2017

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Public transportation of the future: Four new sustainable technologies

BD+C

On my way in to work this morning, I walked through a tree lined street, admired my wintry surroundings, breathed fresh air, and chatted with one of my neighbors at the bus stop. I listened to music and sent a message to my mom while waiting to transfer to the metro. A short time later I arrived at work with a clear head, and ready to start my day.

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Looking back …

Life of an Architect

Hindsight is 20/20, or so the phrase goes. It basically means that if you knew then what you know now, you would do things differently and avoid some mistake or misstep. Other than being able to possibly avoid some catastrophic event, the idea that you would look at your current state of affairs and wish that you had done things differently ( like “I should have become a doctor” or “I should have bought Apple stock in January of 2003”) doesn’t actually change anyt

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27 Smart, Space-Saving Ideas for Tiny Homes and Apartments

Dwell

These compact residences employ clever storage solutions and thoughtful hacks for multifunctional living. When crafting small spaces, flexibility is key in making them as livable as possible. These innovative interiors demonstrate that by taking advantage of every square foot, a little creativity can go a long way. An Architect Turns Her Parents’ Garage Into a Tiny Home for $2,695 Moving home to Torrance, California, to take care of her dad, Monica Chang made clever use of her parents’ 170-squar

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A year after its facelift, Boston’s Public Library is relevant again

BD+C

About 1.5 million people visited the Boston Public Library between July 2016 and March 2017. That’s a 22% increase over what the library drew from July 2015 through March 2016. That bump was attributable, in large measure, to the library’s $78 million renovation, the results of which debuted in July 2016. This three-year-long project, lead by William Rawn Associates | Architects and Consigli Construction, opened up and brightened what, by consensus, had been an uninviting space for patrons, disc

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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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Building for the future: Five trends in higher education projects

BD+C

The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque is engaged in construction and renovation projects that represent the second-highest capital outlay—$180 million—in its 128-year history. Three projects in progress there are the $25.6 million renovation of the 67,000-sf, 1970s-era Farris Engineering Center; phase three of the $27.3 million Health Education Building; and the 65,000-sf, $25 million McKinnon Center for Management.

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Want a healthy building? Follow this primer on two new wellness standards

BD+C

While our industry’s focus on wellness may seem like just the latest trend, occupant health has been an important goal of the built environment for centuries. In the 1800s, urban infrastructure allowing access to fresh water, natural light, and clean air significantly reduced the number of deaths from infectious diseases like tuberculosis, cholera, and yellow fever.

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Student residence hall in Lisbon takes biophilic design to the next level

BD+C

Collegiate AC specializes in creating and operating luxury student accommodations throughout the United Kingdom. Shortly, Collegiate AC will be expanding its reach into Portugal and Spain, as well. The Marquês de Pombal , located in Lisbon, Portugal, will be the first overseas Collegiate AC location when it opens in January 2018.

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2018 predictions for healthcare facility design

BD+C

E4H Environments for Health Architecture , an architecture firm focused exclusively on healthcare, recently released seven predictions for healthcare facility design trends in 2018.

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Embracing the WELL Building Standard: The next step in green

BD+C

Did you turn off the lamp on your desk today before you left the office? Did you remember to reach down and turn off the power strip your computer was plugged into? When you got home from work, did you walk through the house turning off all the lights the kids had left on, and did you reach over and turn off the running water while they were brushing their teeth?

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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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‘Forest cities’ could help solve China’s air pollution problem

BD+C

Not long ago, Stefano Boeri Architetti announced their plans to create the first ‘vertical forest’ in China. The building would be covered in over 3,000 plants and absorb 25 tons of CO2 per year and produce 60 kilograms of oxygen per day. The goal of the project was to help rectify one of China’s biggest problems: air pollution.

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Sports ‘districts’ are popping up all over America

BD+C

Sports arenas and stadiums continue to be the stimuli for urban reincarnations. Stantec has several sports “district” projects underway in Dallas, Tampa, Chicago, and Edmonton. In Denver, the firm is proposing to transform a parking lot near Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies baseball team, into a mixed-used environment across an entire city block.

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Manchester modular hotel is constructed of shipping containers

BD+C

Purpose built shipping containers are being used in the construction of a modular 220-room Holiday Inn Express in Trafford City, Manchester, UK. The shipping containers come with fully factory finished interior fixtures and fittings that are installed before being delivered to the site. Additionally, the rooms have full height windows and are fully furnished before leaving the factory.

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Mass timber: From 'What the heck is that?' to 'Wow!'

BD+C

Big timber is sprouting up in cities in North America and abroad. After years of feasibility studies and design proposals, buildings six stories or taller constructed primarily from pre-engineered wood products are being considered in cities around the world.

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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.

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Uniting healthcare and community

BD+C

Like healthcare, design is about the individuals who collectively make up the whole. One powerful thread carrying through this blog series has been the importance of the human experience; that healthcare providers need to connect with their communities at all scales and build improved experiences.

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Good vibrations: Portable tuned mass damper provides lightweight, cost-effective way to reduce structural vibrations

BD+C

The tuned mass damper used in Taiwan’s Taipei 101 tower represents an engineering feat that is so impressive the designers decided to make it publicly visible for all to see. Taipei 101’s 730-ton tuned mass damper may represent an extreme, but its purpose is the same as much smaller dampers that may be used in an office building or mall: to mitigate vibrations or sway that may otherwise alarm or cause discomfort to building occupants.

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Team win: Clemson University Allen N. Reeves Football Operations Complex

BD+C

The Allen N. Reeves Football Complex, which includes 1.5 acres of outdoor space, supports the day-to-day activities of Clemson University's football players, coaches, and staff. It was constructed in 15 months with zero change orders and within Georgia’s strict cost limitations—a testament to the Building Team’s planning and coordination with owners, staff, and trades.

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3 tips for designing workplaces that support culture, brand, and community

BD+C

The workplace has evolved exponentially over the past decade, from large, uniform workstations and offices to efficient open plans and auxiliary areas. Technology has advanced from desktop computers and landlines, to laptops, and mobile apps. Innovation in technology has driven an increase in employees’ productivity and efficiency, and innovation in design has strategically followed.

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Concrete Waterproofing: The Next Step to a More Resilient Design

Don’t let water wash away all your hard work. When specifying concrete waterproofing, you need a solution that’s reliable and permanent. Without it, your concrete waterproofing is at risk of failing and letting water erode and corrode the concrete that it was supposed to protect. Reduce the risk of waterproofing failure by reading through our latest free specification e-book, which will take you through the four key components to better concrete waterproofing specification.

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Fiber canopies proposed to turn Phoenix streets into comfortable public space

BD+C

“It’s a dry heat.”. That’s what everyone always says when hearing about the intense heat of a Phoenix summer. It may be true, but 105 degrees is 105 degrees, and black asphalt streets that can be used as a frying pan in the direct desert sun are not the most hospitable of places.

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Renters don’t just want nice apartments; they want communities packed with amenities

BD+C

As more people are choosing to rent deeper into their lives than ever before, the things people expect from an apartment unit and a rental community are changing. For many, apartment living is no long a stop along the way, but a viable option for people who do not find homeownership appealing. Because of this, what people expect out of apartment communities has changed, as well.

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The Dutch ‘Windwheel’ wants to create a new sustainable landmark for Rotterdam

BD+C

Hailed by the Windwheel Corporation as “a true showcase for climate architecture,” the Dutch Windwheel is a unique building focused on being as sustainable as possible while still providing a complete mixed-use development for the city of Rotterdam.

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CTBUH determines fastest elevators and longest runs in the world in new TBIN Study

BD+C

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) released an original “Tall Buildings in Numbers” (TBIN) research study entitled Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration. The study began as a collaboration with Guinness World Records to identify the commercial building with the fastest elevator speeds and longest vertical runs, which turned out to be Shanghai Tower, China.

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Sustainable Architecture: Design Green with the Client in Mind

Speaker: Pedro Clarke – Principal Architect at A+ Architecture, In Loco Program Director

Sustainability begins with a conversation, and acquiring customer buy-in is entirely dependent on how the conversation is framed. Clients may not see sustainability as a priority out of fear of operational costs and quality. While these are legitimate concerns, it is our responsibility as architects to listen and foster a collaborative culture that answers client issues while also reducing our carbon footprint.

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Virtually real design

BD+C

Architects and designers use plans, sections, perspective renderings, animations or models to describe a space. Personally, I have always been drawn to building models. As a sculpture student, I always worked from a mock-up rather than detailed drawings. As an architecture student, I would walk into a critique with nothing but a pristine model and diagrammatic drawings—sometimes to the horror of my professors.

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Meet the 40 Under 40 Class of 2017

BD+C

A city sustainability manager who inspires at-risk youth to connect with nature through action sports like surfing and snowboarding. A structural engineer who protects and serves foster children as a court-appointed advocate. A K-12 school design manager who has introduced more than 6,000 fifth-grade students to the architecture profession. .

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Home away from home: Children’s hospitals that soothe, support, and distract

BD+C

On June 6, the first phase in the construction of the new Children’s Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, Tenn., broke ground. When it opens next year, this three-story, 90,000-sf, $40 million outpatient center—which HKS designed and McCarthy Building Companies is building—will encompass 72 exam rooms, 21 specialty pediatric clinics, lab and imaging services, and a pharmacy.

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Multifamily visionary: The life and work of architect David Baker

BD+C

David Baker, FAIA, LEED AP, has forged an illustrious career designing stylish and practical market-rate and affordable urban housing, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in Baltimore, Denver, Charleston, S.C., and (coming soon) Seattle. . Witty, urbane, opinionated, and equipped with a rapid-fire patter, the 67-year-old, whose San Francisco–based firm David Baker Architects (DBA) celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, has hewn to a design philosophy that prioritizes the soci

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Report: Optimism for Construction Growth in the Next Year Remains High

Research reveals 96% of respondents are very or fairly optimistic about their organization’s growth prospects for the next year. The InEight Global Capital Projects Outlook also finds over half see digital technology as the greatest growth opportunity. But these are only some of the findings. Don't be kept in the dark when it comes to the future. Read the report today!