The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), revealed plans for the redevelopment of its 14-acre campus. The master plan by Steven Holl Architects includes the new 164,000-square-foot Nancy and Rich Kinder Building, designed by Holl, which will add 30 percent more gallery space to the museum and will house 20th- and 21st-century art.

Rendering of the new campus plan by Steven Holl Architects.

A new 80,000-square-foot home for the Glassell School of Art will allow the school to double its student population. Also designed by Holl, the school will be L-shaped and will feature a precast concrete structure and a stepped amphitheater that leads to a trellised roof garden. The plan also includes a preliminary design by Lake|Flato Architects for the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation.

Rendering of the lobby of the Nancy and Rich Kinder Building by Steven Holl Architects.

Rendering of the Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation by Lake|Flato Architects. The master plan, called the Fayez S. Sarofim Campus, will integrate the new structures into the campus, which features a sculpture garden by Isamu Noguchi and buildings by William Ward Watkin, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Rafael Moneo. All parking will be moved underground, allowing green spaces on campus to be woven together to create a 14-acre pedestrian zone. A landscape architect will soon be selected.

The new plan is expected to cost $450 million and MFAH has raised $330 million to date. The project is set to begin later this year and is planned to be complete in 2019.

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MFAH Announces Expansion Plans by Steven Holl Architects

By design, a new mid-rise building in Prince George, B.C., breaks many conventions of commercial construction.

At 29.5 metres, its height alone makes the Wood Innovation and Design Centre the highest contemporary wood structure of its type in North America a record soon to be broken by others. The $25.1-million centre also stands out for its embrace of engineered wood: thick panels, columns and beams of so-called mass timber, sturdier and more fire-resistant than lightweight wood frame construction.

Built as a showcase for woods potential in mid-rise and taller buildings, the provincial government-owned centre houses academic and research programs at the University of Northern British Columbia and corporate offices. Its opening last fall comes as architects and others look to push the traditional boundaries of wood as a structural material in commercial construction. See earlier story: Six-storey wood buildings a game-changer.

The building is a very important milestone and stepping stone as we work our way higher into the taller wood building arena, says Michael Green, principal of Vancouver-based Michael Green Architecture and the centres architect. He used engineered wood products for the centres stair and elevator core and, for the floor assembly, eliminated a layer of concrete typically needed to muffle sound.

The hardest part of this process of introducing a new way to build is not the engineering; it is shifting the publics perception of what is possible, adds Mr. Green, co-author of the 2012 industry-financed study, The Case for Tall Wood Buildings.

Climate change is one factor behind the rise of wood as a competitive rival to concrete and steel, the typical energy-consuming components of taller buildings. Mr. Green likens the shift to adopting healthy eating habits.

What we want to do is reduce the things that we know arent good for us, like steel and concrete, but that doesnt mean we get rid of them completely, he says. We are just reproportioning these materials in buildings and not trying to say that one is exclusive over another.

Also raising woods profile is an expanded menu of engineered products, first developed in Europe a decade ago but now manufactured in Canada. One recent arrival is cross-laminated timber, engineered in various panel thicknesses of 2 x 6 planks, glued cross-wise, often pre-cut and assembled on site faster than traditional materials.

Architects also use laminated veneer lumber (thin strips glued together), laminated strand lumber (a largely warp-free composite material) and glue laminated timber, an established product known for its steel-rivaling strength and used for horizontal beams or vertical columns.

In just 15 years, wood has repositioned itself as a high-tech material, says Vancouver engineer Eric Karsh, a principal at Vancouver-based Equilibrium Consulting Inc., and Mr. Greens co-author of the tall wood building study. People are starting to see it as a high-tech material and it is no longer something you use in a rough or inefficient manner, he adds. We have shown that wood can be used in just about any building type so now it is just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.

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Next-generation wood pushes to greater heights

Taking on the job, Sathirat vowed to focus more on young architect training as well as green and sustainable designs.

"This year, well finance overseas training in Japan - a major producer of steel. Winners of a contest from three zones - South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia - can learn how to incorporate steel in their work," he said. He also plans the networking of young talents in Asia and later bridge them with those in the United States and the Union Internationale des Architects.

His appointment comes at the time when Thailand is hosting the 36th ARCASIA Council Meeting & Forum 18th in November. Over 1,000 architects across Asia will attend the conference in Ayutthaya which is held under the "Future of the Past" theme, to conserve cultural heritage. The event will also focus on designs that can withstand natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.

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First Thai to lead Asia-based architect organisation

Jennifer Hegarty Assoc. AIA of Boscawen and Watershed Studio Architecture in White River Junction, Vt. won the "emerging professionals" award for this redevelopment concept for a building in Franklin.(COURTESY)

HONORABLE MENTION AND PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD: RESIDENTIAL Stone Fence Farm, Salisbury. Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates, New London. Photographer: John W. Hession, Dorchester.

HONORABLE MENTION Private Residence, Sunapee. Architect: Cowan Goudreau Architects, Concord. Photographer: Duene Cowan, Cowan Goudreau Architects, Concord.

RICK AND DUFFY MONAHON AWARD FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION Colony Hall Renovation, MacDowell Colony, Peterborough. Architect: Sheldon Pennoyer Architects, Concord, NH Photographer: Sheldon Pennoyer AIA, Concord.

MERIT AWARD Bush Center & Ketchum Library, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. Architect: JSA Inc., Portsmouth. Photographer: Rob Karosis, Rollinsford.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD: COMMERCIAL Smuttynose Brewery, Hampton. McHenry Architecture PLLC, Portsmouth. Photographer: David J. Murray, Clear Eye Photo, New Castle.

HONORABLE MENTION Meservey Hall Renovation and Addition, New Hampton School, New Hampton. Architect: Samyn DElia Architects, PA, Ashland. Photographer: Joseph St. Pierre Photography, Concord.

MERIT AWARD Clearview Lake Retreat, Lake Winnepocket. Architect: Bonin Architects & Associates PLLC, New London. Photographer: John. W. Hession, Dorchester.

MERIT AWARDIDEXX Synergy Center, Westbrook, Maine.Architect: Lavallee Brensinger Architects, Manchester. Photographer: Siri Blanchette/Blind Dog Photo Associates, Portsmouth.

HONOR AWARD Anderson Hall Performing Arts Center Addition and Renovation, Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro. Architect: Scott Simons Architects, Portland, Maine. Photographer: Robert Benson Photography, Hartford, Conn.

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AIA names winners of 2015 Excellence in Design Awards

When it comes to investing, it can be easy to bury our noses in balance sheets, cash flow statements, and analyst ratings while trying to divine the next homerun stock. In the process, we often forget that companies are real, tangible things run by real people.

What a business looks like on paper matters up to a point. However, there is no substitute to knowing who is actually running the companies that we own. Over the years, a few CEOs have demonstrated their ability to focus on what really matters and translated their unique vision into profitable investments for shareholders.

Below, Motley Fool contributors highlight three such leaders and what made them stand apart. Read on to see why Elon Musk of Tesla ,Howard Schultz of Starbucks , and Robert Iger of Disney have been true architects of success for their companies.

Tim Beyers (Disney) : In March, Disney will celebrate 10 years with Bob Iger at the helm.

Plenty has changed since the dark days of 2005. Back then, the late Roy Disney had been leading a campaign to " Save Disney " from Michael Eisner, a long-tenured but controversial mogul. Iger stepped in to replace Eisner as CEO, kicking off one of the most transformative decades in Disney's 92-year history.

DIS data by YCharts

Iger deserves much of the credit for these gains. After all, he and his team are the ones who convinced the board at Disney to spend nearly $16 billion to acquire Pixar Animation (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), and Lucasfilm (2012), effectively securing a top position in young boys entertainment after years of appealing mostly to girls. Consumer products sales are up materially as a result -- from $2.215 billion in fiscal 2005 to $3.985 billion in fiscal 2014, according to datasupplied by S&P Capital IQ .

Disney is also spending less and doing more at the box office. Operating margin in the Studio Entertainment Group is up from 2.76% in fiscal 2005 to 21.28% last year on the strength of two Marvel movies . Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy combined for over $1.48 billion in global box office receipts and nearly $400 million in estimated gross profit.

Mix in a profitable Interactive Division producing hit games such as Disney Infinity , a dominant and growing Parks group , and strong Cable results from the likes of ESPN, and you have the makings of one of the most impressive media empires in the world.

Not bad for a business that, just ten years ago, needed saving. Iger has done that and more.

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Architects of Success: 3 Leaders Who Started With a Vision and Built an Empire

A Message from Architects to the Philippines
PULP Live World and 28 Black proudly invites you to welcome Sam Carter, Tom and Dan Searle, and Alex Dean as they make their Philippine debut on February 7, ...

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A Message from Architects to the Philippines - Video

Pier Solar and the great Architects #11 - Krabbensalat
Nix mehr verpassen: http://goo.gl/iYz3bn Playlist: http://goo.gl/mZJVbh -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

By: ByteMe

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Pier Solar and the great Architects #11 - Krabbensalat - Video

CRANBURY The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects held its annual Awards Dinner Jan. 9, presenting Service Awards to three KSS Architects, LLP. designers in recognition of their individual accomplishments that have provided distinguished service to the profession and to the Society, according to a press release.

Cranbury resident Merilee Meacock, a partner, was named AIA NJ Architect of the Year, reflecting her many professional, technical and personal achievements.

As a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Ms. Meacock earned her Bachelor of Architecture in 1990, and has since practiced with KSS Architects.

She was named a partner in 2010, and currently oversees one third of the firms work concentrated in the fields of education, special needs, community, housing, urban revitalization, and master planning, the release said.

Within KSS, Ms. Meacock is the partner in charge of marketing, leading efforts in firm identity and market development, and managing communications across multiple media.

As the first woman to be named Architect of the Year in 16 years, Ms. Meacock takes equal pride in her personal accomplishments, according to the release.

Forging ahead in the gender-skewed profession of architecture, she manages to be a single mom to three boys and the family dog, and takes on the roles of habitual DIY Aficionado and Cub Scout Leader, the release said.

She also chairs the Cranbury Township Zoning Board and is a member of the Development Review Committee, lending her expertise to the improvement of her hometown.

"Merilee is a valued member of our zoning board and were thankful she stepped up this year to chair the (it)," Mayor Jay Taylor said Wednesday. "We have always recognized Merilees experience and expertise and I am very happy to see her peers recognize her talents. As a resident, it is comforting to know that key zoning issues which greatly impact the town are being reviewed by someone recognized as a leader in her field."

According to the release, Ms. Meacocks overriding strength is her entrepreneurial drive to identify opportunity to serve her community, her firm and her clients through her passion and mastery of architecture.

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CRANBURY: Resident honored by architects association

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has issued the following statement after President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address calling for a 21st century infrastructure plan.

"Landscape architects have long provided critical infrastructure, including transportation options that meet the needs of all Americans. They design multi-use transportation corridors that accommodate all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, people with disabilities and people who use public transportation. These multi-use transportation systems reduce reliance on a single-use automotive transport, which in turn reduces traffic, improves air quality and promotes a resilient way of life.

"ASLA continues to defend federal programs important to landscape architects, including the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and key federal policies for Complete Streets. The Society understands that resilient design will help address trends affecting our nation's transportation systemsincluding rapid population growth in the South and West, and the need to replace aging roads and other infrastructure in the East and Midwestas outlined in the forthcoming 30-year transportation framework developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. We will continue to address these challenges in conversations with all who will shape our future infrastructure.

"We urge our policymakers to support a transportation infrastructure bill that will work for all Americans and help communities plan for growth and change."

About the American Society of Landscape Architects

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 72 student chapters. Members of the Society use "ASLA" after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning, and design of our built and natural environments; the Society's mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.

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American Society of Landscape Architects Statement on the State of the Union

Rick Mather Architects recently completed Passivhaus scheme
Rick Mather Architects has completed this 12 million Passivhaus residential scheme in Camden, North London.

By: Architects Journal

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Rick Mather Architects recently completed Passivhaus scheme - Video