Mies turned 130 years old on Sunday. Here's a great video that discusses Mies life and his impact on architecture - especially in Chicago.
Mies Van Der Rohe: Architecture As Language by Alexandre Favre.
Google and Apple: the High-Tech Hippies of Silicon Valley
Why are the two companies spending billions to build offices that look lifted straight from the 1960s?
The Rocky Mountain Institute's New HQ Has No Central Heat
If there’s an organization that should be headquartered in one of the most sustainable buildings in the United States, it’s the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the Colorado-based nonprofit founded in 1982 and led by the energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins.
The airport of 2030 and how technology can play a part
The relationship between technology and its impact on human experience has never been more poignant than in a world where we have the instant ability to access information from a myriad of sources, literally at our fingertips.
AIA: Modest expansion for Architecture Billings Index
The Architecture Billings Index saw a dip into negative terrain for the first time in five months in January, but inched back up in February with a small increase in demand for design services.
First Look: Google's New, More Subdued Headquarters
Google's much-hyped new campus has a somewhat new look. After the City of Mountain View limited the buildable space, the tech company was forced to reduce the overall size of the complex. The overarching concept remains intact—a micro "city" of buildings lined by bike paths, outdoor walkways, and gardens—but, like many ambitious projects, it's had to make some concessions when the reality of regulations sets in.
Jeanne Gang wins Architect of the Year in 2016's Women in Architecture Awards
Jeanne Gang, founder of architecture and urbanism collective Studio Gang, is recognised internationally for her bold and functional designs that incorporate ecologically friendly technologies. The Architect of the Year award celebrates Studio Gang's Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, Michigan, which took a novel tri-axial form.
Sarah Rogers Morris Associate Director of the Mies Society on preserving the architect's legacy
Sarah Rogers Morris is Associate Director of the Mies van der Rohe Society, an organization whose mission is to preserve the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s legacy and maintain the integrity of his buildings. Before joining the Mies van der Rohe Society, Morris worked as a freelance writer covering design and architecture. Her work as been featured in publications ranging from Pin-Up to Architect's Newspaper. She has also held posts at MoMA, The Judd Foundation and The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Society, and holds an MA in the history of design, decorative arts, and material culture from the Bard Graduate Center.
Modest slowdown in architecture firm billings in January
Business conditions at architecture firms softened modestly in January to start the new year. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 49.6 indicates that just slightly more firms reported a decrease in firm billings than reported an increase for the month (a score over 50 indicates billings growth). This decline may be partially attributable to a surge of winter weather in many regions of the country, after what had previously been a relatively mild winter. Firms are still reporting that they have a decent amount of work in the pipeline. Inquiries into new projects remained strong in January, and the value of new design contracts continued to increase as well, albeit at a slightly slower pace than in recent months.
Why WELL rather than green is the new black in building design
Businesses that seek to occupy premium or grade A office accommodation are traditionally seduced by the next big thing. What was once a bespoke architectural design, then became an icon, a taller building, one made of glass and finally the inevitable iconic, tall, glass tower. Now it seems a good number of those businesses have moved on to green buildings as a must have upgrade to the skyscrapers of glass and steel. Green, it appears, is the new black. But is that really the next big thing or is being green merely the last big thing? Even worse, does going green in terms of building design actually deliver the types of benefits that an occupier or landlord was anticipating, beyond the significance of branding and an alignment with grade A quality office space? The green building narrative is a particularly powerful one and the growth of LEED and BREEAM rated buildings over the last decade is proof of that power.
How to Design Your Office for Maximum Productivity (and Happiness)
Notably missing from this list? Cubicles, fluorescent lighting, and that awful recirculated air. As companies build a greater appreciation for activity-based work, improved mobility, and team-based problem solving, it has become increasingly difficult for them to predict or track a workday for one individual, let alone an organization of hundreds or thousands. Each person's brain is wired differently, so it shouldn't be surprising that a "one size fits all" mentality toward office design threatens the ability of teams to thrive. It's why, when asked by clients the seemingly straightforward question of "should we go open office or closed office?" I'm convinced it's the wrong place to start.
Design Forecast: The Smarter Workplace
This desire for customization extends to all facets of life. Some people like to shop in brick and mortar stores where they can handle a physical item; others prefer to order it online their color from their favorite brand. But everyone at least wants the option to choose between online shopping and the in-store experience. At sporting events, discriminating fans look for more than just a seat in the arena—they want a customized experience that provides a litany of food options to choose from, and (for a price) allow greater access to the players. When traveling, people want to be able to choose between five-star brand hotels, comfortable-but-affordable boutiques hotel, or the budget-friendly option of a unique home or apartment via Airbnb. Travelers also customize their vacations online by perusing a host of discounted airfares, tours and attractions and then choosing what best suits their unique itinerary.
#pw2wrigley Part I: Relocating to a Historic Chicago Landmark
Tucked into the bend of the Chicago River along its north bank, the building that our firm’s founding office will call home this month is Chicago’s famed Wrigley Building – a City of Chicago Landmark listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Housed in Wrigley’s North Tower, the new workplace will mark a significant moment for the office by honoring the city it’s called home for 80+ years, while laying the groundwork for its future.
January Architecture Billings Index Dips into Negative Territory
The monthly Architecture Billings Index (ABI) from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has dipped back into negative terrain for the first month of 2016, following a primarily positive performance in 2015.
THE EVOLUTION OF ACTIVITY BASED DESIGN
OFS Brands spoke with Pam Light of HOK about how products within the workplace influence our activities and behavior. Thoughtfully designed active spaces are never truly finished: they evolve with changing workplace needs and trends. To gain insight on how furniture and space planning can support activity based design, OFS Brands interviewed Pam Light, Senior Vice President of HOK.
Efficiency and Sustainability to Shape Future of Nonresidential Construction
Nonresidential Construction Market Momentum to Continue
Construction spending greatly exceeded expectations in the nonresidential market in 2015, and this year should see healthy growth levels as well. There continues to be significant demand for hotels, office space, manufacturing facilities and amusement and recreation spaces.
Architecture firm VOA to be acquired
Chicago architecture firm VOA Associates is in a deal to be acquired by a bigger Canadian firm. Edmonton, Alberta-based Stantec has a letter of intent to acquire the firm in a deal expected to close in late March, according to a statement this morning. Financial terms were not disclosed. VOA has 280 employees, with more than 140 in Chicago. Stantec has more than 15,000 employees, including a 50-person Chicago office.
Google set to open Kirkland campus expansion with ‘human-sized nest’ and ‘hideaway caves’
Crepe-making rooms, hideaway “cave” areas, human-sized nests, and more — you’ll find them at Google’s new Kirkland offices. The tech giant will officially open its Kirkland campus expansion next Tuesday, doubling the size of its existing engineering center just east of Seattle. The new 180,000 square-foot LEED-platinum certified building has a number of unique and eccentric features as noted above, in addition to a skylight, a living roof deck, cafes, and micro-kitchens. The land formerly housed a chemical mixing and packaging plant and Google completed two environmental cleanups to remove contamination at the property.
Architecture Hiring Steadies in December 2015
Engineering and drafting, along with landscape architectural services, are back in positive territory while architectural services remains unchanged from November.