD+C

The Chicago Preservation Society (CPS) released its annual list of the buildings at high risk for demolition. The 2013 list includes the AllState Building (1949), a rare example of immediate postwar modern high-rise construction, and the Lathrop Homes (1938), considered by many to be the best public housing development the city has ever built, according to CPS.

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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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Shenzhen projects halted as Chinese officials find substandard concrete

BD+C

State inspectors in Shenzhen, China, have found at least 15 local plants producing concrete with unprocessed sea sand. Thirty-one companies have been cited for violations, and eight were ordered to suspend business for a year. Construction on multiple projects in Guangdong Province—including the 660-m Ping'an Finance Center—has been halted during the inspection.

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Architecture Billings Index up again in February

BD+C

With increasing demand for design services, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is continuing to strengthen. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. read more.

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25 cities with the most Energy Star certified buildings

BD+C

With 528 buildings totaling 112.5 million sf, Los Angeles topped the EPA's ranking of the U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2012. Rounding out the top five are Washington, D.C. (462 buildings); Chicago (353); New York (325); and Atlanta (304). read more.

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China mega developer enters U.S. market

BD+C

China Vanke Co., Ltd., is making its debut in the U.S. property market with a joint venture high-rise condominium project at 201 Folsom St. in San Francisco, according to CoStar's Randyl Drummer. The mega developer is partnering with Tishman Speyer on the project, which entails building two towers (37 and 42 stories, respectively) that will house 655 condo units.

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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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Turner report: Construction costs up slightly in first quarter

BD+C

Turner Construction Company announced that the First Quarter 2013 Turner Building Cost Index – which measures costs in the non-residential building construction market in the United States – has increased to a value of 849. This reflects a 1.19% increase from the Fourth Quarter 2012 and a 3.41% increase from the First Quarter 2012. read more.

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Survey: Market demand now key driver for green construction

BD+C

Construction firms across the world expect 60% of their projects to be environmentally friendly by 2015, according to the SmartMarket Report of McGraw-Hill Construction. The key driver to going green, according to the survey, is that green building now represents a business imperative around the world. In the 2008 report, the top driver for green building was “doing the right thing.

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Sika Sarnafil secures FM Approval for vegetated roofing system

BD+C

Sika Sarnafil, the worldwide market leader in thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing membranes, today announced it received FM Approval for its vegetated roofing systems. Sika Sarnafil’s FM Approval is the first to be secured worldwide for a vegetated roofing system that includes both the vegetated cover and the Sarnafil roof waterproofing system. read more.

Roofing 59
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AIA opposes House bill cutting Eisenhower Memorial funding

BD+C

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement in opposition to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Completion Act, introduced Wednesday by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah). Among other things, the legislation would mandate an alternative to architect Frank Gehry's design for the Eisenhower Memorial and would eliminate further federal funding for the project. read more.

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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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Entrepreneur Architect Academy 012 | My 10 Rules for Better Project Management

EntreArchitect

This is the final piece to the puzzle; the final session of the Entrepreneur Architect Academy. For the past twelve weeks, we’ve explored every element required for a successful architecture firm. We started with your Personal Productivity and we’ll wrap it up here with Project Management. You will find all 12 sessions of the Academy by clicking the link in the header menu above or by visiting EntreArchitect.com/Academy.

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Entrepreneur Architect Academy 010 | Eight Steps to a Happy Client

EntreArchitect

“I’ve been saving for years and I finally have enough to move forward.” “I’ve been dreaming of this day for years. I know exactly what I want.” “I’ve been living in this dream house for years, if only in my head.” “I have more than enough money saved to get what I want.” “If I start now, I’ll be living in it by summer.” When one of my residential architecture clients finally reaches out and calls Fivecat Studio

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Entrepreneur Architect Academy 009 | Five Provisions for Your Architectural Services Agreement

EntreArchitect

This is a guest post by Kenneth W. Cobleigh, Esq., Managing Director & Counsel at The American Institute of Architects. When I asked the Entrepreneur Architect tribe who I should contact regarding legal agreements for architects, Ken’s name quickly rose to the top of the list. Ken leads the team developing AIA Contract Documents; the most respected collection of agreements for the construction industry.

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Dual towers designed by SHoP create new affordable housing in NYC

BD+C

With the construction of Hunters Point South , New York City will get its first large new housing development for middle-class families in more than 30 years. Related Companies is partnering with the nonprofit Phipps Houses in the project, designed by SHoP Architects with Ismael Leyva Architects. 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.