Ready for the Boating Season of 2009!
15 years ago
Hydrogen Fuel Cells in your Computer?
Yes, you read the title correctly... in the near future, will hydrogen fuel cells supply power to our computers and cell phones? According to Apple, most definitely. Recently, the US Patent and Trademark office released a patent, filed by Apple in 2010, to manufacture portable fuel cell recharging stations and an embedded fuel cell inside mobile electronics. The fuel cells would be capable of both providing power and receiving power from a battery. The patent claims the fuel cell technology could power a mobile device for weeks. Weeks! Whether or not this new technology is in the works for Apple, or if it is just an attempt to corner a future market remains to be seen, but the prospects of using your computer for weeks without recharging is very exciting.
We here at Venture are keeping our fingers crossed for super-efficient computer batteries. Not only will this be much more convenient, but fuel cell technology will cut-down the amount of nasty chemicals and rare earth-metals needed to manufacture computers and cell phones. Let's hope that Apple has good things coming our way!
Harding and Shelton Offices Featured on AIA Oklahoma's Website!
Have you been on AIA Oklahoma's website recently?
If so, you may have seen a photo of the Harding & Shelton Offices featured on the main page. Located in Oklahoma City, Venture Architecture's design just won a Citation Award for the Interior Design of the Harding & Shelton Offices.
Check it out here! (You may have to click refresh a few times before getting to a Venture image)
You can also check out all of the winners here.
photo credit: www.aiaok.org
If so, you may have seen a photo of the Harding & Shelton Offices featured on the main page. Located in Oklahoma City, Venture Architecture's design just won a Citation Award for the Interior Design of the Harding & Shelton Offices.
Check it out here! (You may have to click refresh a few times before getting to a Venture image)
You can also check out all of the winners here.
More Good News from the Solar Industry!
More good news is coming from the solar industry! Even with the ongoing scrutiny and criticism of solar power, technology continues to improve, financing is more accessible, and "the price of solar energy-generated electricity, calculated by a legitimate levelized cost of energy (LCOE) method, is now competitive in many regions with the price of electricity generated by conventional sources." What does that mean? Solar, in many regions, is just as cheap, or in some locations cheaper, than the electricity you get from the grid! A main reason for this big drop in pricing is due in large part to overly-conservative LCOE calculations that neglected the long life-span of PV panels, and the low to almost non-existent maintenance costs. Compared to the costs of maintaining a power plant, these low costs seem even more obvious. Finally, this study does NOT include any of the cost benefits associated with cleaner energy when compared to coal or natural gas. If those values were included, solar pricing could drop below grid parity. You can find the full article here, and the full study with data here.
Another story from the solar industry could prove just as beneficial to the ongoing quest for renewable energy sources. Xiaoyang Zhu, a chemist at The University of Texas at Austin, may have discovered a way to improve the efficiency of solar panels by 50% to 100%! You can read the full article here at Joe Romm's blog Climate Progress. Basically, "the maximum theoretical efficiency of the silicon solar cell in use today is approximately 31 percent, because much of the sun’s energy hitting the cell is too high to be turned into usable electricity. That energy, in the form of “hot electrons,” is instead lost as heat. Capturing hot electrons could potentially increase the efficiency of solar-to-electric power conversion to as high as 66 percent." The article explains the process in more detail which is a little to technical for me to try and explain.
For the architectural world, this could me more buildings covered in PV installations. It will be important for architects to design new buildings with the proper solar orientation, in order to for the clients to take advantage of solar power, while providing a proper installation surface and making the building aesthetically pleasing. If panel efficiency improved by 100%, smaller arrays could be possible, but would still need a properly oriented surface. The most exciting prospect is for buildings to be ZNE or Zero Net Energy. If panel efficiency doubled, proper solar orientation utilized and mechanical systems are made smaller by use of natural ventilation and passive solar heating, buildings could actually put energy back into the grid. A huge and very exciting prospect for everyone in the building industry! We here at Venture Architecture cannot wait to get our hands on such a project!
Follow the GreenTech industry here: http://www.greentechmedia.com/
Follow Joe Romm's blog Climate Progress at www.thinkprogress.org/romm/issue
* Author's note: Romm's blog can be very political at times. Please note that we here at Venture Architecture may not share the same political views as the blog. Nevertheless, Romm's blog provides a lot of great information on renewable energy and the overall climate.
-Will Campbell
photo credit: http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html
Another story from the solar industry could prove just as beneficial to the ongoing quest for renewable energy sources. Xiaoyang Zhu, a chemist at The University of Texas at Austin, may have discovered a way to improve the efficiency of solar panels by 50% to 100%! You can read the full article here at Joe Romm's blog Climate Progress. Basically, "the maximum theoretical efficiency of the silicon solar cell in use today is approximately 31 percent, because much of the sun’s energy hitting the cell is too high to be turned into usable electricity. That energy, in the form of “hot electrons,” is instead lost as heat. Capturing hot electrons could potentially increase the efficiency of solar-to-electric power conversion to as high as 66 percent." The article explains the process in more detail which is a little to technical for me to try and explain.
photo credit: http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html
Follow the GreenTech industry here: http://www.greentechmedia.com/
Follow Joe Romm's blog Climate Progress at www.thinkprogress.org/romm/issue
* Author's note: Romm's blog can be very political at times. Please note that we here at Venture Architecture may not share the same political views as the blog. Nevertheless, Romm's blog provides a lot of great information on renewable energy and the overall climate.
-Will Campbell
Design Miami features an installation by David Adjaye
Last week's Design Miami event in Miami Beach featured an installation by David Adjaye, architect of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver. Adjaye was honored with the fair's Designer of the Year award. Design Miami is a part of a global art forum associated with Art Basel in Switzerland that celebrates design culture and commerce. Each year it attracts collectors, designers, curators and critics interested in viewing the best in cutting edge design from around the world.
Adjaye's installation titled "Genesis" was commissioned for the fair and placed at the entrance to the venue. The triangular pavilion is design as "architectural furniture," with hundreds of vertical hanging timbers creating a structural and sculptural volume.
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| Photo by Fred A. Bernstein |
The Clyfford Still Museum opens next week.
Beginning with a week of gala events for members and donors, the Clyfford Still Museum will open its doors the the public for the first time on Saturday, November 14th at 10:00am. The opening of the new museum designed by Allied Works Architecture of Portland, OR was covered on the Architectural Record website. The article featured a tour by Allied Works architect, Brad Cloepfil as he toured the completed museum. It's always gratifying when a new building in Denver is recognized in the national news!
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| Photo by Jeremy Bittermann via Architectural Record |
Venture Architecture wins AIA Oklahoma Design Award!
Venture Architecture has won an AIA Oklahoma Design Excellence Award! Our design, for the Harding and Shelton Office was deemed by a panel of judges to be the best-of-the-best in the "Interior Architecture" category. Below, is our 36" x 36" board which was entered into the competition.
The design, which was part historical renovation and part interior design, can be found in Oklahoma City's famous Bricktown. The unique use of wood, natural day-lighting and material palette made this a very unique project.
Venture would like to send a special thanks Timberlake Construction, the developer and preservation folks, everyone on the Venture Team, and to everyone else involved with this wonderful project! We realize that this was a huge collaborative effort and there are plenty of people we are leaving out. We are very grateful for the effort put forth by everyone. Hopefully, this is only the first of many design awards!
The design, which was part historical renovation and part interior design, can be found in Oklahoma City's famous Bricktown. The unique use of wood, natural day-lighting and material palette made this a very unique project.
Venture would like to send a special thanks Timberlake Construction, the developer and preservation folks, everyone on the Venture Team, and to everyone else involved with this wonderful project! We realize that this was a huge collaborative effort and there are plenty of people we are leaving out. We are very grateful for the effort put forth by everyone. Hopefully, this is only the first of many design awards!
Venture and Studio Urban Wax
Venture Architecture is proud to announce our new partnership with Studio Urban Wax, Jeff Mason of Rare Space Brokerage, and Jason Myslik of Topos Properties.
Studio Urban Wax is a sleek and modern Salon currently located in Denver's historic Baker neighborhood. They will be moving to a new location and have chose Venture to design the new studio!
With Jeff Mason's knowledge of commercial real estate representation and Jason Myslik's project managment experience, this is sure to be a great project.
Venture Architecture is very excited about our partnership with these three groups and look forward to the road ahead!
To learn more about Studio Urban Wax, or set up an appointment, click here.
To learn more about Jeff Mason and Rare Space Brokerage, click here.
To learn more about Jason Myslik and Topos Properties, click here.
Keep visiting our blog to follow the project!
Studio Urban Wax is a sleek and modern Salon currently located in Denver's historic Baker neighborhood. They will be moving to a new location and have chose Venture to design the new studio!
With Jeff Mason's knowledge of commercial real estate representation and Jason Myslik's project managment experience, this is sure to be a great project.
Venture Architecture is very excited about our partnership with these three groups and look forward to the road ahead!
To learn more about Studio Urban Wax, or set up an appointment, click here.
To learn more about Jeff Mason and Rare Space Brokerage, click here.
To learn more about Jason Myslik and Topos Properties, click here.
Keep visiting our blog to follow the project!
Denver's Emerging Solar Industry
Even with the collapse of Solyndra, the solar industry is still booming across the United States. While most sectors in the economy grew only .7% from August 2010 to August 2011, the solar industry grew a whopping 6.8% and added over 6,700 jobs. (Data: here) In 2009, the solar industry employed roughly 50,000 Americans. Today, that number exceeds 100,000. Recent advances in the solar industry have lowered production costs and have made photovoltaic or PV panels more efficient, and the relative cost per watt is decreasing on a daily basis. This is occurring while China is inundating the market with extremely cheap panels as they attempt to take over the solar market.
Recently, the city of Denver announced the arrival of a GE photovoltaic manufacturing plant. The plant is expected to add over 355 full-time jobs and is expected to double in size over the next five years, thus adding even more jobs. These figures do not include the construction jobs to build the plant nor any other subsidiary benefit or job the new plant will create.The plant will ultimately produce enough thin-film cadmium telluride panels to power 80,000 homes annually and once completed, the GE plant will be the largest solar manufacturing facility in the United States.
The fact that GE picked Colorado for its new factory is no coincidence. The company recently acquired the solar start-up company PrimeStar Solar based out of Colorado. Our state is on the forefront of green technologies and with the help of NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab) PrimeStar was able to test their new thin-film technologies and create a marketable product. Now, with the backing of a large, very profitable corporation, these solar panels will be made available to thousands of consumers at extremely competitive prices. Our Governor, John Hickenlooper, along with other city officials, aggressively pursued the GE plant and were ultimately successful in furthering Colorado's increasingly prestigious green technology sector. (More info here)
Here at Venture, we are not directly involved with the solar industry, but the future of architecture will inevitably be linked with green technologies. For example, new residential construction will focus on solar orientation and minimizing heat-gain during the summer months while maximizing heat-gain during the winter. Currently, these considerations are disregarded due to the power of mechanical systems and the low cost of electricity. As costs increase, these large systems will become much less desirable. A simple design consideration, such as solar orientation, will cut down the size of mechanical systems and save vast amounts of energy and money. Proper solar orientation can also include surfaces that maximize the use of PV panels. This can lower the cost of installation while allowing the panels to receive that most amount of daylight available. Reversing the trend of larger house sizes will also be paramount, and may already occurring (See our previous blog post here about average house sizes, and here about how houses will become smaller.) Obviously, smaller homes require less energy to heat and cool, thus lowering peak electricity demand.
As an architecture firm, Venture will continue to grow and evolve as technologies change. Lets hope that the addition of GE will bring more investment and green technology companies to Denver. We here at Venture welcome the new addition to Denver's economy and look forward to the future of our profession.
Recently, the city of Denver announced the arrival of a GE photovoltaic manufacturing plant. The plant is expected to add over 355 full-time jobs and is expected to double in size over the next five years, thus adding even more jobs. These figures do not include the construction jobs to build the plant nor any other subsidiary benefit or job the new plant will create.The plant will ultimately produce enough thin-film cadmium telluride panels to power 80,000 homes annually and once completed, the GE plant will be the largest solar manufacturing facility in the United States.
The fact that GE picked Colorado for its new factory is no coincidence. The company recently acquired the solar start-up company PrimeStar Solar based out of Colorado. Our state is on the forefront of green technologies and with the help of NREL (National Renewable Energy Lab) PrimeStar was able to test their new thin-film technologies and create a marketable product. Now, with the backing of a large, very profitable corporation, these solar panels will be made available to thousands of consumers at extremely competitive prices. Our Governor, John Hickenlooper, along with other city officials, aggressively pursued the GE plant and were ultimately successful in furthering Colorado's increasingly prestigious green technology sector. (More info here)
Here at Venture, we are not directly involved with the solar industry, but the future of architecture will inevitably be linked with green technologies. For example, new residential construction will focus on solar orientation and minimizing heat-gain during the summer months while maximizing heat-gain during the winter. Currently, these considerations are disregarded due to the power of mechanical systems and the low cost of electricity. As costs increase, these large systems will become much less desirable. A simple design consideration, such as solar orientation, will cut down the size of mechanical systems and save vast amounts of energy and money. Proper solar orientation can also include surfaces that maximize the use of PV panels. This can lower the cost of installation while allowing the panels to receive that most amount of daylight available. Reversing the trend of larger house sizes will also be paramount, and may already occurring (See our previous blog post here about average house sizes, and here about how houses will become smaller.) Obviously, smaller homes require less energy to heat and cool, thus lowering peak electricity demand.
As an architecture firm, Venture will continue to grow and evolve as technologies change. Lets hope that the addition of GE will bring more investment and green technology companies to Denver. We here at Venture welcome the new addition to Denver's economy and look forward to the future of our profession.
Friday Fun
Remember LEGO? The tiny plastic pieces that fit together? Well, it turns out that LEGO Architecture is not that uncommon.
The most famous LEGO architect has to be Adam Reed Tucker. Originally a normal architect, Tucker has now focused his time into making scaled LEGO models of some of the world's most famous buildings. The Empire State Building, Burj Dubai, St. Louis Arch, and even the World Trade Center are all included in Tucker's LEGO portfolio. These are not small models either:
The most famous LEGO architect has to be Adam Reed Tucker. Originally a normal architect, Tucker has now focused his time into making scaled LEGO models of some of the world's most famous buildings. The Empire State Building, Burj Dubai, St. Louis Arch, and even the World Trade Center are all included in Tucker's LEGO portfolio. These are not small models either:
Photo credit: http://www.brickstructures.com/ArchBurjDubai.html
Tucker is now involved directly with LEGO and makes these models available for consumers. For just $89.99 Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water can sit on your kitchen table for everyone to admire.
With a little more searching you can find a bit more news regarding LEGO architecture. Back in April, the world's tallest LEGO structure was built in Brasil. The city of Sao Paulo banded together to build a 102'-3" tall LEGO tower. Yes.... 102 FEET! The tower used over 500,000 pieces, involved local schools and required a crane to build. The top swayed pretty substantially, but the tower stayed up long enough to break the record previously held by Chile.
Not to be outdone, a self described "toy fanatic" decided to build an entire house made out of LEGO.
Nice Door Detail
The owner, James May, used a light-timber frame to support the heavy LEGO walls. Each wall was made out of large LEGO bricks, made out of... small LEGO pieces. In fact, each large brick contained 227 smaller LEGO pieces. The two floor house used almost 3 million bricks or 817 million pieces altogether.
LEGO bricks made out of... LEGO bricks
The house even had LEGO windows and an assuredly uncomfortable LEGO bed.
The low transparency prevented thermal heat gain and views.
The LEGO Bed.
Sadly, May did not file the appropriate permits and was forced to sell his structure. LEGOland was originally interested, but the transportation costs were too much and the building was ultimate destroyed/disassembled.
Fortunately, the millions of LEGO pieces were donated to charity and may inspire another generation of LEGO homes.
I for one, would have loved to tour May's LEGO house. Growing up, I played countless hours with LEGO and tried to visit LEGOland last year in Denmark (when I was 26). Sadly, I did not have enough time. Let's hope that this fun side of architecture continues!
Congratulations to Jeanne Gang!
Last year this blog profiled recent work by Studio Gang so it was with particular delight to hear this morning that the firm's founder, Jeanne Gang, was honored with a MacArthur grant for 2011. The so-call "genius grant" is an unrestricted award of $500,000 to individuals who have shown remarkable talent and self-directed vision in their chosen field. For more information on the MacArthur Foundation and this year's fellows visit www.macfound.org.
Adaptive Re-use
Today, while doing my daily search for all things architectural, I encountered an interesting project in California. The 747 Wing House, designed by David Hertz Architects, uses airplane wings to span the large open interior spaces to create fantastic mountain views. Instead of finding old-growth timber, or shopping the steel yards for new I-beams, the architect instead purchased an entire 747. The cockpit windows were turned into skylights, the cabin deck was used for the guest house roof, and then of course there are the wings,
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/165172/747-wing-house-david-hertz-architects/web-12/
By selecting the plane, Hertz also re-used material that used substaintial resources and energy to produce. Also, a 747 is able to withstand the extreme conditions experienced at 40,000 feet so the weather of California should not be too much of a problem. Expect this house to last a long time.
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/165172/747-wing-house-david-hertz-architects/web-3-2/
This lead to more internet searching and I encountered many different types of adaptive re-use. There is the common product re-use like the 747 House, but with a much more ubiquitous material.
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/127570/container-guest-house-poteet-architects/21-container-guest-house_credit-chris-cooper/
The shipping container structure has been a common theme recently and the possible outcomes of these little structures are amazing. For example, a mass housing crisis, like the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, or Japanese tsunami, could be alleviated by shipping thousands of prefabricated container houses to the afflicted areas.
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/127570/container-guest-house-poteet-architects/6-container-guest-house_credit-chris-cooper/
There is also historic re-use, or a project that takes a run-down or just generally old building and re-purposes the structure. Personally, this may be my favorite type of project as there are ample opportunities to display the historic significance of the building while simultaneously creating new spaces within. The Musée de l'Orangerie is a wonderful example.
Image Credit: http://www.worldtoptop.com/musee-de-lorangerie/
Originally a "hot-house" for orange trees, the building was used by French royalty during the mid-19th century. The building went into disarray during and after the French Revolution but was re-purposed by Claude Monet to house his famous "Les Nymphéas" paintings. Recently, the structure was again renovated to add additional gallery space and to better protect Monet's paintings from harmful UV light. The building itself is built with classical proportions and columns, but once inside exhibits a simple contemporary style. In plan, the galleries resemble lily pads and almost literally float within the building as they hang over the new gallery spaces.
Image Credit: http://www.worldtoptop.com/musee-de-lorangerie/
Another historic example is The Mint, a project by FJMT in Sydney, Australia. Originally the Mint Coining Factory, the building was re-purposed to be the headquarters for the Historic Houses Trust. Contemporary buildings and additions were inserted into the old, crumbling structure. Within the building are great old v. new details.
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/59430/the-mint-fjmt/mint_john-gollings_fjmt_09/
Image Credit: http://www.archdaily.com/59430/the-mint-fjmt/mint_john-gollings_fjmt_11/
The projects above show the other side of architecture that is not as widely publicized, but can obviously be just as great, if not better, than brand new buildings. Here at Venture, we recently completed an adaptive re-use project for Harding & Shelton in Oklahoma City. Located in historic "Brick Town" the offices make use of an old, abandoned brick building.
By selecting the plane, Hertz also re-used material that used substaintial resources and energy to produce. Also, a 747 is able to withstand the extreme conditions experienced at 40,000 feet so the weather of California should not be too much of a problem. Expect this house to last a long time.
This lead to more internet searching and I encountered many different types of adaptive re-use. There is the common product re-use like the 747 House, but with a much more ubiquitous material.
The shipping container structure has been a common theme recently and the possible outcomes of these little structures are amazing. For example, a mass housing crisis, like the aftermath of the Haitian earthquake, or Japanese tsunami, could be alleviated by shipping thousands of prefabricated container houses to the afflicted areas.
There is also historic re-use, or a project that takes a run-down or just generally old building and re-purposes the structure. Personally, this may be my favorite type of project as there are ample opportunities to display the historic significance of the building while simultaneously creating new spaces within. The Musée de l'Orangerie is a wonderful example.
Originally a "hot-house" for orange trees, the building was used by French royalty during the mid-19th century. The building went into disarray during and after the French Revolution but was re-purposed by Claude Monet to house his famous "Les Nymphéas" paintings. Recently, the structure was again renovated to add additional gallery space and to better protect Monet's paintings from harmful UV light. The building itself is built with classical proportions and columns, but once inside exhibits a simple contemporary style. In plan, the galleries resemble lily pads and almost literally float within the building as they hang over the new gallery spaces.
Another historic example is The Mint, a project by FJMT in Sydney, Australia. Originally the Mint Coining Factory, the building was re-purposed to be the headquarters for the Historic Houses Trust. Contemporary buildings and additions were inserted into the old, crumbling structure. Within the building are great old v. new details.
The projects above show the other side of architecture that is not as widely publicized, but can obviously be just as great, if not better, than brand new buildings. Here at Venture, we recently completed an adaptive re-use project for Harding & Shelton in Oklahoma City. Located in historic "Brick Town" the offices make use of an old, abandoned brick building.
Before
After
By exposing the existing brick walls and decorative concrete columns, keeping the large punched out windows, and repairing the brick exterior, the building maintains its historic character while creating a unique work environment. The exterior remains similar to its neighbors and will fit in nicely as Oklahoma City continues re-developing Brick Town. The Harding & Shelton project has been entered into two design competitions. Stay tuned to see how we fared!
Learn more at www.venturearchitecture.com
Learn more at www.venturearchitecture.com
How many miles does your lettuce have?
How many miles does your lettuce have? How about your cucumbers, peppers or tomatoes? These may seem like odd questions, but with gas prices rising and world oil production peaking, they are more relevant than ever. Here in Denver, where we typically see 12-15in of precipitation in a year, most of the produce we see can come from thousands of miles away.
English cucumbers from Mexico? Irony aside, the answer is "yes."
Brightfarms, a new company based out of New York City, may have the solution. Specializing in greenhouses, Brightfarms hopes to bring locally grown produce to your local grocery store rooftop . The above ground greenhouses, which could be the size of your local supermarket, will produce all of the staple vegetables you would find in your local store without using any extra land. Lettuce, bell peppers, hot peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, varieties of leafy greens, and multitudes of herbs are all included. The produce is completely organic, can be grown year-round, and will use 95% less water compared with a standard farm. The vegetables will also remain fresher for longer as they do not have to endure vast shipping distances. This will all be done without turning on a fossil-fuel powered engine and therefore, prices will not be tied to world-wide oil prices.
photo credit: http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/topics/food-dining/hyper-local-produce-this-manhattan-company-wants-supermarkets-to-raise-on-the-roof/
Sounds great right? It gets even better...
Brightfarms also aims to build their greenhouses on large-scale housing projects. For example, their Forest Houses garden has added a 10,000 square foot greenhouse to the top of a low-income housing project. The greenhouse uses leftover heat from the building and collected rainwater to sustain the produce and will provide the annual vegetable needs for over 4500 people. For many low income neighborhoods, especially this one in the South Bronx, high produce prices leaves many without their daily vegetable needs. This project aims to fix this situation by providing fresh and affordable produce to thousands.
photo credit: http://www.good.is/post/new-company-brings-produce-from-the-roof-to-the-supermarket-aisle/
While they are definitely not the only answer to stabilizing food prices, Brightfarms has created a wonderful business plan and will surely help thousands of people eat healthier. Lets hope the idea catches on and rooftop greenhouses become more common. Then, when you ask yourself "how many miles does this lettuce have?"
... you can answer "ZERO!"
For additional information check out www.brightfarms.com
Check out Venture Architecture's website here
English cucumbers from Mexico? Irony aside, the answer is "yes."
Brightfarms, a new company based out of New York City, may have the solution. Specializing in greenhouses, Brightfarms hopes to bring locally grown produce to your local grocery store rooftop . The above ground greenhouses, which could be the size of your local supermarket, will produce all of the staple vegetables you would find in your local store without using any extra land. Lettuce, bell peppers, hot peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, varieties of leafy greens, and multitudes of herbs are all included. The produce is completely organic, can be grown year-round, and will use 95% less water compared with a standard farm. The vegetables will also remain fresher for longer as they do not have to endure vast shipping distances. This will all be done without turning on a fossil-fuel powered engine and therefore, prices will not be tied to world-wide oil prices.
Sounds great right? It gets even better...
Brightfarms also aims to build their greenhouses on large-scale housing projects. For example, their Forest Houses garden has added a 10,000 square foot greenhouse to the top of a low-income housing project. The greenhouse uses leftover heat from the building and collected rainwater to sustain the produce and will provide the annual vegetable needs for over 4500 people. For many low income neighborhoods, especially this one in the South Bronx, high produce prices leaves many without their daily vegetable needs. This project aims to fix this situation by providing fresh and affordable produce to thousands.
photo credit: http://www.good.is/post/new-company-brings-produce-from-the-roof-to-the-supermarket-aisle/
While they are definitely not the only answer to stabilizing food prices, Brightfarms has created a wonderful business plan and will surely help thousands of people eat healthier. Lets hope the idea catches on and rooftop greenhouses become more common. Then, when you ask yourself "how many miles does this lettuce have?"
... you can answer "ZERO!"
For additional information check out www.brightfarms.com
Check out Venture Architecture's website here
3rd Annual Architecture + Design Film Series
Brothers and sisters in design, try and find some time in your busy schedules this fall for the 3rd Annual Architecture + Design Film Series at the Denver Film Center. The series will run September 8th to October 1st, showing 9 different documentary films on Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons at the Center's relatively new digs on Colfax. Single show tickets are available or series passes can be purchased at the Denver Film Society website. In light of the recent controversy over the Harmon Hotel in Las Vegas, one film that may be of particular interest is "How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr. Foster?" showing on opening night.
I walked The High Line park and all my office got was this stupid blog post.
Say what you like about the cost to build and maintain the park, the gentrifying effect on the neighborhood, the tripping danger of the elegantly raised curbs in the walkway design, or perhaps even incoherence in the plan. So far the park has generated $2 billion in private investment, attracting major architectural talent like Jean Nouvel. An added 2.5 million square feet of condominiums, hotels and office buildings are in the planning stages and that investment number is expected to double. The park is also expected to bring in $900 million in tax revenues.
to interact with their
environment in a new way
...and isn't that worth something?
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| Sarah Size, Still Life With Landscape (Model for a Habitat) |
The Best of Denver
Visiting Denver any time soon? Do you happen to be crazy about architecture? Well you are in luck, the Front Range (Denver/Boulder area) has a wide variety of houses, offices and museums of architectural interest. The link below will give you the names and locations of a dozen of these buildings.
http://www.archdaily.com/119839/architecture-city-guide-denver/
Notably absent from the list is I.M. Pei's NCAR facility in Boulder. This iconic building is visible almost anywhere within the city and the views from the top are fantastic. Follow Table Mesa west and after leaving the neighborhoods, NCAR will be visible to your left. The structure goes in and out of view as the road winds 1000+ feet up the mountainside. If you are up for a challenge, cycling up to NCAR provides and different way to experience the building and you will be treated to a very fun descent!
Charles Haertling was also left off ArchDaily's list. This prolific architect designed mostly in Boulder, but his buildings can be found hidden throughout the region. Maybe his most unique project, the "Mushroom House," can be found in North Boulder. This small house looks like a patch of mushrooms and would be suitable for any Smurf family.
Don't forget to wander the streets of Denver (our headquarters). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of old Victorian homes spread throughout the city. Capitol Hill is a great walking neighborhood where is seems every other building is on Denver's Historic Preservation List. Plus, the weather is usually fantastic!
http://www.archdaily.com/119839/architecture-city-guide-denver/
Notably absent from the list is I.M. Pei's NCAR facility in Boulder. This iconic building is visible almost anywhere within the city and the views from the top are fantastic. Follow Table Mesa west and after leaving the neighborhoods, NCAR will be visible to your left. The structure goes in and out of view as the road winds 1000+ feet up the mountainside. If you are up for a challenge, cycling up to NCAR provides and different way to experience the building and you will be treated to a very fun descent!
Charles Haertling was also left off ArchDaily's list. This prolific architect designed mostly in Boulder, but his buildings can be found hidden throughout the region. Maybe his most unique project, the "Mushroom House," can be found in North Boulder. This small house looks like a patch of mushrooms and would be suitable for any Smurf family.
Don't forget to wander the streets of Denver (our headquarters). There are hundreds, if not thousands, of old Victorian homes spread throughout the city. Capitol Hill is a great walking neighborhood where is seems every other building is on Denver's Historic Preservation List. Plus, the weather is usually fantastic!
Golden High School
Here is a nice project located in nearby Golden, CO. There aren't many high schools with better scenery!
http://www.archdaily.com/157626/golden-high-school-nac-architecture/#more-157626
http://www.archdaily.com/157626/golden-high-school-nac-architecture/#more-157626
Good news for real estate in Denver
A recent report from Integrated Asset Services revealed that while the median single-family house price in the metro area around Denver declined compared to the same period in 2010, "it was up 1.8 percent from the first quarter of this year." Within the city of Denver itself the report showed a spike in prices "both year over year and between quarters." This is especially remarkable in light of statistics from the Colorado Division of Housing showing that foreclosure filings in Colorado declined in the second quarter, dropping almost 30 percent from the same period in 2010.
Ikea: the tower defense game
Ikea just arrived in Denver with much fanfare and singing of choirs. (Our Senior Project Manager actually knows of a woman who serenaded the grand opening with her Swedish choir.) In honor of this mixed blessing, here's a recent post from apartmenttherapy.com.
The Mental Break Between Architect and User
Explaining your architecture to anyone outside the bubble of architecture can be frustrating when you realize that others - including the users of the space - may not necessarily share an equivalent appreciation for or understanding of your space. Metropolis Magazine conducted a post-occupancy study of Coop Himmelblau's Central Los Angeles High School No. 9 by distributing questionnaires to the students and teachers who use the space every day. While some biting remarks of the high school students can be disregarded as typical adolescent behavior, some answers can certainly help architects understand how and why an everyday user may see their space in a positive or negative light.
These types of performance studies are often overlooked and seldom conducted today. "Yet, as the profession drifts further and further away from economic sustainability (or relevance), they may be a key to finding the way back Toward a New Architecture". Click here to read more on this article.
At Venture Architecture, we strive to eliminate this metal gap between architect and user. Our mission is to create a space that is not only beautiful and enjoyable, but also functional and cost-effective for our valuable clients.
Landscape Architecture Installation - Aires Libres
You don't always need four walls and a roof to create "architecture", as proven by Claude Cormier through his landscape architecture installation designed for the summer-long Aires Libres festival in Montreal. Cormier artfully suspended 170,000 pink balls from the trees and buildings lining the festival street to create the "roof" surface of this 1.2 km-long space. The layering, density, and intertwinement of the "artificial pink foliage" creates varied feelings of openness and enclosure as the light filters through.
Check out more photos here.
Average Home Size Comparison
The following Joseph Albers-esque graphic from CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, shows average home sizes built between 2003 and 2006. The website apartmenttherapy converted square meters to square feet:
US: 2,300sf
Australia: 2,217sf
Denmark: 1,475sf
France: 1,216sf
Spain: 1,044sf
Ireland: 947sf
UK: 818sf
It's worth noting that the Asian world is absent from this survey.
Venture Architecture has designed homes for residential clients on both ends of the size spectrum. Whatever our clients' space and budget needs, we focus on designing a space they can live with and love for years to come.
Australia: 2,217sf
Denmark: 1,475sf
France: 1,216sf
Spain: 1,044sf
Ireland: 947sf
UK: 818sf
It's worth noting that the Asian world is absent from this survey.
Venture Architecture has designed homes for residential clients on both ends of the size spectrum. Whatever our clients' space and budget needs, we focus on designing a space they can live with and love for years to come.
AIA's Barbie Dream House Design Competition
This may be the first and the last time you see architectural plans and sections presented in hot pink!
Bradford Gilbert & the first American skyscraper
We here at Venture Architecture celebrate the round pegs in the square holes. Over the weekend I listened to this wonderful podcast from The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo. It's a beautiful piece of storytelling and I think it typifies the indomitable inventiveness of the American spirit and it's something we aspire to in our office in every project we do.
The Memory Palace produces weird and wonderful slices of American history in podcast form. Apparently this episode was commissioned by 99% Invisible, "a tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world," from KALW in San Francisco.
The Memory Palace produces weird and wonderful slices of American history in podcast form. Apparently this episode was commissioned by 99% Invisible, "a tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world," from KALW in San Francisco.
Advances in photovoltaics
There's no doubt that glazing is a mixed blessing for all buildings. Windows bring in needed daylighting but have poor insulating qualities. It's always a balancing act when attempting to earn green points with a building design. A recent forum at the McGraw-Hill Construction website explored many aspects of this very issue.
Applying solar panels to the roofs or even exterior walls of buildings as facades and curtain walls is nothing new. Using transparent photovoltaic glass in skylights brings a whole new level to Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). This triple laminated glass claims to allow daylight through while repelling the UV and infrared rays that cause interior space to heat up, all while generating 52 kWh per square meter a year. One of the more remarkable applications of this technology the skylight designed by Onyx Solar at the San Anton Market in Madrid. Naturally, innovations like this could be of great benefit in Denver where we receive 300 days of sunshine a year.
Applying solar panels to the roofs or even exterior walls of buildings as facades and curtain walls is nothing new. Using transparent photovoltaic glass in skylights brings a whole new level to Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). This triple laminated glass claims to allow daylight through while repelling the UV and infrared rays that cause interior space to heat up, all while generating 52 kWh per square meter a year. One of the more remarkable applications of this technology the skylight designed by Onyx Solar at the San Anton Market in Madrid. Naturally, innovations like this could be of great benefit in Denver where we receive 300 days of sunshine a year.
Denver is Green
According to both The Denver Business Journal and The Denver Post, Denver was ranked the 5th greenest major city in the US and Canada. How did we get this status? From the b-cycle program, to changing energy consumption habits to building sustainable buildings. All facets of the community have come together to make this a great city to live and work in.
Colorado Foreclosures Down in May
A Denver Business Journal article citing figures from RealtyTrac shows that foreclosure filings in Colorado are down 13.5%. In fact, foreclosure rates around the country appear to be dropping with the largest decreases in Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. This is particularly remarkable when considering the agressive development in Florida during the housing bubble.
Enough said...except perhaps...yippee!
Enough said...except perhaps...yippee!
Venture Turned 5!
Venture Turned 5-
At the beginning of June Venture turned 5! Thank you to all of our wonderful clients, colleagues and friends who have been so supportive and given us such amazing projects to work on. We look forward to serving all of you for many more years to come!
Time out for fun in architecture.
When an architect couple I know recently bought a house they rated each structure on "zombie defensibility." I imagine my friend kneeling on the porch roof of her Denver Square in her Tsubo boots, sighting the approaching undead through her oblong-framed glasses, and pumping them full of lead with a sawed off. Evaluating the zombie defensibility of our drinking companions' abodes is a favorite happy hour pastime. A compact Tudor revival with narrow second story windows: excellent! A rambling Craftsman bungalow with mother in-law apartment: "Dude, they'd be in your basement before you'd know it." 
Enter the so-called "Zombie Proof House" or "Safe House" by Polish firm KWK Promes. It is replete with drawbridge, concrete slab shutters, and a steel roll up door protecting a modern expanse of glazing.
All kidding aside there is little doubt that environmental conditions influence the shape and function of the environments architects design. A March 2011 article from Architectural Record examined using design for both water management and as an integral element in structures. The devastation of Katrina has show that mechanical and structural means alone cannot protect coastal cities from rising sea levels. A Dutch firm aptly named Waterstudio has designed "watervillas" in Utrecht and a floating prison docked near Amsterdam. Their latest project of 60 half floating, half anchored residential buildings will be complete next year in the Netherlands. As destructive as urban flooding can be, living and working near bodies of water improves quality of life for people nearby. Venture Architecture has designed projects in Oklahoma City and Pueblo, Colorado integrating those city's canal systems as design elements.
As these projects illustrate, firms like Venture who practice smart design strategies, can offer protection from the most extreme situations inside spaces with immensely beautiful design aesthetics.
On virtual architecture...
Here in the office we have been discussing recently about how 3-D rendering software has made it easier to communicate our designs to both clients and contractors. In the past it may have been necessary to build foam core models to test lighting conditions, spatial relationships, or visual horizons.
This recent editorial on the Architectural Record website shows that some people are considering the new digital fabrication to be a substitute for experiencing architecture in person. Most of us experience buildings from the exterior and never have the opportunity to move through soaring volumes or intimate spaces. I am on the Record's website weekly flipping through slide shows, comparing photos to plan view. As the editorial states there is no substitute for experiencing a building in person and the way it effects our senses: the somber cool interior of the Taj Mahal's mausoleum or the disorienting angles of the staircase at Liebskind's Denver Art Museum.
Our clients appreciate the added information standing virtually in their new space affords them. While the construction process is always relatively fluid, now there can be little misunderstanding of how the finished space should look. Perhaps eventually we will just give 3-D renderings directly to contractors. With the advent of the iPad, the Venture Architecture portfolio is literally in our back pocket, or here, at your fingertips.
Housing markets in Denver look optimistic.
It's spring time in Denver and every day on my way to work I see signs that the warmer weather is encouraging construction. Whether home and business owners are improving existing structures or building from the ground up, there are pockets of regeneration around the city and that spells great news for our brothers and sisters in the design, property, and construction industries. This personal observation was further reinforced by articles in The Economist and The Denver Business Journal.
The Economist reports that Colorado's unemployment rate is below the national rate and Denver experienced modest a modest increase in housing values, avoiding the bubble. The Denver Business Journal covered a survey from The Apartment Association of Metro Denver that shows the apartment vacancy rate continues to fall 6.5%. These two trends may indicate that Colorado residents are becoming more interested in not only buying houses or property and improving them immediately for use.
Recent inquiries to our office confirm this to be true and our team here at Venture Architecture will use this space to keep you informed of new developments.
The Economist reports that Colorado's unemployment rate is below the national rate and Denver experienced modest a modest increase in housing values, avoiding the bubble. The Denver Business Journal covered a survey from The Apartment Association of Metro Denver that shows the apartment vacancy rate continues to fall 6.5%. These two trends may indicate that Colorado residents are becoming more interested in not only buying houses or property and improving them immediately for use.
Recent inquiries to our office confirm this to be true and our team here at Venture Architecture will use this space to keep you informed of new developments.
eWise transfers headquarters from Australia to Denver
An article in the Denver Post announced that our client eWise has moved their corporate headquarters to Denver. Venture Architecture was hired this winter to design their 7500 square foot office space in the Denver Tech Center. It is now nearing completion and we will be photographing the space later on this week. Stay tuned...
Venture is hired to design loft at One Lincoln Park
Venture has been selected to design a penthouse loft in the One Lincoln Park building, one of the most exciting additions to the Denver skyline in recent years.
Even though the loft is 3300 square feet of raw space, transforming it into a showpiece residence has a unique set of design challenges. Integral to the plan are incorporating the expansive views of downtown Denver and the Front Range mountains and also a 1500 square foot balcony. The kitchen will feature a Pedini kitchen and European appliances. Venture Architecture looks forward to creating a warm and inviting contemporary residence that is also a refuge from urban life.
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