LEO A DALY wins Architect of the Capitol contract

LEO A DALY was selected to provide design services for the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) as part of a fully-funded, $10 million contract.

The firm will work with the AOC to upgrade and modernize some of the most significant and well-known public buildings in the country. LEO A DALY will manage a team of in-house architecture, engineering, planning, and interior design professionals, and nearly 30 specialty subconsultants, including exhibit designers, architectural material restoration experts, fine art conservators, fountain and water display designers, and experts in security assessment and design.

“We anticipate having to execute many simultaneous tasks within very compressed schedules, often with construction in occupied facilities. Our team’s depth of resources and decades of project management experience will give us the agility to meet AOC’s needs on a moment’s notice,” said Roark Redwood, AIA, Vice President and Federal Market Sector Leader, LEO A DALY, in a release.

The AOC is a federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which comprises 17.4 million sf of buildings and more than 553 acres of land throughout Capitol Hill. Some of the more prominent structures include the U.S. Capitol, the Capitol Visitor Center, seven congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress, the United States Supreme Court Building, the United States Botanic Garden, and the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building.

Portland State University’s School of Architecture is proud to announce the launch of its new Center for Public Interest Design, a research center that aims to investigate and utilize the power of design to make social, economic and environmental change in disadvantaged communities worldwide. The Center is the first of its kind in the nation.

| May 22, 2013

Return of retail? Rent growth seen in recovering markets

Like digging a ditch with a spoon, retail demand driven by population growth has eaten away at the supply of available store space in the markets that have been slowest to recover from the downturn. Vacancy rates are reaching a point that will give at least some landlords in every market the clout to demand slightly higher rents.

| May 22, 2013

New ASTM standard enhances hollow structural sections

ASTM A1085 is a big step forward in simplifying HSS design and usage, thereby making it a more desirable option for HSS.

| May 22, 2013

Architecture billings take a step back in April, ending growth streak

For the first time in 10 months, the AIA's Architecture Billings Index slipped into negative territory, falling to 48.6 in April, down from 51.9 the previous month. This is the ABI's lowest mark since July 2012.

| May 21, 2013

Foster + Partners reveals plans for London residential towers

British firm Foster + Partners has unveiled plans for two residential skyscrapers as part of a mixed-use development in north London.

| May 21, 2013

RSMeans cost comparisons: pools, racquetball courts, bowling alleys, hockey/soccer facilities

Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.

| May 21, 2013

7 tile trends for 2013: Touch-sensitive glazes, metallic tones among top styles

Tile of Spain consultant and ceramic tile expert Ryan Fasan presented his "What's Trending in Tile" roundup at the Coverings 2013 show in Atlanta earlier this month. Here's an overview of Fasan's emerging tile trends for 2013.