Building Technology News
DOE doles out $453m for weatherization programs - 6/23/2009
CONTACT: (202) 586-4940 COLUMBUS, OHIO - U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that the Department of Energy is providing more than $453 million in Recovery Act funding to expand weatherization assistance programs in 15 additional states. These funds, along with additional funds to be disbursed after the states meet certain Recovery Act milestones, will help these states achieve their goal of weatherizing more than 165,000 homes, lowering energy costs for low-income families that need it, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating green jobs across the country. Secretary Chu made today's announcement while helping to weatherize a local resident's home in Columbus, Ohio with Governor Ted Strickland. The following states will receive 40 percent of their total weatherization funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act today: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia. Under the Recovery Act, states may spend up to 20 percent of funds to hire and train workers.
San Fran gets construction sound advice from the experts - 6/21/2009
In the Bay Area, where living cheek-by-jowl in skyscrapers is on the rise, modulating noise has become increasingly important. Factor in huge walls of glass, which provide views but also hard surfaces that reverberate noise, and the job gets even trickier. New green materials also absorb sound differently or less well: Shredded denim, for instance, tends to settle and get compacted versus light, airy fiberglass, which retains sound-insulating air pockets. Arup, a global engineering firm, is meeting the challenge at SoundLab, a new laboratory at its San Francisco offices. SoundLab's engineers use a library of recorded sounds to simulate noise in various styles of construction. These sounds are played on surround-sound systems alongside projected computer renderings that clients bring to them, matching sounds to designs, heights and volumes. For instance, a recording from a cavernous room is played inside the computerized rendering of a cavernous room being designed. Using SoundLab's results, designers can add or subtract construction materials that keep out ambient noises or absorb sounds better.
Autodesk launches 2010 BIM software portfolio in Qatar - 6/8/2009
Autodesk, the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building, and media and entertainment markets, has announced the launch of its 2010 ‘Building Information Modeling’ (BIM) software portfolio. The latest range of revolutionary software, whose consistent user interface highlight updates to four key product lines for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, incorporates enhanced features that can help in delivering more cost effective and resource-efficient buildings and infrastructure in Qatar. Furthermore, the company has also launched new ‘Infrastructure Modeling’ (IM) software products, which can help users in the utilities and telecommunication sectors as well as government agencies improve the design and management of their infrastructure.
China building world's largest quake simulator - 5/29/2009
China, frequently hit by earthquakes, is building the world's largest vibration simulation centre which can test quake-proof capabilities of skyscrapers, bridges and other key structures.
Dallas Cowboys stadium gets 60-yard LED HD display - 5/26/2009
The Dallas Cowboys, whose ingenuity and reputation for excellence are the gold standard in the National Football League, will illuminate the world's largest high-definition LED video displays on Thursday, May 21, 2009. The four-sided, center-hung structure, a first for an NFL stadium, consists of four Diamond Vision(TM) video displays, with the two main sideline displays measuring 72 feet high by 160 feet wide, and two Diamond Vision(TM)end-zone displays measuring 29 feet high by 51 feet wide. Weighing 600 tons, the screens will be suspended 90 feet directly over the center of the playing surface and stretch from nearly one 20-yard line to the other. Completing the array of Diamond Vision(TM) displays are four, 280 square-foot screens on the lower concourse; an upper level fascia (ribbon) display measuring four feet high by nearly 2,000 linear feet; and two Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor displays totaling more than 2,900 square feet
Burj Dubai fit out 'logistical nightmare' - 5/15/2009
The fit-out of the world's tallest building - Burj Dubai - is a ligistical nightmare, the CEO of Depa, the global interior contracting company, was quoted as saying.
ASLA announces 2009 Professional Awards - 5/10/2009
Today, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the winners of its 2009 Professional Awards. The jury considered nearly 600 entries-the largest number in ASLA history-from around the world and selected 49 projects for recognition in general design, residential design, analysis and planning, communications and research. The awards ceremony will take place at the ASLA Annual Meeting in Chicago on September 21. Print-quality photos and project descriptions are available online at: http://www.asla.org/2009awards/ General Design
Green fueling construction growth, finds new report - 5/5/2009
Byline: Colleen M. Farrell Green building and reconstruction --already big buzz words in the construction industry -- only will take off in the next few years, construction insiders said this week. That's also according to a new report from Pike Research, which identifies a $400 billion market in the near future when it comes to environmentally-friendly building and renovations in the commercial sector. Remodeling buildings in energy-efficient ways could total $6.6 billion in annual revenue by 2013 --triple the current amount -- according to the study.
Patient Rooms of the Future may Speed healing - 4/16/2009
The environment in which a patient heals is critical to their recovery, and the Patient Rooms of the Future must change to meet that need, said Victor Rumore, Chairman of Wellness Environments speaking at a healthcare conference in Dallas last week (see also Wellness Environments).
WHO calls for better hospital design and construction - 4/14/2009
On the eve of World Health Day, WHO has focussed its attention on the large numbers of lives that can be saved during earthquakes, floods, conflicts and other emergencies through better design and construction of health facilities and by preparing and training health staff.
