Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

AIA 2012, booth 2121 -- Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building design and operation, will showcase new updates to its Architectural Analysis software at the American Institute of Architects 2012 National Convention and Design Expo later this month. Architects, engineers and designers will get an in-depth look at the new ways to visualize solar shading, solar arc and solar analysis within VE-Gaia and VE-Pro at booth 2121.

Weve added key features that make the LEED certification and early-stage design process even easier for architects and designers, said Dr. Don McLean, founder and CEO of IES. As a hub for sustainable design advancements, were looking forward to showing AIA attendees what these software suites are capable of and why the hard data they provide is instrumental in the sustainable design process.

The IES Architectural Analysis capabilities of VE-Gaia and VE-Navigator for LEED allow architects to undertake model set-up, assign data, iterate workflows, trigger simulations, filter results and produce automated visual and rich-text reports. The tools enable design professionals to carry out climate, daylighting, energy, LEED credit analysis and more. The step-by-step workflow systems allow users to progress from early ballpark apple with apple comparisons to detailed calculations, fine tuning and reporting. Easy importing from Autodesk Revit, SketchUp and Trelligence further streamlines the overall design process.

IES is also running a competition for AIA 2012. The winner will receive a one year license for VE-Gaia, the most comprehensive Architectural Analysis tool available, plus free access to the VE-Navigator for LEED, and associated training.

To enter the AIA 2012 Competition, applicants must answer one question in 100 words or less...

What do you view as the Architects role in Energy Analysis?

Applicants must enter their response online at http://www.iesve.com/AIA2012Comp. To see other entries and for updates on the competition, follow the official hashtag #IESCompAIA on Twitter.

AIA 2012 takes place May 17-19 in Washington, DC. For live updates from the showroom floor, follow @IESVE on Twitter.

About IES

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IES to Showcase Advancements to Early-Stage Architectural Analysis Solutions at AIA 2012

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) and its partners EE&K Architects, a Perkins Eastman Company, Chris Baker and Steve Dietz were selected to receive a 2012 Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects Minnesota Chapter (ASLA-MN) for their innovative public plaza redesign of the Mississippi River Bridge Plaza on the University of Minnesota (U of M) campus. The ASLA Design Awards is an annual competition recognizing excellence in landscape architectural design, planning and analysis, communication and research.

The SEH Team developed the plaza design in response to a 2011 design competition hosted by the Weisman Art Museums Target Studio for Creative Collaboration. Four teams were selected to prepare design concepts for the plaza out of a pool of submissions from national and local design teams. Teams As a competition requirement, teams were to include artists with experience in new media. The SEH team led by landscape architect Bob Kost, ASLA, LEED AP involved a close collaboration with artist Christopher Baker from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; arts curator, Steve Dietz of Northern Lights; and EE&K Architects, a Perkins Eastman Company headquartered in New York City.

The Mississippi River Bridge Plaza, located on the east end of the Washington Avenue Bridge and adjacent to the newly expanded Weisman Art Museum, sees more than 20,000 people pass through every day and is a critical public space on the U of M campus. The challenge of the competition involved a complete revamp of the area into a new, inviting, interactive public space where students and visitors and plug-in, recharge and interact physically and virtually.

The ASLA Minnesota Chapter awards were presented at their 43rd annual awards celebration and gala April 20, 2012.

Building a Better World for All of Us requires a multidisciplined and collaborative approach. As a full-service professional services firm, Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) is comprised of 550 engineers, architects, planners, scientists, and funding specialists located in offices across the nation. SEH provides public and private clients planning and landscape design; architectural design; civil, environmental, transportation, drinking water, wastewater, and structural engineering; funding acquisition; and technology and GIS services.

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SEH Receives Award for Weisman Art Museum Public Plaza Design

The job of architects isnt just to design buildings, Andrew Heaton writes in DesignBuild Source. Its also their civic and professional responsibility to educate and inform those unaware of any public policy changes that relate to those buildings they design. One such policy change, in the form of a bill amendment, is sitting before Congress right now. This amendment, if enacted, would prohibit the U.S. Department of Energy from using federal dollars to enforce a rule requiring that certain federal buildings decrease their dependence on fossil fuels, Heaton says. The act, as its written now, requires both new federal buildings and others which undergo certain types of renovations to decrease their use of fossil fuels and eliminate the use of fossil fuel energy altogether by 2030, Heaton writes. AIA executive vice president Robert Ivy, FAIA, says architects need to take action to stop the proposed amendment because the logic behind the changes is faulty. The rule, Ivy says, is helping to reduce energy consumption through both practical and cost effective means.

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Architects take on Capitol Hill

A development plannned for the current site of a parking lot at Halsted Street and Bradley Place. (Credit: Ald. James Capplemans Office/Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture)

CHICAGO (CBS) A proposed retail and apartment complex in Boystown still isnt sitting well with its neighbors.

As WBBM Newsradios Lisa Fielding reports, following months of contentious meetings between community members and Ald. Alderman James Cappleman (46th), a plan to build 250 new rental apartments anchored by 46,000 square feet of retail space continues to move forward.

But many neighbors are not happy about it.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradios Lisa Fielding reports

We are still concerned with the current design and its impact to the neighborhood, including especially the value of units at the Gill Park Co-op. We are in favor of developing the parking lot, but we feel strongly that the current development is still too tall and dense, said Justin Wescott of Halsted Neighbors.

The proposed development would replace the parking lot on the corner of Halsted Street and Bradley Place in Boystown, next to the International House of Pancakes at 3760 N. Halsted St. that is popularly known as the Gayhop.

The parking lot is used by the 24-hour IHOP and the neighboring Faith Tabernacle Church, 3750 N. Halsted St.

Neither the church nor the IHOP would be affected by the construction.

Capplemans Web site displays floor plans and artists renderings for the development, which have been revised since they were first unveiled last fall.

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Retail-Apartment Development Moving Forward Near Boystown IHOP

Update: This post initially mistated the amount of retail space at the proposed store. There would be 168,200 square feet of retail on the site.

Original Post: In a meeting expected to extend late into the evening, the Prince Georges District Council on Monday heard the first public testimony on a controversial proposal to build a mixed-used development that would include housing, a hotel and the countys first Whole Foods Market.

Despite the length of the meeting, however, no decision was expected on the matter.

Members of the District Council the name the County Council takes when it considers development-related matters heard from dozens of residents who oppose the plan unveiled last year by the Cafritz family. Supporters of the proposal were also at the hearing but in smaller numbers than those who oppose the plan.

I oppose the project because I believe its going to adversely affect this neighborhood, said Karen Prestegaard, who has lived in University Park for 23 years.

But Michael Herman, the former mayor of Riverdale Park, the community where the development would be built, said the Cafritz project was an incredible opportunity for the community that would enliven the Route 1 corridor.

The proposal calls for the construction of a mixed-use development that would include 995 units of multifamily housing, a 120-room hotel, 22,000 square feet of office space and 168,200 square feet of retail on a 36-acre wooded parcel along Route 1 just north of East-West Highway. Boosters including County Executive Rushern Baker (D) -- say the plan will bring much needed retail to a county that needs to expand its tax base beyond housing. Also, the hope is that a Whole Foods will send a signal to other prominent retailers that Prince Georges is a good place to do business.

Residents in the surrounding communities have taken a different view. While many say they like the idea of having a Whole Foods Market close by, they worry the development will swamp the already crowded Route 1 corridor with more traffic. They also fear the influx of new residents will overwhelm schools and tax police and fire services. Riverdale Park and University Park councils have voted to support the proposal while College Park officials have voted to oppose it.

Mondays proceeding was an evidentiary hearing, which differs from a regular public hearing in that those who testify are sworn in and could be cross-examined by lawyers from opposing sides. Indeed, at times the councils chambers felt like a courtroom with myriad lawyers objecting to some of the testimony. It was left to a hearing examiner to sustain or overrule the challenges.

The hearing began just after 10 a.m. Late in the afternoon, council members signaled they would be willing to meet until 10 p.m. in hopes of hearing the majority of the testimony, a spokesperson said.

See the article here:
Prince George’s Whole Foods project: No decision yet

Council unveils grants to tackle vacant offices

By Eoin English

Wednesday, May 02, 2012

A new building grant and commercial rates waiver scheme has been unveiled in Cork City in a bid to tackle the problem of office vacancy.

The pilot project is targeted at the owners of protected structures and is designed to incentivise them to invest in their buildings and rent them out.

Successful applicants could get a grant of up to 15,000 for building works, and benefit from a 50% waiver in their rates in year one, with a sliding waiver scale applied for a further two years.

And if refurbishment is undertaken which requires planning permission, the owners will not have to pay development contributions.

City manager Tim Lucey said the initiative is the first of a series of measures his officials are working on in a bid to stimulate economic development in the city centre.

"There will be more. They are small steps but all with one thing in mind to try and create the right environment for jobs," he said.

Details of the 45,0000 scheme were unveiled this week.

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Council unveils grants to tackle vacant offices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 30, 2012

COVINGTON, Ky. - Ashland Inc. (ASH) today said that its subsidiary, Hercules Incorporated, conducting business as Ashland Water Technologies, has completed the previously announced transfer of a portion of its middle market commercial business assets to Rochester Midland Corporation (RMC). The business to be transferred includes roughly 5,000 customer locations, with total annualized revenues of approximately $15 million. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Under the agreement, RMC has the right to make and sell Ashland water treatment products into the North American commercial market. Going forward, Ashland and RMC will work together to provide high-quality, innovative products and services to this market.

About Ashland Water Technologies Ashland Water Technologies is a leading global producer of papermaking chemicals and a leading specialty chemicals supplier to the pulp, paper, commercial and institutional, food and beverage, chemical processing, mining and municipal markets. Its process, utility and functional chemistries are used to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and help ensure environmental compliance.

About Ashland Inc. In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

- 0 -

C-ASH

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Media Relations: Gary Rhodes +1 (859) 815-3047 glrhodes@ashland.com

Investor Relations: David Neuberger +1 (859) 815-4454 daneuberger@ashland.com

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Ashland Inc. completes previously announced transfer of a portion of its North American middle market commercial ...

NEW YORK, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Stuart Dean, an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, will highlight its full circle of interior and exterior architectural restoration solutions at the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of St. Louis 2012 Industry Expo. The company will serve as an exhibitor at the event, which is being held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet on May 10, 2012 in St. Louis, MO. The theme of this year's expo is "Cities Around the World," which will enable commercial real estate owners, executives, managers and operating personnel to learn and share with colleagues across the building ownership and commercial property management industries.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120213/NE52388LOGO)

"At Stuart Dean, we are proud to have been charged with the restoration and refinishing of a number of key facilities in the St. Louis area from the Bank of America Plaza, Metropolitan Square and One U.S. Bank Plaza to the Peabody Opera House and the St. Louis Public Library," said Mark Parrish, president and CEO of Stuart Dean. "Each of these facilities had its own unique needs, and each one relied on us to engineer a solution. At the BOMA show in St. Louis, we'll be showcasing our full circle of solutions to attendees."

Stuart Dean offers a complete range of architectural restoration services that help extend the life, increase the value, and enhance the beauty of interior and exterior architectural surfaces. The company specializes in the restoration and protection of metal, stone, wood, glass, and tile grout for buildings, retail stores, institutions, restaurants and homes.

Stuart Dean's vast experience gained during 80 years in business enables the company to provide unique solutions to costly maintenance challenges, including cost-effective restoration programs that are custom-designed by the most skilled, knowledgeable and safety-conscious technicians in the industry.

The mission of BOMA St. Louis is to represent and promote the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership, advocacy, exchange of information and professional development. Through professional and personal contacts, BOMA St. Louis shares resources and taps into the collective knowledge and experience of leaders across St. Louis' commercial real estate industry.

For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

About Stuart DeanStuart Dean is an international provider of renowned architectural restoration services, specializing in metal refinishing; stone polishing, cleaning and sealing; wood refinishing; glass restoration; innovative and sustainable grouts and flooring solutions; and curtain wall and facade restoration. Thousands of clients trust Stuart Dean to restore and preserve their buildings, retail stores, institutions and restaurants every day. Stuart Dean offers a portfolio of services to enhance the beauty and retain the value of a wide array of architectural assets. The company has been in business for over 80 years, with 22 offices in the U.S. and Canada and over 450 employees. Major markets served include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.stuartdean.com.

Contact: Jeff Donaldson 412-642-7700 jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com

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Stuart Dean to Highlight Recent Restoration Projects at Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Industry Expo ...

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -04/30/12)- A safe, efficient and reliable furnace is key to a comfortable home, but heating systems cannot afford to be neglected. Although all types of furnaces are designed to run trouble-free, regular maintenance is required to keep them functioning properly and to prevent the potential for smoke damage, fire damage and even carbon monoxide issues.

Certain technical aspects of furnace maintenance require the attention of a professional, but there are steps you can take to help ensure the health of both your furnace and your home.

Furnace Filters

Replacing the furnace filter is exceptionally easy, and is crucial for your furnace's airflow - and could prevent smoke damage, fire damage and an expensive repair job further down the line. To identify if the filter needs to be replaced, remove the filter and hold it up to a light bulb. If the bulb is clearly outlined, the filter is good, but if you can't see the bulb, the filter needs replacing. Households with pets and smokers will require more regular filter changes.

Be vigilant!

Your furnace should be professionally cleaned and serviced once a year, but you can carry out your own inspections by checking for signs of smoke damage and oil leaks, and paying attention to any odd smells or soot in the furnace room. Odd noises at the beginning of the burn cycle, such as a puff or bang, could indicate that unburned oil has pooled and could cause a fire.

Heating Vents

Heating vents are designed to circulate air, so they shouldn't be blocked by furniture. Keep them clear of dirt, dust and pet hair to help your furnace run efficiently.

Furnace Room Usage

Do not use your furnace room as a storage closet: keeping flammable materials near your furnace is not recommended. Moreover, if your furnace does not have a vent leading to the exterior of your home, your furnace room needs to hold at least 50 cubic feet of air per 1,000 BTU/h.

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Smoke Damage: Furnace Maintenance Leads to a Healthier Home

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Two catalog releases dominated the second annual Home Media Magazine Awards, which honor the best DVDs and Blu-ray Discs of 2011.

Warner Home Videos Ben-Hur: Ultimate Collectors Edition captured the top prize of Title of the Year, as well as awards for Best Catalog Title and Best Restoration. For the Blu-ray release of the 1959 film, Warner conducted an 8K scan of the original 65mm negative.

Warner collected a total of six awards, including TV DVD of the Year and Best Complete-Series TV DVD Set for Smallville: The Complete Series, and Best Animation Title on Disc for Looney Tunes Platinum Collection Vol. One.

Lucasfilms Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray set, distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, won five awards, including Blu-ray Disc of the Year, Best Extras, Best Boxed Set, Best Catalog Collection and Best Title Upgrade. The Blu-ray edition marks the first collection of all six episodes of the franchise in one set and is loaded with featurettes, deleted scenes and archive materials.

Fox won a sixth award for Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings as Best Direct-to-Video Prequel.

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges in conjunction with an online consumer vote for eligible titles submitted for consideration by studios and distributors.

Paramount Home Media Distribution collected five awards, including CBS Home Entertainments Hawaii Five-O: The First Season winning Fan-Favorite Title on Disc. The remake of the classic detective drama collected the most votes in the online consumer poll. Paramount also won Best Documentary Movie for Waiting for Superman, Best Blu-ray Disc Movie for Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Best Reality TV Show on Disc for MTV's Jersey Shore: Season Four, and Best Packaging for The Ten Commandments: Limited Edition.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment tallied three awards, taking Best 3D Disc for Tron: Legacy, Best Kidvid Disc for Winnie the Pooh and Best Direct-to-Video Sequel for Spooky Buddies.

A complete list of winners in all 40 categories, as well as winners from previous Home Media award events and information for future awards opportunities, such as the 2012 Reaper Awards, can be found at HomeMediaAwards.com.

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'Ben-Hur,' 'Star Wars' Top Winners List for 'Home Media' Awards