Manufacturers are rushing toward the light—specifically the diffuse, uniform light cast by organic light-emitting diodes. They are encouraging consumers to move toward it, too, by commissioning projects that demonstrate the technology’s applications to specifiers. In 2008, for example, Osram Opto Semiconductors unveiled limited-edition OLED table and pendant lamps by Ingo Mauer. Months later Osram competitor Royal Philips Electronics launched its own OLED equipment, called Lumiblade, and this year the Dutch company has taken its application show on the road. Photos courtesy Royal Philips Electronics Royal Philips Electronics recently launched two new OLED applications: Lumiblade Mirrorwall (top) and Lumiblade Markerlight (bottom).
A Chicago architect is producing a holistic planning approach to reduce carbon emissions in dense urban cores. The fledgling urban replanning effort, which Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture is developing for the 550-building Chicago Loop area, is a process that starts with a survey of existing buildings in a district to assess age, use, condition, energy consumption and more.
The nine-college Los Angeles Community College District is in a unique situation. Despite a nationwide economic slump that is one of the worst in 50 years, the district has money to spend—and to build. LACCD, which serves more than 220,000 students throughout Los Angeles County, is in the middle of a $5.7-billion building program, funded by three bonds passed in the last eight years. The program, which began 2004 and is expected to be completed by 2014, is intended to modernize and add new facilities throughout the district. Image courtesy LACCD The East L.A. College Performing and Fine Arts Center,
Following three years of precipitous decline, the construction market may have finally hit bottom and be in the early phase of a rebound with housing leading the way. McGraw-Hill Construction is forecasting that total construction starts will climb 11% to $466.2 billion in 2010, following an estimated 25% decline in 2009. The forecast was announced at the 2010 Construction Outlook conference in Washington, D.C. Photo: Bruce Buckley Robert Murray delivered the McGraw-Hill Construction forecast. Related Links: Architects Brace for a Prolonged Recession Special Report: Recession and Recovery ENR: See How Last Year's Forecast Measured Up After a 39% drop in
Following three years of precipitous decline, the construction market may have finally hit bottom and be in the early phase of a rebound with housing leading the way. McGraw-Hill Construction is forecasting that total construction starts will climb 11% to $466.2 billion in 2010, following an estimated 25% decline in 2009. The forecast was announced at the 2010 Construction Outlook conference in Washington, D.C. Photo: Bruce Buckley Robert Murray delivered the McGraw-Hill Construction forecast. Related Links: Architects Brace for a Prolonged Recession Special Report: Recession and Recovery ENR: See How Last Year's Forecast Measured Up After a 39% drop in
As summer gave way to fall, some economic indicators suggested the Great Recession was ending, and yet many architects continue to struggle in an environment that provides only scattered reasons for optimism. Much of the gloom can be explained through numbers. For example, the Dodge Index from McGraw-Hill Construction, which measures all current construction activity in the U.S., from homes to highways, has stood at an average of 85 for 2009, which is far below the average of 135 for 2007. “And if you adjust for inflation, it’s even worse,” says Kim Kennedy, an economist with McGraw-Hill Construction Research. Related
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