Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

NANJING, China, Sept. 12,2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Nanjing Hexi District has selected convention center architects tvsdesignfor the south expansion of the Nanjing International Expo Center (NIEC), located in Nanjing China, as the city prepares to host the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120912/CL72503 )

The winning design for the NIEC South expansion combines two key aspirations for the city of Nanjing: increase the exhibition space offered by tvsdesign's original NIEC campus design while serving as an important retail, entertainment and office complement of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and the new Youth Olympic Center, located adjacent to the expansion site.

tvsdesign, the world's leading designer of conference and exhibition centers, was the original architect and designer of the NIEC in 2006. "Our understanding and work history in Nanjing allowed us to custom tailor the competition entry as a clear complement to our original design," said Kevin Gordon, Principal at tvsdesign. "We are extremely proud of our 2006 effort and the award winning-facility that resulted, both in its design and the quality of its workmanship and execution. I am equally pleased that we were able to combine our conference center, retail and hospitality international experience in support of Nanjing's vision of having one of the most preeminent destination venues in the People's Republic of China."

Situated at the heart of the dynamic HEXI district of Nanjing City and the Olympic Axis leading from the HEXI Financial District to the Yangtze River, thesouth expansion to the Nanjing International Expo Center will add a combined 300,000 SM of office, retail and exhibition space. The current complex, spanning more than 50 acres, is the largest conference and exhibition centre in China's Jiangsu Province and was designed around the "Crouching Tiger, Curling Dragon" lore of this historic capital of China.

The design of NIEC South will complement the original master plan and design while embracing the cultural history and beauty of Nanjing, calling upon its dramatic landscape of iconic mountains and scenic waterfronts to enhance architectural roof forms and shape towers that emphasize the importance of the Olympic Axis to the Hexi District. The NIEC South expansion will also create a series of pedestrian laneways allowing residents and visitors to the area the opportunity to experience a dynamic urban environment in support of the aspirations of the Youth Olympic Games and the lifestyle vision of the Hexi District.

About tvsdesign:

tvsdesign is a global design firm whose award-winning solutions reflect more than 40 years of experience in planning, architecture and interior design. With offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dubai and Shanghai, the firm's passions for design excellence, sustainability and collaboration produce client-driven results. With projects around the globe, tvsdesign is recognized for its work in multiple market segments including convention and public assembly, cultural arts, retail and mixed-use, office, workplace and showroom, education, government and hospitality. The sustainable design experience of the tvsdesign studios encompasses 23 LEED Certified and 16 LEED registered projects. In 2002, tvsdesign was awarded the prestigious American Institute of Architects Firm Award. http://www.tvsdesign.com

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Convention Center Architects tvsdesign Wins Competition To Expand Nanjing, China Expo Center

Worry Free Roofing Inc. of Ottawa, ON has been honored with a recognition by Roofing Contractor in its selection of "Best Of The Best In The Roofing Industry."

OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept.11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Announcing a special recognition appearing in the July, 2012 issue of Roofing Contractor published by Business News Publishing Co.. Worry Free Roofing Inc. was selected for the following honor:

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120911/DC72208)

"Best Of The Best In The Roofing Industry"

A spokesperson from Worry Free Roofing Inc. commented on the recognition: "This is quite an honor for us. The fact that Roofing Contractor included Worry Free Roofing Inc. in its selection of "Best Of The Best In The Roofing Industry," signals that our constant efforts towards business excellence are paying off.We are proud to be included in this recognition."

About Worry Free Roofing Inc.: a short profile by and about the honoree:

Worry Free Roofing is family owned and operated by Denis Berube and Joel Goyette. Together they make an exceptional team. With their combined 35 years of experience, both Denis and Joel invest continuously in certification training, product knowledge and new, improved methods of installation. Both owners and all crew leaders are Certified Master Shingle Applicators with "Wizard" status. Denis Berube also owns and operates Worry Free Snowblowing Inc. during the winter months. In 2007 he was awarded the prestigious Torch Award For Market Place Ethics from our local Better Business Bureau.

Following the publication of Worry Free Roofing Inc.'s selection for Roofing Contractor's Best Of The Best In The Roofing Industry list, American Registry seconded the honor and added Worry Free Roofing Inc. to the "Registry of Business Excellence". An exclusive recognition plaque, shown here, has been designed to commemorate this honor.

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Worry Free Roofing Inc. Selected For "Best Of The Best In The Roofing Industry"

A construction delay that kept the northbound side of the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Bridge closed for the morning rush hour Monday is not expected to be repeated during five other weekends of similar roadwork, a state Department of Transportation spokeswoman said.

Steel plates on the Twin Bridges took longer to install than anticipated, causing the northbound lanes of the bridge to be closed to all traffic until after noon Monday. For the evening commute, a single northbound lane was again closed as crews tried to secure a steel panel to the bridge deck.

"I do advise commuters to continue to find alternate routes while construction is ongoing, but we don't expect this type of problem going forward," DOT spokeswoman Carol Breen said earlier Wednesday, before the evening lane closing.

Work on replacement of the northbound deck is planned for five out of the next six weekends, with no roadwork set for Columbus Day holiday weekend. Traffic will be steered into one lane in each direction on the southbound side of the bridge. Next spring, the southbound lanes will be closed on a series of weekends while the deck is replaced as part of a $29 million project.

Commuters expressed frustration with the unexpected traffic snarl, which sent drivers over to Route 9 and caused bumper-to- bumper traffic there.

"You can't take the busiest highway in the area and put it on Route 9," said Joseph Menditto of Troy as he stopped for gas at a Stewart's just over the Mohawk River bridge in Halfmoon.

Lauren Osterhout of Clifton Park was similarly upset.

"It's awful. I don't understand why they are doing it, especially during the week," she said. "That's pretty bad."

But Bob Ballard of Colonie said he wasn't surprised.

Delays are commonplace in any construction project, he said, and he thought the plan to get the work done over the weekend was overly ambitious.

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All Northway northbound lanes open at Twin Bridges

10 September 2012 | last updated at 11:24PM

SMK Canossa Convent is the fourth school to benefit from Moniers CSR programme to provide at least one school in each state of Malaysia with a Monier CoolRoof by 2014.

Monier CoolSchool is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme launched by Monier Malaysia in 2010.

Monier will be selecting two more schools for the programme in Johor and Negri Sembilan, via the Monier CoolSchool Contest, announced Monier Asia and Africa chief executive officer Georg Harrasser at the hand over of a new Monier CoolRoof to SMK Canossa Convent, here.

"Under our CSR programme, we are committed to provide free Monier CoolRoof to 14 schools in every state in Malaysia by 2014.

"Canossa Convent is the fourth school to benefit from the initiative.

"The others are SMK Sultan Abdul Samad in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, SK (P) Methodist Kuantan, Pahang, and SJK (C) Kong Min Pusat in Penang," he said.

Monier CoolRoof is an energy efficient roofing system that limits heat transfer through the roof by creating a natural airflow and heat barrier, thus reducing the temperature of a building by up to 10oC.

This results in less electricity usage, which will also reduce the impact on the environment.

The Monier CoolSchool Contest began on Sept 6 and ends on Oct 31. It is open to all primary and secondary schools in Johor and Negri Sembilan. Schools are required to explain in a creative story why they deserve a Monier CoolRoof.

Originally posted here:
Monier CoolRoof up for grabs in CoolSchool Contest

One northbound lane on the Twin Bridges is closed again due to roadwork, the state Department of Transportation just announced.

This comes right as the evening commute is about to begin. On Monday morning, work that was expected to be finished over the weekend continued until after noon, blocking all northbound lanes.

Contractors are having difficulty securing a steel plate on one section of the span, DOT spokesman Bill Reynolds said.

"Right now we're just working to secure this plate," he said.

While only one lane will be closed for the evening commute, he said, DOT recognizes that is not ideal and is trying to get the work done as quickly as possible.

"It is still going to cause congestion," he said.

One right lane was closed at 3:45 p.m. Monday between Exits 7 and 8.

Traffic was backed up on the Northway northbound as that side of the Twin Bridges remained closed following the first weekend of a multimillion-dollar construction project. One lane finally opened shortly after noon, and the state Department of Transportation announced at 2 p.m. that all the lanes were open in plenty of time for the evening rush hour.

Delays Monday morning were heaviest around the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge between Colonie and Clifton Park, where the highway was closed between exits 7 and 8. Drivers used Exit 7 to Route 9 north and re-entered I-87 at Exit 8.

Traffic was reduced to a single lane in each direction over the weekend, as the first phase of a $29 million project to rebuild the decks on the northbound side of the bridge over the Mohawk River began Friday night. The weekend construction was scheduled to be finished by 5 a.m., Monday but crews ran into unexpected delays, forcing workers to stay through the morning commute, said Carol Breen, a DOT spokeswoman.

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One Northway northbound lane opens at Twin Bridges

One day after a University City apartment deck collapsed, the owner is obtaining repair permits through code enforcement to ensure the safety of the apartments wooden balconies.

Joe Pries, who has owned units at the Colville Condominium complex for the past two months, said hes hired inspectors to check out the decks at eight units. Hes also contacted the people who live in those units and told them not to use the decks until they are inspected.

About 12:45 a.m. Sunday, one of the 12-foot-high decks, holding at least three people, plummeted to the ground and injured one.

Weve never had a problem ever, Pries said. This thing separated from the siding. It cut straight from the building. I said to myself, what could I have done differently? Now, Ive been taking a corrective course of action.

The injured person, Sopheavy Mao, 22, was taken to the Carolinas Medical Center-University Hospital, according to an incident report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. Mao apparently hurt his ankle and is expected to be fine, Pries said.

The incident report shows there were at least two other people on the deck, but they were not hurt.

The apartment complex is off Old Concord and Suther roads, not far from the UNC Charlotte campus. Apartments in the complex are advertised as a housing option for UNC Charlotte students.

Mao is not listed as a UNCC student and doesnt live at the apartment, but Son Hoang, who lives there and notified police, attends UNCC.

The deck and apartment were built in 1986, according to Mecklenburg County real estate records. Gene Morton, the Mecklenburg County director of inspections, said inspection records are expunged every five to seven years, but that the deck would have been inspected when it was built. The county does not reinspect older buildings once theyve initially been inspected, Morton said.

The owner is responsible to look and check construction, he said.

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Apartments’ decks off limits after collapse early Sunday

LAS VEGAS --A church under construction was hit by copper thieves this week, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

St. George Romanian Orthodox Church at Charleston and Jones Boulevards was being built using mostly funds from the congregation. The thieves destroyed a $7,000 air conditioning unit on the roof for copper that was worth about $30. They also damaged wiring at the church to get at the copper. The church now has no electricity.

There are six more air conditioning units on the roof that church leaders are worried might also be damaged. The church said it does not have any money for surveillance cameras and other security measures.

The small congregation of 75 members held monthly luncheons and collected donations so they could build their church.

"How can I not be upset when they come over here and rip these things off?" said Panta Stanciu, church member and builder. "This unit cost $4,000 and they come here and rip it off for $20."

Lia Roberts, another member of the church who heads up the parish council, said the thefts began about six months ago. She said the thieves have tested the congregation's patience, but their faith remains strong.

"We wonder what kind of people they are who come and do something like this," Roberts said. "Obviously not only lawless, but godless as well."

Panta and the rest of the congregation will press on with their faith and dreams to finish the church.

The church has filed a police report, but there are no suspects according to investigators. The church has also installed security systems as the building is about 80 percent done.

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Vandals Strip Church of Copper

Developers are quickly building new apartments in the Districts U Street neighborhood, and now grocery stores are following.

Executives at the JBG Cos., one of the regions largest real estate developers, said they plan to open a Trader Joes grocery store in an apartment building under construction on 14th Street NW, just south of U Street next year.

A few blocks northeast of that project, JBG and its retail arm, JBG Rosenfeld, have lined up a commitment from another grocer, Harris Teeter, but it will require winning the rights to some city-owned property on Sherman Avenue.

Last year JBG and a partner, Walton Street Capital, acquired three former Atlantic Plumbing Supply properties near the intersection of Sherman Avenue NW, Florida Avenue NW and V Street NW, after a previous development there petered out and its owner ran into difficult debt obligations.

Harris Teeter has signed a letter of intent to open a store there as part of a retail and residential development, said Grant Ehat, principal at JBG Rosenfeld. But to make the deal work, he said JBG will have to acquire a 1.5-acre lot next door that the city plans to offer to private developers in a request for proposals later this year.

Weve negotiated a letter of intent and we have a deal that were willing to make, but to do it we need to win the RFP, Ehat said.

Vincent C. Grays economic development office is expected to issue a solicitation for the Sherman Avenue property this fall. Ehat said he hoped that JBG would have a leg up on competition because its ownership of the Atlantic Plumbing property would allow the extension of W Street east through the site.

We are responding to that RFP. We want to win it. We also think well be competitive in this process because of what we can deliver to the city, which is something they want, is the extension of W Street, he said.

A spokesman for the District declined to comment, citing a policy against speculating on potential partners.

Students and neighbors of Howard University have long pined for a grocery store to serve the area, but the schools efforts to develop something called Howard Town Center have repeatedly collapsed.

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Trader Joe’s on the way to U Street area and Harris Teeter could follow

By Christina Schmidt CasperJournal.com | Posted: Monday, September 10, 2012 10:50 am |

We just keep getting busier and busier, said Gary Berchenbriter, owner of GB Building and Design. This last year has been a really strong year for us.

Berchenbriter specializes in creating one-of-a-kind furniture and home decor fixtures using a specialized concrete known as GFR concrete.

With the type of concrete we use, we can make thin pieces and have a lot of flexibility, said Berchenbriter. Its a really specialized mixture. We make a really dense concrete and a concrete thats stronger than typical sidewalk concrete. Its specially designed for this type of work. Theyre extremely durable.

Berchenbriter and his team of two part-time assistants are able to create a variety of items with the specialized concrete, including fireplace hearths, outdoor kitchens, outdoor furniture, fire pits, tables, benches and bathroom fixtures. Theyve even created a bookshelf with the concrete.

However, his most requested items are kitchen countertops.

Most folks are looking at countertops, mainly because people have seen them the most.

Because of its flexibility, we can create shapes that are sometimes more difficult with other materials, he explained. We have a variety of different finishes ... solid, grooved, recycled glass or metal wires or other things embedded in them. Some have a bit more texture to them, an old-style feel. We can do quite a few different things with it.

Berchenbriter has been working with GFR concrete for several years. Though he initially started with do-it-yourself books and videos, he said he quickly became aware that he would need more technical training. To that end, hes attended classes in California, North Carolina and Arizona. He also learns from others whore willing to share their knowledge.

Im continually talking with other artisans around the country and am taking a class in Atlanta in October to learn more form techniques and sealing techniques, he said. Weve been doing it almost seven years now and there are constantly things to learn. Its really time-intensive and theres a lot of craft involved in it.

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Set in concrete - Casper artisan molds a new business

"Cat Pumps is very excited about the 1XP Series plunger pump launch. We were receiving a number of requests from carpet extractor OEMs to develop a new pump. Customers by Cat Pumps because they know they will last, and the 1XP series testing have proven we can improve their pump life as much as 4 times for portable extractors. For extractor applications between 0.5-2.0 gpm and 100-800 psi, it is now the new quality standard," said Jeff Radichel, Marketing Director, Cat Pumps.

Cat Pumps is well known worldwide for its product quality and longevity. It has been a leader in the truck mount extractor market for decades. In recent years, Cat Pumps has received a number of requests from extractor OEMs to develop a smaller pump line for carpet cleaning equipment.

Cat Pumps' new 1XP series was designed specifically for carpet extractors to extend overall pump life and reduce the frequency of maintenance. This latest patented innovation is based on a greaseless design which utilizes the pumping fluid for lubrication. The wet ends are 100% sealed to ensure no contaminants leak onto the cleaning surface. The 1XP series can be easily retro fit into an existing extractor and is backed by Cat Pumps' acclaimed customer service and technical expertise. The 1XP series will also be employed in other applications including misting and hydrostatic testing.

To learn more about the Cat Pumps 1XP Series go to: http://www.catpumps.com/1XP.asp

About Cat Pumps Family owned and operated, Cat Pumps is a leading global provider of high-quality triplex piston and plunger pumps. Cat Pumps was founded on the principles of building the longest lasting, most dependable high-pressure pumps, with outstanding customer service and delivery from stock.

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Plunger Pump can extend portable carpet extractor life.