Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

BEIJING, Jan. 7 -- Chinese researchers have developed a new technology to clean up indoor air pollution that avoids secondary pollution that existing air purification products in the market can create if used improperly.

The new air purifier, developed by a research team from the School of Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, removes indoor pollutants from air through physical and chemical methods.

Professor Shangguan Wenfeng, who led the research project, said at a news conference on Monday that current air purifiers clean the air mainly by absorption and filtering, but this technique has problems.

For example, the filter needs to be replaced regularly because it will easily reach the saturation point, which might lead to further pollution,he said.

Also, while some machines cannot filter smaller pollutants well, the schools new technology overcomes that shortcoming, he said.

The new technology removes indoor pollutants through high-voltage electrostatic and catalytic purification.

The electrostatics process the PM2.5airborne particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers that can go deep into the lungsand other air pollutants from outdoors.

During this process, volatile organic compounds and a small amount of ozone are produced. The second, catalysis module transforms these harmful organic compounds and ozone into harmless carbon dioxide and water.

A test was conducted during the news conference. Because Shanghai air quality was classified asgoodat the time, researchers made a smoggy indoor environment in a 30-square-meter room by lighting six cigarettes. The PM2.5 reading soon reached 700 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the index limit level of 500.

When the machine was switched on, the particles in the room gradually disappeared, with the reading less than 100 within an hour.

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University unveils new air purifier technology-Eastday

Now that local politicians and team owners have decided Orlando will get a Major League Soccer stadium, they have to decide what it will look like.

Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando City Soccer Club president Phil Rawlins and others from the city's anointed MLS team travel to Kansas City, Kan., for a two-day design workshop today and Wednesday. They'll brainstorm with architects from Populous, the firm hired to design the new stadium.

"I'm a big believer in doing this getting all the parties involved in the same room to talk about concepts and which way to go," Dyer said.

They will focus on big-picture ideas for the design of the $84 million stadium. A fine-tuned blueprint will come later.

City officials participated in similar brainstorming sessions with architects in the early stages of designing both the Amway Center arena and the upcoming renovation of the Citrus Bowl stadium. One of those sessions yielded the 180-foot color-changing steel spire that has become the Amway Center's most prominent feature.

Some details of the stadium are already known: It is supposed to be a modern, state-of-the-art facility seating about 18,000 people. Fans will have a roof over their heads, and the field will be open to the sky. There will be a supporter section; corner terraces; about 2,500 club seats; 300 seats in luxury suites; and a premium club with a bar and restaurant.

But its appearance and how distinctive it will be from other MLS stadiums is up in the air.

Designers likely will draw inspiration from some of the newest MLS stadiums, including BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston and Sporting Park in Kansas City, though the latter facility, at more than twice the cost of Orlando's, is likely more elaborate than Lions fans can expect.

Dyer toured both those facilities last year during the debate about whether to commit public money to the project. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs toured PPL Park, home of the Philadelphia Union.

Populous, formerly known as HOK Sport, is a leading sports architecture firm with an impressive list of athletic facilities around the world, including the soccer stadiums in Kansas City and Houston, and Orlando's own Amway Center.

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Architects, Dyer and Lions to brainstorm ideas for MLS stadium design

Diamond Schmitt Architects, in collaboration with Edward J. Cuhaci and Associates Architects, has finished the expansion and renovation of the MacOdrum Library at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. The $27 million project updates and expands the 1960s facility by introducing natural light throughout the core and adding features that address modern-day learning environments.

Anchored by a helical mahogany staircase, the five-story library features nine new reading rooms, interactive study rooms with large touch-screen monitors and two treadmills with desks, a video gaming lab, a discovery center with digital media labs, and additional group and graduate study rooms. A future music resource center will host small concerts on a piano beneath a circular skylight.

We have to move beyond the traditional ways of learning and support creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. Thats what this building does, Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, said at the reopening ceremony. The building is extremely functional, and it really is a beautiful space.

Originally posted here:
Diamond Schmitt Architects Completes Library Renovation at Ottawa's Carleton University

THE United Architects of the Philippines-Kadayawan Davao (UAP-KD) will hold its 2nd Arki-Smash Badminton Tournament on January 25 and 26 at the Smash n' Drop, San Pedro Extension, Davao City.

The tournament is open to badminton players all over the country.

Categories to be contested are men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

In a phone interview with Sun.Star Davao, UAP-KD committee chairman Chang Alquiza said that a team challenge between Architects Badminton Federation (ABF) players from Luzon and Mindanao will also be expected.

"We are happy that a total of 22 ABF players from Luzon composed of Board of Directors will join the tournament while we expect 10 ABF players from Davao City and one from Cagayan De Oro City," Alquiza said.

Alquiza said that the architects are very excited to play and that they really pushed through with the event following the positive feedbacks they received last year.

She added, "The best thing about this tournament is that a fair leveling of players will be conducted by the organizers."

Registration is pegged at P600 per pair and free t-shirts will be given to the first 100 paid players.

Winners from different categories will receive trophies and cash prizes.

The class B champion will receive P5,000 while the runner-up will get P 2,500. Prizes of P4,000 and P2,000 will be awarded to the champions and runners-up of classes E and F.

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2nd Arki-Smash badminton tournament slated Jan. 25-26

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -

Now that Orlando officials have approved a Major League Soccer team, it is time to decide what the stadium will look like.

Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Soccer Club President Phil Rawlins are meeting with architects in Kansas City Tuesday to discuss the design of the new Major League Soccer stadium reports the Orlando Sentinel.

It will feature a modern, state-of-the-art look that will cost $84 million and seat about 18,000 fans. It will also have corner terraces, club seats, luxury suites, and a premium club with a restaurant and bar.

Populous, the firm hired to design the new stadium, is known for designing stadiums around the world, and even Orlando's own Amway Center.

The new stadium will be built in Parramore, bounded by Church St., Central Blvd., Terry and Parramore Ave.

Stadium construction is expected to begin this year and be completed in 2015. In the meantime, the Lions will play at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

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Architects, city officials discuss ideas for new MLS stadium design

The state chapter for the American Institute of Architects rang in the new year welcoming three area architects to its board.

Lisa H. Nice of Post Architects and Samuel Herpin of Remson/Haley/Herpin Architects have been elected to the 2014 Louisiana Chapter of the American Institute of Architects Board of Directors Executive Committee.

Nice, a Baton Rouge-based architect will serve as first vice president/president-elect. Herpin, who also works in Baton Rouge, will be the secretary/treasurer during this term.

Angela M. Morton has also been elected to the local AIA board. Morton, of Mathes Brierre Architects of New Orleans, will serve as vice president for District B.

Others elected to the 2014 Board of Directors Executive Committee were William A. Tutor, of Alexandria, president; George Minturn, of Natchitoches, vice-president-District A; and Brent A. Frick, of Lafayette, vice-president-District C.

Immediate Past President Jeffrey K. Smith, of Hammond, will also serve on the Executive Committee.

Representing America's architects since 1857, the AIA has nearly 80,000 members nationally who are licensed architects, allied partners and emerging professionals.

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AIA state board welcomes Baton Rouge, New Orleans architects

Indias decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail towards the end of 2012 and its FDI policy modified in April 2013 put the country back on the retailing map of the world. However, this is not the first time that India has invited global retailers to set up their shops. In 1997, the government approved 100% FDI in cash and carry wholesale stores under the automatic route and, in 2006, 51% FDI was allowed in single-brand retailing, although with prior approval from the government. In December 2011, the government fully opened up FDI in single-brand retail stores. A number of international retail brands such as IKEA and Carrefour were excited to enter the Indian market and announced their plans to start talks on investment proposals with the concerned ministries. In the much-debated and politically-sensitive multi-brand retail space, however, partial 51% FDI was proposed only in September 2012, with parliamentary approval in December 2012. Retail in India - A Growing Story

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) predicts that the Indian retail sector is poised for 15% year-over-year growth over the next five years through 2018. This robust growth picture also is painted by AT Kearney, whose 2012 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) puts India as the fifth most favourable destination for global retailers. In 2011, Indias retail industry accounted for 22% of Indias GDP and employed close to 9.4% of the labour force. Organized retail in India currently constitutes only 6-7% of overall retail trade in India, although by 2016-17 this share is projected to grow to 10%. Economic growth of about 7% over the next 10 years, rapid urbanization, a growing young demography with rising income, easy access to credit and rising brand consciousness are indeed contributing to the growth story for the country, but inconsistencies in policy-making, glaring inefficiencies in supply-chain logistics, the high cost of real estate and a shortage of good quality retail properties are the main constraints in achieving the projected growth. While there is no doubt about Indias huge market size that attracts the worlds largest retailers, retail real estate in India is still a young industry. With a history of approximately only 13 years, Indias malls make up only 80 million square feet (sq ft) of space. The global financial crisis and its lingering impacts have resulted in major delays to retail-supply additions planned for over the last five years, with 2012 seeing the lowest number of new mall completions in India since 2006. If all of the planned new supply targeted for completion between 2013 and 2015 gets delivered, India will have 100 million sq ft of mall space by the end of 2015, still a fairly small number given the market size. Visible Impact of FDI Will Take Time

With the relaxation of the FDI policy, the government has ended a waiting period of more than seven years for multinational retailers to enter the market. The impact is likely to be a mixed initially as small retailers and middlemen/agents will face increased pressure on their business with the entry of the international retail-chain operators. However, it will work positively for farmers and small-scale manufacturing hubs as they will find large-scale buyers for their products. It will also be beneficial for customers as this will increase one-stop shopping options with access to international brands. It could require an additional 6-10 years for the market to mature. Even in China, the international giants like Wal-Mart, Tesco, Carrefour, Auchan and Costco had a long settling-in period contrary to a general perception that streamlined approval systems, government facilitation and shorter construction periods can help retailers settle down quickly. While the relaxation in FDI rules will allow a big-bang entry by global retailers, some of them have already set up their business in some way or have collaboration arrangements in place with Indian companies. For example, Carrefour opened its first cash-and-carry store in India in New Delhi, German-based Metro opened six wholesale centres in the country, Wal-Mart plans to invest about US$2.5 billion over the next five years in a joint venture with Bharti Retail and Tesco has signed an agreement with Trent Ltd., the retail segment of the Tata Group, to set up cash-and-carry stores. Additionally, Swedish fast-fashion retail giant H&M has sought permission from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to invest US$120 million in India to start a fully-owned company that will open 50 H&M stores. IKEA is currently waiting for the final approval from FIPB to open 25 stores with an investment of US$150 million. U.S. casualwear retailer Gap Inc., French apparel retailer Celio and Japanese fashion brand Uniqlo are also ready with their plans to enter India. Some Hurdles To Overcome

The impact of FDI is closely linked with how India can address economic, political and social hurdles. One of the economic hurdles is the high cost of real estate. Rents in India easily account for 9-15% of retailers revenue, which is significantly higher than the global average of 4-10%. International retailers, sensitive about real estate costs, will help to reduce the dominance of central city locations. Good but off-centre locations can bring down the land cost substantially and eventually developers can pass on these savings to their retailer occupiers with rent that is compatible with their retail business. Another hurdle is the role that Indian state governments can play in allowing FDI in the states they rule. Though the central government has allowed FDI in multi-brand retail at the Centre level, the state governments are at liberty to make their own decisions about the implementation of the policy. With Indian elections due to take place no later than May 2014, the decisions of retailers to enter India could be deferred by a few months. Also, the government has laid down some requirements before allowing FDI in retail and these can affect the business planning for international retailers. The retailers must fulfil the conditions of not less than 30% of the value of procurement needs to be sourced from Indian small industries, at least 50% of FDI brought into India should be invested into backend infrastructure (distribution centres, warehousing and logistics) within three years, minimum FDI investment of US$100 million, multinational retailers can conduct their business only in cities with a population of more than one million (54 such cities as of 2011) and a requirement of a minority Indian partner. While these conditions appear fair to most, it will still take at least 12 to 24 months before India can actually experience the fruits of FDI in multi-brand retail. India is likely to witness a new era in retailing which will be defined by the emergence of new formats and, vastly improved collaboration among the various stakeholders and experimentation with concepts such as tourism, luxury and destination-focused retail and rural retail. Upcoming large townships, mixed-use retail developments, retail centres at transport nodes and in office districts, along with a research driven approach by developers, will assist in bringing in quality supply of the right size and in the right place - and hopefully addressing the demand from foreign brands waiting to tap the extensive and mostly under-exploited Indian market.

Excerpt from:
JLL: FDI in multi-brand retail... Hope In Abeyance

A rendering of the new 11-story Arena Place. (Courtesy Orion Construction - Jan. 7, 2014)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A plan to construct a new building in downtown Grand Rapids' arena district has doubled in size after gaining a new tenant.

The Arena Place building will now have 11 stories and cost about $45 million.

Arena Place, located at what is now a parking lot on Ottawa Avenue SW between Weston and Oakes streets, was initially envisioned as a $28 million, five-story building.

The expansion is because law firm Miller Johnson now intends to move into the building.

In total, the new Arena Place will measure more than 60,000 square feet, according to a Tuesday release from Orion Construction and DO MORE GOOD | Hanon McKendry. That includes 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space and a restaurant, as well as 101 housing units and additional office space. There will also be 250 above-ground parking spaces on three levels.

Miller Johnson, which as been located in four floors of the Calder Plaza Building on Monroe Avenue, will occupy the top four floors of the new Arena Place.

DO MORE GOOD | Hanon McKendry, MINDSCAPE at Hanon McKendry and Meritage Hospitality Group will each occupy one floor of office space.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for this spring and the building should open in the summer of 2015, Orion Construction said. Miller Johnson will move in during the summer of 2016.

The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authorities still needs to approve the changes to the project. Orion Construction said that could happen Wednesday.

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Arena Place project in GR adds 6 stories

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View, a Milpitas, Calif.based maker of architectural dynamic glass, has raised $100 million in equity funding from Madrone Capital Partners. http://www.viewglass.com

Bellicum Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Houston-based developer of cellular immunotherapy products, has raised $14.7 million in new Series B funding. The round now stands at $34.4 million total. Backers include AVG Ventures and Remeditex Ventures. http://www.bellicum.com

Mashable, a tech content site, has raised $13.3 million in its first round of outside funding. Updata Partners led the round, and was joined by New Markets Venture Partners, Social Starts and individual angels. http://www.mashable.com

Isarna Therapeutics, a German developer of cancer drugs, has raised 13 million in new VC funding. AT NewTec led the round, and was joined by return backer MIG. http://www.isarna-therapeutics.com

Mediant Communications LLC, a New York-based provider of outsourced shareholder communications services, has raised $7 million in growth equity funding from existing shareholder Argentum Capital Partners. http://www.mediantonline.com

Remitly Inc., a Seattle-based mobile money transfer service that allows immigrants in the U.S. to send money home, has raised $5.5 million in Series A funding. QED led the round, and was joined by Trilogy Partnership, Founders Co-Op, TomorrowVentures, Bezos Expeditions and individual angels. http://www.remitly.com

Dianrong, a Shanghai-based peer-to-peer lending site, has raised "tens of millions of dollars" of new VC funding from Northern Light Venture Capital. http://www.dianrong.com

American Industrial Partners has acquired the Transportation Products unit of Carlisle Companies Inc. (NYSE: CSL). No financial terms were disclosed. The business makes specialty tires, wheels and power transmission belts for a wide range of end markets. http://www.americanindustrial.com

Clearlake Capital Group has acquired a majority stake in PrimeSport, an Atlanta-based sports travel and entertainment management company, from ticket resale company RazorGator. No financial terms were disclosed. The seller was RazorGator, whose shareholders include Kleiner Perkins, Oak Investment Partners and Steamboat Ventures. http://www.primesport.com

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A COUPLE who saved a former 18th century flint mill and transformed it into their home are to feature on a popular TV series this week.

The Grade II listed building in Stone had begun to collapse when Alan and Dora Appleby began the mammoth rescue project in 2011.

Now their efforts have been filmed for Channel 4s The Restoration Man, which is presented by well-known architect George Clarke.

Viewers can watch the dramatic moments unfold when the episode is screened on Wednesday evening.

For Alan, who works as a chartered surveyor, it was not just a chance to create a unique home with bags of character.

The flint mill is also an important relic of Staffordshires industrial heritage as it was used to grind flint for Josiah Wedgwoods pottery factories.

Alan said: This old building has been rocked to its roots over the decades, but its given good service to a number of trades and industries.

Now weve given it a new lease of life, not only as our home, but as a base for my own business.

The building in Mill Street had lain abandoned since the 1960s and was used as a dumping ground before the Applebys stepped in to rescue it.

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Historic Stone flint mill to feature on Channel 4's Restoration...