Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The Irish Times - Wednesday, July 11, 2012

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

THE NEW Giants Causeway Visitor Centre is to feature at this years Venice Architecture Biennale in an exhibition of work by Dublin-based architects Heneghan Peng representing Ireland.

A model of the 18.5 million (23.4 million) centre which appears to be hewn from basalt and folded into the landscape will be part of an Irish pavilion in the Arsenale di Venezia entitled Shifiting Ground.

This refers not just to Heneghan Pengs play with geometry and landscape in Co Antrim, but more specifically to their success in going beyond national architecture to win major projects abroad.

The Irish pavilion at the 13th biennale will, they say, chart a position for Irish architecture in a global culture where the modes of production of architecture are radically altered.

Its centrepiece will be a responsive oscillating bench that invites visitors to balance their respective weights. This was inspired by an ancient Egyptian rod used to measure water levels of the river Nile.

Heneghan Peng Architects headed by Roisn Heneghan and Shih-fu Peng were selected to represent Ireland because they are working across three continents on a range of competition-winning projects. Several of these are in sensitive locations, including three Unesco world heritage sites: the Grand Egyptian Museum at the Pyramids; the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre; and a Rhine bridge near Lorelei.

Other big projects include a pair of bridges at the 2012 London Olympic Park, a library and school of architecture for the University of Greenwich in London, and the Palestinian Museum near Ramallah.

Minister for Arts and Heritage Jimmy Deenihan said Heneghan Peng epitomises the impact Irish architects can make and the biennale would bring further recognition to Irish architects.

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Giant among visitor centres: Ireland's entry for Venice showpiece

10 July 2012 Last updated at 11:08 ET

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Kenneth Er, chief operating officer of Gardens by the Bay and a forest ecologist, explains what the project seeks to achieve

A team of landscape architects from Bath have helped design part of what are believed to be the world's largest gardens in Singapore.

The workforce from Grant Associates have just completed more than half of the 101-hectare tropical garden.

Director Andrew Grant said its brief had been to make an amazing tropical garden and make it the favourite place for Singaporeans.

The project is part of Singapore's City in a Garden vision.

The scheme is designed to raise the profile of the city.

Mr Grant said a key part of its design is the super tree structure - made out of steel - and the tropical plants which typically live in the rainforest providing a vertical garden.

"These are 25 to 50m-tall (82-164ft) and also do a lot of environmental things.

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Architects design tropical garden

PEABODY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (BECN) ("Beacon" or the Company) announced today that it has added Neil S. Novich and Richard W. (Rick) Frost to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Novich is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ryerson, Inc., a global metals distributor and fabricator. He joined Ryerson in 1994 as Chief Operating Officer, was named President and CEO in 1995, and then added Chairman to his title in 1999. He remained Chairman and CEO until 2007, when the company was sold. Prior to his time at Ryerson, Novich spent 13 years with Bain & Company, an international management consulting firm, where he was a partner. Mr. Novich serves on the Boards of Hillebrand, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., and W.W. Grainger, Inc. He has a bachelor's degree in physics from Harvard University and master's degrees in both nuclear engineering and management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mr. Frost is also an experienced executive who has deep operational experience in the building products industry. He retired as Chief Executive Officer for Louisiana-Pacific Corporation in May 2012, having served in that capacity since December 2004. Mr. Frost previously served as Executive Vice President, Commodity Products, Procurement and Engineering from March 2003 to November 2004; Executive Vice President, OSB, Procurement and Engineering from May 2002 to February 2003; and Vice President, Timberlands and Procurement from 1996 to April 2002. He currently serves on the Board of Tractor Supply Company, the largest operator of retail farm and ranch stores in the United States with over 1,100 stores in 44 states. Mr. Frost holds dual bachelors degrees from Louisiana State University and an MBA, Finance from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

We are very pleased to welcome Neil and Rick to our Board of Directors," said Robert R. Buck, Beacon's Chairman. "Their executive and director experience, including success in growth situations and with acquisitions, will be valuable assets for us as we move forward with our planned continued growth." Mr. Novich stated: I have been extremely impressed with Beacons success since its IPO, particularly its ability to grow and be profitable through the economic downturn. I look forward to being a part of the Companys continued success. Mr. Frost added: I am excited about joining Beacon's Board of Directors. The Company already has accomplished a great deal since becoming a public company and I look forward to working with management and the other Board members to continue the Company's advancement."

About Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.: Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. is a leading distributor of roofing materials and complementary building products operating 206 branches in 38 states in the United States and across Canada. Website: http://www.beaconroofingsupply.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.'s business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

BECN-F

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Beacon Roofing Supply Adds Neil S. Novich and Richard W. Frost to its Board of Directors

NAZARETH, Pa., July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Kitchen Magic, the Northeast's largest kitchen cabinet refacing and remodeling company was a co-sponsor of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Committee's business luncheon on May 15, 2012.

The LVEDC luncheon was held at the Bethlehem Hotel in Bethlehem, PA, in celebration of the Lehigh Valley's enthusiasm toward corporate expansion and economic growth. The LVEDC event gathered about 290 people, and featured speeches from Governor Tom Corbett and Chris Martin IV, the chairman & CEO of Martin Guitar. While Governor Corbett focused on the economic future for businesses in the Lehigh Valley area and the state of Pennsylvania, Chris Martin Guitar reminisced about the first and third generations of his company.

"Kitchen Magic is very grateful for the help we received from the LVEDC in moving back into the Lehigh Valley," commented Brett Bacho, President of Kitchen Magic. "We were happy to show our support by co-sponsoring this luncheon. It was a great event," he added.

The event was held in honor of both the 50th anniversary of Lehigh Economic Advancement Project, Inc. and Northampton County Economic New Jobs Corporation. The two groups, now part of the LVEDC team, began in the 1960s and have been focused on attracting economic development to the area. They were credited for starting efforts to diversify the region's economy well before the LVEDC was founded in 1995.

The mission to empower the economic standing of the Lehigh Valley through support of business and entrepreneurship has continued since the projects were set in motion.

Kitchen Magic was founded in Allentown Pennsylvania in 1979 by Jost and Reine Fleck.

Kitchen Magic has spread its services to reach beyond the Lehigh Valley and now serves seven Northeastern states: NJ, PA, NY, CT, MA, NH, DE & RI. After several years headquartered in New Jersey, in May of 2010 Kitchen Magic returned to its roots in the Lehigh Valley when they moved into their new factory and headquarters in Nazareth, PA.

A leader in kitchen remodeling, Kitchen Magic offers custom refacing, handcrafted cabinetry and luxury countertops. Today Kitchen Magic continues to be family owned and operated, now in the second generation. The 'Kitchen Magic family' is comprised of over two hundred employees.

For further information, visit http://www.kitchenmagic.com or call 1-800-237-0799.

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Kitchen Magic Sponsors LVED Business Luncheon

Checkered Flag committee members Richard Fulton, left, and Neil Samuels, right, talk with Lisa Farrah-Fulton and Charlene Boyles and Scott Boyles on Saturday in the Daytona 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway. (N-J | David Tucker)

DAYTONA BEACH -- When confusion mounted over whether fans were allowed to take coolers into the Pit Row Patios on Saturday, Checkered Flag Committee member Jimmy Foster was there to clarify and smooth things over.

Like many of the 50 volunteers of the Daytona International Speedway's Checkered Flag Committee, Foster doesn't always know what to expect during his shift as an ambassador for the Speedway. On Saturday, Foster was sweating it out in the Pit Row Patios as he did everything from helping crews set up to assisting lost ticket holders with directions.

And the fans were allowed to take their coolers into the Pit Row Patios.

"We want to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves," said Foster, whose grandfather, Jim Foster, started the committee in 1973. "This is a great group of men and women and a great way to give back to the community."

The Checkered Flag Committee represents a small portion of the hundreds of volunteers who arrived at the Speedway over the weekend to keep fans happy by working concession stands or keeping the grounds in pristine condition. More than 100 volunteers wearing yellow hats were called on to guard the painted logos on the tri-oval grass by pit road.

Although they don't get paid, the small army of men and women clad in red shirts (or red jackets in the cooler month of February), take their roles seriously. President Joe Cameron refers to the Checkered Flag Committee as an insiders club where the Volusia County professionals take time off work or sacrifice their weekends to serve as ambassadors. The perks of the job include getting the chance to rub elbows with dignitaries like President George H.W. Bush and son President George W. Bush or rock star Lenny Kravitz.

For fans who pay up to $5,000 to watch the races from the esteemed Daytona 500 Club, committee member Ned Harper, director of Daytona State College's Business Development Center, was there to escort them on tours and engage in friendly chatter.

"It's so exciting to take people who have never been inside the Daytona 500 Club before," Harper said. "It's a whole different side of the track."

But the responsibilities go beyond finesse. During medical emergencies, committee members are often the first to act by making the first call for help. Fans who lose tickets or wallets will likely find a friend in a red shirt.

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Special group of Speedway volunteers work to keep fans happy

A Lyttelton couple forced out of their home by a dangerous retaining wall more than a year ago are blaming repair delays on "gross negligence" from city rebuild officials.

Robert and Nicola Pearcy have not lived in their Cunningham Tce home since a Christchurch City Council-owned retaining wall gave way in June last year.

The property was zoned green in December, but a section 124 notice prohibiting entry could not be removed because repairs had not been completed.

The couple battled for months to have repairs started despite being told in July last year the work was high priority.

Nicola Pearcy said Fulton Hogan was set to begin repairs three months ago, but the council's "incompetent and slow handling" of easements had prevented the construction.

"Numerous" calls to the council, Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee's office proved "futile".

"The continuing message to us is that we have patience. We have had to move our three-year-old [son] three times in the last year," Pearcy said.

"Our house is structurally sound on green-zone land and we have no patience left."

The house was now deteriorating and no effort had been made to protect it from the wall, which was now on a "precarious" lean.

Her anxiety increased last week when she received a message stating the section 124 notice would be removed without the work being completed.

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Council blamed for long-delayed repairs

A Lyttelton couple forced out of their home by a dangerous retaining wall more than a year ago are blaming repair delays on "gross negligence" from city rebuild officials.

Robert and Nicola Pearcy have not lived in their Cunningham Tce home since a Christchurch City Council-owned retaining wall gave way in June last year.

The property was zoned green in December, but a section 124 notice prohibiting entry could not be removed because repairs had not been completed.

The couple battled for months to have repairs started despite being told in July last year the work was high priority.

Nicola Pearcy said Fulton Hogan was set to begin repairs three months ago, but the council's "incompetent and slow handling" of easements had prevented the construction.

"Numerous" calls to the council, Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee's office proved "futile".

"The continuing message to us is that we have patience. We have had to move our three-year-old [son] three times in the last year," Pearcy said.

"Our house is structurally sound on green-zone land and we have no patience left."

The house was now deteriorating and no effort had been made to protect it from the wall, which was now on a "precarious" lean.

Her anxiety increased last week when she received a message stating the section 124 notice would be removed without the work being completed.

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Council blamed for repair delays

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Home renovations can be expensive, but you might not need to put off those upgrades. There's been a 17 percent increase in kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects over the past two years, according to a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders.

Other popular projects are replacing windows and doors, repairing property damage, and adding rooms.

Mortgage rates dropped to record lows this week, despite recent efforts to ease the euro crisis and boost investors' confidence.

30-year fixed-rate: Fell 2 basis points to 3.87 percent. A basis point is one-hundredth of 1 percentage point.

15-year fixed-rate: Fell 3 basis points to 3.13 percent. The average rate for 30-year jumbo mortgages, or generally for those of more than $417,000, fell 1 basis point to 4.47 percent.

5/1 adjustable-rate: Fell 6 basis points to 2.96 percent. With a 5/1 ARM, the rate is fixed for five years and adjusted annually thereafter.

If you want to start your dream renovation, start by finding creative ways to work within your budget. One of the best ways to save is being flexible. It's not hard to find stores carrying discontinued, overstock or unneeded special-ordered items, and that can mean big savings for you.

Leah Ingram, founder of SuddenlyFrugal.com, saved 50 percent on her patio pavers by shopping at a store that was closing.

Here are five other ways to save when renovating your home:

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Creative ways to save on home renovations

05-07-2012 03:42 The church we are building with God

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Bindura Church Construction - Video

A scheduled dam inspection Tuesday gave the Regional District of Central Kootenay officials a lucky break when they happened to discover a damaged retaining wall seeping water from a mine tailings pond.

Undetected, it could have spilled toxins into the Salmo River.

It was just part of a regular inspection that happens monthly, said Bill Macpherson of the regional districts emergency operations centre.

They go and look at it, and make sure that its as it should be.

These monthly checkups are voluntary on the part of the regional district, which owns the former HB Mine property and uses it for its central landfill area.

The district is only required to submit an HB dam site inspection report once a year, wrote Jake Jacobs, a Ministry of Energy and Mines spokesman, in an e-mail to The Globe and Mail. Additionally, water-quality test results must be sent to the Ministry of Environment every month, he wrote.

An independent geotechnician conducts the dams more thorough annual inspection, Mr. Macpherson said, and an environmental technologist has been inspecting the site monthly since 2009 while obtaining the required water samples.

If the retaining wall damage had not been detected and the rain continued for two or three more days, the problem could have been much worse, he said.

You quite conceivably could have had complete failure of that structure, he said.

In 2010, a breached dam caused a mudslide in Oliver and devastated orchards, vineyards and some houses. In response, the government launched an investigation. The final report noted mine tailings dams, such as this one, were not monitored by the provinces Dam Safety Program. The author recommended these dams should have licensing and standards approaches consistent with those of structures monitored by the Ministry of Environment.

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Lucky break saves dam in Kootenays from failure and toxic Salmo spill