The concept of a safe room or panic room is experiencing a revival, but it might not be for reasons that you think. No one has discovered a vaccination or cure for crime; safety is always a concern. In the event of a break-in, a safe room offers a secure area that burglars can’t break…
Much more than designing buildings or whole communities, architects have a greater task. They’re uniquely positioned to improve life on numerous levels for professional clients, cities and private individuals. Health, Safety, and Welfare are always at the forefront of the industry, which is why continuing education in HSW topics is an evergreen requirement. The scope…
With hurricane season upon us and two serious examples already on the books for 2017, most Americans have seen predictive modeling for weather occurrences in action. On the news, modeling is shown in the lines that represent paths that the hurricane might take. Because they’re only predictions, someone is invariably disappointed or angry afterward. Hurricanes…
Does anyone really want to live in a nursing home? More people are choosing to age in place, but that sometimes requires minor updates or extensive home redesign for accessibility. Some things you can predict. If the homeowner already uses a wheelchair, for example, wider hallways and curbless showers help the homeowner use the whole…
Continuing advances in 3D printing make the possibilities almost endless. Where a file can be sent, engineers can produce a tool, a prosthetic limb or any other 3D printed object to precise specifications. What has 3D printing accomplished and where is it headed? Virtually anywhere, including outer space. 3D Printing Isn’t Exactly New Way back…
Residential rehab is arguably the greenest housing choice of all. Done right, it reworks existing structures for better use and a lower carbon footprint, often much lower than new construction that requires new raw materials. For Wim Goes Architecture in Belgium, one rehab project became a parallel for the temporary nature of life. The project…
For any profession, such as engineering, that requires professional development hours, a convenient way to find and take courses makes a difference. When continuing ed students can save a little money, even better. If you’re an engineer who’s searching for courses that fit into your busy career and budget, PDH Academy has the answer. Here’s…
Summer is over and if yours was like most, it wasn’t exactly relaxing. Relaxing vacations are usually anything but, and with kids out of school, the pace can be a bit hectic. Entering the new fall season with your batteries charged can help avoid burnout later on. Before business starts ramping up again, take a…
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina called for a serious reevaluation of what makes housing safe, affordable and something that lets the community live the way that they want to. City planners, volunteers, architects and nonprofits worked to balance safety with retaining the character of the city. In the wake of two serious hurricanes in 2017,…
Jobs in the solar industry are outpacing every other employment market in the country. That’s good news for solar, but there’s a twist. “Buy American” has solar manufacturers in other countries as well as foreign-owned companies in America uneasy, and now there’s a confusing petition for additional tariffs. There’s a bit of infighting in the…
