Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the first quarter of 2024, posting a reading of 66, down one point compared to the previous quarter.

The NAHB/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as good, fair or poor. Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor.

The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index is an average of two components: the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in and the current backlog of remodeling projects. The overall RMI is calculated by averaging the Current Conditions Index and the Future Indicators Index. Any number over 50 indicates that more remodelers view remodeling market conditions as good than poor.

Demand for remodeling remains solid, especially among customers who dont need to finance their projects at current interest rates, said NAHB Remodelers Chair Mike Pressgrove, a remodeler from Topeka, Kan. Construction costs are still an issue in some places, just as they were toward the end of last year.

An RMI at 66 is consistent with NAHBs forecast for stable remodeling spending in 2024, said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. Rising costs for construction labor and building materials continue to be the major headwinds to faster growth.

The Current Conditions Index averaged 74, remaining unchanged from the previous quarter. All three components remained well above 50 in positive territory in the first quarter: the component measuring large remodeling projects ($50,000 or more) remained even at 70, the component measuring moderate remodeling projects (at least $20,000 but less than $50,000) dropped one point to 74, and the component measuring small-sized remodeling projects (under $20,000) edged down one point to 77.

The Future Indicators Index averaged 59, remaining unchanged from the previous quarter. The component measuring the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in increased one point to 57, and the component measuring the backlog of remodeling jobs dropped one point to 61.

For the full RMI tables, please visit nahb.org/rmi.

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Remodeling Market Sentiment Remains in Positive Territory in First Quarter - National Association of Home Builders

We often admire skyscrapers as wonders of human engineering. But nature has its own architects, and theyve been around much longer. Termites can build enormous, complex nests that stand several meters tall.

Termites do not just construct random piles of dirt they build intricate tunnels that even have natural air conditioning. But how do legions of these tiny creatures coordinate to create such impressive structures?

A new study by researchers at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca in Italy has cracked the mystery. It turns out, termites have a surprisingly simple, yet ingenious secret.

Picture a human construction project. Teams follow a detailed architectural plan, ensuring everything is in its designated place. But termites dont seem to have any grand designs drawn up.

In a fascinating experiment, researchers observed groups of termites (the species Coptotermes gestroi) as they built their way around small arenas with pre-built structures.

Scientists offered following theories to explain termite coordination:

Some insects, like ants, use chemicals called pheromones as signals. These scents can act like a build here! sign, guiding the actions of other insects in the colony.

If termites also relied on pheromones, wed expect them to drop their building materials (clay pellets) somewhat randomly throughout the experimental space. However, the researchers observed a very different pattern. The termites focused their building efforts on specific spots.

Perhaps termites have a way to measure existing structures. If they preferred taller structures, it would suggest theyre aiming to build upward as quickly as possible.

The termites didnt discriminate between tall and short pillars. They were equally interested in building upon structures regardless of their current height. This meant some other factor was influencing their behavior.

What the scientists did notice was that termites were obsessed withcurvature. They consistently added their pellets to the most curved surfaces. Termites favored pillar tops, and even the sharp corners of little walls given to them. This led the researchers to a simple yet brilliant solution.

While the termites didnt stick to one spot or solely focus on height, the scientists discovered they had a clear preference. Termites consistently placed their clay pellets on surfaces with the most pronounced curve. Examples of this were the pointed tops of the pillars or the very sharp bends at the corners of the walls.

This focused building behavior led researchers to consider a new possibility. Since curved surfaces affect things like airflow and moisture differently than flat areas, it suggested that termites might be sensing and reacting to subtle environmental changes caused by the shape of the structures.

Termites are super-sensitive to humidity. Unlike many insects, their soft skin makes them vulnerable to drying out. The researchers suspected the termites could sense subtle differences in humidity levels that are influenced by the shape of the structures theyre building.

Termites are much more delicate than many other insects. Their lack of a tough outer shell means they lose moisture quickly in dry environments, which can be dangerous. This led scientists to think that perhaps humidity plays a major role in termite building behavior.

The shape of a structure can change how air moves around it, which in turn affects how quickly moisture evaporates. Areas with high curvature might create little pockets where humidity remains higher compared to flatter surfaces. The researchers thought termites might be able to detect these subtle differences.

To test their theory, they pulled a clever trick. They repeated the experiment, but this time with clay mixed with a salt solution. As the water evaporated, tiny salt crystals formed and guess where those crystals appeared? All the spots with high curvature favored by the termites.

What really surprised us was to discover that termites use such a simple solution to a very complex problem, said Andrea Perna, a professor in complex systems at the IMT School.

Characteristics of termites and their remarkable nest building:

As discussed, termites need a moist environment to survive. They have built-in sensors that help them detect even small differences in humidity levels within their surroundings. They are naturally drawn to areas where the air holds more moisture.

Clearly, when a termite adds a clay pellet to a structure, it slightly alters its shape. This tiny change influences how air flows around it, and how quickly water evaporates from that spot. More evaporation means drier air, which might be less comfortable for termites.

Even though a single termite isnt trying to communicate, their act of building changes the local humidity. Other termites, also seeking the most comfortable spots, sense this change. They become more likely to deposit their own clay pellets in that same area, further altering the structure and the moisture patterns around it.

Repeating this simple process results in incredibly intricate nests.This continuous feedback loop is the magic ingredient. Each termite simply responds to the immediate humidity levels.

Yet, over time, as thousands of termites make these tiny adjustments, elaborate nests emerge. These nests boast tunnels for travel, chambers optimized for airflow, and structures that help maintain the perfect internal humidity for the whole colony.

Sometimes, the most amazing things can be built with simple rules. Think how a tiny drop of water, responding to gravity, can shape magnificent caves over time. The study demonstrates a fascinating truth:

In our experiments, nest complexity emerges from just one simple mechanism: termites only need to add pellets of material depending on the local humidity, but the pellets that they add in turn change all the pattern of evaporation and humidity, inducing other termites to build at a different location, and so on, until very complex structures are produced, explained Perna.

Nature shows us that sometimes its not about grand plans, but simply responding to your environment, one small step at a time. Thats a lesson humans building their own communities might take to heart.

The study is published in the journal ELife.

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Termites are nature's architects, building well-ventilated nests - Earth.com

The Kendall County Board on Tuesday okayed an agreement with Cordogan Clark architects to begin a major renovation of the County's Office Building located 111 W. Fox Street in Yorkville.

County Board Member Brian DeBolt Chairs the county's facilities committee. He says the remodel is needed to prepare the county for future growth and to make sure that it's compliant with safety and accessibility laws.

Board member Dan Koukol was the sole no vote on the renovation. He says it's a great idea, but now is not the right time with other expensive projects down the line and other costs.

The county architect is predicting that the project will cost about $8.75 million. It will go out to bid in the coming months and will be back in front of the board for final approval.

Board Chairman Matt Kellogg says the county can afford it with cash flow and won't need to borrow any money. County operations will need to move out during construction.

The county is close to wrapping up the construction of a new office building at the Fox Street Campus which is expected to cost about $10 million when all is said and done. That project is being funded by American Rescue Plan Act money.

Link:
County okays agreement with architect for renovation county office building - WspyNews

tenjincho place: a green retreat tucked away in tokyo

Japanese studio Hiroyuki Ito Architects has recently unveiled Tenjincho Place, a new apartment complex in Tokyos Bunkyo ward. The building sits on the edge of a plateau in Yushima, overlooking the approach to a renowned shrine. This rapidly developing area has seen a significant shift in recent years, with hotels being replaced by apartment complexes. The studios design addresses two key challenges presented by the site the plots unusual shape and the limited natural light due to surrounding high-rises. images Masao Nishikawa

The centerpiece of Tenjincho Place is its central courtyard, which Hiroyuki Ito Architects designed to ensure a light-filled atmosphere. A three-pronged approach was implemented to ensure a sense of light and openness. First, the architects minimized the number of corridors flanking the courtyard. By converting corridor ends into two-story maisonette units, they effectively reduced the corridors footprint and minimized shadow formation.

Next, the design incorporates side openings facing the courtyard, creating balconies for both residences and common areas. These openings allow light and air to enter the space from multiple directions. Finally, the team employed a unique textural treatment for the 30-meter (98-foot) high courtyard walls. By using unconventional materials for the formwork, they aimed to achieve a linear yet irregular appearance that enhances the perception of even the slightest light filtering into the space. The courtyard is designed with the potential for engagement with the public, with uses including a co-working area, a cafe, or a market.

the new apartment complex in Tokyo addresses challenges of a curved plot and limited natural light

The formwork for the central courtyard incorporates a sustainable design element. It is constructed from Japanese cedar logs sourced from the Wooden Station Project in Sammu City, Chiba. This initiative aims to support healthy forests by acquiring thinned wood and forest residue from local owners. The forestry industry has recently faced challenges due to fungal diseases, which weaken and permanently mar trunks. By finding value in these materials, Hiroyuki Ito Architects sought to contribute to sustainable forestry practices.

Hiroyuki Ito Architects designed a central courtyard as the centerpiece of the complex

During construction, the logs were sliced into thin sections, retaining the bark on one side, and then affixed to plywood to create the formwork. This technique transferred the organic shapes and textures of the logs onto the concrete, resulting in a courtyard with a captivating interplay of light and shadow. The resulting texture evokes the image of a church in ruins, adding depth and character to an imposing space. The central courtyard is designed to provide residents and future visitors with a welcome respite from the urban environment.

to improve lighting, corridors flanking the courtyard are minimized and replaced with maisonette unit

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hiroyuki ito architects' tenjincho place is a curving slice of nature in tokyo - Designboom

Chad Hunter builds upon nearly two decades at UM

Some of Chad Hunters fondest memories of childhood involve sitting at a table with his grandfather and drawing. Not drawing as one typically does as a kid, but drawing house and building plans.

My grandfather owned a construction company and designed his own buildings, Hunter said. So, I would sit next to him on the table, actually and draw with him. That ended up morphing into me helping my dad design some of his restaurants that he ran.

Those interactions put Hunter on a path to become the director of facilities planning and chief university architect at the University of Mississippi.

With nearly two decades of experience, Chad brings a broad range of expertise in planning, design, engineering and construction, said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. With his vision and steadfast leadership, I look forward to how he will direct the physical planning of our university and guide our development and growth.

Chad will serve as a steward for the campus ensuring that we continue to thoughtfully meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Hunter, who joined the UM staff in 2006, said hes been fortunate to play an integral role in the development and growth of the university campus, but also in the Department of Facilities Planning.

Ive had the opportunity to work on and lead design and planning projects that range from small classroom renovations to bell towers to $175 million science buildings, he said. There arent many design positions in our professional world that get to work on such a wide variety of projects.

Its one of the things I find most exciting on a day-to-day basis here at the university. It truly keeps everything interesting.

As he approaches two decades at Ole Miss, Hunter has contributed to some 1,000 projects and counting.

We currently have approximately 150 active projects right now, he said. The science building is a large one, but coming down the line, were looking at a new student housing building with 981 beds, parking solutions, and were about to begin a deep dive into our research and laboratory facilities master plan.

Another big one thats under construction right now is our data center, which shows the universitys commitment to not only university growth, but also university innovation.

Hunter said one of his most meaningful projects to date is theJim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation.

I did the very first project budget for a science building in 2012, he said. I did a tremendous amount of research on it and was a co-chair of the planning and programming committee when we started planning this project.

Weve gone through a lot of variations of designs, and to see it being constructed and to soon be finished here in the fall is very gratifying. Its exciting to see it come to fruition and be able to serve not only the university, but also the state of Mississippi.

Since his early years designing with his father and grandfather, Hunter continued to work in the construction and hospitality fields. Originally from New Orleans, he moved to Hattiesburg during high school. He received a bachelors degree in architecture in 1997 from Mississippi State Universitys five-year program.

After graduation, I worked back in Hattiesburg in private practice and then moved to north Mississippi and worked in Tupelo, he said. I had about 10 and a half years in the private sector before coming to Ole Miss.

That work has contributed to Hunters success at the university while working with staff who also have private sector experience.

Im extremely fortunate to work with this team, he said. They have a tremendous amount of expertise and experience from work on campus, but also, theyve all served in the private world. We run our office and treat our office as a professional design office. Each one of us has specialties in various groups, whether it be architecture, civil engineering, interior design.

We all touch most of the projects in some way, shape or form, because we all draw from each others experiences. Its just a testament to the professionalism and the knowledge of this team.

Brad Potts, UM architectural draftsman II, worked with Hunter atMcCarty Architectsin Tupelo before joining the facilities planning department in 2007. Theyve worked on several large projects together, such as the first phase of the Jackson Avenue Center construction.

Chad knows construction inside and out, Potts said. He is incredibly intelligent about the makeup of a building. I know that he has big plans that will give our department opportunities to step up.

Virginia Pence, assistant university architect, said she is delighted with the outcome of the director search.

Chad is a wonderful leader, Pence said. In addition to his expertise, its his supportive and encouraging team approach that makes him so effective. His exceptional institutional knowledge is the bedrock of our department.

Looking forward, Hunter hopes to grow the department in order to continue to support critical construction projects on campus.

Its always exciting to see as the university grows, where the various areas on campus grow, whether thats student recreation, student housing, athletics or research, he said. By growing our team to support these needs, theres really no limit to what we can accomplish.

By Erin Garrett

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New University of Mississippi Architect Contributes to 1000 Projects and Counting The Local Voice - The Local Voice

Charles E. Dagit Jr., 80, of Gladwyne, celebrated architect, civic leader, author, teacher, dancer, and champion sailor, died Wednesday, March 27, of complications from pneumonia at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Mr. Dagit knew by the time he reached high school that he was going to be an architect. His grandfather, father, two uncles, and four cousins were architects, too, and the familys influence on the Philadelphia landscape is wide.

Every male for three generations has become an architect, Mr. Dagit told the Daily News in 1995. When people hear Dagit, they think architect.

Mr. Dagit embraced his family tradition by studying with renowned architect Louis Kahn and other luminaries in the 1960s, and earning bachelors and masters degrees in architecture at the University of Pennsylvania. He founded Dagit-Saylor Architects in 1970 and went on to win scores of awards and design more than 300 construction projects around the country, including his own award-winning home in Gladwyne, before retiring in 2007.

He was especially prolific on college campuses, and the Abington campus Physical Education Building and Snider Agricultural Arena at Pennsylvania State University are two of his most notable designs. He also planned libraries, dining halls, theaters, student centers, and education buildings of all kinds at Penn, Gwynedd Mercy, Shippensburg, and Holy Family Universities; Ursinus, Haverford, and Bryn Mawr Colleges; and many other schools.

Structures at the Philadelphia Zoo, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Cherry Hill Mall, monastery of St. Clare in Newtown, and many other locations also bear his signature.

He was an inspiration to all who knew him and had the opportunity to work with him, a former colleague said in a tribute. Another colleague said: He was such a pleasure to work with and a dedicated, talented architect who loved his profession passionately.

Mr. Dagit built his own family home on a hillside in Gladwyne in the 1970s, and it won an award for excellence in design. He called the structure a white piece of sculpture, and added a Japanese Garden years later that was featured in The Inquirer in 2010.

Gregarious and insightful, he taught design at Drexel and Temple Universities, and Penn, and expressed great satisfaction when his students earned honors for their work. He also lectured at other schools and at conferences, and served for a decade as managing secretary of the John Stewardson Memorial Fellowship in Architecture.

He was a longtime national committee member and chair for the American Institute of Architects, president of the Philadelphia chapter in 1991, and board member of the Pennsylvania chapter from 2008 to 2010. He became the youngest architect at the time to join the AIA College of Fellows in 1983 and never ceased promoting the city and state chapters at national and international events.

He wrote articles for The Inquirer and other publications, and authored Louis I. Kahn Architect Remembering the Man and Those Who Surrounded Him in 2013, and The Groundbreakers: Architects in American History Their Places and Times in 2017. Both received critical praise.

Away from work, he served on boards at Penn, the Philadelphia Zoo, and other groups, and was president of the Gladwyne Civic Association in the 1980s and the Gladwyne Free Library in the 1990s. He was a lifelong sailor who won local races at the Jersey Shore and a 1972 national championship, and he and his wife, Alice, navigated exotic waters together around the world.

He was driven and bold, his wife said. He would do things after other people said, You cant do that.

Charles Edward Dagit Jr. was born July 1, 1943, in Philadelphia. He grew up in Merion, went sailing with his father and others often as a boy, and graduated from Malvern Preparatory School in 1961.

He earned three degrees and won a traveling fellowship and two design competitions at Penn, and worked for Mitchell-Giurgola and his fathers firm after college before establishing Dagit-Saylor.

He took Alice Murdoch on their first date in 1962, and they married in 1967, and had sons Charles III and John. They lived in Center City and West Philadelphia before moving to Gladwyne.

Mr. Dagit played piano and painted, enjoyed golf and dancing, and he and his wife spent more than 60 years twirling to the Charleston, jitterbug, and Texas two step. Charlie was a most remarkable person, a friend said in a tribute. Smart, talented, artistic, and funny. Just so exceptional.

In addition to his wife and sons, Mr. Dagit is survived by four grandsons, two sisters, and other relatives. A sister died earlier.

Visitation with the family is to be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 12, at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd., Gladwyne, Pa. 19035. A service is to follow.

Donations in his name may be made to St. Malachy School, Box 37012, Philadelphia, Pa. 19122; and Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania Foundation, 221 Conestoga Rd., Suite 300, Wayne Pa. 19087.

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Charles E. Dagit Jr., award-winning architect, civic leader, and champion sailor, has died at 80 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

I want to be an architect six words I never expected to hear from my daughter! It certainly came as a shock. She had been leaning towards majoring in computer science at her small liberal arts college in Northern Maine. However, a brief Intro to Architecture course captivated her in a way that simply growing up around me never did. Maybe she finally glimpsed why I enjoy it so much, despite it being such a tough profession with long, expensive studies and low financial rewards.

Now that she was bitten by the architecture bug, I thought I would be able to give her useful advice on how to approach studies and a career. After all, Ive worked in the US for over 25 years, visiting various architectural schools as a critic or a lecturer. But as we investigated her options, it became painfully obvious that I didnt really have a clue how it all worked. What followed was a crash course on the various paths US students take to pursue architecture.

At first glance, the architectural education systems in the UK and the US seem similar enough, with both requiring at the very least seven years to obtain licensure. The notable difference lies in the educational pathways. Unlike the UKs Parts 1, 2, and 3 process of undergraduate and postgraduate architecture courses, the US system offers two alternate routes to completing your studies.

First, its worth remembering that students here, in their last years of school, have no A-level equivalent where they narrow their academic focus down to just three subjects. When they start their typical four-year college education, they initially spend two years taking various general education courses before selecting what subject to major in.

For these students, the path to becoming an architect involves a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) postgraduate programme. The length of these programmes varies based on prior education, but usually lasts two years for students with an undergraduate major degree in architecture and three years for those with a degree in another field.

The second path is a straightforward five-year Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programme, similar to the UK system. Architecture and engineering are among the very few specialised professional subjects that students can pursue directly after high school. There are no undergraduate courses for law or medicine, for example.

B.Arch programmes are mostly found in the more vocational schools, often at state colleges, and some, such as Cornell, are exceptional. However, the majority of the top architectural schools are M.Arch programmes, such as MIT, Columbia, Yale, and Harvard. Often M.Arch schools provide an architecture major degree within their liberal arts undergraduate curriculum, while some B.Arch schools offer the M.Arch as part of their postgraduate studies.

Whichever path you take, the cost is always a significant factor. The cost of attendance at state colleges averages $25,000 per year, while private colleges can be at least double or even triple that amount. Many students take huge loans to complete their studies leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt upon graduation.

After finishing either path, the next step is the Architectural Experience Programme (AXP) an internship training period under a licensed architect, requiring over 3,500 recorded hours before completion which is then followed by six Architect Registration Examinations (ARE). The AREs, covering both technical and professional aspects of architecture, are challenging and have an average 50% pass rate. The process is long and arduous, taking the average architect 12.5 years to finally get their licence after starting college.

Ultimately, its the high cost of education with its arduous licensing process and low financial compensationthat makes our profession increasingly exclusive

Since my daughters college does not offer architectural courses, she faced a choice: either drop out and transfer to a B.Arch programme or continue with the undergraduate studies at her current college but focus on courses suitable for future M.Arch admission.

After chatting with many friends in education, the consensus was to complete her current college degree, integrating pre-architecture courses, majoring in art or art history, and including courses in mathematics, computing, government, and sociology. During her holidays last summer, she enrolled in a five-week intensive architecture course at Columbia University to confirm her passion (she loved it) and plans to apply to an architecture post-graduate programme in a few years.

In the UK, the ARB and RIBA are hotly debating more effective methods of teaching architecture with the goal of promoting diversity and accessibility within the profession. It sounds like what could emerge is a similar system to here. While the US system offers more flexibility than the UKs, it still struggles to meet the goals the ARB hopes to encourage. Ultimately, its the high cost of education with its arduous licensing process and low financial compensation that makes our profession increasingly exclusive.

>> Also read:The ARB education reforms offer tinkering, when what we need is a radical new vision

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Similar, but not the same: How qualifying as an architect differs between the US and UK - Building Design

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Tod Williams, co-founder of the renowned architecture firm Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects, will present a lecture about his firms work with stone and masonry titled Building Blocks at 6:30 p.m. April 18 in the Stuckeman Family Buildings North Forum on the University Park campus.

The lecture is part of the Department of Architecture's annual National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) second-year student competition within the College of Arts and Architectures Stuckeman School. Williams will be joined by Alex Odom, a project manager with the firm.

Founded by Williams and Billie Tsien in Manhattan in 1986, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects focuses its work on academic institutions, museums, cultural centers, residences and non-profit organizations. The practice has been significantly influenced by the duos backgrounds in architecture and fine art; however, the work also reflects a collaborative effort that grows out of their relationship as a married couple, said Williams.

In their early work, Williams and Tsien experimented with unconventional materials and reconsidered how familiar materials could be used in unfamiliar ways in designs for installations at the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas in New York and elsewhere.

In their later work, Williams and Tsien were commissioned to prepare a plan for new buildings at the Cranbrook Estate in Michigan. Their design developed ideas of movement and path embodied in their earlier designs for academic buildings in California, at Princeton University and the University of Virginia. The co-educational natatorium at Cranbrook was planned to connect to existing buildings, and large oculi and doors enable the building to be opened up during spring and summer, connecting the building to the landscapes of the Cranbrook Estate.

Residential designs for sites in New York City, Long Island and Phoenix have enabled Williams and Tsien to explore issues of materiality, path and the integration of building with site at another scale.

Tod Williams and Billie Tsien Architects has received more than two dozen awards from the American Institute of Architects, including the Firm of the Year Award in 2013. That same year, Williams and Tsien were each awarded a National Medal of Arts from former President Barack Obama. Among other awards and recognitions is a 2014 International Fellowship from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

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Renowned architect to visit Stuckeman to juror student design competition - Penn State University

The trial of a man charged with killing a Des Moines architect is now underway in Polk County. In 2016, Kirk Blunck was found badly hurt at the bottom of a staircase in an East Village building. He died shortly after from his injuries.Blunck's family successfully sued Des Moines man Zachary Gaskill for wrongful death, winning $6.125 million in 2018.Despite the civil lawsuit, Gaskill was not criminally charged until December 2022. Police say he was responsible for the injuries that killed Blunck.Gaskill allegedly claimed to police that he was searching for a bathroom in a building at 500 E. Locust St. when he and Blunck fell over a railing together. Gaskill said he caught himself, but Blunck continued to fall. Police believe that Gaskill attacked Blunck, eventually throwing him over the railing, and tried hiding his identity to get away with it. Gaskill faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge. Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayGet the latest headlines from KCCI

The trial of a man charged with killing a Des Moines architect is now underway in Polk County.

In 2016, Kirk Blunck was found badly hurt at the bottom of a staircase in an East Village building. He died shortly after from his injuries.

Blunck's family successfully sued Des Moines man Zachary Gaskill for wrongful death, winning $6.125 million in 2018.

Despite the civil lawsuit, Gaskill was not criminally charged until December 2022. Police say he was responsible for the injuries that killed Blunck.

Gaskill allegedly claimed to police that he was searching for a bathroom in a building at 500 E. Locust St. when he and Blunck fell over a railing together. Gaskill said he caught himself, but Blunck continued to fall. Police believe that Gaskill attacked Blunck, eventually throwing him over the railing, and tried hiding his identity to get away with it.

Gaskill faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of the second-degree murder charge.

Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play

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Trial begins for man accused of throwing Des Moines architect over a railing to his death in 2016 - KCCI Des Moines

Project description by Wutopia Lab

"He stands upon the bones of the world in reminiscence, unaware that another world is being born."

Yu Ting, Chief Architect of the interior design project.

Invitation I had no idea who the architect was when I first received the design invitation. The client hoped for the architect and interior designer to work creatively back-to-back and then combine their creations, sparking inspiration for each other and producing a brilliant piece of work. This sounded undoubtedly like an adventure, and I, of course, accepted.

Vortex The first set of documents I received was the ground plan confirmed by the transportation authority, with a diamond-shaped circular corridor surrounding a diamond-shaped exhibition hall. I was informed that the design should embody the spirit of Shanghai. At that time, I had just finished reading Underland: A Deep Time Journey, and there was a chapter about vortex which made me connect it to Shanghai. Shanghai has always been in the vortex of public opinion but always manages to create surprising achievements. I thought, what a great theme a vortex would be.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

I rotated the diamond plan and decided to design the exterior walls of the exhibition hall as a vortex. It would become the second layer of the faade behind the glass curtain wall.

I structured the entire interior design PLOT based on the theme of the vortex. The exhilarating vortex dominates the first storey, one that has a luxurious height of 10m. Inside the marble vortex is a clean and multifunctional grand event hall used for exhibitions, fashion shows, and conferences. The vortex pattern is reflected in the division of the circular corridor flooring, and at the same time creates a richly layered ceiling.

Different levels of patterns effectively conceal the structure and equipment pipelines between the facade and the exterior walls of the exhibition hall, allowing the vortex to stand out visually without being cluttered. The vortex becomes the dominant visual element, maximizing the tension of symbolic significance in a visual sense.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

The basement of Orbit serves functional purposes, housing public corridors, communal restrooms, communal dressing rooms and VIP dressing rooms. They represent the underwater world beneath the vortex. The architect created an underwater lighting experience in the corridors, and using three different colors of electroplated stone, along with coral-colored stone materials, he simultaneously constructed the symbolic meaning of an underwater coral reef on the basement level.

We were so enamored with the coral theme that we used green jade marble to craft the VVIP dressing room on the first floor. When the photographer captures an overhead shot of the dressing rooms from the mezzanine, it creates the illusion that the protagonists are in both a real and surreal myth.

The second floor is the exhibition hall, representing the calm water surface with ripples and shores left after the vortex. Behind the scenes on the second floor, all auxiliary functions such as the entrance hall, projection room, restrooms, VIP lounge, and various meeting rooms are hidden behind the shores abstracted caves accommodating diverse needs.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

Upon entering the second floor through the hall known as the 'White Cliff,' one can follow the scroll expressing the glorious moments of Xu Guangqi's life or directly enter the main space filled with shimmering water reflections.

The expansive water surface serves as the hall for showcasing models. Based on the variable cross-section structure, I designed the roof ceiling as a slightly curved dome, creating a skylight that utilizes maximum net height to simulate the sky. Below the sky, there is a pattern of the Huangpu River, winding through island-like model platforms, leading to the subtly outlined gate of Tushan Bay.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

Behind it is a large conference room, surrounded by lush greenery, resembling a forest, facing the slowly eastward-flowing Huangpu River. Reality and imagination converge at this moment, in this space.

Out of my fascination for symmetry and symbolism, as well as the refinement of the winding shores, the hall takes on the shape of a Begonia Ruyi, with a missing piece that serves as the anteroom to the restroom. In the central open space facing the hall, the architect placed a marble basin with rolling waves inside, creating a miniature vortex. Yes, the architecture thus creates joy infused with metaphor in every detail.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

Rogue Wave While the interior concept proposal was approved by the owner, they also unveiled the facade design, which is the intertwined and spiraling ribbons seen now. The architect placed the vortex as the second facade behind the ribbon facade, and the developer exclaimed that it looked like a rogue wave.

The vortex as a giant wave was ultimately created by three-dimensional carving marble using a five-axis machine and then assembled on site. It indeed creates a Baroque perception, with the marble appearing solid yet expressing the dynamic force of fluid.

When you stand outside the building, it seems to be continuously rotating, forming a marvelous balance with the ribbon facade. Especially at night, it becomes a striking new landmark, a center, in the vibrant waterfront area of Shanghai.

West Bund Orbit por Wutopia Lab. Fotografa por CreatAR Images.

Orbit and The Chinese name for the exhibition hall, '' (West Bund Orbit), derives from the poetic line '' ('Water swirls and soars with the wind'). This powerful and dynamic phrase helps the audience connect the natural forms presented in architecture and interior design, such as waves, vortexes, ribbons, stars, and orbits. It aids in understanding that people are like stars, able to orbit outside the building along trajectories. Hence, the name 'Orbit' emerged.

Of course, it was only during the unveiling of the facade that I came to know the architect is Thomas.

"Each person harbors a secret Shanghai of their own, seemingly disconnected from others. These fragments are embedded within the vast and glittering metropolis, silent, or perhaps fading away. It takes someone to interconnect these fragmented, hidden Shanghais to suddenly realize that this is the living Shanghai. These fragments, then define the grand Shanghai we perceive."

Yu Ting, Chief Architect of the interior design project.

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The reflection of a city in motion. West Bund Orbit by Wutopia Lab | The Strength of Architecture | From 1998 - Metalocus