My first day studying architecture at college started with the department head asking me to define the word "architecture." I came up with "architecture is structurally defining environments to accommodate human activities." But when we see "architecture" for the first time, we mostly see walls. Facades define architecture more than roofs, in most cases.
In part one, we began this series that takes a look at the recent developments concerning substituting/minimizing off-gassing from formaldehyde-based binders (adhesives) used for composite wood panel products. Known as non-added formaldehyde alternatives, research and development in this field is starting to pay off with a new generation of soy-based binders and substitution of phenol formaldehyde for urea formaldehyde binders for composite wood fiber panels used in architectural millwork as a means to lessen the effects of formaldehyde off-gassing into the interior environment.
The Hispanic workforce is unique to our contemporary business environment. As a group of people, this workforce is considered to be critical to the success of the construction industry. At the same time, members of the Hispanic workforce have special training needs that their Anglo counterparts do not have.
Last year, I wrote an article for this publication that drew attention to some of the greatest words of wisdom I've ever heard from a construction attorney. Those words are worth repeating: "It's better to sign a bad contract with a good person than a good contract with a bad person."
Hola y como estan (Hi and how are you). It's a new year and already it's been far too cold in the Midwest. It makes me yearn to use my stock Spanish phrase in Mexico City, Acapulco, Belize-anywhere south of the border, close to the equator.
In September 2003, an article appeared in this column titled "Formaldehyde: Free at Last." It concerned the voluntary switchover by Johns Manville from the standard formaldehyde binder for fiberglass insulation to an acrylic binder.
Recently, on my weekly radio show, I interviewed a man who I have admired for years, David Oreck, the vacuum- and air-cleaner inventor and sales person extraordinaire. He's 82 years old, still rides a Harley to work everyday and flies his vintage airplanes on a regular basis. He truly loves life.
One of EIFS' real advantages, from a design standpoint, is its cost-effective ability to articulate the outside surface of a wall to create various visual effects. This includes such common design features as color, texture, foam shapes and aesthetic reveals.
I recently began using a product called Trakloc. The system consists of an adjustable metal stud that locks into a matching track. A large portion of our work is within New York City and the freight cars are very tight with regards to delivery space.
Specialty ceilings, especially 3-D ones, have become the latest office design trend. Given dramatic changes in the workplace over the past 30 years-from individual offices to open cubicles to up and coming, one-size-fits-all concepts of work space-ceiling designs have adapted to evolving environments.
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