Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted distancing measures were likely to extend beyond 2020 but said schools and some businesses could re-open if their workplaces were redesigned.

It may be that some businesses in some sectors can reopen, but only if they can change how they work to keep employees and customers 2m distant from each other, she said.

With schools, classrooms may have to be redesigned to allow social distancing, so maybe not all children can go back to, and be at, school at the same time.

In a Framework for Decision-Making document published yesterday, the Scottish government confirmed it would work with partners across society to redesign workplaces, education settings and other premises so they are places where spread is minimised.

The announcement by Scottish government is the first official acknowledgement that public and business spaces may have to be adapted for a new normal after lockdown is eased.

The Royal Incorporation of Scottish Architects responded to the announcement by writing to the chief architect at the Scottish government and offering assistance in developing design solutions and adaptions required to address the likely future changes.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government told the AJ: We very much welcome the offer of assistance from RIAS to assist with classroom re-design and we will explore all potential options as we take forward our exit strategy from lockdown.

Jude Barber, director at Glasgow-based Collective Architecture, said: Given the spatial and behavioural challenges surrounding the pandemic, it seems only right that architects, landscape architects and planners should be central to the discussion and share their ideas and expertise.

But Alan Dunlop, visiting professor in architecture at the University of Liverpool, told the AJ: It is not a great idea to redesign classrooms, lecture theatres, or studios.

Dunlop described the cost of the measure as prohibitive and said: Even if you could compartmentalise classrooms, there is the issue of common areas, such as stairways, corridors, toilets etc and the no small matter of parents and carers collecting and dropping off children at the same time.

He added: I have never seen a retrofit school that works particularly well and certainly none that would promote learning.

Chris DobsonHaving spent years analysing our workspaces (and concluded they need to be deconstructed and re-imagined to create more collaborative, comfortable and communal environments), how do we reconcile the need for human interaction with the presence of a highly contagious virus?

If we are not to recreate the isolation of working from a kitchen table, or a make-shift desk in a bedroom, great care must be taken. A simple thinning of workstations would not seem to cut it. And what about the contained vessel of the passenger lift, communal kitchens and the imposed proximity of many shared sanitary facilities?

Beyond the immediate and the make-do, there are fundamental questions to answer and creative responses required to some of the most challenging briefs that we are likely to receive within the profession. Our societal health and wellbeing is truly on the line.

Chris Dobson is a director at 3D Reid

Robin LivingstoneNicola Sturgeons announcement yesterday on redesigning the spaces we share to pull us apart and seek greater isolation goes against the purpose of our craft, to gather people together and keep each other close. In the short term we will need to come together to use what we have more flexibly and creatively for all our collective safety.

This would seem as much about logistics as it is design, but architects have the skills to make the most of what we have available. But longer term, my hope is this will reignite debates on the ever decreasing space standards in our homes, work places and schools, the quality of the outdoor spaces we provide, the importance of light and natural ventilation in our buildings and the need for generous, accessible civic space in our cities.

Robin Livingstone is a director at Fraser/Livingstone Architects

Peter DrummondThe market, and austerity, has been squeezing space standards throughout the sector for a very long time. As a consequence we find ourselves with very many buildings which will require significant adaptation if we are facing a medium to long-term requirement for even modest social distancing, be it in the school or in the workplace. Meanwhile, many in social and large-scale housing provisions will have found the current isolation and staying in requirements extremely difficult to deal with, to say the least.

It is in everyones interests for a return to the new normal whatever that might be. I therefore very much welcome the first ministers recognition that adaptation is required, and hope that our sector works together as a matter of urgency to bring the expertise from science and design/construction together to provide not only solutions for working now, but how we might need to work and operate in our buildings going forward.

Peter Drummond is a director at Peter Drummond Architects

More here:
Scottish govt says offices and schools need redesign for lockdown to be eased - Architects Journal

The Sling Chair by Clement Meadmore is arguably the best Australian chair ever. At least the cleverest design. This is the argument.

Clement Meadmore was born in Australia in 1929, his father a toy model salesman and mother an avid lover of modern art. He trained for 2 years as an aeronautical engineer at Melbourne Technical College (later RMIT) before swapping to the inaugural industrial design course.

He graduated in 1949 and he began designing furniture (in black steel and cord), lights (the Calyx range) and interiors (Legend Espresso and Milk Bar) under the brand Meadmore Originals. He gained early recognition (the Good Design Award in 1952), worked with rising artists of the time (Leonard French) and opened his own Gallery A (with 2 friends) in 1955.

He worked in Melbourne throughout the 50s, before leaving for Sydney in 1960 for a position as art director for the Cond Nast magazine Vogue Australia. In 1963 he designed the Sling Chair as his last creation before he left Australia to settle permanently in New York, eventually as a US citizen.

Steel chairs manufactured by Michael Hirst (courtesy Curve magazine)

He had a lifelong love of chairs, collected his favourites, made photos and measured drawings, which culminated in his writing one of the great furniture reference books: The Modern Chair: Classics in Production, published by VNR in 1975 (not 1974 or 1977 as often referenced we checked our much worn first edition).

Included in the book is his own finest design: the Sling Chair, designed 12 years earlier, as homage to the chrome steel and leather chairs he had documented by Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, and those that form the bedrock of the book.

The Sling Chair of 1963 (image by +one)

The sling is made from 2 pieces of thick leather (usually brown) stitched together and slung between 2 frames made from 3 chromed steel pieces. Who better to describe the chair than Meadmore himself; this is the description of the chair taken from his book:

The design of this chair grew out of an interest in the possibility of using the sling principle in an anatomically correct fashion and in a way which would intrinsically include armrests. The steel structure consists of three parts, the back brace and uprights welded into a single unit and the two front elements, each of which is attached with two screws thus locking the leather sling in place.

The extended flat steel strips seamed into the leather swing at each side repeat the principle of the base and it is this construction method that distinguishes this chair from others using a similar base but supporting a conventionally upholstered seat and back. Because the leather is in a loose sling form seamed between the seat and back contact areas there is no stretching in use and no restriction of body movement, even though the sling is virtually form fitting. It is as comfortable as many more complex padded and upholstered chairs. Both functionally and aesthetically the metal and leather elements are sufficiently close integrated to form a unified whole.

The Sling Chair of 1963 deconstructed for transport or cleaning (image by +one)

His appreciation of chairs in his book centres on elegance of idea, simplicity of execution and comfort. This last is unusual as most descriptions of chairs (as for most designed objects) are of the history or design characteristics and importance, not their success in use.

Every one of the chairs was seemingly personally tested over a period of time by made more before he wrote his piece. The description of all the classics from 1870 to 1975 included faithfully transcribed dimensions of every chair at 1/8th scale, providing details of the structure and proportions and, inter alia, the ergonomic performance of each chair.

1/8th scale drawing of the Sling Chair of 1963 from The Modern Chair book.

We regard the Sling Chair so highly as it embodies the desire for a design to be stripped back to the bare essentials, both out of need, given the scarcity of materials post WW2, and the desire to meet the aesthetics of the age of modernism.

The best Australian design from the fifties and sixties seems to cleverly make beauty from nothing more than a 4x2 and fencing wire. Here the chair has few parts and is held together with just 4 bolts, disassembled in a matter of minutes for cleaning, transport or repairs.

So good was his original reference book that it was republished by Dover some 22 years later, but interestingly, nine very unusual chairs at the end of the original are omitted: one shaped as a baseball glove called Batting Joe, and a large pair of sittable lips called Marilyn. Seats by different designers presumably celebrating star crossed lovers Joe Di Maggio and Marilyn Monroe.

The lesson here is that Meadmore was more inclusive and progressive in the 70s, celebrating design variations that are the beginnings of postmodernism, than the conservative publishers 20 years later making a book for the rich persons collectable passion.

After arriving in the USA in 1963 he concentrated his practice on large sculptures, particularly in the then novel pre-rusted steel called Cor-Ten. His interest in chairs waned, and he became known, and still is entirely known on the net, for his sculptures. Substantial and significant Meadmore sculptures can be found in art galleries around the world.

In 1970 the Australian National Gallery (the ANG as it was then and should still be known) in Canberra commissioned Virginia, a piece also found in the USA, although not in that named state, but in Detroit. Similar to many of Meadmore's sculptures it is a twisted cubical form, of massive proportions.

Virginia Sculpture by Clement Meadmore at the ANG. (image courtesy of the NGA)

Harry Howard, landscape architect of ANGs garden, designed its siting as carefully as a master curator in an indoor gallery, thus contributing to Australias most beautiful made landscape. More subjective superlatives deserving of an argument.

In 1975 Meadmore published the book How to Make Furniture Without Tools, a guide that included tear out sheets to take to a lumber yard (we are in the USA) which could then be assembled to create chairs, wardrobes, bookshelves, bureaus and desks. The elegance and simplicity of these designs match the earlier work, like the sling chair, but how do these plywood and glue chairs turn out? Thats another episode of +one designs.

plus 1 / plus one / +one is a collective of designers and artists promoting sustainability and Australian design. You can contact them at [emailprotected]

Read more here:
The 'Sling Chair' by Clement Meadmore - Architecture and Design

He is certainly no stranger in the conservation circle, being a figure behind great projects like the restoration of the renowned Cheong Fatt Tze mansion in Penang. In fact, for the past 26 years, architect Laurence Loh has been promoting conservation efforts in Malaysia.

The Cheong Fatt Tze building, also known as the Blue Mansion, won Most Excellent Project in the 2000 Unesco Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Preservation. Another notable project of Lohs was the restoration of Stadium Merdeka, which won an Award of Excellence in the 2008 edition of the above-mentioned awards.

In the same year, the Suffolk House in Penang received an Award of Distinction while in 2002, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Melaka received an Award of Merit (both in the same awards). Loh is also known for the restoration of the Lunas Rubber Smokehouse in Kedah, which was shortlisted for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2008-2010). Besides transforming the formerly abandoned structure into an important town landmark, the project also united the different communities in the area and created a sense of shared history.

As recognition of his work, Loh was recently awarded the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysias (PAM) Gold Medal for his lifetime contribution to the architectural community and landscape. The PAM Gold Medal award is the highest honour that can be bestowed on an architect to acknowledge the persons accomplishments and contributions to the architectural community both locally and abroad.

The Suffolk House in Penang also received an Award of Distinction in the 2008 edition of the awards. Photos: Filepic

(The award) represents a watershed moment because, by acknowledging my contributions and achievements, PAM has turned the spotlight on the promotion and practice of conservation. By implication, the Institute recognises that conservation is an integral part of its mission and objectives. Until recently, I always had the feeling that conservation practice was a marginal concern and not seen as a powerful tool and symbol to be celebrated in local architectural circles, shared Loh via email.

He feels that one of the key challenges hampering conservation efforts in the country is the lack of funding. An indicator of the emphasis and importance that has been placed on conserving Malaysias heritage, or the lack of it, is the quantum of national funding allocated in comparison to other sectors of government, be it at the federal, state or local levels.

Many of the major heritage buildings and sites are government-owned. Right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, major heritage icons are being totally neglected and falling into disrepair. There is no accounting for the lack of shame about what the poverty of respect for our past signifies in terms of public relations and international reception, he said.

In 2002, the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Melaka received an Award of Merit in the same Unesco awards.

Education, Loh added, has a major role to play in creating love for, and awareness of, local heritage, coupled with the understanding and skills to conserve, manage and sustain it.

The manner in which national cultural policies are framed and promoted also contributes to conflicting views and approaches, with many being left behind. Conservation truly works when there is collective ownership, shared values and shared histories, he emphasised.

Loh has been a jury panel member of the Unesco Asia Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for the past 20 years.

In all this time, Malaysia has won only six awards. Whilst I helped set the pace in Malaysia in the early years, other countries are performing exceedingly well now. It is frustrating for me because, year in year out, my fellow panellists ask me why there are so few entries from Malaysia, which in the face of very stiff competition, never make the grade. Even smaller countries like Singapore and Hong Kong do better than us.

Ever since the management of heritage became mainstream as a result of the creation of a Department of Heritage in Malaysia, advocacy groups have taken a backseat. The system suffers from a lack of cohesion, transparency, inclusiveness and a sense of priority. There are practically no financial incentives and support given to the private sector, except under special circumstances.Loh was recently awarded the PAM Gold Medal for his lifetime contribution to the architectural community and landscape.

Heritage should not be for the privileged. It should be conserved and protected to reflect Malaysias cultural diversity and to be shared by all communities, he opined.

Commenting on the Covid-19 pandemic, he believes that it is turning the focus on inclusiveness, resilience, environmental protection and climate change, some of the targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The message is strong and clear. We have to look for new ways to engage with the natural and cultural world. It can no longer be big business as usual, dictating how the rest of us consume, produce and service it.

I am advocating that we place heritage at the heart of sustainable development. By doing so, we will start to return the right to survive to all living things, and in the end, save ourselves.

Beautiful transformations are taking place because of the global lockdown. Rivers and seas are clean. Animals are reclaiming their original habitats. Temperatures are dropping. Reversal and repair of sites should be the new norm, he said.

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Award-winning Malaysian architect says heritage is the core of sustainable development - The Star Online

When Eric and Michele Starkloff asked architect Chris Sanders of Sanders Architecture to transform the dingy apartment space on the edge of their North University property into a fully functioning poolside entertainment area, he was able to deliver the ultimate hangout spot in less than 400 square feet.

The backyard already featured a large pool that the homeowners had built just a few years before, as well as a garage with two deteriorating accessory dwelling units above it, which faced the couples driveway instead of the pool. We had a tough time even envisioning if [what we wanted] was possible, Eric says. The Starkloffs desired a cabana that walked the line of modernism but still respected the Colonial Revival style of the main house, which was built in the mid-1920s.

From the start, the architect and his team were met with design difficulties. Although the ADUs were built in the 1990s, they were made to match the homes 20s-style architecture, so it took peeling back layers of construction to realize the units were as new as they were, Sanders says. And while he had built cabanas before, this one was unique because its located on a historic piece of property and utilized an existing building. With that in mind, Sanders began drafting a plan to revitalize the structure that would optimize verticality and provide plenty of functionality within a small footprint.

To maximize space, he created a tall ceiling for the loft (a prime spot for Eric and Micheles teenage daughters to host sleepovers) and installed plenty of windows for natural light.The Starkloff family did all of the interiors themselves, resulting in a minimalist look with a navy-painted kitchenette, a dining nook, a powder bath, brown-and-white tile, bohemian pillows, and plenty of greenery.

For builders Christian Bingham and David Wilkes of David Wilkes Builders, challenges came in the way of running new electrical wiring and also waterproofing, as the original pine-clad building had started to decay. They used HardiePlank, a low-maintenance siding, to give the cabana a shiplap look. Fitting everything into such a small space and making it work takes really great design, which Sanders brought to the table, and an extremely high level of detail, Wilkes says.

Since its completion, the cabana has become a place that the Starkloff family can escape to for any occasion. We just had a 50th birthday for a friend out there, Eric says. The large-screen TV in the cabana is angled, so you can watch it from inside or from the pool. Sanders adds: Its a tiny spaceonly about 350 square feetso we designed everything to be able to co-exist. It can go from being a kids space to somewhere for parties and family get-togethers,so everything had to be buttoned up and serve a variety of functions.

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This Garage Apartment Was Converted Into a Backyard Cabana - Austin Monthly

KEARNEY Kearney High School teacher Jeff Shield no longer is able to go into work at his office every day.

But he doesnt spend his workday at home. Instead, you will find him working on a house in northwest Kearney from 8 to 4 every day.

KHS students started working on the structure at 4706 16th Ave. Place at the beginning of the school year, as they do every year for the construction technology class that Shield teaches.

The class covers building a house from the ground up, according to Shield. They start erecting walls in the basement once the foundation is set, they set the roof trusses, and they do nearly everything else in between, aside from the plumbing, electrical and HVAC work.

However, this year, the students arent able to put the finishing touches on the house with in-person classes canceled due to the pandemic. So, Shield is doing the rest of that work himself, which is a first in his 28 years of teaching the class. He estimates that the students had finished about 75 percent of the work.

I can only think of one year in the past that I had to go in and spend any amount of extra time doing it, he said. And it wasnt weeks like Im doing now; it was just a weeks time. We were working and I just knew we were behind, so I just hopped in so I knew we would be able to complete on time.

Of course, he still is keeping the students in the loop as to what is happening at the house. Even though the hands-on portion of the course is impossible, the students still are learning.

Shield will video himself doing a project, like installing kitchen backsplash, and then send it out to his class. Typically, hell accompany the video with a worksheet to fill out or an article to read.

Most of what is left to teach, and to do, is the finishing work.

The students got to learn the majority of the curriculum, what I want them to know, Shield said. Theyre just missing out on some of the final things, a little bit of tiling, setting countertops, going through, getting all those little dings and touch-ups that really finish up the house.

This week, bricklayers were working on the stone accents on the front of the house. Next week, Shield will be working on the deck in the backyard.

In addition to the professional contractors, Shield has gotten help from his father and 23-year-old son, Spencer.

Shield and his father, Tom, a now-retired KHS math teacher, were working Wednesday on the basement window wells. Though the construction tech houses dont have finished basements, all the framework is done. The downstairs, according to Shield, is where the students get to learn how to hang drywall and use mud and tape on the walls, and then upstairs professionals handle the mudding and taping.

While professionals do step in for some work, Shield said he lets the students take ownership of the project.

I tell the kids at the beginning of the year that this is their project, not mine. Its not for me to build, its for them to build and learn, said Shield.

At the end of the year, the class hosts an open house. Shield says its an opportunity for the students to celebrate their year of hard work and show off the house to their parents, siblings, grandparents and friends.

This year, its likely the open house wont happen.

Thats one of the disappointing things with the whole coronavirus thing: The students arent going to be able to see the finished product, Shield said.

Just like every year, though, the work the students have done has been remarkable.

KHS has a long history of building high-quality houses, as the program is now in its 45th year. Shield estimated there only may be about half a dozen other schools in the state that have a class like it.

While some schools tend to take on smaller projects, the 22-30 students in the class each year tackle a three-bedroom, ranch-style house with a full basement.

Shield picks out the floor plan every year, usually sticking with a house plan that has about 1,800 square feet upstairs.

This years house is 1,695 square feet, and its listed for $294,000.

Once the house is sold, the money goes into an activity fund, which pays for the materials and land for future houses.

Outside, dark gray siding is accented by professionally laid stone for eye-catching curb appeal. The inside has plenty of upscale touches, as well.

The bright white kitchen has wood flooring and a blue-gray tile backsplash. From the dining area beside it, the future owners will be able to look out to where the deck will be, once Shield finishes it next week.

Touches in the living room include a fireplace and a sliding barn door that leads to the laundry room. White balusters contrast the dark, natural top rail that sections off the stairs to the basement.

The contrast continues throughout the upstairs as dark hardware, like door handles and drawer pulls, accent the white doors for a slightly modern-farmhouse vibe.

This years craftsmanship is typical. For the past 28 years, Shield said, people always have been impressed with the high school students work.

Ive always had good reactions to our houses and the quality of product that we put out, and the fit and finish that the students can do, he said. They cant believe that high school kids can do something like this.

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Students won't be able to finish the KHS construction tech house this year, but their teacher is making sure the work gets done - Kearney Hub

Currently, The Villas at Disneys Grand Californian Hotel & Spa are the only Disney Vacation Club option at Disneyland Resort. Thats all about to change, though, with the addition of a brand new DVC tower at Disneyland Hotel.

A permit filed in December 2019 gave us some insight into what this new California Disney Vacation Club property has in store. It indicated that the new Disney resort tower will have 393 units and a dining establishment. It now appears, however, that the new DLR resort hotel will have 350 rooms.

The three existing Disneyland Hotel towers have five eateries between them, including Steakhouse 55, Goofys Kitchen, and Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki Bar, which enjoys something of a cult following. There has been no word yet on what type of restaurant the new Disney Vacation Club property will have onsite.

Now, a new demolition and construction permit has been posted at the site of the Disneyland Hotel DVC tower addition! This is exciting news that shows the project is moving forward on some level, despite the Disney theme parks closure and construction suspension.

The new permit gives permission for Demolition of existing back-of-house maintenance facilities, a fitness center, event lawn, and a guest laundry facility, and construction of a new 280,000-square foot, twelve-story, vacation ownership resort.

The project name is officially Timeshare Project at Disneyland Hotel and the permit was obtained by the Spectrum Development Group.

Disneys artist rendering of the new Disneyland Hotel DVC tower shows stunning balconies and a sleek overall aesthetic that will fit right in with the mid-century vibe of Walt Disneys original Disneyland onsite property.

The as-yet unnamed Disney Vacation Club property is likely to follow the lead of the other Disneyland Hotel towers, all named after Disneyland Park areas: Adventure Tower, Fantasy Tower, and Frontier Tower.

The entire Disney Vacation Club member base has been deeply impacted by the recent Disney theme parks closures and Adventures by Disney cancellations.

This week, new information was released about DVCs Moonlight Magic events that are normally held at Disney Worlds Typhoon Lagoon starting in June. Registration for the DVC member family has now been postponed until further notice.

Furthermore, there have been more policy changes for Disney Vacation Club property owners.

Read the rest here:
NEW Demolition & Construction for Disneyland Disney Vacation Club Tower! - Inside the Magic

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The Type II all steel modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

MANSFIELD, Texas (PRWEB) April 22, 2020

Design-build construction firm Ramtech Building Systems has announced that the company has initiated the process of installing the nine modular sections which will make up a 7,168 square foot expansion of the passenger terminal at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport in Panama City Beach, Florida. The permanent modular building will be connected to the existing terminal with a site-built corridor and will provide two additional gates that will be completed during the summer.

Ramtech is working as a subcontractor to Allstate Construction of Tallahassee, Florida, the general contractor on the project. Ramtech's scope of work comprises core and shell manufacturing of the Type II-b all steel modular sections, the installation of the building, and the finish-out of the exterior. Using permanent modular construction, the modular sections will include the exterior walls with 24-gauge steel high-rib R-Panel siding, all door and window assemblies, interior walls with un-finished gypsum board and required shear walls, perimeter steel frame floor, and the EPDM roof assembly. Ramtech will also provide for the exterior wall and floor penetrations that are required for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The nine modular sections, manufactured in three sizes for the building configuration, will be installed and welded to a poured-in-place concrete pier foundation system.

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, located 18 miles northwest of Panama City, opened for commercial flights in May 2010. The airport, located in Bay County on 4,000 acres, is owned by the Panama City-Bay County Airport & Industrial District and is serviced with daily flights by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The expansion of the terminal is part of a $10.5 million grant from the FAA to improve and expand their facilities. The airport's 105,000 square foot terminal currently has five gates with jet bridges, and two gates with ramp level access for regional aircraft. The new modular building will incorporate gates 6 and 7 to increase passenger capacity while adding additional seating space. Ramtech expects to have the building installed and weathered-in in under one week, while completing their additional scopes of work prior to the end of May.

About Ramtech and Modular Construction

Since 1982 Ramtech Building Systems has been providing innovative relocatable modular buildings and two types of permanent modular construction for commercial companies, educational institutions, government agencies, and healthcare providers throughout the Southern United States. As a vertically integrated design-build construction company, Ramtech provides full in-house design, a manufacturer direct product, and complete site construction services all within a single-source solution. Ramtech can offer facilities built using permanent modular construction on both a pier and beam or concrete slab foundation. Both options combine the best of off-site manufacturing and on-site construction techniques to produce a building faster and with less cost, but identical in the look, functionality, and life expectancy of a completely site-built structure. By emphasizing a value engineering approach, Ramtech has successfully completed over 4,000 diverse projects of all sizes. For more information, visit the company's website at RamtechModular.com.

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Ramtech Begins Modular Building Installation for the Terminal Expansion at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport - Benzinga

The Department of Health and Human Services, under the leadership of Secretary Azar, continues to lead on a number of the Presidents priorities. Any speculation about personnel is irresponsible and a distraction from our whole-of-government response to COVID-19, said deputy press Secretary Judd Deere in a statement Saturday.

An HHS spokesperson said that "Secretary Azar is busy responding to a global, public health crisis and doesn't have time for palace intrigue," and that he had not had any recent discussions about the possibility of his departure.

Nonetheless, White House aides have been frustrated with Azars management style since late last year when a feud with Verma broke into the open, a feeling that has only increased during the coronavirus crisis. But they have been worried about replacing the HHS secretary in the middle of a global pandemic.

Such a move, some officials said, could fuel the perception of President Donald Trumps response as chaotic and give ammunition to Trumps critics, who have said that the Azar-led response to Covid-19 fell short during January and February. Trump and Azar have insisted that the administration took all necessary steps to prepare for the outbreak, disputing criticism as fake news.

However, the HHS secretary has few allies in the West Wing, and his role has diminished after Trump abruptly removed Azar as the head of the coronavirus response and replaced him with Pence at the end of February. White House officials have had previous conversations about replacing Azar in recent months, although the current discussions are more serious in the wake of increasing frustrations with Azars handling of internal matters, including the circumstances surrounding Brights removal, said two people familiar with those conversations.

White House coronavirus coordinator Deborah Birx. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Meanwhile, Azars potential replacements are on much stronger footing. Birx has won over Trump and secured allies in the White House for her blend of scientific acumen and soft-touch diplomacy. Verma whose own job status was shaky as recently as December amid her feud with Azar has seen her star rise during the pandemic, with a series of swift actions to boost telemedicine and loosen regulations, along with other moves that have earned bipartisan applause.

Hargan, who led HHS as acting secretary between October 2017 and January 2018 after Trumps first HHS chief, Tom Price, resigned after a controversy over his use of private aircraft, has had a much less visible role. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows spoke with Hargan this week, though their conversation did not involve any discussion of a potential job change, said one administration official.

Three officials pointed to Azars handling of Bright, the ousted vaccine expert, as an example of his tumultuous leadership of HHS. Those officials said Azar assured the White House that Bright had been promoted to a new job at NIH when, in fact, Bright had been demoted from his position leading the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Pence and other aides left the coronavirus task force meeting only to later learn Bright did not view his job change in the same way and would be filing a whistleblower complaint to outline the retaliatory treatment to which [Bright] was subjected by HHS political leadership after raising appropriate science-based concerns about White House pressure on treatment and vaccines related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Brights lawyers.

Get the latest on the health care fight, every weekday morning in your inbox.

It was a different story than the one Azar had just presented in the meeting, and the latest blow to Azar's standing in the White House.

In a statement, HHS characterized Bright's move as a transferring of "the skills he has applied" at BARDA to the NIH, "as part of a bold plan to accelerate the development and employment of novel point-of-care testing platforms."

Since being replaced as head of the coronavirus response on Feb. 26, Azar has made few appearances at daily press briefings on the coronavirus fight even as deputies like top infectious disease doctor Anthony Fauci routinely accompany Trump and provide public updates.

The past few weeks, meanwhile, have arguably marked the most difficult stretch of Azar's tenure in the Trump administration. A series of reports critical of Trump's leadership of the coronavirus response angered White House aides over their portrayal of Azar in a more positive light, and prompted a public public rebuttal from the president. Days later, the White House installed former Trump campaign aide Michael Caputo as HHS' top spokesperson in a move widely seen as an effort to exert more control over the health department's activities.

Azar's chief of staff and trusted aide, Brian Harrison, came under renewed fire this week over his role in steering the day-to-day coronavirus response early on. Administration officials have also recently discussed firing Harrison, who has long been hampered by detractors within the White House and across parts of HHS, two people familiar with the discussions said.

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White House weighing plan to replace Azar - POLITICO

Todays miter saws are a big improvement over the manual miter boxes of the 1960s.

Mitering is the process of fitting two boards together at an angle, so miter saws are commonly thought of as trim saws. If you do any type of trim work, the miter saw will be your most-used power tool.

That said, miter saws are invaluable for making other types of cross cuts as wellend cuts on hardwood flooring strips, for instance, or angle cuts on roof rafters.

Keep reading to learn more about this popular tool and to find out why weve chosen the following five as the best miter saw options for DIYers and pros.

All miter saws feature a circular blade encased in a swing arm that pivots from side to side to make cross cuts on narrow strips of wood (5- to 18-inches wide, depending on the saw). One size doesnt fit all, however, so your individual woodworking needs will determine which saw is right for you.

Your woodworking projects will determine the features youll need in a miter saw. Someone who only wants a miter saw to make crosscuts on wood flooring strips wont need the extra features a professional trim carpenter needs to install elaborate crown molding.

A 10-inch miter sawso-called because it has a 10-inch bladeis sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards and siding strips, which are typically less than 3/4-inches thick and 6-inches wide. If you want to cut thicker boards, such as 1.5-inch thick framing boards, consider getting the larger, 12-inch miter saw because the larger blade will cut through thicker boards more easily.

Until just a few years ago, all miter saws were corded, and most still are, featuring 10-, 12-, and 15-amp motors. The higher the amps, the more power the motor will have, but a 10-amp miter saw is sufficient for cutting most types of trim boards. The higher-amp motors are better at slicing through larger boards and they wont overheat as quickly with constant use. Cordless miter saws are the new kids on the block, and they typically operate on rechargeable 20-volt, lithium-ion batteries. Battery runtime depends on how often youre making cuts and how thick the wood is, but expect an average of 150 to 275 cuts on a single battery charge.

Some miter saws have laser guides that mark a red or green line across your wood where the blade will cut. This is a great feature for DIYers and beginners to ensure they have their board correctly positioned before cutting.

You can work up a sweat on a hot summer day, which can result in a slippery grip on a miter saw handle. Some manufacturers now offer padded non-slip grips to reduce hand fatigue and allow for a better grasp. Many miter saws still dont have them, but its a bonus when you can find one that does.

Miter saws tend to kick up sawdust, particularly when operated inside a workshop. To remedy this, two types of dust collection are available for miter saws. The first is a small bag designed to collect some of the dust that blows into it naturally as it comes off the blade. The second (and better) option is a dust collection port that connects to the hose of a shop-type vacuum.

If youre looking for a miter saw that does everythingand does it wellcheck out the DEWALT 12-Inch Double Bevel Sliding Miter Saw. The saw comes with a powerful 15-amp motor, and its sliding rails allow the user to cut a board up to 16-inches wide. With dual compound action, theres no need to turn a board over to cut an opposing angle, just tilt the spring arm in the other direction. The DEWALT miter saw also features a bright LED light that illuminates the cutting field so you can see exactly where youre cutting, and comes with a collection dust bag designed to catch up to 75percent of the dust it generates.

You can save money on a miter saw without giving up functionality. The affordable Metabo 12-Inch Dual Compound Miter Saw cuts bevels in both directions and comes with a powerful 15-amp motor to boot. Thanks to the laser feature, youll see the cutline on the board before you cut, which will reduce errors. The saw comes with an elastomer-coated handle designed to reduce vibration, hand fatigue, and hand slippage. This is a nice and unexpected feature on a more affordably priced saw.

If youre just starting in woodworking and wont be making particularly complex cuts, check out the Hitachi 10-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It features a single compound tilt for cutting bevels in one direction, and its 15-amp motor will supply plenty of cutting power. The Hitachi will cut boards up to 5.5-inches wide, and it comes with a padded ergonomic handle for reduced vibration. Beginners will appreciate the laser guidance for added accuracy.

For professional trim carpenters or picture-frame fabricators, the DEWALT FLEXVOLT Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw has it all. You can plug it into a standard electrical outlet or operate the saw on a FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX battery (sold separately), which means you can make the cuts you need even when an electrical outlet is not available. DEWALT claims this miter saw will make up to 310 cross cuts in base molding on a single battery charge. The saw features precision dual bevel cutting and sliding rails that allow the user to cut boards up to 16-inches wide.

For around-the-home trimming and crosscutting, youll get all the power and precision you need with the DEWALT 12-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw. It cuts boards up to 8-inches wide and cuts bevels in one direction. The DEWALT saw also comes with a vertical clamp to hold the board still as you cut, and it features a dust collection bag to help reduce the dust in the air. For safety, the saw also features a mechanism that automatically locks the spring arm in the down position unless its manually unlocked with a button on the back.

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5 Best Miter Saw Options for the Workshop - BobVila.com

1. Who are the members of your small Covid-19 group?

Henry, Eileen, Peter, Andrew, James and our Sheltie, Lady.

2. Whats the most uplifting part of being isolated?

Spending quality time as a family, which we normally dont get to do as often due to all of our schedules. Also, being entertained by James.

3. Whats the most difficult part of being isolated?

Not seeing family and friends and not going to Mass.

4. Whats the most surprising thing youve discovered during these days of confinement?

James: That I can see my friends and my teacher on the computer!

5. Do you have a special project youre working on, if so, please describe.

Peter: I gave an online piano recital on Easter Sunday with works from Bach, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Scarlatti and Debussy. I miss performing and I wanted to offer people this entertainment.

6. Whats your go-to meal these days?

Chef Enricos specialties of the day, many accompanied by pasta like agliolio, pasta e ceci and pesto and marinara from Fiore & Sons Farm.

7. Whats your favorite sweet treat?

James: Fudgsicles.

8. What mundane thing have you missed the most?

Peter: Driving to URI every day and being on campus.

9. Whats the first thing youll do when this is over?

Henry: I will bring my mother, Minnie, some squalatili from Ritaccos, go back to daily Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral during my lunch hour and have a Friday night game with Nat Sisco and our poker buddies.

Eileen: Have Chinese food and Dustys ice cream then go to TJ Maxx.

Peter: Play the organ and go to the beach.

Andrew: Watch a game and see friends.

James: Go to school again.

10. If you are participating in any distance schooling/games/activities with teachers/friends/family members, can you share a story about one experience?

Eileen: My Stonington Middle School administration has been incredibly supportive academically, technologically and emotionally throughout distance learning we are so fortunate to have them!

11. What are you doing to stay physically active?

Eileen: Working out downstairs in Hens Gym, walking outside, brothers basketball, wiffle ball and football, and James new little trampoline.

12. How are you staying connected with the outside world?

We all have continued our schoolwork and jobs online

13. What soothes you the most?

Henry: James Fiore and wearing comfortable clothes all day.

14. What music have you been listening to?

Andrew: Classic rock, Beatles, 60s,70s, 80s music.

15. What TV shows are you bingeing?

"The Good Doctor;" "Frasier;" "Seinfeld;" "Cheers;" :Shark Tank;" "90 Day Fianc" and during Lent we watched "Jesus of Nazareth."

16. Top take-out restaurant?

Haversham, Vocs and Supreme.

17. Biggest frustration?

Andrew: That there are no sports to watch.

18. Favorite board game?

Chess, Shut the Box, Scrabble, Scrabble Jr., Monopoly, Monopoly Jr.

19. How have you been changed by this experience?

Peter: I feel like I learned to accept reality.

20. What is your message of hope?

Trust in God. This will pass.

Interview arranged and edited by Nancy Burns-Fusaro. Photo by Harold Hanka.

See more here:
Front Porch Families: The Fiore Family | In the Easy Chair - The Westerly Sun