The sun’s multifaceted influence on human life has spurred advancements in solar energy utilization, with solar panels emerging as a primary source of renewable energy. Innovations like SolarLab facade systems are reshaping solar panel integration, seamlessly blending functionality with architectural aesthetics. These Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facade systems offer customizable options, sustainability, and efficient integration into building design. With features such as rain screens, curtain walls, and louvers, they enhance building efficiency while reducing carbon emissions. Collaborative efforts between architects and stakeholders, aided by tools like CAD and BIM, ensure effective incorporation of BIPV facades in both new builds and retrofit projects. Projects like Powerhouse Telemark demonstrate the transformative potential of solar facades, generating electricity to offset embodied energy and operational consumption. As the world moves towards renewable energy, BIPV facade systems play a pivotal role in achieving a sustainable built environment, bridging the gap between aesthetics and functionality in building design.
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Location: Huntsville, AL
Product: ALPOLIC (MCM)
General Contractor: Robins & Morton
Architect: Nola | VanPeursem Architects, P.C.
225 Holmes Avenue in Huntsville, Alabama, is a significant development in the city’s urban landscape. The project involved the construction of a five-story office building, providing over 77,000 square feet of Class A office space and ground floor retail opportunities. Situated at the corner of Greene St. and Holmes Ave., across from the new city parking deck, the project serves as a catalyst for revitalization in Downtown Huntsville. Bank Independent’s Madison County headquarters anchors the building, occupying prime spaces on the ground floor and fifth floor, with additional retail and office spaces available for lease. MillerClapperton fabricated and installed approximately 6,500 square feet of Metal Composite Material for this project.
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The world’s most stunning department stores offer more than just shopping; they provide architectural marvels and design masterpieces. From the historic Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milan with its glass-and-iron roof to Paris’s Galleries Lafayette boasting an Art Nouveau staircase, each store is a visual feast. Le Bon Marché in Paris, considered the world’s first department store, combines elegance with innovation, while London’s Harrods, with its 300 departments, offers a luxurious experience. El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico City and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York showcase unique features like stained glass ceilings and holiday light displays. El Corte Inglés in Madrid, with its expansive atrium and gold escalators, rounds out the list of the world’s most beautiful department stores.
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Architects are reimagining public spaces, infusing them with elements from single-family homes and hospitality venues to enhance comfort and community engagement. Johnston Architects (JA), based in Seattle, is at the forefront of this transformation, prioritizing inclusivity and functionality in their designs. Lina Baker, an interior designer at JA, underscores the importance of creating spaces that cater to diverse needs while maintaining aesthetic appeal. She emphasizes the role of lighting in shaping the ambiance and highlights the need for flexible layouts and adaptable furnishings to accommodate varying preferences. By prioritizing user experience and incorporating enduring design elements, architects are crafting public spaces that foster connection and vitality in our cities and communities.
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Recommendation: “5 Actions for Transitioning New Project Managers Successfully” Video/Podcast
Hosted By: Engineering Management Institute
Running a successful engineering firm requires more than understanding load-bearing capacity; it also requires understanding how to effectively prepare and equip employees to be new project managers. In this short but helpful video, Anthony Fasano shares his five top tips for transforming an untested newbie into a profitable, competent, and confident engineering project manager.
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