U.S. Department of Defense Adopts New ABA Standards
from FacilitiesNet
 The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has adopted new accessibility standards under the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA), which requires access to federally funded facilities. The standards apply to military and other facilities under DOD’s jurisdiction.
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The Best Business Architecture of 2008
from BusinessWeek
As commercial construction falls deeper into recession, it seems fitting that the winners of this year's BusinessWeek/Architectural Record awards show the payoffs of investing in smart design. Of course, all of 2008's champions were completed and occupied before panic seized the global financial markets. But after a few years of opulence and of trophies for structures that generated buzz as well as business, practicality is appropriately front and center.
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Lights Off for Incandescent Bulbs in 2012?
from European Voice
EU executive believes switch to energy-efficient light bulbs could save as much electricity each year as Romania currently uses.
The use of incandescent light bulbs, used in household lamps, car headlamps, electric flashlights, decorative and advertising lighting, could be banned by 2012, under new EU plans to cut electricity consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
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"America's Greenest" Residential High-Rise Unveiled in New York
from Interior Design
New York's skyline was recently graced by a new green residential tower, billed as "America’s Greenest High-Rise Condominium." Expected to land LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the 35-story Visionaire is designed by architect Rafael Pelli of Pelli Clark Pelli Architects and developed by the Albanese Organization, in partnership with Starwood Capital. Interiors of the 251 studio-to-three bedroom residences are designed by interior designer Tim Button of Stedila Design. More
Product Showcase:
Pittsburgh® Paints' New Hacienda Style Color Palette
Inspired by Newly Released Book
The warm tones of Mexican style and design are now easier for designers and homeowners to make their own with Pittsburgh Paints' recent introduction of the Hacienda Style Color Palette. Collaborating with Karen Witynski and Joe P. Carr, award-winning authors of eight books on Mexican design, Pittsburgh Paints has developed a color palette that goes hand-in-hand with the authors' newly released book — Hacienda Style (Gibbs-Smith, $39.95 Hardcover, May).
Mirroring the timeless appeal and rustic elegance of Mexico's old-world country estates, the Hacienda Style Color Palette features 18 authentic colors. More info
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The World’s First Energy-Generating Revolving Door
from Inhabitat
Harvesting the kinetic energy generated by crowds of people is one of our favorite approaches to renewable energy. Recently Netherlands-based Natuurcafé La Port installed an energy generator in a rotating door, so every time someone walks in for a cup of coffee, they give just a little bit of their energy back to the coffee shop. We keep saying that solving the problem of global warming will require that we open up new doors in the field of renewable energy, but we must admit that we never expected to mean it literally. More
Designing for Health: A Seat at the Table
from Contract Magazine
Despite the constant interface between furniture and patients, visitors, caregivers, and staff, it is mostly overlooked as an evidence-based design strategy. According to "A Review of the Research Literature on Evidence-Based Healthcare Design" by Ulrich and Zimring "well-designed physical settings play an important role in making hospitals safer and more healing for patients, and better places for staff to work." While the review evaluates the importance of the physical setting, furniture is mostly overlooked. Utilizing the paper's results including "Improving Patient Safety Through Environmental Measures," "Improving Other Patient Outcomes Through Environmental Measures," and "Improving Staff Outcomes Through Environmental Measures," we posit: can evidence-based design also inform furniture selections? While visiting healthcare furniture manufacturer Nemschoff in Sheboygan, Wisc., our team engaged in discussions with company leadership, factory managers, and product representatives in order to evaluate furniture's potential influence on patient outcomes and use as an evidence-based design strategy. More
AIA Reports Business Conditions in All Regions of the Country Weakened in 2008
from AIArchitect
Business conditions weakened substantially in 2008 in virtually all AIA regions, according to component leaders and executives. Two-thirds of the AIA regions indicated that current business conditions are “so-so” or worse, and many regions reported that conditions are much worse this year than in 2008. The demand for architects has also declined in this economic slowdown, and although experienced architects remain in highest demand, the degree of need has lessened. Business conditions have also weakened in all building sectors, with component leaders reporting that the residential sector is the weakest, followed by commercial/industrial and institutional.
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Customer Preferences Drive Innovation in Lifestyle Centers
from Hospitality Net
Developers of new "town centers" and "life-style centers" need to leave the beaten track and resist repeating the mistakes of the past, according to Karl Kalcher, managing director of MindFolio, a marketing strategy firm. In a new "Industry Perspective," published by Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research, Kalcher analyzes recent projects through the lens of customer preferences, with a goal of re-energizing the role and opportunities for such mixed-use developments.
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A Message from ASID
This holiday season give yourself a gift by renewing your ASID membership for 2009. ASID is dedicated to supporting the membership during these challenging financial times by offering business strategies online, professional networking through CONNEX to exchange information on business opportunities and best practices, as well as a referral service to market your services to the public. In uncertain times, we all need a community—ASID, with more than 40,000 members, is the best place to be.
ASID members whose membership is renewing on Jan. 1, 2009, have received both mailed and e-mailed invoices. You can pay your dues online at www.asid.org, where you can also view open invoices, pay balances, print receipts and update contact information. If you renew your dues in full online by Dec. 31, you’re automatically entered for a chance to win one free year of membership dues.
We recognize that these are uncertain times for many in the membership. There is now a monthly direct debit program for practitioner members. More information on this program can be found on the printed invoice or upon viewing the online invoice. Please e-mail any questions to membership@asid.org. Together we can thrive in uncertain times!
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Magnificent art deco style table manufacture 100% to customer needs.
Showed here with rich ribbon mahogany veneer and a very elegant high gloss finish. More
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