Branch’s Post

What is more important today than an Institute of Democracy? Find out about the new home for future Presidential Debates and more. #acoustics #acousticdesign #avdesign

"For Sno-Isle Libraries' reimagined Edmonds Library, we designed and constructed a floor-to-ceiling installation with 3,220 holes lit by individual LED lights, similar to a giant Lite-Brite toy. JA Design Technologist and Associate Shane Leaman designed custom circuit boards to connect the 1,088 magnetic sensors behind the board, which sense when acrylic pegs embedded with a small magnet are inserted into the lower holes. When these pegs are inserted into the wall, the program responds using those LED lights in a myriad of ways." - Jack Chaffin, JA Partner https://lnkd.in/gcJp4uY8 #librarydesign #libraryarchitecture #libraryscience #libraryprogramming #librarians #childrenslibrary #earlyliteracy #welovelibraries #earlylearning #kidslibrary #digitalintegration #activeplayelement #activelearning #snoislelibraries #edmondslibrary #washingtonlibraries #communitylibrary #publiclibrary #libraryremodel #libraryrenovation #libraryupgrade

The latest read: “The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative” by Florence Williams. What does that have to do with architecture or design? In addition to referencing biophilia, the works of Wilson and Ulrich, ART (Attention Restoration Theory) and SRT (Stress Reduction Theory), it explores current research happening all around the globe. “With more clues about what makes our brains happy and keeps them running smoothly, that information can be fed into public policy decisions, urban planning and architectural design. The research has profound implications for schools, hospitals, prisons and public housing. Imagine bigger windows, more urban trees, mandated lie-on-the-grass sessions, minute-long birdsong breaks… it might even be possible to construct doses of nature so palatable and efficient that we hardly notice them. This approach, of course, is classically Western. Manipulate the environment. Feel nature without even trying.” I’m intrigued not only by the stress reduction and physically healing power being researched, but the marked increase in creativity and problem solving when surrounded by nature. In an ideal world, architects, designers, and urban planners would strive to integrate nature in their designs, and also preserve (or rebuild) as much of the natural environment as possible.

Breaking news. UCLA is buying the Westside Pavilion! Michelle Greene #TheGreeneTeam #TheGreeneTeamLA #DonGreene #MichelleGreene #SothebysInternationalRealty #SothebysRealty #SothebysRealEstateAgent #CaliforniaRealEstate #CAliving #CARealEstateAgent #Realtor #RealEstate #RealEstateAgent #RealtorLife #RealEstateLife #RealtorsofInstagram #PropertyManagement #commercialrealestate

In January, Sno-Isle Libraries welcomed the Edmonds community back into their beloved library - completely reimagined after an irrigation pipe burst, sending 60,000 gallons of water into the 17,000 SF library and closing it for 18 months. The library used this opportunity to work with JA to design a more flexible, inclusive facility that celebrates interactive learning and equitable access to knowledge and technology, all with an emphasis on strengthening community connections. A focus of the renovation was the children's area, which includes this JA-designed "pebble" which was fabricated by Haskett Works using digital files we created in-house. In the back of the children's area, a wall lit with 3,220 LED bulbs displays colorful designs and is programmed for interactive and collaborative play. JA team members designed, built, and programmed the entire "peg wall" as part of our project scope. You can learn more about how we combined these special features in an article by JA Partner Jack Chaffin for the SEATTLE DAILY JOURNAL OF COMMERCE, linked below: https://lnkd.in/gcJp4uY8 #librarydesign #libraryarchitecture #librarydesigner #libraryarchitect #childrenslibrary #earlyliteracy #earlychildhooddevelopment #earlyreaders #loveofreading #welovelibraries #interactivelearning #technology #parametricdesign #fabrication #customfabrication #edmondswashington #librarydistrict #snohomishcounty #islandcounty #snoisle #publiclibrary #communitylibrary #washingtonlibrary #interiordesign #interiorarchitecture

CRG's Vice President of Design and Development, Alison Mills, spoke with Multi-Housing News to discuss the important role color plays in shaping a development's character and appeal. Chapter at #Madison is a prime example of how thoughtful color choices can enhance the #studenthousing experience. The art of choosing the right colors extends beyond aesthetics. It's about understanding the audience, the property's context, and the longevity of design choices. Chapter at Madison excels in blending school spirit with sophisticated design, ensuring our student housing is stylish and resonant with academic pride. Read the complete story about the power of color in real estate by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/gAGjzaeC

The Mississippi River has shaped the life and culture of St. Louis since its founding. As the river was transformed for barge traffic by a highly managed system of locks and dams, many St. Louisans lost their connection to the water that is so vital to the region. Derek Hoeferlin, chair of landscape architecture and author of "Way Beyond Bigness: The Need for a Watershed Architecture," studies rivers and how their transformation affects local perceptions and potential responses to climate change. A born-and-raised St. Louisan, he's also rebuilding the lost connection to the river by bringing students to explore a miles-long, barge-free stretch of the Mississippi just north of downtown. "Once you get people into the canoe, the mindset changes... there's something different happening out here." "The next hundred years needs to be far less about gray infrastructure — literally concrete and steel — and much more about nature-based solutions... to create more space to let the river do what it wants to do naturally." https://lnkd.in/gZ3rw2XB

Catch Ted Landsmark on WBUR’s Radio Boston as he discusses the transformation of Boston’s Hurley and Lindemann buildings. “It was an intention to transform the neighborhood from what it had been as a kind of vibrant, run down area of housing and shops into an area that could be viewed as the same as the center of government not just for the city but for the region.” #UrbanRedevelopment #Architecture #PublicPolicy #UrbanPlanning #C2CImpactEngine https://lnkd.in/eqm586Q4

Just explored an intriguing article on Huntsville, Alabama's hidden architectural gems, revealing stories that sound almost fictional but are deeply rooted in real history. From the high-ceilinged Spite House, crafted to disrupt a view out of sheer rivalry, to the accidental architectural comedy of the Backward House, and the haunting attraction to the Salem Witch Trials leading to the creation of a replica Witch House in Huntsville. These narratives showcase the uncanny ability of buildings to capture and tell stories, offering a unique insight into the past that shapes a city's character. Huntsville is more than rocket science; it's a place where history's whispers can be heard through its quirky and fascinating architecture. A true testament to the city's rich cultural tapestry and a reminder of how history, intent, and sometimes a hint of spite can culminate in some of the most intriguing architectural landmarks. A stroll through Huntsville promises a journey through time, filled with tales of intrigue and architectural anomalies. #Huntsville #Architecture #History #IntriguingHomes https://lnkd.in/eHk48Mrj