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When the main cell house building at the historic Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was constructed in 1910-1912, prison workers mixed salt water from the surrounding San Francisco Bay and brick rubble in the concrete support beams. 

A building owner, hoping to construct a new office with a particular look and energy efficiency in mind, ended up pleased with insulated metal panels from Metl-Span.

Walls and ceilings are some of the most essential structural elements of any building–from defining the space, to bearing the load, to providing shelter and security. With this in mind, complying with the latest building codes is crucial, now more than ever, for ensuring the safety, durability and resiliency of wood buildings.

DOKK1 in Aarhus has won the international ‘Systematic–Public Library of the Year 2016’ award as the best new public library in the world. This is the first time a Danish library has received this honor.

Hurricane Katrina hit Biloxi, Mississippi in the summer of 2005, destroying nearly all the infrastructure on the coast, including the Palace Casino Resort. Ten years later, investments in the area have revitalized the shoreline and brought the city back to life.

Facility managers are often tasked with maintenance of parking structures. Made of concrete and steel, these multi-level hubs provide visitors and their vehicles with shelter from the elements and often provide access to housing or office space. However, protecting the structure itself from the constant onslaught of environmental stressors and wear-and-tear comes with its own set of challenges.

The 1.1 million square-foot headquarters is enveloped in terracotta, white metal, and glass to not only reduce solar intake, but to reduce the energy costs of the building as well. The glass exterior allows for an influx of natural light to penetrate the interior, while trees and other foliage create a natural environment in the structure’s centralized courtyard. 

In a city as dense as Chicago, new building projects often have very limited space to make their mark. The new Hilton Garden Inn in the North Loop of downtown Chicago had many existing buildings to compete with, including its landmark neighbors, the Chicago Motor Club and the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist. With the desire to standout, GREC Architects were called upon to help make a statement.

The Western Specialty Contractors Facades Division, based in Ridgefield, NJ, has helped to transform the discreet entrance to one of Manhattan, New York's most luxurious condominium high rise buildings into a functional work of art.

CertainTeed Corp., along with employees from its Kansas City, Kan. insulation plant and professional partners are rolling up their sleeves to assist Homes for Our Troops (HFOT), a national, non-profit organization dedicated to building specially adapted, mortgage-free homes for severely injured Veterans. The latest team effort shows support and appreciation for a local Lee’s Summit, Mo. veteran.