February 2011 Newsletter

Social Media for Architects

Sure, most architecture firms already have decent websites, and many even have Facebook pages. But innovative firms take their social media strategy much further.

For example, several thousand architects now connect with others in the field through Architizer. This free social networking site, built exclusively for architects and related professionals, allows firms to upload their projects and helps them seek new clients.

Blogging is another growing way for A/E/C firms to connect. A firm’s blog can focus on the local building industry or some wider niche. The idea is to share your thoughts, ideas, concerns, whatever, with people who are interested–including potential clients. Blogs are easy to set up and inexpensive (many services are free). Check out WordPress  and Blogger .  

Architecture firm Barefoot & Gilles writes about the local property development scene in its blog . In contrast, JDS Architects blogs about a broad range of cultural issues.

Do blogs help a firm land new work? Read this article  about how architect Larry Lane got international exposure when he blogged about the collapse of the roof of the Dallas Cowboys practice field.

Many consumer-oriented social media tools can also be applied to architecture. For example, have you considered using Groupon  to promote your firm? In Groupon deals, the business offers some service at a discount–usually half off–to the public. Groupon emails details of the offer to thousands of people who have signed up to get the emails. Those who want it buy the “Groupon,” and the business and Groupon split the money. (So basically you end up providing some service for one quarter of your normal fee, but you can limit the deal and it does bring new clients in the door).

Groupon has many competitors, including DealOn, Town Hog ,and Bloomspot. These are just a few of the social media tools an A/E/C firm can use. We’ll feature more in future issues of this newsletter, so stay tuned!

Micro-Homes are Big!

What’s the biggest thing in residential architecture? It’s also the smallest — microhomes. Microhomes, which are generally smaller than 500 square feet, appeal to folks who don’t think bigger is always better.

One advantage of microhomes is lower cost, naturally. The cost of microhomes varies widely, but with less materials and a smaller footprint, they are much more affordable than a conventional residence.

But probably more important are non-economic features. Microhomes attract buyers who want to consume less resources. People who appreciate a simpler lifestyle, or who like living closer to nature, or who generally want to affect the earth as little as possible, buy and build microhomes.

Not only do these homes take up less space, but most are built with an array of “green” features that reduce the long-term cost of ownership substantially. After all, it’s a lot easier to heat and cool a 300-square-foot house with sustainable technology than it is to do that with a mini-mansion.

What are some common features of microhomes?

Good use of light – lots of windows, skylights, and porches bring in the light, and plenty of mirrors on the walls distribute it.

Simple designs — leave out the fancy amenities and anything else that wastes space or materials. Space for the sake of space is a turnoff to microhome buyers.

Smart storage — under the bed, in the ceiling, above the cabinets — any space that just collects dust in a conventional house is turned into storage in a microhome.

Modularity — some microhomes are designed with modular components so they can be expanded as families grow.

Pre-fab, repurposed, or stickbuilt — Microhomes can be made in a factory; they can be assembled from recycled storage containers; or, probably most common, they can be built from the ground up.

Want to learn more? Check out this article , LittleDiggs blog , and the Tiny House blog .

Are Your Documents Fireproof?

When a fire destroyed the Bolton Public Works building in July 2008, thousands of one-of-a-kind engineering drawings went up in flames. “This should serve as a wake up call to Bolton to make sure their documents are backed up,” a Bolton public works executive stated.

AIR Graphics stepped in to scan and archive the surviving documents in Bolton. If another fire hits, the damage will be much less. There’s more, though: The newly scanned documents are much easier to find and access than the paper documents they replaced, and they can be easily updated or revised.

What about your own documents? Are they well organized, easy to access, and safe from fire or flood? If not, a call to AIR Graphics today could pay off tomorrow.

Julia Redfern, AIR Graphics scanning and archive specialist, has been working with hospitals, universities, towns, and corporate headquarters to organize their plan rooms and convert their documents into digital format. “Even in this economy, people realize that a project like this can improve efficiency and reduce operating costs,” says Julia. “It also preserves their valuable building information for future use.”

Amazing Architecture

Salvador Dali was an amazing artist, so it’s no surprise a museum in St. Petersburg, Florida <http://www.constructiondigital.com/sectors/architects/architectural-marvel-salvador-dali-museum-opens-tuesday-florida> dedicated to his artwork is also amazing. The museum, designed by HOK, features a hurricane resistant design, a geodesic glass exterior, and a helical staircase.

Libraries aren’t just for bookworms. The Surry Hills Library and Community Center in Sydney, Australia received the Australian Institute of Architects’ National Award for Public Architecture. Designed by the firm Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp, the library is an amazing glass construction that rises above a park.

Residential architecture can be amazing, too. Just check out the Integral House  in Toronto. Designed by Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe of Shim Sutcliffe, the house includes a private concert hall.

The World’s Best Health Building? According to the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, it’s the Brain and Mind Research Institute – Youth Mental Health Building  in Australia. designed by BVN Architecture in Sydney.

Being Green

Solar Power Tiles: Solar panels are nothing new, but now a house can sport solar panels built right into the roofing tiles. The Solé Power Tile  , from US Tile, combines flexible solar power technology with a premium roofing tile.

Recycled Rubber Flooring: Old tires litter America; CERES PVC-Free Flooring uses old tires to make CERES Recycled Rubber flooring that is durable, non-slip, and insulating.

Green Campus Building: A million bucks from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Commercial Building Partnership program will help the University of Utah retrofit a 1970 building in the College of Architecture and Planning. The goal? A “net zero” building .

Ancient Green: Locally sourced materials? Long life? Architecture that blends into the environment? No, these aren’t new green ideas. They’re characteristics of most old castles in Europe! These structures were “green” way before it was cool to be green, and can teach modern architects a thing or two about sustainability.

News

AIR Graphics supports Design Boston Museum. The Design Boston Museum celebrates the work of the 48,000 designers working in Massachusetts. Details here Creative Capital

Vacant site near Boston Police Department being developed: Details here Urban Updating .

A greener City Hall Plaza?: Details here www.boston.com/yourtown/news/downtown/2011/02/city_hall_plaza_one_step_close.html

Billings Index jumps two points in December: Details here www.csemag.com/industry-news/more-top-stories/single-article/architecture-billings-index-continues-positive-momentum/bf4d4f9750.html

Awards

Harvard prof wins Brendan Gill Prize www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/2/3/van-valkenburgh-landscape-park/>

Boston architect Charlie Myer wins “Best of Boston” award www.bostonmagazine.com/best_of/detail/best_of_boston_home_2011_architect/

January 2011 newsletter

Export Architecture: Even Small American Firms Look Overseas to Survive

Think America imports too much from around the world? Well, many architecture firms are tipping the balance by exporting their expertise for design projects overseas.

Designing buildings in foreign countries is certainly nothing new, but American firms have pursued international work much more aggressively since the recession hammered the U.S. market. And it’s not just the giant firms reaching overseas. Consider the Archiventure Group  a four-person, Denver-based firm that specializes in resorts and golf clubs. Work is slow in Denver, so now the firm is designing a golf resort in India.

Medium-sized Heller-Manus Architects  had no foreign work four years ago, but now does nearly half its work for Chinese clients. Among its Chinese projects is the central business district of Guangzhou.

Why are American firms finding working overseas? The answer is a combination of two factors: First, many other countries, particularly in Asia, are enjoying a building boom; and second, in many cases American architectural expertise is valued more than local knowledge.

There are several strategies to expanding internationally. Some firms partner with existing, local firms; others buy local firms; and some start their own, freestanding offices. Which strategy works depends on the country in question and the size of the firms involved.

Naturally, there are pitfalls to international work. Some firms report not getting paid promptly (who wants collection hassles 2,000 miles away?), while others struggle with local customs are regulations. And you can’t forget the travel expense! Burkett Design in Denver, which has an office in Dubai and also works in Sudan, racks up $40,000 a year in travel, founder Amy Burkett says.

Despite those issues, architecture is sure to continue as one of America’s fastest growing exports.

Space Architecture: International Not Far Enough?

Sure, lots of firms are finding work overseas, but that’s not enough for others. Space architecture the design of buildings for the moon and other planets and orbiting spacecraft–is a bona fide field with unlimited growth potential!

Consider the fact that Virgin Galactic  dedicated its “spaceport” in New Mexico in October, and 390 future “astronauts” have plunked down deposits on the $200,000 tickets for few minutes of space flight. The spaceport, which is basically an ultra-modern airport, was designed by Foster + Partners  in London. And Virgin Galactic is only one of many players in the field of private spaceflight–SpaceX  already has NASA and Air Force contracts for its rockets and space vehicles.

Space architecture won’t stop at the spaceport, of course. Many existing projects, such as the International Space Station, contain designed living and working spaces. The future holds much more–habitations on the moon and Mars, for example. Do you think the design of such things is the stuff of science fiction lovers tinkering in the garage? Think again: The International Astronautical Congress , now in its 62nd year, had a special section titled “Space Architecture: Exploration and Tourism” in its 2010 meeting in Prague. Furthermore, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has a committee devoted to the design of the structures and living spaces related to space travel, the Space Architecture Technical Committee . “Architects and industrial designers are now fully involved in the world of space,” according to the SATC website.

Space architecture has a long history, though active participation of architects and designers began with the design of NASA’s Skylab in 1968. The engineers working on Skylab, which was an orbiting laboratory, wanted a windowless workspace; industrial designer Raymond Loewy  insisted on a window so the astronauts could observe the Earth from space. Many more architects and designers worked on the International Space Station, and today a growing number of them work on all aspects of space travel, from vehicles to orbiting structures to planetary homes.

Amazing Architecture

The brain is a complicated thing, and Frank Gehry’s design for the Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas does the brain justice. The marvelously convoluted design makes passers by think they’re walking by the Ripley’s Believe it or Not building, but the work going on inside–on Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases–is totally believeable.

Water inspires a lot of architecture. The latest example is the London Aquatics Center , now being built for the 2012 Olympics. Designed by English architect Zaha Hadid, the building takes its swooping shape from the river beside it and the aquatics inside it. Says Hadid: “The architectural concept of the Aquatic Center is inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape.”

Loft apartments are popular, but the wide-open space can be intimidating. Not in the briefcase house . This loft in Chicago has a giant modular “room” that occupants can move and reform as needed. Designed by Bureau Spectacular in Chicago, the modular room is considered a “house within a house”; it’s big enough for the owner to sleep in.

Being Green

AIR Graphics: We Were Green Before it Was Cool

At AIR Graphics, we have worked to minimize the environmental impact of our products since way before it was the popular thing to do. Here are some key dates in our “green” history:

In November 1994, we opened the first all plain paper reprographic center in Boston. Plain paper reprographics equipment reproduces large-format documents without the environmentally hazardous byproducts produced by traditional methods of large-format reproduction.

November 1994 created and Trademarked GREENPRINT to establish a new and accurate description of eco friendly large format printing.

In December 1995, we began recycling all of the paper in our offices.

In August 2008, we began using 30 percent post consumer recycled stock in all of our copies.

What do these initiatives mean for the environment? We expect to save each year:

1,600 trees

4,619 pounds of waterborne waste

679,722 gallons of wastewater

75,278 pounds of solid waste

148,056 pounds of greenhouse gases

1,1333,333,333 BTU of energy

Our world is increasingly fragile, and how we use our resources is important. AIR Graphics believes strongly in our responsibility to protect the earth’s resources.

Eco- friendly banner stands.

Bamboo Banner Stand: AIR Graphics offers a green way to display presentations, the Bamboo X-Stands . These handsome, sturdy stands are made from bamboo, one of Earth’s most renewable and sustainable natural resources.

Seal in Efficiency:

Southwall Technologies and Dow Corning have partnered to create new “Heat Mirror“  film and sealants for large glass buildings. The new products create the industry’s lightest weight and most energy-efficient multi-cavity insulating glass for large projects.

Arc College Aims for Zero: The University of Utah is aiming for a zero carbon footprint in the renovation of its architecture building . The 1970s building is loaded with opportunities to improve efficiency, so the renovation will save energy and teach students green technologies.

Self-Adhesive Housewrap: WrapShield SA  from VapoShield is a self-adhesive, vapor-permeable housewrap. The fact that it’s self-adhesive means many fewer fastener penetrations are required, it doesn’t flap in the wind, and it’s very airtight.

Recessed Light Covers: Slow the energy leak from canned lights by installing Tenmat fire-resistant light covers. The FF Recessed Light Protection Covers  stop airflow in and out, and keep the can light away from the insulation. They are designed for CFL lights only.

News You Can Use

MIT Sesquicentennial – 150 artifacts from MIT’s 150 years of existence are on display at the MIT Museum

Student Housing: Will a student “village” come to Boston? http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/news/getting_real/?p=381 

Playing Fields Funded: Braintree High School will sport two new synthetic-turf athletic fields www.patriotledger.com/news/x1290144580/Braintree-council-OKs-borrowing-for-construction-of-playing-fields

Billings Up: The AIA reports that the U.S. architectural billings index reached 52 in November 2010, its highest point since 2007. www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6BL0FK20101222>

10 Best Architecture Books: Looking for something good to read? Check out this list of the best books on architecture published in 2010. www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature345.htm

Awards

Boston’s John Hancock Tower wins AIA 25-Year Award

Kansas City Firm Wins AIA Award: BNIM Architects was awarded the 2011 AIA Architecture Firm Award www.bnim.com/news/bnim-receive-2011-aia-architecture-firm-award>

Biodegradable Foam Board is Now Available

Mounted Graphics that are Environmentally Friendly! 

THE BIODEGRADABLE POLYSTYRENE CENTER, with 15% recycled content, is formulated with “bio resins”. These bio resins cause the discarded foamboard to degrade in landfills or commercial composters once the foam is exposed to a bacteria-rich environment. These bio resins actually transform the structure of the polystyrene, while attracting microorganisms that metabolize and neutralize the plastic. After decomposition, only a biomass compost remains . This material is safe for the environment.

Our exclusive polystyrene center requires one to five years for 100% breakdown, whereas conventional foamboards will not biodegrade for 80 to 450 years.

Is there a “green trade-off” in terms of performance? No way. On the job, AIR Graphic’s biodegradable products are virtually identical to standard foam board. The difference is, BIODEGRADABLE foam boards return to nature when their working life is over.

THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BIODEGRADABLE FOAMBOARD WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL IT IS DISCARDED IN A LANDFILL OR SIMILAR SOLID WASTE FACILITY.

PDT Architects Builds a Trade Show Booth

Principal Brian Curley, Marketing Director Susan Ransom and Design Consultant Judy Paolini

 

When Susan Ransom, Marketing Director of PDT Architects (www.pdtarchs.com), called AIR Graphics for pricing on a trade show booth, the idea was to attach some basic color graphics with velcro to the material that came with the booth. That all changed as soon as the framing was set up.

Graphic designer Judy Paolini, the owner of TPDA (www.tpda.com), looked past the limits of the framework. She and Susan started by stringing LED lights inside the side panels. AIR Graphics then printed and laminated an abstract image onto mylar. With these bowed sheets and the lighting, the hard edges of a typically industrial looking device were transformed. The LED lights shining behind the mylar gave the booth a decided glow, expanded the width and softened the hard edges. Rather than have a run-of-the-mill curved booth, the design team, which included Principals Brian Curley and David Webster, chose to leave key structural panels open on the front side and hung color tinted mylar sheets across the back. The immediate effect was to draw attention to the booth and the strategically placed images. Finally, the design team took the booth carrying case, which functions as the front table of the finished display, and dressed it up with prefabricated sheet metal purchased at Home Depot. The sheets were hand-tooled to wrap around the table and the entire display was topped off with a three dimensional PDT logo sign attached to the halogen light clamp that extended above the top of the display.

Talk about thinking (and building) outside the box!