Architect as Cartoonist

Architecture is a pretty serious business with long-lasting results. But it is a profession inhabited by artists, and as architect-artists doodle, it’s no surprise that some of those doodles turn into cartoons. Here is a run-down of some of the best-known architecture cartoonists.

Alan Dunn (1900 – 1974) drew nearly 2,000 cartoons for The New Yorker during his career, as well as many cartoons for Architectural Record. His cartoons made fun of many modern design trends from the 1930s and 1940s. The style of his work evokes the 1940s, and many of the gags and terminology center around architectural issues of that era. Check out some of his work here http://learning2share.blogspot.com/2009/12/few-alan-dunn-architectural-cartoons.html

Saul Steinberg (1914 – 1999) is probably best known for his 1976 New Yorker cover that shows a map that depicts an idealized view of the world from the perspective of a New Yorker. See it here http://www.saulsteinbergfoundation.org/gallery_24_viewofworld.html

Steinberg earned an architecture degree in 1940 in Milan, but he already was cartooning for European publications in the 1930s. His drawings appeared in Life, The New Yorker, and Harper’s Bazaar by the early 1940s. His cartoons went far beyond architecture, but architecture was a regular favorite. Another famous drawing — which actually was made into wallpaper that is still available! — depicted the streets of Paris http://retrorenovation.com/2010/01/26/wallpaper-designed-by-new-yorker-cartoonist-saul-steinberg/.

Louis Hellman is an English architect who has lampooned architecture as a cartoonist for 40 years. His work has appeared in Architectural Review, Design Week, Punch, The Guardian, and many other publications. His cartoons were collected in a book in 2000, Archi-tetes: The Id in the Grid. Here are a number of his cartoons that focus on the planning process in London: http://www.planninginlondon.com/HTML/Cartoons/Cartoons.htm

Malcolm Walker is an architect in New Zealand who has doubled as a cartoonist for the past 25 years. Some of his best work was recently collected in a book titled Did You Mean To Do That? While not all of his cartoons are about architecture, many are, and they generally critique the architecture of his native land. In an interview in the New Zealand Herald, Walker said ” It’s such an important thing, architecture, it really does matter, and I do think there’s a lot of bad architecture around. Although, if architecture was all good I wouldn’t have a job as an architectural cartoonist.”

Art and Architecture: Impressionism Comes to the Fore

Architects have long used artistic renderings to show clients what to expect, and most now use computer renderings to make them super realistic. But some architects are turning back the clock — way back — and using impressionistic artistic methods to help clients understand the concept of a design without getting bogged down by specifics.

Consider Dawn Carlton, an architect at Hennebery Eddy Architects in Portland, Oregon. She specializes in watercolor drawings of new projects. She recently won an award from the American Society of Architectural Illustrators for a watercolor rendering of the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation’s engine house.

“I think hand work in general is so important to architectural design,” Carlton said in an interview with Portland’s Daily Journal of Commerce. “Technology has moved so far forward that most work is done on the computer. I think any chance that we get as designers to go back to hand work, whether that’s pencil or mixed media, there’s a real connection level of thought process that that supports.”

Carlton explains that watercolor drawings of projects being designed allow the architect and the client to focus on the intent of a project rather than specific measurements and angles.

“I think the softness is also appealing to a lot of clients, versus say a black-and-white image or other opaque paintings that make it difficult to express the detail,” she said.

Genesis Studios, an architectural rendering firm in Altamonte Springs, Florida, creates what they call “loose renderings” for many clients. The loose renderings are impressionistic, though not necessarily watercolor. Clients often ask for these renderings in early design stages, when there are not enough details for a computer-generated rendering, or when construction budgets are still vague and thus the architect does not want to commit to many specifics in the rendering.

“A loose illustration is a representation of the elements within a layout and is drawn to scale and used to give an idea of the overall concept without specific details,” the firm’s principal, Frank Bartus, explains.

Another more subtle advantage of impressionistic renderings is that they often can evoke a mood more easily than photo-realistic images can. Is a building supposed to be serious? The artist can use stark colors and hard lines. Or is it supposed to be lively and happy? Other colors and softer edges can evoke those feelings.

Old school artistic renderings are never going to replace modern computer drawings, but they do have their place. After all, the value of a truly artistic rendering goes beyond its ability to accurately depict a future building.

Your Own Branded Storefront: Let AIR Provide It

You know the problem: You want your remote salespeople, agents, and others to have access to the high-quality marketing material you created, but you don’t want them using it outside of the guidelines you have established. The solution? A “branded storefront,” which is an internet portal that allows any authorized users, located anywhere, to easily create personalized documents, emails, and other marketing collateral with the assurance that they fully comply with company brand requirements. Click here for more information: Branded Storefront

Famous Architect: Oscar Niemeyer

Oscar Niemeyer, a Brazilian architect who was a Modernism pioneer, may not be a household name…but at age 104, he’s still working! Niemeyer designed many important buildings in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city, including the National Congress of Brazil and the Cathedral of Brasilia. He also contributed to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. He loves abstract, free-flowing forms, as he notes in this quote: “I am not attracted to straight angles or to the straight line, hard and inflexible, created by man. I am attracted to free-flowing, sensual curves. The curves that I find in the mountains of my country, in the sinuousness of its rivers, in the waves of the ocean, and on the body of the beloved woman. Curves make up the entire Universe, the curved Universe of Einstein.”

Amazing Architecture: Outdoors Edition

If you think Chicago’s “Bean” sculpture is cool, you’ll love the “Blimp” sculpture being considered for Seattle: http://designbuildsource.com.au/architectural-balloon-takes-seattle

This inviting urban garden/patio by Eckersley Garden Architecture mixes modern and natural. Check out the furniture made from steel tubing: http://www.rangkep.com/outdoor-design-eckersley-garden-architecture/

You probably won’t see Boy Scouts using these “tents,” but they are ultra-sturdy and very cool: http://www.iransdesign.com/archinoma-modular-system-for-create-outdoor-architectural-objects/

That fire pit in your backyard can’t hold a candle this outdoor fireplace in Norway: http://www.modecodesign.com/architecture/outdoor-fireplace-by-haugenzohar-architects-in-trondheim-norway/

Even ancient architects carefully contemplated their outdoor architecture: http://dyingofcute.tumblr.com/post/19674583195/monsters-park-rome

Go Green: Landscape Edition

Recycled plastic interlocking landscape ties help you build attractive and environmentally sound raised gardens: http://www.itsrecycled.com/SAlandscape.shtml

Rain barrels are ubiquitous in many communities, and they are standard for the eco-smart garden. Check out the options from Clean Air Gardening: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/rainbarrels.html

Many homeowners would like a birdbath or fountain in the yard, but who wants to waste electricity pumping the water? A solar-powered fountain is the solution: http://www.birdbaths.com/search/index.cfm?Ntt=solar%20ceramic%20bird%20bath&Ntk=all

Glass gardens are often part of a landscape design. Make sure to specify recycled glass: http://www.americanspecialtyglass.com

Building a gazebo or other garden structure? Use wood products that are certified to be sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council, such as those available from Arboria: http://www.arboria.com/building-materials.html

News – Boston

Lucerne Gardens renovation gets $6.1 million loan boost: http://massachusetts.realestaterama.com/2012/03/27/masshousing-closes-6-1-million-loan-to-preserve-affordable-housing-in-boston-ID0423.html

New Chanel boutique on Newbury Street: http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1061121144&position=1

Boston’s Architectural Team featured in TV program about repurposed buildings: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/3/prweb9342756.htm

Logan garage project finished one year ahead of schedule: http://www.bostonsf.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=A2F0F123BA7C4343B10B3525E5DEBABC

Low-income elderly housing opened at Dudley Square: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/roxbury/2012/03/57_low-income_elderly_housing.html

JCJ Architecture moving offices: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120313005172/en/architect/architecture/New-York-City

Emmanuel College campus growing: http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-21/yourtown/31221066_1_new-dorm-new-dining-hall-campus

Upcoming competition:

Fentress Global Challenge 2012: Workplace of the Future

http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Fentress-Global-Challenge-2012-Workplace-of-the-3449676.php

Also, I keep forgetting to thank you for sponsoring the SMPS Awards Gala again this year! We really appreciate it.

It’s nice to know that printing is something we don’t have to worry about – the quality of your stuff is always fantastic!

Thanks again & have a great weekend!

Rebecca

When Unbuilt Architecture Still Matters

When Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas designed a 10-story retail boutique for Prada in San Francisco in 2001, city planners initially rejected it, saying it resembled a giant cheese grater and didn’t fit in with the other buildings in the neighborhood. They were eventually overruled, but when the recession killed the project altogether, Koolhaas’s design joined the crowded pool of critically praised designs that never got built.

However, Koolhaas’s efforts weren’t entirely in vain. In 2008 the building on that lot was renovated with a design by architecture firm Brand + Allen that was almost equally unusual for the neighborhood, with a glass wall suspended several inches outside the original structure. John King, urban design critic of the San Francisco Chronicle http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/03/BAHL1NEVGO.DTL , argues that Brand + Allen’s design was only approved because Koolhaas’s design had blazed the trail. “Planners were eager to show that they were not opposed to all contemporary design near Union Square, just Koolhaas’s,” King wrote.

The effect of an unbuilt design often takes years to materialize, but any designer who has cried over her drawing board when she learned her idea would never become reality can take some comfort knowing that her design might still have a great influence in the long run.

An exhibition now running at the National Building Museum, called Unbuilt Washington , describes several unbuilt designs once planned for the nation’s capital, including an enormous pyramid planned to honor Abraham Lincoln. Again, while this pyramid and the other buildings in the exhibit were never built, they probably did influence what was ultimately made there. “Such projects often exercised a profound influence on what was built and may offer lessons that inform ongoing debates about the design and development of Washington and other cities,” the description of the museum’s exhibit says.

The influence of the unbuilt probably extends to all major cities. In 1922 the Chicago Tribune held a competition http://www.jitterbuzz.com/trib_tower.html to build its new tower. The winning entry was designed by Howells & Hood, and the beautiful gothic structure is still a key structure in Chicago’s skyline. But the second place entry, a modernist tower designed by Eliel Saarinen, was widely praised and influenced other architects of the era. Among them were Timothy Pflueger and George Kelham, who later designed towers based on the same general concepts, King notes.

Note that there is a difference between unbuilt designs that were never intended to be built (or at least were unlikely to be built) and those that could have been built but didn’t get off the ground. The former often help an architect’s reputation — Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and, more recently, Zaha Adid, both enjoyed some measure of acclaim for their unbuilt designs — but the latter have a more practical effect on their urban landscapes.

A structure that probably never really stood a chance of being built, but which has influenced design ever since and so thus rightly falls into that second category, is the famous Tatlin’s Tower . Designed by Vladimir Tatlin in 1920, this giant, double-helix structure was designed to commemorate the Soviet revolution. It was never built, but architects as well known as Anish Kapoor and Renzo Piano have acknowledged its influence on their work.

Will the designs sitting in architects’ unbuilt files today have a similar influence? The recession certainly stopped a lot of building — consider the Chicago Spire , a 2,000-foot, swirling tower designed by Santiago Calatrava that never got much past the excavation stage — so the possibility exists. Only time will tell.

Winning Olympic Architecture

The Olympics are giant events in sports — perhaps the biggest sporting events of all. But they’re also major architectural events. In fact, up through the 1948 games, Olympic medals were awarded for non-sports related cultural endeavors, including architecture!

Architects don’t win Olympic medals any more, but architecture is still a giant part of the games, and the architecture coming together for the London 2012 Games is no exception.

A driving concept of the plan for the London Olympics is that the structures should be “green” and that they should be either reusable after the games or temporary. The Olympic organizers want to avoid the fate of many previous Olympic venues that get tons of attention and use during the actual Olympics but then fall into disuse shortly afterward. The master plan was developed by Allies & Morrison and HOK Sport.

The structures designed for the London Olympics are architecturally interesting, even the temporary venues (in fact, the temporary nature of the temporary buildings perhaps increased the risk-taking creativity of the designers, because they knew the structures will be short-lived).

Check out the remarkable temporary structure built for the shooting events. It resembles Swiss cheese, but the convex “holes” actually look more like giant bullets missed their targets and hit the walls. The structure, designed by Magma Architecture, includes spectator enclosures created with 18,000 square meters of PVC membrane. http://www.london2012.com/photos/2011/10/construction-progresses-on-london-2012-shooting-venue.php

There are six permanent structures, all built with the idea that they will be reused for other purposes. Among them is London Aquatics Center , designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The concept behind the aquatic center is flowing water in motion. The undulating roof looks like a wave washing up from the ground. The center holds 17,500 spectators.

Another significant permanent architectural feature is the Olympic Village, which will become a new neighborhood in East London after the games. The buildings in the village will be converted into 2,818 new homes and plots for a potential 2,000 additional homes. The village also contains education and healthcare facilities, parkland, public squares and open space, and transit links.

With these innovative temporary and reusable elements, the architecture of the 2012 Olympics will surely deserve a gold medal.

ArchiQuiz: Green Edition

1. What percentage of CO2 emissions in the United States come from buildings? Answer

2. The U.S. Green Building Council regularly updates LEED regulations. What’s the next iteration called? Answer

3. Which U.S. state has the most installed wind power generating capacity? Answer

4. What city is considered the “greenest” in America? Answer

5. What will the green building market be worth in 2015? Answer

Amazing Architecture – Library Edition

Rem Koolhaas applied his singular style to the Seattle Public Library: http://www.arcspace.com/architects/koolhaas/Seattle/

Acres of glass spill light into the Salt Lake City Public Library, designed by Moshe Safdie: http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/civic/04_SLCpubLibrary/overview.asp

Skidmore designed this white box of a library for Yale’s rare book collection: http://www.yale.edu/architectureofyale/Beinecke.html

Check out the washtub-like design of the Consortium Library at the University of Alaska Anchorage: http://consortiumlibrary.org/about/library_images/

News – Boston

Boston sustainable energy systems group partners named: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fraunhofer-center-for-sustainable-energy-systems-announces-partners-for-cleantech-research-and-demonstration-building-in-bostons-innovation-district-2012-03-05

Salem State Library building topped off: http://www.bostonsf.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=656D4C70A1CD4FBCAC5DCDA481A11C3C

Boston firm Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott to design Buffalo hospital: http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/157401/37/Architect-Chosen-for-New-Women-and-Childrens-Hospital-of-Buffalo

“Ink Block” proposal favored for former Boston Herald site: http://southend.patch.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-ink-block-proposal-for-the-former-boston-herald-site

Margulies Perruzzi Architects design Mass Insight interior: http://www.bostonsf.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=7898D9BA7DDB409BB457C1E5279B3BB0

Chinese architect wins Pritzker Prize

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/chinese-architect-wang-shu-wins-pritzker-prize-architectures-highest-honor/2012/02/27/gIQArkw0dR_story.html

Skidmore wins first “Good Design is Good Business” award

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/architectural-record-announces-first-good-design-is-good-business-lifetime-achievement-awards-2012-03-05

Green Design — Roof Edition

Modular aluminum blocks make green roofs simple: http://greenroofblocks.com/index.php/page/product/green-roof-blocks

Pre-vegetated green roof system simplifies planting process: http://www.greengridroofs.com/design/features.htm

Green roof panels are pre-grown with local plants: http://myplantconnection.com/green-roofs-products.php

Xero Flor green roof systems are certified “cradle-to-cradle”: http://www.xeroflora.com/

Solar power and green roof combined in one system: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2012/01/26/green-roof-product-cools-solar-panels/

Injuries on construction sites are common — in fact, 751 construction workers died on the job in 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But many thousands more were only injured, and some of the most common injuries are muscle sprains and strains.

Reducing injuries and deaths in the construction workplace not only saves suffering, it can also save money. In fact, each accident costs money — Liberty Mutual Insurance Company estimates that injuries cost the construction industry over $13 billion in 2005.

In an effort to reduce injuries due to strains and sprains, some construction companies have begun mandatory stretching and aerobics programs. General contractor Skanska, for example, developed an Injury Free Environment initiative that includes mandatory morning stretching. The morning workouts last about 10 minutes, and double as an opportunity to bring up safety issues.

“After the stretches, everyone breaks up into groups to talk about the work schedule and bring up any safety concerns,” said Darin Magee, general superintendent of a hospital construction project in Memphis, in a newspaper article.

Sprains happen when a ligament (which connects muscle to bones) is stretched too far or tears. This happens when it is suddenly twisted, such as when a worker falls from a ladder. Strains can happen from a one-time incident, or they can develop when a worker repeats a stressful motion frequently.

Symptoms of sprains include swelling, bruising, pain, and the inability to use the joint. A strain can knock a worker off the job immediately, and keep him off for months.

So what can you do to prevent strains? A program funded by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries Safety and Health Investment Project developed a stretching program for construction workers. The Washington State program suggests four steps: 1) Educate workers about strains and their causes; 2) Help workers recognize the symptoms of strains; 3) Train workers how to prevent strains, such as with a stretching program; 4) Support your workers as they take responsibility for their health.

The program recommends a series of 11 stretches, for a total work out of 20 to 30 minutes. The stretches are available on a poster that can be downloaded here http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/Grants/awardees/IntegritySafetyServices/StretchAndFlexConstruction.asp

It may seem that 20 minutes at the beginning of the workday is a long time, and it may be tough to persuade your workers to do the workout, but it could prevent some serious pain! And, even if it doesn’t, your workers will enjoy the relaxing and stimulating benefits of a good stretch before they begin work.

Trending: Supertall Buildings

The tragedy on 9/11 put a serious dent in the enthusiasm for supertall buildings, and then the economy killed what was left of that enthusiasm. Consider the Chicago Spire, which was designed to soar 2,000 feet into Chicago’s airspace but never got past the foundation stage.

However, as the economy slowly improves and 9/11 becomes more history than immediate concern, tall buildings are making a serious comeback. In fact, some prognosticators say new buildings over 2,000 feet are a key trend of the coming decade.

“After 9/11, asking whether the skyscraper was ‘over’ was a legitimate proposition, as it was clear that high-rises were terrorist targets,” said Cathleen McGuigan, editor-in-chief of Architectural Record in an article in Sepember in smartplanet. http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/design-architecture/a-decade-after-911-new-innovations-in-skyscraper-design/584 “In fact, the opposite happened.”

Here’s a look at some of the current giant building projects.

Freedom Tower

Formerly called One World Trade Center, this skyscraper is rising over the northwest corner of the site of the original World Trade Centers. It will be 105 stories tall, and its radio antenna will reach 1,776 feet. When it is completed in 2013, it will be the tallest building in the western hemisphere. The original design was created by architect Daniel Libeskind, but it has been revised many times because of disagreements with the developer and others. Construction began in 2004.

Shanghai Tower

The Chinese are big into tall buildings. The Shanghai Tower will be just one of three supertall buildings in the Pudong District of Shanghai; the other two are Jin Mao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Center. The Shanghai Tower, designed by Gensler, will rise to 2,073 feet when it is completed in 2014. It will have 128 stories and a total floor area of over 4 million square feet. It will be the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world, second to Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Goldin Finance 117

This tower in Tianjin, China, which is expected to be finished in 2015, will have 117 floors and will reach 1,959 feet. The tower was designed by P&T Architects & Engineers Ltd. It features a “walking stick” design with a diamond-like top that will offer amazing views. Construction started in 2008, but was temporarily stopped in 2010. It resumed in 2011.

Pingan International Finance Center

Pingan International Finance Center is another giant Chinese building under construction. Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, it will reach 115 stories and 2,165 feet. It was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox in New York. It will be completed in 2015.

Under Development

Freedom Tower is not the only giant building underway in the United States. The Wilshire Grand Tower 1 in downtown Los Angeles, whose groundbreaking is scheduled for 2012, will reach 1,250 feet. Another giant development in Chicago is planned for the old Chicago Main Post Office. This development would include a 2,000 foot skyscraper and a total of 16 million square feet.

There are several other giant buildings underway or being planned around the world, further evidence that the super-tall trend toward is alive again.

American Architect

Welcome to a new feature of our newsletter: A brief profile of an important American architect. We hope you enjoy this feature, and if you would like to suggest an architect for us to profile, please send his or her name to Kevin Cully, kcully@airgraphics.com .

William Lebaron Jenney

Sticking with this issue’s theme of supertall buildings, today we profile William Lebaron Jenney, considered the father of the modern skycraper. Jenney was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts in 1832, and was trained at Andover, Harvard, and Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in Paris. One of his classmates was Gustave Eiffel, designer of the Eiffel Tower. Jenney returned to the United States in 1861 to serve in the Union Army as an engineer during the Civil War. After the war he moved to Chicago and began a practice that specialized in commercial buildings and urban planning. He also traveled to Ann Arbor to start the architecture program at the University of Michigan. His most famous building was the Home Insurance Building in Chicago, which was the first fully metal-framed building in the world. At eight stories it would hardly be noticed today, but at the time it was considered the world’s first skyscraper. Using steel supports allowed for much taller buildings, eventually leading to today’s supertall structures. Jenney died in 1907, but his influence has lived on through his skyscraper innovations and the work of his apprentices, who included Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, William Holabird, and Martin Roche.

Amazing Architecture — Bathroom Edition

Concrete privacy — This bathroom in a converted factory, designed by Dow Jones Architects, features a concrete wall separating the bath from the rest of the room. http://www.doobybrain.com/2009/03/09/bathtub-separated-by-concrete-wall/

Check out the sink in this man-oriented bathroom designed by Garduno Architects. http://www.archithings.com/bathroom-inspiration-from-garduno-architects/2011/03/22

This Minneapolis penthouse has an amazing bathroom with views to match. http://www.archimodes.com/uptown-penthouse-by-altus-architecture-design-in-minneapolis-mn-usa/

This snazzy bathroom makes great use of under-the-staircase space. http://vi.sualize.us/view/c21ab13225e7e4e77b9502509095a23c/

Round and shiny is how you describe this bathroom. http://www.homedit.com/the-purple-modern-bathroom-design-from-viva-ceramica/

News You Can Use – Boston

Architecture Billings Index climbed in December: http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2012/01/aia-architecture-billings-index.html

In AIR Graphics’ hometown, $1.6 billion plan for Quincy Center: http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x2124806939/Quincy-Center-makeover-dwarfs-most-other-New-England-redevelopments

Filene’s project slated to restart soon: http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2012/02/02/filenes-site.html

Gund Partnership wins award for school design: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/newton/2012/01/newton_north_high_school_wins.html

Boston firm Gensler wins casino project: http://www.telegram.com/article/20120131/NEWS/101319926/1237

The Architectural Team completes first phase of hospital project: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/architectural-team-announces-milestones-success-174800898.html

Our last article on this topic was so popular we’ve written a follow-up. There seems to be no shortage of treasure lost behind walls.

A Christmas Present from Beyond

Fred Ravens, a dentist in Reading, Massachusetts, was watching a crew demolish the 150-year-old house next to his office that he had recently purchased. The previous owner had lived there three decades, and had passed away just a month before. As the walls were being pulled down, Ravens was shocked to see cash fluttering down around the site. “The money just sort of flung out, just flooded out into the air,” he told the local TV station. The $50 and $100 bills totaled $2,500. He legally could have kept the cash himself, but instead he found the surviving daughters of the home’s late owner and gave it to them. “I said to them, this is a Christmas present from your mother. She can’t be here this year to give you a present, but she left you this money.”

A Mobster’s Stash?

The early part of the 20th century was a high time for gangsters in the Chicago area, and it’s probable some of their hideouts remain undiscovered. Andrew Mayes may have found one while renovating a house in Lockport, a town about an hour southwest of Chicago. Mayes was knocking through a closet wall when a gunnysack fell out. Inside was a 1928 A1 Thompson submachine gun, better known as a Tommy gun, a favorite of 1920s-era gangsters! It was in pristine condition, and came with seven boxes of ammunition. Mayes called the police, and they’re trying to search through the records to determine who might have put the gun there. Was it hidden in the wall so a mobster could make a last stand? It’s just as possible some frightened law-abiding citizen hid it there, police say. “It could have been used for self-protection,” Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas told the Chicago Tribune. “But why was it hidden in the wall?”

Diamonds!

You’d probably be excited if you found a diamond ring behind the walls of a house your were demolishing, so imagine how excited demo man Raju (no last name was given in the newspaper article) was when he discovered more than $20,000 worth of loose diamonds behind the walls of a house in India. He scooped them right up and sold them. When the contractor learned of Raju’s find, he told the police, presumably because he wanted his share. The police decided that since the diamonds were apparently in the house more than 100 years, they actually belonged to the state! They recovered the diamonds in the market.

Well, Not Exactly a Treasure

Workers were tearing out a ceiling in a British theatre when they found essentially a personal time capsule. Inside was a letter dated March 6, 1901, written by a man named Frank Morrill. Accompanying the letter was a pair of well-used workman’s trousers! The letter said, “When you have inspected these trousers please hand them over to the curator of the Taylor Buildings for the Museum as they were worn by Frank Morrill, Chief Assistant to John C. Nairn and Son, who restored the ceiling of the building. Hope you enjoy yourself when you have found this valuable treasure. I expect I will have fed the worms by that time, however I will have a good time before I do so.”

Teeth, Shells, Pipes, Newspapers

Maybe none of these seemed like treasures when the owners dumped them around the brownstone building in Brooklyn, but when the current owners excavated for an addition they found several old clay jugs, a big seashell, some broken china, and other little treasures. They also found an 1897 New York Herald used for insulation. You can read about the entire project, and see pictures of these “treasures,” here: http://www.brownstoner.com/crown-heights-reno/

Find any interesting treasures in your jobs? Tell us by sending an email to kcully@airgraphics.com and we can feature them in an upcoming newsletter.

Gettysburg Cyclorama: Architectural Masterpiece or View Blocker?

For 42 years, visitors to the Civil War battlefields in Gettysburg could envision Pickett’s Charge on a painting called the Gettysburg Cyclorama, housed in the Cyclorama Building. The painting, by Paul Philippoteaux, still thrills visitors in its new home in the Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, but the Cyclorama building has been vacant since 2008. The Park Service would like to demolish the building.

So what, right? Well, the building is no typical, utilitarian Park Service structure. The Cyclorama Building, a reinforced concrete, glass, and aluminum structure, was designed by Modernist architect Richard Neutra and his partner Robert Alexander in the late 1950s. The building was designed as part of Mission 66, a Park Service effort to upgrade visitor facilities from 1956 to 1966. It is a white, circular structure that resembles a giant water bottle cap resting on the ground.

The focal point of the building was the Philippoteaux painting, and the building was located at a spot in the park near the depiction in the painting. Therein lies the rub: The vacant building blocks a view of the battlefield that historians would like visitors to be able to see.

“The Cyclorama is literally just a huge view block between two very important parts of the (Union) line,” said Dan Rathert, a licensed battlefield guide, in a newspaper article about the Cyclorama. “That’s the biggest problem. With it there, it’s harder for people to understand how parts of the battlefield fit together.”

The Park Service unveiled a long-term plan for the battlefield in 1999 that called for removal of the building and generally restoring the site to its original condition. Seeing how the battle unfolded, from the original view of the participants, allows visitors to better grasp the history of the event. And returning the site to approximately its battle-time condition keeps commercialization, which is nipping at the borders of the park, at bay.

But the building has taken on historical significance of its own, and fans of its architecture have protested the Park District’s plans. Among the key protestors is Richard Neutra’s son Dion Neutra, who is an architect himself. The Cyclorama Building is one if the last remaining structures designed by the elder Neutra.

The building’s supporters pushed for National Historic Landmark status, but it was denied. Nevertheless, the group persisted, and a federal court ruled that the Park Service must compile a complete environmental assessment and analyze potential alternatives.

The Battle of Gettysburg lasted only about four days, but the battle between architecture preservationists and those committed to restoring the battlefield promises to rage for years.

Amazing Architecture – Staircase Edition

Staircase Bookcase

Yes it’s a bookcase. No, it’s a staircase. It’s both! Whatever it is, a tight space is maximized with this staircase with books in the openings. A great idea for any booklover’s home: http://gizmodo.com/358636/stairs-bookcase-actually-makes-me-want-to-move-to-london

More Stair Storage

The fire department frowns upon storing stuff on the stairs, for obvious reasons. But what about in the stairs? Books (see above) is one thing, but this staircase provides a series of drawers for storing just about anything. Check out the other cool staircases in the subsequent pictures. http://ingridyen.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/amazing-staircase-designs/

Ribbon Staircase

Made from a single piece of 10 mm steel, the ribbon staircase by HSH Architects in Prague creates a remarkable, functional, minimalist way to get from one floor to the next. Check it out http://designerscouch.org/view-log/Steel-Ribbon-Staircase-HSH-Architects-1879

Floating Wood

This staircase looks like a flower unfolding. It’s part of a luxury home in Kuala Lampur designed by YTL Design Group and Jouin Manku. The whole house is the height of luxury, but the staircase is truly remarkable: http://design-milk.com/fab-stairs/

More Traditional, Still Really Cool

Check out this double staircase that feeds into a single staircase. It’s in an English mansion called the Bragborough Hall Estate (and it’s for sale!). http://www.housecritic.co.uk/2011/10/24/amazing-staircase/

Going Green: Bathroom Edition

Composting toilets are the ultimate green bathroom amenity. They evaporate the liquid and compost the solids. They’re not right for every house, of course, but some owners may prefer them. Check out composting toilets from Envirolet.

California struggles with water conservation, so it’s no surprise that California Faucets makes green faucets. Nearly every one of their faucets flow at a rate of 1.5 gallons per minute, which is 32 less than the 2.2 GPM mandated by the EPA. Check them out at http://www.calfaucets.com/content.asp?section=green

EcoPower automatic faucets from Toto have a water-powered turbine that creates the electricity needed to operate it, so no routine battery replacement is required. And the components are located under the deck, to minimize damage. Learn more at http://www.totousa.com/Green/Products/EcoPowerFaucets.aspx

Everyone loves a long shower, but the wasted water can add up! Green Choice Power Shower heads from ShowerTek can save homeowners up to $250 per year. Learn more http://www.showertek.com/luxury-showerheads-c-65.html?zenid=296b4cf41d446a49a88d30a1468ca42f

Like kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and storage cabinets can be made from environmentally sound materials. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association has operated the Environmental Stewardship Program since 2006. To find cabinetmakers in your area who meet the standards, visit http://www.greencabinetsource.org

AIR Graphics: Your Marketing Partner

Marketing today is not like it was 20 years ago. A couple of newspaper ads and a generic direct mail piece just doesn’t cut it these days! Modern marketing is all about one-to-one personalized marketing, branded internet storefronts, personalized URLs, QR codes, and much more.

Do you sometimes find this new world of marketing a little intimidating? Don’t fear — AIR Graphics has your back! We can show you how all of these new methods work, and help you use them to win and keep customers.

One-to-one personalized marketing, for example, can greatly increase your response rate, and offer a great ROI. Branded storefronts are customized sites that keep all of your marketing collateral and approved logos readily accessible to all sales staff and branch offices. Personalized URLs, or PURLs, are a great way to track and measure campaign results. And QR codes can quickly connect your customers to expanded information about your products.

Learn about all of these, and how AIR Graphics can implement them for you, at http://www.airims.com

ArchiQuiz: Military Edition

1. Who designed the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, which is the most recognizable part of the Air Force Academy campus?

Bonus question: This architect’s widow once was the Democratic nominee for governor of what state?

Answer

2. Who designed the Pentagon?

Bonus question: Everyone knows the Pentagon houses the Department of Defense, but what was that department called when the Pentagon was built?

Answer

3. Even though many questioned its design when it was first built, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is now one of the most visited sites in Washington, D.C. Who designed it?

Bonus question: Who engraved the names on the wall?

Answer

4. The Arc de Triomphe in Paris is one of the most famous monuments in the world. Who designed it?

Bonus question: Whom does the arc honor?

Answer

News

Boston Architect Creates Tri-Faith Church: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111225/MONEY/712259918/0

New ‘Gateway to City’ Planned: http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-02/business/30581841_1_task-force-state-office-building-larger-redevelopment

Public Art Honoring Edgar Allen Poe Advancing: http://www.wbur.org/2012/01/09/poe-public-art-project

Clark House Might Be Saved: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/belmont/2012/01/effort_to_save_clark_house_hea.html

Residences at Portwalk Completed: http://www.bostonsf.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=C13E9363C9BD4BD0ABD498219E927A1A

Boston Architectural College Honors Three: http://www.the-bac.edu/news-and-events/news/alumni-reception-at-build-boston

Renovating old buildings and homes can be lucrative business, but in some cases the real treasure is not on the invoice, it’s what you find behind the walls you tear down. From cash to guns to suits of armor, here are some stories of treasure unearthed during renovations.

Medici Treasure

The most valuable treasure in this story turned up when workers were renovating an old house in Austria. As you can imagine, a country with such deep history is likely to have all sorts of interesting stuff hidden behind the walls, and this house didn’t disappoint: As workers broke through a hidden door that had been bolted shut since long before the current owners moved in, they discovered the torso of a suit of armor and an ancient sculpture. Such things are easily faked, so the homeowners brought them to an expert. The examination revealed that they were authentic treasures that evidently originally had belonged to 15th century Italian statesman Lorenzo Medici. No clue how Lorenzo’s stuff got behind the wall of this family house in Austria, but the owners auctioned the items off for 8.8 million Euros, which equals more than $12 million!

Money, Money, Money!

Sure, finding a $12 million suit of armor was cool, but nothing beats finding cold, hard cash stashed in the walls. Bob Kitts, a contractor in Cleveland, was gutting a bathroom in a client’s home when he discovered a box nestled between the studs under the medicine cabinet. He pulled it out, popped it open, and couldn’t believe his eyes: over $25,000 in 1920s currency! “I almost passed out, it was the ultimate contractor fantasy,” Kitts told the Associated Press. The owner rushed home and together they found another box in the bathroom with $100,000, and two more boxes with various valuables. Of course, money does strange things to people: Now Kitts and the homeowner, who was a high school classmate, are arguing about how to split up the dough. In the end the lawyers might be the biggest winners from this treasure hunt!

Kilroy Was Here

Not all behind-the-walls treasure is worth a lot of money, but that doesn’t mean it’s not amazingly valuable. When workers were peeling old paint off the walls of Morgan Chapel in Bunker Hill, West Virginia, they noticed scribbled writing on the walls. As the old paint flaked off they read a few of the hand-written messages until it hit them: These were messages left by Civil War soldiers who had probably used the old church as a hospital or barracks! The soldiers, both Union and Confederate, covered the walls of the church as high as they could reach. Among the messages: “I should not have written on the walls of the house of God. I would not have done so if it had not already been marked up.” Another wrote, “It’s not our rebellion,” and a third comment read, “Down with traitors, treason and copperheads.” The church, built in 1740, was already considered historic, but now its historic value is unquestioned. The West Virginia Episcopal Diocese, which owns the church, is considering how to best preserve the writings.

Kaboom!

Finally, some “treasure” you probably would rather not find when renovating. Workers renovating a house in Dublin, Ireland were cheerfully smashing old walls when something unexpected appeared: A stash of hand grenades! They were old and corroded, and experts suspect they were remains of the personal arsenal of a fighter in Ireland’s War of Independence, which ended in 1921 and freed most of Ireland from British rule. You’d think 90-year-old grenades wouldn’t be much to worry about, but the neighborhood was evacuated and an army bomb disposal unit was called in to handle the munitions. You can bet the remodelers on that job are glad they didn’t swing the sledge hammer one more time!

Five Great New Architecture Books To Give This Holiday Season

Sure, the holidays are great for parties and people and big meals, but sometimes nothing sounds better than spending a few hours alone with a good book. So if you have any architects or other design professionals on your gift list, consider the following five new books.

Cities for People, by Jan Gehl. Reviewers have loved this book about what makes good cities work. Some of the concepts are obvious — safe walking and biking paths lead to a community that gets outdoors, for example. But others are more subtle, such as the assertion public spaces with comfortable seating are essential to a healthy community and that tall, dehumanizing architecture can increase crime rates. One reviewer wrote “If Cities for People is widely read and widely applied, the world’s urban life will be immeasurably better.”

Toilet: Public Restrooms and the Politics of Sharing, by Harvey Molotch and Laura Noren. Wow, a whole book about the john? It makes sense when you consider how much goes on in and around public restrooms — people wait in line, avoid eye contact, try not to touch anything, try not to inhale, overhear conversations, apply make-up, write notes on the walls. And a bigger picture also exists: How do these facilities deal with the waste? Where do transgendered people go to the bathroom? Why do women wait in line more than men? Toilet is a collection of 12 essays by urbanists, historians, and cultural analysts about these and other issues. Great bathroom reading, no doubt.

Edward Durrell Stone: A Son’s Untold Story of a Legendary Architect, by Hicks Stone. This biography of the controversial Stone discusses his work on the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The book explores Stone’s work and his often turbulent life.

The Poetics of Space, by Gaston Bachelard not a new book (it was published in 1994), but it’s a classic worth re-reading. It’s a deep, captivating book about space, homes, how our homes affect us, and much more.

The Heights: Anatomy of a Skyscraper, by Kate Ascher a readable, heavily illustrated book about everything skyscraper, this book reveals how water makes it up the pipes to the top floors, how telecom networks connect occupants to the world, and much more. A fascinating read for design professionals and design fans.

45,000 Docs Scanned, Sale Closed!

Anyone who has ever bought a house knows the sale generates all sorts of paperwork. Now imagine the mountain of paperwork associated with two 40-year-old retail properties going on the market — a mountain of 45,000 construction documents, contracts, lease documents and other important papers!

In May AIR Graphics was asked to scan 10,000 historical and as-built construction documents for this project, then convert them to searchable, date-indexed PDF binders. That job was well underway when in early November the building owners told AIR Graphics the sale was closing, and they suddenly needed 35,000 more documents scanned! The second batch, which was mostly operational contracts and lease documents, filled 20 file boxes.

AIR Graphics tackled the job without a hitch. All 45,000 documents were scanned and indexed in time for the sale to close. Rather than hand over a pile of jumbled hard copy documents, the sellers were able to give the new owners a clean, easily searched digital record of all documentation.

“It was a win win for all parties,” says Richard Dooley, AIR Graphics account executive. “The seller maintained a valuable set of record documents if a circumstance ever arises that they need a historical copy, and it is now a click away. And the seller provided the new owner with more than their due diligence by providing the intrinsic value of digital files versus hardcopy and added value in the future in reduced costs for storage and distribution.”

ArchiQuiz: State Capitol Edition

1. Which state capitol building is the largest, and who designed it?

Answer

2. Which state capitol building is the smallest, and who designed it?

Answer

3. What is the oldest state capitol in continuous use?

Answer

4. Thirty nine states call their capitol building the “state capitol.” What’s the next most popular moniker for that primary state government building?

Answer

Amazing Architecture, Restaurant Edition

Remember climbing into a treehouse when you were a kid? Eighteen lucky diners at a time get to do that again at the Yellow Treehouse Restaurant in Auckland, New Zealand. Check it out: http://www.yellowtreehouse.co.nz/

Redesigning a restaurant is tough. Redesigning one each season is simply amazing! But that’s what New York’s Park Avenue does — a new design for each season, facilitated by restaurant design firm AvroKO. Check out the images here: http://parkavenyc.com/autumn/photos_seasons.php

In the mood for seafood? How about seeing the seafood swim by while you eat? Then you’d love the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant in the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort. The dining room is 16 feet below the sea, and features 180 degree views of the reef and marine life. http://conradhotels1.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/dining.do?ctyhocn=MLEHICI&id=din2

Do the pipes running along the ceiling of the space you’re designing sometimes get in the way? See how designer Stanley Saitowitz handled them in a San Francisco restaurant called Conduit (yes, the name is significant!): http://www.dezeen.com/2008/07/25/conduit-restaurant-by-stanley-saitowitz/

Italian restaurants often turn to kitsch to attract diners. Not La Nonna restaurant in Mexico City, designed by CheremSerrano. Red bricks dominate this design, but not the way you imagine in an Italian joint: http://www.contemporist.com/2011/03/10/la-nonna-restaurant-by-cheremserrano/

News You Can Use

MIT Architect Helps Winterize Occupy Camp

http://www.wbur.org/2011/11/17/occupy-boston-winterization

Boston Architect Redesigns Coffee Cup

http://boston.citybizlist.com/7/2011/11/15/Proverb-Helps-Reinvent-the-Coffee-Cup.aspx

First Brookline Conservation Neighborhood Named

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/brookline/2011/11/brookline_town_meeting_makes_h.html

Copley Square Plan Protested

http://articles.boston.com/2011-11-11/business/30388060_1_affordable-housing-affordable-units-public-art

Boston Landscape Architect Wins in Sacramento

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/10/4043810/sacramento-native-wins-international.html

Integrated Design Group Adds Five to Boston Office

http://boston.citybizlist.com/7/2011/11/9/Integrated-Design-Group-Adds-Nine.aspx

Being Green, Floor Edition

The ECOnights collection from ECOsurfaces is made from recycled tire material and comes in 16 hues. It is designed for retail, commercial, and institutional spaces. http://www.ecosurfaces.com/econights.php

Cork flooring from Globus comes in multiple colors, sizes, and patterns. And the factory is powered entirely by wind power. http://www.corkfloor.com/

Flooring from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber comes from old barns, buildings, and rural structures that are condemned or abandoned. Each board tells a story! http://www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com/wood.aspx?pgID=872

EnviroGlas Epoxy Terrazzo is a poured-in-place flooring that uses recycled glass chips to create a floor so durable it usually lasts the life of the building. http://www.enviroglasproducts.com/

The Rainforest Collection of leather flooring from Ecodomo comes in a floating format in tiles or planks. http://www.ecodomo.com/products/recycled.shtml

Congratulations to the winner of the AIR Graphics VIP open house iPad give away, Bethany Barker of boston interactive.

Road construction is always more complicated than just laying down a ribbon of asphalt, but few road construction jobs approach the complexity of the task facing McHugh Construction: The reconstruction of two-level Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago.

The challenges in the project are daunting. Wacker Drive, which bends around the west and north sides of the Loop, provides access on its lower level to 50 high-rise buildings and intersects on the upper level with 20 other major streets. The columns along the bottom are irregularly spaced to accommodate the adjacent construction, and there’s hardly a stretch along the road that doesn’t have some curve, driveway entrance, or other complicating element.

The first phase of the construction–rebuilding the stretch of Wacker Drive that runs east and west–was completed nearly a decade ago, in 2002. That job reconstructed over 4,000 feet of double-decker roadway that had been built in the 1920s.

The second phase is reconstructing the north-south section of Wacker. This part, built in 1955, is 2,900 feet long and 134 feet wide.

Chicago engineering firm Alfred Benesch & Co. designed the rebuilding of 1,800 feet of the second phase. This consists of a series of unequal continuous spans varying form 12 feet to 46.5 feet, with a width of 32 feet. A longitudinal rib runs along each column line. The deck slab between the ribs is 13 inches thick. The modeling was complex, due to the lack of uniformity in the column spacing, the various load requirements (there are enormous concreted planters here and there along the top deck), and the overall geometry of the project. Benesch created 3-D shell elements with LUSAS modeling software to deal with the complexities.

The construction has been equally complex, with crews from McHugh Construction working weekends and double shifts to stay on schedule. For example, virtual armies of workers have descended on the site during those days that concrete for the upper deck is being poured; up to 2,000 cubic yards of concrete have been poured continuously!

Scheduling is important in any construction job, but the reconstruction of a major urban thoroughfare lined by restaurants, hotels, office buildings, and entertainment venues (including Chicago’s famed Civic Opera Building) must have a tighter schedule than most projects. Phase 2 began January 3, 2011 and is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2012.

Some characteristics of the project:

* The upper deck is designed to last 100 years. It uses a high-performance concrete mix and a latex overlay. It has post-tensioning in two directions to compress the deck and make it stronger.

* The second phase is budgeted to cost $366 million; the money is coming from a $31 billion statewide construction program.

* The ceiling on the bottom deck was raised by a foot to alleviate the chronic problem of over-size trucks getting stuck underneath.

When this project, which has tangled traffic in Chicago’s Loop since it began, is completed, the designers and builders will cheer. But they’ll be drowned out by the cheers of motorists who have a smoother, more stable route through downtown.

Filling Your Referral Pipeline, Part 2

Referrals are key to securing new clients in the design and construction industries. In the last issue of our newsletter, we discussed four tips for getting more referrals.

Here’s a quick recap to remind you 

1) Make a point of asking satisfied customers for referrals

2) Refer others who have done good work for you

3) Provide your contact information in many places so it’s easy for clients to recommend you

4) Ask for feedback whenever a project is complete, and if the feedback is positive, return to tip number 1.

Here are four more:

5) Say thank you. When you do get a referral, make a point of thanking the person who referred you. Showing your appreciation reinforces how valuable you consider referrals, and is simply the polite thing to do. An important corollary here: When a new client shows up, always ask how they heard about you. You don’t want a referral to go unrewarded.

6) Reward referrals. In addition to saying thank you, you may consider rewarding individuals who referred you with something more tangible. This could occur on two levels: the first level is a friendly gesture such as a gift certificate or dinner; the second level is bona fide financial payment based on some percentage of the resulting transaction. Neither of these are always necessary, and you need to tread lightly here because you don’t want to give the impression — to anyone involved in the transaction — that the person referred you simply because they were going to get some kind of financial remuneration for doing so. Furthermore, in some cases financial payment for referrals is illegal, such as if it somehow (even tangentially) touches on a federally guaranteed loan. There are many circumstances that a designer or tradesman will have a relationship that involves paying for referrals, and those are not necessarily unethical. But in any case, you want referrals based on the quality of your work, not your generosity. The AIA has issued an opinion on receiving payment for referrals; click here http://www.aia.org/about/ethicsandbylaws/opinions/AIAS077557?dvid=&recspec=AIAS077557  and select the PDF for “Conflict of Interest — Referrals.”

7. Use social media. You’re probably already using social media, such as LinkedIn, in some form. Maximize the referral effect of your social media by creating profiles on sites that are particular to your field. For example, Architizer ,built exclusively for architects and related professionals, allows firms to upload their projects and helps them seek new clients. On the more common sites, such as LinkedIn, take full advantage of the referral aspects by asking clients to recommend you (and do the same to professionals whose work you admire).

8. Join networking groups. Sometimes old fashioned is still best! Local networking groups, from traditional ones such as the chamber of commerce to more modern versions such as Business Networking International . Every community has local versions of business networking groups, and nearly every urban area has an AIA chapter. Go to meetings, become a leader, run events…every bit of involvement in these groups increases your profile, which could lead to more referrals.

What is That Thing?

You have probably noticed QR codes on advertisements, flyers, signs and other places, but do you know what they do? QR (quick response) codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can hold thousands of characters of information. When someone scans the code with a smartphone, it opens a web page on the phone’s browser (or dials the phone, displays text or contact information, or does something else).

AIR Graphics can help you use QR codes for your business! Click here to learn more.

ArchiQuiz: Old Door Edition

What are the two primary benefits of a revolving door? Answer

What’s a transom, and what was it used for? Answer

What does the phrase “over the transom” mean? Answer

What is the name of a door in which the top and bottom open separately? Answer

What kind of space-saving door opens by sliding into the wall? Answer.

Being Green

Ever see those snow fences near highways in rural areas? They contain lots of wood, and Centennial Woods reclaims that lumber and prepares it for builders: http://www.centennialwoods.com

IceStone countertops are made from recycled glass and concrete: http://www.icestone.biz

Vast composite masonry pavers are made from up to 95 percent recycled materials

Fabcon precast Versacore+Green wall systems are made from 58 percent recycled materials: http://www.fabcon-usa.com/products/green

Amazing Architecture: Retail Edition

Check out the curves and light in this retail development in Singapore by architecture firm WOHA: http://www.idesignarch.com/iluma-retail-development-in-singapore

Here’s a gorgeous store for Puma, designed by LOT-EK, is built from mobile storage containers: http://stepbrightly.com/2009/05/puma-retail-brand-stepping-out-in-style-with-eco-architecture

Ever wonder it’s like to shop inside an igloo? Probably not, but this temporary construction clothing store will give you that feeling: http://zeospot.com/retail-store-interior-design-in-cubic-temporary-architecture-building-fashion-at-hl23/retail-store-interior-design-pictures

Talk about green! Here’s a store in Seoul, Korea, covered in plant life, designed by Mass Studies.

Amazing Apple Store in New York features floating logo: http://www.newsbuilding.com/apple-store-fifth-avenue-amazing-cube-architecture

News You Can Use

Design for big school project up for grabs: http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x350480459/School-group-to-pick-new-design

Boston construction firm wins three awards at Associated General Contractors’ gala: http://www.bostonsf.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=576CDFC0636743C882E6B75685EE353D

Boston architect turns her design talents to beading: http://www.examiner.com/fashion-in-boston/boston-architect-launches-beaded-jewelry-company

Boston architect designs condos in Singapore: http://www.businessinsider.com/bishan-central–singapore-by-moshe-safdie-2011-9

Tom Murdaugh adds on to the family cabin: http://www.bostonmagazine.com/boston_home/articles/doing_wright

Restoration Hardware coming to space near Newbury Street: http://www.boston.com/Boston/businessupdates/2011/09/restoration-hardware-signs-lease-for-old-louisboston-space-near-newbury-street/cgaGvdm3GBF3o51Z3ETefK/index.html

Animal Architecture Awards recognize designs that help humans interact with other species: http://www.animalarchitecture.org/animal-architecture-awards-announced

Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Emerging Markets honor architects in Abu Dhabi, Singapore, other areas: http://www.archdaily.com/173830/cityscape-architectural-awards-in-emerging-markets-2011

Nelson Marlborough Architecture Awards from New Zealand Institute of Architects: http://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/2011-nelson-marlborough-architecture-awards

“Take me out to the ballpark” has a whole new meaning these days. Stadium design has taken two distinct paths in recent years, both of which differ from the traditional, jam-them-in boring designs of earlier decades.

The first path is to design true gems. Make the sport venue a piece of art separate from the games going on within. A good example is the Populous -designed main stadium for the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea — it’s a work of art and has won the architecture design competition. The multi-purpose stadium holds 70,000 fans, but it is designed to link up with neighboring parkland. “This way it can achieve a connection with the community that is vital to securing its long-term sustainability and a true legacy for the people of Incheon,” says Populous senior principal Andrew James.

The second path is to design stadiums that cater to the fans who want serious amenities to boost their viewing pleasure, from fine restaurants to amazing seating to corporate skyboxes with top-shelf everything. Probably the best-known example of this kind of stadium design is the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium. Opened in 2009, the stadium features a retractable roof, the world’s second largest high-definition video screen, and 10 clubs. The stadium — designed by Dallas firm HKS  — is visually attractive, but its primary attraction is its fan-friendly amenities.

Another example of a stadium designed for maximum fan pleasure is the new Meadowlands Stadium  designed by Kansas City-based 360 Architects . Meadowlands features four giant HD video displays, one in each corner, plus 2,200 smaller displays. It’s considered the most technologically advanced stadium in the world.

These design trends–beauty versus functionality–sometimes come together. Check out the new Bursa Stadium in Turkey. The new facility will feature a vast roof created out of hexagons. The roof, which creates clean, filtered light, spreads over the surrounding area to cover the restaurants, cafes, and other public spaces.

Of course, in these austere times, not every team and municipality can afford a new stadium, so renovating is big, too. Trade magazine Ballpark Digest awarded Warner Park , home of the Midwest League’s Madison (Wisconsin) Muskies, its 2011 Ballpark Renovation of the Year Award. The renovation incorporated recycled seats from Camden Yards in Baltimore, among many other recycled features.

Speaking of Baltimore, the Orioles themselves have a renovated home for spring training in Sarasota, Florida. The renovations on Ed Smith Stadium  were finished right before the Orioles first spring training game in 2011.

With either a new or renovated ballpark, fans are enjoying better design than ever before.

Filling Your Referral Pipeline

Referrals are the lifeblood of your business. Whether you’re an architect, mason, landscaper, or excavator, you need happy customers telling other people about how great you are. The more that happens, the more new customers you’ll get.

Naturally, you need to offer superior service and top customer service in order to generate referrals; if you’re not already doing that, don’t expect referrals. But even if you are the best designer or plumbing contractor in town, you may not get as many referrals as you deserve. Here are four tips to fill your referral pipeline (in the next issue of this newsletter we’ll give you four more):

1) Don’t be shy. One of the most effective ways to get referrals is simply to ask your current customers to recommend you. You don’t need to do this face-to-face — just include a line on your invoices, statements, or other regular correspondence that says something like: “We would be honored if you recommended our services to others” or “If you are pleased with our services, please tell others about them.” This plants the referral seed in your clients’ minds.

2) Do unto others. One of the best ways to encourage clients to recommend your services is to recommend theirs (assuming you respect their work). If a landscape architect snags a new client that you sent his way, you can bet he’ll send work your way when the opportunity arises.

3) Make it easy. Make sure your contact information is handy to your clients. Include a business card with each correspondence, hand out magnets or other doodads, advertise regularly…anything to make sure that when someone asks your client for a referral, they think of you quickly and have contact info ready.

4) Ask for feedback. Whenever you finish a project, take time to personally ask your client if everything was done satisfactorily. Obviously, this gives you a chance to fix problems, and this conversation may cement the positive feelings the client is having immediately after reviewing your work. If this conversation goes well, gently hint that you appreciate referrals.

Next issue: Four more tips to increase the frequency you hear the magic words, “XYZ client recommended you…”

Amazing Interior Design

Apartments, perhaps because of their relatively diminutive floor space, sometimes feature remarkable interior design. Check out the clean, white spaces in this Swedish apartment.

Imagine entertaining in this modernistic loft in New York: http://interiorzine.com/2011/02/22/amazing-white-street-loft

Like curtains and over-the-top gaudy Vegas design? Then you’ll love this place: http://www.homedesigndecoration.com/2011/05/amazing-contemporary-and-modern-apartment-interior-design

OK, so most people would not call this a cabin, but it is on a lake. Check out the amazing view through the giant living room window that swings completely open.

Elegant? No. But your kids would love the SpongeBob design: http://www.centralarchitecture.com/1242/spongebob-squarepants-kids-room-design.html/

ArchiQuiz

1. Who designed the World Trade Center twin towers? What “school” of architecture did this architect practice?

Answer:

2. Who designed the September 11 Memorial, Reflecting Absence, at the site of the World Trade Center towers? Where did this architect go to architectural school?

Answer: 

3. If you’re a hod carrier, what are you doing and what trade are you supporting?

Answer:

4. The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe-Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada adopted that name in 1946. The term “pipe-fitting” replaced two more specific trades. What were they?

Answer:

Being Green

Jeans in your attic? That’s right — the UltraTouch Denim insulation is made from high-quality natural fibers that are easy to handle and have no chemical irritants or VOCs. http://www.bondedlogic.com/construction-products/ultratouch-denim-insulation

Bring the sunlight indoors. The Solaro Day skylight combines solar panels with a daylight simulator to bring natural light indoors without electricity. http://solaroenergy.com/products-2/solar-lighting

American Clay plasters offer unusual looks and feels as they provide LEED credits. They also offer superior longevity and easy maintenance. http://www.americanclay.com/for-architects-a-designers

Keep the VOCs to a minimum with Safecoat paints and primers, including a new LEED-qualified wallboard primecoat. http://www.afmsafecoat.com/products.php?page=1#68

News You Can Use

$500 Million Plan for Copley Place: http://www.necn.com/08/17/11/500-million-Copley-Place-upgrade/landing_newengland.html?blockID=550454&feedID=4206

North Parish Unitarian Church Wins Best in Show for Handicap Accessibility: http://northandover.patch.com/articles/north-parish-meeting-house-wins-best-in-show

Boston Ballet Home Upgraded: http://www.boston.com/Boston/businessupdates/2011/08/boston-ballet-space-gets-upgrade/viukfj3V7WC88Vw6OvxdLP/index.html

Skyscrapers Remain Powerful Post 9/11: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/september11/la-ca-911-skyscrapers-hawthorne-20110904,0,1572286.story

“Worst Architecture” Award Given to BBC HQ: http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/carbuncle-cup-for-worst-of-the-worst-in-architecture-awarded_b16420