Sat.Dec 14, 2019 - Fri.Dec 20, 2019

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Reconsidering construction robotics

BD+C

Fact: There were 379,000 unfilled construction jobs in August, based on preliminary estimates released in October by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fact: The majority of nonresidential construction projects come in over budget and late, sometimes wildly so. After decades when experts predicted that robots would become more prevalent on construction sites, it would appear that the industry has finally reached that point where necessity, aspiration, and investment are colliding.

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Motherflipping Tile Joints

Life of an Architect

I like to take tile joint patterns pretty seriously and am preternaturally inclined to notice when the tile installer decides to make the joint pattern an afterthought. Continue reading Motherflipping Tile Joints at Life of an Architect.

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Architect vs. Engineer : Design Meeting

30X40 Design Workshop

A structural engineer is a part of the design team for all my residential work in the studio. In this video you'll join me for the kick-off meeting with my engineer as we begin developing the structural design for the Outpost project. You’ll see how we choose a foundation strategy, work through framing + detail ideas, and understand how lateral loads are transferred and how they affect the materials we choose to build with.

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Detroit Branch & Fairbanks Panels

Historic LDS Architecture

One of my favorite parts about running this blog is when local members reach out to me to alert me of some unique architectural feature or art in their local building. I had that happen to me just recently. A member contacted me explaining that, in the 1940s, the Relief Society had a monument erected on Temple Square, between the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall.

Art 52
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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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101 Top Products for 2019

BD+C

The products selected for Building Design+Construction ’s annual 101 Top Products report are determined by you, our readers. From security doors to metal ceilings, fabric ducts to rainscreen wall systems, linear drains to bacteria-killing LED lighting, these are the products that appeared in the pages of the magazine over the past 12 months that readers wanted to learn more about.

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Weiss/Manfredi will lead the master plan of the La Brea Tar Pits

BD+C

The La Brea Tar Pits will undergo a multi-year project to reimagine the 13-acre campus, which encompasses the world’s only active paleontological research site in a major urban area, its asphalt seeps, the surrounding parkland, and the George C. Page Museum building.

Site 92
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BIG unveils River Street Waterfront Master Plan for Williamsburg

BD+C

Bjarke Ingels Group recently unveiled the design for its River Street Waterfront Master Plan in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. The design seeks to create a living waterfront, enhance the connectivity of the public waterfront, restore natural habitats, elevate the standard for urban waterfront resiliency, and transform the way New Yorkers interact with the East River.

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Robot uprising

BD+C

Imagine you are standing in an elevator, patiently waiting to arrive at your floor. Before you arrive at your destination, the cab slows to a stop to pick up another passenger. But as the doors slide open, you see it isn’t another person at all. It’s a robot. After a slight pause, the robot rolls in and selects its desired floor. A few seconds of awkward elevator music later, the doors open again and the robot rolls out without a parting word.

IT 81
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KFC opens urban prototype in the Bronx

BD+C

Located in the Bronx, KFC’s new urban inline restaurant design reflects the borough’s fast-paced, eclecticism with bolder accents and unique features evolved from the brand’s traditional American Showman restaurant design.

Design 72
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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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BD+C's 2019 Reconstruction Award Winners

BD+C

Building Design + Construction’s 36th annual Reconstruction Awards honor 22 projects for standing out as the best in renovation, preservation, and adaptive reuse work. For the 20190 Reconstruction Awards, BD+C awarded three Platinum awards, five Gold awards, four Silver awards, five bronze awards, and five honorable mentions. The projects ranged in use from museums and opera houses to residential towers and hotels.

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Architecture Billings Index continues to show modest growth

BD+C

Demand for design services in November increased at a modest pace for the second month in a row, according to a new report today from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 51.9 for November reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).

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Customizing Glass to Fit Any Project

BD+C

An architect’s design is their signature. The intent, lines, materials selected, and overarching theme demonstrate how a professional interpreted his or her client’s needs. Sometimes this leans more towards the utilitarian and industrial, and, at others, it can be a thing of beauty – a work of art. Whatever the building’s purpose, it is something that must last and, hopefully, thrive where it is constructed.

Glass 52
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Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans puts spotlight on undocumented workers

BD+C

The collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans earlier this year has shed light on the plight of undocumented construction workers. Three workers were killed after the structural failure. One survivor, an undocumented worker who had tried to warn supervisors about safety concerns, was subsequently deported to Honduras.

Safety 52
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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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New York City passes legislation to prevent bird strikes on buildings

BD+C

New York City recently passed legislation aimed at preventing bird collisions with buildings. The new regulation is believed to be the most broad-reaching bird-friendly building policy in the country. It requires that 90% of the external building envelope for the first 75 feet of new construction and major alterations be made of bird-safe materials.

Cities 52
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Maryland lawmakers take on blocked sidewalks during construction projects

BD+C

Two Maryland lawmakers have introduced bills that would improve pedestrian access to sidewalks during construction projects. Legislation filed by a Montgomery County Council member would limit how long a county sidewalk could remain blocked to pedestrians. If the project goes longer than 15 days, the bill puts the responsibility on the developer or utility running the project to identify alternate routes for pedestrians.

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Two LMN Architects-designed academic science buildings move forward for completion next year

BD+C

Building Teams that include designer LMN Architects are on pace to complete two new science labs at Washington State in Pullman and Eastern Washington University in Cheney by the fall of 2020. The 80,300-sf five-story Plant Sciences Building at Washington State integrates several disciplines from the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resources.

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Moving from interdisciplinary science to interdisciplinary learning

BD+C

There is no doubt interdisciplinary science is becoming more popular throughout academia. With new technologies, greater interconnectedness, and incentive grants, there has been no better time to take our established notions of interdisciplinary science and advance the concept even further.

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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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LEO A DALY appoints a long-time associate to lead its engineering practice

BD+C

LEO A DALY has tapped Kimberly Cowman, a 17-year company veteran, to be its first National Director of Engineering, which will become effective sometime after January 1, 2020. The 38-year-old Cowman, PE, LEED AP, HFDP, and Senior Associate, will report to John Kraskiewicz, AIA, the firm’s Senior Vice President and COO. She is meeting this week with the company’s brand leadership to discuss her staffing needs, as well as plans for restructuring LEO A DALY’S engineering services with an eye toward

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New Buildings Institute seeks entries for Zero Buildings Database

BD+C

The New Buildings Institute (NBI) seeks new entries for its Zero Buildings Database. This listing helps illustrate the feasibility of ultra low-energy buildings. The database represents North America’s most comprehensive listing of zero energy and zero carbon buildings, including verified projects and emerging projects that have a goal of getting to zero but have yet to achieve the outcome, according to NBI.

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Top Window and Door Products for 2019

BD+C

. HIGH-EFFICIENCY WINDOWS AT VIDA SAN FRANCISCO.

Windows 90
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Top Plumbing Products for 2019

BD+C

. GOOF PROOF LINEAR DRAIN.

90
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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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Top Structural Products for 2019

BD+C

. ULTRA CLEAR SEALANT.

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Making contacts that lead to "true partnerships" is key to Student Housing ProCONNECT event for Pfister's Tracey Qualteri

BD+C

"I've met some amazing people, great contacts, and most importantly, have been invited to follow up with them," said Tracey Qualteri, Regional Multifamily Manager for Pfister Faucets, speaking about her experience as a Sponsoring Company at SGC Horizon's Student Housing ProCONNECT event in Denver on November 11, 2019. Being able to follow up with Attendees - student housing developers, contractors, and architects - is "really the key to an event like this," said Qualteri, who was attending her f

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Top Glass and Glazing Products for 2019

BD+C

. SKYLIGHT AT AVENTURA MALL.

Glass 75
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Top Interior Building Products for 2019

BD+C

. LIVING WALL AT CONSERVATORY.

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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!