1. Composite slate roofing
Davinci Roofscapes
Project: Saint John’s Cathedral, Denver. Problem: A new roof was needed to protect the historic structure from the rigors of the Rocky Mountain region’s severe weather. Solution: DaVinci Roofscapes single-width composite tiles were used to protect the 90-foot-tall church without compromising its aesthetics. The installer used 39 squares of Slate Gray, 55 in a canyon color, and 151 in the European blend. On the team: Horn Brothers Roofing.
2. Pentaglas Panels
Kingspan light + air
Project: Spoke apartment parking garage, Chicago. Problem: The parking garage was a concrete monstrosity that needed to find a balance between ventilating airborne contaminants and achieving a pleasing look. Solution: The garage was clad with 17,430 sf of “floating” Pentaglas cladding panels to improve the aesthetics and allow air to move into and around the garage while exhausting CO2. On the team: FitzGerald Associates Architects.
3. Illuminated Ceiling
Sefar Architecture
Project: Moynihan Train Station, New York. Problem: The architects wanted a ceiling system to illuminate an underground walkway. Solution: The SEFAR Architecture Lightframe ceiling system, a modular system. Two layers of IA-85-OP fabric were used with the system to allow for even light distribution. In addition to uniformly lighting the space, the modules have an NRC value of 0.90 to reduce noise in the terminal hallways. On the team: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
4. Standing Railing
Trex Commercial Products
Project: Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles. Problem: The first standing supporter section in a U.S. stadium needed a custom railing to safely allow fans to watch the match from the unprecedented pitch of 34 degrees. Solution: A custom standing railing with integrated seating. The riser-mounted metal-railing frame angles back to create a comfortable lean rail for standing supporters. On the team: Gensler (architect), PCL Contracting (GC).
5. Digitally Printed glass
Viracon
Project: The Novak Center for Children’s Health at the University of Louisville’s Health Sciences Center. Problem: The university wanted the connection between the Novak Center and the Chestnut Street Garage to be an airy, naturally lit pedestrian bridge. Solution: The third-floor bridge used 138 rectangular pieces of Digital Distinctions glass by Viracon, each digitally printed with a custom block pattern. On the team: Messer Construction (CM), Koch Corp. of Louisville (installer).
6. Zinc Wall Panels
Dri-Design
Project: Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis. Problem: HGA needed a metal panel that was efficient in terms of raw material, size, panel span, framing, and manufacturing waste—without compromising design. Solution: Dri-Design VMZINC Wall Panels were chosen for their long life span. They don’t use tapes, sealants, or gaskets, which eliminates the streaking and staining associated with such products. They forgo a plastic core, making them noncombustible. On the team: HGA (architect), Progressive Building Systems (panel installation).
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BIM adoption rate exceeds 80% among nation’s largest AEC firms
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New air-conditioning design standard allows for increased air speed to cool building interiors
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PCA partners with MIT on concrete research center
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Study explains the financial value of green commercial buildings
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Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA
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Free-span solar energy system installed at REM Eyewear headquarters
The first cable-suspended free-span solar energy system was completed today over the REM Eyewear headquarters parking lot in Sun Valley, Calif. The patented, cable-supported photovoltaic system created by P4P Energy is expected to generate 40,877 kilowatt-hours of renewable electricity per year, enough to power five to six single family homes and to prevent 1.5 million pounds of carbon from being released into the atmosphere.
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Architecture Billings Index drops to lowest level since June
Another stall in the recovery for the construction industry as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropped to its lowest level since June. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI rating was 41.7, down slightly from 43.1 in July. This score indicates a decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).
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Construction employment declined in 333 of 352 metro areas in June
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Jacobs, Hensel Phelps among the nation's 50 largest design-build contractors
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Construction unemployment rises to 17.1% as another 64,000 construction workers are laid off in September
The national unemployment rate for the construction industry rose to 17.1 percent as another 64,000 construction workers lost their jobs in September, according to an analysis of new employment data released today. With 80 percent of layoffs occurring in nonresidential construction, Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, said the decline in nonresidential construction has eclipsed housing’s problems.
