You’re a gifted designer, but what about your goal-setting and negotiation skills? Maybe you’re a great communicator in person, but your written communication skills aren’t so great. Even the best architects have strengths and weaknesses. Just ask anyone who worked with legendary Frank Lloyd Wright, who was known as much for his mercurial temperament as…
Building materials, lighting, ventilation and the use of space can all affect the mood and physical well-being of building occupants. Design can influence the productivity level of people working in an office. It can improve air quality at home and encourage movement while minimizing the risk of injuries. People who work in design aren’t necessarily…
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…
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…
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,…
No place is safe from natural disasters and the number of them seems to grow every year. Some parts of the world experience typhoons and cyclones. Some deal with tornadoes and hurricanes. Few locations are flood-free. According to Live Science, it’s not just the volume of severe events that’s ticking up, it’s also the severity.…
