Architecture Studies

The Regional Animal Campus by Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects of Las Vegas was the winner of one of the 2006 top ten green projects awards from AIA's Committee on the Environment.

The AIA/COTE description of the project is at
http://aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=658

More information on the Architecture Studies Library web pages on this project can be found at http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/aia/awa2005/b05065.html and in the Architects and Buildings Database at http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/archdb/arch.php

The news release came out in April of 2006, so this is not exactly news. But it was brought to my attention lately that it is important to highlight what we are doing in Las Vegas to forward the green agenda. This project is one outstanding example.

Metropolis Magazine has a nice offering of online content. It is labeled as "continuing education" but you need not register to read the materials.

There are several continuing education segments dealing with green design, including "Green Interior Design" and "Urban Eco-Sustainable Networks."

http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/continuing_education.php

A January 18, 2007 posting on Worldchanging titled "Multifamily, Affordable, Urban and Green" explores housing that is both sustainable and affordable. http://www.worldchanging.com/archives//005850.html

The posting refers to projects on both the east and west coast.

The ASL has recently acquired the book Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century. HC79 E5 W676 2006

It is described as "a compendium of the most innovative solutions, ideas and inventions emerging today for building a sustainable, livable, prosperous future."

Judging by the amount of use they get, the following are the most popular magazines in the Architecture Studies Library:

Landscape Architecture
Architectural Record
Architectural Digest
Interior Design
Architectural Lighting
Architectural Review
Dwell
Architecture and Urbanism
Landscape Architect & Specifier News
Custom Home

Sustainable materials are a key ingredient to both responsible architecture and technological and design innovation. Such is the message of two books recently received in the Architecture Studies Library:

Transmaterial: A Catalog of Materials that Redefine Our Physical Environment
TA403.6 T73 2006

and

Material Connexion: The Global Resource of New and Innovative Materials for Architects, Artists, and Designers
TA403.6 B4568 2005

Both titles are in the library's reference section.

Both titles have a backstory.

Transmaterial is a labor of love of architect Blaine Brownell of NBBJ. An article in Architect (November/December 2006, 80-87) details his activities and interests. Mentioned in the article is his blog at http://transstudio.com/tm/ -- also on the subject of new ecology-friendly materials.

Material Connexion has offices in several locations in the world, including New York. They sell a subscription to their database of products. The ASL does not currently subscribe. If you would be interested in the library pursuing a subscription, let me know! More information about Material Connexion is at http://www.materialconnexion.com/pa1.asp

You may be interested in a webcast on Jan. 30 at 10am: Case Study Webcast: Integrating Design & Construction. Randy Hale suggests it would be valuable for students third year and up.

Background: "In June, Kirksey was awarded the 2006 Building Information Model Award for "Inspirational Pilot Project" by the AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community. The Firm's winning submission, the Satterfield & Pontikes Westway Office Building in Houston, was designed and modeled using Graphisoft's Virtual Building™ solutions, including ArchiCAD®, Constructor and Estimator."

According to the announcement you will:

Learn how the use of Virtual Building (BIM) technology solutions is giving Kirksey a winning competitive advantage

See how a model-based approach to the Westway project helped improve visualization, coordination, analysis, documentation and more.

Learn tips for successful implementation of Virtual Building technology solutions.

Participate in a live Q&A session with the Kirksey team at the conclusion of the webcast presentation.

The webcast is free, but you must register. To register go to:
http://www.graphisoftus.com/register.php?id=1037&from=1_2007

For a fun thing to do over the three-day holiday, explore the many ways you can use Google Maps mashups (50 ways in fact!) at
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2006/12/50-things-to-do-with-google-maps.html

To whet your appetite here are a few you will find on the page:

Locate a nearby Starbucks

Find the red light cameras on your daily commute

Determine elevation in relation to sea level of a particular site

Map the impact of rising sea levels, meter by meter [yikes, I should have put this one first. Given the possibility of global warming, it's horrifying. Be sure to check this before buying coastal property.]

As is common with the beginning of a new year, many are speculating on what will be happening in the next year. Here are some predictions that may be of interest.

Future Exploration Blog Trend Map for 2007. Broad categories [e.g. Science and Technology], very specific elements [e.g. Discipline Convergence].
http://www.futureexploration.net/blog/2006/12/trend_map_for_2007_and_beyond.html

Trends in Landscape Architecture 2007. Foremost are fire pits, outdoor rooms and sustainability.
http://www.asla.org/press/2006/release122106.htm

Top Green Trends for 2007. Taken from a much larger list of product and service trends, seven trends relating to green products and services.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/top_green_trend.php

Battelle's Predictions for 2007. Concerning web players like Google, Yahoo, Amazon, etc.
http://battellemedia.com/archives/003233.php

The Architecture Studies Library currently has on exhibit the Best-of-Jury from the fall 2006 final juries. The students listed below are to be congratulated!

Best of Jury Exhibit
Fall 2006

Nidia Pacheco
4th year Interiors Studio

Brandon Hall
3rd Year Architecture Studio

Carl Christensen
2nd Year Landscape Studio

Alex Baker & Patrick Penticoff
5th Year Landscape Studio

Dania Risheg, Iman Hakim, Nick Rosania, Perry Abrams
Structures III

Sherie Moore
4th Year Landscape Studio

Ramil Santiago
4th Year Landscape Studio

Felicia Lozano
4th Year Interiors Studio

Mike Phan
5th Year Landscape Studio

Tang Chuenchompu
4th Year Downtown Design Studio

Chris Cortney
4th Year Downtown Design Studio

Rachel Tarr; Edwin Colin; Jorge Romero; Angela Gutierrez; Bri Clandra; Chris Boehme
2nd Year Design Studio

As we bid 2006 farewell, it is traditional to look back on the year's highlights.

For the ASL it has been a good year.

We have received many gifts of books and funds, some of which are noted on our gifts page: http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/gifts/

We have tried to keep up with technology in various ways including this blog, and the RSS newsfeed on our homepage, and new 11"x17" scanners for patron use.

We made substantial strides in populating our database of Las Vegas Architects and Buildings http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/archdb/arch.php

We have gotten lots of positive and constructive feedback from our patrons, including written and oral comments http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/aslpatronsuggestions.html and an impromptu student focus group that resulted in new furniture types in the library, a plasma screen to communicate short information pieces to uses, and boxes of wood pieces distributed through the library.

Yes we have had a good year, and we wish all our patrons a great 2007!

And outside the ASL, the world has also been an eventful place. For lists of the "best of" 2006 -- best of books, best of DVDs, best of movies [well you get the idea!] go to Fimoculous http://www.fimoculous.com/year-review-2006.cfm. Fimoculous also has features such as the year in architecture and architecture of the year.