The Irish Times - Wednesday, August 29, 2012

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor, in Venice

A SOARING timber lattice structure, designed by ODonnell and Tuomey Architects and made entirely from Irish Sitka spruce, is in contention for the premier Golden Lion award at the 13th international architecture exhibition, La Biennale in Venice.

The irregularly-shaped installation, which rises to a height of nine metres and weighs several tonnes, dominates one of the rooms of the Arsenale di Venezias 600m-long Corderie, where long ropes were once made for the Venetian fleet.

John Tuomey recalled Dantes description in his Inferno of ships being made at the Arsenale and paid tribute to Gem Joinery and the Irish timber industry for their support in realising the project, which cost 150,000 to construct.

Sheila ODonnell said they were planning to make it in oak, but it would have been too expensive, at 250,000, and Sitka spruce was the only commercial timber produced in Ireland.

It is intended to dismantle the structure after La Biennale closes on November 25th and reassemble it at a suitable venue in Ireland. Stack A in the Custom House Docks is one possibility.

The ODonnell and Tuomey exhibit is one element of the strongest representation yet of Irish architects at La Biennale, the most important international showcase for contemporary architecture worldwide, with 56 countries participating this year.

The Irish pavilion features an elaborate see-saw, described by creators Heneghan Peng Architects as an oscillating bench; it is one of the hits of La Biennale because its so interactive. Its called Shifting Ground a play on the Common Ground theme chosen by the 2012 Biennale director, Sir David Chipperfield and its level is set at Venices high-water mark.

At its official opening, the Irish Ambassador to Italy, Patrick Hennessy, said Irelands participation in La Biennale showcases the rich pool of architectural talent available in Ireland and will lead to further opportunities for Irish architects globally.

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Irish architects vie for Venice Golden Lion

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The American Institute of Architects Colorado, south chapter, recognized its 2012 architectural design winners Friday night at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center.

Five award winners were selected from 12 entries, and were presented by jury chairman David Tryba of Tryba Architects in Denver.

The Honor Award for Built Architecture, the highest award, was given to RTA Architects Inc. in Colorado Springs , for its Gottlieb building additions and renovations.

The merit awards in the same category went to HB&A LLC in Colorado Springs for its work with the Pueblo Fire Station #4 and to RTA Architects for its Bear Creek Elementary School addition and renovation work in Boulder.

The merit award for un-built architecture went to HB&A for its work with the North Colorado Springs Readiness Center. And the citation award for un-built architecture went to CSNA Architects for its Colorado Springs Pauling Properties project.

AIA Colorado South is one of four chapters within the AIA Colorado component. The chapter is comprised of members from 18 counties in south and southeastern Colorado and includes Colorado Springs, Alamosa, Pueblo and La Junta.

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Colorado Springs architects win awards from AIA chapter

THE Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe (IAZ) and the Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ), which are the representative and regulatory bodies for architects, respectively, wish to respond to the story entitled Row over public works contracts in the Zimbabwe Independent of August 3. The views of local architects quoted in the story are not representative of all architects since the IAZ and ACZ were not interviewed. The statements issued by these architects are merely the opinions of a few individuals. The IAZ, through the president or an appointed member agreed to by the Architects Board, issues all statements to the public.

The article is also misleading in that it created the impression that there is only one firm of architects that has the ability to design and supervise projects for public institutions.

There are 46 registered architect firms in Zimbabwe, all with the capacity to execute any given project. It is not correct that all the other 98% of architects firms dont perform and dont have the staff to supervise and monitor government projects.

The government has previously parcelled-out tenders to a number of registered architect firms for the design of the sporting facilities for the 1995 All Africa Games and prior to that Phase 2 of the Family Health Programme.

These projects were carried out very successfully. Distributing the projects was a way of building capacity in these firms, which is there still.

If the criteria for assessing a firms capacity to execute projects are merely limited to staff at their disposal, then those who lack the support of the public sector will always be sidelined as they cannot retain large staff when there is no work to be done.

Some students from NUST are failing to secure industrial attachment with local companies, as the firms do not have enough work to offer the students meaningful practical experience.

Therefore any concerns regarding the competence or conduct of an architect should be raised with the ACZ.

I Masiyanise,President of Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe.

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Comments on architects ‘misleading’

Two of Australia's most influential architects will share tips for integrating sustainable design, budget considerations and environmental sensitivity in Queenstown this month.

Architectural Designers New Zealand general manager Astrid Andersen said Lindsay and Kerry Clare's "Design to Inspire" New Zealand tour was "too good not to share".

Designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in improved design, including those who work within the design and construction sectors and those passionate about architecture and design, the four-stop tour would assist with ADNZ's key role - "to promote and encourage excellence in architectural design".

"This is a great way to achieve those aims, for our members, for other design and build professionals and for any person who cares about buildings and how they impact on their environment," Ms Andersen said.

Aside from the "enormous" possibilities and considerations in Canterbury, urban housing was set to grow "exponentially", she said.

Statistics indicated in Auckland alone 300,000 new houses would be constructed in the next four years.

"We all want better options for housing.Houses that are affordable to build as well as to run. That is genuine sustainability.

"This is a great way to get the conversation started on how we can achieve that, within a context that respects and represents the New Zealand urban style," she said.

The Design to Inspire tour is the first time the Clares have given a presentation in New Zealand since 2008.

The couple were awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal for Architecture in 2010 - the first time a husband and wife team had won the top Australian architecture prize and only the second time in the 50 years of the award a woman had been awarded the top honour.

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Architects share tips

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has been selected to design a major performing arts center in Salt Lake City, Utah, that local officials envision as the region's premier entertainment venue. Working with HKS Architects' Salt Lake City office, PCPA will lead the design of the Utah Performing Arts Center on the city's Main Street, where it will anchor a vibrant arts district.

The selection committee of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City chose the PCPA/HKS team from a competitive pool that included designers of some of the most prestigious theaters in the world. "We are honored to be selected to design the Utah Performing Arts Center," said Cesar Pelli, senior principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. "Salt Lake City's attractive downtown, vibrant cultural life, and wonderful views will all shape our design for what will be an important new venue for the entire city and state."

As in the firm's previous work, the design of the Utah Performing Arts Center will capture the spirit of its place. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects will weave the theater into downtown Salt Lake City, making connections to recent developments and serving as a catalyst for additional economic growth. The firm's acclaimed works include the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisc.; and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Halland Samueli Theater in Orange County, Calif.all world-class theaters that reflect their surroundings.

The 2,500-seat, state-of-the-art theater will be designed to attract the biggest and best first-run touring Broadway shows and concerts and will provide an additional venue for Utah performance groups such as Ballet West and Utah Opera.

About Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Founded in 1977 and led by Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, and Rafael Pelli, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the world's most recognizable buildings, including the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Osaka, Japan, and the North Terminal at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The firm has been honored with critical acclaim and hundreds of design awards, including the American Institute of Architects' Firm Award and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

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Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects selected to design Utah Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City

BOSTON, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston's most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today that the new corporate headquarters of Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR) has been certified LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). MPA provided interior architecture and corporate design services for Forrester's six-story, 190,000 square foot headquarters at Cambridge Discovery Park in Cambridge, Mass. LEED Platinum certification is the highest possible rating from the USGBC, and Forrester's project is one of the few commercial interiors projects in Cambridge to earn the distinction.

A global research and advisory firm, Forrester moved into its headquarters in August 2011. The building overlooks a newly restored "Urban Wild," a naturalistic designed landscape that can be used for recreational purposes. Forrester's office was designed to provide views of nature to everyone: all enclosed rooms are on the interior, and the perimeter windows are accessible to all employees and guests. Factors that contributed to the LEED rating include:

"Our 10-year relationship with MPA has produced our largest and most sustainable design project yet," said Jean Baranowski, vice president of corporate services at Forrester Research. "MPA has created a collaborative and flexible workspace that offers sustainability and a healthy working environment. We are proud of our new corporate headquarters and this well-deserved LEED Platinum distinction."

About Margulies Perruzzi Architects

Consistently ranked as one of Boston's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and corporate interior for clients who value design. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, search/lab, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. Clients include Manulife/John Hancock, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Reliant Medical Group, Sapient, Hobbs Brook Management and Forrester Research. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.

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Margulies Perruzzi Architects-Designed Forrester Research Headquarters Receives LEED® Platinum Certification

HEATH, TX--(Marketwire -08/21/12)- Fund Architects LLC, (http://www.fundarchitects.com) a provider of dynamic asset allocation portfolios designed for a broad range of investors, today announced that two of its strategies have been added to Transamerica Financial Group's (TFG) approved investment list.

TFG, a division of Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc., works with a team of some of the most well known product providers and third-party money managers in the industry, giving its representatives the ability to choose appropriate products and services for their clients' financial circumstances.

Fund Architects has also been approved as an overlay manager for TFG's variable annuity and variable life product offerings.

"We think highly of the team at TFG, and we're particularly pleased to be approved for their advisers," said Keith Reed, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Fund Architects. "Inclusion on such an important platform is another step toward our goal of making independent, quality money management easily accessible to the marketplace."

All Fund Architects portfolios are constructed from a broad universe of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual fund managers, using fundamental and quantitative analysis. Specific strategies approved for the Transamerica Wealth Management Strategies Platform include:

Fund Architects recently announced it had hired three prominent investment professionals to help direct the firm's asset allocation models. The new team -- co-Chief Investment Officer J.C. Waller, Henry Ma, Ph.D., CFA, and Jun Zhu, Ph.D., CFA -- is working with the firm's president, Burt Snover, who has been leading the Investment Committee since January.

"I think our team's ability to deliver sophisticated asset allocation strategies is second to none," says Mr. Snover, who serves as co-CIO with Mr. Waller. "We're eager to get to work with the financial advisers at TFG."

Fund Architects, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, employs its allocation models in the design and construction of funds for Separate Accounts, Retirement Management Services, and Private Money Management. The firm's strategies include global macro, strategic global diversification, dynamic allocations, high-quality active fund managers, and alternative or non-correlated strategies.

Launched in 2007, Fund Architects today has relationships with major custodians and clearing firms. Information on the firm's investment strategies is available on the Fund Architects website -- http://www.fundarchitects.com -- or by calling 866-539-4186.

About Fund Architects LLC Fund Architects is a discretionary, fee-based money management firm providing professional asset allocation models and management to financial advisory firms. Headquartered in Texas, the firm has arrangements with Broker/Dealers, Insurance Companies, Qualified Plan Providers, and Registered Investment Advisors around the country. Fund Architects' proprietary asset allocation models are constructed from a broad universe of managers using a fundamental and quantitative analysis to conduct fund selection. Offerings include Separate Accounts, Retirement Management Services, and Private Money Management. For more information, visit http://www.fundarchitects.com.

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Fund Architects Portfolios Approved for Transamerica Wealth Management Strategies(SM) Platform

By Anna Edwards

PUBLISHED: 10:55 EST, 18 August 2012 | UPDATED: 12:12 EST, 18 August 2012

It's the ultimate flatpack to challenge even the keenest DIY enthusiast - a kit of wooden pieces that can be clicked together without nails or concrete to create an entire two-bedroom house.

And if you ever felt like just packing up and moving away - you could do with this home.

Architects created this flat-pack 1,250-square-foot 'property' that can be simply slotted together.

London-based architecture specialist Facit Homes partnered up with a pair of Danish architects to make the impressive villa - which took just six weeks to build.

The ultimate DIY project: The flat pack house can be quickly assembled

Unique! The lightweight home can snap together like Lego blocks

The easy to assemble home is an environmentally friendly alternative to building a new house

The parts were produced in a rapid-prototyping machine, Fast Code Design website reported.

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A real DIY job! The flatpack house you can build yourself

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire -08/17/12)- Mortgage Architects would like to announce the recent appointment of Francois Begin as a Mortgage Architect Lead Planner in Quebec City. Francois cited Mortgage Architect's industry leading tools, products, solutions, and professionalism as key reasons for joining.

Francois joins Mortgage Architects from a major bank where he was a mortgage specialist for 4 years. Francois ranks amongst the top 100 specialists in Canada continually keeping abreast of mortgage industry trends and practices. Committed to giving back to his community, Francois was named National President at JCI Canada in 2012. He is also a member of Jeunes Philanthropes de Quebec.

Francois is proud to join the team at Mortgage Architects - his decision to join Mortgage Architects as a Lead Planner is directly linked to his philosophy of providing his clients with the best experience possible.

"By joining Mortgage Architects, I am better equipped to present solutions to my clients that meet their needs. I can offer more competitive rates and will have the best tools on the market to stay in touch and provide them with value-added services. This association will help me establish myself as an industry leader. I am excited to become part of a professional, dedicated and committed team."

Luisa Simonetti, RVP Quebec and Atlantic Canada, is proud to welcome Francois to the ranks of Mortgage Architects. Luisa is convinced that his professionalism, business savvy and the passion for the business will successfully integrate with the industry leaders at Mortgage Architects. Francois has the qualities of an elite advisor and knows how to pinpoint his clients' needs. His energy and attentive qualities make for a very positive mortgage experience. Mortgage Architects provides the tools and support that will undoubtedly create value for Francois, his team and his distinguished clientele.

We are honoured and thrilled to welcome Francois to our Mortgage Architects professional broker network. His passion and dedication will strengthen and grow business in our Quebec market place.

Mortgage Architects is a national mortgage brokerage with a network of brokers across Canada and offices in Toronto, Mississauga, Vancouver, Calgary, Laval and Halifax.

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Francois Begin Joins the Mortgage Architects Broker Network

(Chris Detrick | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker speaks outside of the site of the future Utah Performing Arts Center on Main Street Wednesday Aug. 15, 2012. Becker announced that HKS Architects, in conjunction with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, will design the Broadway-style theater touted as a regional attraction and key to new vibrancy downtown.The $110 million mega-theater will be designed to draw traveling Broadway musicals.

Contractor Layton Construction will build $110 million project.

It will be the jewel of Main Street but nobody knows what it will look like yet.

Mayor Ralph Becker announced Wednesday that HKS Architects, in conjunction with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, will design the Utah Performing Arts Center, touted as the new cultural centerpiece of Salt Lake City.

Layton Construction won the contractor bid on the $110 million project.

The planned 2,500-seat playhouse is intended to attract traveling Broadway musicals and other big shows and complement the citys new retail and finance center just up the street at City Creek Center. Proponents also believe it will attract audiences from beyond the Salt Lake Valley, boosting businesses and sales tax receipts.

"Were here to celebrate an incredible milestone for Salt Lake City and the broader region," Becker said at a press conference at 135 S. Main St. where the mega-theater will be built. "With this new performing arts center, we will expand beyond the horizon to bring live shows who will have a place to perform like we have not had in Salt Lake City."

The mega-theater will take a prominent place on Main Street, the mayor said.

Michael Vela, managing principal with HKS, said form will follow function on the complex facility. And he noted that input from user groups and the public is essential to the design.

"The Utah Performing Arts Center has to work on a day in- and day out-basis," Vela said. "Those are the things that will drive the design."

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HKS Architects tapped to design Salt Lake City downtown theater