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Circular construction is an alternative approach to traditional building practices that aims to reduce waste and address the climate crisis. It involves reusing and recycling building materials, as well as implementing design strategies for longevity and ease of disassembly. Arup, a global engineering firm, has developed a Circular Building Toolkit to guide designers in reducing the use of virgin and nonrenewable products. London has implemented mandatory circular-construction guidelines, and projects like the retrofit of One Triton Square have successfully demonstrated the benefits of circular construction. Other organizations, such as GXN and ETH Zurich's Circular for Architecture lab, are also exploring circular construction and developing innovative solutions. Legislation and policy decisions may be necessary to further develop the marketplace for circular construction. Ultimately, circular construction has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the restoration of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit by Quinn Evans. The station, which opened in 1914, was once a symbol of Detroit's industrial prowess but fell into disrepair due to economic decline and neglect. Ford purchased the station in 2018 and hired Quinn Evans to lead the restoration project. The team faced significant challenges, including water damage, decayed materials, and missing architectural elements. Through extensive research and careful surveying, the team was able to restore and replace various components of the building, including the terrazzo flooring, Guastavino tiles, and exterior masonry. The restoration also included updates to meet contemporary performance standards. The renovated station will be open to the public and will house retail spaces, event venues, and potentially passenger tracks for Amtrak. The project is part of the larger Michigan Central Innovation District, which aims to revitalize the area with new technologies and amenities. The article acknowledges the scars of the station's past, such as graffiti and deteriorated stairwells, as reminders of Detroit's history. Overall, the restoration of the Michigan Central Station represents a significant step in the revitalization of Detroit and its architectural heritage. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the construction of a mixed-use infill building in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood. The building, designed by Adam Sokol Architecture Practice, was made possible by the city's revised zoning policies and the demolition of a dilapidated historic building. The project includes 10 rental units, a retail space, and features energy-efficient elements such as heat pumps and solar water heaters. The design incorporates the historic facade and utilizes materials that match the original building. The article highlights the building's sustainable aspects and its contribution to the revitalization of Buffalo. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the resurgence of load-bearing masonry as a sustainable alternative to steel and concrete in construction. Stone, which has historically been used primarily for cladding, is being reimagined as a structural material through the use of contemporary construction techniques. Architects and designers are exploring the potential of stone in various projects, including market halls, cafeterias, and data centers. While load-bearing masonry still faces challenges in terms of industry standards and familiarity among contractors, there is growing demand and potential for its widespread adoption in the future. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the transformation of a former industrial site at the Port of Montreal into a tourist destination. The site, known as the Grand Quai du Port de Montreal, was renovated and redesigned by the firm Provencher_Roy, in collaboration with landscape architect NIPPaysage. The project involved the rehabilitation of existing terminals, the creation of a public park, and the construction of the Port of Montreal Tower. The renovation aimed to open the site to the public and provide access to views of the St. Lawrence River and Mount Royal. The terminals were reoriented and reclad, while the tower paid homage to the port's commercial past. Visitors can access the tower through a ground-floor lobby and enjoy unobstructed views from the observatory at the top. The project was completed in May 2023 and cost $29.5 million. [Extracted from the article]

Architectural Record has announced the winners of its annual Products of the Year competition, which features a diverse range of materials, systems, and furnishings from around the world. The winners were selected by a jury of U.S.-based architects and designers. Some of the winning products include a collection of recycled bronze pulls, locks, and levers for interior doors, a stylish chair with a leather seat shell, and a folding table inspired by origami and Cubism. The competition also includes categories such as walls and ceilings, outdoor furnishings, textiles, and flooring. These products showcase innovative designs and sustainable materials. The document provides a comprehensive list of various products and materials related to different areas of design and construction, including lighting fixtures, bathroom and kitchen fittings, windows and doors, and building systems and components. Each product is briefly described, highlighting its unique features and benefits. The aim of the document is to offer library patrons a comprehensive overview of available options in these areas, enabling them to make well-informed decisions for their projects. [Extracted from the article]

The double-height atrium, which contained a large portion of the library's collection and later evolved into a study space, is topped by a waffle slab ceiling. BUILDING TYPE STUDY 1,058 COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES FOR MUCH of its first 100 years, the University of Western Ontario, in London, was a relatively small outpost of Canada's public university system. The building's almost entirely poured-in-place concrete structure has stairs and mechanical shafts housed within oblong towers at the exterior corners and post-tensioned floor slabs supported by precast single tees. [Extracted from the article]

Instead, PAU opted for an approach that carefully gutted the internal structure, with massive steel braces keeping the now 141-year-old brick walls in check as construction of the office tower commenced within them. DEPARTMENTS IN 2004, Brooklyn's Domino Sugar refinery complex shuttered its doors after more than a century in operation, heralding yet another death blow to the formerly industrial Williamsburg waterfront. Clearspanning steel girders run from the perimeter columns of the steel superstructure to the building cores to maximize unobstructed floor space. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the renovation of the lobby and retail spaces of the commercial skyscraper at 712 Fifth Avenue in New York City. The renovation aimed to update the Postmodern aesthetic of the building and incorporate elements of the historic glazing from the adjacent rowhouses. The lobby now features curved glass panels inspired by the Art Nouveau glazing of the Coty Building, designed by René Lalique. The glass panels create a welcoming and luminous entrance, while also paying homage to the building's history. [Extracted from the article]

Aberdeen's Union Terrace Gardens, a two-and-a-half-acre park in the center of the Scottish coastal city, has undergone a transformation to improve accessibility and landscaping. The park, which opened in 1879, had fallen into disrepair and attracted illicit activity. London-based landscape architect LDA Design and Glasgow-based design architect Stallan-Brand were selected for the project, which included expanding the park into the city with public plazas, introducing ramped terraces and a pedestrian bridge, and adding three pavilions. The design also addressed concerns about poor access, dimly lit paths, and obscured sight lines. The project involved preservation work and collaboration with Historic Environment Scotland. The result is a welcoming and integrated urban oasis that reflects the history and context of Aberdeen. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses two architectural projects that utilize shading strategies to mitigate glare and solar heat gain. The first project is the Applied Research Building (ARB) at the University of Arizona, which features a pleat-like arrangement of protective aluminum-composite panels and laminated-and-fritted glass fins. The second project is the Thirty75 Tech office space in Santa Clara, which utilizes an aluminum louver system that hangs from diagonal steel outriggers. Both projects aim to maintain outward views while reducing energy consumption and improving user comfort. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the increasing trend of building electrification in American cities and states as a means to reduce carbon emissions. Building operations account for a significant portion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Many cities and states have implemented policies to prohibit or discourage the installation of gas lines in new buildings. However, there have been legal challenges to these bans, with courts ruling that they infringe on the federal government's power to regulate gas appliances. Despite these challenges, the momentum towards building electrification is already strong, driven by government incentives and market forces. Electrification is seen as cheaper, safer, and more environmentally friendly than using gas. The article also highlights the potential roadblocks to electrification, such as stranded assets and the need for regulation of new gas appliances. Overall, while court decisions may pose some obstacles, the move towards building electrification is expected to continue. [Extracted from the article]

Stone quarriers and fabricators are adopting back-to-nature strategies to reduce their environmental impact. The Natural Stone Institute's Sustainability Standard has become the industry benchmark for environmentally sound stone quarrying and production processes in the United States. Quarriers are investing in more efficient equipment, reusing leftover materials, and renaturalizing exhausted quarries. They are also utilizing renewable energy sources and earning certifications for their sustainable practices. By working with responsible quarriers, architects can reduce the environmental footprint of their projects. [Extracted from the article]

The Chinese government has established the National Archives of Publications and Culture to preserve and curate the country's extensive history. One of the satellite campuses, located in Liangzhu, near Hangzhou, was designed by Amateur Architecture Studio and features pagoda-like structures, intricate woodwork, and thousands of celadon ceramic facade tiles. The campus covers 1.1 million square feet and includes 13 pavilions housing different programs. The celadon tiles, produced in Longquan, Zhejiang province, were carefully selected and installed using a straightforward system. The campus also incorporates traditional construction techniques and materials, such as rammed-earth and wood-and-steel canopies. [Extracted from the article]

The Hangzhou Century Center is a two-towered structure in Hangzhou, China, designed by SOM for developer Greenland Holdings. It is part of the Qianjing Century City district and features offices, a hotel, and residences. The building stands at 1,000 feet tall and is connected by a sweeping midsection. It is known for its spectacular lighting array, which highlights its sinuous form against the night sky. The lighting scheme consists of over 6,000 color-changing LEDs integrated into the glazing system. The project was a collaboration between SOM, TORYO International Lighting Design Center, and Arup. The building is a visual landmark and attracts residents and tourists to the area. [Extracted from the article]

Mork-Ulnes Architects has designed an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in Marin County, California, that serves as a temporary home for a family of three while their main house undergoes renovation. The ADU is located on a hillside and has a limited footprint of just over 300 square feet. To maximize space, the architects used a "Swiss Army knife" approach, incorporating a movable kitchen island, a Murphy bed, and a flexible living space. The interior is clad in unvarnished ply boards, and the shower room utilizes its surroundings to visually elongate the limited volume. The design of the ADU is a response to the increasing demand for ADUs in California as a solution to the housing shortage. [Extracted from the article]

BAAB Architecture and Buildings has completed the Inside-Out Bath in Kerhonkson, New York, which aims to provide a seamless and accessible space for aging residents. The bathroom features a central "totem" that consolidates the sink, medicine cabinet, shower, and toilet, freeing up space and creating a barrier-free environment. The design also incorporates lifestyle details from the old bathroom, such as a magazine rack and night-light, while iridescent tile and a clerestory window bring natural light into the previously dark space. The project was completed in December 2023 by BAAB Architecture and Buildings, with Feinberg Construction as the general contractor. [Extracted from the article]

The Los Angeles Clippers will be moving into their new $1.8 billion Intuit Arena in Inglewood for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The arena, designed by AECOM and engineer Walter P Moore, features a seismically isolated, structural-steel diagrid frame covered in ETFE and PTFE panels to protect against rain and direct sun exposure while allowing for fresh air. The 18,000-seat arena is fully electrified and aims to be operationally carbon-neutral from its opening in October, thanks to solar panels and battery storage. The arena also includes a three-acre outdoor space called the Intuit Dome Plaza with basketball courts and a screening area. [Extracted from the article]

CONTINUING EDUCATION THE CONSTRUCTION industry is the elephant in the room when it comes to emissions and pollution. For Boston-based architecture firm Dyer Brown, adopting a more sustainable approach to design and construction required a similar rethinking of both adaptive reuse and material sourcing. A number of firms within the AEC industry are seeking to remedy that paradigm through new sourcing protocols and material-tracking software. [Extracted from the article]

The Biden administration has committed nearly $25 billion to the revitalization of intercity rail in the United States. The funding includes $16.4 billion for improvements to the Amtrak Northeast Corridor, such as replacing the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and the Susquehanna River Rail Bridge. Additionally, $8.2 billion has been allocated for future projects, including high-speed rail in California's Central Valley and between Las Vegas and Southern California. Other states, such as North Carolina, Illinois, Maine, Montana, and Alaska, will also see increased rail service. [Extracted from the article]

"Reclaimed: New Homes from Old Materials" by Penny Craswell is a book that explores the concept of reusing materials for contemporary residential design as an alternative to the traditional construction methods that contribute to global carbon emissions. The book is divided into four material categories - brick, timber, metal, and postconsumer waste - and showcases 24 houses and apartments from around the world that have been built using reclaimed materials. With a focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact, this book offers a thoughtful guide for those interested in incorporating reclaimed materials into their own home designs. [Extracted from the article]

For Rockwell Group, openness was key to the project - the firm took advantage of the existing six-story atrium to introduce a cascading series of gathering areas and put glazing on the interior face of each classroom. A comprehensive rehabilitation followed, led by Rockwell Group and Ennead, the original architect. The 420,000-square-foot Bloomberg Center at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue is anchored by the School of Advanced Internation al Studies and includes 38 classrooms - no two the same size - and myriad group and individual spaces. [Extracted from the article]

For example, the U.S. Capitol is one of countless monumental edifices around the world originally constructed without accessibility in mind - a point highlighted by the March 12, 1990 Wheels of Justice Rally that saw participants with lower-limb mobility impairments hoist themselves up the grand staircase of the U.S. Capitol to impel Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. Of course, Gissen also points out the dearth of handicapped designers at the forefront of architecture and urban design, who could otherwise bring their politics to bear on a discipline that still needs to probe prevailing beliefs regarding accessibility. (It wasn't until 2000 that the ADA-accessible U.S. Capitol Visitor Center was built.). [Extracted from the article]

The problem of solar gain is also partly offset through the use of fritted glass, with an eye-catching design by Pentagram that varies in density across the facade, depending on orientation. The podium, which is partially shaded by the surrounding buildings, relies on a low-E coating that maximizes visible-light transmittance, while the student and faculty towers, which have greater solar exposure, have a higher-performing coating applied to them that reduces ultraviolet and infrared light. DEPARTMENTS THE JOHN A. PAULSON Center, designed by Davis Brody Bond and Kieran-Timberlake, is hard to miss. [Extracted from the article]

"This is the first time that Boston has done a citywide heat-resilience plan, and it is taking that same focus as our earlier work trying to understand how investments in climate resilience can help create a more equitable urban environment", says Sasaki associate principal Jill Allen Dixon. CLIMATE JUSTICE EXTREME heat is an ever-growing threat to human health and well-being, one that has been exacerbated by global warming. The Boston Extreme Temperature Response Task Force will also collaborate with public-education channels, and other public, private, and civic organizations, to educate Boston residents on heat resilience. [Extracted from the article]

Reimagining the City SOLUTIONS THE RISE OF BIG TECH and the proliferation of digital information is often cast in dystopian terms; consumers unwittingly consent to the hoovering of reams of private data by corporate overlords, who, in turn, customize product offerings through algorithms that apparently know us better than we do ourselves. The inspiration for State of Place, an urban design data and predictive-analytics software company, was the personal experience of its founder and CEO, Mariela Alfonzo. According to Carlo Ratti, director of the lab and founding partner of the architecture firm Carlo Ratti Associati, the wealth of data produced daily is a gold mine for the future understanding of cities. [Extracted from the article]