Recently in Blogs Category

Students of a UNLV School of Architecture class in sustainability have started a blog which outlines some interesting ideas for the UNLV campus.

Here is the introduction they have provided about the blog:
"In Fall 2007, Alfredo Fernandez-Gonzalez offered AAE 495/695 Special Topics in Sustainable Development. The class project initially entailed its 17 students to scour the UNLV campus to find "missed opportunities" in regards to sustainability. The following are ideas that sparked interest from UNLV Facilities or provided more opportunities for research and education."

Check out the blog at
http://unlvsustainability.blogspot.com/

Thanks to student Tim Albertson for the blog information!

The Chronicle of Higher Education has begun a "Buildings and Grounds" blog, highlighting news relating to campus buildings and architecture. http://chronicle.com/blogs/architecture/

I have recently learned that former UNLV School of Architecture student Ken Ballard has started a blog. It is quite interesting and can be found at http://kab-1.blogspot.com

Ken is now working at Suzana Rutar Architect LTD and enrolled in the Boston Architectural College Practicing Professionals Distance MArch http://www.the-bac.edu/x1100.xml

I have recently been introduced to Second Life, a simulated environment (http://secondlife.com/). From what I understand, some universities are teaching courses in Second Life -- including architecture courses. People buy "land" in this simulated environment, and they build buildings -- including libraries!!

Is anyone in the UNLV School of Architecture (or even anyone on campus) on? in? involved with? Second Life?? If so please contact me.

I have not yet set up an avatar, but plan to do so, at least to explore. The main cause for my delay is the import of choosing an avatar name : )

The School of Architecture here at UNLV had its annual fall all-school meeting in the Architecture Studies Library last Wednesday. [For those who couldn't make it, the agenda and a few photos have been posted that give you the sense of it! http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/events/20060830allschoolmeeting.html]

Among other activities at the meeting, including an announcement of this blog!, I passed out a "technology survey" -- just to get an idea of the kinds of technology UNLV SOA students are using. In particular I was interested in whether many of them read blogs. Sadly the answer is: very few read blogs. Now I am faced with the question of why. Do they not read blogs because it is not a preferred form of communication, or do they not read blogs because there are relatively few blogs out there, or few blogs of interest? Obviously this is an experiment. Comments would help!

As for other blogs out there, see the Internet Guide to Architecture Resources I have compiled http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/rsrce/webrsrce/contents.html There is a section on blogs. Currently only five blogs are listed. Any suggestions for additions?

The Urban Land Institute Las Vegas is sponsoring a forum on September 12 [must register to attend] titled "A Tale of New Cities: A Forum to Discuss Las Vegas and Its Satellite Communities." Session topics include "The Donut: Developing Beyond the Valley," "Gambling in the Desert: Why We're Building Where We're Building," "Public Services & Amenities: Providing a Safe and Friendly Community," "Infrastructure: Challenge in Serving Remote Areas," and "Quality of Life." As I mentioned in my last posting, the ULI report in 1997 noted the long-term issues of land and water availability. Satellite communities are drawing on land outside the valley. The impacts and costs of this new development direction will no doubt be the subject for much discussion during the forum and after.

To register for the forum, go to http://www.uli.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Events_Registration&Template=/Conference/ConferenceDescription.cfm&ConferenceID=1807
An article by Brian Wargo on the Forum appears in the August 18-August 24 edition of In Business Las Vegas http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2006/08/18/realestate.html