flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Spireworks app lets users control a piece of the New York skyline

Spireworks app lets users control a piece of the New York skyline

Anyone with a smartphone can change the color of the lights at the Bank of America Tower and 4 Times Square.


By BD+C Staff | August 22, 2014

Mark Domino, the son-in-law of developer Douglas Durst, has developed an app, called Spireworks, that allows anyone with a smartphone to change the color of a building's lights. 

Durst installed the corresponding technology on two midtown skyscrapers—Bank of America Tower and 4 Times Square, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat reports. App users will be able to play with the light colors on the spire and antennae of the buildings, as well as add sparkles and pulses of light.

The project is still in the testing stages, and users can join only if invited by a current user. Durst says there are a few hundred users so far and estimates that about five people manipulate the lights per night. 

Domino and Durst told the New York Daily News that the project is meant to be a fun alternative to the Empire State Building, which changes its lights for the holidays. “People don’t believe you can do this,” Domino told the paper. 

The company is still unsure how many users can utilize Spireworks at once without crashing the system.

Related Stories

Codes and Standards | Apr 6, 2015

Industry groups petition for change order reform on federal projects

Nine design and construction associations ask for assurance that funds available for additional work.

High-rise Construction | Apr 6, 2015

Melbourne tower will light up depending on weather

The tower will be illuminated by 164-foot-tall beams of LED light based on weather updates from the Bureau of Meteorology. 

BIM and Information Technology | Apr 3, 2015

French startup develops drone camera that overlays video with 3D images

The new drones can capture video and overlay the shot results with 3D images and augmented reality remotely.

Libraries | Apr 2, 2015

6 award-winning libraries showcase next-gen design strategies

The new Cedar Rapids Public Library and the restored Slover Library in Norfolk, Va., are among six breakthrough projects honored with 2015 AIA/ALA Library Building Awards.

Contractors | Apr 1, 2015

ABC: Nonresidential construction spending flat in February

The Associated Builders and Contractors forecasts a robust nonresidential construction spending recovery in 2015, despite an underwhelming start.

Office Buildings | Apr 1, 2015

IBM's supercomputer Watson finds new home in Manhattan's Silicon Alley

The new headquarters for the former Jeopardy champ was conceived as a showcase for Watson’s capabilities, and as an inspirational workspace for Millennials and idea generators of all ages.

Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Apr 1, 2015

Radiant Heat: The Invisible Killer

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Where there’s fire, there’s the deadly threat of radiant heat.

Modular Building | Mar 31, 2015

Phoenix apartment complex will be made from recycled shipping containers

The eight-unit complex, called Containers on Grand, was inspired by the need for affordable and sustainable housing near the city's core.

Cultural Facilities | Mar 31, 2015

Pratt Institute to offer first-ever degree in placemaking

As part of its new Urban Placemaking and Management degree, Pratt will offer courses on topics such as "the history and theory of public space" and the "economics of place."

Architects | Mar 30, 2015

Q+A with Arthur Gensler, and advice from his new book

"Designers need to be trained to solve their clients’ problems through design while leading their own firms to become sustainable practices," says Gensler. 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 


Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.



Healthcare Facilities

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021