The Architectural Billings Index (ABI) for June, 2012 shows a continued, dismal analysis of the state of Architecture & Design. The overall June rating was at 45.9, virtually unchanged from the May 2012 number of 45.8. (The ABI is rated with a neutral number of 50 representing “no changes” in billings. Numbers below 50 indicate [...]
Critical Architect Review: Cracking the Codes – An Architect’s Guide to Building Regulations Author: Barry D. Yatt | ISBN 0-471-16967-6 | Wiley & Sons – 1998 | NCARB Monograph Series Publishers Description (From NCARB website) Although building codes and standards are often seen as obstacles to design excellence, NCARB’s newly published monograph, Cracking the Codes, [...]
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has published the results from the March 2012 Architectural Billings Index Survey (ABI). The results show the fifth consecutive month of billings increases, although just barely. The Northeast showed strong gains while the Midwest and South were mildly optimistic. The West remains at a desperate level. The ABI rounded [...]
Despite attempts by NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) to standardize, homogenize and socialize architectural licensing requirements among the States, for the time being each State still has the right and obligation to set its own requirements for engaging in the practice of architecture. In this regard, all States are not created equal. Some [...]
“The City 2.0″ TEDprize.org has announced that the winner of the 2012 Ted Prize is, “The City 2.0” TED, which is an acronym for “Technology, Entertainment, Design” was established in 1984 as a think tank to bring together these three industries. Each year, a $100,000 award is given by the group to one individual who [...]
The “Rotating Tower” Concept by David Fisher @ Kenetic Architecture is not as “Dynamic” as it appears. Let us begin by examining the feasibility of such a concept from a structural and kinetics perspective. History of Revolving Structures The concept of a revolving building or spaces is nothing new. In fact, there are dozens of [...]
On December 6, 2011 Apple executives updated their proposal for the new “Apple Campus 2” project in the city of Cupertino, CA. The new 5.32 million square foot facility will become home base for 11,000 employees. Located on a 175 acre site in the city of Cupertino, CA the donut shaped structure has an outer [...]
The University of California, Irvine is sporting a brand new Humanities Building thanks to Architect Curtis Fentress, FAIA. According to Fentress, the design was inspired by the mythological god – Janus, who is the God of beginnings and transitions. In Roman mythology, Janus is a two-faced god who simultaneously looks both toward the future and [...]
Lilypad City – Floating Ecopolis The “Floating Ecopolis for Climate Refugees” (aka the Lilypad City) by French Architect, Vincent Callebaut was a concept design proposed in 2008 to deal with the effects of Global Warming as the polar ice caps melt and oceans rise; displacing land fairing inhabitants along the coasts. Callebaut asserts that the [...]
The Architectural Billings Index (ABI) for September 2011 is showing less bad news than the previous month. The October score of 49.4 is up from the September number of 46.9 but as we know, anything below 50 is STILL a downturn, which is why I prefer to word the phrase “Less Bad News” as oppose [...]
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