Cebu Daily News

ARCHITECTS all over the city will get their chance to shine once more on the hardcourt as the sixth season of the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) tournament opens with the 3rd Corporate Cup today at the Cebu Eastern College gym.

The league has seen the number of teams double from its maiden season, wherein three squads participated. Now, there will be six teams playing in a double round-robin with the top four squads advancing to the semifinal stage.

There, the top two will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage over the third and fourth-seeded teams, respectively, with the winners advancing to the best-of-three finals.

The teams playing this season are the Rajah Humabon-Boysen Paint, Rajah Humabon/Dipolog/Cagayan-Matimco,Datu Lapu-Lapu-Durabend, CIT/UV/USC-Cebu Homes and Builders, CIT-Puyat Steel and the reigning champions, Cebu Sugbo-Unitec Pipes.

The league launched its brand new season last Friday afternoon in a press conference at the Harolds Hotel that was presided over by new club president Rhyan Pepito. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio

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Sixth season of UABC hoop fires off today

Local and state architects, parks workers and politicians convened Friday to celebrate the rededication of a local state park.

The Ravine Gardens State Park is one of three public spaces in the state that the American Society of Landscape Architects chose to highlight.

Kevin Mangan, a member of the society, said their organization asked that every state pick one public space to feature.

But Florida is so big, Mangan said, that the Florida division of the society decided to highlight public spaces in north, central and south Florida.

Mangan presented a rededication plaque to Nathan Sommons and Alfred Bea, the Ravines park manager and assistant park manager, respectively.

Bea said that with the park's nearly two-mile road and other structures being built around a natural setting, the park staff constantly notices new things.

"This park is built on a living ravine, which means it's constantly moving," Bea said. "We enjoy seeing the work that was done, and we are discovering new things every day."

During the rededication ceremony, there were numerous speakers, including state Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights.

Van Zant, who received his bachelor's degree in architecture, praised the Ravines, the architects present and the architectural field itself.

"I have a deep reverence for every aspect of our profession," said Van Zant, who said he still considers himself an architect.

Continued here:
Man and Nature: Landscape architects honor 1930s efforts

Centerbrook Architects has landed its first assignment in China: designing the interior spaces for a sprawling, one-million-square-foot prep school in Beijing.

But the Essex-based firm won't step foot in the country to do it.

"As much as we would love to visit China, to walk the site and to meet with the stakeholders in person, as we normally do," said Centerbrook partner Mark Simon, "our assignment in this case is to communicate and design via long distance on a fast track pace."

That means using Go-To-Meeting, Skype and Newforma to share complex design files. And surprisingly, the time difference isn't a problem.

"We can send materials out in the evening, and the response from team members in China is waiting for us when we turn on our computers the next morning," Simon said.

Keystone Academy, about the size of The Shoppes at Buckland Hills mall in Manchester, is modeled after the New England prep schools. The bilingual school is intended to prepare students in China for education in American and other English-speaking universities, while allowing them to remain at home.

Centerbrook began working on designs for 750,000-square-feet of interior space after construction on the building had already begun. Plans call for 103 classrooms, student and faculty housing for 1,000, three libraries, a student center, athletic facilities and administrative offices.

Construction is on the fast-track: classes in grades 1-9 will begin in 2014, followed by grades 10-12 by 2017. The school's development is being led by Edward Shanahan, the former Headmaster at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford.

Shanahan's knowledge of prep school curriculum and culture was key to his selection as the school's president. He also was instrumental in marshaling expertise from the United States, including the choice of Centerbrook.

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Architects Skype Their Way In Designing Chinese Prep School

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/zr5mp4/architects_in_the) has announced the addition of the "Architects in the US" report to their offering.

Best laid plans: Growth in new building construction will pave the way for a recovery

Executive Summary

The Architects industry derives the bulk of its revenue from non-residential building design. Only a small share of revenue is derived from contracts in the housing construction market; however, many small, regionally based contractors rely on the residential real estate market. Revenue is generated from fee-based contracts from preplanning and design services for construction and building projects. In the five years to 2012, IBISWorld estimates that industry revenue will decrease 2.6% annually to $42.4 billion. Industry growth slowed during the recession due to a deteriorating construction market and a decline in the number of building projects being planned. Further, business bankruptcies and pre-recession overbuilding have caused an oversupply of commercial and industrial real estate. The residential real estate market has also contracted dramatically, with the number of housing starts plummeting during the last five years.

Revenue is expected to increase 4.0% in 2012 due to marginal improvements in downstream construction markets. Profit margins are expected to increase to 7.5% in 2012, which is up from 6.6% in 2011. However, profit remains below prerecession levels. To maintain margins, many large firms have taken cost-cutting measures, such as laying off workers and cutting wages.

About half of industry establishments are sole proprietors or partnerships that do not have any employees; however, these nonemployers generate just 6.4% of total revenue. Small players were particularly hurt by the downturn because of their reliance on the residential real estate market. Further, they have fewer variable costs to cut than their big-name counterparts. Many of these small operators left the industry during the recession, causing the number of firms to fall 0.9% annually to 99,731 in the five years to 2012. Over the next five years, the industry will benefit from improvement in downstream industries. The volume of residential and nonresidential construction projects will increase as access to credit becomes more readily available for clients. While revenue is projected to grow 4.1% annually to $51.8 billion in the five years to 2017, it will not surpass the industry's 2008 peak until 2015. Profit margins are also expected to rise during the next five years, as more projects are put into firms' pipelines.

Key Topics Covered:

About This Industry

Industry At A Glance

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Research and Markets: Architects in the US - Revenue projected to grow 4.1% annually to 2017

The Utah American Institute of Architects awards are a group of prestigious prizes presented each year to architects designing outstanding buildings across the state. This year for the first time, the local section of the organization will celebrate its fifth anniversary and hold an award banquet on Sept. 20.

Bruce Fallon is the current president of the AIA Central Utah section which includes Utah, Wasatch, Duchesne, Uintah, Carbon, Juab and Sanpete counties. It is one of three state sections; the other two cover the northern and southern areas of Utah.

"We wanted to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the Central Utah section," Fallon said. "We invited our 30 members working locally to submit their designs and had 17 respondents. Since the state competition had 27 entries from the entire state it was a very good response."

Architects from the Utah County area have not typically submitted designs to the Utah competition and Fallon hopes with a local competition in place, that more will send in entries to the state.

"We have very talented architects here and we hope that our competition will allow them to take their project to the state level, and even on to regional and national competitions," Fallon said. "There is a lot of preparation in submitting and it is a learning process for those doing it for the first time."

"Many architects do more work outside of our area and unfortunately many local projects are not done by local architects. People may notice their favorite building is not one of the winners and wonder why it didn't win but it was likely because it was designed by a firm out of this area," he said. "The three new buildings built here in Provo for example were not designed here in Utah Valley. The Nu Skin building was designed in Seattle, the Utah Valley Convention Center was designed by Populous in St. Louis and the Provo Recreation Center was by a Salt Lake City firm."

Scott Jensen, former president of the central Utah section, agreed with Fallon that getting the word out about local architects and what they can do is a challenge. Jensen is the chairman of the first design competition for Central Utah architects.

"One of the things we run into in the area is recognizing what a good design is," Jensen said. "Hopefully we can raise the quality of our designs and educate clients about what we have to offer. Some of the projects submitted to the design competition were very innovative in how they used light and color and technology which are very important elements."

Judges for the competition were Ken Naylor, a retired architect from Naylor, Wentworth and Lund and former National Council of Architectural Registration Boards president; R.K. Stewart, former national president of AIA whose experience included 20 years as an architect with Gensler in San Francisco; and Jim Lewis, an architect with FFKR in Salt Lake City. All three judges have had experience with design projects in Utah County and provided a local, regional and national perspective in the judging.

Jensen had the opportunity to sit with the three judges as they discussed the submissions. Designs do not compete against each other, but are judged individually according to specific parameters. There are two levels of awards; the honor award and the merit award.

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Utah County architects compete for design awards

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Information Architects Corporation (IACH) announced today that the corporation continues to strengthen its long term revenue position via its wholly owned subsidiary Miami Prevention & Kidney Center. In addition to the progress on the development of the first treatment facility, IACH has located two more locations that suit the necessary operating requirements. Potential revenues are expected to increase to an estimated $2,250,000 per quarter, with all three locations developed and operational within the next 18 to 24 months. The long term goal, which would be over the next 24 to 36 months, is to fund and develop 15 centers. IACH is continuing to focus on strong, long term foundation development specifically designed to build the core value of the company. IACH is aggressively developing similar relationships in the Insurance Industry that will focus on real assets and real value. IACH is now positioned, after a complete internal restructuring, to morph into an attractive new business and general expansion partner in a wide variety of Medical and Health related Industries.

CORPORATE PROFILE

Information Architects Corp. (IACH) is a worldwide Marketing and Distribution company.

"Forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Information Architects Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions (including in the information technology and financial information industry), actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies, and the purchasing activity or lack thereof by registered web mall members.

*For more information contact Benchmark @ 858-568-7059

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Information Architects Corporation successfully expanding into the Medical and Health Industry

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire -09/04/12)- Private and investment bankers, developers, architects, designers, contractors, golf developers, hotel senior executives, attorneys, resort planners, accounting firms, tourism boards, and casino executives are making plans to gather in Las Vegas (Henderson), NV for the Asia Resort Development Conference from October 22-24 to learn the latest and most vital issues confronting the industry today. This is the only conference in the United States that focuses exclusively on educating professionals on the needs and requirements of investing, building and constructing a first class resort in Asia.

"We have a terrific line up of speakers ready to share their insight and case studies on successfully building and doing business in Asia," said Brian Sullivan, President of Great American Exhibitions, producers of the conference. "We are thrilled to announce the addition of a focused session on Vietnam where a panel of experts will share their insights and drill down on the details of developing in this region."

"Getting a group with so much Vietnam HRT and property experience together in North America may be unprecedented. This is a good chance to hear a new kind of 'war story' from Vietnam, this time about the opportunities and challenges in its dynamic resort sector," said Fred Burke, Partner, Baker McKenzie.

Vietnam is one of the top growth areas in Asia for resort development. The session to be held on Tuesday, October 23 at 4:15 pm pulls together the top experts that understand the challenges and success of developing luxury resorts in Vietnam and all of Asia. Open conversation will be presented from these gentleman that bring world class resorts to this area of the world. They offer frank commentary about planning and construction including the new 5 star MGM Grand Ho Tram resort scheduled to open in 2013. Speakers include Lloyd Nathan, CEO, Asian Coast Development; Peter Ryder, CEO, Indochina Capital Corporation; Marc Townsend, Managing Director, CB Richard Ellis - Vietnam and Fred Burke, Partner, Baker McKenzie.

"We are also happy to announce the additions of John Strawn, President and CEO, Hills and Forest International Golf Course Architects; Bo J. Bernhard, Ph.D., Executive Director, International Gaming Institute; Chris Moore, Principal/CEO of DTJ Design and Paul Mattimoe, President of Perspective Magazine to the 2012 Asia Resort Development Conference speaker faculty," added Sullivan. For the most up to date list of speakers visit: http://asiaresortdevelopment.com/speakers/

About the Asia Resort Development ConferenceThe Asia Resort Development Conference will be held Monday, October 22 through Wednesday, October 24 at the Green Valley Ranch Hotel Resort in Henderson, NV. The conference is produced and managed by Great American Exhibition, producers of several events including the very successful Mexico Resort Development Conference. To register for the conference and learn more information about sponsorship or speaking opportunities visit, http://www.asiaresortdevelopment.com.

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Exciting New Session Added to the Asia Resort Development Conference to Focus on Vietnam

Cameron Aslaksen Architects LLC announces its move to the renovated warehouse building at the corner of Railroad Street and South Webb Avenue.

Records indicate the building was in existence in 1898 as a storage facility for produce and seed. The timber frame and foundation still were solid, paving the way for saving the structure that is a rare survivor from Reedsburgs historic warehouse row district.

Restoration efforts were led by the new building owner, Warehouse Row LLC, founded by CAA architects Jan Aslaksen, Richard Smith and Dave Cameron. The building has been reborn as Warehouse Row and offers retail and office rental space on the first floor, while the architects occupy the second floor. Showcasing the timber framework was a design imperative.

We felt it was important to put into practice what we strongly believe in, Dave Cameron said, that we can learn from and restore historic structures to become vital parts of our communities again, all the while keeping the character and sentiment that takes so long to create and is too easily lost. It requires a little extra effort, but the end result is very rewarding, and with proper planning can be much more cost effective than a new structure.

Historic buildings are part of the fabric of our communities, giving them a unique character, said Jan Aslaksen. Renovating these buildings to give them new life helps preserve that fabric. It can also support sustainability by recycling the building materials in place even as we improve their efficiency and function. We hope this project demonstrates the potential for vitality in our existing building stock.

Mechanicals for the original freight elevator were left as a sculptural element on the second floor. Along the exterior front, a small garden or natural area will be created to complement the barn/warehouse-style inspired exterior.

An open house is planned for October.

Originally posted here:
Architects finish up renovation of building at Railroad and Webb

Christine Wood photo

This current Gibsons Elementary School building will likely be demolished when a new school is built on the site in 2014.

Christine Wood/Staff Writer

A team from School District No. 46 (SD46) is currently short-listing architects who want to design the new Gibsons Elementary School.

The evaluation team consists of secretary treasurer Nic Weswick, superintendent of schools Patrick Bocking, Gibsons Elementary School principal Deborah Luporini, manager of facilities Rob Collison and project consultant Jim Alkins as well as an outside architect to help evaluate plans and monitor fairness.

He monitors the entire process to make sure that its done by the book, said board chair Silas White. I guess when youre dealing with this much money in a public structure like this, you dont want that to be a question where someones awarded a contract for reasons that might not be completely above the board.

The contract is worth millions to the right proponent. In April the province announced SD46 would receive $ 14.3 million to build the new school.

Originally Gibsons Elementary School was going to undergo a seismic upgrade, but a feasibility study done in 2007 showed constructing a smaller, more energy-efficient school to be more cost-effective.

Once the evaluation team picks their three favourite architects, a more detailed request for proposals will go out to them, including the teams criteria for the build.

The RFP will put some restrictions on what we want. Like if we want parking in a certain place if they want certain fields to be preserved thats the kind of thing that will go into the RFP, and I think that will be happening in October, White said.

Originally posted here:
Evaluation team shortlists architects

When solar panel manufacturer Solyndra Inc. filed for bankruptcy last year, thousands of employees were let go, dozens of vendors were left high and dry, hundreds of millions of dollars were lost and millions of glass tubes were abandoned in a San Jose warehouse.

Now some of those tubes, a signature design element of the company's cylindrical-shaped solar panels, have found a second life as modern art. Yet like so much about Solyndra, they've become another flash point in the controversy surrounding the Fremont, Calif., company.

Oakland architects Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello used 1,368 of the glass tubes to create "SOL Grotto," an architectural sculpture on display in the lush grounds of the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. The piece is part of a larger exhibit called Natural Discourse, which features work from a multidisciplinary group of artists, writers, architects and researchers.

But "SOL Grotto" has generated the most publicity as the source of a fresh wave of criticism by conservative commentators and House Republicans, who have long held up Solyndra, which had been awarded a $535-million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, as a prime example of wasteful spending by the Obama administration. Some of those critics are now blasting SOL Grotto as the world's most expensive piece of taxpayer-funded artwork, even though a U.S. Bankruptcy Court determined that the glass tubes no longer had value.

"UC-Berkeley's Solyndra Artwork Would Shatter Record for World's Most Expensive Piece," read a recent news release from the Republican-dominated House Energy and Commerce Committee, which conducted an exhaustive investigation into Solyndra's loan guarantee. One Fox News commentator joked that "we could take a sledgehammer to it and call it performance art."

"SOL Grotto" was conceived not as a political flash point but as a take on the Walden Pond cabin of 18th century philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau. The glass tubes, each of them 3 feet, 9 inches long, penetrate an entire wall of a small shed that has been built in the Botanical Garden on the banks of Strawberry Creek, allowing fresh air and natural light to fill the room. The sound of the creek's small waterfall is amplified by the glass.

"The best time to see it is in the early morning," said Rael, as he stood in the doorway to SOL Grotto. "It really changes throughout the day. When the morning fog breaks and the sun comes out, the glass glows brilliantly."

Rael got the glass tubes from JIT Transportation, a San Jose company that had a contract with Solyndra to transport and store the tubes, which were manufactured overseas. When Solyndra filed for bankruptcy, the company was stuck with about 8 million tubes stacked up on 4,800 pallets, as well as a hefty, unpaid invoice.

"Solyndra owes us about $300,000 for the cost of storing the materials, and they never paid us a penny," said Gene Ashley, president of JIT. "When I finally contacted the bankruptcy attorney, they had no clue that we even had Solyndra product."

Ashley is a registered Republican, and the whole experience made him bitter.

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Solyndra's glass tubes find new life as modern art