Softwood Lumber Board’s Post

We are pleased to announce the 2024 recipient of the LAF Research Grant in Honor of Deb Mitchell. This year's winning proposal is "Ethically Sourcing: Specifying Forced-Labor Free Materials in Landscape Architecture." How can the field of landscape architecture evaluate its exposure risk to materials produced through forced labor? Can more conscientious sourcing of construction materials address this important question of social equity? Over the next year, a team at MNLA led by Noriko Maeda, RLA, ASLA and an academic partner, Franca Trubiano, PhD will explore these questions and more, researching how landscape architects can use project specifications and procurement processes to address these critical issues and help to advance fair labor practices. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emJVJUCB

This is just a point of view. With a great respect towards all scientific jobs done in this case.🙏 As a university lecturer and a professional, I have been reviewing something in my mind for some time. Something that hurts, but it is a bitter reality. During these years, when I was involved with discussions in the fields of energy and architecture, sustainable architecture, the quality of interior space and similar topics, a key question bothered my mind. Why do we lack theorists and philosophers in these fields? Perhaps the biggest scientific gap in the field of sustainable architecture and green architecture and similar topics is theological theories. For modern architecture, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe and others presented theories of modern architecture in the form of philosophical discussions, where people like Charles Jencks, Bernard Chomi and... drew postmodern; Where people like Zaha Hadid and Peter Eisenman objectively turned deconstraction into a form; No one has done this for sustainable architecture, energy optimization in architecture and similar topics. It can be boldly said that with all the respect to the experimental work that has been done regarding sustainable architecture, a philosophical and theoretical view has not yet been presented in this regard sharply. Maybe it's time that after a mountain of articles and experimental works, someone philosophically draws the framework of sustainable architecture, green architecture, zero energy architecture, etc. Maybe it's time for universities that train doctoral students in this regard to train theorists instead of specialists.

Steel is often considered for hot and humid climate due to its perceived strengths in durability and adaptability. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on factors like proper coatings and design strategies to manage corrosion and heat absorption. As we strive to achieve our goals for 2030 and beyond to 2050, it's essential to critically evaluate steel's suitability in challenging environmental conditions. During the workshop, we explored the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) Tool, which is ideal for architecture studios aiming to integrate sustainable practices into teaching. EC3 facilitates the quantification of embodied carbon emissions from construction materials, fostering informed decision-making and environmental stewardship in architectural design. I appreciate Jeanne Homer and her colleagues, along with educators and all participants, for this valuable opportunity for learning, engagement, and future collaboration. For more information, visit AISC resources and programs at aisc.org/archeducation. #AISC#Steel Strcuture#Sustianble Design#Embodied Carbon#EC3Tool#Learnig Opportunity#Professional Development#Higher Edcuation#Architecture Pedagogy

Thanks to SLB Education, the The University of Texas at Austin is pioneering a new approach to architectural education with the next iteration of its innovative design studio, “Time for Timber-FRAMING.” Through collaboration with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, students are engaged in real-world projects that equip them with the skills needed for modern wood construction systems and foster a deep understanding of wood as a material, its properties, and its role within sustainable architectural practices. Learn more about Time for Timber: https://hubs.ly/Q02zdJpd0

As part of my MSc in Low Carbon Architectural Engineering at the University of Plymouth, I recently participated in a hands-on workshop focused on sustainable building materials. Working in the new Endsleigh Place laboratories, we explored sub-soil characteristics and created 100mm light earth cubes for thermal conductivity testing. This practical experience in assessing the thermal properties of natural materials is invaluable for advancing sustainable construction practices. University of Plymouth #LowCarbonArchitecture #SustainableDesign #ArchitecturalEngineering #ThermalConductivity #GreenBuildingMaterials #SustainableConstruction #HandsOnLearning #EnvironmentalEngineering #FutureOfArchitecture #Sustainability

It’s the final week to submit your abstract or workshop proposal to the 7th International Symposium on Formal Methods in Architecture.   This year’s symposium is a joint collaboration between the Architecture and Design Research Laboratory at Porto Higher Arts School and the Portuguese Order of Architects – North Regional Section. We hope you’ll join us in Porto, between the 3rd and 6th of December, to discuss the connection between formal methods and architectural practice and how to bridge the gap between scientific endeavours and practical applications in everyday architectural work. Recognizing that architecture and urbanism requires both technological and artistic approaches, the 7th Symposium will address current challenges in these fields, including production, sustainability, design, representation, communication, and heritage. The potential and limitations of using formal methods to address these challenges will also be explored. Researchers, professionals, and students in the fields of architecture, urbanism, landscape design, civil engineering, and computer science are invited to attend. We invite the submission of research proposals that enhance and advance these and related themes using novel or established methodologies, case studies, theoretical and historical perspectives, analytical experiments, and other methods. We encourage contributions from a diverse range of fields, including proposals that explore non-traditional formats (e.g., artistic, performative, demonstrative, etc.).   In proposing a topic as broad as formal methods in architecture, we aim to facilitate the exchange and generation of knowledge through interdisciplinary communication.   Submit an abstract: https://lnkd.in/dxaQguFu Submit a workshop proposal: https://lnkd.in/dDw9z8hU   Learn more about the symposium, its previous editions and publications: https://lnkd.in/gGz5j_42

🗣 Hey design researchers! The NC State Design Doctoral Programs just launched its official LinkedIn page! If you're interested in gaining in-depth information regarding impactful and relevant design topics across the disciplines offered at the College of Design, then you should give them a follow!

Ennead's work on Princeton University's Environmental Studies and The School of Engineering and Applied Science was presented at Tradeline’s conference and recently covered in the article “Princeton Employs Kit-of-Parts Approach to New Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex” which explains how leveraging modularity can create flexible, collaborative environments to support unique learning cultures. The project, which is currently under construction, co-locates the departments of Environmental Studies (ES) and School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) in state-of-the-art buildings which are stitched into the existing campus circulation network to promote connectivity. “How to create spaces that respond to the unique needs of multiple user groups while still remaining inherently flexible is an issue that universities and architects deal with all the time,” says Emily Kirkland, Associate Principal, Ennead Architects. “This project involves five major groups, and the same system really works for each. It’s the perfect example of how to take standards and modules and not end up with something generic, but instead produce spaces that are tuned to different groups in flexible buildings capable of evolution.” Read the full Tradeline, Inc. article at the link below. https://lnkd.in/eEA-cb-e #ennead #enneadacrhitects #princeton #princetonuniversity #highereducation #architecture #architecturedesign #architecturaldesign

We are currently teaching in the context of an unprecedented world crisis: On all continents, cities and their natural settings are being devastated by the absence of basic planning and administrative controls, by political inertia, transactional economic relationships, generic design, and impermanent construction ... During their formative educational experiences, future architects, urbanists, and landscape architects are exposed to a critique of the processes and methods that have brought the cities of the world and nature to the precipice ... As citizens of the world, it is our moral imperative to engage in this critical conversation and take decisive action to create change. The future of our cities and natural environments depends on our actions today. Stand with us in the fight for a sustainable and prosperous world. https://lnkd.in/g4B7brXP

🚨 Deadline Extended! 🚨 If you haven’t submitted your abstract for the 2025 CELA Conference yet, now’s your chance! The deadline has been extended, and submissions are still open for the conference, which will be held in Portland, Oregon, from March 27-29, 2025. This year’s theme, "Processes + Impacts," focuses on how our work in landscape architecture both shapes and is shaped by the complex systems we navigate daily—social, ecological, and technological. 🌍✨ We’re looking for groundbreaking research, innovative projects, and fresh teaching approaches that delve into the transformative impact of landscape architecture. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this important conversation! 🗓️ Deadline: Submit by September 30, 11:59 p.m. in the author’s local time. 🔗 Submit your abstract here: https://lnkd.in/e8D_iM7V More about the conference here: https://lnkd.in/eu_BkAeb #CELA2025 #LandscapeArchitecture #CallForAbstracts #IFLA #SubmitNow #LandscapeDesign