Im often asked to recommend a horticultural professional or company for tree care, landscape maintenance or landscaping. Its not really appropriate for me to endorse particular businesses or individuals, but I am more than happy to provide some advice on what to look for when choosing businesses that provide these services.

First, you need to know that the green industry in Louisiana is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, specifically by the Louisiana Horticulture Commission. The following statement is from their website: The Louisiana Horticulture Law states that no person shall receive fees, advertise, or solicit business in a regulated profession or occupation unless they hold the appropriate license or permit, or have a regular employee who holds the appropriate license or permit, or is employed by a person who holds the appropriate license or permit.

This law authorizes the commission to govern the qualifications and practices of people engaged in the green industry. The commission is empowered to prevent fraudulent practices, to encourage participation in continuing education and to ensure that only high-quality products and services are provided to the public by green industry professionals.

Hire professionals who have the equipment and training to do the job safely if your trees need trimming after a storm. By law in Louisiana, the individual or company you hire to do tree work must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

The following professions require licenses: landscape architect, landscape horticulturist, landscape irrigation contractor and arborist. Also, utility arborist, retail florist and wholesale florist are licensed through the commission, and the commission permits the occupations of nursery stock dealer and cut flower dealer.

In order to obtain a license, individuals must pass a test specific to their field of work. Passing the test indicates that they have a basic level of knowledge and helps ensure quality work. When hiring a green industry professional, always ask to see a copy of their state license to make sure the person you are hiring is practicing legally.

Also, feel free to interview more than one licensed professional, as there are differences in prices, levels of experience and ability to understand and carry out what you need done. Ask for references. Ask to see examples of their past work. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Its always best to have signed contracts that clearly spell out the work to be done and fees. If you can, it is a good idea to be on-site when work, such as tree pruning, is being done.

If you are not satisfied with the work done by a licensed professional, you may file a complaint with the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry. This affords you protection from inferior work, shoddy materials or unscrupulous practices.

What a year 2020 was. During time working from home, home schooling and dealing with COVID-19, many people turned to gardening as a way to kee

Many of the licenses require licensees to obtain continuing education hours annually to renew their licenses. This ensures that they are keeping up to date with current research and recommendations.

An arborist license authorizes the holder to make recommendations or execute tree surgery-type work including tree evaluation, removal, pruning, trimming, cabling, fertilization and cavity work. Licensees must enter into a written contract with property owners specifying work to be done and the sum to be paid. Continuing education hours required.

Working on trees is one of the most dangerous professions in the green industry, and arborists are required to carry liability insurance $25,000 per person for bodily injury and $50,000 per person for property damage. Before you hire an arborist, ask to see a current copy of the arborist's certificate of insurance.

The landscape architect license authorizes the holder to prepare landscape plans, grading plans, studies, designs, construction details and more for a fee. This license requires the most extensive educational background and testing.

After moving from LSU in Baton Rouge to New Orleans when I began my career as a horticulture educator, I soon realized that the locals used ma

While there are avenues to get a landscape architect license without it, the vast majority of licensees have a degree in landscape architecture from an accredited university (such as LSU ). Licensees are required to pass the national Landscape Architect Registration Examination and the Louisiana Landscape Architect Examination. Continuing education hours are required.

The landscape horticulturist license allows licensees to install and maintain interior or exterior landscapes. To that end, they may sell or lease nursery stock (plants), prepare beds, install plants, lay sod, prune, fertilize and other landscape maintenance and operate a nursery.

While they may prepare drawings that indicate plant selection and placement, landscape horticulturists are not landscape architects and cannot draw designs for a fee. They must have the licensee's name, the words landscape horticulturist and license number on all drawings. While landscape architects have intensive education in landscape design, licensed landscape horticulturists have no design education requirements.

Note the Department of Agriculture and Forestry does not regulate simple yard work, such as cutting lawns, edging and hand weeding beds. People carrying out only this type of work are not required to be licensed.

My three lemon trees have borne a ton of fruit but really look raggedy. They are in desperate need of pruning, but I dont know how. Any info

If you are having an irrigation system installed or worked on, the person must have an irrigation contractor license. This authorizes the holder to construct, install, connect, repair, maintain, improve or alter any portion of a landscape irrigation system, including the required wiring for that system.

This license requires the licensee to obtain a water supply protection specialist endorsement from the State Plumbing Board before connecting to a public or private water supply system or installing a backflow prevention device. Licensees must enter into a written contract with the property owner specifying the landscape irrigation services to be performed and the sum to be paid for the services. Continuing education required.

None of these licenses permit the use of pesticides. If insecticides, fungicides or herbicides will be applied, a separate commercial pesticide applicators license is required. Ask to see it.

See more here:
For landscape projects, know which type of professional you need to hire and how to find one - NOLA.com

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter designs the Breitenbach Landscape Hotel in Breitenbach, France, with Scandinavian traditions and builds on the regions culinary, wellness, and nature opportunities.Photo Florent Michel

The Breitenbach Landscape Hotel proposes a holistic ecotourism experience in Alsace, a historical region in northeastern France. The project is inspired by Scandinavian traditions and builds on the regions culinary, wellness, and nature opportunities.

The hotel was designed by Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, an architectural firm based in Norway and Denmark, in collaboration with ASP Architecture.

Perched on the heights of the Alsatian village of Breitenbach, the landscape hotel 48 Nord reinterprets the traditional Scandinavianhytte, a place of retreat and reconnection with wild nature. At the heart of a protected Natura 2000 site, the project was designed to fit into a preserved setting without ever disturbing it.

The project is born from the meeting of two cultures (France and Scandinavia), two passions (nature and architecture),two men (Emil Leroy and Reiulf Ramstad), and the enthusiastic and supportive local community of Breitenbach.

A Franco-Danish client, a Norwegian architect, and a common attraction for design and natural materials: it was from this meeting that the 48 Nord project was born. The Breitenbach Landscape Hotel encapsulates daring architecture and design, a spirit of well-being, and a sharp culinary culture. By uniting local identity with the landscape through forms still unseen in the region, the architect gave 48 Nord a unique architectural expression.

The project goal was not to build a hotel per se, but create a place to live, a habitat to welcome people, and take them on a sensual journey by experiencing a new universe in natural surroundings. It is a place where guests come to meet people and have a moment, whether to share a meal, a weekend of rest, or to hike the Vosges hills and valleys. The architectural approach of 48 Nord echoes this philosophy. The projects clean design and signature lines evoke the Nordic countries. However, the vision is also to disseminate an art of living in harmony with the landscape. Despite its simplicity, the Breitenbach hotel 48 Nord does not go unnoticed, but surrounded by nature, sobriety guarantees integration within its landscape.

Amidst the trees, natural hedges and wild grasses, and heirs to the Norwegian hytte, 14 cabins dot the hillside like boulders on a slope, balancing privacy and outlook. Small, light, discreet, they are simply placed on the hillside. Built on stilts, they are even removable, so the landscape stays preserved and natural, untouched. The untreated and locally sourced chestnut tree (cut on the hill opposite the hotel) clads all volumes, combined only with large glass openings.

Four distinct typologies compose a family of forms with diverse qualities. The Grass hytte, on one level universally accessible, are grouped near the main building. The Tree and Ivy, towering thin and slender, combine verticality and offer panoramic views. Lastly, the Fjell, atop the hill, welcomes families with protected outdoor spaces.

When entering the site, you meet the main building dedicated to hospitality, catering, and wellness. Its volume is wrapped in Alsatian chestnut shingles fashioned in an integration workshop in Saverne. Responding to the Passivhaus construction label, this intimate setting padded with dark stained wood and finely detailed opens widely onto the landscape and offers a unique place of meeting, exchange, and contemplation.

Read more:
French hotel combines nature and architecture - Construction Specifier - The Construction Specifier

Nottinghamshire and London-based landscape architect Influence is starting the year on a high following a record year in 2020 which saw a 50% increase in projects compared to 2019.

The practice recently hit the headlines with its bold and ambitious green vision for Nottinghams now redundant Broadmarsh, on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

The plans showed a transformed and reimagined Nottingham city centre, with a proposed 100% greenspace in place of the shopping centre. Put forward to Nottingham City Council, the plans have attracted hundreds of comments from members of the public backing the scheme.

Despite the challenging conditions of 2020, the chartered landscape architect which delivers landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness services has had a record 12 months in business during that time and plans for further team expansion this year.

Last year, the company worked on major developments across the country. In the midlands, projects included; Special Educational Needs schools in Lincolnshire, the countys major flood defence scheme the universitys medical school. In Northamptonshire, the team worked on the recently designated High-Street Heritage Action Zones.

The team are also delivering residential developments in Manchester and are the go-to practice for specialist tall building assessments in London protecting the capitals famous skyline.

Sara Boland, managing director of Influence, said: While 2020 was a year of uncertainty, it was also a year that I saw the very best from our team who worked together to achieve our record year in business.

Due to a number of challenges last year the pandemic, social distancing measures and mental wellbeing green space has been catapulted to the forefront of peoples minds, and we have seized the opportunity to respond. Green, open space plays an incredibly important role in our wellbeing and more of a balance needs to be found within commercial schemes to accommodate this.

2020 was a real journey of highs and lows but we are so pleased to be able to share such positive business news going forward into 2021. There is still plenty of opportunity and movement in the property and construction sector and we are seeing this across all areas of our business.

Shona Hatton, director of the practice, added: It goes without saying that we are proud of our teams achievements in delivering brilliant work over the past 12 months, and to work on such an incredibly important and high-profile project with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, is really the icing on the cake.

We have worked hard to provide the best possible training for our team and further build our portfolio and this strategy is reflected in our results this year. We have lots of exciting plans for 2021, and wish to thank our clients who choose to work with us.

Influence supported a number of charitable causes throughout 2020 including mental health charity Mind and will be choosing its charity of year in early 2021.

Originally posted here:
Midlands landscape architect begins the year on a (green) high - Premier Construction Magazine

Architectural practice is a difficult task at all times. Architects should understand their clients needs and desires and work with urban or regional designers, surveyors, engineers, landscape architects, and even interns or technicians who might be able to design some of the structures detailed components.

Gloria Kotlers name has been associated with some of the most excellent and luxurious properties in the US and the rest of the world because of her unique design elements and precision with construction. She likes to design spaces that inspire and excite all the senses, but with strict discipline and structure, remain true to traditional and formal architecture.

She is a well-known architect and designer in Florida who has registered her name as an award-winning architect and interior designer at AIA, NCARB, CODIA. With a Bachelors degree in Architecture Design and a Masters degree in Interior Architecture, Kloter is a leader in the architecture and design industry and currently operates as an architectural licensing consultant for AIA, Florida.

The work of Kloter is recognized by top magazines worldwide, she has been seen in several magazines and blogs, which ranked her as the most suitable and reliable architect for any given project. Thanks to more than 15 years of national and international architectural and design experience, Kloter can design any large or small project at a given time.

As one of Florida and the Dominican Republics best architects and interior designers, Kloter often finds a way to give back to society and has been instrumental in helping foreign architects get the license to practice in the United States.

She says, I became the Florida State Architect Licensing Advisor through AIA Florida, and that gave me a lot of attention from other immigrants who were trying to get their Architect License in the USA. I did a lot of one-on-one, but at some point, I felt overwhelmed. I woke up one day and had over 100 WhatsApp messages with people asking me questions about the process.

Kloter has also recently launched her design business in the United States. From turning private challenges to going beyond borders to building a great design and architecture brand, she is a growing market leader worth watching.

If you want to know more about her business, visit their website https://www.glowarchitects.com

If you want to know more about her personal life, follow her on Instagram: https:///www.Instagram.com/gloriakloter

Published January 19th, 2021

Opinions expressed here are the opinions of the author. Influencive does not endorse or review brands mentioned; does not and can not investigate relationships with brands, products, and people mentioned and is up to the author to disclose. VIP Contributors and Contributors, amongst other accounts and articles, are professional fee-based.

Original post:
Gloria Kloter: Bringing the Industry of Architecture and Design to Even Greater Heights - Influencive

New York, NY The New York Real Estate Journal (NYREJ) sat down with Thomas Perrino, this months executive of the month, for a question and answer session. Perrino is the president and CEO of the Spiezle Architecture Group, leading the companys nationwide expansion. The firm has opened two new offices since 2019, has hired 29 new employees and has been named one of the Fastest 50 Growing Companies in 2020 by NJBIZ. Spiezle is listed in the Top 100 Green Design Firms by Engineering News-Record and in the Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms by Architectural Record.

NYREJ: Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up in the architecture space?

Perrino: I tell people I was born into architecture. My father is an architect and I grew up under his mentorship, studying architecture, reading plans, visualizing spaces, etc. Starting in middle school, I spent most of my summers working for his firm, CJP Architects, in various roles and continued this through college. The best advice he gave me was to get out and experience architecture by working for different types of architectural firms to build a diverse background and have a better understanding of the profession. Fortunately, I had some great opportunities to join and learn at growing firms where I helped contribute to their expansion and success. Ive been fortunate to have built good relationships with clients and many have followed me to Spiezle. In some cases, these are over 25-year-old connections that are still going strong today.

NYREJ: How would you describe Spiezle to a new client?

Perrino: Spiezle is a diverse, award-winning, employee-owned, 66-year-old architecture and planning firm with 95 employees and several offices across the U.S. We provide clients with a one-stop-shop, offering design, planning, construction administration services, interior design, landscape architecture, furniture procurement, urban planning and electrical engineering. Our primary focus is on academic, healthcare, corporate/commercial, government, hospitality, multifamily, recreational and religious market sectors.

NYREJ: What is the unique difference between Spiezle and other architectural firms?

Perrino: We provide clients with a robust team of professionals across multiple disciplines and we look at every project from a unique perspective. For example, a client may need us for an urban planning exercise, but we also consider the overall architecture and landscape architecture perspective the project warrants. Additionally, we have a great in-house Marketing and Graphics Department and we often help our clients collaborate on efforts to promote a project. Lastly, Id say that we have thought leaders in every market sector and practice groups who stay informed about trends within the industries we serve which helps drive innovative design and education to our clients.

NYREJ: What are some unique projects Spiezle is particularly excited about?

Perrino: While each market sector has experienced growth this past year, we have seen some of the largest amount in the healthcare space. As an example, we recently designed a pop-up hospital in response to the pandemic and we are working towards several major healthcare projects in 2021, especially in the Northeast. We are particularly proud of being able to support our healthcare workers during this crisis. Additionally, education and senior living continue to remain strong markets and we are excited that this year, we expanded our footprint in Florida where we are seeing a lot of new development and investment.

NYREJ: What is your vision for Spiezle?

Perrino: Spiezle has always taken a Smart Growth approach to expansion into new markets. We continue this approach while we plan our next phase of growth and delivery of exceptional service to our clients. Over the last few years, we have completed three acquisitions and hired numerous employees. As an employee-owned company, we feel that growth, both organically and by acquisition, is critical to our future. Recruiting the right talent from all parts of the country, especially since we have proven that working remotely can be successful, sets us apart from others in the industry.

NYREJ: What do you think are the biggest opportunities for Spiezle in the New York/New Jersey market?

Perrino: The pandemic has left us all with varied perspectives and we have seen a tremendous amount of redesign in the healthcare sector, especially in the Northeast region. We are helping our clients expand outdoor spaces, including nurturing places for healing and areas where families can spend time with loved ones and maintain social distancing. We have also focused on designing systems that mitigate the spread of infection such as touch-free entryways and new, properly engineered ventilation to keep everyone safe. Corporate workspaces are also adapting to provide employees with more dynamic, flexible environments that account for safety while still offering a pleasant working experience. Many companies may rethink their use of large office spaces and opt to provide smaller work hubs in 2021 and beyond.

NYREJ: What, in your mind, are some of the most important challenges facing the architecture sector now?

Perrino: There are many unknowns and a great deal of conjecture right now. We dont know where clients will allocate their funds next or which public referendums will come back on the ballots. While the pandemic is a short-term issue, it has affected many areas from supply chain, to building codes, to project delays or postponements. For instance, senior housing has slowed down recently. There is an obvious demand for change in design; however, in the interest of resident safety, several facilities have restricted access of outside entities. It is for a good reason, but it has affected construction schedules. Additionally, we are seeing a need to redefine the physical workspace so that employees can come back into the office or adapt to a hybrid model with both onsite and work remote schedules. Once we have the vaccines in 2021, this should change, but for now we must wait and see.

NYREJ: What are some new trends we can expect to see in the architecture industry?

Perrino: Architecture is arguably one of the most transformative sectors of the economy. And it evolves, along with the human condition. Prior to the pandemic, we were focused on efficiency, culture and technology. Now, adding to that, we are reevaluating sustainability measures and integrating adaptations to keep everyone safe. We are designing spaces that seamlessly blend the indoors with the outdoors to help boost peoples morale and increase productivity. Our projects include usable green roofs, natural conditioning through cross-ventilation, photovoltaics, touch free devices and rainwater collection systems to name a few. As weve seen this year require more flexibility, agility and adaptability in our lives, we anticipate this trend continuing in our healthcare, educational and workspaces.

Continued here:
Exec. of the Month: Thomas Perrino president and CEO of the Spiezle Architecture Group leads nationwide expansion - New York Real Estate Journal...

On Jan. 5, the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois hosted its virtual January dinner meeting on Zoom. Attendees saw a presentation from Eric Wheeler, senior associate at Thornton Tomasetti, and Lynda Leigh, project executive at Turner Construction, on the project requirements for the base transformation of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), now nearing its 50th year of operation. The pair discussed the engineering and construction challenges in creating a new experience for tenants and visitors.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has named Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) and James Corner Field Operations to lead the team designing a new expansion of the Rock Hall in Cleveland. Cooper Robertson is partnered with PAU as part of the design team and Robert P Madison International (RPMI) is on the design team as the architect of record. The addition to the museum will also serve as a connector to the Great Lakes Science Center.

The Illinois Tollway awarded Walsh Construction a $182.6-million contract for roadway and bridge reconstruction of the southbound Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State Tollway (Interstate 294) during its August meeting. The contract also includes $34.7 million going to diverse and veteran-owned firms. The northbound lanes were completed last summer by contractor F.H. Paschen.

Northpoint Developments second distribution facility at Gateway Tradeport in Pontoon Beach, Ill., was recently completed. Contegra Construction Co. built the 544,000-sq-ft warehouse six months after completing the first distribution center at the development. Gateway Tradeport was launched in 2019. It is a 600-acre master planned industrial park with more than 7.5 million sq ft of distribution space.

Developer Eterra Plus residential mixed-use project at 525 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago has cleared its first hurdle toward construction in the Chicago City Council. The $300-million, two-tower development will have hotel and residential units and be connected by a retail, residential and parking podium. The project was designed by BKV Group and its lead designer Renato Gilberti, along with landscape architect Site Design Group. Eterra hopes contractor Walsh Construction can begin construction this fall.

James McHugh Construction, acting as general contractor, recently completed NEMA Chicago for Miami-based developer Crescent Heights. Located in Chicagos South Loop and reaching 76 stories, NEMA Chicago is the tallest all-residential building in Chicago. The residential tower was designed by architect Raphael Vinoly.

Through constant collaboration with the owner, architect and subcontractors, the project met the intent of the designers and was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule, said Dave Steffenhagen, McHugh Construction senior project manager on NEMA Chicago.

The board of directors and the strategic council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently honored Moody Nolan with its 2021 AIA Architecture Firm Award. The AIA Architecture Firm Award is the highest honor the AIA bestows on an architectural practice. The award recognizes a firm that has consistently produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. Moody Nolan is an African American-owned and operated design firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with 11 offices across the U.S. AIA cited the firms history of serving clients with a knowledge of cultural sensitivities as well as a deep understanding of the impact its work has on individuals and communities.

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission selected Woolpert on Dec. 10 as design engineer for the replacement of two bridges over Tinkers Creek on the Ohio Turnpike (Interstate 80) in Summit County. Woolpert will provide bridge and roadway design, maintenance of traffic, survey, mobile lidar and unmanned aircraft system mapping as well as manage the geotechnical and environmental engineering for the project. The bridges will be designed in 2021, and construction is expected to take place in 2023 and 2024.

Follow this link:
Midwest On the Scene: January 2021 | 2021-01-18 - Engineering News-Record

The AIANY year began with the announcement of the winners in its 2021 AIANY Design Awards.AIA New Yorks annual Design Awards program recognises outstanding architectural design by AIA New York members, New York City-based architects in any location, and work in New York City by architects worldwide. Interestingly, this years awards were only given in four categories: Architecture, Interior, Projects, and Urban Design. The jury members did not give any awards in the Sustainability category, instead opting to make it a requirement for an honor award. Indeed, some of the projects submitted for the Sustainability category were moved to other categories for consideration. This emphasises the importance of sustainable choices in the world of architecture as the foundation for every design.So lets look at the winners in the Architecture category. Well be taking a closer look in a dedicated article at the Best in Competition winner, Newark Housing Authority Training Recreation Education Center (TREC), selected as the recipient of this unique recognition from the Honor Award winners across all the categories. In the Architecture category, these wereMuse Atelier Audemars Piguety BIG Bjarke Ingels Group; Muller Illien Landschaftsarchitekten (link), Bennington College Commons Renovation by Christoff:Finio Architecture and Reed Hilderbrand, and the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center by nARCHITECTS, which stands out as a newly constructed landscape, reclaimed from 4.8 hectares of demolished concrete parking, which surrounds the buildings other sides with native plant species, immersing it in an expanding natural environment. Completing the Honor Awards are two projects located in Mexico City, Rooftop PRIM by PRODUCTORA; PLANTA and DL1310 Apartments by Young & Ayata, plus the Pollinators Pavilion by Harrison Atelier in the Projects category that seeks to elicit awareness from the farming, cultural and educational communities in the Hudson Valley for the vital role of native pollinators in supporting our ecosystems.The Merit Awards include architecture like New York Public Library Van Cortlandt Branch by Andrew Berman Architect, Boulder House by atelierjun, National Museum of the United States Army by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with AECOM, Yale University Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking by WEISS/MANFREDI, Rhode Island School of Design Student Center by WORKac, and 6 Square House by Young Projects with Coen+Partners. The Merit Awards in the Interiors category are Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum by Atelier Alter Architects, New York Public Library Macombs Bridge Branch by Michielli + Wyetzner Architects andLMCCs Arts Center at Governors Islandby Pei Cobb Freed & Partners; Adamson and AAI. In the Urban Design category, the Merit Award went to St. Johns Park by Ballman Khapalova, reclaiming a traffic circle at the entry to Manhattan as a park that people can actually use. The River Ring urban design project by BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group; James Corner Field Operations received a citation in this category for providing connectivity between the city and the waterfront. The LAND Community Center by EID Architecture; ZHOYU and GZ.S.P.I. LANDSCAPE DESIGN CO., LTD also received a citation for the Formal Exuberance of the Exterior.The 24 winning projects and architecture studios that designed them represent the outstanding work of AIA New York members and architects operating in New York City, which always looks to the future. The jury members were Marlon Blackwell, Julie Eizenberg, Stephen Gray, Andrea Love (Payette), Maria Paz de Moura Castro, and the Italian architect Francesca Perani, founder of Francesca Perani Enterprise and co-founder & president of RebelArchitette.

Christiane Brklein

2021 AIANY Design AwardsImages: see captions01_HONOR_Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center_nARCHITECTS_Michael Moran

02_MERIT_RISD Student Center_WORKac_Bruce Damonte

03_HONOR_Musee Atelier Audemars Piguet _BIG_Iwan Baan

CITATION_LAND Community Center_EID Architecture_Lujing Architectural Photography, Yike Studio, Hu Yijie

CITATION_River Ring_BIG_BIG

HONOR_Bennington College Commons Renovation_ChristoffFinio Architecture_Scott Frances

HONOR_DL1310 Apartments_Young Ayata and Michan Architecture_Rafael Gamo

HONOR_Pollinators Pavilion_Harrison Atelier_Ariane Harrison

HONOR_Rooftop PRIM_PRODUCTORA_Onnis Luque

MERIT_6 Square House_Young Projects_Alan Tansey, Jamie Gray, Camilo Lopez

MERIT_Boulder House_Atelier Jun_Namgoong Sun

MERIT_LMCCs Arts Center at Governors Island_Pei Cobb Freed Partners

MERIT_National Museum of the United States Army_SOM_Dave Burk | SOM

MERIT_NYPL Macomb's Bridge Branch_Michielli Wyetzner Architects_Alexander Severin

MERIT_NYPL Van Cortlandt Branch_Andrew Berman Architect_Michael Moran

MERIT_St John's Park_Ballman Khapalova_Ballman Khapalova

MERIT_Yale University Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking_WeissManfredi_Albert Vecerka, Jeff Goldberg

Merit_Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum_Atelier Alter Architects_Atelier Alter Architects

Best of Competition Newark Housing Authority TREC_ikon5 architects_Jeffrey Totaro

More here:
Winners of the 2021 AIANY Design Awards | Livegreenblog - Floornature.com

This post is sponsored by Azure Magazine

The AZ Awards has been recognizing excellence in design and architecture across the world for over a decade now. Since AZURE debuted the AZ Awards in 2011, the program has grown in size, scope, and momentum to be internationally recognized for its influence in the global design and architecture spheres. The 2021 edition of the AZ Awards adds the completely new category of Urban Design, encouraging developers to submit their projects.

The awards program welcomes submissions until February 25 and promises to attract entries from some of the most forward-thinking firms from all corners of the globe.

In 2020 the AZ Awards 10th anniversary the program received projects from over 1,200 architects, landscape architects, product designers, interior designers, students, and manufacturers from 47 countries. Out of that unprecedented number, the international jury of experts selected 68 extraordinary finalists.

This year, our jury of internationally renowned practitioners in the areas of product design, architecture, landscape architecture, and interiors will convene remotely from their homes and offices all over the world to evaluate the entries. Past jurors have included Thom Mayne, Nader Tehrani, Nina-Marie

Lister, Philippe Malouin, Marion Weiss, Omar Gandhi, Craig Dykers, Michel Rojkind, and Brigitte Shim. Stay tuned to find out who the members of the 2021 AZ Awards Jury will be!

Winners will be revealed at the AZ Awards Gala in Toronto in June. The gala has become the event of the season, an exciting evening with fellow members of the industrys elite. Every year with the exception of 2020, when we hosted our gala online close to 500 top architects, designers and industry-related professionals come together to meet and mingle and to celebrate the finalists and winners. Past finalists have traveled from as far away as South Korea,

Austria, Brazil, Peru, and Japan to join the festivities. The gala also welcomes an annual international guest of honor; previous years guests have included legendary landscape architect Martha Schwartz, architect Winy Maas (cofounder of the Dutch architecture firm MVRDV), and designer Gaetano Pesce.

Winners take home the AZ Awards trophy, recreated annually by a prominent designer in past years such luminaries as Luca Nichetto, Michael Anastassiades, Matt Carr, Philippe Malouin, Karim Rashid, and Omer Arbel have designed trophies for the AZ Awards. Look for announcements later this year about our special gala guest and the 2021 AZ Awards trophy designer.

Azure and its partners encourage design and architecture professionals, developers, students, and manufacturers to submit their work to the AZ Awards for an opportunity to step into the global spotlight, elevate their profile, and raise public awareness for their firm and their clients.

Submissions close Tuesday, February 25, 2021 (early-bird submissions end January 31, 2021).

Online entry portal and more information at awards.azuremagazine.com

Read the original post:
With an All-New Urban Design Category, the AZ Awards Kicks Off a New Decade. Now's the Time to Submit your Best Work. - Archinect

Editors note: Stories in this list received the most page views on SummitDaily.com for the past week.

1. Summit County officials consider changing alcohol restrictions to align with state

Summit County officials are considering updating the countys 5 Star Business Certification Program to allow certified businesses to have looser alcohol-related restrictions.

At a Summit County Board of Health meeting Jan. 7, Assistant County Manager Sarah Vaine said restaurant owners have been asking the county to allow for alcohol sales as late as 10 p.m., which is the current last call mandated at the state level.

Under level orange, all Summit County restaurants have a mandatory last call on the sale and consumption of alcohol at 9:30 p.m.

Libby Stanford

2. Ice castles continue to stir debate among Dillon residents

Ice Castles officials provided an updated presentation to Dillon Town Council members during a regular meeting Jan. 5, the latest in a lengthy discussion on a proposed long-term agreement with the town. But the community remains deeply divided on whether the attraction can remain at Town Park without creating undue hardships on residents.

Pedro Campos, a landscape architect with Zehren & Associates, provided council with the most up-to-date plans, which included detailed drawings of the park for year-round use along with cost estimates for the proposal. Campos said the current proposal was heavily influenced by community feedback collected over the past year.

A year ago, we made a presentation to you all with this idea of creating the Ice Castles venue on the northern part of the park and some concepts to show how that might take place, Campos said. We heard a series of comments at that point. Weve since been trying to react and respond to it and integrate it.

Sawyer DArgonne

3. Summit County to prioritize full-time residents for COVID-19 vaccinations

Summit County will prioritize permanent residents for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

In a news release sent Jan. 8, the county clarified that while part-time residents will be able to be vaccinated, officials will vaccinate only permanent residents at its drive-thru clinic.

Part-time residents, as well as any permanent residents that are unable to attend the clinic, will be able to make appointments for vaccinations at the Safeway and City Market pharmacies.

Libby Stanford

4. Frisco police investigate robbery of Main Street bank

The Frisco Police Department is investigating a robbery at Credit Union of the Rockies that took place Wednesday afternoon.

A man entered the credit union, at 111 S. Main St. in Frisco, just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, and asked the clerk to make a withdrawal of all the money in the banks drawer, Frisco Police Chief Tom Wickman said.

The clerk then gave the money to the man, who left through the front door and went east. Police have not made any arrests in connection to the robbery. The man did not draw a weapon, Wickman said.

Libby Stanford

5. Park Avenue in Breckenridge reopens after gas leak caused overnight closure

Red, White & Blue Fire District officials responded to a gas leak Jan. 9 that closed a section of Park Avenue and evacuated three buildings in Breckenridge.

Deputy Chief Drew Hoehn said the gas leak was called in at around 9:45 a.m. Hoehn said officials believe the leak was located underground in the area behind Breckenridge Town Hall and the parking garage nearby.

At about 10 a.m., officials closed Park Avenue between Ski Hill Road and Watson Avenue. At the same time, officials evacuated the Breckenridge Town Hall, U.S. Bank and FirstBank buildings. Park Avenue in Breckenridge reopened at about 9:40 a.m. the following day.

Libby Stanford

Continued here:
Top 5 most-read stories on SummitDaily.com, week of Jan. 10 - Summit Daily News

On Jan 5, after reviewing two proposals for developments submitted under the State of CT affordable housing statute 8-30g (28 Hollow Wood and 4 Orchard in Cos Cob) the P&Z commission reviewed an application for moderate or workforce housing.

The application was submitted under Section 6-110 of the towns building zone regs before a moratorium was issued.

The developer Andrew Toth seeks to demolish the former Friendlys building (now home to M&T Bank) at 100 East Putnam Ave in Cos Cob and create a 3-story building with 2 commercial spaces on the ground floor. M&T Bank would remain at the location in addition to a retail space.

The second and third floors would have 22 residential units (8 one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom units), of which 5 will be for residents of moderate income per 6-110.

The existing building is 2,581 sq ft.

The proposed building will be 28,353.04 sq ft.

Parking would be accessed from Taylor Drive, which many consider the entrance to CVS. There will be 49 parking spaces plus 2 ADA spaces to replace the existing 35.

Attorney Chip Haslun noted the project had already gone through five iterations since it was first submitted a year earlier on Jan 7, 2020.

Most of the discussion focused on cutting down of trees on the property. Mr. Haslun noted the commission had asked for more foliage to be retained on top of the ridge behind to the west and north of the development.

Representing the applicant was Carolyn Matthews, ecologist and arborist with William Kenny Associates (landscape architects based in Fairfield).

Ms Matthews said she had walked the property with tree warden Town of Greenwich Tree Warden Dr. Greg Kramer and and Jackie Pruitt, a Planner from P&Z, to look at trees that might be of value to retain.

Haslun said Dr. Kramer and Ms Pruitt realized some things of value werent necessarily savable because they were in the footprint of the building or envelope of the construction.

Most of the discussion on Tuesday focused on cutting down of trees on the property.

Fifty trees were assessed on the property. The majority of trees are on a steep rock- ledge.*

Carolyn Matthews said her assessment was that the trees were primarily invasive Norway Maples.

She said the tree warden gave a list of trees he believed had value. From that list, she said there were just 10 trees outside the building footprint.

She said 6 trees were along the western bank, but needed to come down because they were within the limit of disturbance and excavation would be occur very close, if not within those trees.

In the end, Matthews said that out of the long list of trees tree warden Dr. Kramer said had value, she recommended retaining just 4 trees.

She said many needed to be removed because they were either growing in ledge and leaning toward the building, or in poor condition, due to being on the steep rock slope and having a limited rooting zone.

The trees are showing defects, she said. Basal decay, hollowness of the trees, torsion cracks, which is the tree being stressed because it is trying to grow vertically on a slope when gravity is pulling it down to the ground, and broken or missing limbs.

She said some of the trees have vines growing on them.

You can have the vines removed if thats an issue, P&Z chair Margarita Alban said. You could just remove the vines. If thats a problem for the trees, that seems like a much easier solution for everybody.

The vines on the trees are certainly a problem, but not as problematic as the defects at the base of the trees, Matthews replied.

Matthews said the 4 trees with potential for preservation, were on the northwestern corner of the property, and included one 39 Northern Red Oak, a native tree.

She said two were invasive Norway Maple trees she recommended removing in favor of a native planting plan to provide higher ecological value compared to invasive trees that dont offer ecological value, and a Black Locust with vines on it. It could be kept if desired, she said.

There is value to trees, yes, Matthews acknowledged. I consider the trees have risk and are in poor condition and therefore that risk should be mitigated.

Does this suggest that we are eliminating all the trees along the ridge line? asked commissioner Peter Lowe.

Mr. Haslun said an adjacent lot that featured hundreds of trees that provided a layer of canopy.

Were talking about the trees on the ledge overlooking the job site on a precarious steep slope, he said.

Lowe asked whether removing a large number of small trees, would have a significant overall effect.

Haslun said the substantial trees were over 10 diameter.

Matthews said that beyond absorbing water, and providing both foliage and canopy, not all the trees had much ecological value (hosting butterflies and moths, for example) as a native planting plan would.

When were talking about the ecological value of these trees, a native planting plan is vastly superior to a non native or invasive plan. Theres the question of the canopy for aesthetics and different reasons, but theres also the ecological value in replacing that with something that in the long term will have ecological benefit, and will have the advantage of better growing conditions.

Haslun said that even a tree that had fallen over and is rotting on the ground has some value.

We were trying to get clarification from (Tree Warden, Dr. Greg Kramer), but he didnt feel that was necessary to do, Haslun said.

Jeff Scherr, a landscape architect with Granoff Architects, described the trees growing out of the ledge along northern and western property line as an existing invasive understory.

He said the proposal was to plant non invasive columnar and pollinator plants.

There was some discussion of the look of the buildings brick facade having variety without looking too Disney.

He noted that in the previous days briefing, he was surprised by commissioner Nick Macris comment about delineating different buildings without making them look like Disney.

Mr. Haslun said he thought that discussion on architecture was complete, having made changes to accommodate the Architectural Review Committees comments.

Ms Alban said just a few items were incomplete. The applicant needs DPW final approval of the traffic plan, and had to address outstanding comments from the towns traffic consultant, BETA.

The applicant, Andrew Toth, said he was disappointed not to have Sewer Department sign off, given that it had been 15 months since the application was first submitted.

Please, please light a fire in that department so we can get this into the end zone, Toth said.

Ms Alban said there was a staffing shortage in the Sewer Dept.

The application was left open, and is on the Wednesday, Jan 20 P&Z agenda (5:00pm).

See also:

RENDERINGS ADDED. P&Z Watch: Tuesday Agenda to Feature Cos Cob 22-Unit Multi-Story Building with Workforce Housing & Retail at Former Friendlys

Jan 7, 2020

P&Z Watch: Questions on Fate of Mature Growth Trees Behind Proposed 22-Unit Building at Former Friendlys

March 13, 2020

P&Z Advances Application for Moderate Income, Mixed-Use Development at Former Friendlys

May 6, 2020

Originally posted here:
P&Z Watch: Trees to Be Felled at 100 East Putnam are Focus of Discussion - Greenwich Free Press