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Robins and packed outdoor restaurant patios: In Toronto those are the two sure signs of spring.

But with the patios come the inevitable clashes. Last year, the City of Toronto recorded 270 complaints related to outdoor patios, some dealing with noise. And then theres the loss of precious sidewalk space, squeezing out pedestrians, moms with strollers, seniors on mobility scooters or parents with children in tow.

Teresa Pavlin, a mother of two who lives in the Junction, finds restaurant owners dont always use the best judgment when it comes to patio accoutrements. Getting a stroller down a street crowded with pedestrians as well as other furniture such as planters and sandwich boards can be difficult, she said. But at least we have options. People in wheelchairs and scooters are much more limited.

Councillor Mary Fragedakis (Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth) says residents used to complain about trying to navigate the Danforth with its numerous restaurant patios. But those days are gone with the removal last fall of bulky concrete planters on sidewalks from Broadview to Donlands.

Many had been located at the pinch points, or in front of existing patios, said Fragedakis.

People are praising it to the heavens theyre saying it seems wider now. Its better for pedestrians, for people pushing strollers, elderly people on mobility scooters.

Aside from that, Fragedakis hasnt heard of people unhappy with the Danforths patios. People come to eat, have a coffee or to drink. They sit out and enjoy the fine weather its part of the vibrancy of the area.

As long as the nice flavour restaurant patios bring to an area is balanced with a respect for sidewalk boundaries, Dwight Peters is happy to live near them.

It may sound petty, the downtown condo resident says, when a complaint is made about a patios umbrellas, flowers or sidewalk signs encroaching on the adjoining sidewalk, as happened recently with Bier Markt restaurant on The Esplanade.

But the issue of encroaching patios is important because so many people share the congested corridors of heavily trafficked pedestrian routes, like The Esplanade, says Peters.

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Restaurant patios spark clashes over noise and loss of sidewalk space

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(PRWEB) May 02, 2013

The commercial architects and design specialists at OTJ Architects have seen first-hand how a green workplace can not only save companies money, but also help retain and attract employees. Feedback from organizations show they are shifting toward a healthy atmosphere that accommodates all types of employees with goals of helping the environment, while also reducing operational costs and enabling employees to be more productive.

OTJs architectural firm findings are affirmed by a study conducted by the American Journal of Public Health claiming there were reductions in absenteeism and affected work hours as a result of perceived improvements in health in the workplace. In addition, employees said they saw a positive effect on their productivity when working within a green environment.

Organizations want to do what is right for the environment and are seeing that there are a lot of additional bonuses when doing so, said Lance Jaccard, Partner at OTJ Architects. A company that invests in this green market research knows that their brand will successfully stand out from their competitors because as consumers become more aware of their environmental impact, businesses find it financially damaging to continue irresponsible business practices.

The architect consultants at OTJ Architects have put together examples of how a sustainable workplace design can benefit businesses of all sizes:

According to an additional report by FacilitiesNet, there are links between green building and the productivity of staff. The report concluded that the number of work hours affected by depression and stress decreased by 30 percent when companies transition to green work environments.

Greening your workplace makes sense financially when you end up saving money in the long run every year. Cutting energy, waste and water can mean a 60 percent decrease in utility spending saving that money for more important business operation plans. Energy efficiency bills go down, and employee retention and efficiency goes up, says Jaccard.

About OTJ Architects OTJ Architects is a well-respected national architecture and interior architecture design firm that has successfully completed thousands of projects throughout the country. Founded in 1990, OTJ is comprised of five studios headquartered in Washington, DC, with more than 60 architects and designers, many of whom are LEED Accredited Professionals. OTJ is registered in 37 states and is able to consult in all 50 states. The responsive architecture and interior architecture consultants create effective environments through listening, understanding and tailored design. These designs focus on helping clients enhance collaboration, company branding and employee recruitment and retention. OTJs design teams provide clients with personalized attention to create workplace solutions that reflect their unique, individual needs. For more information visit http://www.otj.com/.

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Commercial Architects at OTJ Share Five Benefits of Green Workplaces

5/2/2013 - West Side Leader

The Awards Program recognizes the quality of work produced by firms and individuals in the Akron Chapter. An eight-member jury comprised of fellow design, community and industry members reviewed more than 50 qualified entries.

TC Architects, located in West Akron, was recognized for its redesign of the resident quarters for Akron General Health Systems main campus hospital, transforming it into a retreat for the doctors with triple the locker capacity, an eating area, TV lounge and more areas for computer access within the same square footage, shown below.

Deanne Frank, an employee of TC Architects, also was recognized for her senior capstone project. The University of Cincinnati capstone experience is designed to demonstrate excellence in architectural design strategies and applied skills. Franks project was one of two that received student awards out of 16 entries.

Pictured above at the award presentation are AIA Akron Chapter President Don Rife, of The Ruhlin Co., of Sharon Center; Jeff Dolly, of Akron General; Rebecca Yakovic, of TC Architects; and Joe Plavecski, of Akron General.

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TC Architects receives design award

An online campaign to have the work of architect Denise Scott Brown recognized by the Pritzker Architecture Prize committee has shed light on the ongoing struggles of women in architecture. Women must push themselves to 'lean in' more to fight internal and external obstacles.

Women make up almost half the graduating architecture classes, but only 17 percent of architecture-firm leadership. Even as women have made great strides in the field over the last several decades, that disconnect hasnt gone away.

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So a few weeks ago, Harvard architecture students Caroline James and Arielle Assouline-Lichten launched a campaign on Change.org, an online petition platform, which has garnered more than 11,300 signatures. Some of the worlds premier architects have signed it including Rem Koolhaas, Jacques Herzog, and Pierre de Meuron.

These signers are petitioning the Pritzker Architecture Prize committee to formally and equally recognize the work of Denise Scott Brown in the 1991 award given exclusively to her male collaborator Robert Venturi. Now in its sixth week, their campaign continues to gain signatures including from Mr. Venturi and nine other Pritzker prize winners and media attention.

More important, the campaign has raised questions about the challenges facing female architectural designers today and how talented women can face them down.

Why would two young female architects take up Ms. Browns cause 22 years after the fact? I am inadvertently responsible for setting into motion the events that led to this petition. But I hesitated to write this article because my contribution did not come from a moment of insight or inspired action; it came from a moment of desperation and self-doubt.

A few weeks ago, as a student at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, I came to campus distressed and deflated. I had been working hard on an application for a prestigious fellowship that was due later that day, but was convinced that my proposal wasn't good enough. I felt naive and that my work was that of an amateur.

Looking for absolution and emotional permission to give up, I turned to a classmate, Caroline James. Instead of the kind shoulder I sought, she gave me a challenge and asked, Have you ever heard of leaning in?

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A blueprint for women architects to overcome doubt, discrimination

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- FOX Architects, an expert in commercial office design, today announced it is celebrating the firm's ten year anniversary as the nation's capital award-winning architecture and interior design firm of choice. Principals and subject matter expert trailblazers includes: Robert Fox, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, Sabret Flocos, IIDA, LEED AP, Jim Allegro, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, Andy Yeh, LEED AP and J.P. Spickler, AIA, LEED AP who lead the firm on the principle that the built environment is a business performance tool.

This milestone comes on the heels of receiving two prestigious awards from the International Interior Design Association's Mid-Atlantic Chapter in April. During the 2013 Design Awards program, FOX was recognized for their CQ Roll Call and Sapient projects. These achievements further reflect FOX's philosophy that the built environment enhances corporate vision and brand while inspiring teams to achieve their business goals. In addition, the firm recently designed and implemented an innovative new workplace for their Virginia office to further support the firm's long term strategic goals.

This ten year anniversary marks a decade of growth, industry achievement and lasting influence on the Washington metropolitan area in its architecture and commercial interiors landscape. Bob Fox, Principal of FOX Architects, shared his enthusiasm about this milestone explaining, "FOX Architects believes in its people, and without them, none of this success would be possible. They contribute in creating a distinguished culture, process and approach to design that differentiates FOX as a firm. We are looking forward to celebrating the next ten years with our talented team, existing and future clients, the community and we anticipate continued success and growth."

About FOX Architects, LLC

Ranked among the Largest Design Firms in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area by the Washington Business Journal, FOX Architects is a fully integrated firm of architects, interior designers, and graphic designers with offices in Washington, D.C. and Virginia. Our portfolio highlights our expertise in commercial office design and architecture at the local and national level. Our multi-disciplined design approach seamlessly incorporates both our base building architecture and interior design capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.fox-architects.comand follow us on Twitter @FOXArchitects.

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FOX Architects Celebrates Ten Year Milestone

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