Category Archives: Commercial Buildings
29
May
May
There is something amazingly raw and beautiful in cast concrete forms and buildings. These forms can become any shape imaginable and all that is required is the form to hold the concrete as it dries. Panels of remarkable sizes can be placed on site in construction zones, allowing buildings to rise in record breaking time…
22
May
May
Biomimicry is the practice of using nature to inspire design. It has become more popular as the green building movement has grown. The Biotic-Tech Skyscraper City by GPT Architecture in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, is inspired by squid, using the qualities of transparency, flexibility, movement and protective pigmentation. The design was the Jury Winner in the Architizer A+ awards for…
19
May
May
Floor-to-ceiling movable wall systems have been developed to accompany changing design requirements In an era where modular and reconfigurable components drive business design decisions, the development of moveable wall systems seems entirely appropriate and timely. Meet Philadelphia-based Transwall, the developer of beautiful and reconfigurable architectural walls that are moveable. As the company aptly stated on its…
19
May
May
Last week Greenwash Action released its answer to critics of the LEED green building certification program, administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED has been under attack by proponents of the Green Globes certification program, which is administered by the Green Building Initiative. “LEED Exposed” claims…
11
Apr
Apr
AIA Top 10 Continues – Multifamily Housing & Specialized Housing The American Institute of Architects has selected 10 top new American homes for the 2014 Housing Awards. Yesterday we focused on single-family homes. Today the awards we feature the multifamily and specialized housing categories. These brief descriptions from AIA provide a view of the projects….
20
Mar
Mar
As one of the most influential tech companies in the world, Apple tends to lead by example. When it comes to sustainability, the Cupertino-based tech giant hasn’t always had a sterling reputation; however, in recent years, Apple has doubled down on…
19
Mar
Mar
Cooling in the heat of summer can be a daunting challenge in congested urban areas. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Freiburg have been working on innovative sorbents that can store a particularly large amount of water vapor that can be used for cooling purposes. This research information released today…
12
Mar
Mar
A week-long series of events—starting with a ticketed gala on Saturday, March 8—will celebrate the grand opening of Emerson Los Angeles (ELA), a spectacular new academic and residential facility that will enable the College to significantly expand its contribution to the city and to the entertainment and communication industries. Guests scheduled to attend the gala include…
15
Jan
Jan
The companies that are the most inspiring are the ones that grew out of necessity for a product and stand the test of time by continuing to grow their product, meet the demands of industry and introduce new cutting edge materials. One such company that has been around for over 60 years is the Construction…
01
Nov
Nov
The Green Building Council’s Leadership LEED system is no longer the only program the General Services Administration (GSA) endorses for federal building construction and renovation; now there is Green Globes. The Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes has received a recommendation from the GSA during a scheduled review of the building certification system. Government construction is…
21
Oct
Oct
The search for a homes for sale or rent can be a grueling, time-consuming – “can’t be forgotten soon enough” – endeavor. Or it can be made into a very smart shopping trip. Point2 Homes is a newly developed real estate listings portal. This website has been designed to serve as an online search tool…
10
Oct
Oct
Any commercial activity that relies on heavy plant machinery also has a vested interest in making sure that downtime, whether due to maintenance, improvements or repairs, is kept to an absolute minimum. Continued operational effectiveness has to be maintained if disruptions to production processes are to be avoided and this can present particular problems depending…
04
Oct
Oct
VENICE UNIVERSITY EXCEEDED HARVARD AND US TREASURY The Venetian Gothic palace overlooking the Grand Canal received the prestigious certification from the U.S. Green Building Council Ca’ Foscari, Venice University’s headquarter, is the oldest LEED-certified building on the planet. The Venetian Gothic palace, built in 1453 on the Grand Canal, exceeded two American buildings, Fay House…