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WOOD IN THE LANDSCAPE: DECKS PART III
Last week, Part II of this five part series covered the fundamentals of wood deck foundations. This week our series continues with a discussion of beams and joists, how to build with them, and how to avoid common problems.
Beams — Published 2000.1025
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WOOD IN THE LANDSCAPE: DECKS PART II
Last week, Part I of this series discussed the origins of wood decks and basic framing systems. This week our five part series continues with the fundamentals of foundations. — Published 2000.1018
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WOOD IN THE LANDSCAPE: DECKS PART I
"Wood brings us back to roots of our building heritage," says Seattle landscape architect Daniel Winterbottom. "The differing grains, colors, and expressions inherent in the material give wood a warm lively quality found in few other materials." — Published 2000.1011
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HIGH-TECH WINDOWS COULD SAVE ENERGY
A window is one of the most complex components in a building. It gives us light, views, fresh air, and the sun's warmth. Yet at times trying to balance these benefits works against the goals of comfort and energy savings. Having too few windows deprives workers of psychologically important vistas and increases the need for electric lighting. But too much direct sunlight can cause glare and increase the cooling load. And the delicate balance among all these factors changes throughout the day and year. — Published 2000.1004
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IRISH STONE WALLS
The Irish countryside is a patchwork of over 250,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) of stone walls. Built from local stone according to the style of each region, these walls are an intrinsic part of the landscape. Patrick McAfee, a consultant and expert stonemason, reveals the history of this ancient tradition and gives illustrated examples of the care and restoration of stone walls of all types. — Published 2000.0927
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E-COMMERCE FOR FACILITY MANAGERS
Electronic commerce is penetrating every niche of the notoriously conservative field of architecture and construction. Architects are using the Internet to collaborate with consultants; builders are placing on-line orders for equipment and supplies. But what about the professionals who manage facilities after construction is complete? Are they reaping full benefits of the available technologies? — Published 2000.0920
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DESIGN LAB SHEDS LIGHT ON ENERGY CONSERVATION
By the time a building is constructed—and its lighting found wanting—it us usually to late to go "back to the drawing board." Some architects solve this problem by simulating light in space through computer visualizations or physical models. In Seattle's Lighting Design Lab, designers and building operators can mock up an architectural space in its full size. These realistic mockups lead to qualitatively better lighting design and quantitatively superior energy conservation. — Published 2000.0906
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COMMERCIAL HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS
If you wanted to target a single building type in the United States to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable design and construction, commercial buildings would be a good (if not the best) place to start. Commercial buildings today have become the preeminent workplace, and their load on our energy consumption is substantial. There is a growing interest today on the part of building owners, facilities managers, architects, engineers, and others in the construction industry to design and construct commercial structures to get the most out of the least. — Published 2000.0830
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IS GOOD DESIGN GOOD BUSINESS?
In today's competitive business environment, corporate cultures tend to focus on improving product quality while minimizing costs and managing risks. Too often, the workplace is regarded not as a design opportunity but as a "real estate asset" and a "cost-center."
And yet human productivity, and therefore business profitability, can be greatly enhanced by a well designed, user-responsive office environment. Natural light, comfortable temperatures, and a quiet ambience are not just desirable working conditions: they make good business sense. — Published 2000.0816
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THE CHANGING SHAPES OF THE AXE
Editor's Note: The vernacular houses at the foundation of an American concept of "home" have their origins in simple constructions, where tools and materials coexisted in seemingly rustic harmony. To grasp the spirit of those archetypical structures, it helps to understand the tools that shaped them.
For early Americans who built log houses, the axe was indispensable. The axe is one of the most fundamental woodworking tools, and in skilled hands, one of the most versatile. — Published 2000.0809
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