Tag Archives: architecture

Contemporary Look Trending For Residential Construction

February 28, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

The contemporary look has spread from the urban core and is growing increasingly popular in the suburbs and communities outside major Ontario cities, such as Toronto, say industry experts.

“The past couple of decades of residential construction have been dominated by neo-traditional designs, but we’re in the midst of a major shift to modern or contemporary homes,” says David Stewart, an Urban Designer and Principal of Williams & Stewart Associates Ltd. in Richmond Hill, Ont. “We’re seeing more and more builders who are using contemporary designs to gain a competitive edge and buyers who are looking for homes that really make a statement and are modern and unique.”

The contemporary trend in residential architecture features:

Smooth-faced brick and stone instead of the tumbled, rough and “rusticated” surface of brick and stone in neo-traditional and heritage-style buildings;
Bold monochrome colours in shades of black, grey, brown, red and buff are replacing multi-chromatic colours;
Linear masonry shapes;
Greater use of mixed masonry products to create varied elevations which give more interest to exterior appearance; and
Stone, brick and panel accents.

While brick, block and stone have been the most trusted building materials for hundreds of years because of their durability, masonry manufacturers are taking the lead in developing innovative new products to stay ahead of shifting architectural design tastes and trends.

“Our manufacturers are constantly refining their products to meet evolving demands for new colours, textures,sizes and shapes,” said Judy Pryma, President of MasonryWorx, a tradeassociation for Ontario masonry industry professionals. “Brick, block and stone may stand the test of time for hundreds of years, but they are also extremely versatile and can adapt to any building style.”

At the same time as more residential buyers opt for contemporary-style homes, municipal and provincial government policies are encouraging developers to build higher density housing to make the most of residentially zoned property. As a result, communities are seeing a shift to more creative townhome designs, low-rise apartments and mixed-use buildings with retail at ground level and residential space above.

As with single-family residential construction, masonry products continue to be the exterior cladding of choice for multi-family residential units, Stewart said.

“Municipalities want high-quality and durable new communities, and brick, block and stone are definitely the preferred solution,” he said.

An overwhelming 90% of consumers who participated in a recent province-wide study by MasonryWorx said they would prefer to buy homes made of masonry products over other exterior finishes, such as wood, vinyl siding or stucco. The majority of respondents said they favour masonry because it’s durable, attractive, easy to maintain and adds greater long-term value to their investment than other building materials.

About MasonryWorx:

MasonryWorx is an association of industry professionals working in brick, block and stone masonry. Our members include product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals from across Ontario who create high-quality homes, buildings and structures that last for generations, increase in value, are environmentally friendly and beautify neighbourhoods. We are committed to providing consumers, members of the construction industry and all levels of government with accurate information about the uses and benefits of brick, block and stone products.

Culture

Nashville Population Rise Sparks Demand for Condo Development

August 15, 2018 The Silo 1 Comment

Meg Epstein, founder of CA South Development and Condo Queen of Nashville, has funded over $200 million usd in the expansion of condo projects aimed towards bridging the gap of disproportionate construction of properties in Downtown Nashville.

According to the U.S Census Bureau, Nashville, Tennessee has witnessed a steady hike in population within the metro area as it’s averaging approximately 100 new residents per day. Forbes lists the city as the 7^th on America’s Fastest Growing City List. The resulting and overwhelming demand for housing in the metro area has lead to an influx of rental properties, leaving a shortage of condos and townhomes despite an increasing demand for them. Another report projects the supply to increase but will still fall short of the overall demand within the city for 2018, consisting of only a two-month supply of condo units.

Nashville Condo Shortage — GERMANTOWN WATERFRONT CONDOS, NASHVILLE, TN – IN PROGRESS. Boutique new construction development of 35 luxury, waterfront condos nestled between the historic neighborhood of Germantown and Downtown. River Tower offers a relaxed balance between the natural elements of the Cumberland River and the eclectic destinations, venues, restaurants and professional office spaces of downtown Nashville. Features will include spacious balconies that cantilever over the water, superior modern interior architecture and finishes, and Wolf-Subzero appliances.

Per Meg Epstein, founder of CA South Development, Nashville’s disproportionate emphasis on apartment construction is unsustainable. Even with the increased demand to build properties to accommodate the population increase, Epstein points out the issue of banks favoring apartment projects for construction instead of condos or townhomes.

“Banks favor apartment projects, since they don’t mind recouping their investment over a period of years,” said Epstein. “However, market trends indicate condos are a far better investment option.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that millennials have “flocked to downtowns to live closer to jobs, transit and urban amenities, and the National Realtors Association reports that millennials now represent 36% of recent homebuyers. The fact that 29% of Nashville’s population falls into the 20 to 39 age group may help to explain the rising demand for urban condos. Epstein anticipates a continued population surge in Nashville and believes residential development will remain a smart bet. PwC ranks Nashville #9 for “Overall Real Estate Prospects” and #5 for “Investment”, and Forbes lists it at #6 in its “Where to Invest in Housing in 2018” analysis.

Today, Epstein is in the process of constructing condo homes to not only correct the supply imbalance in the region but to serve the consumer needs of millennials.

In fact, one of Epstein’s projects, River Tower, a 35-unit development, emulates urban centers from all-across the United States with its modern design and proximity to the Cumberland River and Germantown, mirroring real-estate paradigms of Brooklyn, Boston and Tampa. Nashville’s “Condo Queen” is putting her ardent vision for Nashville’s condo market to the test as her decade of construction expertise is being applied to blossoming the city’s residential neighborhoods with the development of a mixed-use, retail and 312-unit condo development in Downtown and two mid-rise condo homes south of the Gulch and in range of 8^th Avenue South. For the Silo, Ashley Richardson. Featured image- mixed use condo living Downtwon. 77-Unit Condo building with retail below. Modern aesthetic appointments & amenities blend seamlessly with sustainable design elements to shine a light on the benefits of a home based in form & function. Delivery Fall 2019.

Sci-Tech

Edifier Setting Bar High For Affordable Bookshelf Speaker Quality

July 12, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

Here in Canada, you may not have heard of Edifier but take note- their state-of-the art manufacturing facilities in China produce 8 million units every year for home, consumer electronics and PC multimedia applications. Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance while keeping prices amazingly low.

Normally if you are spending just $100 on a set of speakers you expect to be left desiring better quality. Let’s take a closer look at our review pair that arrived safely in a well packaged box. The Edifier R1280T are an affordable, entry-level set of bookshelf speakers that deliver clear and balanced sound at low or high volumes. For only $124.99CDN including free shipping to Canada these speakers set a new standard for affordable quality.

The speakers have a 102mm (4-inch) bass driver and a calibrated, flared bass reflex port augmented by a 13mm silk dome tweeter for a total output of 42W RMS (21W each speaker). An optional front cover can be removed to expose the speaker components allowing for a sleek look or a more exposed techie aesthetic. Use them with a television, computer, or other device, they sound great on any surface because of the design team’s passion for sound and for quality.

Edifier’s uncompromised design elegance is recognized internationally by prestigious design awards. Some of their designs are winners of the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Product Design Award and the CES Design & Engineering Showcase Honours.

Anechoic Chamber Edifier Speakers — “Inspirational design derived from architecture, furniture, automobiles, home electronics — even nature itself — provide for ideas that transform themselves into unique sensory and emotional products with functional simplicity, coupled with technological excellence. It’s a journey to provide an exceptional audio and visual experience with design elegance, innovation, features and measured risks, for whatever the application, to form a lasting end-user impression and experience.”
— Anthony Wilkinson, Managing Director, Edifier International Limited

R1280T powered bookshelf speakers lets you connect to multiple audio devices using the dual RCA inputs. By looking at the back panel you can easily tell one of these is a passive speaker and one is an active speaker. The active speaker has two inputs located on the back. These inputs are perfect for RCA to RCA or RCA to AUX connections. Connect them to a PC, laptop, tablet, phone or record player. The speakers are connected to each other via regular speaker wire (included along with a generous variety of cables to ensure you enjoy your music from most devices right out of the box- if you require digital connections or bluetooth Edifier make a larger model).

Some overseas manufacturers of electronics have been questioned about their environmental impacts and strategies but refreshingly, Edifier are committed to best operating practices.

Use suppliers of raw materials who practice environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Use LED and T5 lighting in all office floors and manufacturing facility.
Install solar panels for water heating.
Use Biological Liquid Processing to reduce and filter fume emissions.
Use Membrane Bioreactors to recycle waste water

For environmentally conscious, budget minded individuals looking for a solid entry level speaker with the convenience of remote control and easy hook-up you can’t go wrong choosing the R1280T. Highly recommended.

We spent several days and evenings having fun with these speakers in a small bedroom Laserdisc and projector bookshelf setup. The sound quality was quite nice, dialogue was easy to understand and stereo soundtracks came to life, even with a noisy air conditioner running and the fan noise from the projector.

The speakers will most likely benefit from a break in period as new drivers tend to have a slight compression effect that is alleviated as the speaker suspension is stretched from playing source material. These speakers fit nicely onto the shelf and were easy to position and operate, we were pleasantly surprised by the handy mini remote control that arrived with batteries included. For darker watching conditions we left the front grilles in place but would be happy to remove them and show off the nicely designed faux woodgrain cabinet sides in brighter conditions. Highly recommended…

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Culture

Groundbreaking Design For Sanctuary For Abused Animals In Mississippi

May 14, 2018 The Silo 1 Comment

Carroll County, MS – In Defense of Animals has unveiled brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities to care for the Deep South’s most abused animals at Hope Animal Sanctuary in Carroll County, Mississippi. The organization has rescued and rehabilitated animals in Mississippi since 1993, and this weekend it revealed a cutting-edge sanctuary that will support animals and the local community for many years to come. Members of the public joined canine, feline, and barnyard animal residents at a grand opening ceremony on Saturday, May 12, to celebrate and unveil the major face-lift.

“Hope Animal Sanctuary has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of Mississippi’s castoff animals in its 25 years, and these brand new facilities offer new hope to thousands more,” said In Defense of Animals President Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Animals find refuge at Hope Animal Sanctuary when they are beaten, blinded, burned, sick, starved, or simply forgotten, and now they will get the top-notch care they deserve in cutting-edge facilities. We are very proud of our quarter-century of work here in the Deep South and thank our generous supporters who have made it happen – their love and compassion is literally written on the bricks.”

Carroll County is a region devoid of animal shelters and other vital animal control services, making In Defense of Animals’ ongoing work beyond critical. The charity’s Hope Animal Sanctuary has rescued, provided refuge, and fought for justice for abused animals in rural Mississippi since 1993. It gives temporary sanctuary to dogs and cats, puppies and kittens, pigs, and horses. Last year, Hope Animal Sanctuary staff placed 700 dogs and cats in forever homes.

Dr. Kroplick cut the ribbon to reveal a new operations center that houses a calming cattery and state-of-the-art veterinary rooms, and will also serve as a welcome and education center for visitors. Traditional dog-kennels have been entirely reinvented as a groundbreaking community of 20 “tiny houses” that encircle the operations center to accommodate groups of rescued dogs and cats.

The cozy community homes are a breakthrough innovation that revolutionizes the way dogs and cats are sheltered. The tiny houses are thoughtfully designed for animals’ comfort first, allowing the occupants to live in a home-like setting while they wait for their loving new guardians. Specially developed to be warm in winter and cool in summer, each tiny house is nestled around a cul de sac and scenic walking path, complete with a covered porch perfect for afternoon napping. Each tiny house has a soft grassy dog run for furry friends to enjoy the play they have been deprived of for so long.

Veterinarians at Mississippi State Veterinary College gave the seal of approval to the novel renovation plans which were developed with a specialized animal sanctuary architect.

Dr. Kroplick paid tribute to several Mississippi animal advocates who have made animal rescue their life’s work.

“The animals and people of Mississippi are incredibly lucky to have animal angel Doll Stanley, a fearless campaigner who founded Hope Animal Sanctuary and has rescued literally thousands of animals during her 25 years service in Mississippi,” said Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “We owe huge thanks to Stanley and also to Hope Animal Sanctuary’s Debbie Clark, Sharon Stone, and their fearless team who do the hard work, day in, day out, to get mistreated animals into loving homes. It is thanks to these folks’ unfaltering dedication to the animals we stand here today and our work will continue.”

The “Doll House” was unveiled in honor of Hope Animal Sanctuary founder and Mississippi Justice for Animals campaigner Doll Stanley. The founder of In Defense of Animals was also honored by the dedication of the “Dr. Katz Cattery” bearing his name.

In Defense of Animals also paid a touching tribute to the passionate animal advocates who helped rebuild Hope Animal Sanctuary. “We thank all the compassionate, generous In Defense of Animals supporters from around the world who have donated to make the Hope Animal Sanctuary rebuild happen. We especially pay tribute to the memory of Odette Grosz, New Orleans’ “grand dame of animal rights,” for this desperately-needed sanctuary rebuild would not have been possible had she not remembered the animals in her will.”

In Defense of Animals has invested $650,000 to construct the new buildings at Hope Animal Sanctuary that will allow the charity to continue to rescue and give shelter to thousands of homeless and abused animals for many years to come.

Hope Animal Sanctuary receives no government funding, so community residents and businesses are encouraged to support this vital community service by dedicating a memory lane pathway brick or sponsoring a dog run or dog house, all of which can be inscribed to recognize your commitment to serving the most abused animals in the Deep South.

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org/givehope

Culture

What Single People Need to Do Before Buying A Home

February 7, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

The usual route to home ownership tends to start with meeting a special someone. When you’re a couple and you want to begin a life together, it makes more sense to get a new home for yourself. You may plan to get a roomier home for the two of you, and especially if kids are part of your plan in the foreseeable future.

What if you’re single? That doesn’t mean that you can’t get a house in Montreal, or a condo in NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) or anywhere else in Canada. Here are some tips that can help if you’re single and determined to buy your own home:

Get your finances in order. This is the first and most important rule, as money will always be an issue for you especially since you don’t have a partner to share the expenses. It can be problematic to get a mortgage when you’re single since you’re less likely to repay a loan than two people together who both work for a living. So, pay off your credit card debts, raise your credit score, finish paying for your car, and have enough money to put down 20% of the house price as down payment.
Have lots of money in the bank. What if you lose your job right after moving into your own home? You’ll need money for all your expenses while you search for a new job. You need some money in your bank account that’s equal to three to six times your monthly wages. Keep in mind that as a homeowner you have to pay for your home’s upkeep along with home insurance and property taxes.
Make sure to account for all your possible expenses. First-time owners are often unpleasantly surprised when they encounter expenses that they don’t normally deal with when they were apartment tenants. Home ownership can be very costly, especially when you have to remodel your home. It’s also difficult to estimate what you’d have to spend, especially when you have a backyard to maintain.
See if a condo makes more sense for you. In general, a condo unit makes a lot more sense than an actual house if you’re still single. A condo will probably be located closer to where you work. It’ll also be located right in the middle of the city you’re in, so entertainment establishments are conveniently nearer. A condo building can have amenities that you’ll appreciate when they’re nearby, such as a gym or a salon. It also provides you with more social opportunities to meet new people so that you’re no longer single (if that’s what you want, of course).
Be conscious about security. Security is another reason why condos work best for singles as they usually have guards in the lobby to keep out strangers. If you’re living in your own house, you may want to put in a strong lock on your doors and perhaps on your gate. You should make friends with your neighbours, who can call the police when they see strangers in your home when you’re not there. A security camera tied into your smartphone can help as well, though a dog can also be useful.
Look for houses with a friend. Couples have the advantage of having someone to discuss their home options so that they’re more certain of their choices. If you’re looking for possible homes to buy, make sure you call a friend to come along. They can help you think logically so your emotions don’t get the best of you.

Of course, one “side effect” of having your own home when you’re single is that you generally become more attractive to potential partners. Just make sure you buy the right home when you can actually afford it, so you can actually enjoy your new status as a homeowner. For the Silo, Dimitry Karloff.

Culture

Sustainable Urban Renewal Example In Copenhagen Neighbourhood

January 19, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

HenningLarsen design sketch — Henning Larsen Architects: design sketch

Henning Larsen Architects lead a design team in establishing an overall sustainable solution for the renewal of buildings, courtyards, and streetscapes in a selected residential block of Skt. Kjelds Climate Resilient Neighborhood in Østerbro. The competition for Copenhagen Climate Resilient Neighborhood was won with a proposal that serves as a future “showcase” of holistic and sustainable approaches to urban renewal while opening possibilities for realizing the objectives of a sustainable and climate-friendly Copenhagen. In addition to Henning Larsen Architects, the winning team also included Henrik Larsen consulting engineers, TagTomat and V!GØR.

“Copenhagen Climate Resilient Neighborhood , as a flagship project, demonstrates how a holistic and innovative approach to renovation and rainwater management can create a better living environment and courtyard atmosphere in a typical residential block. The designated block in Skt. Kjelds neighborhood therefore became a climate-front runner, implementing new solutions that can inspire other blocks—not only in Copenhagen but also in the many northern European cities where blocks of courtyard buildings are a dominant type of housing,” says Signe Kongebro, architect and partner at Henning Larsen Architects.

The project reflects a holistic approach with focus on energy retrofitting, climate adaption, architecture and daylight. From start to finish, the execution of the project will be implemented in close dialogue with Copenhagen Municipality and especially the residents and the building owners in the block.

The project was based on four main strategic focus points: rainwater management; increasing recreational space by re-configuring parking and introducing green areas; strengthening of the neighborhood’s identity with community gathering points; and, optimization of existing buildings in terms of energy consumption, daylight and indoor climate.

Workshops kick-started the sustainable urban renewal process wherein the team, in close and innovation-driven dialogue with residents and the municipality, began the transformation from traditional residential block to a climate-resilient neighborhood. Throughout the project, physical prototypes, exhibitions, mock-ups, and other visual tools contributed to give the residents a realistic insight into the transformation of their block and keep the process alive and relevant. Connect with Henning Larsen Architects on Instagram and on Facebook.

Supplemental-

History: http://henninglarsen.com/about/history.aspx

Profile: http://henninglarsen.com/about/profile.aspx

Awards: http://henninglarsen.com/about/awards.aspx

Travel

Explore The World This Summer Via 12 Trendy Family Homes From HomeExchange

May 10, 2017 The Silo Leave a comment

Traveling with kids can be challenging, especially when restricted by a tight budget. As families begin to reevaluate their own homes and hometowns, they are discovering that what they once took for granted can be a huge destination for someone else. Providing travelers with the additional comfort of bedrooms for each family member, a kitchen, garden, pool, toys, bikes and more, a family home away from home can be the perfect base camp to explore a region.

The list below includes 12 family-friendly homes available this summer for families looking to discover the world via HomeExchange:

USA – Colorado – Evergreen

Nestled in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies, this beautiful home is within driving distance of Denver, ski mountains, and Evergreen Lake which is best known for its all-season recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and birding. Bordered by mountain parks with miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, the home is equipped with bunk beds, toys, and video games for young children. A Jeep Wrangler and a Kia Sorento are also available for exchange.

Thailand – Phuket

The ultimate in discreet luxury and privacy, this villa comes outfitted with an ocean-facing spa and “concierge.” Overlooking Surin Beach, and only a few steps from two of Phuket’s top beaches, families can enjoy picturesque sunset views over the Andaman Sea in between horse and elephant rides.

Mexico – Manzanillo

Outfitted with a vast collection of Mexican folk art, this Mexican style three-bedroom home overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Miles of beaches with balmy ocean breezes and warm water year-round, Manzanillo is widely known as the sea fishing capital of the world. The house is about two miles from the great beach of Santiago Bay where house guests will be treated to a beach club membership.

France – Seignosse

This large Basque Landes-style house is located right on the beach. The five bedroom home boasts several terraces and is located less than two miles from the seaside town of Hossegor. The area is internationally renowned for its Atlantic surf spots and gastronomy, as well as golfing, surfing, and cycling.

USA – California – Santa Monica

Vibrant both inside and out, this ocean view four-bedroom house is full of light. Situated in a quiet neighborhood of Santa Monica, families will have easy access to shopping, restaurants, bike paths, and the beach. For families looking to venture further into the state of California, a Ford Expedition that can fit up to eight passengers is included in the exchange!

United Kingdom – London

Nestled on a quiet residential road in the middle of East London, this spacious Victorian family home has a lovely garden and plenty of toys for children. The vibrant neighborhood is only a bus ride or train away from Central London.

Australia – Kingscliff

Beachfront luxury on the magical Gold Coast, one hour from Brisbane City. With miles of beach, bicycle tracks, and local restaurants within a two-minute walk, this home is a perfect holiday for families.

Canada – West Vancouver

This waterfront seven bedroom villa with beach access, a private deck, spacious swimming pool, boats, and three cars are all located within a half hour drive from downtown Vancouver and mere minutes from parks, mountains, shopping, and restaurants.

Costa Rica – Puntarenas

This literal treehouse is situated in the canopy of the jungle that National Geographic called “the most bio-diverse place on earth.” This home is the perfect respite after a day of ziplining, swimming, waterfall hiking, and bird watching. Providing a true sense of adventure and an off-the-grid feel, this abode is free of televisions, hair dryers, and internet access.

Ireland – Stradbally

A kid-friendly home located one-hour away from Dublin, this modern home comes with a separate nanny studio in the garden, swings, slide, playroom, and lots of toys and bicycles. Nearby historic castles, beautiful woodlands, an equestrian center in Stradbally, a fishing lake and a championship golf course designed by golf legend Steve Ballesteros make this a must-stay neighborhood.

South Africa – Cape Town

This golf course estate boasting breathtaking views of Table Mountain and modern architect is only 15 minutes away from the city center. With direct beach access to Sunset Beach, the internationally-renowned windsurfing and kitesurfing hotspot of Africa, families will not have to venture far to create lifelong memories.

USA – New York – Montauk

Located directly across the street from the ocean, Montauk represents a classic and relaxed old American lifestyle. For those looking to juxtapose their stay with a trip to the bustling city of New York, several means of transport are available to get to Manhattan. Travelers can also opt for a seaplane for a quick forty-five-minute flight into the city.

For the Silo, Alexandra Origet du Cluzeau.
About HomeExchange Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. “It was the inspiration for the still popular 2006 movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. In 2016, 67,000 HomeExchange members made 135,000 home swaps across 150 countries. HomeExchange makes it easy to plan and enjoy a home exchange vacation and offers travelers a memorable, authentic experience. Last year, it was awarded “Best Site for Booking Your Stay” by USA Today readers.

Culture

More To Vast World Of Biennials Than Venice, Whitney and Documenta

April 20, 2017 The Silo Leave a comment

With the historic opening of Documenta 14 in Athens this month, now is a perfect time to take a look around the world at more of the biennials happening in every corner throughout the year. You may recall a previous post in which we discussed three of the brightest stars in the biennial universe (namely, Venice, Whitney, and Documenta) but there is more to the vast world of biennials than just those few. There are old and new festivals celebrating cultural and political stories from every part of the globe imaginable. In these times of increased global awareness and community, the biennial may be one of the best conduits to further difficult conversations. The four biennials here take place in nations where socio-political upheaval has been or is part of the nations’ recent past or present existence.

Documenta 13 – Thomas Bayrle. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org

Odessa Biennale
A relative newcomer to the biennial scene, Odessa Biennale was established in 2013 by The Museum of Modern Art, Odessa. The first biennale was titled Self-government: cultural evolution vs. revolution. Participants were asked to examine the relationship and contradiction between various forms of freedom (personal, social, small group) and the impositions and restrictions of self-government. The upcoming biennale, set for August 26-September 30 is titled Turbulence. This year’s exhibition is rooted in Alvin Toffler’s 1970 book, Future Shock. Toffler examined the idea of collective shock as a result of living during a time of extreme change. Spinning out from the ancient curse, “may you live in an era of change” this year’s biennale seeks to disrupt the notion that extreme change is outside the ordinary and instead posits that all of human existence has been based around rotating times of chaos and calm. Open call for the 2017 biennale ended in December, but for future events (the next is slated for 2019) artists are always welcome to contribute their work for consideration.

Istanbul Biennale
This year will mark the 15^th Istanbul Biennial. Since its inception in 1987, Istanbul has made the move to become an artist curated biennial. This year curation is headed up by artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset, Danish artists who explore the crossroads of art, architecture, and design. Istanbul has risen to a high place among the world’s biennial festivals, now being given similar footing to Venice, Sao Paolo, and Sydney. The event seeks to bring together Turkish artists as well as artists from the international community in order to further dialogue and exchange of cultural ideas. Past themes have included 2013’s Mom, am i barbarian? And in 2015 Saltwater: a theory of thought forms. The 2017 biennial is working in collaboration with the 2017 Istanbul film festival, both of which are exploring the title topic A Good Neighbor. In addition to the contemporary art program, the biennial will include ten feature and five short films all curated by Elmgreen and Dragset. The films (as well as the art) will look at the concept of home as a means of portraying identity and the intricacies of community and co-existence. The 2017 Istanbul Biennial runs from September 16-Novermber 12.

Beijing International Art Biennale
China is a nation with an ancient history of art as well as a finger on the developing pulse of the future. It is a burgeoning international economy as well as a land steeped in cultural tradition. The biennial was begun following China’s ascent to the WTO as well as their 2008 hosting of the Olympic Games. Through art, the Beijing Biennale seeks to further the notion of plurality as China continues to open its borders and join the world stage. The overall theme of each biennial is stated as demonstrating “the graceful bearing of opening up in an all-round way.”

A few of the tenets of the Beijing Biennale are, “building a grand path and bridge for international cultural exchanges” and “closely combining arts with international trends and national interests, developing the resource advantages in serving society and human beings.” The theme of the 2017 Biennale, set to run from September 24-October 15 at National Art Museum of China, encapsulates these basic principles. The Silk Road and World’s Civilizations considers the ancient tradition of China’s Silk Road and the new tradition of peaceful international development.

Karachi Biennale
In its first ever biennale, Pakistan will explore bold themes under the title Witness. According to the festival website, “Art as a testament of its time has always held signiﬁcance, particularly in times when memory is heavily contested.

According to Milan Kundera, ‘The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memories against forgetting’. The theme Witness has been chosen for its strong relevance to politics of representation, erasure and selective documentation.” Pakistan has been a nation of political and social strife. Like much of the world today, upheaval has been a strong contributor to individual experience. Art has always been a medium that can reach beyond difficult times and continue a dialogue outside the socio-political arena. Karachi’s first Biennale will be curated by Amin Gulgee who grew up in Karachi. For the Silo, Brainard Carey.

Brainard is currently giving free webinars on how to write a better Artist bio and statement and how to get a show in a gallery – you can register for that live webinar and ask questions live by clicking here.

Banner image: Teaser Magazine 2015 Instanbul Biennale

Travel

Warm History Behind Sanderson Centre 100th Anniversary

March 3, 2017 The Silo 5 Comments

Opened as the Temple Theatre on December 22, 1919, the centre was originally designed as a vaudeville and silent movie house. Opening night premiered with five acts of vaudeville and the silent movie “Heart of the Hills” starring Mary Pickford. As one of the premiere theatres in Canada at the time, the Temple was a “first-run” film house attracting films from all the major distributors.

The local orchestra members started collecting promotional photos of the acts who performed at the theatre and glued them to the walls, the doors, and the sides of their sheet music cabinets. Many of these photos were salvaged during renovations of the orchestra pit and are on display throughout the lobbies today, along with photos of our more recent performers.

The Temple Theatre was renamed the Capitol in the early 1930s. For fifty-seven years, the theatre entertained moviegoers, and occasionally drew up her movie screen to be used again as a stage. As the years passed, attendance waned and in August 1986, the final movie “One Crazy Summer” was shown at the Capitol Theatre.

The vision of reopening the theatre as a performing arts facility was born and was met with fantastic support from local citizens. The Brantford Heritage Theatre Foundation spearheaded a highly successful fundraising campaign for the restoration and renovation of the Capitol Theatre. The first performance was Evita on October 2, 1986, tickets sold out quickly and two more performances were added. On December 11, 1989, the theatre was renamed the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, a tribute to the memory of the Sanderson family known for their generous support of local causes.

The original ceiling mural (shown above this article’s title) was reproduced aided by ghost images which remained and historical photographs. It is believed the mural is titled “The Three Muses” depicting Greek goddesses who preside over literature, sciences, and the arts. Canada’s premiere performer Anne Murray officially opened the newly restored theatre on September 8, 1990, with a gala presentation.

In June, 1991 the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts was proud to be awarded the prestigious “Theatre Preservation Award” presented by the League of Historic American Theatres. The Sanderson Centre joins a select few authentically restored historic facilities including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Elgin Winter Garden Theatres in Toronto.

Amid the grandeur of 1919, the theatre inspires all to treasure the past and cherish the present. The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, together with the Sanderson Centre Foundation, continues to honour our heritage. We invite you to enjoy the archival collection of photographs and memorabilia showcased in the lower lobby.

As we approach our 100^th anniversary there will be many celebrations and events during the year.

Art

Light, Interviews, Books to Inspire, And A Call To Artists From Rome

January 27, 2017 The Silo Leave a comment

Consider for a moment the nature of light and time. Fleeting, infinite, unknowable, and yet familiar as our own minds. We long for more time while cursing its slow progress. Temporal matters dictate every aspect of our human lives. We are beholden to the times in which we live. We cannot grasp light and yet we are surrounded by it. When we enter into the unknown, art is a light guiding us toward better days ahead.

Mary Temple's "unsolved red white and blue" — Mary Temple’s “unsolved red white and blue”

Mary Temple has the ability to incorporate all of this into her artwork in the most surprising ways. She can capture a moment and freeze it for all eternity with the stroke of her brush. Her ethereal public art painted on existing architecture preserves the memory of a moment of light. Temple also focuses on the times in which we live, using her art to engage in global political discussion. Her series Currency depicted world leaders in such a way that ranked them according to their ability to achieve progress in matters of world peace. Temple uses time as a dimension in her work. Currency was an up to the minute newsfeed told through hand drawn portraiture, while her public artwork uses light to capture time and hold it still for all to see.

Susan Silton lets our life and times inform her art. Through performance, installation, video, photography, text, audio, participation and print-based projects, Silton speaks to the turbulence around us. She fuses humor, unease, beauty with the intention of shining a light on the failures and triumphs of our moment on the planet. Her video work “Turn the Beat Around” was a direct response to the 2016 attack on an Orlando, Florida nightclub. Her art is a conduit to process grief, come to terms with the violence in our society, and seek common ground.

Writer Murong Xuecun once said, “Literature is not at the service of the government; on the contrary governments should do everything in their power to create a favorable climate for literature.” In these uncertain political times, what are you reading? Click here to contribute your books in the comments or use the comments feature at the end of this post. Tony Maslic, is reading “The Dispossessed” by Ursula Le Guin. Lian Brehm has turned to Suzi Gablick’s “The Reenchantment of Art” while artist Mary Temple cites the works of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, as well as her TEDx talk We Should all be Feminists as necessary fuel.

The Rome Glocal Brightness 2017 Light Festival has issued a call for artists. The Festival illuminates the sixth district of Rome allowing viewers to experience undiscovered corners of the city.

This bringing of light does not seek to diminish the dark, but to emphasize that the darkness can become a canvas in itself.
As we stand together at the edge of a new ravine, let us not fear what may be but embrace what is in each moment and never stop reaching toward the light. For the Silo, Brainard Carey.

Brainard Carey is an artist, author and educator. You can attend one of his free webinars for artists here. He also has an educational platform for artists called Praxis Center.

*featured image- Mary Temple “Currency”Series

Reviews

Fascinating Book- CANADIAN PACIFIC: Creating A Brand, Building A Nation

November 19, 2015 The Silo 2 Comments

Canadian Pacific: Creating A Brand, Building A Nation, the forthcoming luxury coffee table book from School of Design of the Université du Québec à Montréal professor emeritus Marc H. Choko and Callisto Publishers. The private railway corporation that united Canada and built the world’s greatest transportation system, Canadian Pacific broke boundaries with its powerful commercial design.

A gorgeous new full-colour, 384-page hardcover from leading design book publisher Callisto, Canadian Pacific: Creating A Brand, Building A Nation [November 15 2015] reveals the intriguing story of the private railway company that united Canada politically – and became, for a time, the world’s greatest and most diverse transportation system. Written by Marc H. Choko – professor emeritus at the School of Design of the Université du Québec à Montréal and an honorary member of the Société des designers graphiques du Québec – Canadian Pacific weaves a concise and compelling narrative recapitulating the first 100 years of the company’s history, beginning in the 1880s. Brought to life by hundreds of advertisements, illustrations, designs, photos, and historical documents – many of which have never been published before – Canadian Pacific is more than a beautiful book: it is an indispensible testament to one of the greatest achievements of entrepreneurship the world has ever seen.

“The history of Canada is inseparable from the history of Canadian Pacific,” writes publisher Matthias C. Hühne in the book’s preface. “A distinct Canadian national identity was still in its infancy in the 19th century, and various stereotypes linked with Canada today are the direct result of decisions made by these artists and Canadian Pacific’s publicity executives.” From adventurous world travelers to potential immigrants considering a move to Canada, Canadian Pacific tells the important and unforgettable story of the impact this private corporation has had on a nation’s economic development and image – and will be a welcome addition to the bookcases, coffee tables, and cottages of history buffs, art lovers, and aesthetes alike.

Marc Choko

Among the topics author Marc H. Choko is currently interested in and researching are: Beavers, Banff and propaganda: how commercial design helped a disparate, newly formed nation understand its place in the world and forge an identity. This is Canada: the romanticism and beauty of the images Canadian Pacific’s publicity department produced, and their immeasurable impact on the way Canada is perceived domestically and throughout the world Immigration and colonization: Canadian Pacific’s little-known history of facilitating the process of coming to Canada for hundreds of thousands of citizens. The eminent artists behind Canadian Pacific’s publicity materials: why we cannot separate the interplay of commercial interest and high culture.

About the Author: Marc H. Choko, author of Canadian Pacific: Creating a Brand, Building a Nation is professor emeritus at the School of Design of the Université du Québec à Montréal and former director of the university’s Design Centre. He is also a former research director at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique Urbanisation, Culture et Société. Choko earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in planning from the Université de Montréal and a doctorate in urban planning from the Université de Paris VIII. He is the author of numerous publications on graphic design, urbandevelopment and housing, and has curated many exhibitions that toured internationally. Choko is an honorary member of the Société des designers graphiques du Québec.

About the Publisher: Berlin-based Callisto Publishers selects topics from the fields of design, art, and architecture that are especially well suited to be represented by a printed book, rather than an electronic medium, aspiring to create printed works of perfect quality in terms of content, design, and production. Strong contemporary design requires solid knowledge of the designs and methods of the past. Which designs endured, which did not, and why? Callisto’s books analyze trends of the past that are relevant for understanding design today and in the future. Website: https://www.callisto-publishers.com/

About Canadian Pacific: The Standard Edition of Canadian Pacific: Creating A Brand, Building A Nation will be released this month, and retail for $80CAD / $70USD. The Premium Edition – a larger and technically more sophisticated version, packaged in a hand-crafted collector’s case with a wood veneer cover symbolizing the natural beauty of Canada, and containing additional images and Pantone colours and finishes not included in the Standard Edition – will be released in April 2016 and retail for $720CAD / $600 USD.

Culture

Augmented Reality Billboards Invading Google Streetview Maps

January 2, 2015 The Silo Leave a comment

It’s an old story- at least in terms of internet “best before” dates. In 2010 sites began reporting on new Streetview Advertising patent applications submitted by Google . The complete details of the patents were not readily made available to the press but essentially it all boiled down to a new way for Google to generate advertising revenue by superimposing digital advertisements and billboards over top of existing “real world” advertising and structures. This was justified by Google by explaining that there is a need to update Streetview images that contained existing advertisements that are no longer current.

Fast forward to today and what we are seeing is this: not only are “real world” ads being updated but new digital ads are being superimposed over Streetview structures that do not contain advertisements in the “real world”. This is interesting. It is a form of AR (augmented reality). It is ethically questionable and here’s why……

See that fence? See those ads? Do they exist in the "real world"? It doesn't matter to Google. — See that fence? See those ads? Do they exist in the “real world”? It doesn’t matter to Google.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely-

As virtual realty becomes claimed for advertising space there will more incentive to place AR ads on spaces that are in the “real world” off limits to billboards and marquee signage. What will prevent Google from selling AR ads that will appear on the side of the Eiffel Tower? Since they own the imagery presented on Streetview existing municipal bylaws are non-applicable.

As head worn AR devices such as Google Glass and Sony SmartGlass begin to enter the consumer kingdom this year- the future of AR advertising is clear.

Travel

Buffalo, New York’s Hyatt Regency offering specialness to visitors from Canada

November 8, 2014 The Silo Leave a comment

The City of Buffalo is experiencing an economic and cultural resurgence. Visitors from around the globe have been enjoying the majestic Niagara Falls, Sabres, Bills and Bisons sporting events, breathtaking Canalside, and terrific shopping. Located just steps from Buffalo’s Metro Rail, Hyatt Regency Buffalo is a quick trip to many popular activities, cultural attractions and dining options.

In recent years, Buffalo has undergone an economic and cultural resurgence. Hyatt Regency Buffalo is proud partner with the Buffalo Loves Canada campaign and welcomes all residents from Canada to enjoy the city’s many attractions and rich architecture. Located just steps from Buffalo’s Metro Rail, Hyatt Regency Buffalo is a quick trip to many popular activities, including visiting the Buffalo Museum of Science and HarborCenter, catching an exciting Sabres, Bills or Bisons game, walking around breathtaking Canalside, or shopping at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara, Walden Galleria, Elmwood Village, or Boulevard Mall.

Wonderfully historic- downtown Buffalo. image courtesy: s84photobucket/user/segaert-library

Additionally, Hyatt Regency Buffalo recently unveiled its luxurious new Penthouse Suite, a stunning high-end space with a panoramic view of the skyline of downtown Buffalo. The space is perfect for leisure or business travelers looking for a sophisticated retreat in the heart of downtown Buffalo—and for hosting exclusive corporate board meetings and executive retreats. Guests of the suite receive complimentary transportation in the hotel’s Mercedes-Benz shuttles, as well as their own personal concierge or meeting concierge.

Hyatt Regency has recently announced two exclusive “Maple Leaf” travel packages offering special rates to visitors from Canada. Buffalo is the perfect weekend destination for Canadians to watch hockey and football games, visit the U.S. side of Niagara Falls, and also offers a vibrant cultural scene as well as plethora of dining options.

The Hyatt Regency's "Huron Suite" with a splendid downtown view. — The Hyatt Regency’s “Huron Suite” with a splendid downtown view.

The “Maple Leaf” package starts at $99 during weekends and $109 during holidays and mid-week. Canadians can also choose from the Maple Leaf PLUS package, which includes luxurious overnight accommodations, complimentary valet parking, a $25 Visa gift card, and 20% discount on rejuvenating treatments in luxurious Spa Alexis (closed on Sundays). Rates for the Maple Leaf PLUS package vary per day. Advance payment and proof of Canadian Residency are required at time of check in. Both packages are non-refundable and subject to availability. Please call 716.856.1234 or visit www.buffalo.hyatt.com for details and to make a reservation. Please mention the Silo when contacting. Blackout dates include Nov. 15, 28 & 29; Dec. 13 & 31; Jan. 24; and Feb. 21, 27 & 28. Additional blackout dates may be added. For the Silo, Katharine Nichols.

If like us, you can't get enough of Rooftop City Viewing- you will love the pool. — If like us, you can’t get enough of Rooftop City Viewing- you will love the pool.

About Hyatt Regency Buffalo

Hyatt Regency Buffalo, 2 Fountain Plaza, is a 1922 landmark building in the heart of downtown. Adjacent to the Buffalo Convention Center and minutes from Niagara Falls, Ralph Wilson Stadium and Buffalo’s many cultural attractions, the hotel offers a contemporary retreat for work and play in the beautiful City of Lights. The property has 396 guestrooms, 17 suites and 23,479 square feet of flexible meeting space. Amenities include the StayFit^TM fitness center, a 24 hour, state-of-the art business center and pet-friendly rooms. On-site dining includes E.B. Greens Steakhouse and Atrium Bar and Bistro. For reservations, call (716) 856-1234 or visit www.buffalo.hyatt.com.

What a great lobby! Downstairs to The Atrium Bar and Bistro.

About Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency brand is an energizing hotel brand that connects travelers to whom and what matters most to them. More than 140 conveniently located Hyatt Regency urban and resort locations in over 30 countries around the world serve as the go-to gathering space for every occasion – from efficient business meetings to memorable family vacations. The brand offers a one-stop experience that puts everything guests need right at their fingertips. Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts offer a full range of services and amenities, including notable culinary experiences; technology-enabled ways to collaborate; the space to work, engage or relax; and expert planners who take care of every detail. For more information, visit hyattregency.com or facebook.com/HyattRegency.

Buffalo downtowners know how to embrace all the Seasons- a scene from the first Winter Festival in 2010. image: juliafinucane/blogspot.ca

Culture

Thirty Five Million Dollar Star Trek Themed Mansion

May 16, 2014 The Silo 1 Comment

‘Star Trek Mansion,’ Featuring Acoustic Innovations’ Most Celebrated Home Theater Design, Now on Market for $35M Featuring Award-Winning Theater Modeled on Bridge of Starship Enterprise, Home is Most Expensive Ever to Hit Boca Raton Market. Photograph: Andy Frame

BOCA RATON, Fla.– May 2014 — The “Star Trek Mansion” in Boca Raton, Florida, is now on the market for a cool $35 million, featuring a much-buzzed-about home theater designed by Acoustic Innovations. Created to model the bridge of the Star Ship Enterprise, the theater is the focal point of the 27,000-square-foot home owned by Marc Bell, managing partner of Marc Bell Capital Partners LLC in Boca Raton. Last year, Acoustic Innovations designed a smaller theater in the home to resemble a military encampment, creating the mood for game enthusiasts to play “Call of Duty” and other Xbox games.

“Acoustic Innovations and Jay Miller did a fantastic job of taking our Star Trek theater vision and turning it into reality. If you can dream it, Jay can build it,” said Bell. “Acoustic Innovations’ attention to detail for every aspect of the project — from the advanced A/V technology to the quality and comfort of the chairs — meant that we were able to create a home theater experience that exceeds anything you’ll find in a commercial movie theater. We’re looking forward to working with Jay and his team on the Star Trek theater and home 2.0, wherever that may
be.”

Classic THX Ultra2 Plus -Digitally Mastered -Avatar Intro (After Credits) –

Winner of a Gold award and Best Architecture award from the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) in 2007, the
1,400-square-foot Star Trek entertainment space includes the theater, a bar, and a “ready room” filled with Bell’s collection of props, models,
and drawings from the Star Trek television series, as well as Star Trek and Star Wars movies. Modeled to recreate the bridge from the Enterprise, circa “Star Trek: Next Generation,” the theater even includes motion-activated air-lock doors that “whoosh” when opening and closing.

When the theater was originally completed in 2007, it featured the most advanced high-definition cinema A/V system available. Since then it has undergone three major technology upgrades to keep it on the leading edge, including 3D projection capabilities. In addition to the functional and aesthetic design and d-cor, Acoustic Innovations designed the acoustics both inside and outside the theater, as well as for the “Call of Duty” video game room.

The “Call of Duty” video game room. Get some!

“It’s incredibly exciting to work with Marc on a project, because he is always open to an interesting idea,” said Jay Miller, president, Acoustic Innovations. “A collaborative effort is extremely important on every job we do, and for this project Marc and I clicked very early on how to execute the Star Trek bridge. Now that the house is up for sale, it’s amazing and gratifying to see how the theater has gone viral in the online press; in fact, I’ve not seen anything like it in my 23 years as a specialty theater designer.”

For more on this incredible home that has grabbed international attention, visit:
The Palm Beach Post: http://bit.ly/1qGRuG5
-Forbes: http://onforb.es/1k6o8M4
-Star Trek: http://bit.ly/1sxUS1q
-CBS12: http://bit.ly/1ovgKNx
-Business Insider: http://read.bi/1mZlXxq
-Engadget: http://engt.co/1nPTARZ
-Douglas Elliman Real Estate: http://bit.ly/1oUTuG2

For two decades Acoustic Innovations has been the source for personal theaters, theater seating, fiberoptic ceilings, acoustical panels, and residential noise control solutions. Over this time we have pioneered many of the materials and design specifications used today. Our staff has completed thousands of personal theaters throughout the world and has developed processes to ensure delivery of the ultimate client satisfaction. At every level of cost we blend the science of acoustics with the art of aesthetics. More information is available at http://www.acousticinnovations.com.

Art

McMaster University Art Show Was Organized By UK Architectural Association

January 9, 2014 The Silo Leave a comment

François Dallegret, L’IntroConversoMAtic, 1963. photo collage and drawing. Dimensions variable. Photo: François Dallegret — François Dallegret, L’IntroConversoMAtic, 1963. photo collage and drawing.
Dimensions variable. Photo: François Dallegret

In 2014 McMaster Museum of Art presented GOD & CO: François Dallegret Beyond the Bubble. An exhibition organized by the Architectural Association, London UK

François Dallegret trained as an architect at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in the late 1950s. He moved to North America; first to New York and then Montreal in 1964. Dallegret has since and continues to slip between disciplines, working as an artist, entrepreneur, theoretical architect (before the term was in general use), industrial and graphic designer, writer and social commentator.

Although his work over the past fifty years has been firmly planted within the possibilities offered by contemporary technologies—his 1964 drawing of a personal, wrap-around electronic communicator l’intro conversomatic has become a commonplace reality in the current world of smart phones & “pads”—Dallegret can be seen been in the context of 19^th century idealism; the engineer as artist, the inventor as philosopher and so on. And while his work carries the sense of wonder of the modern age, manifest in the pure beauty of the object, it is also tempered by the realities of social, economic and cultural issues, and often framed with a quixotic sense of humour and irony.

GOD & CO offers a unique view into Dallegret’s work and activities, a de facto retrospective that engages his active thoughts. Organized by the Architectural Association School of Architecture (UK), it opened in London in late 2011 and has subsequently been presented in Paris and Zurich. This was the first presentation In Canada.

The 2014 exhibition was accompanied by a 384-page illustrated publication with texts by Alessandra Ponte, Laurent Stalder and Thomas Weaver. For the Silo- RoseAnne Prevec.

Supplemental- François Dallegret’s website: http://www.arteria.ca/

Sci-Tech

St. Catharines New Highest Technology Hospital Is Impressive

August 30, 2013 The Silo 3 Comments

The Project: The 980,000 sq. ft. acute care community hospital replaces two aging facilities in the Niagara region and accommodates 375 acute care beds, with associated outpatient and support services.

Niagara Health System New Health Care Complex – St. Catharines Site "2oth Century NOT included" CP — New Health Care Complex – St. Catharines Site “2oth Century NOT included”

It provides a comprehensive range of clinical services including:

• a cancer centre serving 1,200 patients close to home, relieving them from the stress of travelling to Hamilton or Toronto for treatments

• a longer-term mental health service that includes 53 beds

• dialysis services

• cardiac catheterization services, which provides diagnostic investigation, reduces hospitalizations for heart disease and provides faster local care for residents of the Niagara region

The goal of this project was to provide Niagara Health System with a modern, state-of-the-art, one million square foot building capable of providing one million square feet of care.

In addition to design and construction management, PCL’s [ PCL comprises a family of general contracting companies and is the largest such organization in Canada and the fifth largest in the U.S. CP ]scope of work also included the procurement and installation of more than 25,000 pieces of medical equipment, as well as medical gas, head walls, nurse call system, information technology, audio visual, and security technology.

Some of the many interesting features that set this building apart include construction of the first radiation suites in the Niagara region, an enclosed ambulance bay to provide protection to incoming patients, an interior design that strategically locates departments to minimize clinical travel time by staff, and an exterior design that implements materials indigenous to the Niagara region.

Architectural

• Main Street feature wall using a combination of indigenous and complementary stones that tell a story of the geological formation of the Niagara Escarpment.

• Use of structural elements in the form of a tree at the main entry and cafeteria to create the canopy.

• First operating rooms in Canada to use Corian wall finishes.

• Integrated interior finishes and way finding system,using landmarks to help visitors and patients locate themselves in the facility.

• Enhanced use of natural light to infiltrate deeper into the building, with particular attention to patient spaces.

• An acoustical design at the building envelope to mitigate and isolate noise generated by a nearby train corridor.

Structural

• Blending structural elements with architectural finish and spectacle.

• Strategy of a structural grid system to maximize open spaces and floor to ceiling height.

• Foundation system and MRI inertia slab to address vibrations created by train traffic and a nearby machine stamping plant.

• Post Disaster design to address potential seismic event, to allow the facility to operate during and after as a relief centre.

• Use of cast-in-place elements to allow equipment flexibility.

Mechanical/Electrical

• Pandemic containment capability to deal with infectious outbreaks and disasters, allowing the facility to isolate building sections and departments.

• Building automation system, fully integrated with building elements and equipment to monitor and ensure optimal building performance.

• Back-up and dual power systems to ensure fundamental building and medical systems remain available and functioning at all times, including integration with the building automation system, to allow targeted load distribution to non fundamental systems to become available as required.

The Operating Theater. It's understandable if you think that this is a set from Star Trek- — The Operating Theater. It’s understandable if you think that this is a set from Star Trek-

Sustainability

• The project is targeted for LEED® certification. As part of the construction and design strategy, the project team developed several innovations and elements for a significant improvement of the target to LEED® Silver certification – from 26 to 35 points.

• Incorporated an energy efficient lighting strategy using natural lighting as much as possible, as well as the broad use of occupancy sensors and low energy lighting systems.

• Integrated and efficient cooling and heating systems, and an optimized building envelope system that helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• The overall energy strategy resulted in the Energy Model that realizes an energy savings of 46% relative to the Model Energy Code for Buildings, which is expected to produce savings to the client in excess of $1 million annually.

• Use of native and hardy plant species and an integrated storm water management program, including irrigation and water features to eliminate city water use for landscape elements.

A look at the state-of-the-art radiation treatment facility.

Supplemental- Corian mineral composite wall panels– http://www.architonic.com/pmpro/corian-panels-mineral-composite-panels-mineral-composite-materials-finishes/3240623/2/2/1

1000 Canadian projects now LEED Certified/What is LEED– http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id55463

B+H Architects, designers of St. Catherines new hospital- http://www.bharchitects.com/en/projects/129

PCL Construction, builders of St. Catherines new hospital– http://www.pcl.com/Pages/default.aspx

Sci-Tech

World’s First Colour 3D Printer Set To Enter Every Home And Business

June 7, 2013 The Silo 1 Comment

New York City, US – Global Release. Last month, botObjects began taking advanced orders on the world’s first Full Color 3D Desktop Printer – at aggressive prices aimed at enabling most customers from home users, business professionals to educational institutions the opportunity to buy the ProDesk3D.

While some observers pegged the launch price at $3000 or more, the firm decided to launch an early order price at $2,849 for the standard edition – hoping to make it an easier decision for customers as it is highly competitive with its contemporaries, yet significantly more advanced, and in a more mature stunning case. [ To keep things in historical perspective- “The first laser printer success was the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet, released in 1984. The HP LaserJet bacame the de facto standard for the personal computer industry. By 1987, HP and clone laser printers could be purchased for about $2,500 and 2005 prices were under $1,000. ” Xerox Corporation u-s-history.com CP ]

The company also recently announced its next generation website, and along with it, released significant information that future customers wanted, such as 3D full color print samples created on the ProDesk3D. botObjects aims to show how advanced the ProDesk3D is, with color 3D printed samples never seen before in the 3D Desktop Printing category. Also, the firm announced technical information about the ProDesk3D, confirming an advanced specification aimed at delivering the first real 3D desktop printer for the mass market – with features aimed to deliver higher quality with color range, all-round ease of use, and printing speed. The firm also confirmed that the ProDesk3D will print at 25 microns – some 4 times more accurate than its competitors, and at a maximum speed of 175mm per second – delivering industry leading speed for an FDM 3D Desktop Printer.

Martin Warner, CEO & Co-founder said, “We are delighted to be ahead of our plan, and release information that customers want to see, such as our own 3D print samples, so they can see the quality of finish and the gorgeous color range in the samples. We also released the technical specification, the available price and much more. Now customers can order today!”

botObjects [ and The Silo btw CP ] believes that the 3D Desktop Printing revolution, is the next great technology wave, much like the PC revolution, and will no doubt dramatically change the rate of innovation at home and in the workplace, while influencing the approach to education both in school and in industry. Areas such as product design, rapid proto-typing, many forms of engineering, architecture, precision-based manufacturing, home utility replacement, gaming & art and much more will dramatically change as a result of 3D Desktop Printers. As software becomes easier for people to create 3D models, the ProDesk3D aims to make this a reality, announcing its own easy-to-use ProModel Software, coupled with the ProDesk3D to enable customers to create the models of their choice very quickly and efficiently.

Examples of full colour 3d printed BotObjects. To make real consumer and home inroads- practical objects at reasonable prices will need to happen, but these are a pretty cool start. CP

Speaking on the announcement, Mike Duma, CTO & Co-founder said, “We know that people are extremely excited about the ProDesk3D, and we thank everyone for their patience. We have had over 100,000 enquiries, and numerous countries interested in distributing the ProDesk3D. We have announced a great deal of information so that our customers can learn more and evaluate whether to purchase the ProDesk3D. We also added something special – our new limited edition ProDesk3D Blue – we know that customers will love this design just like the ProDesk3D.”

botObjects announced it can now take early orders by telephone today, and expects to take early orders on its website soon. [ now happening at http://botobjects.com/ CP ] The firm confirmed that the first early order batch expect to ship 1st October 2013.

Supplemental- The CAD/CAM lab at UC Berkeley http://ced.berkeley.edu/resources/cadcam-lab/

The History of Computer Printers http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blcomputer_printers.htm

Moedls app turns smartphones into inexpensive 3D scanners http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130225-moedls-app-turns-your-smartphone-into-a-3d-scanner.html

Vintage

Top Heritage Buildings In Kitchener Waterloo Include ‘Lady Gaga’ Hotel

January 18, 2013 The Silo 2 Comments

TORONTO- Five years ago, a Group of provincial Masonry experts selected its top masonry heritage buildings in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge region in conjunction with the North Waterloo Region Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. These buildings that define Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W) and Cambridge are known for their distinctive beauty, history and longevity.

The Walper Hotel- stopping point for Lady Gaga and in the past Eleanor Roosevelt, Louis Armstrong. photo: Nick Stanley

With an enduring presence that shapes the landscapes on which they were built, these heritage buildings were selected by industry experts as the finest examples of masonry design in the tri-cities of southern Ontario. “Heritage buildings made of brick, block or stone are the longest lasting and most architecturally significant designs in any community,“ says Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx. “Landmarks like these move people with their iconic beauty.”

Prazeres went on to say, “Often built with locally quarried stone and clay for brick, many of these buildings not only define their communities through their design but also their material – they are true reflections of the geography on which they stand.”

The yellow-hued brick for example is a hallmark of this region that creates a sense of place like no other part of Ontario. The yellow-coloured brick comes from calcium rich clay mixed with limestone from the Niagara escarpment.

“Although none of our top masonry heritage buildings used the yellow brick, because in the past it was not considered as high quality as red brick, the yellow brick deserves honourable mention for the regional distinctiveness it has created,” Prazeres says. “There is no doubt however that this regional brick has stood the test of time and has helped define Waterloo Region.”

Jack Prazeres, President of MasonryWorx- photo courtesy Ministry of Citizenship

The criteria used to choose the top buildings included: durability, aesthetic appeal, craftsmanship, and the best use of masonry products in their architectural design.

After a panel discussion by masonry professionals working with brick, block and stone, MasonryWorx selected the following five  Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge buildings to honour for their masonry heritage  value:

Galt Collegiate Institute – This Cambridge landmark was founded in 1852, when it was known as the Galt Grammar School, a highly reputable private school for boys. Today, the symmetrical building designed in the Scottish Baronial style houses a public secondary school. The building, which is constructed from fossilized limestone quarried from on-site riverbanks, underwent several additions between 1859 and 1923.

http://gci.wrdsb.ca/

Gore Mutual Insurance Company head office — The 1935 Neoclassical Revival head office of the historic Gore Mutual Insurance Company in Cambridge features impressive exterior fieldstone walls and a beautiful interior finished in at least four types of marble and locally supplied granite. Stunning features of marble and fieldstone also grace the 1955 addition to the building.

http://www.goremutual.ca

Wilfrid Laurier University, Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work– First known as St. Jerome’s College, the two buildings on this property in Kitchener were built in 1907 and 1909. The buildings are handsome and well-preserved examples of Neo-Classical architecture. The features of the 1907 Duke St. building include the monumental central pavilion with pediment, coupled columns, front entrance, window openings and brickwork. Features of the 1909 College St. building include the brickwork and window openings.

http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/news/wilfrid_laurier_faculty_social/

Walper Hotel – A parade of notable guests from Eleanor Roosevelt and Louis Armstrong to Pierre Trudeau and Lady Gaga have dined and slept at this hotel at King and Queen Streets in Kitchener. Established in 1893, the building cost just $75,000 to build. Guests could have a room, three meals a day, a pitcher of water, gas lamp lighting, a spot to hitch their horse and use of one of the hotel’s common area bathrooms for just $4.50 per week. With its delicate brickwork over the arched windows and elegant cornices, it is the city’s best example of hotel architecture.

http://www.walper.com/the_hotel.html

Wissler-Cascaden House The simple Mennonite Georgian style popular with Pennsylvanian settlers inspired the design of his two-storey house in Waterloo. It was built in 1842 by John Wissler, a pioneer from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He helped establish the hamlet of Lexington thanks to his tannery and the many businesses and trades that sprouted up to support it. The current owners have given a great deal of time, effort and care to the extensive restoration of the house which portrays a faithful representation of early Waterloo. For the Silo, Vickie Fagan.

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=10658

The Georgian Style: Constructed in 1842, Waterloo's Wissler-Cascaden House. Compare (search our site) with the Lynnwood Heritage Property housing the Norfolk Arts Centre. CP — The Georgian Style: Constructed in 1842, Waterloo’s Wissler-Cascaden House.

Supplemental- MasonryWorx is the trade association of brick, block and stone masonry industry professionals. Its membership includes product manufacturers, suppliers and skilled professionals from across Ontario, and the organization is committed to providing home buyers, homeowners, architects, engineers, builders and government leaders with accurate, timely information about the use and benefits of brick, block and stone products.

In 2014 McMaster Museum of Art presented GOD & CO: François Dallegret Beyond the Bubble. An exhibition organized by the Architectural Association, London UK

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