The remodel includes a new produce department, more grab 'n go options, and a food hall

KIRKWOOD, Mo. Attention Schnucks customers, one location just got a big upgrade. The store remodel at the Kirkwood location is complete.

The updates include a refresh to the exterior of the building and a new look inside. One of the major themes of the update is "fresh choices," according to a release from Schnucks. There will also be an expanded grab 'n go meal section.

Shoppers can grab a bite to eat at the new food hall. It features several local restaurants including The Shaved Duck, Seoul Taco and The Greek Kitchen. They each have their own service counter and share a seating area.

There's also a spot to grab some St. Louis-inspired gear. Arch Apparel has its own section in the store offering customers several clothing choices.

We thank our shoppers for their patience as we worked to bring them an updated store with many new offerings and amenities, said Store Manager Vicky Reiling in a press release. Now that the remodel is complete, were proud to bring the Kirkwood area and our customers a modern store but with the same focus on great customer service.

Schnucks is hosting a grand re-opening to celebrate the remodel. It'll be on Sunday, Oct. 10. Customers can participate in free yoga from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., family fun activities like arts and crafts, a bubble bus, and some other surprise visits from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., said the release.

Schnucks has been part of the Kirkwood community since 1954, the release states. The Kirkwood location at 10233 Manchester Road opened in 1987 and replaced the original location.

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This Schnucks location just got a makeover, with new dining hall and apparel store - KSDK.com

Bulletin Staff| Baxter Bulletin

The 15 building permits issued by the City of Mountain Home in August reflect slightly more than $1 million in construction. For August, the city issued nine permits for commercial signage, four permits for residential construction and two permits for commercial remodeling projects.

All of the August residential building permits were issued to Hobbs Investments LLC. All four houses will be located on Ozark Avenue, with two having an estimated construction value of $125,000 apiece with the other two dwellings each having a construction value of $110,000 each.

A commercial remodeling permit was issued to the BRMC Physician's Clinic, located at 310 Buttercup Drive, for a commercial plumbing project estimated to cost $240,000. The other commercial remodeling permit was issued to Rick Hoover for a project at 1060 Hometown Common Unit F. The remodeling project is estimated to cost $246,500.

Boston Mountain Rural Health Center was issued a sign permit for 444 Hospital Drive. That sign is estimated to cost $23,750.

A permit was issued to Animal Health Center, located at 2175 Highway 62 East, for a sign valued at $15,000.

American Freight was issued a permit for a sign located at 1171 Highway 62 East with an estimated value of $8,000.

A permit was issued to O'Reilly Auto Parts, located at 205 South Main Street, for a sign valued at $5,000.

Mountain Gear and Outfitters was issued a permit for a sign located at 322 Highway 62 East with an estimated value of $2,500.

A permit was issued to Edward Jones, located at 92 Highway 62 West, for a sign valued at $1,000.

American Safeguard Insurance was issued a permit for a sign located at 1002 Highway 62 East with an estimated value of $800.

A permit was issued to Backyard Blossoms, located at 1559 Glenbriar Drive, for a sign valued at $200.

Vikings Edge was issued a permit for a sign located at 1310 Eastside Center No. 9. No estimated value was listed for that sign.

Mountain Home collected $5,238 in revenue in August from issuing building, electric, mechanical and plumbing permits.

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MH issues 15 building permits in August - The Baxter Bulletin

This is not a tiny house, but it is mobile. Instead of being able to roam from location to location on a towable trailer, this house sits on a platform that allows it to make full rotations, so views change as often and as quickly as residents desire it. Its the work of Vojin Kusic, a 72-year-old man from Bosnia, who built it as a means to prevent his wife from complaining.

Kusic is a true legend back home, in the small town of Srbac, and its due to his incredible home. Speaking to Reuters just recently, he says the first home he built for himself and the wife failed in one major respect: it did not allow the wife, Ljubica, to see who was coming up to it on the road. So he did extensive remodeling, tearing down walls and rewiring stuff to change rooms, and have the living facing the road.

When the youngest child moved in with his family upstairs, Kusic understood he was in for more remodeling of the old house. Anticipating new demands from Ljubica, he promised her a new house that she could spin whichever way she wanted.

Six years later, the rotating house is almost completed, as you can see in the video below. Kusic cites as inspiration for it the works of Nikola Tesla and Mihajlo Pupin.

The house sits on a platform that spins around a 7-meter (23-foot) axis using electric motors and wheels from an old military transport vehicle, he says for the media outlet. He built it by himself, from the design stage to the actual construction. Speed is adjustable, too: Kusic says the house can be set to make a full rotation in 24 hours, or as fast as 22 seconds, though the latter would arguably cause serious dizziness.

This is not an innovation, it only requires will and knowledge, and I had enough time and knowledge, Kusic explains. He jokes that he only took one break from the project, when he was hospitalized for a heart issue, and while in hospital, he asked doctors to help him live longer to finish it because no one would have been able to.

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Rotating House by Self-Taught Inventor Is Awesome, a Testament of Love - autoevolution

The Herkimer Housing Authority is now Stone Ridge Residences and a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning celebrated both the rebrand and the completion of the $22 million remodeling and construction project.

The project included the remodeling of all of the apartments at Eastern Gardens, now called The Mills; construction of a new 15-unit apartment building on Harter Street; and a child care center, Stone Ridge Daycare, on John Avenue, according to Stone Ridge Residences Executive Director Richard Dowe.

Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency runs the child care center, which can take up to 53 children. The space at both Eastern Gardens and Creekside Courts that was formerly used for child care has been turned back to the residents for community space, Dowe added.

Housing development: Development update: Herkimer Housing Authority adds 15-unit apartment building

Business growth: Amazon, Pepsi headed for Herkimer County as developers fill business parks with new projects

The authority also has a new website, http://www.StoneRidgeResidences.com.

For Holly Warner, a former resident of Creekside Courts who moved into the new building in July, her new first-floor apartment offers a chance to live on one level a welcome feature since she has difficulty negotiating stairs. Warner opened her apartment to visitors following Wednesdays ribbon cutting.

Warners apartment, like the others in the building, features a kitchen and living room area and a hallway leading to one or two bedrooms, bathroom and closet storage space.

Some apartments offer lower countertops and stoves with space to roll a wheelchair underneath, said Dowe. Others include louder doorbells and strobe lights to accommodate those with impaired vision or hearing.

The authority currently holds 216 apartments across its properties with 52 Section 8 vouchers for low-income residents. The recently completed project is not the end of the improvements Stone Ridge Residences will be making to its facilities.

The second phase will include the remodeling of all of the apartments at Creekside Courts, renamed Stone Ridge Orchards, on Protection Avenue and of Midtown Apartments, now Stone Ridge Gems, on North Prospect Street, where some apartments will be changed from studio to one-bedroom units. The Nathan Castle Apartments, housed in the former Tuger Elementary School on South Main Street, will be totally rehabilitated. The housing authority acquired the facility last year and there will be 16 apartments available there.

This phase of the project will also include the construction of new 24-unit apartment building, Stone Ridge Flatts, at 250 E. Steele St. The dilapidated former bottling plant at the corner of East Steele and King streets will be razed and the space converted into a parking lot for the new building.

Dowe said the authority is working with the county and village to take title to the old bottling plant building. He expects work on the second phase of the project to begin late this year.

Darren J. Scott, director of development, Eastern New York, for New York State Homes and Community Renewal, said bundling the various parts of the project's second phase together into a single financial deal is an efficient way to move ahead with the plan.

The first phase has resulted in 63 new energy-efficient homes, he said. He praised local officials for approving a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement for the project. "Affordable housing needs a PILOT," he said.

Herkimer Mayor Mark Netti said he first became aware of the project the authority was planning shortly after taking office and was impressed with the comprehensive plan. He said he looks forward to working with Stone Ridge Residences on the remainder of the project.

"I love to see resources returned," said Assemblyman Robert Smullen,R-Meco. "This is our money coming back to our community."

"This is part of the rebirth of the valley," said Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-New Hartford.

Donna Thompson is the government and business reporter for the Times Telegram. Email her at donna@timestelegram.com.

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Herkimer Housing Authority, now Stone Ridge Residences, completes first phase of project - The Times Telegram

See a tour of the HGTV Urban Oasis home in Indianapolis

This year's HGTV Urban Oasis home is a three-bedroom "cozy cottage" in Broad Ripple.

HGTV, HGTV

HGTV's Urban Oasis home in Broad Ripple isn't what most Indianapolis-area residents would expect.

When you first see the home's forest green exteriors,you might not guess it hasbright mustard living roomwalls, contrasted by a crisp white fireplace.

Or when you stroll through the home's main living spaces and soak in theblush tones, you might be taken aback by the 40-inch retro disco ball gracingthe dining room.

And then there's the drama in the guest bathroom,monochromatic black,from the tiles and floors to the bathtub.

See the photos: Here is this year's 'HGTV Urban Oasis' home in Indianapolis

"The whole idea was to really capture that super carefree, happy, supportive vibe that you see in Broad Ripple," said Brian Patrick Flynn, the Atlanta-based HGTV interior designer behind the house.

Each year, HGTV's "Urban Oasis" contestgives away a remodeled, fully furnished home toone lucky winner, with the purpose of highlighting the beauty and functionality of city living." Previous locations have included Asheville, North Carolina, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Portland, Maine. HGTVis accepting entries to win this year'shouseuntil Nov. 22.

The home's reconstruction and remodeling began in Dec. 2020, but Flynn truly immersed himself inBroad Ripple over thesummer, spending about six weeks getting to know the area and playing "Queen's Gambit."

Looking for a new home?Enter 'HGTV Urban Oasis' sweepstakes to win an Indianapolis 'cozy cottage'

Thats how Flynn describes his creative process, akin to the Netflix showsprotagonist, Beth Harmon, and her imaginative chess strategizing looking up at the ceiling and watching pieces on a chess board.For Flynn, interior designing a home can be just as three-dimensional and dream-like.

You know, when all of a sudden her mind gets into that zone and you see the animation go in her brain? That is exactly how it works with me, Flynn said. I walk into a room, I immediately know where windows should be, where the door (should) be, where the light should access the room.

He knew right away when he first walked into the Broad Ripple houselast yearthat it should be more inthe "funky world."

He notes this last year "was not the best year," so he wanted to do something fun and funky with the home, he says, turningto the "sexy modernism" of the late '70s, early '80s and '90s.

"I just kept thinking about like, what would be hip and what wouldbe young and what would be fun, that would fit like the millennials and the Gen Xers who live in the neighborhood," Flynn said. "And also have a little bit of a nostalgic feelfor people of my parents' generation, the baby boomers, to be like 'Oh, I remember that. I loved that."

And while he is a fan of risky design choicesandcomplex color schemes he uses the analogy of the unused colors in his crayon box growing up those bold creative decisions came with the potential homeowners and nearbycommunity in mind.

"I try to think of things that would be cohesiveto get together but would appeal to all different types of walks of life," Flynn said, noting how the home's bolder elements are balanced out with neutral, calmer aspects, including bleached white oakflooring and "very classic and simple" kitchen cabinetry.

Though the home is being highlighted on the national stage,there areHoosier touchesthroughout,both indesign elements and art.

Bespoke Construction, an Indianapolis-based company, led the remodeling of the home. Flynn commissioned Iron Timbers, a woodworking company in southern Indiana,to make a custom cocktail table for the back porch.A Carmel artist, Nathasa Rae, was hired to make warrior pen drawings near the dining area.

"I just thought of Broad Ripple asbeing super inclusiveand also being something that just had like a really cool ... almost like a sexy street vibe," Flynn said. "I want people to walkinto the house and see themselves entertaining friends there and also kind of pushing the envelope and feeling a little fashion forward."

Contact Rashika Jaipuriar atrjaipuriar@gannett.comandfollow her on Twitter @rashikajpr.

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How Broad Ripple's vibe was reflected in the design of HGTV's 'Urban Oasis' home - IndyStar

Extended backsplashes from counter to bottom of cabinet was trending in 2021.

NEW YORK (PRWEB) October 08, 2021

Manhattan based renovation company, MyHome Design + Remodeling, reports on 2021 kitchen trends in NYC as compared to the 2021 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study which shared findings from a survey of 2,014 U.S. homeowners about their recent or planned kitchen renovation projects.

According to the Houzz Study, U.S. homeowners want more storage, neutral colors, and prominent backsplashes that make a statement. Based on design consultations with NYC homeowners, MyHome reports some trends happening in Manhattan with a few major differences.

Kitchen Design Trend #1: STORAGE

As everyone spent much more time at home during the pandemic, it makes sense that the need for upgraded kitchen storage increased dramatically. Kitchen renovators say that 94% of all remodels last year featured some type of effort on the kitchen cabinets.

Adding more cabinets or upgrading your kitchen storage space allows homeowners to keep the space clean and organized with easy access to everything.

MyHome reported about 1 in 3 NYC homeowners choosing to upgrade their cabinetry, Over the last year, approximately 213 clients who have hired us to renovate their kitchens upgraded their cabinets with the objective being to create more storage.

Kitchen Design Trend #2: COLOR SCHEME

Neutral colors were a big hit in recent remodels nationwide (source). For homeowners looking to hop on this classic trend, MyHome recommends focusing on colors like white, beige, and grey. These colors offer the kitchen a super clean and refined aesthetic. It also allows for some super fun pops of color in the form of barstools, hardware, or small appliances.

Jessenia Toro, Chief Operating Office for MyHome explains, most of our clients are people with a classic taste for design that gives more importance to the quality rather than the current trend of the moment - neutral tones are the most common option. Surprisingly, they are always open to new design patterns, looking for clear colors with a splash of spicy patterns and shapes.

Kitchen Design Trend #3: BACKSPLASH

Backsplashes add some creativity to your kitchen. As opposed to a strip of backsplash, this year, homeowners and designers are extending backsplashes up to the upper cabinets (source). The possibilities are endless in terms of color, material, and pattern; although white backsplashes were found to be most popular for U.S. homeowners.

MyHomes remodeling consultants are experts at picking the backsplash that best expresses individual design needs. Tiffany Smolick, Showroom Manager at MyHome explains, We like to create backsplashes that give a character to the kitchen. Since our NYC clientele is more open to having a light colored backsplash, we mainly design backsplashes that have an irregular horizontal pattern, made by different size tiles properly located.

Kitchen Design Trend #4: MEDIAN SPEND

For homeowners nationwide who participated in the Houzz study, the median spend on a major kitchen remodel was consistent with prior years at $35,000. MyHome noticed a similar trend with major kitchen remodeling projects averaging $35,000$40,000 which was a bit more costly compared to previous years ($23,500 $28,000 in 2019).

Kitchen Renovations in NYC

It is easy to get the NYC home renovation process started with MyHomes no-hassle, no-obligation free NYC design consultations via Zoom. In this consultation MyHomes design experts discuss what the homeowner desires in a kitchen renovation and how to make the vision come to life.

About MyHome

MyHome was founded in 2001 by managing partner Yoel Piotraut. The company, which is based in New York City, has a team of consultants, designers and managers. MyHomes New York City kitchen and bath showroom is located at 353 West 48th Street in Manhattan. MyHome offers free design consultations for Manhattan homeowners which can be booked at https://special.myhomeus.com/consulting/.

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NYC Kitchen Trends in Line with National Trends in 2021 - PR Web

A blue wave of GE Appliance employees flooded Louisville neighborhoods Friday, all part of a yearlong community service project.The employees traded in their day jobs and picked up shovels, hammers and saws. Friday marked the kickoff to the company's Blue Wave Initiative. The goal is to support neighborhoods across Louisville.T.J. Berhow has worked at GE Appliances for nearly 15 years. He's leading the service project at Grace James Academy, where they're remodeling the teacher's lounge, enhancing the GE Appliances STEAM lab and building eight outdoor benches for students.The Grace James project is one of six volunteer service projects across the city. Berhow said it's a great feeling to know they're helping, and he said for many employees, volunteering for the first time can be a life-changing experience."It opens their eyes, it gives them perspective, it helps them get involved," Berhow said. "It helps them learn. It helps them grow with something. They walk away with a good feeling for helping somebody else and also maybe learning a few things."

A blue wave of GE Appliance employees flooded Louisville neighborhoods Friday, all part of a yearlong community service project.

The employees traded in their day jobs and picked up shovels, hammers and saws. Friday marked the kickoff to the company's Blue Wave Initiative. The goal is to support neighborhoods across Louisville.

T.J. Berhow has worked at GE Appliances for nearly 15 years. He's leading the service project at Grace James Academy, where they're remodeling the teacher's lounge, enhancing the GE Appliances STEAM lab and building eight outdoor benches for students.

The Grace James project is one of six volunteer service projects across the city. Berhow said it's a great feeling to know they're helping, and he said for many employees, volunteering for the first time can be a life-changing experience.

"It opens their eyes, it gives them perspective, it helps them get involved," Berhow said. "It helps them learn. It helps them grow with something. They walk away with a good feeling for helping somebody else and also maybe learning a few things."

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GE Appliance employees giving back to Louisville with year of community service - WLKY Louisville

Are you considering renovating your home? You arent alone. Americans spent over $340 billion on home renovations in 2020. That figure is expected to increase over 4% a year until 2027, especially as more people feel financially secure as the pandemic is starting to come to an end.

The truth is that home renovations are necessities that you simply cant ignore. Your walls, floors, windows, kitchen and bathroom will all need to be updated at some point. The years do not pass in vain, and your house will eventually cry out for a facelift to update it. If you do not know what material suits you best or where the trends are going, you should follow these tips from leading experts.

Renovating a home can be a stressful process. There are many decisions to make (and with which you will have to play out day by day), many steps to take and a lot of uncertainty about what the final result will be.

We talked with a variety of experts, such as the specialists at Luxury Flooring, which offers LVT flooring. The founders of Luxury Flooring have earned the Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Yorkshire region at the Federation of Small Business Awards, due to their impeccable knowledge, so we are pleased that they and other experts have shared a number of detailed tips that can help you get started.

However, these renovations dont have to create a lot of unnecessary drama in your life. Here is a list of tips to keep in mind before starting.

Choosing the right materials is essential when doing a renovation. Your budget will depend on what materials that you use. Wood, ceramic, stone, cement, plaster are all materials that you can use. If you do not know what to choose or how much to invest, ask for help from professionals.

You should pay attention to the latest trends, so you can focus on those projects that are most likely to appeal to potential buyers or guests. According to a study conducted by HomeAdvisor, the biggest trend at the moment is kitchen renovations. The average kitchen renovation costs somewhere between $12,567 and $34,962.

If you want to renovate the kitchen, the Kitchen Furniture Association (AMC) revealed some proposals for this fall, which are based on your attitudes of socialization and love for gastronomy. You might want to use warm materials, such as wood, or innovative materials, such as slate or marble, and the island or the office as a link between the kitchen and the living room.

When rehabilitating an old house, you may come across architectural elements and facilities in poor condition. Consult a professional if it is worth preserving them or not. For example, reinforcing beams or arches and varnishing doors will allow you to enhance its essence. As for obsolete electrical or plumbing systems, it will be better to adapt them to current materials to avoid problems.

The biggest problem in renovations is the failure to meet deadlines and budgets. To avoid this, you should break down each item into its corresponding units to better compare each offer. When it is not possible to invest a lot, everything has to be better planned, advises one remodeling expert we spoke with.

It is possible that you will lose cold or heat through the blinds if they are not properly insulated, which produces an unnecessary expense during hot and cold months. So why dont you invest in a thermal and acoustic insulation system? Most experts recommend installing mineral wool panels inside the shutter box to protect you from outside noise and excess cold or heat. A simple gesture to start saving!

In addition to protecting us from the sun in summer, awnings also insulate the house from the wind and cold. To keep them in perfect condition, experts advise removing dirt from the canvas by vacuuming and applying a water and neutral soap solution. Next, rinse with a jet of water at medium pressure and let it dry well in the open air before rolling it up.

Are you thinking of painting your house and want to discover the trends? Visit local painting websites to keep up to date with their collections and the must-have colors in decoration.

Some remodeling experts have developed innovative products with palettes of divine colors, which allow you to paint directly on the surface to be treated without sanding. They should have a line of chalk paint with a vintage matte finish in twelve pastel and vibrant colors, which can also be painted on any surface: wood, metal, plastic and even fabric! A good remodeling firm completes its range with wax and a varnish to protect painted objects and give them a silkier finish.

Renovating and eliminating are both good options. According to one interior design expert, it is advisable to keep works of art and old pieces of china or ceramics and try to relocate them. Say goodbye to what is in poor condition or does not match the style, and acquire a designer piece that sophisticates the house, like this armchair.

For partial reforms, such as flooring or carpentry, permits are not necessary. However, if the work has repercussions on partition walls and windows, it is essential to communicate it to the city council. If it affects the structure of the building, it will be necessary to request a project to an architect and to pay the applicable taxes. In any case, add the license of the container in the street.

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11 crucial tips for your next home renovation makeover - AZ Big Media

Concrete often begins to crack and crumble after a few decades of life but curiously, that hasnt been the case with many Roman structures. The structures are still standing, exhibiting remarkable durability despite conditions that would destroy modern concrete.

One particular structure is the large cylindrical tomb of first-century noblewoman Caecilia Metella. New research from MIT scientists and colleagues published in the Journal of the American Ceramic Society shows that the quality of the concrete of her tomb may exceed that of her male contemporaries monuments because of the volcanic aggregate the builders chose and the unusual chemical interactions with rain and groundwater that accumulate over two millennia.

Lead co-authors of the study, Admir Masic, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, and Marie Jackson, research associate professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, teamed up to understand the mineral composition of the ancient concrete structure.

Understanding the formation and processes of ancient materials can inform researchers of new ways to create durable, sustainable building materials for the future, says Masic. The tomb of Caecilia Metella is one of the oldest structures still standing, offering insights that can inspire modern construction.

A curiously cohesive concrete

Located on an ancient Roman road also known as the Appian Way, the tomb of Caecilia Metella is a landmark on the Via Appia Antica. It consists of a rotunda-shaped tower that sits on a square base, in total about 70 feet (21 meters) tall and 100 feet (29 m) in diameter. Built about 30 BCE, at the transformation of the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, led by Emperor Augustus, in 27 BCE, the tomb is considered one of the best-preserved monuments on the Appian Way.

Caecilia herself was a member of an aristocratic family. She married into the family ofMarcus Crassus, who formed a famous alliance with Julius Caesar and Pompey.

The construction of this very innovative and robust monument and landmark on the Via Appia Antica indicates that she was held in high respect, says Jackson and the concrete fabric 2,050 years later reflects a strong and resilient presence.

The tomb is an example of the refined technologies of concrete construction in late Republican Rome. The technologies were described by the architect Vitruvius while the Tomb of Caecilia Metella was under construction.Building thick walls of coarse brick or volcanic rock aggregate bound with mortar made with lime and volcanic tephra (porous fragments of glass and crystals from explosive eruptions), would result in structures that "over a long passage of time do not fall into ruins."

Vitruvius words are proven true by the many Roman structures standing today, including Trajans Markets (built between 100 and 110 AD, more than a century after the tomb) and marine structures like piers and breakwaters.

What the ancient Romans couldnt have known, though, is how crystals of the mineral leucite, which is rich in potassium, in the volcanic aggregate would dissolve over time to beneficially remodel and reorganize the interface between volcanic aggregates and cementitious binding matrix, improving the cohesion of the concrete.

Focusing on designing modern concretes with constantly reinforcing interfacial zones might provide us with yet another strategy to improve the durability of modern construction materials, says Masic. Doing this through the integration of time-proven Roman wisdom provides a sustainable strategy that could improve the longevity of our modern solutions by orders of magnitude.

Linda Seymour '14, PhD '21, who participated in this study as a PhD student in the Masic lab at MIT, investigated the microstructure of the concrete with scientific tools.

Each of the tools that we used added a clue to the processes in the mortar, Seymour says. Scanning electron microscopy showed the microstructures of mortar building blocks at the micron scale. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry showed the elements comprising each of those building blocks. This information allows us to explore different areas in the mortar quickly, and we could pick out building blocks related to our questions, she says. The trick, she adds, is to precisely hit the same building block target with each instrument when that target is only about the width of a hair.

The science behind a uniquely strong substance

In the thick concrete walls of Caecilia Metellas tomb, a mortar that contains volcanic tephra binds large chucks of brick and lava aggregate. It is similar to the mortar used in the Markets of Trajan 120 years later. The glue of the Markets of Trajan mortar consists of a building block called the C-A-S-H binding phase (calcium-aluminum-silicate-hydrate), along with crystals of a mineral called strtlingite.

But the tephra the Romans used for the Caecilia Metella mortar was more abundant in potassium-rich leucite. Centuries of rainwater and groundwater percolating through the tombs walls dissolved the leucite and released the potassium into the mortar. In modern concrete, an abundance of potassium would create expansive gels that would cause microcracking and eventual deterioration of the structure.

In the tomb, however, the potassium dissolved and reconfigured the C-A-S-H binding phase.

The X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques allowed us to explore how the mortar had changed, says Seymour. We saw C-A-S-H domains that were intact after 2,050 years and some that were splitting, wispy, or otherwise different in morphology. X-ray diffraction, in particular, allowed an analysis of the wispy domains down to their atomic structure. We see that the wispy domains are taking on this nano-crystalline nature, she says.

The remodeled domains evidently createrobust components of cohesion in the concrete, says Jackson. In these structures, unlike in the Markets of Trajan, theres little strtlingite formed.

Stefano Roascio, the archaeologist in charge of the tomb, notes that the study has a great deal of relevance to understanding other ancient and historic concrete structures that use Pozzolane Rosse aggregate.

The interface between the aggregates and the mortar of any concrete is fundamental to the structures durability, says Masic. In modern concrete, the alkali-silica reactions that form expansive gels may compromise the interfaces of even the most hardened concrete.

It turns out that the interfacial zones in the ancient Roman concrete of the tomb of Caecilia Metella are constantly evolving through long-term remodeling, Masic says. These remodeling processes reinforce interfacial zones and potentially contribute to improved mechanical performance and resistance to failure of the ancient material.

In addition to Masic, Seymour, and Jackson, additional co-authors of the study include Nobumichi Tamura, senior scientist atLawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The research is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-e program.

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2050-year-old Roman tomb offers insights on ancient concrete resilience - MIT News

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Expenditures for remodeling improvements to the owner-occupied housing stock are expected to increase in nearly all of the nations largest metropolitan areas this year, according to projections by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. Following a pandemic-induced slowdown, projections for 2021 show annual home improvement spending growing from 113% in 42 major metropolitan areas, while declining modestly at 1.5% or less in four of the 46 metros tracked. Collectively, large metro areas are expected to see stronger remodeling gains in 2021 with an average growth of almost 5% compared to an estimated gain of 2% in 2020. Fully 14 metros are projected to see robust growth above 6% this year, while an additional 17 metros are set for moderate gains between 3 and 6%.

Broad strength in house price appreciation, existing home sales, and residential construction suggest that many metros will see greater renovation activity this year, says Abbe Will, associate project director in the Remodeling Futures Program at the Center. The largest remodeling spending gains are projected to occur in relatively more affordable metros in the Sunbelt, with over 9% growth expected in Oklahoma City, Tucson, Charlotte, Phoenix, and San Antonio.

Although home remodeling is a bright spot in the economy overall, owner improvement spending is projected to contract slightly in a few high-cost metropolitan areas including New York, Denver, Boston, and San Jose, says Sophia Wedeen, a research assistant at the Center. While other higher-cost metrosWashington, DC, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattleare expected to have only modest levels of spending growth between 1 and 3% this year.

A report from October 2020 showed that residential remodeling had continue a steady expansion and was no longer in a downward projection due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Harvard study shows metro areas with expected remodeling growth - LBM Journal