Sat.Jan 07, 2017 - Fri.Jan 13, 2017

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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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My ONE Word for 2017

EntreArchitect

How to Achieve Your Goals as a Small Firm Architect. In December of 2015, in preparation for the coming year, I recorded a podcast episode and published an article describing my idea for establishing just one goal for 2016. Instead of picking numerous goals in every area of my life, I would set just ONE Goal. My ONE Goal. Inspired by one of my all-time favorite books, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results , written by Jay Papasan and Gary Keller, my ONE Goal w

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It is Important to Keep Learning

Life of an Architect

This has been an interesting few weeks for me – very busy and very stressful, two things that I could do with less of in my life. Whenever the stress level goes up in my life, the time I spend in the shower seems to increase proportionately. I tend to let my mind wander ( even more than normal ) and I do some of my best creative thinking in the shower.

IT 49
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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.

Space 94
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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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Best in Architecture: 23 projects win AIA 2017 Institute Honor Awards

BD+C

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected the 2017 recipients of the Institute Honor Awards , the profession’s highest recognition of works that exemplify excellence in architecture, interior architecture and urban design. Selected from roughly 700 submissions, 23 recipients located throughout the world will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architect 2017 in Orlando.

Project 85

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Architects and researchers are developing new techniques for building in space

BD+C

A few months ago, the world’s first self-described “ Marschitect ” was working on developing architecture designed specifically to meet the challenges of living on Mars. Now, more and more architects and researchers are taking a shot at developing new and innovative ways for building habitable environments on the surface of the inhospitable planet.

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Virtual Reality: How three firms are using VR technology

BD+C

When it comes to the current state of virtual reality, you can easily go online and read innumerable articles expounding on the topic: Are virtual reality’s uses best suited for gaming, or something else? Can VR be the key to creating real empathy between people? . These topics may be fun to ponder, but they tend to gloss over an important question: How is virtual reality being used by companies around the world right now?

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Plunging solar power costs making PVs more compelling for owners, developers

BD+C

Adding solar power to developments adds points for owners aiming for green certifications. As the cost of solar continues to plummet, the technology could make a compelling case for building owners from a purely economic perspective. In fact, solar power on a utility scale is now cheaper than coal in some parts of the world. In less than a decade, it is predicted to be the lowest-cost option almost everywhere.

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Istanbul’s Valens Archway could be rejuvenated with “floating” housing concept

BD+C

The Valens Archway, an aqueduct in Istanbul built at the end of the 4 th century by the Roman Emperor Valens, provided the city with water during the middle century. Today, however, the remaining section of the archway is nothing more than a forgotten landmark in the busy and historic Istanbul district of Fatih. But it may not be forgotten for long, as Superspace, a Turkish architecture studio, has plans to transform the over 3000-foot-long structure into a recreational and residential space.

Concept 75
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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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UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Business to receive modern, twisted addition from BIG

BD+C

From the right angle, BIG’s new addition to the Isenberg School of Management on the University of Massachusetts campus has the appearance of falling dominoes or an accordion in the midst of providing the polka music for a crowded German bar. The twisted, semi-transparent building was designed with the hopes that it will help to enhance the reputation of Isenberg among the nation’s leading business schools, according to the architects.

Modern 75
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Massive student housing project in Texas will be ready this Fall

BD+C

Park West is the biggest student housing project under development in the country. Located within 47 acres on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, the project will encompass 15 buildings, 2.2 million sf and 3,406 beds. Nearly 1,000 construction workers have been this jobsite daily, and another 100-plus offsite designers, managers and engineers have worked on this project, whose developer, Servitas, with its design-builder and joint-venture partner Weitz Company, have pumped

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New BIM guide for owners released

BD+C

The National Institute of Building Sciences released a new guideline to help building owners better use building information modeling (BIM). The National BIM Guide for Owners provides building owners with a documented process for design teams to follow to produce a standard set of BIM documents during the design and construction of the facility. The guide is also beneficial for maintenance and operations of the facility upon handoff. .

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New LEED for Cities, LEED for Communities pilot certifications unveiled

BD+C

The U.S. Green Building Council released two new pilot certifications , LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities, last month. The certifications call for a community or a city to set goals, and implement strategies to support the goals. The city or community then shares performance data to measure and track progress toward those goals.

Cities 73
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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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OSHA prompts more proactive approach to construction site safety

BD+C

In recent decades, OSHA has spurred the construction industry to take a more proactive, preventative approach to work site safety. This fall, OSHA released “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs,” a major update of a 30 year-old program. The guidelines are designed to encourage businesses to implement proven, consistent safety practices to prevent accidents.

Safety 72
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The mind’s eye: Five thoughts on cognitive neuroscience and designing spaces

BD+C

Research in Cognitive Neuroscience on the built environment may change the way we see how people relate to the built environment. It may even change how we design.

Space 75
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Building from the neighborhood up

BD+C

Three months ago, EcoDistricts, the Portland, Ore.–based organization that advocates for district-scale urban development, launched EcoDistricts Certified version 1.2, a sustainability management framework based on EcoDistricts’ multilayered Protocol. The Protocol, which came out last April, is based on more than five years of research and consultation with 100-plus industry experts and 16 district-scale projects worldwide.

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The largest modular construction hotel project in New York City is starting to get pieced together

BD+C

A new hotel being constructed at the intersection of Bowery and Delancey in New York City will stand as the largest modular hotel in the city once it is completed in March. The 20-story, 300-room hotel being constructed at 189 Bowery comprises 210 prefabricated pods that were built in Poland by Polcom Modular and shipped to New York to be stacked.

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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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The Oakland Raiders could build this $1.9 billion stadium if they move to Vegas

BD+C

Raider Nation may be getting a change of scenery soon if the Oakland Raiders decide to relocate to Las Vegas. If they do make the decision to abandon ship, the Raiders will be leaving behind the Oakland Coliseum, arguably the worst stadium in the NFL, in favor of a new $1.9 million MANICA-designed abode.

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Steel and concrete's take on tall wood

BD+C

Steel and concrete manufacturers and their trade groups oppose changes in U.S. building codes that would allow mass timber for tall buildings. Their arguments center on fire safety, strength, and durability, while making the case for the environmental benefits of their products.

Safety 66
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Are public buildings considered infrastructure?

BD+C

In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s declaration for some $1 billion in infrastructure construction spending in the coming years, a poll commissioned by the American Institute of Architects sheds light on where public buildings fit into the equation. .

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Outdoor educational environments provide a campus experience

BD+C

When thinking back to our own elementary school days, most people would agree that recess was our favorite “subject.” Recess provided us a break from the confinement of the classroom, where we learned how to socialize with our peers in an unstructured manner. From that early age, we quickly discovered that spending time outside is important.

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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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China claims top ranking outside of U.S. for total LEED-certified space

BD+C

China moved from second to first place in rankings of countries with the most LEED-certified space outside of the United States. China has 34.62 million gross square meters (GSM) of certified LEED space. Canada, India, Brazil, and the Republic of Korea rounded out the top five nations on the list.

Space 55
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73% of construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2017

BD+C

Survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate show 73% of the nearly 1,300 construction firms polled plan to expand their payrolls in 2017. Most firms will only see modest expansions, though, as 66% reported their planned hiring will increase total headcount between 1% and 25%. 6% of firms reported they plan on increasing their headcount more than 25% this year.

Firms 53
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Can design help close the nation's political divide?

BD+C

During a time of great political divide across the nation and widespread distrust of bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., can architecture offer a practical solution to partisan politics? .

Design 45
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After winning international competition, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects will design the new Shanghai Library

BD+C

Shanghai is the most populous city in the world with almost 25 million inhabitants and the library system of the city dates back to 1847, so the competition to determine the architecture firm that will build the new branch of the Shanghai Library located in one of the most iconic parts of the city saw its share of big names and heavy hitters.

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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!