Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

When Lake|Flato Architects decided to add a 10-kilowatt solar array to its building, the company sailed through CPS Energy's rebate application process. The architecture firm hoped the size of the array would allow it to send electricity back into the grid on days the office was closed.

It was only after the firm had installed a $40,000 system, around $14,000 after CPS and federal rebates, that employees said they heard some ominous words from a CPS inspector: I have made a huge mistake.

Lake|Flato had inadvertently uncovered a quirk in the burgeoning effort to add more solar panels downtown. You can install solar, but if you're downtown, you can't produce excess power and sell it back into the grid because of a risk that resulting surges could cause power outages.

Lake|Flato worked with CPS before installing anything providing its address and CPS account number to make sure the firm would qualify for its solar rebate. A CPS inspector pre-approved the project but somehow didn't realize the company was downtown until coming to the property for a final inspection.

It was only when CPS came for the inspection that this came up, said Heather Holdridge with Lake|Flato. I don't know how he only realized that (this) was downtown at this moment.

It turns out that a glitch in the CPS computer system wasn't flagging downtown addresses as being part of the downtown electric grid.

Only a few buildings have solar arrays in the downtown grid generally defined by CPS as the area within Interstate 10, Interstate 35 and U.S. 281 so this is a relatively new issue, said Lanny Sinkin, executive director of the nonprofit Solar San Antonio.

It's the early stages of things, Sinkin said. You learn.

So far, there have been at least two lessons.

Across the street from Lake|Flato, the recently renovated 1930s-era Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse bumped into the same issue with its 50-kilowatt array.

Visit link:
Solar bumps into grid issues downtown

Here at Maclean's, we appreciate the written word. And we appreciate you, the reader. We are always looking for ways to create a better user experience for you and wanted to try out a new functionality that provides you with a reading experience in which the words and fonts take centre stage. We believe you'll appreciate the clean, white layout as you read our feature articles. But we don't want to force it on you and it's completely optional. Click "View in Clean Reading Mode" on any article if you want to try it out. Once there, you can click "Go back to regular view" at the top or bottom of the article to return to the regular layout.

Photography by Alex Ulam

While Canadian architecture has had its moments on the world stagethink Moshe Safdie or Arthur Ericksonthe prevalent feeling among a generation of up and coming architects these days is that were stuck in a backwater when it comes to innovative building design. It feels a little bland or a little polite, says Johanna Hurme, a founding partner of the Winnipeg-based firm 5468796 Architecture, We are constantly trying to define what Canadian architecture is.

Hurme is part of a team of three curators who organized the Canadian Pavilions exhibition this year at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale; they call themselves the Migrating Landscapes Organizer (MLO) and are hoping the exhibit, whose theme is Im/migration, will reinvigorate the Canadian design scene by exploring the architectural potential of the immigrant experience. Their show is the culmination of a year and a half of competitions and exhibitions, from which 18 finalists were chosen to represent Canada.

Curators Sasa Radulovic, Johanna Hurme, Jae-Sung Chon outside the Canadian pavilion (Barbara Zanon/Getty)

For the purposes of the exhibition in Venice, the shows curators Hurme, her colleague Sasa Radulovic from 5468796 Architecture, and Jae-Sung Chon, an architecture instructor from the University of Manitobahave completely transformed the permanent Canadian Pavilion, one of 29 national pavilions in the Giardini della Biennale, a large lagoon-side park where most of the international architecture festival takes place. Much of the space in and around the pavilion has been filled with lumber cut in four different lengths, which acording to the curators, is meant to evoke Canadas pluralistic cultural landscape where newcomers are welcome to express their own distinctive experiences. One of the dangers of global architecture is its dominance, says Chon. It is very trendy and fast moving. But if you step back and look at your hyphenated condition as a starting point, there is a much more rich condition that you can bring to the table.

Using this expansive and malleable landscape made of lumber, the 18 teams of Canadian architects and designers have installed their various models, which consist of dollhouse scale structures, sculptural objects, and figurines, though some teams have just rearranged the lumber to make their architectural statements. Each model is positioned alongside a tablet device with a video of one of its authors recounting the story of immigration that inspired the work.

In one video, Felix Tue, a Canadian architect from Romania, recounts a story about a space that remained outside my new house, organic and inaccessible like a childrens game from the past.

In another, Amirali Javidan, a Canadian architect from Iran, recalls the chants of Allah O Akbar from the rooftops of a densely packed Iranian city where he lived during the revolution against the Shah. He draws a contrast to the suburban neighborhood of detached houses with pitched roofs in Edmonton, Alberta where he later moved to, and where the buildings never spoke.

Travis Cooke and Jason Kun, two Canadian architects born in Canada, describe the Winnipeg Condition, in their video. Thats the provincial ache of wanting to be elsewhere even when a place is your home.

See the original post here:
Canada digs deep at the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale

by Cheryl Tay

SQFT Architects beat 30 competitors to emerge as winner of the design competition for the upcoming Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre (pictured), announced Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan.

The announcement was made during the public forum and exhibition, Rethinking Hawker Centres, held as part of Singapore Institute of Architects' (SIA) yearly Archifest, reported AsiaOne.

The captivating design by SQFT Architects shows practicality, making use of natural lighting, while preventing heat and glare. Apart from maximising natural ventilation, the proposed hawker centre will also provide shelter from the rain.

Expected to be completed by late 2014, the upcoming Bukit Panjang Hawker Centre will accommodate 20 market stalls, 20 cooked food stalls and 20 lock-up stalls. It will also be the first of seven new hawker centres to be constructed under Budget 2012.

Related Stories:

Far East Hospitality to expand in Asia, Australia

CMMT's Q3 DPU up 7.6%

New Yishun road to be completed earlier than expected

More from PropertyGuru: Hotel Grand Pacific sold to Asian consortium Tanglin Shopping Centre on second collective sale attempt CMT posts increase in Q3 2012 distributable income Far East Hospitality to expand in Asia, Australia

Here is the original post:
SQFT Architects wins hawker centre design competition

Citizen architects struggle to find jobs

BAME PIET Staff Writer

"The recession has decimated the architecture profession, with firms closing or laying off large numbers of employees, architects are left jobless for months or years, and many end up leaving the profession entirely.Others are now leaving the country to seek opportunities elsewhere," said Moapare.

He cautioned that this brain drain threatens to reverse the gains the country has made. "Graduates are also finding it difficult to be absorbed into the market. This is a cause for concern to us and we will continue to engage our stakeholders to mitigate this problem.

We thus urge all corporate entities whether local or Botswana-based multi-nationals and property developers to employ the services of local architects to retain work in Botswana," he said. Moapare's revelations come at a time when government is also complaining about shortage of skilled manpower in the construction industry from engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, land surveyors and others, resulting in serious delays in completion of government projects.

"Our most serious challenge currently is to continue our collaboration with government for the Architects Regulation Council (ARC) to carry out its mandate of regulating the profession," he said. He lamented that the ARC faces financial challenges making it impossible to appoint a Registrar or to develop the rules and regulations necessary for regulating the architectural profession.

"The status quo means that we continue to operate in an unregulated environment. This is bad for business as anyone can operate as an architect without being subjected to rigorous scrutiny to ensure that they hold requisite qualifications and experience to serve the public," he said.

However, it is not all doom and gloom and there have been achievements made in the adoption of the Architects Registration Act of 2008, which provides the statutory framework for the registration of those wishing to practice architecture in Botswana.

AAB, he revealed, is also working with the University of Botswana Architecture Department, other design schools, and the Botswana Bureau of Standards to improve the construction industry in Botswana.Meanwhile, since its inception in 2003, the UB Department of Architecture and Planning has produced 41 graduates 2008 (4) 2009 (8), 2010 (9), 2011 (14), 2012 (6). It takes five years to train an architect.

Read the rest here:
Citizen architects struggle to find jobs

Sunday, October 21, 2012

THE Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) - Cebu Section is hoping for the full implementation of RA 9266 or the Architecture Law to protect their profession.

According to architect Dioscoro Alesna Jr. of PIA-Cebu Section, the law should be strictly implemented in the country to draw a clear line between architecture professionals and other aligned professions like civil engineering.

Check our new look and tell us what you think.

The problem with civil engineers is the biggest challenge the sector is facing now, Alesna said. He said there are civil engineers who now design projects, which is supposed to be the task of architects.

Although both professionals may seem to have overlapping functions, architect Germain Ang of PIA-Cebu said each has completely different tasks and specializations.

People may think we are only limited to drawings but the practice of architecture entails more than that, said Ang, stressing that they coordinate with their clients from the conceptualization to completion of the project.

Architects, she said, ensure that the project is constructed based on how the clients envision it.

On the other hand, civil engineers function is to compute the structural stability of the project. They will see to it the project and the design will stand, Ang said.

The PIA-Cebu section announced they will be hosting the 80th PIA National Convention in Feb. 21 to 23, 2013.

Here is the original post:
Architects seek full implementation of law

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Information Architects Corporation (IACH) announced today that the corporation continues to develop significant Heath Care Resources in a multi-layered consolidation effort with Logica Healthcare Group (www.LogicaHealthcare.com). This new addition to the IACH family represents another solid revenue stream in one of the fastest growing segments of the Healthcare Industry. The acquisition includes, but is not limited to, a 500 seat Healthcare and Data Management Center, TeleMedicine Systems for remote patient monitoring, an Interactive Healthcare TV channel, a Healthcare TV media management company, along with a system for Medical Device Reprocessing for over 12 FDA-approved single use devices (SUDs). IACH is continuing to put a solid Healthcare foundation in place to build from.

Tom Jaspers, CFO of Information Architects, states that "The integration of Logica into IACH, with its various positions in the health care field, allows us to continue adding to our medical services portfolio and enhances our future earnings potential. We are very excited to have Logica's management and operations teams join us as we continue to build the Company for 2013 and the future."

Jerome Rifino, President, Logica Healthcare Group, states that "Logica Healthcare addresses the delivery of wellness services to patients from the viewpoint of the healthcare administrator. Logica is aligning the application of breakthrough healthcare technologies with the needs of patient care professionals to meet rising costs of service without needing to sacrifice FTE healthcare practitioner effectiveness in their organizations. This results in improved patient satisfaction and more effective care delivery. Patient education is as critical to healthcare as nurse education and physician engagement. Logica Healthcare Media BowseCareTV bridges the gap between mere treatment and full participation of the healing process. Logica Healthcare solutions will eventually touch every aspect of the patient-doctor experience, from telemedicine data management to interactive ongoing doctor-client relationships on a global basis."

CORPORATE PROFILE

Information Architects Corp. (IACH) is a worldwide Medical and Life Settlement company.

"Forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. These statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Information Architects Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. There are important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to risks associated with changes in general economic and business conditions (including in the information technology and financial information industry), actions of our competitors, the extent to which we are able to develop new services and markets for our services, the time and expense involved in such development activities, the level of demand and market acceptance of our services, changes in our business strategies, and the purchasing activity or lack thereof by registered web mall members.

*For more information contact Tim Connors @ 858-568-7059

See original here:
Information Architects Corporation continues to set a solid foundation for the Healthcare Industry with the addition ...

The University will begin construction this summer on its most expensive residence hall a massive $130 million building that will merge three halls in the center of campus.

The 850-bed mega-hall will include common areas, faculty suites, affinity housing and retail space. Upon completion in 2016, the so-called superdorm, will become the second-largest residence hall in Foggy Bottom.

The building, between H and I streets, will house mostly sophomores and juniors after combining the three nearly century-old structures the freshman Crawford Hall and the sophomore halls The West End and The Schenley. It will add 300 beds to the Foggy Bottom Campus.

The project will add another swath of construction to the Foggy Bottom Campus at a time when there are cranes or dirt ditches on nearly every block.

About 45 percent of the rooms will be singles, while 30 percent are reserved for affinity housing and the remaining 25 percent will become two-bedroom suites.

The 64,000 square feet set aside for student space will likely resemble the common rooms in West Hall on the Mount Vernon Campus, and also feature retail shops, similar to those in the basement of Ivory Tower.

University President Steven Knapp said the food venues lining I Street would transform what is currently the entrance to The West End into more of a college town, offering more retail space across the street from The Avenue.

Knapp said the student areas would help build a community in a city that has a tremendous capacity to draw students off campus for jobs and internships. He said the Student Association also highlighted common space as a priority.

About six to eight faculty members will live in suites in the new residence hall, increasing the number of live-in professors from nine to more than 17 part of Provost Steven Lermans goal to integrate classroom and residential experiences.

Lerman, who lived in a residence hall during his time as an administrator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said bridging the gap between classes and campus life would ultimately pay off.

Read the rest here:
'Superdorm' to cost $130 million

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD) announced today that it recently provided $70,208,000 in Fannie Mae financing to Reinhold Residential, for a portfolio of historic properties converted to Class A multifamily residential buildings.

The portfolio consists of seven garden-style properties with over 628 units located in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and West Chester, PA. All of the choice refinance transactions were structured with 10-year terms with 5-years interest only, followed by 25- or 30-year amortization periods. The portfolio was closed as a bulk delivery using Fannie Mae's MATS ERL execution. This product allows for an Early Rate Lock (ERL) option for use with Multiple Asset Transactions (MATS) that enables borrowers to lock in attractive interest rates and competitive financing terms. By utilizing this program, Walker & Dunlop was able to structure the transactions to allow the borrower to use funds from closing to facilitate capital upgrades for the properties over the next five years.

The borrower, Jeff Reinhold, commented, "It was a real pleasure working with Jay Thomas and his team at Walker & Dunlop and Don Pettit and his team at Carey, Kramer, Pettit, Panichelli & Associates on the refinance of our multifamily portfolio. Throughout the entire process, Jay, Don, and their team ensured and executed successful and timely transactions. The portfolio refinance closed within our requested timeframe, and the teams' professionalism and experience made the entire process as smooth as possible. We look forward to working with Walker & Dunlop and CKPP on future transactions."

Chocolate Works Apartments, Shadyside Commons Apartments, Sharples Works Apartments, The Touraine Apartments, Trinity Row Apartments, Waterfront I Apartments, and Waterfront II Apartments are all historically significant properties and included on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. With the exception of Trinity Row Apartments (row houses) and The Touraine Apartments (once a residential hotel), the properties were once commercial or industrial buildings that were converted into apartments nearly 20 years ago. The refinance upgrades them to luxury living space, each offering a unique architectural style and top-of-the-line services and amenities. The combined average occupancy of the properties was over 99 percent at closing.

Walker & Dunlop Senior Vice President, Multifamily Finance, Jay Thomas, (469/248-1250, jthomas@walkerdunlop.com) led the Walker & Dunlop team. Don Pettit, Carey, Kramer, Pettit, Panichelli & Associates, originated the loan.

About Walker & DunlopThrough its subsidiary Walker & Dunlop, LLC, Walker & Dunlop, Inc. (WD) is one of the leading commercial real estate finance companies in the United States, with a primary focus on multifamily lending. As a Fannie Mae DUS, Freddie Mac Program Plus and MAP- and LEAN-approved FHA lender, the Multifamily and FHA Finance groups are focused on lending to property owners, investors, and developers of multifamily properties across the country. Walker & Dunlop's proprietary Interim Loan Program provides financing for multifamily properties that do not currently qualify for permanent financing. The Capital Markets group specializes in financing commercial real estate for owners and investors across the United States, securing capital from large institutions such as life insurance companies, commercial banks, CMBS lenders, pension funds, and specialty finance companies. The Principal Investments group provides institutional advisory, asset management, and investment management services with respect to debt, structured debt and equity.

See the original post:
Walker & Dunlop Provides $70.2 Million in Fannie Mae Financing for Portfolio of Historic Properties Converted to Class ...

P3R Publicity, a full service public relations firm is pleased to announce a new client relationship with Christopher Thompson, Founder and Principal of Studio Lux, an internationally recognized architectural lighting design firm with offices in Beverly Hills, Seattle, and London.

Beverly Hills, CA (PRWEB) October 22, 2012

A master at designing lighting that seamlessly emotes a story, Christopher Thompsons continued symbiotic approaches and new green initiatives are taking the industry beyond where it has been before, said Ola Danilina CEO/Owner of P3R Publicity. Were thrilled to play a key role illuminating Christophers internationally-acclaimed successes and generating significant publicity worthy of his artistic and scientific ingenuities.

A tour de force of lighting design, electrical engineering, design-build construction, energy use, green design, consulting and education, Christopher Thompson and his team at Studio Lux imbue each project with one precision: the favorable interplay of light and practicality while delighting human sensualities.

Mr. Thompsons results are a rarity among his peers. By blending his fine arts and engineering background, he is able to affect the mood of the spaces he illumines to a refined, pre-determined perception.

His Studio Lux portfolio includes world-class museums, hotels, institutions, residences, commercial spaces and more than a dozen industry honors, awards and recognitions.

ABOUT P3R PUBLICITY

P3R Publicity is a multi-tier public relations agency based in Los Angeles, with offices in Beverly Hills, dedicated to delivering results-driven PR campaigns through a new success-proven formula to navigate the current modern media landscape. P3R produces immediate and long-term branding results by engaging existing and potential audiences with a collaboration of new and traditional media.

P3R offers publicity and consultant services to help companies maintain, build, and advance long-term business goals. The agency also provides social networking, thought leadership, celebrity placements, and media training. P3R creates the tools brands need to reach key investors and influencers in their field, build corporate image, and increase value.

P3R is comprised of a team of professionals of varied backgrounds from public relations, merchandising, product development, venture capital, corporate, entertainment, hospitality, and social media. The agency is managed by professionals with a collective 50 years of experience rooted in traditional public relations, overseeing teams of young savvy executives, who are experts in social media, networking, and cultural trends.

Read the original:
P3R Publicity Announces New Client Relationship with Christopher Thompson

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (APOG) today announced that it has amended and extended its secured revolving credit facility to support the companys strategic growth plans with an expanded facility at better terms. The facility has been extended five years to October 2017 and expanded to $100 million, from $80 million. It replaces the previous secured revolving credit facility that was set to expire in January 2014.

The expanded credit facility, along with Apogees strong balance sheet and expectations of improving free cash flow position us to invest in growing domestically and internationally. We plan to invest in new capabilities and new capacities, as well as to fund acquisitions, said James S. Porter, Apogee chief financial officer. In addition, with Apogees improving financial performance and the current attractive financial markets, we were able to refinance our revolving credit facility at better terms. We are pleased with the ongoing support we have received from our lenders.

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association serves as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender of the new facility, while Comerica Bank is documentation agent and issuing lender. Additional lenders under the new facility are BMO Harris Bank N.A. and US Bank, National Association.

About Apogee Apogee Enterprises, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is a leader in technologies involving the design and development of value-added glass products and services. The company is organized in two segments:

Forward-looking statements The discussion above contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect Apogee managements expectations or beliefs as of the date of this release. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified by factors that may affect the operating results of the company, including the following: operational risks within (A) the architectural segment: i) competitive, price-sensitive and changing market conditions, including unforeseen project delays and cancellations; ii) economic conditions, material cost increases and the cyclical nature of the North American and Latin American commercial construction industries; iii)product performance, reliability, execution or quality problems that could delay payments, increase costs, impact orders or lead to litigation; and iv) the segments ability to fully and efficiently utilize production capacity; and (B)the large-scale optical segment: i) markets that are impacted by consumer confidence and trends; ii)dependence on a relatively small number of customers; iii) changing market conditions, including unfavorable shift in product mix and new competition; and iv) ability to fully and efficiently utilize production capacity. Additional factors include: i) revenue and operating results that are volatile; ii) financial market disruption which could impact company, customer and supplier credit availability; iii) self-insurance risk related to a material product liability event and to health insurance programs; iv) cost of compliance with governmental regulations relating to hazardous substances; and v) foreign currency risk related to certain continuing operations. The company cautions investors that actual future results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, and that other factors may in the future prove to be important in affecting the companys results of operations. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. For a more detailed explanation of the foregoing and other risks and uncertainties, see Item 1A of the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3, 2012.

Here is the original post:
Apogee Closes on $100 Million Revolving Credit Facility