ARCHITECTS BLEND TRADITIONAL DESIGN WITH NEW MEDIA

It's an exciting time for creative service agencies. Computers are helping thousands of businesses make the jump from the old economy to the new. The excitement comes from an increase in dot-com clients and from the new media that agencies use to tell client stories. Also exciting is that traditional distinctions between advertising, public relations, architecture, computer programming, and graphic design are blurring. Hybrid agencies that can combine creative talents in new ways can offer a range of services that might include Web site development, building design, video production, and e-commerce consulting. Richard Buday, AIA, founder Archimage, Inc. explains how his firm has leveraged speed, flexibility, and market savvy to establish a niche in this new arena.

THE HISTORY OF A TOOL

Like the signature profile of a master woodworker's chamfer on the summer beam, the tools used to make log structures leave their own distinct marks. Trained observers can tell exactly which tools and techniques were used in a structure's' making. In the European and American tradition, axes were used in the preparation and rough shaping of the logs prior to their final shaping and assembly into their architectural form. Next week Greg Thompson traces some changes to axe heads and handles over the course of their history.

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR COMPUTER GRAPHICS

Siggraph, one of the world's premier computer graphics organizations, concluded its annual conference last week. Participants were dazzled by innovations in software and hardware. Although the conference, like the computer graphics industry itself, is dominated by Hollywood and video games, architects can expect to benefit eventually when these technologies trickle down to the more pedestrian construction industry. Tools for Industrial Light & Magic today may be the ordinary architectural CAD tools of tomorrow.