THE ARTS ROCK

All too often, colleges tend to “ghettoize” the arts by placing specialized facilities in an out-of-the-way spot on campus where artsy students hang out and pursue their passions. Other students might find the arts center intimidating, or at least mysterious. The new Daniel Arts Center (photo by Peter Vanderwarker) at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, takes a different approach. Next week, Michael J. Crosbie will explain how Ann Beha Architects have made this arts center an open, inviting magnet for the whole campus.

EVOLUTION OF CURTAIN WALLS

A growing concern for occupant comfort and reduced energy costs has led to an emerging revolution of curtain wall design. Dynamic walls incorporating decentralized ventilation strategies are replacing the static sealed envelopes which have characterized wall development in the USA until now. Next week, John Durbrow will explain how the new generation of double-skin curtain walls have brought ventilation and other air tempering mechanisms from the hidden central core to the transparent building perimeter.