Sat.Aug 11, 2018 - Fri.Aug 17, 2018

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Making schools more secure is imperative, but how best to do that isn't settled yet

BD+C

Despite the constant drumbeat of news about the alarming frequency of school shootings around the country, many communities still view their schools as safe havens, and quite a few schools double as shelters from natural disasters. In Texas, E-class buildings must include a tornado shelter, according to Jon Moreau, Balfour Beatty Construction Services’ VP of Operations, in Houston.

Structure 237
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Rybnik Residential and Services Building

Architects for Urbanity

Team: Irgen Salianji, Karolina Szóstkiewicz, Karolina Duda, Konstantina Lola Location: Rybnik, Poland Program: Residential The city of Rybnik has a strong identity based on its history, industrial heritage and medieval urban fabric. Its historic centre is both picturesque and modern, it combines dense urban districts with green parks, riverfronts and significant landmarks scattered in close vicinity.

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EntreArchitect Behind The Design 009: SteelHouse 1&2 by Zack/de Vito Architecture & Construction

EntreArchitect

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. Want to have YOUR best work featured here at EntreArchitect? Click here to learn how. SteelHouse 1 & 2 by Zack/de Vito Architecture & Construction. Project Name.

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Watch Your Mouth

Life of an Architect

From time to time, there are moments when I hear someone say something that leaves me flabbergasted. Considering that I love to talk, I think I am more than willing to let most people slide when they pop off at the mouth and say something inaccurate, which happens to the best of us, or either say something wildly inappropriate. I might be in tune with this a bit more than typical – since I started recording a podcast and I have the displeasure of analyzing everything I say over and over an

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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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McKinsey: When it comes to AI adoption, construction should look to other industries for lessons

BD+C

Tip of the spear. Cutting edge. Vanguard. These are not words anyone would associate with the construction industry. And when it comes to the nascent technology of artificial intelligence, the construction industry is right near the bottom for both current and future AI adoption.

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Say 'Hello' to erudite machines

BD+C

Artificial intelligence isn’t just about T-800s and Skynet or best known as the boogeyman that haunted Stephen Hawking’s dreams. AI, and everything included under that broad umbrella, is already at work every day to make our lives easier. Machine learning, although not as exciting as other forms of AI, is one of the most helpful and ubiquitous AI applications in use.

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Creating high-performance fenestration starts on the edge

BD+C

Over the years, our industry has relied heavily on reducing the center of glass (COG) U-factor as a way of driving down overall fenestration U-factors (thermal transmittance). Strategies have included increasing the performance of low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, using multiple coatings, addition of inert gases, and more recently, moving to triple-pane units.

Glass 88
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Flexibility tops office workers' wish lists, followed by healthcare

BD+C

Office workers value flexible working options more than any other employment benefit, but there are crucial differences between what men and women want from their employer according to new research released from Ambius , the leading experts in interior landscaping. A survey of 1,000 office workers in the US and UK found that men value health insurance above any other work perk, whereas women would prefer more flexibility in their office job, such as options for remote working or adaptable hours.

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Memphis rising: Can this Mid-South city of 670,000 become the next Austin?

BD+C

For years following the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1968, Memphis, the site of the horrific event, witnessed high crime, population loss, and the decline of its downtown. Now, Memphians are feeling a fresh wind blowing off the Mississippi, invigorating them with the possibility of a much brighter future.

Cities 85
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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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AIA takes a firmer stand on making schools safer with better design

BD+C

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is becoming more proactive in its efforts to help school districts address violence. The Institute is launching a bipartisan effort on Capitol Hill to help state and local school officials access information and funding to design safer and securer schools.

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Chicago’s new flagship McDonald’s supersizes the sustainability features

BD+C

Chicago’s flagship McDonald’s restaurant looks more like somewhere one would go to pick up the latest tablet or smartphone than to grab a Big Mac and fries. The steel and wood timber constructed restaurant is covered in windows and native plants to provide customers with a strong connection to nature and abundant natural light.

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Owens Corning® FOAMULAR® XPS solution brings game-changing solution to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

BD+C

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta opened in August of 2017 to great fanfare. Driven by Arthur Blank’s vision to “build a venue that would not only exceed expectations, but also push the limits of what was possible in terms of stadium design, fan experience and sustainability,” the new stadium truly changed the game for sports stadiums. .

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Owens Corning® FOAMULAR® XPS solution brings game-changing solution to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

BD+C

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta opened in August of 2017 to great fanfare. Driven by Arthur Blank’s vision to “build a venue that would not only exceed expectations, but also push the limits of what was possible in terms of stadium design, fan experience and sustainability,” the new stadium truly changed the game for sports stadiums. .

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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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Following in the Ryan Fieldhouse’s footsteps, Northwestern University’s Walter Athletics Center officially opens

BD+C

Built on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Ill., the Ryan Fieldhouse opened to Northwestern University students in April. Now, the Walter Athletics Center, which is connected to the Ryan Fieldhouse and was also designed by Perkins+Will, has opened as well.

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Silicon Valley is here. Get over it.

BD+C

AEC technophile Rohit Arora—who joined the design-build startup Katerra in April as a Product Excellence engineer—put his thoughts on AEC tech innovation quite bluntly at BD+C ’s Accelerate Live! conference this past May. But it needed to be said. Talk after talk at the event referenced the AEC market’s ongoing angst about a tech-industry takeover of AEC, with traditional companies getting squeezed out by hotshot VC-backed startups and enterprising design and construction firms.

IT 75
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Is STEM running out of steam?

BD+C

In 2011, the Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration, using Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, predicted that STEM-related occupations would expand by 17% from 2008 through 2018, compared to 9.8% growth for all non-STEM jobs during that same period. Educators certainly bought into that projection, based on the increasing number of school districts across America whose high schools now offer STEM and STEAM courses or have built separate academies for these di

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First Half 2018 commercial and multifamily construction starts show mixed performance across top metropolitan areas

BD+C

During the first half of 2018, five of the top ten metropolitan markets for commercial and multifamily construction starts ranked by dollar volume showed increased activity compared to a year ago, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Of the top twenty markets, eleven were able to register gains. At the national level, the volume of commercial and multifamily construction starts during the first half of 2018 was $101.4 billion, down 1% from last year’s first half, although still 2% above what

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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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An elliptical office building goes with the flow in Boston

BD+C

121 Seaport, a 440,000-sf Class A office tower within Boston’s Innovative Seaport District, recently accepted its first tenant, with Alexion Pharmaceuticals leasing 150,000 square feet on floors three through eight. Internet of Things (IoT) technology provider PTC is leasing 250,000 sf, and will move in early next year, according to Skanska , this building’s GC, developer, and owner.

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There's more to the open office than headlines suggest

BD+C

Last week, my inbox brimmed with breathless inquiries from clients and colleagues wanting to know: Had I read the latest workplace research? A Harvard Business School study on the impact of the open plan had recently gone viral, spawning doomsday headlines that were predictably eye-catching, but all too familiar.

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Sound advice on multifamily construction

BD+C

We asked four veteran acoustics experts how best to sound- proof apartment and condo projects. Here’s what they told us.

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Anti-graffiti coatings keep projects pristine

BD+C

Graffiti vandals cost cities millions of dollars in cleanup costs and can make attractive projects look unsightly. Sadly, graffiti vandalism is on the rise in the United States.

Project 63
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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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Florida mixed-use development uses wellness as the backbone of its design

BD+C

Aventura Parksquare is a new mixed-use development that spans 7.4 acres in Aventura, Fla. The recently completed development’s design places a heavy emphasis on wellness.

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How To Budget Your Architecture Project Fee

EntreArchitect

Project Fee Budgeting for Architects. Sadly, there’s no way for an architect to guarantee their projects will be profitable, let alone earn a minimum 20% Net Profit at the completion of any project. There are however ‘best practices’ to apply to ensure that a project is profitable and to even successfully earn a minimum Net Profit of 20%. In my professional opinion, one of the best practices to apply in advance of providing a client with a proposed fee is to always invest the time and expense re

Project 52
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Creating an identity for the New England Conservatory Student Life and Performance Center

BD+C

The New England Conservatory located in Boston, MA, honored its 150 th anniversary in 2017 with the opening of the Student Life and Performance Center, a building that needed to provide practice spaces, performance facilities, and student housing all under one roof. It was important that this new building – the first for the Conservatory in 60 years – have a unique identity and express architectural creativity and innovation. .

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Zoning changes can be crucial to filling large, empty retail spaces

BD+C

With empty retail spaces becoming more prevalent in once-thriving shopping centers, property owners sometimes have to consider alternative uses for these spaces. Businesses such as self-storage facilities, call centers, high tech firms, or light industrial companies may find those empty spaces desirable. In many cases, though, local officials need to change zoning ordinances to enable these new uses.

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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!