Universal Design, Green Remodeling Have Joint Appeal
from Nation's Building News
 A remodeling project that combines universal design and green remodeling can be a strong seller in today’s weakened market, particularly with baby boomers “coming of age,” according to Mike Vowels, of Stewardship Remodeling in Seattle. Vowels sees a strong link between the two remodeling concepts because both involve consumers planning for their futures and incorporating sustainability in a home. But Vowels also cautions that designing the remodeling solution offered to potential clients has to be “seamless and invisible,” or consumers won't find it appealing. More 
Hospitals Merge Design and Building to Cut Costs
from The New York Times
While medical real estate is often seen as recession proof, hospitals and health care institutions still have strong reason to control construction costs. A case in point: The first free-standing hospital project in New York State in more than two decades, according to the state’s Department of Health, is being built in Middletown, using an unusual construction method to cut costs by almost a third. More
Architectural Billings Index Jumps 8 Points
from Architectural Record
The Architectural Billings Index (ABI) rose to 43.7 in March, up from 35.3 in February. It’s the first time the score has landed above 40 since last September. The March uptick “should be viewed with cautious optimism,” says Kermit Baker, the AIA’s chief economist. “It will likely be a few months before we see an improvement in overall billings.” More
How Sustainable Thinking Can Change Design
from GreenerBuildings
Greener design methods hold a world of possibilities for businesses, from saving a bit of money on materials to developing completely new products, packaging and distribution methods. They also have the potential to change how designers learn, how they think about projects and, on a larger scale, alter designers' careers. More
 The Arlequin Chest now in Grange showrooms, features a curved front and distinctive hardware. The diamond patterned front mimics the famous jester outfit from the French play, Arlequin, Poli par l’Amour. The distinctive design of this playful and classic piece will leave a lasting impression for generations to enjoy. For more information visit www.grange.fr or call 1 800 GRANGE1.
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Bringing Smart Energy Home
from BusinessWeek
Wireless energy dashboards to monitor usage are coming to many U.S. homes starting this year, fueled by the stimulus package More
How to Utilize Traditional Interior Design Techniques to Design an Outdoor Space
from Casual Living
The trend for the past few years has been and continues to be a move from the inside out. Here are some ideas for you to help your customers achieve their unique style as they move outside. The most important step in this process is space planning. The traditional age old method of sketching and drawing by hand has a counterpart entitled computer aided design. The computer aided design is a visual representation of the space. There are a number of companies that have easy to use systems that you can implement into your process. One company is Icovia Space Planner another is 3Dream, SmartDraw and finally The Board Space Planning Systems. These programs help transform your business by allowing you to create perfect virtual images of outdoor designed rooms. These tools allow you to experiment by changing fabrics and colors, furniture and accessories which ultimately help your customers realize their goal of creating an outdoor living space that is a personal expression of their own style. More
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Cities Lost 2 Million Movers in '08 While Suburbs Gained Nearly the Same Number
from Multi-Housing News
The national mover rate declined from 13.2 percent in 2007 to 11.9 percent in 2008, the lowest since the U.S. Census began tracking this data in 1948. During this period, renters were five times more likely to move than homeowners. More
Is It Goodbye to Architectural Excess?
from KCRW
The economic crash has brought a decade of lavish “icon”-building to a halt. Does this mean an architecture of “excess” will be replaced by one of “relevance?” Frank Gehry and Architecture for Humanity’s Cameron Sinclair share their perspectives. More
Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland Finishes Multimillion Renovation
from Hospitality Design
Kimpton's Hotel Vintage Plaza in Portland, Oregon has wrapped up its $4 million makeover with the help of Susan Caruso of hospitality design firm IntraSpec in Marina del Ray, California, and locally based Sienna Architecture. The 117-room boutique hotel, situated in a historic brick building, features a design inspired by the area's organic beauty and surrounding vineyards. More
Stylish Healthcare Furniture That Functions Like Hospital Equipment
from Healthcare Design
Healthcare furniture has come a long way. This is both exciting and moving. Anyone who has to stay overnight or care for a loved one in a hospital knows what I'm talking about. There is no doubt that the challenges for Healthcare furniture specifiers is more complex than ever before. With more options to choose from, one might think you need a Ph.D. in furniture making. A specifier must know and understand the difference between a wallsaver recliner, a treatment recliner and a regular pushback recliner or a registration area lounge chair vs. an ER lounge chair the list is extensive. One other aspect is price. Budget (particularly now) is always a driving factor. And WOW! is it a win/win when specifications for healthcare furniture align with the function of the area to the degree that the furniture suits the space, works from a budget stand point and creates a memorable patient experience. More
Bargain Building? Construction Costs Down Significantly
from The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area
The Producer Price Index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the price of materials used in all forms of commercial construction have dropped during the past year. “The price declines make this a great time for public agencies and private owners alike to start construction projects, particularly because this is a limited-time sale and may not last much longer,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America said. More
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