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British-based firm Wilkinson Eyre Architects has beaten two American builders in a contest to build James Packers $1billion-plus Crown Sydney at Barangaroo, on the citys north-west.

A futuristic design made of sculptured glass and towering 250 m above the ground took the judges' unanimous vote.

The judging panel included representatives from Crown, property developer Lend Lease, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority and the NSW Department of Planning.

Pictures: Take a look at all the designs that were submitted

No Australian firms made the final cut.

Mr Packer will make the formal announcement on Thursday and has said earlier that he wants the 60-storey casino building to become Sydney's most iconic landmark since the Opera House.

He said he wanted the building to be instantly recognisable around the world and feature on postcards and memorabilia promoting Sydney.

The hotel will have about 350 guestrooms and suites above a high rollers casino.

The Crown proposal is currently in Stage 2 of the NSW government's unsolicited proposal process.

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British architects win Packer's Barangaroo casino design contest

Monday evenings West Salem School Board meeting was taken up with presentations by four separate architectural firms. They were auditioning to be the firm of choice for the district if as enrollment projections suggest a new middle school will be needed in the next couple years.

The districts long-range plans to relieve overcrowding in the lower grades envisions a new building on vacant land owned by the district north of the present elementary school and bounded by North Mark Street and East Tilson Street.

District Superintendent Troy Gunderson explained that the firm hired would be asked to take a second look at the districts future plans. Well be asking them to review the plan weve come up and see whether it all makes sense, Gunderson said.

If thats the case and we do need a new building, how big will it be? Where should it be? That way, if you ask people to vote for it (in a referendum), you can answer those questions ahead of time, Gunderson said.

Two of the firms represented Monday are based in La Crosse: TCI and HSR Associates. StruXture Architects is based in Waterloo, Iowa, and Bray Architects is out of Sheboygan.

All were culled from a larger list compiled by the school boards Buildings and Grounds Committee and all have extensive experience in designing educational buildings.

Bray Architects was recently chosen by the La Crosse School District to do the design the Northside Elementary and the firm designed the existing West Salem Elementary building. HSR has designed buildings for UW-La Crosse, Western Technical College and Viterbo University.

TCI, which has completed projects nationwide, was the firm that oversaw the construction of the Heider Center. StruXture Architects has built school buildings all over Iowa, with the closest to La Crosse being a new middle school in Decorah.

During their presentations Monday, representatives of all four firms talked about the latest trends in school design, including items like natural lighting, flexible classrooms and green, efficient buildings.

You know, I think all these folks can do this work, Gunderson said afterward. He said that the firm chosen would likely do a preliminary study, put together a facilities plan, help the district put together a plan for a referendum and, if passed, oversee the construction and design of a new school building.

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Architects line up for WS school project

Crown Ltd. (CWN), the gaming company controlled by billionaire James Packer, chose one of the architects of Singapores Gardens by the Bay project to build a casino tower planned for the shores of Sydneys harbor.

Wilkinson Eyre Architects, which also designed the 440-meter Guangzhou International Finance Center and the side-tilting Millennium Bridge in Gateshead, England, was chosen to work on the tower, the Melbourne-based company said in an e-mailed statement today. Crown and Echo Entertainment Group Ltd (EGP). have both applied to New South Wales state with casino development plans, only one of which can go ahead.

Packer has promised to spend A$1 billion ($984 million) on the complex targeting high-rolling Asian gamblers at the Barangaroo development site just west of Sydneys main business district. Echo is seeking to upgrade its Star casino on an adjacent stretch of harbor shore and has applied for the extension of an exclusive casino license due to expire in 2019 to support the work.

This was my personal preference of three shortlisted designs, Packer told an event hosted by the Australian Financial Review newspaper in Sydney today. It wasnt even, from my perspective, close. I think the curvature of this building is sympathetic to Sydney Harbour and unique to Sydney Harbour.

Packer owns 50 percent of Crown and is the companys chairman. The stock declined 1.1 percent to A$13.35 at the close in Sydney trading, while the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.5 percent.

Crown last week won approval from the states gaming regulator to lift its stake in Echo beyond the current 10 percent level to as much as 23 percent. Its still waiting for approval from authorities in Queensland state, where Echo has three casinos. Genting Hong Kong Ltd (GENHK)., the cruise ship company controlled by Lim Kok Thay, in October also applied to raise its stake in Echo to 25 percent.

To contact the reporter on this story: David Fickling in Sydney at dfickling@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephanie Wong at swong139@bloomberg.net

Australian billionaire James Packer speaks during the Manila launch of a major casino joint venture project. Photograph: Jay Directo via AFP/Getty Images

Australian billionaire James Packer speaks during the Manila launch of a major casino joint venture project. Photograph: Jay Directo via AFP/Getty Images

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Billionaire Packer Picks Singapore Gardens Architects for Casino

Showing photos of their best work, the architects vying to design Eugenes next City Hall made pitches on Wednesday evening to residents and the man who would hire them, City Manager Jon Ruiz.

A standing-room crowd of more than 50 people attended the presentations in the Bascom Tykeson Room of the Public Library by Rowell Brokaw Architects of Eugene and THA Architecture of Portland.

The architects did not present potential designs for a new City Hall. That wont happen until sometime after Ruiz hires one of their firms.

Instead, the architects discussed how they would meet the City Councils five values that are meant to guide the project: identity, participation, stewardship, simplicity and Eugene at age 200 50 years from now.

Architect John Rowell promoted his firms hometown roots.

We know what it means to be local, he said, standing in front of a slide with a map contrasting the two-minute walk from his downtown office to City Hall, compared to a two-hour drive from Portland to Eugene. We wake up in this city each day.

The City Council has decided to construct a smaller City Hall on its present site, the block bounded by East Eighth and Seventh avenues and Pearl and High streets, using as much of the existing building and parking as is practical.

THA architect Corey Martin, using a fast-moving Powerpoint presentation, said his firm is aware of the problems in the now-shuttered City Hall, including its fortress-like appearance.

The main problem with the building is that it does not activate the street, he said.

While they would be the lead architects on the project, both Rowell Brokaw and THA have partnered with other architecture firms to design City Hall.

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Architects make pitch for Eugene City Hall job

WORCESTER The Worcester Historical Commission has given green lights to window and door replacement projects at two elementary school buildings.

The commission granted waivers tonight to the citys demolition delay ordinance for May Street School and Lake View School, which will have their windows and doors replaced under the states Accelerated School Repair Program.

The waivers allow both projects to forgo the 12-month delay called for in the ordinance.

Paul Moosey, assistant commissioner of engineering in the Department of Public Works and Parks, said May Street and Lake View are among five city school buildings that will get repairs under the accelerated repair program overseen by the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

He said the state will pick up the tab for 80 percent of the project.

Because both school buildings are listed on the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System, they fall under the purview of the demolition delay ordinance, which mandates a 12-month hold on demolition of or planned changes to historic structures to allow time to explore alternative uses.

The replacement of windows is one of the many provisions included in the demolition delay ordinance.

May Street School, at 265 May St., was built in 1927; a gymnasium/addition was built in the 1950s. Lake View School, at 133 Coburn Ave., was built in 1922.

Mr. Moosey said the contracts the city has signed with the Massachusetts School Building Authority specify what can and cannot be used when it comes to window replacement materials. He said the windows also have to reach certain energy codes.

As a result, repairing the original windows or replacing them with the same kind of materials could not be an option, he added.

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Worcester panel OKs window replacements at 2 schools

Sterling Heights, MI (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

After 20 years in St. Clair Shores, Kopke Remodeling & Design will be opening its second location in Sterling Heights this summer.

Dave Kopke, President and C.E.O. explains the reason for the move: "When you draw a 15-mile radius around our Harper location, much of what is covered is Lake St. Clair. At our new location, we will still be close enough to reach the Grosse Pointes, but we will also be positioned to reach new clients in Oakland County."

Kopke plans to keep its east-side location open as a sales office, but there will no longer be an operating showroom.

"We will be concentrating on showcasing the latest and greatest kitchen remodeling products. It seems as if there is a resurgence of enthusiasm in our area for remodeling the kitchen," says Kayla Kopke, Marketing Manager. "For the first time ever, there are more calls coming in for kitchen remodels than there are telemarketers," she jokes.

"We are excited for this opportunity to grow our business and meet new clients," says owner Dave. "And an update to our showroom is long overdue. When we are finished, it will be a place where homeowners of all ages and style preferences will be able to come and gain inspiration for their projects."

Keep an eye out for Kopke's new showroom coming Summer 2013.

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Kopke Remodeling to Open State-of-the-Art Showroom in Sterling Heights Summer 2013

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Four Seasons Home Improvement Company, Inc., a licensed general contractor specializing in roofing and residential exterior remodeling, has announced that it recently completed its 700th job in Montgomery Village, Maryland.

Montgomery Village is a planned community of 40,000 homes located in the heart of Montgomery County that was developed in the late 1960s to 1970s. Four Seasons Home Improvement has been doing work in Montgomery Village since 1976. The company's staff members recently discovered that they had reached a milestone shortly after finishing a roofing installation project.

"Over the years, we've completed many different home improvement projects in the Montgomery Village community," said David Peters, General Manager of Four Seasons Home Improvement. "As the leading home improvement contractors, we've handled many patio improvements, siding and trim work."

Four Seasons Home Improvement has also installed patio sliding glass doors, and completed countless roofing and gutter systems replacements in the area.

"Montgomery Village homeowners trust us with their home improvement projects because we have expert knowledge of the construction requirements and we take care of the homeowners association process for customers, so it's an easy choice," said Peters. "Those homes are like our own."

About Four Seasons Home Improvement Company, Inc.: Founded in 1976, Four Seasons Home Improvement (http://fourseasonshomeimp.com/) is a professionally licensed general contractor. The company has offices in Rockville, Maryland and Fairfax, Virginia and serves the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Services include repair and installation of roofing, decks and insulation, as well as patio remodeling and replacement windows. The company has an A rating on Angie's List and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

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Four Seasons Home Improvement Celebrates Milestone

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 15, 2013

Aire Serv of Over The Mountain was awarded the "Best of the Best" designation for excellence by Follow Media Consulting, Inc. in the category of Air Conditioning Birmingham AL. This award signifies the continued commitment and dedication of the areas best in heating and air conditioning solutions, repair and maintenance service.

Aire Serv of Over The Mountain is a full-service heating and air conditioning company serving Alabaster, Birmingham, Bessemer, Brighton, Bluff Park, Center Point, Forestdale, Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, Shoal Creek, Vestavia Hills, Vestavia, Riverchase and surrounding areas of Delaware with licensed, expert technicians providing services ranging from indoor air quality solutions to furnace repair.

With more than 170 HVAC storefronts across the United States and Canada, Aire Serv of Over The Mountain's courteous and experienced specialists are there to make your home comfy, cozy all year round no matter the weather outside.

Aire Serv Over The Mountain provides service, repair, maintenance and replacements of heating and air conditioning equipment. While a Trane dealer, they provide service on all brands of equipment. They also provide 24/7 emergency service, flat rating pricing and no overtime charge. Additionally, you know the price before they start and offer free estimates on replacement systems.

At Aire Serv of Over The Mountain knows HVAC emergencies can happen at any time which is why their technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deliver prompt, reliable home heating and air conditioning repairs. They service and install all brands of HVAC equipment, and their exclusive written guarantees ensure a system meets the highest standards possible.

Call Aire Serv at 205-591-555 and discover why they are "Your Comfort Company". Visit their website at http://birmingham.aireserv.com/.

About Follow Media Consulting, Inc.

Named one of the best SEO companies by Jonas Marketing, Follow Media Consulting, Inc. is a rapidly growing worldwide firm of SEO, Social Media, and Mobile Marketing Professionals. Follow Media Consulting, Inc. headquarters is located in Richmond, VA. However, our professional team is networked across the world, with regional offices across the United States, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, South Africa, the Philippines, and India.

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Air Conditioning Birmingham AL 'Best of the Best' Awarded to Aire Serv of Over The Mountain for Excellence by Follow ...

The Alice Independent School District Board of Trustees discussed the renovations to several schools on Monday night.

Vice President from WKMC Architects, Bill Wilson, went before the board and presented the renovations to be done at Alice High School, Mary. R. Garcia Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary, Salazar Elementary and Memorial Intermediate.

I want to report positively that we are very happy with the results that we put three projects out, Wilson said.

At a previous meeting in January, Wilson went before the board and gave an overview of a shopping list of renovations to be done at Memorial Intermediate. They included a new canopy cover at the pick up/drop off area, a covered walkway at the administration building, painting existing canopies, demolish the old wheelchair lift and construct a new covered accessible ramp, place handrails at existing ramps, replace old handrails, a new front door at the campus entrance and replace windows in the gym and classroom wings.

The interior of the school mainly included restroom renovations by rearranging fixtures. The purpose of the renovations to the restrooms is to meet handicap requirements so they will make the doors to the restrooms inboard and knock down the small wall blocking the main door.

The board approved a budget of $1,668,900 for renovations at Memorial and Wilson said they would like to add additional walkways which is an estimated $30,000.

At Salazar Elementary the board approved the construction of two restrooms which is an estimated cost of $298,000. Wilson said they will build covered walkways that will connect to those restrooms which is estimated at $50,000 and the board previously approved $200,000 for any other miscellaneous renovations that need to be done at that school.

If you take the boards previously approved budget amendments plus the items we have added to it...our estimated updated budget estimate at the end of the bidding process was $2,460,900 for this project, Wilson said.

The new restrooms at Salazar Elementary will be 600 square foot with air conditioning and mechanical closet. There will be four stalls and two sinks for each girl restroom and two stalls, two urinals and two sinks for each boy restroom.

Were happy that this project came in a little more than $200,000 less than what the board previously approved even with those additional scopes and work conditions, Wilson said.

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AISD board approves several school renovation projects, totaling $3.3 million

The series outstanding performance-cost ratio makes these sensors ideal for automotive and medical applications, and the SMT-compatible package enables the sensors to be used in high volume applications for on-circuit temperature control.

Designed with ease-of-use and flexibility in mind, these fully-calibrated sensors come in three different data output options:

TSYS02D: I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) for integration into digital interface bus systems; TSYS02P: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for integration into simple control units; TSYS02S: SDM (Sigma Delta Modulation) for integration into analog circuitries.

The 16-bit temperature sensing resolution combined with the low power and highly accurate characteristics make these sensors cost-effective replacements for thermistors, NTCs (negative temperature coefficients) and RTDs (resistance temperature detectors).

Available in an ultra-compact TDFN8 surface mount package, the TSYS02 measures only 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm, while drawing a maximum of 12.5 A. Operating temperature range is -40C to +125C.

Every TSYS02 is factory-calibrated to provide a high accuracy of 0.2C. Custom calibration is also available to meet specific application needs.

Pricing for a TSYS02 is $1.85 (US) per unit in quantities of 10,000. Delivery time is dependent upon quantity ordered.

For more information, email oem@meas-spec.com

For high res download and full text: http://www.simongroup.com/PressRoom/press-release.php?Job=MEA-A-3327

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Digital Temperature Sensors offer 3 data output options.