Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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Posted on August 21, 2012 at 10:15 PM

Updated today at 10:58 PM

Scott Satchfield / Eyewitness News Email: ssatchfield@wwltv.com | Twitter: @satchfield

NEW ORLEANS -- In neighborhoods across the West Bank, front porches and carports of some homes are illuminated by a blue glow.

Its a tribute to the two St. John Parish deputies who were killed and two others injured by gunfire in the line of duty last week.

The idea to show support through these blue lightbulbs came from 7-year-old R.J. Kindell.

Because I felt bad when people died, he said.

R.J. has grown up with great respect for police. His father, Roland Kindell, is a Gretna police officer.

We (were) riding in the car one day, and he said dad, I want to do something for the officers that last their lives in the line of duty. So I sent an email out to a couple of friends, text messages, put it on Facebook, and it spread like wildfire, Roland Kindell said.

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7-year-old boy comes up with idea to honor fallen officers

Two of Australia's most influential architects will share tips for integrating sustainable design, budget considerations and environmental sensitivity in Queenstown this month.

Architectural Designers New Zealand general manager Astrid Andersen said Lindsay and Kerry Clare's "Design to Inspire" New Zealand tour was "too good not to share".

Designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in improved design, including those who work within the design and construction sectors and those passionate about architecture and design, the four-stop tour would assist with ADNZ's key role - "to promote and encourage excellence in architectural design".

"This is a great way to achieve those aims, for our members, for other design and build professionals and for any person who cares about buildings and how they impact on their environment," Ms Andersen said.

Aside from the "enormous" possibilities and considerations in Canterbury, urban housing was set to grow "exponentially", she said.

Statistics indicated in Auckland alone 300,000 new houses would be constructed in the next four years.

"We all want better options for housing.Houses that are affordable to build as well as to run. That is genuine sustainability.

"This is a great way to get the conversation started on how we can achieve that, within a context that respects and represents the New Zealand urban style," she said.

The Design to Inspire tour is the first time the Clares have given a presentation in New Zealand since 2008.

The couple were awarded the Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal for Architecture in 2010 - the first time a husband and wife team had won the top Australian architecture prize and only the second time in the 50 years of the award a woman had been awarded the top honour.

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Architects share tips

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has been selected to design a major performing arts center in Salt Lake City, Utah, that local officials envision as the region's premier entertainment venue. Working with HKS Architects' Salt Lake City office, PCPA will lead the design of the Utah Performing Arts Center on the city's Main Street, where it will anchor a vibrant arts district.

The selection committee of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City chose the PCPA/HKS team from a competitive pool that included designers of some of the most prestigious theaters in the world. "We are honored to be selected to design the Utah Performing Arts Center," said Cesar Pelli, senior principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. "Salt Lake City's attractive downtown, vibrant cultural life, and wonderful views will all shape our design for what will be an important new venue for the entire city and state."

As in the firm's previous work, the design of the Utah Performing Arts Center will capture the spirit of its place. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects will weave the theater into downtown Salt Lake City, making connections to recent developments and serving as a catalyst for additional economic growth. The firm's acclaimed works include the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisc.; and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Halland Samueli Theater in Orange County, Calif.all world-class theaters that reflect their surroundings.

The 2,500-seat, state-of-the-art theater will be designed to attract the biggest and best first-run touring Broadway shows and concerts and will provide an additional venue for Utah performance groups such as Ballet West and Utah Opera.

About Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

Founded in 1977 and led by Cesar Pelli, Fred Clarke, and Rafael Pelli, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has designed some of the world's most recognizable buildings, including the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Osaka, Japan, and the North Terminal at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The firm has been honored with critical acclaim and hundreds of design awards, including the American Institute of Architects' Firm Award and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

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Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects selected to design Utah Performing Arts Center in Salt Lake City

BOSTON, Aug. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Margulies Perruzzi Architects (MPA), one of Boston's most innovative architectural and interior design firms, announced today that the new corporate headquarters of Forrester Research, Inc. (FORR) has been certified LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). MPA provided interior architecture and corporate design services for Forrester's six-story, 190,000 square foot headquarters at Cambridge Discovery Park in Cambridge, Mass. LEED Platinum certification is the highest possible rating from the USGBC, and Forrester's project is one of the few commercial interiors projects in Cambridge to earn the distinction.

A global research and advisory firm, Forrester moved into its headquarters in August 2011. The building overlooks a newly restored "Urban Wild," a naturalistic designed landscape that can be used for recreational purposes. Forrester's office was designed to provide views of nature to everyone: all enclosed rooms are on the interior, and the perimeter windows are accessible to all employees and guests. Factors that contributed to the LEED rating include:

"Our 10-year relationship with MPA has produced our largest and most sustainable design project yet," said Jean Baranowski, vice president of corporate services at Forrester Research. "MPA has created a collaborative and flexible workspace that offers sustainability and a healthy working environment. We are proud of our new corporate headquarters and this well-deserved LEED Platinum distinction."

About Margulies Perruzzi Architects

Consistently ranked as one of Boston's top architectural and interior design firms, Margulies Perruzzi Architects creates buildings and corporate interior for clients who value design. The firm services the corporate, professional services, healthcare, search/lab, and real estate communities with a focus on sustainable design. Clients include Manulife/John Hancock, Nuvera Fuel Cells, Reliant Medical Group, Sapient, Hobbs Brook Management and Forrester Research. For more information, please visit http://www.mp-architects.com.

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Margulies Perruzzi Architects-Designed Forrester Research Headquarters Receives LEED® Platinum Certification

HEATH, TX--(Marketwire -08/21/12)- Fund Architects LLC, (http://www.fundarchitects.com) a provider of dynamic asset allocation portfolios designed for a broad range of investors, today announced that two of its strategies have been added to Transamerica Financial Group's (TFG) approved investment list.

TFG, a division of Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc., works with a team of some of the most well known product providers and third-party money managers in the industry, giving its representatives the ability to choose appropriate products and services for their clients' financial circumstances.

Fund Architects has also been approved as an overlay manager for TFG's variable annuity and variable life product offerings.

"We think highly of the team at TFG, and we're particularly pleased to be approved for their advisers," said Keith Reed, co-founder and Executive Vice President of Fund Architects. "Inclusion on such an important platform is another step toward our goal of making independent, quality money management easily accessible to the marketplace."

All Fund Architects portfolios are constructed from a broad universe of exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual fund managers, using fundamental and quantitative analysis. Specific strategies approved for the Transamerica Wealth Management Strategies Platform include:

Fund Architects recently announced it had hired three prominent investment professionals to help direct the firm's asset allocation models. The new team -- co-Chief Investment Officer J.C. Waller, Henry Ma, Ph.D., CFA, and Jun Zhu, Ph.D., CFA -- is working with the firm's president, Burt Snover, who has been leading the Investment Committee since January.

"I think our team's ability to deliver sophisticated asset allocation strategies is second to none," says Mr. Snover, who serves as co-CIO with Mr. Waller. "We're eager to get to work with the financial advisers at TFG."

Fund Architects, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, employs its allocation models in the design and construction of funds for Separate Accounts, Retirement Management Services, and Private Money Management. The firm's strategies include global macro, strategic global diversification, dynamic allocations, high-quality active fund managers, and alternative or non-correlated strategies.

Launched in 2007, Fund Architects today has relationships with major custodians and clearing firms. Information on the firm's investment strategies is available on the Fund Architects website -- http://www.fundarchitects.com -- or by calling 866-539-4186.

About Fund Architects LLC Fund Architects is a discretionary, fee-based money management firm providing professional asset allocation models and management to financial advisory firms. Headquartered in Texas, the firm has arrangements with Broker/Dealers, Insurance Companies, Qualified Plan Providers, and Registered Investment Advisors around the country. Fund Architects' proprietary asset allocation models are constructed from a broad universe of managers using a fundamental and quantitative analysis to conduct fund selection. Offerings include Separate Accounts, Retirement Management Services, and Private Money Management. For more information, visit http://www.fundarchitects.com.

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Fund Architects Portfolios Approved for Transamerica Wealth Management Strategies(SM) Platform

A below-decks engine fire is believed to be under control after a Sanford fishing boat caught fire while docked in Auckland's Viaduct Basin. 21 August 2012

Firefighters are battling a below-decks engine fire on a fishing boat docked at Auckland's Viaduct Basin.

The fire broke out in the bow of the 80m-long, 1800-tonne San Nikunau, about 10.45am on Tuesday, the Fire Service said.

The San Nikunau is the Sanford-owned vessel that has been at the centre of a US federal court case for dumping oily bilge waste into waters off American Samoa.

There were 40 crew on board at the time who were evacuated and there were no reports of injuries, northern communications spokesman Jaron Philips told NZ Newswire.

The fire was under control, he said.

Forty firefighters were at the scene and using thermal cameras and breathing apparatus to fight the blaze.

It was believed the fire started in the engine area, Mr Philips said.

Sanford was found guilty of six charges last week relating to the waste dumping and former chief engineer James Pogue was found guilty of failing to keep accurate records of how the vessel was managing bilge waste and falsely stating that pollution prevention equipment had been used when it hadn't.

Sentencing is set down for November 16.

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Fire aboard fishing boat in US court case

Great news for downtown patio enthusiasts, bad news for downtown drivers: Yonge Street is reduced to one lane in each direction for a month-long festival.

Preparations are underway for the Celebrate Yonge festival that starts on Friday and runs until Sept. 16.

"This is the beginning of a conversation on how do we actually make Yonge Street the main street of Ontario and Canada," local Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said.

The removal of a lane of traffic north and southbound was done to increase public space between Queen and Gerrard streets, creating more room for patios, open seating areas and cafes.

Bars on the strip will be licenced to serve alcohol on the temporary street patios.

"We're going to see a row of temporary planters to section off pedestrians from vehicle traffic," Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area spokesman Abigail Gamble said.

Wong-Tam and the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area are behind the event.

The Yonge Street festival coincides with other major events in Toronto, including the Canadian National Exhibition, the Toronto International Film Festival and Brazilian Day Canada.

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Downtown Yonge St. down to 1 lane each way for month-long festival

Patio lovers have reason to celebrate now that two lanes of downtown Yonge Street have been blocked off for the month-long Celebrate Yonge festival.

The event, which has closed one lane of Yonge in each direction between Queen and Gerrard streets, kicked off Friday. Patios, planters and Muskoka chairs have taken up those north and southbound lanes.

Local councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said the six-alarm fire that gutted a heritage building at Yonge and Gould streets on Jan. 3, 2011 started a conversation with urban planners, architects and others on how to beautify the downtown stretch of the iconic street.

Its all about creating a brand new experience and celebrating the street, Wong-Tam said.

There are a lot of things for people to do.

Bars on the strip will be licensed to serve alcohol on the temporary street patios.

Landscapers will compete in the Livegreen planter box contest on Aug. 23. Breakfast Televisions Frank Ferragine is one of the judges.

The Yonge Street festival coincides with other major events in Toronto, including the Canadian National Exhibition, the Toronto International Film Festival and Brazilian Day Canada. It wraps up Sept. 16.

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Celebrate Yonge festival kicks off, closing downtown lanes

After a hearing in Peoria last week, an Illinois Senate committee has directed the Department of Public Health (DPH) to write official rules about smoking in outdoor restaurant patios and bar beer gardens.

The hearing was prompted by an incident in which many Peoria-area bars and patrons received smoking tickets for violating the Smoke Free Illinois Act when they thought they were in compliance with the law. In at least one case, the bar owners had explicitly sought the advice of DPH before they started construction on their beer garden.

We really need to clarify rules for the police, as well as restaurant and bar owners, said Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, who has taken a lead role in pushing the issue to the forefront. We cant have Public Health telling bar owners one thing and the police enforcing another. Thats just not fair for anyone.

Koehler joined Sens. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, Pam Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, and Ed Maloney, D-Chicago, to write a letter to DPH asking them to address the issue. The letter also included a copy of Senate Bill 842, which Koehler drafted with the help of Peoria States Attorney Jerry Brady. The legislation lays out what Koehler and Brady believe is a reasonable framework for enforcing the Smoke Free Illinois Act in outdoor areas.

The purpose of the smoking ban was to protect people especially employees from second-hand smoke, Koehler explained. When people are outside, theres enough ventilation that second-hand smoke isnt nearly as big an issue, so patios and beer gardens give restaurants and bars a way to cater to smoking patrons without inconveniencing others.

The proposed framework clarifies that smoking is allowed outdoors as long as smokers stay at least 15 feet away from doors and open windows and either the roof or one or more walls are open to fresh air. It also requires employers to allow their workers to opt out of working in areas where people might be smoking.

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Senate committee directs IDPH to write rules for beer gardens

Jean Francois is a single guy who loves adventure travel rock-climbing, hiking and backpacking, in particular. While scaling sheer rock faces in the far corners of Earth, he collected special souvenirs along the way, and took lots of photos. He recently bought a pint-size, one-bedroom house that was just the kind of place he wanted to call home. But it was missing that personal touch.

Jean Francois bought a sofa and positioned it in the tiny living room, but then drew a blank when it came to filling the rest of the space with his few, but meaningful, possessions.

After traveling for months at a time, this confirmed bachelor wanted a space to come home to, where he could relax with friends or get comfortable with a good book. We had to come up with a multifunctional plan that included his sofa, carpets and travel mementos, but one that also used his small, 200-square-foot living room and dining room to maximum advantage. I wanted this space to be a true reflection of Jean Francois' personality and his passion for adventure travel, so I came up with a design that made the most of his photos, artifacts and other souvenirs.

First, we opened up the space by removing a corner cupboard and a bulky electric radiator under the window. The old ceiling came down, and we installed recessed lighting along with new insulation and drywall. Jean Francois' comfy sofa took up residence in the former dining room, along with a stylish, low coffee table with a hinged top that swings up to create the perfect working surface. The walls in this old house were uneven, and to deal with that we used the oldest trick in the book we covered them up with gorgeous, textured chocolate-brown cork wallpaper that is masculine yet provides the perfect backdrop for the art and accessories we chose. A pair of indigo-and-white geometric print area rugs, one for each "room," helped to separate and anchor the two spaces, while uniting them in appearance.

I wanted the casual dining-room area to be a place where Jean Francois could entertain a few friends in relaxed comfort. A stylish, yet welcoming, burnt-orange settee is flanked by two tall full-height custom bookcases, providing lots of display space for his travel mementos and books. We installed mirrored tiles on the wall behind the settee to reflect light and give the illusion of more space. If I had to choose one "showstopper" piece in this makeover, it would be the custom-made table designed specifically to reflect Jean Francois' personality. This solid, round steel table sits on a base that incorporates actual rocks, bringing to mind the many cliffs he has scaled. It's a raw, yet refined, piece that reflects its owner's personality to a T.

To make this space even more personal, we used some of Jean Francois' own photos to create tall photography scrolls that we positioned on either side of the doorway leading into the front hall. Fresh paint, a stylish new flat radiator, new full-height draperies and the soft new lighting all combine to give this space a completely different feel. It's still compact, but multifunctional and hardworking, doing triple duty as lounge, library and dining room.

Best of all, this bachelor-pad makeover was designed with Jean Francois in mind. We took care to create a space that would truly be home; a place where this world traveler could hang his hat, at least temporarily, while he plans his next adventure.

Interior decorator Candice Olson is host of HGTV's "Candice Tells All." For more ideas, information and show times visit http://www.hgtv.com/candice-tells-all/show/index.html.

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Bachelor-pad makeover has personality plus