Life of an Architect
NOVEMBER 23, 2014
'Ever wondered what going to architecture was really like? There are a lot of stories about going to architecture school – the long hours, the absolute dedication, the commitment needed to complete the program … and guess what? They are all true but that doesn’t mean that if you are thinking about going to architecture school that you should avoid it.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 19, 2014
'The construction industry, whose workforce was decimated during the last recession, is slowly getting back on its feet. However, in certain markets—especially those where oil drilling and production have been prospering—construction workers can still be scarce. Based on a survey of nearly 1,100 member firms in October, the Associated General Contractors of America ( www.agc.org ) reported that 83% of respondents were having difficulty finding craft workers, and 61% said other professional posit
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EntreArchitect
NOVEMBER 26, 2014
This week, I am sharing blogging duties with a friend and active supporter of Entrepreneur Architect. Michael Riscica is an architect who lives in beautiful Portland, Oregon with his Labrador Retriever. He is the founder of Young Architect, a blog featuring articles about design, the architecture registration exam , entrepreneurship, and his journey as a young architect.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 29, 2014
'In the world of tall building construction, projects can stall for any number of reasons—financial, political, cultural—and for long periods of time. The CTBUH Research team, in the latest installment of Tall Buildings in Numbers, has undertaken to find the top 20 tallest never-completed buildings , and the 15 longest construction periods from 1985 to the present, listing the stop and start dates, and last known status of these 35 projects.
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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?
BD+C
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
'According to a recent report from Forbes , Houston is America''s top city for new construction in 2014. With $25.1 billion in starts from January to September this year, Houston has seen a 176% increase in new projects since 2013. Eight of the 10 biggest new construction projects (in terms of cost to build) are energy and chemicals facilities, according to Forbes. read more.
Architecture Focus brings together the best content for architecture professionals from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
'Building the perfect space for kids to learn and play requires a designer in touch with his or her inner child. Takaharu Tekuza fit the bill, and it shows in his unorthodox design for the Fuji Kindergarten in Tachikawa, Japan. The oval structure is built around a group of 80-foot-high zelkova trees. The wide, low roof serves as a floating walkway in the middle of the greenery, and the trees are covered in netting, allowing the kids to safely play around and climb the trees.
Life of an Architect
NOVEMBER 16, 2014
'There’s no “I” in “Team” … but there’s no “We” in “Team” either. Come to think of it, there’s no “U” in “Team” either. I don’t know when I became obsessed with saying “we” whenever I sit across the table from someone and talk to them about what “I” have been doing or what “I” have been working on.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
'The Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Brock Environmental Center reached construction completion today in Virginia Beach, Va. Designed by SmithGroupJJR and constructed by Hourigan Construction, the Center is an international model for energy and water efficiency and climate change resiliency. Body Image: read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
'When people are looking for public space in New York City, they often look to the waterways. Of the many ideas in this vein, a new one is more ambitious than usual: an offshore park proposed for the Hudson River off of 14th Street. Initial pricing puts the project, called Pier 55, at $170 million, and the proposal states that it would be located 186 feet from land and contain wooded areas and three performance venues, 6sqft reports.
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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
Life of an Architect
NOVEMBER 9, 2014
'Kitchens have come a long way in the role that they play in our daily lives. The room that once existed for purely functional reasons, located in the back of the house and away from all other activities, is now taking its rightful place front and center of our lives and our homes. The ad above is from a May 1940 issue of Architectural Forum. Just 75 years ago, this was considered a modern kitchen – efficient, white, stainless steel … wait?!
BD+C
NOVEMBER 10, 2014
'The hotel construction pipeline hit a five-year high in Q3, clocking in at 3,516 projects and 443,936 rooms, Lodging Econometrics reports. For four consecutive quarters, the pipeline has posted double digit year-over-year increases in terms of both projects and rooms. In Q3 of this year, year-over-year increases for projects and rooms are up 25% and 24% respectively.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 20, 2014
'Frank Gehry''s first building in Australia, the Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology, Sydney, has been completed. The building, primarily for use by the UTS business school, includes classrooms, a collaborative theater, a 240-seat auditorium, and a sculptural staircase made of stainless steel. Body Image: read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
'Developers and contractors entering new markets that are looking to mitigate their projects’ risk now have available an interactive tool that not only allows them to access real-time updates pertaining to the risk climate of municipalities across the U.S., but also to create a job-specific risk profile that takes into account such factors as local statutes and the potential for catastrophic exposure. read more.
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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.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
'Luxury condo developments may grab the headlines, but rental housing is the true workhorse in the booming multifamily sector, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The Journal ''s Nick Timiraos reports that construction of multifamily housing units—those with five units or more—is running at its strongest 12-month pace since 1989, and that 93% of units in buildings with at least two units are being constructed as rentals. read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 14, 2014
'Bjarke Ingels’ firm BIG has revealed designs for the Smithsonian Institution’s 10- to 20-year renovation project of the south mall campus in Washington, D.C. “The centerpiece of the proposed South Mall Master Plan is the revitalization of the iconic Smithsonian castle,” the firm said in a statement. Body Image: read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 12, 2014
'Inhabitat reports that three architecture practices have been chosen as finalists for the new concert hall being built to commemorate composer and musician Beethoven’s 250 th birthday in his hometown of Bonn, Germany. Body Image: read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 3, 2014
'Paris-based Vincent Callebaut Architecture has come up with a plan for a mixed-use complex located in Cairo that combines vegetation and structure to communicate Egypt''s inclination toward progressive architecture, designboom reports. The proposal''s main purpose is to raise awareness of sustainable architecture designed to combat global warming. Body Image: read more.
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BD+C
NOVEMBER 24, 2014
'Uncertainty about government spending clouds an otherwise positive economic outlook among 59 middle market construction firms polled recently by GE Capital. Those firms—which average 652 employees and $144.6 million in annual revenue—are particularly confident about U.S. and local markets, though less so about the global arena. Only 12% of those polled said they were “extremely confident” about the condition of global economies, versus 21% who felt the same way about the U.S. economy, and 42% w
BD+C
NOVEMBER 21, 2014
'Nelson, the acquisition-minded design, engineering, and space-management firm, is expanding its reach in the western United States by acquiring EHS Design, a Seattle-based architecture and interior design outfit with 21 associates and net fee billings this year of $3.5 million. The merger becomes effective on January 1. read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 6, 2014
'The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that Houston-based developer Hines is planning a seven-story wood-framed office building in Minneapolis’ North Loop that will respect the neighborhood’s historic warehouse district look. Though some of the wood materials can be more expensive, Hines Director Bob Pfefferle told the Business Journal that a shorter construction timeline will help balance out the costs.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 4, 2014
'Shanghai''s newest landmark, Sky SOHO , debuted this week with a grand opening carnival celebration and light show attended by more than 10,000 spectators to witness the inauguration of the futuristic architecture. Body Image: read more.
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.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
'Plans for the world’s largest airport terminal, in Istanbul, are under way. The facility''s architect, Grimshaw, recently released images of the updated design scheme. ArchDaily reports that the colossal project is a collaboration between Grimshaw and four other design firms: Nordic Office of Architecture, Haptic Architects, GMW Mimarlik, and Tekeli Sisa.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 5, 2014
'Fast Company got an exclusive first glimpse of preliminary designs for George Lucas’ planned museum in Chicago. “It looks like a pyramid from the year 2020,” they wrote. Body Image: read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 18, 2014
'Dezeen shares the project of design student Ken Nakagaki , who has adapted a device to work with Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to replicate digital files on paper. read more.
BD+C
NOVEMBER 3, 2014
'About seven years ago, The Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), the oldest art college in Portland, Ore., was evaluating its master plan with an eye towards expanding and upgrading its campus facilities to match its enrollment and endowment growth goals. A board member brought to the attention of the college a nearby 134,000-sf building that had once served as the city’s original post office (it opened in 1919), and for the past two decades had been used as office space for federal agencies
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