You wouldn’t buy a book and then claim rights to the story just because you own it in hard copy. So isn’t it funny, or maybe it’s not, how a new design can find its way into the hands of a client or third party who thinks that a price paid equals full ownership? At…
DetailsAdaptive reuse is one of the great conservation methods employed by architects today. It’s also Earth friendly. Although a new home could be built using the most advanced energy efficient and low carbon footprint materials and methods, the most effective way to impose the least impact on the environment is to reuse what’s already there.…
DetailsKnowledge is power, and it’s also a lot of responsibility. In generations past, architects had manufacturers to provide information about any new building materials arriving on the market. That’s still the case, but there’s a new transparency in architecture that requires a more in-depth analysis of the products specified for a project. This shift means…
DetailsThis is not your father’s spot for dropping a line in the water! St. Petersburg, Florida has officially approved the plans for a new pier. And if all goes well, it will be unlike anything that the community has seen before. New piers are nothing new for St. Pete. But this time the budget is…
DetailsBeauty, sustainability, and the convenience of 3D printing, all in one incredibly good looking vehicle? Divergent Manufacturing says that it’s not just possible, it’s happening right now. Company founder, Kevin Czinger, “wants to completely change the way automobiles are built,” says Engineering.com. And while all of the hype is surrounding the manufacture, one of the…
DetailsAnother first in the world of engineering, researchers from the University of Alberta Engineering department have successfully welded neurons. This technology could be used to repair otherwise permanent nerve damage, and it could even prove useful in the treatment of certain cancers. Neurons carry information to the brain, says the University of Alberta. And because…
DetailsDoes technology create an insular world for the user, or does it help create a larger world where people can interact more effectively? It’s all in how you use it, and augmented reality is proving that every day. The idea came to the mind of Meron Gribetz, CEO of Meta Company, at a bar near…
DetailsA model for architects everywhere, particularly women in the field, Zaha Hadid blazed a trail that left nearly as many detractors as admirers. In an industry that’s overwhelmingly dominated by men, Zaha’s talent and unapologetic persona won her the Pritzker at age 53 and more than a few snide remarks in the press. And her…
DetailsAnyone who has done as little as dabble with a houseplant understands just how difficult it can be to predict from one day to the next what it really needs. Even the most accomplished gardeners will tell you that they’ve killed nearly as many tomatoes and squash as they’ve helped thrive, despite their best efforts.…
DetailsArchitects are a mysterious lot. Not necessarily by choice, but because most people don’t think about who designed the built environment around them. In a way, that’s the point. If it’s designed well, a home should reflect its owners and not the person who created it. With some notable and iconic exceptions, of course, such…
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