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The American Institute of Architects has broken the gender barrier for its highest award, the gold medal. The 2014 medal is going to famed California architect Julia Morgan nearly 57 years after her death in 1957 and more than 100 years after the first gold medal was conferred.

Morgan, whose most famous building is Hearst Castle at San Simeon on Californias central coast, was a pivotal figure in the history of American architecture and American women, according to an article the AIA published on its website announcing the award -- the eighth gold medal awarded posthumously.

Morgan practiced nearly 50 years before her retirement in 1951, designing more than 700 homes, churches, hotels, civic and commercial buildings and museums.

GRAPHIC: Best of 2013 | Entertainment and culture

But the AIA's online article noted that her reputation eroded as the more austere modernist movement became dominant and the more lavish Beaux-Arts tradition informing Morgans work fell out of vogue.

The award, open to residents of other nations as well as Americans, honors a significant body of work of lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Its voted on annually by the board of directors of the AIA, a professional organization headquartered in Washington, but with chapters across the nation. The AIA will celebrate Morgans life and work in late June at its annual convention in Chicago. The 2013 award went to L.A. architect Thom Mayne.

Among other winners, 1993 medalist Thomas Jefferson, who died in 1826, waited the longest to be recognized for enduring designs such as his home, Monticello, the Virginia Capitol and original structures at the University of Virginia.

The AIA article noted that Morgans candidacy was championed by several celebrated architects who had backed her with letters of recommendation.

Frank Gehry, the AIAs 1999 gold medalist, disputed the notion that Morgans achievement was irrelevant to later architectural advances: Looking at her work, one can find her playing with symmetry asymmetrically, slipping forms vertically and horizontally, orienting her buildings for climate and daylight, and expressing structure in new ways, pointing the way to Modernism on the horizon.

PHOTOS: Hawthorne's best architecture moments of 2013

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Hearst Castle's Julia Morgan is first woman to win AIA's gold medal

Strong retail construction will continue in 2014

Poland is one of Europe's leaders in retail space under construction

The supply of new shopping center space in 2014 will be similar to that in 2013. A total of 520,000 sqm of new space will be added to the stock, including some 120,000 sqm in six expanded malls, according to Katarzyna Michnikowska, senior conultant at Cushman & Wakefield.

The biggest opening next year will be Atrium Felicity in Lublin (73,000 sqm of GLA) and Galeria Warmiska in Olsztyn (41,000 sqm), Ms Michnikowska said.

This year saw several large shopping malls delivered to the market, with Pozna City Center (61,000 sqm) and Galeria Katowicka in the Silesian Agglomeration (53,000 sqm) marking some of the biggest openings. A total of 650,000 sqm of retail space was completed throughout 2013, 20 percent more than last year.

Poland continues to be one of Europes leading countries in retail space construction. It came in fourth, after Russia, Turkey and the UK in terms of new retail space delivered in the first half of 2013.

Smaller cities in the running

As major Polish cities grow increasingly saturated in retail space, developers are turning their focus to smaller cities with populations of 200,000 or less.

In the next few years developers focus on smaller cities will set the tone for the retail market, said Patrycja Dzikowska, associate director of research and consultancy at Jones Lang LaSalle. New schemes are being constructed in cities like Olsztyn, Kalisz, Elblg, Lublin and Siedlce, Ms Dzikowska added.

Some of those smaller cities are already showing significant saturation levels, such as Rzeszw, with 800 sqm per 1,000 inhabitants, Legnica and Opole. These cities, however, act as retail hubs for several other smaller towns, sometimes even 100 km away, and thus their retail centers may have much larger catchment areas. Still, developers should be very careful when considering a new project there, Ms Dzikowska remarked.

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Poland is one of Europe's leaders in retail space under construction

Restoration Home is a BBC television series produced by Endemol who created the BBC Restoration (TV series). The series follows owners of historic buildings as they restore them into 21st-century dream houses.[1] The show is presented by Caroline Quentin who has an interest in the history and restoration of old buildings, architectural expert Kieran Long and social historian Dr Kate Williams who will investigate the histories of the properties.[2]

A book, Restoration Home by Gavin Weightman published by BBC Publications accompanies the series.

The introduction titles to the program were filmed at Bank Hall which was a building featured in the 2003 BBC Restoration (TV series).

The first building to feature is St Thomas Becket Church, Pensford in Somerset, which is on the heritage critical list. A flood in 1968 led to the church's deconsecration and it has been declared redundant. The owners saw it in 2007 and bought the listed church with plans to convert it into a three-bedroom house. As the church is transformed, its past is revealed.[3]

The second building is Nutbourne Common Pumping Station, Nutbourne, Horsham, West Sussex, which closed in the 1970s. The building is a ruin which contains all its old mechanisms and machinery. The owners aim to turn the concrete carcass into a carbon efficient home. Research by Kieran Long and Dr Kate Williams reveals the history of property.[4][5]

The third building, Stoke Hall in Derbyshire, a 30-room Georgian country house suffered from a leaking roof and widespread rot. The hall's 250-year-old dcor was at risk of being destroyed. The restoration reveals the history of the house, with architectural and social connections to influential people. Research reveals that the hall's architect designed Chatsworth House.[6]

The fourth building, Stanwick Hall in Stanwick, Northamptonshire, was in poor condition and on the Buildings at Risk Register. Years of neglect have left fungus growing on walls running wet with damp and timbers so rotten that one good storm might bring down the roof. Evidence is uncovered showing the hall was built as a result of a financial scandal of the early 18th century.[7]

The fifth building, Calverton Manor in Calverton, Buckinghamshire, is a mixture of different architectural styles, with parts thought to date from the 14th century. It is connected to a legend involving a rich widow, the local butcher, pots of gold and murder. As the building's architectural and historical secrets are revealed, the owners are faced with woodworm problems in the buildings main structure.[8]

The sixth building Big House in Landshipping, Pembrokeshire. Now a carcass, it was once a building of grandeur and influence. Historical and architectural research reveals it was built on the proceeds of the coal industry. The owner bought the property 10 years ago for restoration.[9]

Airing in 2012 Series Two featured six more buildings and their journeys as they are restored by their owners. The introduction piece to camera was filmed at Houghton House

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Restoration Home (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Home Repair & Maintenance Home Maintenance How to Replace Cabinet Shelves

Elizabeth Chaplin

Elizabeth Chaplin has been writing professionally since 2005 and has published articles with various websites. She works as a freelance children's book illustrator and graphic designer and is knowledgeable in crafting, interior design and photography. She is also an amateur hairstylist who has been cutting and coloring hair since 2003. Chaplin has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration from Columbia College.

Cabinet shelving must often be replaced after long-term use. Shelves can bow with the constant weight of cans of food, kitchen appliances and books, and this bowing can cause cracking. Shelves inside cabinets are relatively easy to replace because they do not need to be decorative. This means the shelf can be created from particle board or plywood. Most cabinets have notches along the sides to hold shelf hangers, which insert into the notches and hold the shelf in place. Creating replacement shelves is fairly easy to do.

Measure the inside of the cabinet from left to right and back to front.

Mark and cut a sheet of 1/2-inch particle board or plywood to fit.

Test the shelf for size by sliding it into the cabinet. The shelf should fit somewhat snugly but still be loose enough to slide in and out.

Remove the shelf and sand its outer edge and top. This will roughen the surface and make the adhesive grip better. Vacuum up the dust.

Measure and cut laminate with a utility knife to fit the front edge and the top of the shelf--the parts that will be visible.

Brush contact cement onto the top and the front edge of the shelf and the backside of the laminate.

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How to Replace Cabinet Shelves | eHow

Varadkar tipped to replace Reilly in health

Monday, December 23, 2013

James Reilly is likely to be replaced by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar in the Cabinet reshuffle next year, senior sources predict.

By Michael OKane, Political Editor

Mr Kenny said: I certainly would like to see that people who work very hard and who show real ability should be given a chance to demonstrate that.

Sources said senior ministers were now openly criticising his complete lack of management skills at the crisis-laden health department and they fear that Dr Reillys dismal performance will hinder the Coalitions efforts for re-election in 2016.

His replacement could be Leo Varadkar, who is a medical doctor, is viewed as a top performer in the transport and tourism brief. Sources say such an appointment would be designed to test him out and keep the minister, whos not afraid to voice his opinions, on a short leash.

The announcement is being interpreted as a warning to those on the frontbench to stay on their toes and deliver dynamic and jobs-friendly departmental submissions as part of the Governments medium-term economic strategy.

Labour Party sources said while Tnaiste Eamon Gilmore will move himself out of Foreign Affairs to help concentrate party efforts on the 2016 election, there is no sign of Pat Rabbitte, in communications, or Ruairi Quinn, in education, willingly stepping aside for the likes of Alex White, Sen Sherlock or Aodhn Rordin.

A lot will also depend on the results of next Mays European and local elections, as to whether there is an appetite for the Coalition partners to switch ministerial portfolios.

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Varadkar tipped to replace Reilly in health

"When over four million home owners swear by a product you can't deny it must be worth their hard earned money. That's what people say about HardiPlank Siding." HardiPlank siding is a revolutionary exterior siding product that is nothing short of a masterstroke in cement fiber technology. Durable, attractive, and relatively easy to [Click Here To Read More...]

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Hardiplank Siding - Pros Cons, Prices, Installation

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Home Repair & Maintenance Exterior Home Repair How to Install Masonite Lap Siding

Michael Logan

Michael Logan is a writer, editor and web page designer. His professional background includes electrical, computer and test engineering, real estate investment, network engineering and management, programming and remodeling company owner. Logan has been writing professionally since he was first published in "Test & Measurement World" in 1989.

Masonite lap siding is an inexpensive alternative to wood siding. It looks similar to wood siding, but it costs less and comes in widths up to 12 inches. Often referred to as hardboard siding, Masonite has received a poor reputation in recent years for lack of durability. However, with proper installation and maintenance, Masonite lap siding will last 10 years or more. Following the manufacturer's recommendations will result in house siding that won't rot or deteriorate in two or three years.

Set up the paint sprayer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the sprayer with primer paint.

Prime the back side of the lap siding with two even coats of primer. Add an additional coat of primer to the front of the lap siding. Coat evenly and do not allow heavy buildups. Cover all the edges. Allow the primer to dry completely between coats. Give the 1x2 and 1x3 lumber a coat of primer at the same time.

Apply two coats of paint with the sprayer, covering the front, back and edges of the siding. Allow the paint to dry completely between coats. Paint the 1x2 and 1x3 lumber with one coat of paint.

Use the laser level to mark a line around the house. The line should be located one siding width up from the lowest level of the installed siding. Snap a chalk line on the marks on each side of the house.

Measure and cut a piece of 1x2 to fit the corner of the house from the chalk line to the eave. With the piece flush to the corner, nail it in place with galvanized finish nails. Complete this step for all the corners of the house.

On the opposite side of the corner, cut and fit a piece of 1x3 to match the 1x2 already in place. Hold it flush with the outer edge of the 1x2 and nail in place with galvanized finish nails. Complete this step for all the corners of the house.

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How to Install Masonite Lap Siding | eHow

Thesequestions arepublished by the Vinyl Siding Institute, Inc. (VSI) as a service to the industry. VSI members are manufacturers of vinyl and other polymeric siding and suppliers to the industry. The information provided in thisdocument is offered in good faith and believed to be reliable, but is made without warranty, express or implied, as to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other matter. VSI does not endorse the proprietary products or processes of any manufacturer. Thisdocument is not intended to provide specific advice, legal or otherwise, on particular products or processes. Readers should consult with their own legal and technical advisors, vinyl siding suppliers, and other appropriate sources (including but not limited to product or package labels, technical bulletins, or sales literature) that contain information about known and reasonably foreseeable health and safety risks of their proprietary products and processes. VSI, its members, and contributors do not assume any responsibility for the users compliance with applicable laws and regulations, nor for any persons relying on the information contained in this document.

Installers should review local building codes and manufacturers literature for variations that may apply to specific products and/or geographic areas.

Q: What are the keys to a good vinyl siding installation job? A: Allowing for Expansion and Contraction Vinyl siding contracts and expands as the outside temperature changes. To avoid structural or aesthetic problems associated with this characteristic, take the following steps:

For more information, refer to page 15 ofthe VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual.

Keeping It Straight and Level Keep in mind, siding is only as straight and stable as what lies under it. Below are some issues to address before you start installation:

Q: How do I prepare the structure's walls? A: Your main goal in preparing the walls of the structure is to ensure a flat, even surface. On any project, remember to install code-compliant flashing before starting to apply siding.

New Construction As stated in the VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual, before you begin installing vinyl siding in a new construction project:

Residing As stated in the VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual, before you begin construction on a residing project:

For more information, refer to page 17 of the VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual.

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Installation FAQ - VSI - The Vinyl Siding Institute

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Metal roofing is becoming more popular every day due to its ability to withstand Floridas harshest climates. Today a metal roof provides more beauty, longevity, durability, safety, and better energy efficiency than ever before.

Tri County Metals is the manufacturer of metal roof panels in Trenton, Florida with metal roof sales and convenient supply locations in Trenton, Live Oak and Ocala Florida. We produce our roofing panels from specially treated Galvalume 24, 26 and 29 gauge prime coated metal with Akzo-Nobels Ceram-A-Star 1050 the industrys best and strongest SMP coil coating system. Ceram-A-Star offers superior color stability, chalk & fade resistance and gloss retention. A properly installed metal roof from Tri County Metals can be expected to last 2 to 3 times longer than other roofing materials.

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If you want to know Where the Girls Are, look no further than two of Ace Records latest releases. The eighth installment of the labels Where the Girls Are series is a grab-bag of the best girl-group pop youve never heard, while The Artistry of Brenda Holloway gives a much-deserved spotlight to the underrated Motown vocalist who so often found herself in the shadows of Diana Ross or Martha Reeves.

Where the Girls Are Volume 8, compiled and annotated by Malcolm Baumgart and Mick Patrick, offers 25 girl-pop nuggets that sound as fresh today as when they were first recorded in the 1960s. There arent many familiar artists represented, but one group with top-tier credentials here is certainly The Blossoms. When Lou Adler launched his Ode Records, it was with a 45 of the Darlene Love-led groups rendition of Laura Nyros Stoney End. Here, then, is their follow-up, Nick Ashford, Valarie Simpson and Jo Armsteads Cry Like a Baby, previously recorded by none other than Aretha Franklin. The Blossoms, who got their due as perhaps the preeminent group of background singers in the recent film Twenty Feet from Stardom, are also heard on I Still Like Rock and Roll under the pseudonym The Darlenes. The latter was produced by Lee Hazlewood for the Stacy label, who frequently utilized the girls under a variety of names largely intended to fool his then-rival Phil Spector. Speaking of Spector, his onetime Teddy Bears partner Carol Connors future Academy Award-winning songwriter of Gonna Fly Now from Rocky gets a slot here with the deliciously sassy My Baby Looks, But He Dont Touch.

Another familiar name here is Little Eva. Her post-Dimension Records output is infrequently revisited, so its a treat to hear her 1965 cover of Stand by Me with unusually rocking guitar! Stand by Me is just one of the songs on Volume 8 from the production team of Feldman-Goldstein-Gotteher, recipients of a previous Ace anthology all their own. (Where the Girls Are affords the label the chance to revisit past subjects, and indeed this volume complements many previous titles in the Ace catalogue.) Also from the F-G-G team is The Four Havens Gee, But Hes Fine, Ravita Marcells Thats My Man, and Diane Christians Why Dont the Boy Leave Me Alone. Grammar notwithstanding, this is one of those productions that shouldnt have missed. The angst-ridden teen drama is set to a big, bold, string-laden arrangement, and offers a powerful lead and tight vocal harmony in other words, all of the ingredients for a hit.

Van McCoy, another past Ace subject, wrote Carol Slades I Wanna Know Right Now with strings adding a hint of elegance, and wrote and produced Kendra Spotswoods classy Stickin with My Baby. Though information as to some of these artists has been lost to time, Baumgart and Patrick have done an exceptional job tracking many down. We learn, for instance, that Spotswood was a New Jersey singer once known as Sandi Sheldon and a part-time touring Shirelle!

The Bonnets Ya Gotta Take a Chance, recorded at Los Angeles famed Gold Star studio, would have fit snugly on Aces Phils Spectre series. Its a dead ringer for Spectors bombastic Wall of Sound productions, and writer/producer Al Allen recalls Hal Blaine being the man responsible for the thunderous drums, and Larry Levine or Stan Ross engineering. The music of New York writer-producer Bert Berns was also anthologized by Ace, and here, the Bang Records founder is represented with two quirky tracks from a group alternately dubbed The Pussycats and The Witches (Berns and Farrells My Little Baby arranged by Artie Butler, and Come On and Ska, with a Teacho Wiltshire chart, respectively).

There has yet to be a definitive history of the early recordings of Philadelphias Mighty Three trio of Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell, but there are a handful of choice titles here that should set the pulse racing of any Philly Soul fan. The Orlons I Aint Comin Back was co-written by Gamble and produced by Gamble and Huff, and is a quintessential slice of uptempo Philly pop-soul circa 1965. Huff co-wrote No, No Baby for The Sherrys, and the Madara/White production on Mercury was a deliciously defiant slab of girl group goodness with a Steve Douglas-esque honking sax solo, a rollicking piano part and potent horns. The third member of the Mighty Three, Thom Bell, co-wrote Nikki Blus (Whoa Whoa) I Love Him So with Chubby Checker who also produced! Theres no sign of Bells future lush style here, but the track is another sassy, danceable and catchy nugget with prominent piano and punchy brass.

In addition, Philly fans will find 1965s rousing Gotta Have Your Love from The Sapphires a Brill Building gem by Tony Powers (early partner of Ellie Greenwich) and Jack Keller, produced by Jerry Ross and arranged by Jimmy Wiz Wisner plus the future Mrs. Gamble Dee Dee Sharp, with a female spin on Mel Tormes cool Comin Home Baby.

Theres more after the jump on both Where the Girls Are and The Artistry of Brenda Holloway! Read the rest of this entry

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