Today’s smartphones, tablets and other portable computer devices are manufactured from non-renewable and non-biodegradable materials. Some of them are even potentially toxic to life and the environment. They are regularly discarded and end up filling up landfills where they pose a serious environmental threat. It is estimated that most American’s discard their cell phone every…
DetailsEngineering 100 Years From Now It’s hard to envision what the next hundred years will bring when a person looks back over the last century. Innovations in communication, transportation, architecture, electronics and the medical field have far surpassed the dreams of even the most gifted minds. Nobody has a crystal ball when it comes to…
DetailsWomen are underrepresented in architecture, at least in power positions. The graduation requirements are the same for men and women, and nearly half of all graduates from National Architecture Accrediting Board-accredited schools are women. So why do men dominate the field? That’s what AIA San Francisco’s “Equity by Design” report examines. The Missing 32 Percent…
DetailsTrue sustainable construction is almost a magical, elusive thing, but bamboo might change all of that. Eco-friendly design is goal that’s there, but nearly a moving target. Seal a building to conserve energy, and thousands of school children get sick. Develop a paint with zero VOCs, and it wears off the first time that you…
DetailsThe green movement started with great intentions, and like any worthwhile project it has evolved. LEED certification has grown from a costly, fringe idea that only a few could manage to a relatively mainstream one that’s becoming more and more expected. And now there’s another classification and accompanying certification to think about – the WELL…
DetailsWhen it’s time to evaluate soil or manage wastewater at a job site, you’ll want to call in an expert like Brian F. Oram, professional geologist and owner of B.F. Environmental Consultants. Inc., which offers geological soils and hydrogeological environmental consulting services. We recently checked in with Brian to learn more about the type of…
DetailsFor all that you studied in college, there’s one thing that you might never have learned in order to earn you architecture degree. The business side of architecture is as important as your skills, but it’s something that most professionals have to cultivate on their own. To get you started on the right foot, here…
DetailsThe American Institute of Architects does its part to promote innovation and ingenuity, and the professionals who adhere to those concepts. Perhaps no group of individuals has those characteristics more than students of architecture. That’s why the AIA hosts its Committee on the Environment (COTE) competition, and awards students whose projects meet specific criteria. The…
DetailsFew states boast more historical sites than Virginia, but not all of them are as well loved and protected as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Such is the case with many neglected sites throughout the Commonwealth. But now a few architects with vision and an organization known as Preservation Virginia hope to revitalize and restore at least…
DetailsTransportation is a requirement to get from point A to point B. But that doesn’t always mean that you need a car. Transportation can be a subway, elevated train, bicycle, or even a pair of legs. The choices that city planners make can determine how the land is used. But people will always react to…
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