Toy around with Ittyblox's ultra-detailed building blocks

For LEGO fanatics, time is no object when building a model. For those of us with a little less time, Ittyblox is a good solution. Ittyblox is a collection of 3D-printed, minutely-detailed miniature buildings produced by 3D printing company Shapeways. Every piece is created on demand at a 1:1000 scale.

Existing Ittyblox designs are based on the architecture of real cities. Generics exist, such as the Chicago “black box office buildings,” but there are also recreations of iconic buildings like the Guggenheim Museum.

Designs are sold individually and in themed sets; prices range from $6 for a Miami hotel and to $93 for a collection of New York buildings. The pieces are held together by a gridded baseplate, and can be augmented with a chunk of highway, a park, and LED lights under the buildings.

In January, design firm Populous and the City of Aurora, Colo. marked the opening of the Southeast Aurora Recreation Center and Fieldhouse. The 77,000-sf facility draws design inspiration from the nearby Rocky Mountains. With natural Douglas Fir structure and decking, the building aims to mimic the geography of a canyon.

Architects | Mar 16, 2023

HKS launches partner diversity program to create a more diverse workforce and partnership network

Design firm HKS has launched a new partner diversity program that will work to build a more diverse AEC ecosystem. The HKS xBE program will give xBE firms (a term encompassing all disadvantaged businesses) and their members “access to opportunities to build relationships, pursue new work, and bolster innovation within the architecture and design professions,” according to HKS.

Sustainability | Mar 16, 2023

Lack of standards for carbon accounting hamper emissions reduction

A lack of universally accepted standards for collecting, managing, and storing greenhouse gas emissions data (i.e., carbon accounting) is holding back carbon reduction efforts, according to an essay published by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Georgia State University Convocation Center, by Perkins&Will Photo by James Steinkamp

Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 15, 2023

Georgia State University Convocation Center revitalizes long-neglected Atlanta neighborhood

Georgia State University’s new Convocation Center doubles the arena it replaces and is expected to give a shot in the arm to a long-neglected Atlanta neighborhood. The new 200,000 sf multi-use venue in the Summerhill area of Atlanta is the new home for the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams and will also be used for large-scale academic and community events.

A new life sciences center at 100 Hood Park Drive in Charlestown., Mass., features varied metal cladding systems

Metal cladding trends and innovations

Metal cladding is on a growth trajectory globally. This is reflected in rising demand for rainscreen cladding and architectural metal coatings. This course covers the latest trends and innovations in the metal cladding market.

Krisan Osterby, Linsey Graff of DLR Group - David Huff Photography

Education Facilities | Mar 15, 2023

DLR Group’s Campus Planning Studio defines new leadership

Linsey Graff named Campus Planning Leader. Krisan Osterby transitions to Senior Planner.

Building Tech | Mar 14, 2023

Reaping the benefits of offsite construction, with ICC's Ryan Colker

Ryan Colker, VP of Innovation at the International Code Council, discusses how municipal regulations and inspections are keeping up with the expansion of off-site manufacturing for commercial construction. Colker speaks with BD+C's John Caulfield.

Multifamily Housing | Mar 14, 2023

Multifamily housing rent rates remain flat in February 2023

Multifamily housing asking rents remained the same for a second straight month in February 2023, at a national average rate of $1,702, according to the new National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix. As the economy continues to adjust in the post-pandemic period, year-over-year growth continued its ongoing decline.