Hopefully you’ve read my previous post that included a shopping list and you’ve had a chance to sample the wines.
So thinking about how both architecture and wine have a character, my tasting notes look at the varietal and compare them to an architecturally significant house design.
Like wine tasting in general, this is very subjective, so I’d love to hear your take on these wines, too.
If you know me, you know that I’m passionate about both Wine and Architecture. In fact my friends and I actually started our own wine club where we get together quarterly and taste certain varietals and give a presentation on them – I love it! Hopefully, the Architecture should be obvious as to why it is a passion of mine.
So why wine and architecture – what do the 2 have in common?
So let me tell you a good wine story… Read the rest of this entry »
Choosing the right bit of real estate and where on that site a building should be located can make or break a project. For schools in particular its important to consider things like whether the public will have easy access to the building. How safe is the area not only from a security standpoint but also pertaining to geographic features and, if it was previously developed, environmentally. Speaking of the environment, how will the building impact the site and its neighbors. The list goes on and on.. and new federal guidelines for the location of school facilities make this more important than ever!
Next week we’ll be participating in a continuing ed program that will certainly be of interest to schools and other governmental bodies who are interested in the policies and practices that affect the well-being of a community. The webinar is available to anyone and information can be found at the Council for Educational Facilities Planners (CEFPI) website. Hosted by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the presenters will be discussing how decisions for siting schools play a role in the health of the students, local residents and the surrounding neighborhood. Read the rest of this entry »
In the latest issue of Illinois ASBO Update, our team discusses how school districts can prepare their facilities for the future. In “From-the-Field” our own Dwain Lutzow, AIA asks “How do your facilities measure up?” and discusses how existing schools can rethink space to “keep up” with new schools.
The cover article “Forward Thinking Schools: Shaping Schools to Invigorate Student Learning” was written by Bruce Dahlquist, AIA, LEED, AP, BD+C. In it he discusses how 21st century schools face the challenge of adapting existing infrastructure to meet current and future technology and educational delivery methods. He explains how creative architectural design, sustainable design and classroom remodeling can shape inspirational environments that are the focal point of the community.
Take a look:
Generally people think of a Program as an overview or outline of an overall production, including a cast and what their role is. At least that’s what you get when you go to the theater…
Architecturally, it’s the background research and decisions that all come together to define the Scope of Work for a project. While, I guess you could start a design/construction project saying “I have ‘x’ dollars to spend” or “I want a project completed by a certain date,” when all is said and done, the ultimate judge of success is “does it meet my needs?” Designing something within budget and on-time is important, but it’s a useless waste of time and money if it doesn’t solve client needs. Rather than starting a project blind, it’s important to have a strong Program established at the outset. The Program is really about the “Why” and “How” and since building systems are so interrelated with many decisions affecting others, it really helps to define and prioritize what the client is looking for.
This is something we were very aware of in the design of our new DLA Architects’ corporate offices. In this project we took on the role of client and the programming process gave us the opportunity to take a close look at our current needs and farther into the future.
One of the most important aspects of our program was Branding. We looked to our Read the rest of this entry »
In this short TED Talk, sound expert Julian Treasure posits “We are losing our listening.” He goes on to share a few tips on how to “re-tune your ears for conscious listening.”
Our job is to listen to our clients. This is how we figure out exactly what their challenges are and develop solutions to their needs.
How do you listen in your life?
I thought I’d bring you in on a conversation we’ve had here at the office. We’re just curious about how many people out there are familiar with QR Codes.
Have you noticed them on the shelves at electronics stores? Have you seen them in any magazine ads?
Do you have a smartphone and, if so, have you ever scanned one?
If you answered yes to the questions above, bravo! You certainly are wired in.
If not, you’re certainly not alone! Here’s a primer on QR Codes.
The QR stands for “Quick Response.” The basic idea is that if you have information you’d like to share quickly and easily, you can code it into a scannable image and pass it along easily.
Many smartphones are preloaded with barcode readers, but if not there are a variety of free apps for download.
All that’s required is to open the barcode scanning app, line up the barcode inside the window, and viola! Instructions then pop up.
Some codes may be for directions, some may be for a phone number, some may take you to a website with additional information, some may even be for an electronic contact card inputs all the info into your address book.
Something that’s interesting is that the barcodes can be scanned on paper (for instance a name tag at a conference or a magazine ad) or on a monitor. The code you see here on this post will take you to DLA Architect’s place page, where you can use our phone number or easily get directions to our office.
So what do you think? Do you find this useful? Will you try it now?
More tips can be found at:
http://theeffectiveteacher.wikispaces.com/QRcodes
http://www.fastcompany.com/1585822/business-card-just-scan-my-qr-code
http://librarianbydesign.blogspot.com/2011/03/qr-codes-and-academy.html
http://thepegeek.com/2009/01/08/qr-codes-in-education/
http://www.iste.org/connect/iste-connects/blog-detail/11-01-12/Using_QR_Codes_in_Education.aspx
http://technorati.com/technology/article/are-people-using-qr-codes-yet/
We, as architects, cannot lose sight of each of the roles in the design/construction process as we fulfill our day-to-day responsibilities. This includes the role of the client, architect, and the contractor. It was once said that:
“The architect is one who prepares plans, conceives the design, draws out the specification, in short supplies the mind…The builder is, in fact, the machine; the architect is the power which puts the machine together and sets it in motion…”
The goal of an architect is to Read the rest of this entry »
If you are flying on American Airlines or Virgin Atlantic Airlines this December be sure to pop on those headphones and tune in to your in-flight radio. DLA President Bruce Dahlquist was interviewed about Green and Sustainable Design.
The Sky Radio Network provides business, technology, health and entertainment programming to some of the largest airlines in the world, including United, American, Delta, Northwest, US Airways and Virgin America.
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