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Some of the largest, most innvoative and exciting hybrid MTC projects are in Texas. Concrete-MTC and steel-MTC combinations are lowering construction costs, creating attractive exterior appearances and interior comfort, as well as the issue of emboddied carbons. Southstone Yards Crow Holdings Duda|Paine Architects STO Building Group Houston Endowment Kevin Daly, FAIA Transsolar KlimaEngineering #texas #texasconstruction #MTC #MTChybrids #innovationarchitecture https://bit.ly/4is6vbr

In Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia, a passive house timber frame construction home is nestled amongst the pepper trees. The central courtyard of the structure, wraps around a 60-year old existing tree on site, disturbing the existing natural environment as little as possible. An adaptive reuse project, the design team wanted to keep as much of the original space as possible, while updating certain aspects, for it to become more sustainable. These upgrades included rebuilding the facade of the home, from brick, to a ventilated timber screen with added insulation. The addition of skylights, allowed for more natural light to filter into the interior spaces, and a solar panel pergola provides clean energy for the limited needs of the residence. The property has a secondary residence that acts as a business and short term overnight stay amongst the trees. This addition has endemic rooftop garden spaces, allowing for incorporation into the surrounding natural environment. The goal of passive house design standards is to create energy efficient, comfortable, affordable buildings. This project, shows that building environmentally conscious homes and businesses is not only possible, but practical and affordable. We must learn to build with and within our environments, instead of sacrificing the natural environment in exchange for a built one. We’re all in this together #sustainabledesign #sustainablearchitecture #architecturedesign #sustainability #cleanenergy #renewables #renewableenergy #solarpower #rooftopgardens #passivehouse #adaptivereuse #recycledmaterials #australia #newsouthwales #NSW #greendesign

Notable New Building Designs for Public Spaces & Parks** Recent building designs for public spaces and parks are pushing the boundaries of creativity and functionality. Here are some of the most notable: 1. Multi-Use Pavilions : Structures that serve various purposes such as community gatherings, events, and relaxation areas, enhancing the versatility of public spaces. 2. Eco-Friendly Designs : Incorporating sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems to minimize environmental impact, such as solar-powered amenities and rainwater harvesting systems. 3. Interactive Installations : Featuring art and play installations that engage visitors of all ages, fostering interaction and community engagement. 4. Smart Infrastructure : Implementing technology like Wi-Fi, smart lighting, and security systems to enhance safety and connectivity in public spaces. 5. Inclusive Design : Ensuring accessibility for all by incorporating features like ramps, tactile paths, and sensory gardens that cater to people with different abilities. 6. Green Architecture : Creating buildings that blend seamlessly with the natural environment, using green roofs, living walls, and native landscaping to promote biodiversity. 7. Cultural Integration : Designing spaces that reflect the cultural and historical context of the area, using local materials and traditional design elements. These innovative designs are transforming public spaces and parks into vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive areas that serve the community’s diverse needs.

🌏 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀: 𝗔 𝗪𝗶𝗻-𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 💲💲 In today's world, building design goes beyond aesthetics and functionality. It's about creating spaces that promote human well-being and environmental responsibility. Enter open spaces, a design element with benefits that extend far beyond comfortable work areas. 🐸🦋𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘀: Imagine your office building doubling as a habitat for local birds and butterflies. Open spaces with strategically placed greenery, nesting boxes, and bird feeders can attract wildlife, creating a more vibrant and biodiverse urban environment. 🪷𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 Open spaces offer a surprising return on investment. Some of the advantages are: 💰Property values in areas with ample green space can be significantly higher. 🪴Vegetated roofs provide natural insulation, lowering energy costs for heating and cooling 🥵Open spaces help reduce the urban heat island effect, mitigating the temperature rise in densely populated areas 👨👩👧👦𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲: It's not just about green spaces. Open spaces encompass hardscape surfaces like plazas and walkways that encourage pedestrian activity and provide recreational opportunities. Pervious paving allows rainwater to seep back into the ground, reducing strain on storm water systems. 👥👥𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 Creating effective open spaces requires a collaborative effort. Including landscape architects, ecologists, environmental engineers, and civil engineers in the design phase ensures a holistic approach. Involving local professionals provides valuable site-specific expertise for integrating native plants and maximizing ecological benefits. 🐤🦜𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱-𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: 𝗔 𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 Open spaces can become havens for birds, but glass facades can pose a collision risk. Bird-safe treatments for facades and glazing minimize these dangers, allowing birds to thrive alongside human activity. Open spaces are more than just empty areas; they're a chance to create a healthier, more sustainable future for both people and the environment. What are your thoughts on the importance of open spaces in building design? #sustainabledesign #biodiversity #urbanplanning #wellbeing #buildingdesign

Why do architects and building owners choose duraSTRONG 2'x2' interlocking rubber roof pavers? 1. Durability: duraSTRONG pavers are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, making them a long-lasting choice for rooftops. Their resistance to cracking, fading, and wear ensures that they maintain their appearance and functionality over time. 2. Safety: The non-slip surface of these pavers enhances safety for rooftop spaces, providing secure footing for pedestrians and reducing the risk of accidents. 3. Lightweight Design: Unlike traditional materials, duraSTRONG pavers are lightweight, making them easier to install without overloading the roof structure. This can also simplify logistical challenges during installation. 4. Aesthetic Versatility: Available in various colors and finishes, duraSTRONG pavers can complement any architectural style, allowing for creative design possibilities that enhance the overall aesthetics of a building. 5. Sustainability: Made from recycled materials, these pavers align with eco-friendly building practices, helping architects and owners achieve sustainability goals. 6. Low Maintenance: The robust nature of these pavers requires minimal maintenance, which is a significant advantage for building owners looking to reduce long-term upkeep costs. 7. Versatile Applications: They are suitable for various rooftop applications, including rooftop patios, recreational areas, and even playgrounds, making them a flexible choice for many projects. Send me a message or call (973) 534-7554 with questions

Good media coverage here on the resurgence of timber in urban architecture, highlighting the environmental, wellbeing and aesthetic benefits of mass timber construction and featuring the leadership of Built by Nature Frontrunners: The Black & White Building, designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects -- London's tallest mass timber office in Shoreditch, and the Paradise SE11 project, Bywater Properties’ six-storey, 63,400 sq ft timber office, currently under construction in Vauxhall... two examples of how the material is being successfully and visibly deployed in the UK capital. There's insightful commentary from Bywater co-founder and COO Theodore Michell in addressing insurability: "In our experience, the process has been complicated and technical, but not insurmountable. It has been more intensive and expensive than we would normally expect for a conventional building. But, in our judgment, not markedly. And certainly not to the point that the project is not is not viable." The wellbeing benefits to building occupants are also presented, and nice visuals support the architectural possibilities of desinging for mass timber. #masstimber #timberconstruction #biophilicdesign #decarbonisation

Mercer Mass Timber and Google are setting new standards for environmentally conscious design with the innovative Google Borregas office building. A hybrid structural design ensures the building is earthquake-proof, with #CrossLaminatedTimber floor slabs acting as a horizontal diaphragm and buckling-resistant steel frames integrated into the solid timber gravity system. Read More Here: https://lnkd.in/g2PaNGNc Nick Milestone Todd Beyreuther Arnie Didier Simon Matthis

Not all office buildings are struggling to attract tenants—an emerging “flight to quality” trend for employers means that many high-quality new buildings are thriving, creating an opportunity to differentiate office projects with beautiful, biophilic wood construction. To align with this trend, Think Wood is developing a variety of resources to show how wood construction can help office developers and designers enhance the occupant experience, boost sustainability, and increase overall value. Recently, Think Wood published a project profile featuring LEVER Architecture's 843 North Spring Street, one of the first large-scale uses of cross-laminated timber in a contemporary Los Angeles office building. View the profile here: https://hubs.ly/Q030_CwS0

🚪✨ Enhancing Accessibility and Safety at Grand Canal Plaza! We’re proud to have collaborated with MCA Architects and T&I Fitouts Ltd on the successful refurbishment and retrofit of a building in Grand Canal Plaza. From the initial design phase, our team worked closely with the project team to deliver modern, efficient, and accessible door automation solutions. Highlights of the project included: ✅ A fully automatic sliding door system for the main entrance, complete with full-height safety pocket screens, ensuring compliance with EN16005:2012. This upgrade replaced manual swing doors, providing safer and more reliable access for all users. ✅ Automated swing doors installed throughout office floors and accessible bathrooms, enhancing functionality and inclusivity. Delivering high-quality solutions on time is what we do best, and we’re thrilled to have been part of this project. Read more at https://lnkd.in/eT68ywY9

Think You Need Traditional Building for That Coastal View? Think Again! 🇪🇸🏡 Why should your dream of a home in the hills, by the sea, or tucked away in a hidden valley be limited by the logistics of traditional construction? The truth is, modular construction isn’t just a building method—it’s a paradigm shift in how, where, and why we build. 1/ Forget the “One-Size-Fits-All” Mindset Modular homes are like tailoring for architecture. From the dry, crisp air of the Sierra Nevada to the humid breeze of the Costa del Sol, modular design can be adjusted for climate, landscape, and aesthetic. So, whether you’re going for “rustic finca” or “modern eco-villa,” there’s a modular option for that. 2/ Bending the Rules (Legally, of Course) Every region in Spain has its own particular building regulations—think of it as Spain’s version of tapas: every area has its own flavor. Modular homes comply seamlessly, as builders work with local authorities, ensuring every detail aligns. No need to reinvent the wheel or risk a bureaucratic headache. 3/ Tackling the “Remote Area Dilemma” Traditional construction requires an army of materials and workers—which makes remote builds a nightmare. Modular homes bypass this with factory production, arriving onsite like a flat-pack IKEA masterpiece. All you need is a solid road and a bit of space, and voilà!—a home in the hills. 4/ Coastal Proof: Salt, Wind, and All That Jazz Living near the sea? Modular homes are no stranger to the elements. Coastal homes can be outfitted with materials that shrug off salt and moisture, making the wait for construction almost as quick as a tide shift. 5/ Logistics Without the Hassle Transporting a modular home might sound like a challenge, but these homes are shipped with precision planning, like oversized parcels from Amazon Prime. This minimizes environmental impact—and makes installation faster than it takes most people to pick their paint colors. In the end, modular homes prove that you don’t need to be bound by the quirks of traditional building. From coast to countryside, Spain’s landscape is your playground—no compromises necessary. 🌿 --- P.S. Curious about modular construction and how it’s reshaping homebuilding in Spain? Follow me for more insights and ideas on making your dream home a reality!