La Jolla-based architect Trip Bennett (right) and structural engineer Peter Curry received an award from the Utah Heritage Foundation for their work on the Washington School House Hotel.

The La Jolla Historical Societys interim executive director, F. H. Trip Bennett, was recognized this month for helping preserve a piece Park City, Utahs past.

Bennett, a principal at La Jolla-based Bennett + Associates Architecture + Interior Design, along with structural engineer Peter Curry, received a 2012 Heritage Award from the Utah Heritage Foundation for their work on the Washington School House Hotel.

After being gutted to the studs the iconic structure was given a complete historic renovation and restoration, reopening in January as a luxury 12-suite hotel, in time for the Sundance Film Festival.

Built in 1889, the iconic structure is one of Park Citys three original schools. It was nearly destroyed in the citys great fire of 1898, though its sturdy limestone faade remained. Since then, it has been used as a VFW hall and a bed and breakfast, which Bennett said destroyed some of the historical and architectural integrity of the interior.

The award-winning project was featured last week on The Today Show as one of Travel + Leisure magazines Top 50 Best New Hotels in the World.

Local interior designers Paul and Shannon Allen also let their expertise to the project.

For more information, visit washingtonschoolhouse.com

Pat Sherman

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Architects honored

EDMONTON - Details became clearer Wednesday on what the new home for the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers would look like.

But the question of how much it would cost and who would pay remained as fuzzy as ever.

Architects unveiled for city councillors design sketches and a conceptual video walk-through of the proposed $450-million facility in the city's downtown.

The sketches, leaked to the media weeks earlier, show a futuristic building of wavy lines and curves in zinc, masonry and lots and lots of glass.

The building's shape is meant to resemble an oil drop to honour the name of the team and the province's core industry but practical design functions leave it looking more like a bulbous, backwards letter P.

The rink would be inside the circle of the P. A grand foyer would jut out in a straight line below.

Scott Ralston, an executive with U.S.-based 360 Architecture, said the rink would represent the fluidity of oil, the speed of hockey and the wavy lines of drifting snow.

"The image of the building is really a manifestation of trying to blend all of these inspirations," Ralston said after the presentation at city hall.

"We're trying to convey an iconic landmark building in downtown Edmonton ... that will be a catalyst for future (surrounding) development."

The goal, he said, would be to integrate the rink into the community so it didn't become a shuttered barn that only came alive on hockey nights.

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Architects unveil new sketches, details on proposed arena for NHL Oilers

Tracking commentary and opinion from around Central New York, the state and nation:

Thursday's Topic:

Kirk Narburgh, a partner at King + King Architects in Syracuse, writes about architects in the Readers' Page of today's Post-Standard. Here is his letter:

A recent study by Georgetown University's Center for Education and the Workforce shows that architecture majors have the highest levels of unemployment: 14 percent among bachelor's graduates ages 22 to 26.

Surprised? Don't be. Consider this: Prior to 2008, the construction industry was roughly 10 percent of overall gross domestic product, whereas now it is less than 6 percent. That is a staggering decline, mostly due to a bad economy. But demand for architectural services will rapidly increase in the future. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is projecting a 2.1 percent increase in construction spending this year already (following several years of declines), with a jump to a 6.4 percent increase in 2013. Looking further ahead, we predict that by 2035, 75 percent of the built environment will be new construction or undergo substantial renovations.

As the U.S. economy recovers, pent-up demand will create the need for design expertise in the construction of new buildings. Existing buildings will be adapted to serve new functions and, most importantly, to meet critical new environmental standards. It is well known that our public spaces and infrastructure, in large cities and small towns, need renovation and modernization. Global demand for innovative design remains strong. When the economy recovers, we need the right people doing the right work. If we don't, the ramifications will affect more than just the architecture profession - everyone will lose out on the missed opportunity to improve our communities and aging infrastructure.

So while headlines in The Washington Post like, ''Want a Job? Go to College and Don't Major in Architecture'' make for good copy and increase page views, they are also reactive and shortsighted. Consider what life would be like without architects. Who is directly involved at the ground level of rebuilding efforts following natural disasters? Who would you want designing a hospital where you or a loved one stays after surgery, or designing an educational building for our future leaders?

Architects are vital to the health and well-being of our neighborhoods, cities and communities. During the recession of the early 1990s, which severely affected the real estate industry, so many young architects left the profession because of bleak job prospects that they became known as the ''Lost Generation.'' This left a gaping void of young talent in the design and construction sector once conditions improved. If this happens again, it will hamper the global competitiveness not only of U.S. design and construction firms, but of other industries that look to architects to help them grow and flourish.

Given the challenges that many of our cities and regions currently face, we should be encouraging students to engage in architectural practice and related design disciplines. The worst thing that could come out of this survey's findings would be for a student interested in and passionate about architecture to abandon his or her career plans simply because the industry has been adversely and disproportionately affected by the overall recent economic woes.

Talented individuals have selected architecture as a career for generations, based on the desire to improve the built environment, not just for the money or for the short-term rewards. This is still the case and it is important to note how many dedicated young people still select the profession and work hard, patiently waiting for the appropriate position and compensation, and the opportunity to contribute to improving the architecture of our country and others around the globe.

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Opinion today: Architects matter because they improve communities from the ground up

These renderings depict what the Vine Street corridor between UTC and downtown Chattanooga could look like if a proposal from a local group of urban designers was developed. The project features mixed-use, high-density residential development where parking lots currently stand, and a new parking garage with a park on top

A group of architects on Tuesday proposed sweeping changes for the Vine Street corridor between Georgia Avenue and Douglas Street.

Students currently use the term "dead zone" to refer to the vast expanse of parking lot blacktop on the street's north side.

But urban designers unveiled a $60 million plan to convert the urban desert into what they hope will be an outdoor living room, populated chiefly by pedestrians instead of the occasional passing car.

The fifth in a series of Urban Design Challenges events sponsored by nonprofit developer River City Co., the presentation at Central Church of Christ focused primarily on connecting the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to Market Street.

"We're hoping to establish a connection that for a long time has frankly been disappointing," said Matt Greenwell, an art teacher at UTC.

Under the plan, the endless sea of motionless vehicles would disappear into a new, 900-parking space parking garage, complete with retail on the ground floor.

On top of the garage, architects envision a 4,000-seat soccer stadium and recreational field that would draw residents from throughout the area.

Mixed-use housing targeted at graduates, empty-nesters and students would lead back toward the university proper, connected by a new shuttle between Georgia Avenue and UTC's properties at Central Avenue.

The most daring part of the plan, however, centers on Fountain Square, a virtually unused monument to firefighters who lost their lives in the city's great fire of 1887.

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Architects propose reviving dead zone on Chattanooga's Vine Street

WASHINGTON, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Addressing the needs of architects seeking more energy efficiency and flexibility in HVAC solutions, LG Electronics is highlighting its award-winning variable refrigerant flow VRF product line, as well as new high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rated (SEER) models for residential and light commercial applications at this week's American Institute of Architects National Convention & Design Expo (booth # 4126).

Catering to LEED*-focused architects, these commercial climate control products from the worldwide HVAC solutions provider deliver aesthetic versatility and energy-saving technologies for a quicker return on investment, according to Kevin McNamara, vice president of Commercial Air Conditioning, LG Electronics USA.

"The architecture and design community is an important audience for LG Electronics, and the AIA Convention presents an ideal forum for demonstrating LG's ongoing partnership with, and product innovations developed for, this influential group," said McNamara. "Today's architects and design experts are setting the pace for more energy efficient, cost-effective and creative commercial and residential dwelling solutions. As evidenced by the products showcased at AIA this year, LG's new HVAC solutions are designed to both meet and exceed these needs."

Multi V IIIHarnessing the power of the next-generation of VRF technology has enabled Multi V III to achieve a breakthrough with energy efficiency standards in both Heat Pump and Heat Recovery models with an increase in condenser heat transfer surface area and a new compressor. The Multi V III Heat Pump allows occupants to choose either to air-condition or heat all zones in use, while the Heat Recovery model allows for synchronous cooling and heating in different zones at the same time. Units are available from 6-36 tons and 208-230V or 460V. Multi V III is LG's flagship commercial HVAC system as demand for energy-saving HVAC technology continues to grow.

Multi V III's key benefits for building owners include:

Compact Footprint: Multi V III supports more indoor zones and takes up less outdoor space than previous models. When space or access is at a premium, this equates to significant cost advantages for the owner on large projects.

Newest Addition to the Art Cool FamilyLG's new High SEER Art Cool wall-mounted models have increased Art Cool's already high SEER ratings vastly. The 12K BTU/h offers SEER up to 26 and the 9K model offers up to 28, a rating currently unmatched by competitors. The new product offers many unparalleled features for those needing a duct-free system:

In addition to the newest member of the Art Cool family, popular LG Art Cool Mirror wall mounted units have style to fit any decor are also on display. Similar to the standard wall mounted unit, the Art Cool Mirror hangs on an easily installed factory supplied wall bracket, making installation simple. Energy efficiency for the Art Cool Mirror units range from 18.9 SEER to 20 SEER. Also on display this week, LG's Art Cool Gallery model provides a three dimensional air flow system with the look and feel of a stylish photo frame.

Expanded Product LineAlso highlighted at the AIA Convention this week is LG's expanded product line, including the new Multi V Water II, a new high-efficiency inverter water source heat pump that enables capacity to vary based on load fluctuation. This eco-friendly heating and cooling system can also be used in geothermal applications.

LG's Multi V Mini is a two pipe heat pump system that is available in capacities of 3, 4 and 4.4 tons. This system is best suited for applications with up to 9 zones that require either heating or cooling with indoor units totalling up to 5.7 tons of capacity. Multi V Mini outdoor units are available in 208/230V single phase which suits small buildings and residences.

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LG Electronics Brings New, Innovative Energy-Efficient Commercial HVAC Solutions To LEED-Focused Architects

EPM Architects announced today that it will be the exclusive Platinum level sponsor at this years annual PMI Conference & Expo.

Houston, TX (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

The conference will take place at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston from June 4-6, 2012, and will host over 3,000 members across various industries.

The conference will feature breakout sessions on Professional Management Development, various workshops and speaking engagements, as well as a job fair.

EPM Architects will be hosting three breakout sessions:

1st Session Title: Cross-Project Dependencies and Program Schedule Integration with Microsoft Project Server Date / Time: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 / 8:00 AM to 9:15 AM

2nd Session Title: Skills-Based Resource Planning in Microsoft Project Server 2010 Date / Time: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 / 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM

3rd Session Title: Project Cost Tracking and the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) in Microsoft Project Date / Time: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 / 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM

4th Session Title: Microsoft Project Scheduling Tips and Best Practices Date / Time: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / 11:00 AM to 12:15 AM

5th Session Title: Managing Resource Supply and Demand with Microsoft Project Server 2010 Date / Time: Wednesday, June 6, 2012 / 2:30 PM to 3:45 PM

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EPM Architects to be the Platinum Sponsor at the PMI Conference & Expo 2012

BOSTON, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --GRAPHISOFT announced today the integration between e-SPECS and ArchiCAD. Both GRAPHISOFT and InterSpec, Inc. are committed to offering the best software solutions in their respective fields; linking the technologies will enhance the work of architects and facilitate construction management projects.

The e-SPECS Specification Management product suite serves to automate the preparation of construction specifications and selection of products and materials that are incorporated into construction projects. With e-SPECS for ArchiCAD, users have truly integrated and coordinated construction documents.

"This integration is something our users have looked forward to exploiting in their daily practice," said Steve Benford, GRAPHISOFT North America, Managing Director. "ArchiCAD users always keep a keen eye out for chances to create their designs in such a way that workflow is fully optimized and productivity is enhanced."

Architects, engineers and construction professionals use InterSpec's e-SPECS products on thousands of projects annually to maintain synchronization between construction models, drawings, and project specifications. ArchiCAD integration with e-SPECS provides overall cost management during the process of developing project construction documents.

"We welcome ArchiCAD to the family of BIM applications we support," said Michael Brennan, President of InterSpec. "We're happy to be able to deliver something ArchiCAD customers have been seeking a way to take advantage of our specification automation and coordination systems. Our e-SPECS Application Program Interface (API) provides automation, coordination, and access to the specifications and other project data."

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server, the world's first real-time BIM collaboration environment, and the GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner, the world's first, fully integrated building energy modeling application. GRAPHISOFT's innovative solutions have fundamentally changed the way architects around the world design and collaborate. GRAPHISOFT has been part of the Nemetschek Group, since its acquisition in 2007.

About InterSpec

InterSpec provides construction document management solutions and services built on its patented e-SPECS specification management technology. e-SPECS software automates the specification process by extracting the product and material requirements directly from the project's BIM models and drawings. e-SPECS integrates directly with Autodesk and GRAPHISOFT BIM applications and supports all specification master libraries of MasterSpec, US Dept of Veterans Affairs, Canadian Master Specifications (CMS), National Master Specifications (NMS), as well as the ability to integrate custom office masters. For architects and engineers who spend many hours on every project preparing construction specifications, e-SPECS software saves time and money while ensuring that the construction drawings are coordinated with the specifications. For more information visit http://www.e-SPECS.com or contact sales at +1-207-772-6135 or email to sales@e-SPECS.com.

Press Informationwww.graphisoft.com press@graphisoft.com http://twitter.com/ArchiCAD

Originally posted here:
GRAPHISOFT and InterSpec, Inc. Announce ArchiCAD e-SPECS Integration

SANTA CRUZ -- While 45 Rocky Road's well-lit interior and high ceilings are striking, some may argue the split-level floor plan snaking through the yard steals the show.

"Santa Cruz has an incredibly benign environment that can promote beautiful architecture," said the home's lead architect, Bret Hancock. "There are a lot of buildings that are hugely transparent and undulate around courtyards, promoting a lot of interior and exterior usage."

According to Hancock, this design can lead to decreased energy usage, an important element he addressed when planning the home. Wanting to keep the property as environmentally friendly as possible, he also incorporated a solar-assisted water heater, a rainwater reclamation system and a sustainable metal roof.

"I think that good design and sustainability are completely compatible," said Hancock, who has been designing since the late 1970s. "I don't subscribe to the notion that to make something environmentally friendly, you have to sacrifice aesthetics."

One of the eight buildings on the 17th annual Open Architecture Tour, 45 Rocky Road isn't the only home to exemplify an architect's ability to cohesively integrate green architecture into design. Showcasing some of the top locally designed buildings in the county, the May 19 event is sponsored by the Architects Association of Santa Cruz County and benefits Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing homes to lower-income families.

"Every year the opportunity to visit these inspirational homes helps us reconnect with the power of architecture and of the continuing importance of the concept of home," said David Foster, executive director of Habitat for Humanity. "Habitat is grateful for the generosity of the Architects Association of Santa Cruz County for providing needed funds to support our mission to see the end of substandard housing."

The Architects Association of Santa Cruz County started the Open Architecture tour as a way to showcase the work of local architects, shedding light on Santa Cruz's diverse designs.

"Our association wants people to understand that architects bring value to the design and construction process," said the association's vice president, Hugh Carter. "We think that people very deeply understand the difference between a place that's not comfortable to be in and a true space, one that is enjoyable and one that properly functions with some elements of grace."

While the tour doesn't necessarily focus on eco-friendly structures, this year's selection features a variety of sustainable designs including a low-impact barn and a hilltop villa specifically positioned for optimal natural lighting.

Environmentally friendly design may seem like the now trend, but green architecture has long been at the forefront of functional design. Natural sunlight, proper insulation and high-quality windows can all contribute to more efficient housing, potentially leading to smaller energy bills and more comfortable accommodations.

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Local architects get limelight: Open Architecture Tour promotes the work of Santa Cruz County home designers

Anthony Hudson, architect who designed the Open youth venue. Photo: Simon Finlay.

David Freezer Monday, May 14, 2012 6:30 AM

There has been further good news for Open after the architects who designed the 12m transformation of the grand former Barclays bank building won an award.

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Hudson Architects, based in Redwell Street, Norwich, has claimed the Project of the Year award at the 2012 RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) East of England Awards.

The transformation also won the Community Benefit award at the ceremeony at Chilford Hall, near Cambridge, on Thursday night.

Anthony Hudson, pictured above at Open, of Hudson Architects, said: We are elated to win the Project of the Year Award.

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Architects behind £12m transformation of Norwich’s Open youth venue claim prestigious award

BUILDERS and architects from across the north shore have been recognised for their efforts to maintain Willoughbys heritage character in renovations and new works.

Winners of the 2012 Heritage Awards were announced at a ceremony at The Concourse, Chatswood.

The competition is held biannually as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival.

HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think of the designs? Comment below.

Fourteen heritage-listed homes were entered in three categories this year, each having undergone renovation work within the past five years.

Builder Richard Blacklock and Architects Tropman and Tropman were winners in the Restoration category for returning 217B Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag to its earlier state.

Neeson Murcutt Architects and builders from Maincorp Constructions helped Jo-anne Nolan develop a new property at 325 Edinburgh Rd in line with the established heritage character of the region. They won the award for the Infill category.

There were two winners in the Alterations and Additions category, in which architect Andrew Duffin of NBRS & Partners and builders from Donnelly Constructions changed the detail, fabric and finish of the Willoughby Uniting Church.

Builders from Aranac and architect Weir Phillips also were rewarded for work on 7 The Barbette, Castlecrag.

Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly praised the entrants.

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Preserving north shore's vital heritage