Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Hart Wright Architects recently completed a project that is a harmonious blend of the Mid-Century Modern Style and Hart Wright Architects' own unique, fresh and modern design style.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) March 21, 2013

The original kitchen in this Mid-Century Modern home needed to be updated. Also the floor plan was not working- flow was broken up and there were too many rooms yet still not enough space. To reinvent the Mid Century Modern style, Hart Wright Architects re-used existing features and incorporated them into the design. They kept a cabinet but moved it over two feet to allow a second walkway into the kitchen keeping the separation between kitchen and dining room but increasing the flow and transparency between the two spaces. This second passage is painted bright yellow and casts a glow into the adjacent spaces.

Hart Wright Architects designed the cabinetry in the kitchen to have a finish combination of both wood and paint, thereby complimenting, but not copying the existing cabinetry. The wood frames are white oak, and the blue painted cabinet doors match the Heath Ceramic Tile used for the backsplash. The orange was inspired by the clients' own Eames chairs, and the stove, from Blue Star, could come in orange, too.

Existing redwood tiles with alternating grain created a checkerboard pattern. Hart Wright Architects re-used them to create a seamless transition of old house and new remodeled space. Light valences with linear LEDs, flow from room to room, a modern feature that adds light and thoughtful detail.

The dining room table is a custom built piece designed by Hart Wright Architects and is made of walnut boards and maple veneer "Europly" plywood legs. The balance of the two materials together represented a refined casualness, similar to the balance of the refined yet casual elegance of the space.

In terms of the design process, this project went very smoothly. There was a lot of collaboration with the owners and the contractor. An important strength of Hart Wright Architects is their belief in the idea that owner, architect, and contractor are all part of a team working together. Hart Wright Architects emphasizes being on budget and schedule while still pushing the ideas for great design.

About Hart Wright Architects

Hart Wright Architects is a green architecture, urban and landscape design firm based in San Francisco serving clients in Palto Alto, Atherton, Napa, Mill Valley and most of the Bay area. Through all phases of design and construction, HWA is committed to excellence in architectural design solutions, active problem solving, and the highest standards of client service. They recently became certified DBE for being a woman owned architecture business.

Principal Eliza Hart is a licensed architect in San Francisco. She received a Master of Architecture and an MA in Urban Planning at UCLA. Hart Wright Architects has extensive experience spanning the full range of services from schematic design to construction documents to construction administration Eliza founded Hart Wright Architects in 2006, a firm that emphasizes quality, environmental sustainability and a team approach to solving problems and getting the job done well.

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Hart Wright Architects Combine Casual with Refined Elegance in their 1950s "Mid-Century Modern" Design

Plans for a new $84 million College of Business Administration building at the University of NebraskaLincoln have progressed, with one quarter of the privately raised funds committed and architects selected, university officials said.

Last week, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture of Nebraska as architects for the new building.

CBA Dean Donde Plowman said the University of Nebraska Foundation has received a combination of outright gifts, documented gift commitments and verbal gift commitments, which in total represents more than a quarter of the $84 million goal. The entire cost of the new college building, planned for the southeast corner of 14th and Vine streets, is being raised from private donations to the foundation.

Major gifts have been received or committed by:

*Howard and Rhonda Hawks of Omaha. Howard Hawks is a 1957 alumnus of the UNL College of Business Administration and a former NU regent.

*Peter and Nancy Salter of Phoenix, with a gift in honor of Nancy Salter's father, Arthur M. Henrickson, a businessman and 1940 alumnus of the university's College of Arts and Sciences. Nancy Salter graduated from the university in 1968.

*Glenn Korff of Boulder, Colo., and Kenneth Korff of Tucson, Ariz., with a gift in honor of their father, Paul W. Korff, a 1933 alumnus of the college.

*Union Bank & Trust Co. of Lincoln and Nelnet Inc. of Lincoln, led by members of the Dunlap family.

"With these generous gifts, we are off to a tremendous start in achieving our goal of building a state-of-the-art facility to house our nationally recognized college of business that has seen dramatic growth in the last three years," Plowman said in a press release.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects is a leading architecture firm that has developed a portfolio of buildings for business schools, including buildings for Harvard Business School, the University of Virginia, Penn State, Miami University and Rice University, with buildings under construction at Wake Forest University and the University of Notre Dame and in design for the University of Florida and the University of Kentucky.

Read more here:
Architects chosen for CBA building

Roofing contractor will be able to offer water restoration service in addition to roof repair and roof replacement.

Keller, TX (PRWEB) March 21, 2013

Crestmont Roofing & Construction has acquired all of the equipment that will allow them to extract water from floods, pipe breaks, roof leaks and more. The interior is then dried out with fans, dehumidifiers and ozone machines. After the water restoration, Crestmont Roofing & Construction would then be able to do the complete renovation to get the building back to where it was before the water damage.

The addition of water restoration work will put Crestmont Roofing & Construction in position to be more useful to insurance agents and insurance companies that are looking for one roofing contractor to be able to handle the job from start to finish.

Water damage restoration is the process of restoring a property back to its previous condition after sustaining any level of water damage. Services include the inspection of an affected property, drying of the structure and sanitization of the affected area. After two or three days, the structure is reevaluated to monitor the drying process. All equipment would be removed once the structure is deemed safe.

Locally and family owned, Crestmont Roofing & Construction has made customer service a top priority. Crestmont will perform a free roof inspection and provide a no obligation estimate for needed repairs or roof replacement.

About the company:

Gary Chasteen is the owner of Crestmont Roofing & Construction, LLC and Crestmont Custom Homes, LLC. Chasteen has been in involved in the construction industry for over 10 years and has been building large custom homes, as well as remodeling and roof repair for many satisfied customers throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth and surrounding areas.

Gary Chasteen Crestmont Roofing & Construction 682-237-1267 Email Information

The rest is here:
Crestmont Roofing & Construction Adds Water Restoration Service

Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls.

Earnings' unreliability is one of the reasons Foolish investors often flip straight past the income statement to check the cash flow statement. In general, by taking a close look at the cash moving in and out of the business, you can better understand whether the last batch of earnings brought money into the company, or merely disguised a cash gusher with a pretty headline.

Calling all cash flows When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Beacon Roofing Supply (Nasdaq: BECN) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. Dollar values in millions. FCF = free cash flow. FY = fiscal year. TTM = trailing 12 months.

Over the past 12 months, Beacon Roofing Supply generated $55.6 million cash while it booked net income of $74.7 million. That means it turned 2.7% of its revenue into FCF. That doesn't sound so great. FCF is less than net income. Ideally, we'd like to see the opposite.

All cash is not equal Unfortunately, the cash flow statement isn't immune from nonsense, either. That's why it pays to take a close look at the components of cash flow from operations, to make sure that the cash flows are of high quality. What does that mean? To me, it means they need to be real and replicable in the upcoming quarters, rather than being offset by continual cash outflows that don't appear on the income statement (such as major capital expenditures).

For instance, cash flow based on cash net income and adjustments for non-cash income-statement expenses (like depreciation) is generally favorable. An increase in cash flow based on stiffing your suppliers (by increasing accounts payable for the short term) or shortchanging Uncle Sam on taxes will come back to bite investors later. The same goes for decreasing accounts receivable; this is good to see, but it's ordinary in recessionary times, and you can only increase collections so much. Finally, adding stock-based compensation expense back to cash flows is questionable when a company hands out a lot of equity to employees and uses cash in later periods to buy back those shares.

So how does the cash flow at Beacon Roofing Supply look? Take a peek at the chart below, which flags questionable cash flow sources with a red bar.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Data is current as of last fully reported fiscal quarter. Dollar values in millions. TTM = trailing 12 months.

When I say "questionable cash flow sources," I mean items such as changes in taxes payable, tax benefits from stock options, and asset sales, among others. That's not to say that companies booking these as sources of cash flow are weak, or are engaging in any sort of wrongdoing, or that everything that comes up questionable in my graph is automatically bad news. But whenever a company is getting more than, say, 10% of its cash from operations from these dubious sources, investors ought to make sure to refer to the filings and dig in.

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Why Beacon Roofing Supply's Earnings May Not Be So Hot

Police said they caught the thief who was stealing packages off front porches after the delivery man dropped them off.

Douglas County Sheriffs Office said 26-year-old Hugo Sanchez either tracked UPS trucks or saw the items as he drove by seven northwest Omaha homes last week.

-- Mug shots: See who got arrested

Our thief was indiscriminate. He'd just go to any house, look for a box and if he found one, he'd steal it, said Chief Deputy Marty Bilek.

Bilek said the crime could have gone on for weeks if it wasnt for a victim catching Sanchez on his front porch.

The victim recorded his license plate and called police. Authorities found Sanchez at his home with more than $1,000 in deliveries.

Sanchez was booked on four charges of theft.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office is working with UPS to get all of the packages back to the people who paid for them. They remind people to be on the lookout if they are expecting a delivery.

Continue reading here:
Man caught stealing packages off front porches

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) March 20, 2013

Homeowners searching for a Columbus bathroom remodeling contractor need look no further than the historic German Village area, where the business is located. Experienced designers on staff will take homeowners through the process, from concept to final touches. A certified designer will visit the home to measure and design a bathroom that fits your space. Once design plans are finalized, the production team takes over. Since every element is managed by the firm, homeowners do not have to hire and manage multiple contractors. Dream Baths does it all.

Choosing a bathroom remodeling company can be the most critical decision made during a remodeling project. That is the time to do some homework and ensure an experienced professional will be completing the work. One of the best ways to find a contractor is asking friends for referrals, according to Senior Designer Sandy Beyer. She also recommends asking questions about how the firm manages a project and whether the company belongs to industry associations like NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry or NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association).

Dream Baths designers use 3-dimensional software to demonstrate the final result before a single hammer is slung. The software allows designer and client to visualize the final outcome and make tweaks before commiting to a design or finishes. Designers can change the countertops from marble to granite, or the cabintry from dark wood to a painted finish with the click of a button.

Not only were they very organized, but they showed excellent workmanship. A new website, http://www.dreambathsremodeling.com, invites customers to explore an expansive selection of finishes. Offering everything from flooring to plumbing, the company smoothes the process by keeping every detail under one roof. Homeowners can browse the design gallery to explore multiple finishes for countertops, cabinets and fixtures. To get started, they can contact a Dream Baths designer for a personal consultation.

Experienced Dream Baths bathroom designers offer tips on the websites blog covering everything from how to choose a bathroom contractor to design trends. Homeowners considering a remodeling project can start there to get expert tips and learn about the remodeling process.

The Columbus, Ohio-based design firm has been creating kitchens and baths since 1995 as Kitchen Kraft. DreamBaths is the result of a recent expansion of the bathroom remodeling side of the business. Dream Baths is a full service residential bathroom design, build and remodel firm.

Link:
Bathroom Remodeling Columbus, Ohio: Dream Baths Launches New Website

Mr. Appliance of Berks-Mont was awarded the "Best of the Best" designation for excellence in Appliance Repair Reading PA by Follow Media Consulting, Inc.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 20, 2013

Mr. Appliance of Berks-Mont specializes in maintenance and appliance repair in Reading, Norristown, PA and the surrounding areas to keep appliances in peak working condition. But repairing appliances is only part of the job. Their goal is to deliver superior service by taking extra steps to protect the home and become the preferred appliance repair expert.

"Why should we choose Mr. Appliance for our appliance repair?", here is the reason: they have a highly trained professional staff which specializes in home appliance repair. Calling Mr. Appliance ensures:

Mr. Appliance of Berks-Mont is locally owned and operated. They are also part of the largest and fastest growing full service appliance repair company in the world. When appliances are in need of repair, contact the appliance repair experts at Mr. Appliance of Berks-Mont.

They service all types and brands of appliances, from Whirlpool washers to Kenmore refrigerators and the good part is they will never charge an overtime fee. Their technicians are clean and professional, and they guarantee their appliance parts and appliance repair in Reading, Pottstown, Norristown, PA and the surrounding cities for one full year.

If you need appliance repair in Berks or Montgomery Counties give them a call today at (610) 750 - 8315 or visit their website at http://www.mrappliance.com/berks-mont. They offer a free service call with a repair, and again, a one year guarantee on all of their work and appliance repair parts!

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.

Tom Marshall Follow Media Consulting, Inc. 800-909-7648 Email Information

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Appliance Repair Reading PA "Best of the Best" Awarded to Mr. Appliance of Berks-Mont for Excellence by Follow Media ...

Concrete Rock Edge Form Liner for Pools and Countertops
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Concrete Rock Edge Form Liner for Pools and Countertops - Video

Mortenson Construction and Fentress Architects Win National Architecture Award for Virtual Design & Construction Efforts on the Colorado Judicial Center. The Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center earned the team recognition for their virtual design and construction modeling efforts, which contributed to $9 million in project cost savings.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) March 19, 2013

The teams award submittal highlighted documented metrics, which resulted in a 4.5 percent, or approximately $9 million savings, on this $200 million project. These savings were reinvested back into the project in customer-defined enhancements. The 695,767 gross-square-foot Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center includes a 12-story office tower, two Court of Appeals courtrooms, a courtroom for the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Supreme Court Library, and an educational civics learning center that features interactive exhibits which showcase the role of the American justice system.

The design and construction team credit the integrated project delivery approach and the collaborative team efforts of the architect, construction manager, developer, owner, and State as keys to their success. By using three-dimensional virtual design and construction methods that included a building information model, the team was able to ensure that any conflicts were resolved before field installation.

The success of a BIM based process is heavily dependent on the commitment to collaboration by all team members. This team showed not only what is possible, but what should be expected from all future projects," said Bill Mosher, senior managing director at Trammell Crow Company.

The project team of Mortenson Construction, Fentress Architects, and Trammell Crow Company, including their sub consultants and trade partners, delivered the project two months ahead of schedule in December 2012, allowing early move-in for several of the state judicial and legal agencies.

Construction is nearing final completion as additional state agencies continue to move in. The project will be formally dedicated in a public ceremony scheduled for May 2.

About Mortenson Construction

Mortenson Construction is a U.S.-based, family-owned construction company. Founded in 1954, and recognized as one of the nation's top builders, Mortenson provides a complete range of services, including planning, program management, preconstruction, general contracting, construction management, design-build, and turn-key development. Mortenson has offices in Denver, Minneapolis, Seattle, Milwaukee, Chicago, Phoenix and Portland with international operations in Canada and China.

About Fentress Architects

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Mortenson Construction and Fentress Architects Win National Architecture Award for Virtual Design & Construction ...

Sustainability leader Hunter Lovins once called the building industry "dynamically conservativeit works hard to stay in the same place."

But old habits cannot fully address new challenges. According to 350.org, fossil fuel corporations currently have in their reserves five times the amount of carbon that, if burned too quickly, may raise atmospheric temperatures to a catastrophic level where Hurricane Sandy-scale storms could become the norm. Quicker, deeper progress is imperative.

Architecture is an essential arena for sustainable innovation. Buildings represent about half the annual energy and emissions in the U.S. and three-quarters of its electricity. With the built environment growingthe U.S. building stock increases by about 3 billion square feet every yeararchitects have a historic opportunity to transform its impact for the better.

There are encouraging signs. Since the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system appeared a dozen years ago, more than 10 billion square feet of construction have been certified or registered, according to the USGBC. The average energy savings for certified buildings is around 32 percent, and over the next couple of decades, the tonnage of coal avoided is expected to grow by 16 times, according to estimates.

In 2006, the American Institute of Architects wisely adopted Architecture 2030's "2030 Challenge," an initiative seeking carbon neutrality in the industry by 2030. "[W]e believe we must alter our profession's actions," the AIA 2030 Commitment says, "and encourage our clients and the entire design and construction industry to join with us to change the course of the planet's future."

The AIA, however, recently removed sustainable design from members' annual continuing education requirements: "Recognizing that sustainable design practices have become a mainstream design intention in the architectural community, the board of directors has voted to allow the sustainable design education requirement to sunset at the end of calendar year 2012," the institute reports. Other kinds of continuing education credits remain mandatory.

Next page: No guarantee of progress

Excerpt from:
Why architects must lead on sustainable design