Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/864adcaa/visual_notes_for_a) has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book "Visual Notes for Architects and Designers, 2nd Edition" to their offering.

The completely updated step-by-step guide tocapturing experiences in sketch formatregardless of artistic ability

Recording your ideas and observations primarily in pictures instead of words can help you become more creative and constructive on the job, no matter what your level of artistic ability. Featuring completely new coverage of visual note-taking in a digital world, Visual Notes for Architects and Designers, Second Edition demonstrates how to make rapid, notational sketches that serve as visual records for future reference, as well as improve understanding and facilitate the development of ideas. It shows you how to expand your knowledge of a subject beyond what is gained through observation or verbal representation alone. You gain access to simple techniques for collecting, analyzing, and applying information. Crowe and Laseau examine the relationship between note-taking, visualization, and creativity. They give practical guidance on how to develop:

- Visual acuitythe ability to see more in what you experience

- Visual literacyexpressing yourself clearly and accurately with sketches

- Graphic analysisusing sketches to analyze observations

Numerous examples demonstrate some of the many uses of visual notes. They help you develop a keener awareness of environments, solve design problems, and even get more out of lectures and presentations. The authors also discuss types of notebooks suitable for taking visual notes. If you want to develop your perceptual and creative skills to their utmost, you will want to follow the strategies outlined in Visual Notes for Architects and Designers, Second Edition. It is a valuable guide for architects, landscape architects, designers, and anyone interested in recording experience in sketch form.

Author:

- Norman A. Crowe is Professor Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame's School of Architecture and author of Nature and the Idea of a Man-Made World.

- Paul Laseau is Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Ball State University. He has twenty-five years' experience teaching freehand sketching and design drawing, and is author of several books related to visual communication.

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Research and Markets: Visual Notes for Architects and Designers, 2nd Edition

We wrote in January that the grim era for West 42nd Streets south blockfront between Sixth Avenue and Broadway was just about over. Now, subtract just about.

A midline-priced Hilton Garden Inn is under construction next door to the as yet unflagged, 4.5-star hotel at the former Knickerbocker site a crucial step in the ongoing transformation of the long-neglected blockfront.

The 282-room Hilton at 136 W. 42nd St. is being developed by a Highgate Holdings joint venture, which has a contract to sell the 37-story property to Diamond Rock Hospitality for $445,000 per key when its finished in early 2014.

After two years of silence over the new inns identity, Diamond Rock spilled the Hilton beans in a recent summary of its fourth-quarter 2011 results. (So did a recently mounted sign at the construction site.)

With all necessary permits in place, excavation is at last noisily underway.

Meanwhile, FelCorLodging Trust is set to turn the old Knickerbocker at the Broadway corner into 330 hotel rooms. FelCor recently bought the landmark structures 14 upper floors from a Highgate-led JV for $109 million.

FelCor CEO Richard Smith told investors on a conference call this month that what he termed the 4.5-star Knickerbocker, a k a 1466 Broadway, will be the companys flagship when it opens early next year.

Both developments are long overdue. The blocks north side office towers, the Durst Organizations One Bryant Park and 4 Times Square, stood in stark contrast to much of the south side.

The eyesores included the long-in-limbo Knickerbocker, the empty lot (once a flea market) where the Hilton is rising, seemingly permanent scaffolding on Bush Tower also landmarked and low-rise structures now being demolished for a retail glass box.

Both the Knickerbocker and the Hilton Garden site changed hands several times in the past few years, stalling redevelopment until recently. Now, the blockfront is in for a retail renaissance as well.

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Room for Hilton on 42nd St.

Allied Realty is building an $80 million apartment project in Denver's Jefferson Park neighborhood.

The 332-unit complex will sit on 4.5 acres just west of Interstate 25 on Speer Boulevard. It also will include 10,800 square feet of retail space facing Speer and two levels of underground parking.

The project's amenities will include an outdoor patio with grilling facilities; resort-style lap pool; a kitchen in the club room; a Bocce ball court; and fitness center. Apartments will include balconies; full-size washers and dryers; walk-in closets; and granite countertops.

Units will range in size from a 600-square-foot one bedroom, one-bath to a 1,300-square-foot two-bedroom, two bath apartment. Rents will range from $1,300 a month to $2,300 a month.

Demolition of the existing buildings on the site will begin next week, said Lauren Brockman, principal of Allied. The project is expcted to be completed in July 2014.

Amstar is Allied's equity partner. The project is being designed by Houston-based architect Meeks & Partners and built by Swinerton Builders Colorado.

Because its location is not in the middle of a neighborhood filled with single-family homes, the project isn't likely to draw the opposition that a proposed147-unit project in the West Highland neighborhood has, Brockman said.

"The neighborhood has been supportive of this because it meets their comp(rehensive) plan," he said.

While there are a number of apartment projects under construction in the nearby Highland neighborhood, nothing suggests that the area is in danger of being overbuilt, said Ryan McMaken, spokesman for the Colorado Division of Housing.

The downtown vacancy rate is 4.4 percent and the vacancy rate for northwest Denver is 5.5 percent.

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Jefferson Park apartment project in Denver's Highland to include 332 units, retail space

HOUSTON, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sirius Solutions, L.L.L.P. (Sirius Solutions), an independent business consulting firm, today announced further expansion in its London office through the addition of Mark Saunders. Saunders joins Sirius Solutions as a Director in the firm's Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM) Services practice. In his new role, Saunders will work with clients in delivering ETRM technical services, including software architecture, development, interfacing and system testing.

Saunders possesses a deep level of technical acuity within utility and commodity trading and risk management environments, including energy trading support, deal capture, confirmations and utility operations. He has designed and implemented numerous interface products using energy industry-recognized standards such as Trayport, SWIFT and EFET eCMS. He possesses extensive knowledge of inventory control, research information, networking, access control, imaging and graphics systems, along with functional experience in IT strategy consulting, performance improvement, enterprise risk assessment, risk mitigation, project management, business analysis and software development.

Prior to joining Sirius Solutions, Saunders served as Associate Director at OpenLink International London, a leading developer of software solutions and support for trading, risk management, financial and operations professionals in financial, energy, agribusiness and technology markets. In this capacity he led a technical services team, developed operational procedures, and recruited, trained and managed personnel resources in support of client needs. Project services included software architectural guidance, technical reviews, IT systems performance tuning and software feature customization.

In addition, Saunders has previously held technical leadership positions at Signal Computing Ltd., Medelec Ltd. and Akebia Ltd. He graduated from the University of Sussex with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Electronic Engineering.

About Sirius Solutions Sirius Solutions, L.L.L.P. is an independent business consulting firm specializing in the areas of Financial Advisory, Business Operations, Compliance & Controls, Legal & Economic Advisory and Technology. Our mission is to integrate commercial business experience and deep subject matter expertise for senior management, providing sustainable solutions to complex business challenges. With a base of professionals averaging more than 15 years experience, we serve clients in over forty countries across a wide range of industries, including construction, energy, financial services, health care, manufacturing and transportation. Sirius Solutions is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has offices in London, New York, Dallas and Denver. Sirius Solutions is not a CPA firm. http://www.sirsol.com.

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Sirius Solutions Welcomes New Director in Energy Trading and Risk Management

News and Notes on Trends, New Projects and Construction In the Commercial Real Estate Development Pipeline Around the U.S.

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remained in positive territory for the fourth consecutive month in February, despite continued difficulty for developers in accessing construction financing.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February ABI score was 51, following a mark of 50.9 in January, reflecting a slight increase in demand for design services. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.

The new projects inquiry index was 63.4, up from mark of 61.2 the previous month and its highest reading since July 2007.

As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

"This is more good news for the design and construction industry that continues to see improving business conditions," said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker. "The factors that are preventing a more accelerated recovery are persistent caution from clients to move ahead with new projects, and a continued difficulty in accessing financing for projects that developers have decided to pursue."

Among U.S. regions, the Midwest led with a 56 average, followed by the South, 51.3; Northeast, 51; and West 45.6.

The commercial/industrial posted an average 55.1, followed by multifamily residential at 53.3; institutional, 50.3; and mixed practice, 46.3. The regional and sector categories are calculated as a 3-month moving average.

The new building about a quarter mile from Route 128/I-9 is designed to meet the technical requirements of companies seeking redundant power feeds and fiber connectivity, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, which is serving as the leasing agent.

Each floor will have about 20,000 square feet of raised flooring and 2 megawatts of IT load. The space will also include HVAC systems and security optimized support advanced datacenter operations.

Continue reading here:
In The Pipeline: CoStar Development & Construction News for March 25 - 31

Published on Mar 27, 2012

A file picture taken on March 20, 2012 shows a statue of Britain's Queen Victoria outside Kensington Palace in central London during a photocall to showcase a 12 million GBP (14.4m euros/19m USD) restoration of the historic palace. Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana and the future abode of her son Prince William and his wife Catherine, reopened to the public on Monday after two years of renovation. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana and the future abode of her son Prince William and his wife Catherine, reopened to the public on Monday after two years of renovation.

Officials said new exhibitions, including a display of the late Princess Diana's dresses, had seen ticket sales far exceed those expected on opening day at the 407-year-old red-brick palace.

'We're expecting a thousand visitors a day, but today we had that many just in the first two hours,' a spokesman for Historic Royal Palaces, the charity which manages the building, told AFP.

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Princess Diana's home Kensington Palace reopens to public

MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla., March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --City of Miami Springs and Curtiss Mansion, Inc. announce a "Sneak Preview" of the restored historic South Florida home of famed aviator, inventor and visionary Glenn Hammond Curtiss originally built in 1925. Curtiss, the "Father of Naval Aviation," moved to South Florida from Hammondsport, New York during the land boom of the 1920s. From 1920-1930, Curtiss developed the cities of Miami Springs, Hialeah and Opa-locka, Florida before his death in the 1930 at age 52. Before his untimely passing, Curtiss made a significant impact in the South Florida landscape. His vision of creating three different geographic areas among the cities allowed him to partner with James Bright creating landmarks such as Hialeah Race Track. On Sunday, April 1st, 2012 the community will have the opportunity to gain a "Sneak Preview" of Curtiss' home, now a center for education, preservation and inspiration.

The legendary Curtiss Mansion, damaged by multiple fires, has taken thirteen years of perseverance and a true community effort to rebuild to its original grandeur. Curtiss Mansion, Inc. (CMI), a Florida not-for-profit organization, was established to take the leadership role in restoring the home. "I fell in love with the story of Glenn H. Curtiss, and felt it was my duty to be involved in its restoration and share the stories of all unsung heroes," says JoEllen Morgan, President of CMI. "We are also excited by our partnership with Captain Barrington Irving's STEM academy to be located at the Mansion in Miami Springs."

"The City of Miami Springs is proud to partner with CMI; they have done an outstanding job in the restoration of the Mansion," says Mayor Zavier Garcia. "Our community can only benefit from restoring this national treasure by our Founder and we want to share it with the world," says City Manager Ron Gorland.

The "Sneak Preview" of the Glenn Curtiss Mansion located at 500 Deer Run in Miami Springs is scheduled Sunday, April 1st, 2012 from 1 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The focus of the event is to share the mission of the restored Curtiss Mansion as a center for education and a venue of historic significance and beauty. Be one of the first in the country to tour the home of Glenn H. Curtiss and enjoy afternoon music, food and the outdoors with your family, friends and neighbors.

For more information and detailed directions to the venue and parking, visit http://www.curtissmansion.org.

CONTACT:

Lily Saborit Contact Number: (305) 710-1219 Email: tpgmami@aol.com

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

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Historic Florida Estate of Inventor, Developer and 'Father of Naval Aviation' Glenn H. Curtiss Restored After Thirteen ...

25-03-2012 18:40 A Major Renovation - Custom Kitchen Remodel completed in 4 weeks in San Diego

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The Remodel Process - Video

Phoenix Suns update:

Off-day Orange Slices ...

* It has been almost five years since the 2007 playoff suspensions of Boris Diaw and Amar'e Stoudemire. Is all forgotten?

That ruling hangs in Suns fans' memories like a haunting shadow but the flashbacks will come before their eyes Tuesday night. Diaw returns as a San Antonio Spur, of all things, and NBA Commissioner David Stern will attend the game.

Stern has been back in the arena fora private All-Star Game announcement in 2008 and the All-Star Weekend itself in 2009 but the former was a controlled business environment on a non-game day and the latter was more of a national, corporate crowd than a Phoenix crowd. This will be Stern's first time to walk among and be seen by Suns fans at their purple palace, although Stern will watch the game from a midcourt suite and likely not be introduced to the crowd.

Stern is in town on other league business unrelated directly to the Suns.

* You can tell the Suns are back in the playoff hunt when the networks are adding their games.

Earlier this season, two Suns games' national telecasts were dropped as they struggled. Today, ESPN has added the Suns' April 13 game at Houston and TNT added the April 24 game at Utah, changing the Utah game time to 7:30 Phoenix time.

* Today's news that Amar'e Stoudemire is out indefinitely after a MRI revealed a bulging disk goes back to the point made in this story that Managing Partner Robert Sarver perhaps was just in making a maximum-salary contract offer with stipulations that protected him against Stoudemire's health issues.

* The best part of the ongoing free throw swish competition has been the celebrations that now include a championship belt to the winner of the post-practice or post-shootaround contest. Ronnie Price has added a new element. After winning the last swish showdown on the road (first to five swishes wins), Price enlisted rookie Markieff Morris to be his hypeman. Pricegreeted the team once this weekendwearing a robeasMorris carried the belt walking behind him.

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Stern visit, TV additions, more slices

GOTHENBURG, Sweden and MILAN, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

On Tuesday Swegon presented the innovative ventilation system TELLUS at the Mostra Convegno Expocomfort in Milano, Italy.

TELLUS can help a property owner save up to 30 percent of the energy needed to ventilate, heat and cool a building, compared with a conventional ventilation system. Everything is also integrated in one single unit, making it easy to install and operate.

"The earlier in the planning process of a building we can come in and help our customers with the total solution, the greater the opportunity to save energy and get a total economic positive solution. The cost of TELLUS is lower than purchasing and installing separate components," explains Markus Kalo, Product Manager at Swegon, and continues:

"It's the same components, except that they are packaged in a compact and quality assured manner. We have run a number of systems for nearly two years now and are confident in our design. When we introduced the compact ventilation unit with built-in control, GOLD 1994, many felt that they were two completely different contracts that could not be combined into one product. Now, compact unit with built-in control is the obvious choice and has become industry practice. What we do now with TELLUS is to also integrate heating, cooling and hot tap water in a compact, energy-optimized manner."

There are many ways to temper and ventilate a building. Sometimes the cooling is only distributed by air, sometimes in combination with water-based modules that can both cool and heat the room it is placed in. TELLUS can solve both problems, although it prefers to use air and water.

In the future TELLUS will probably be exported to the US, the Middle East, India and China. Investment company Latour's wholly owned subsidiary Swegon opens towards the end of the year a plant in India and offices in Shanghai, China.

Mats Holmqvist, CEO of Swegon, says:

"TELLUS is a fantastic example of Swegon's holistic and systems thinking. We lead the industry with innovations and new benchmarks, and thus creating the world's best indoor environment for man and environment."

Please find pictures and graphs here: http://db.tt/QNfzJFYQ

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TELLUS Reduces Energy Consumption up to 30 Percent