Solutions Review compiles the most essential books that any network or IT architects need to add to their reading list.

Are you a network or IT architect looking to gain more knowledge in your area of expertise? Books, whether hardcover or digital, are an excellent source for people looking to learn about a specific field of technology, and network and IT architecture is no exception. Weve listed the eight most essential books for network and IT architects that you should add to your reading list. These books are intended for beginners and experts alike and are written by authors with proficiency and/or recognition in the field of network and IT architecture.

If youre looking for resources on network monitoring, our free Network Monitoring Buyers Guide has you covered. It contains profiles on the top network monitoring providers in the market today, including descriptions of the tools they offer and noteworthy features of each. The guide also features 10 questions you should ask prospective vendors and yourself before buying a network monitoring solution. You can check out that guide here!

by Dimitrios Serpanos and Tilman Wolf

Architecture of Network Systems explains the practice and methodologies that will allow you to solve a broad range of problems in system design, including problems related to security, quality of service, performance, manageability, and more. Leading researchers Dimitrios Serpanos and Tilman Wolf develop architectures for all network sub-systems, bridging the gap between operation and VLSI.

by Russ White and Denise Donohue

Two leading enterprise network architects help you craft solutions that are fully aligned with business strategy, smoothly accommodate change, and maximize future flexibility. Russ White and Denise Donohue guide network designers in asking and answering the crucial questions that lead to elegant, high-value solutions. Carefully blending business and technical concerns, they show how to optimize all network interactions involving flow, time, and people.

by John Day

Beginning with the seven fundamental, and still unanswered, questions identified during the ARPANETs development,Patterns in Network Architecture returns to bedrock and traces our experience both good and bad. Along the way, [John Day] uncovers overlooked patterns in protocols that simplify design and implementation and resolves the classic conflict between connection and connectionless while retaining the best of both.

by Orhan Ergun

This book will give you a High Level of overview of the Service Provider Network Design and Architecture. It talks about the unique aspects of Service Provider networks, different types of Service Providers and the business relationships between them. It covers the Service Providers services, different last mile access offerings and transport networks, and their subscribers and services.

by Edward Crawley, Bruce Cameron, and Daniel Selva

System architecture is the study of early decision making in complex systems. This text teaches how to capture experience and analysis about early system decisions, and how to choose architectures that meet stakeholder needs, integrate easily, and evolve flexibly. With case studies written by leading practitioners, from hybrid cars to communications networks to aircraft, this text showcases the science and art of system architecture.

by Stephen D. Burd

Discover the most comprehensive introduction to information systems hardware and software in business today with SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE, 7E. This new edition remains an indispensable tool for your strong foundation in IS (Information Systems) as the book emphasizes a managerial, broad systems perspective that provides a holistic approach to systems architecture. Thorough updates throughout this edition ensure all concepts, examples and applications reflect the very latest new technologies.

Looking for a solution to help you improve your network performance? OurNetwork Monitoring Buyers Guidecontains profiles on the top network performance monitor vendors, as well as questions you should ask providers and yourself before buying.

Check us out onTwitterfor the latest in Network Monitoring news and developments!

Dan is a tech writer who writes about Enterprise Cloud Strategy and Network Monitoring for Solutions Review. He graduated from Fitchburg State University with a Bachelor's in Professional Writing. You can reach him at dhein@solutionsreview.com

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The Six Essential Books for Network and IT Architects - Solutions Review

It was an odd marriage and it wasn't always perfect.

There was missing team buses after games on occasion, the 'ass-chewing' against Western Kentucky, the personality differences, but in hindsight, they both probably needed each other.

When University of Alabama coach Nick Saban hired Lane Kiffin as his offensive coordinator in January of 2014, he was ready to evolve.On the other hand, Kiffin was looking for a new home, a place to rejuvenate his career following a failed stint as head coach at USC.

"We always had a tremendous amount of respect for Lane," Saban said on this week's SEC coaches teleconference. "Hes a great coach. Hes a very good offensive play-caller. Hes got a great feel for the game, really understands what the defense is trying to do and how to take advantage of it. We wanted to get more in the spread but keep a pro-style passing game, and Lane was well-versed in the pro-style part of it. I think we all grew together in the whole RPO-spread world. That was new for all of us. Did a lot of research on it, did a great job of implementing it and learning it and hes doing a great job with it right now and he did a great job for us here.

Kiffin's dynamic play-calling turned Blake Sims, a running back and scout team player when he arrived at the Capstone, into the school's single-season passing leader at the time in 2014 with 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns.

In year two of Kiffin's offense, a Heisman Trophy winner was produced with Derrick Henry, who rushed for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns, propelling Alabama to its 16th national championship in school history.

Then, in his final season in Tuscaloosa, we saw just how special of a player Jalen Hurts could be with Kiffin. Hurts, who ultimately lost the starting job to Tua Tagovailoa, dazzled in 2016, completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,780 yards and 23 scores, while adding 954 yards on the ground and another 13 additional touchdowns.

That offensive revival helped pave the way for what Crimson Tide fans saw with Tagovailoa, and now Mac Jones under assistant Steve Sarkisian an offense that continues to hum, scoring 45 points a game through two games in 2020.

And the offensive unit, led by Jones, is a far cry from what Kiffin saw in 2009, when he was the head coach at Tennessee, squaring off against Saban for the first time, which the Crimson Tide won, 12-10, scoring all its points on field goals.

"I wish it was the old one like we played at Tennessee when they didnt score any touchdowns," Kiffin said earlier this week. "Its very different. Its why Coach [Saban] changed. Theyre explosive, they attack, they pass first. Tons of shots down the field. Way harder to defend."

Kiffin is now getting his first shot at Saban as a former assistant on Saturday when the Ole Miss Rebels host the Crimson Tide at 6:30 p.m inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

He will join the long list of former assistants who have tried to bring down the master and all, up to this point, have failed going a combined 20-0 against Saban.

"First off, it gets rid of this whole, 'I know him, so thats an advantage' thing," Kiffin said. "That things kind of shot down because theres been 20 games where the coaches knew him and they went 0-20. I think that just shows that you cant duplicate somewhere just because you worked there. What Coach [Saban] does is very unique. It works for him. I dont think it works for many other people, his style. He has it nailed, and everybody knows what it is when they get there. Its why it works. On the same token, too, the guys undefeated against 95 percent of coaches except for, what, Gus (Malzahn), Dabo (Swinney) and Urban (Meyer) or something?

"No one else has beat him. Hes got that record against everybody."

The first-year Rebel coach poked fun at Saban earlier this week when asked about their matchup, saying that the soon-to-be 69 year old couldn't cover him in a one-on-one situation.

Saban's response was golden and brought a big grin to his face, but the problem for Kiffin is, he isn't the one playing, he's gotta coach against him, which, for former Saban disciples, that continues to be one of the tallest mountains to climb in all of college football.

"I think he's probably right," Saban said. "I wouldn't disagree with him. I guess what I would ask is when he's my age, what's he's going to do? I don't know. I mean, it's a little bit of a disadvantage to be my age and have had a hip replacement. But I still pride myself on my ability to cover. I just don't think I can cover him."

See the rest here:
Nick Saban vs Lane Kiffin: The Once-Architect of Alabama's Modern Offense Is Now Tasked With Dismantling It - Bama Maven

New research commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reveals the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic on how people want to live and work at home.

UK homeowners are increasingly demanding environmentally efficient properties that better support their new ways of living, as well as their mental health, happiness and family cohesion.

The RIBAs research exclusively reveals that the majority of homeowners (70% of survey respondents) believe the design of their home has affected their mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

Spending more time in their home has made people more stressed (11%), anxious (10%) and depressed (10%); theyve found it harder to relax (9%) and its negatively impacted their productivity (6%).

The RIBAs research sought to understand the mental and physical benefits of living in a better-designed home. The findings highlight that 23% believe a better-designed home will increase their happiness; theyd be able to relax more (31%) and sleep better (17%).

Insights also revealed that with working from home now the new normal for many, 15% want to improve the design of their home to help them be more productive. And with families spending more time together at home, more than one in 10 (11%) believe making changes to the design of their home would help them to live more harmoniously with others in the house.

Environmental Psychologist and Lecturer at University of Surrey,Eleanor Ratcliffesaid: For many of us our home is our favourite place and an important part of our identity. Over recent months our homes have had to become the workplace, school, and gym, and yet still be a place to relax and recover from all the everyday stresses and strains impacting entire households. The RIBAs research demonstrates that many people realise that their home in its current form does not cater for all these different uses and users.

A home design that reflects who you are your values, needs, and interests can make people feel good about themselves. A home that meets ones needs because it is appropriately designed can also make people feel more in control, and that is especially relevant when life feels uncertain.

Eight out of 10 respondents (79%) identified one or more of the changes that theyd now like to make to the design of their home after lockdown, these include:

Ben Channon,RIBA Chartered Architect, Head of Wellbeing at Assael Architecture and author of book, Happy by Designsaid: As architects, we understand that every family is unique and the design of their home must be tailored to fit their specific needs. Were trained to be creative and practical problem solvers and will add value, not just financial, but also to your quality of life ensuring that your most sacred space works for you and your loved ones. We will help you to make your home more usable and, put simply, a nicer place to live ultimately making you happier and healthier.

RIBA PresidentAlan Jonesadded: Its clear that the impact of COVID-19 will affect how and where we choose to live for years to come. For many of us, our homes are our sanctuaries, and this new research commissioned by the RIBA clearly indicates that many people are keener than ever to adapt and improve their homes.

I strongly encourage homeowners to seek professional expertise to make their dreams a reality. RIBA Chartered Architects and Chartered Practices offer the highest standards and assurance in the UK. They can support homeowners every step of the way, whether they are extending their home or building a new one from scratch.

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Architects reveal the impact of Covid-19 on housing design Show House - Show House News

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PCL Construction is pleased to announce its work with the University of Denver and WZMH Architects to design, build and deliver a smart screening and testing facility Citizen Care Pod Corporations (CCP) Mobile COVID-19 Testing Pod (Care Pod) to support the return of students to the University of Denver campus during the coronavirus pandemic. From concept to completion, the entire process took three weeks and is providing COVID-19 testing professionals with a permanent facility that provides a secure and comfortable environment.

Having used tents for COVID-19 testing, the university turned to PCL Construction for a more permanent solution to safely conduct testing through changing weather conditions. The 40-foot pod can test individuals who either walk or drive-up. Unlike tents, the pod offers a secure, safe and comfortable environment with climate control, HEPA filters, heating, air conditioning and positive air pressurization. It also is ADA compliant.

We really needed to look for a solution that would last through the summer and winter, said James Rosner, Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management and Planning. Tents really werent a good long-term option. The Care Pod solution was a perfect fit for the university to be able to test students, faculty and staff by providing both drive-up and walk-up options, and an ADA accessible window.

The testing pods are easily modified for future use in administering a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as for flu and other viruses. Click here to see a video of the Care Pods installation.

This is a safe space that is easily accessible for university students, faculty and staff to receive COVID-19 tests to ensure they study and work in a virus-free campus environment, said Zenon Radewych, CCPs Chief Creative Officer.

Utilizing modular construction methods, PCL Construction is manufacturing and assembling the pods by retrofitting shipping containers to support rapid delivery and installation. Heating, air-conditioning, and high-efficiency particulate HEPA filters for mechanical ventilation units are standard features.

Citizen Care Pod also offers an Education Pod and a Long-Term Care Visiting Pod.

The rest is here:
PCL Construction Teams with University of Denver, Citizen Care Pod Corporation and WZMH Architects on COVID-19 Testing Facility - Business Wire

John Kirkpatrick was appointed to carry out site inspections by the developer of a semi-detached house in Belfast.

Architects Certificates were signed in January 2015 and May 2017, and the final certificate confirmed Kirkpatrick had visited the site at appropriate intervals and would be liable for a period of six years from the date of the certificate.

It was alleged Kirkpatrick failed to adequately inspect the site in accordance with the Architects Certificate dated 22 May 2017 and that he acted inappropriately by attempting to enter into a financial settlement with the complainant on condition that she withdraw her complaint from ARB.

It was also alleged that Kirkpatrick failed to co-operate fully and promptly with ARB during its investigation into the complaint against him.

Kirkpatrick did not attend the hearing and was not legally represented. In his written submissions, he maintained that he had trusted the developer to resolve the issues, although that relationship had now broken down.

He also outlined his personal circumstances, which had prevented him from dealing with the matter fully and expressed some regret for the issues that had arisen.

The PCC found the allegations proven and agreed these failings were serious enough to amount to unacceptable professional conduct (UPC).

When determining the sanction, the PCC took into account that Kirkpatrick had no previous adverse regulatory history and his unblemished career spanning 45 years.

The PCC also recognised that he had experienced some personal difficulties, which had impacted on his ability to respond to these matters.

However, the PCC noted that Kirkpatricks failings represented a pattern of poor conduct over an extended period of time rather than an isolated incident, and those failings had resulted in a significant impact on his clients.

It found he also failed to provide any evidence of remorse or real insight into the seriousness of his failings or engage meaningfully with the disciplinary process.

It, therefore, decided a one-year suspension order should be imposed in order to uphold proper professional standards and the reputation of the profession.

Read the rest here:
Architect suspended from register failed to inspect sites - Planning, BIM & Construction Today

toledano + architects has refurbished a duplex that occupies the 2 first floors of a 1970s building with a private garden in paris, france. the idea was to remodel the layout in its entirety, in order to accommodate a large family with 3 young children, but also to provide healthy living conditions for the residents, by ensuring sufficient lighting and ventilation all year long.

all images by salem mostefaoui

the master suite is placed on the ground floor, built through several progressive layers of privacy, thanks to the pivot doors that allow residents to decide when to connect the room to the rest of the living space. in this way, the big modular bedroom can share access with the kids rooms. with this design, toledano + architects aim to encourage interaction between parents and children in an apartment interior that calls for togetherness.

the dwelling includes a wide living room, dining room, and kitchen, which are all connected to the wooden terrace and the planted garden through the big sliding windows. in addition, there is also an available home-office, that turned out to be especially useful during the pandemic, as well as a boxing space, and a dressing room. the two floors are connected through a distinct staircase design, which plays with transparency, using perforated metal sheets as well as geometry and gravity. the steps are hanging from the wall and ceiling and wrapped in a triangular metal box, while a wooden closet is integrated underneath.

the materiality generates a minimal, warm environment, while incorporating a japanese feel. in the boxing and dressing room, the wood and fabric floor-to-ceiling spaces were inspired by tatamis. in the rest of the duplex, concrete, black metal, black granite, carrara marble, oak wood, fabric and perforated steel complete the space. on the kids floor, a bright klein blue brings a fun and dynamic twist to the playroom.

playful kids hangout and TV room in klein blue

in order to maximize natural daylight and still be protected against high heat during summer, the windows were replaced by a very thin and highly efficient aluminum model. the glass has solar control properties and is also the source of heat for the whole apartment, providing an innovative soft and comfortable heating solution.

home office with a garden view

perforated metal and solid oak wood form the hanging staircase

the boxing space allows residents to blow off steam when needed

project info:

name: M garden duplexarchitects: toledano + architectslocation: paris, france

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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toledano + architects adds geometric wood and metal staircase to apartment in paris - Designboom

Seattle-based LMN Architects has unveiled the highly anticipated Grand Avenue Park Bridge in Everett, Washington. First opening to the public in late August, the $20 million bridge acts as both a long-sought infrastructural asset to a hillside residential community severed from the increasingly enticing waterfront district and a singular new civic space with widespread appeal beyond the immediate neighborhood it serves. An industrial city with deep ties to logging and aerospace manufacturing located on the east-central Puget Sound, Everett serves as the core economic and population center for the northern stretch of the Seattle metropolitan area.

Designed by LMN in collaboration with KPFF Consulting Engineers, the 257-foot-long truss bridge is a pedestrian span meant to carry foot traffic over a modest highway, active train tracks, and electrical lines to and from Grand Avenue Park, a locally beloved bluff-top public green space. On the opposite side of the highway and train tracks, the bridge terminates at an external staircase-wrapped concrete tower with an elevator that links the five-acre park and its namesake bridge to northwest Everetts fast-evolving waterfront, pedestrian promenade, public marina, farmers market, and the in-the-works Waterfront Place mixed-use development at the Port of Everett.

Normally, walking from the park down to, for example, to the new elevator tower, would take nearly 40 minutes along a painfully circuitous route. Now, it takes just a few.

The bridge, described in a news release as a composition of concrete and steel, design and functionality, nature and digital design technology also discreetly doubles as an above-ground utility crossing for hillside sewer and storm drainage pipelines. This function, initially conceived as the structures function until federal grant money made the integration of a pedestrian crossing possible according to LMN, is tucked away beneath an unlikely new form that weaves pedestrian ramps and stairs above, around, and inside a sloping truss.

Whats more, by placing the entrance to the meandering walking path on top of the truss and positioning most of the structure lower down the steep hillside that it extends from, the sweeping views of Possession Sound and from Grand Avenue Park remain interrupted, whereas they could have easily been obscured by a more conventional bridge design. Beyond local residents thrilled to have more convenient pedestrian access to the waterfront, the bridge may serve as less of a means of getting from point A to point B and more of a scenic observation platform of sorts that acts as a meticulously engineered extension of the cliffside park.

In its design, the Grand Avenue Park Bridge is also a destination, said LMN partner Stephen Van Dyck, AIA, in a statement. The bridges paths, stairs, and spaces create a variety of views beyond and within that make it a place of discovery.

LMN elaborated on the bridges unique design:

The bridges iconic presence is rooted in the unexpected formal juxtaposition of muscular and delicate, rustic and refined, symmetrical and asymmetrical, inside and out.

The truss form responds directly to its programmatic needs while recalling the form and character of traditional railroad trusses found across the Pacific Northwest. The structural elements are constructed of weathering steel, a raw form of steel, which uses rust to form a protective layer, providing corrosion resistance and enhancing the bridges maintainability over time. Wrapping around and running through the truss, a shining, lacey guardrail also serves as the bridges de-facto wayfinding system, contrasting with the raw character of the rusted truss with its silvery aluminum panels.

Fabricated using a CNC machine, the bridges shiny aluminum guardrail panelsnumbering 400 in total, each of them uniquehave an intricate, nature-inspired perforated pattern. The perforations, which vary on each individual panel, were specifically designed to enhance the reflectivity of the artificial lighting, improving the performance of the integrated linear lights at the top of the rail while minimizing glare and light pollution, according to LMN. That same distinctive pattern can also be found on the exterior of the concrete elevator tower/utility core.

Preliminary site work on the project first kicked off during the summer of 2017. The million-pound steel structure was lifted into place in September 2019 while its sewer and stormwater connections were brought online earlier this year.

More details on the Grand Avenue Park Bridge, a complex project heralded as a gorgeous new asset for the city by Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin at its opening ceremony, can be found here.

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LMN Architects completes a connectivity-boosting bridge in Everett, Washington - The Architect's Newspaper

New York-based SO IL has shared images and details of its recently completed North Fork House, a subdued and tranquilyet never close to sterileweekend retreat in East Marion, New York, tucked into a 20-acre hillside site overlooking Long Island Sound. The project, finished last year, was designed in collaboration with Shenton Architects with Patrick Cullina serving as landscape designer.

The cruciform residence, wrapped entirely by a continuous porch thats sheltered by generous roof overhangs, is comprised of four distinct rectangular volumes with expansive floor-to-ceiling glass windows and steeply pitched, zinc-clad gabled roofs. This organization of space allows for each distinct wingseparated between living and sleeping quartersto take on its own relationship with the surprisingly varied topography of the property. The house seeks to sample the lively terrain, bringing together different qualities of light, landscape, and vista to define interior spaces, explained the design team.

The wings containing the bedrooms, for example, are positioned within a more wooded, secluded part of the property with the living spaces arranged above a soft clearing that slopes down to the water. A dining area and library have been carved out where two of the living-centered quadrants meet; beyond this section of the home is a spacious, pie-shaped outdoor entertaining area that that extends from a porch area tucked beneath a curving, cantilevered roof that offers a deviation from the largely angular forms that comprise the residence. At the center of the home is a modest roof terrace thats discretely burrowed between the four gables that sneaks vistas bordered by the gables diagonal lines.

Nestled within a collage of disparate landscapes, North Fork House offers a sense of uniformity in its design and organization of spaces yet, above all else, celebrates the varying forms of natural beauty that makes the property so unique.

Read more from the original source:
SO IL and Shenton Architects complete a porch-wrapped sanctuary on Long Island's North Fork - The Architect's Newspaper

US design firm Fentress Architects has unveiled the winners of its 2020 Fentress Global Challenge, a competition for architecture and engineering students from around the world.

The first place was awarded to Green Gateway, a zero-emission multimodal hub designed by students from the Southern California Institute of Architecture.

The project redesigned New Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport as a sustainability-centric hub with enhanced mobility. The airport features a central terminal surrounded by six towers located around the city.

The towers, working both as air-purifying centres and stations for flying cars, are meant to improve New Delhis mobility and would offer an alternative to domestic flights, which are a major source of pollution for India.

The designers described Green Gateway as zero-emission at the macro and micro level, improving mobility across the city by replacing domestic flight as one of the major sources of pollution and making air travel a personal affair.

Duan Sekulic, a student from Slovenias University of Ljubljana, came in second with his innovative design for Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which involved autonomous pods, AI-powered navigation as well as vertical take-off and landing for aircraft.

Sekulics design transforms Hartsfield-Jackson into a drive-in airport where travellers pods and driving chairs bring them to their aircraft.

Fentress awarded students from Beijing Jiaotong University the third place. Entitled Floating Zero City, the plan reimagined Hong Kongs airport and turned it into a building floating at sea. The new airport would be made of a three-dimensional moveable platform, which would reduce the impact on the terrain while increasing the amount of available land.

The concepts vertical structure also reduces the time for passengers to move from the check-in to the boarding area.

The Vertebrae a design by University of Malaya students and OPon the Hill a project by Jakarta University of Technology came in first and second in the Peoples Choice Awards, with 6,200 and 5,900 votes respectively.

Started in 2011, this years edition of the Fentress Global Challenge year asked participants to envision airport mobility for the year 2100.

A deep passion for design and a creative mindset are the cornerstone of any successful design competition submission, said Fentress Architects principal in charge of design Curtis Fentress.

Each year, the submissions we receive are more innovative, spirited and dynamic than the prior year, which shows an exciting outlook for the future of terminal design. Were greatly impressed by this years winners and every submission we received.

Antimicrobial Trays for Security Checkpoints

Aircraft Ground Support Equipment

Bag Tagging Services

Go here to read the rest:
Fentress Architects announce winners of 2020 Global Challenge - Airport Technology

Aerial view of the new Grand Avenue Park Bridge in Everett, Washington. Photo: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects.

Detail view of the aluminum panels, the truss, and the structure of the Grand Avenue Park Bridge. Photo: Adam Hunter/LMN Architects.

Seattle, Oct. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LMN Architects celebrates the completion of the Grand Avenue Park Bridge in Everett, Washington. The 257-foot-long asymmetrical weathering steel truss spans from the hillside to a vertical concrete tower, creating a sequence of new civic spaces and connecting Grand Avenue Park with Everetts growing waterfront district.

Elevating utilitarian infrastructure to a thoughtfully designed community asset, the Grand Avenue Park Bridge highlights the value of rethinking public realm design. The bridge transforms the Everett waterfront, establishing a new connection between the historical Grand Avenue Park and the citys developing waterfront district. At the bridges recent opening, Mayor Cassie Franklin commented, It is a beautiful bridge, it is a utility project, and it is going to be part of our city for generations to come. It is a gorgeous new asset.

The new bridge solves a complicated sequence of grade-changes and utility needs in an unlikely new form that weaves pedestrian ramps and stairs above, around, and inside a sloping truss, presenting an inviting new crossing from Grand Avenue Park to the waterfront district. Across its 257-foot span, the bridge carries major utilities while navigating a network of existing electrical lines, a five-lane highway, and the BNSF train tracks at the base of an 80-foot-tall steep slope, all while preserving views from the park above. In part, the amazing views are preserved by having a unique entrance onto the top of the bridge such that most of the bridge structure is below Grand Avenue Park.

As designers, we found these circumstances the perfect opportunity to create a place where the accessible features would define the experience, says LMN Partner Stephen Van Dyck, AIA. In its design, the Grand Avenue Park Bridge is also a destination. The bridges paths, stairs and spaces create a variety of views beyond and within that make it a place of discovery.

The design is pragmatic and economical. The truss form responds directly to its programmatic needs while recalling the form and character of traditional railroad trusses found across the Pacific Northwest. The structural elements are constructed of weathering steel, a raw form of steel, which uses rust to form a protective layer, providing corrosion resistance and enhancing the bridges maintainability over time. Wrapping around and running through the truss, a shining, lacey guardrail also serves as the bridges de-facto wayfinding system, contrasting with the raw character of the rusted truss with its silvery aluminum panels.

The guardrail features a bespoke perforation that is inspired by the forms of the surrounding natural environment. The varied density of perforations was designed to enhance reflectivity of the artificial lighting, improving the performance of the integrated linear lights at the top of the rail while minimizing glare and light pollution. Each aluminum panel is unique, responding to the geometry of the bridge, views beyond, and varying guardrail requirements.

Geometry for the 400 aluminum panels was generated through a computer script, automating the layout, numbering and cut file production. A separate file for each panel was provided to a fabricator for use with their computer numerically controlled (CNC) Waterjet. LMN Principal Scott Crawford says, LMNs experimentation with our own CNC machine to fabricate full-scale mockups was essential for refining the scale of the pattern, adjusting the amount of area for the light reflection, and testing the digital cut files. This close collaboration allowed for a solution that is finely tuned to its context.

The overlay of large-scale truss elements and small-scale perforations creates a dynamic experience of view, light and shadow along the walking path. A tall concrete elevator and utility core serve as the western abutment, its concrete walls blasted with the same perforation pattern and wrapped in a staircase that leads to the pedestrian-level waterfront promenade.The bridges iconic presence is rooted in the unexpected formal juxtaposition of muscular and delicate, rustic and refined, symmetrical and asymmetrical, inside and out. Since its completion in late August, the Grand Avenue Park Bridge has become a popular destination, enhancing the pedestrian life of the Northwest neighborhood and the growing mixed-use waterfront district. By embracing a creative pragmatic approach, the design addresses both functional and aesthetic demands, weaving urban infrastructure into the life of the city and becoming a catalyst for continued community revitalization.

LMN Architects is recipient of the 2016 AIA National Architecture Firm Award and is widely recognized for its design of projects that support smart, sustainable, cities. The firm has successfully completed more than 700 projects across North America, including the double LEED Platinum Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, Canada; Cleveland Convention Center & Civic Core in Cleveland, Ohio; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas; and the Voxman Music Building at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The firms ongoing dedication to communities at all scales is underscored by its design approach, creating environments that elevate the social experience.

About LMN ArchitectsSince its founding in 1979, LMN Architects has dedicated its practice to the health and vitality of communities of all scales. Internationally recognized for the planning and design of environments that elevate the social experience, the firm works across a diversity of project typologies, including higher education facilities, science and technology, civic and cultural projects, conference and convention centers, urban mixed-use and transportation.

LMN has successfully completed over 700 projects across North America, including the Voxman Music Building at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa; Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas; Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, Canada; Sound Transit University of Washington Station in Seattle, Washington; and the new Seattle Asian Art Museum.

Based in Seattle, Washington, LMN Architects is led by partners John Chau, Sam Miller, Walt Niehoff, Wendy Pautz, Mark Reddington, George Shaw, Stephen Van Dyck, and Rafael Violy-Menendez. The firm employs 165 talented professionals practicing architecture, interior design, and urban design, and the quality of the work has been recognized with nearly 300 national and international design awards, including the prestigious 2016 National Architecture Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

For more information on the work of LMN Architects, please visit lmnarchitects.com

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LMN Architects Celebrates the Completion of the Grand Avenue Park Bridge in Washington - GlobeNewswire