Landscape and garden design implications of water conservation

Volume 5 - November 27th, 2012

SAVMS: Prefab modular housing in under 3 weeks?

DIY polka dot wall dressings

ContentsSPECIAL FEATURES

3 SAVMS:prefabmodularhousinginunder3weeks?

5 LandscapeandGardenDesignImplicationsofWaterConservation

7 DIYWallDressings:Polkadotdesignsthataddsophistication

ARCHITECTURE

11 WhatYouNeedtoKnowAboutBathroomFloorPansforNewHomes

12 GardensbytheBay//GrantAssociates

15 MediaArchitecture‘Oscars’AwardsAnnounced

17 Energyefficiencydrivecreatingdemandforenergymanagertrainingprogrammes

18 ContemporaryLightingHome//HoughtonResidence,SouthAfricabySAOTA

20 EndesaPavilioninBarcelona,Spain,byIaaC

BUILDING

22 AreGreenBuildersMovingBeyondLEED?

23 EffectiveSolarEnergyStorageSystemDeveloped

24 World’stallestbuildingwillbeconstructedin90days

PROPERTY

25 Landlordsadvisedtorefurbishtheirpropertiesaheadofupswing

25 Constructiongroupincreasinglylookingatforeignopportunities

26 InvestecPropertyFund’sdistributionup7.1%

27 Growthpointsettodropdeposits

DECOR

28 SoothingBedroomPaintIdeas

30 DreamHomesBuiltforBooksandtheNerdsWhoLoveThem

Vol. 5 - November 27th, 2012

Page 3 |

Madrid-based architectural studio CSO Arquitectura teamed up with prefab construction specialists Torsan to create SAVMS, a modular housing system designed to maximize adaptability while minimizing ecological footprint. The flexibility of the system allows customers to choose a house of their own design, while the prefabricated approach allows costs to be kept more or less fixed.

SAVMS: prefab modular housing

in under 3 weeks?

SPECIAL FEATURE

| Page 4

SPECIAL FEATURE

AccordingtoCSO,design,manufacturingandconstructionareeachremarkablyspeedy.Oncethecustomerhaschosentheirpreferredlay-out(selectedfrom10orsostandardunits),andselectedtheirpreferredfinishes,CSOproducesthedetaileddrawingsrequiredformanufacture–aprocessthattakesaboutaweek.

Thesteelframestructureandpanelingismanufacturedandpre-assembledinthefactoryoverthreedays,andfinallythepiecesareputtogetheronsiteinthespaceofanotherweek.Ifthesetimesareaccu-rate,youcouldconceivablybeturningyourkeyinthefrontdoorofaSAVMShomewithinthreeweeksofdecidingyouwantone.

Asfortheeco-designfeatures,ArchDailyreportsthatthesystemisdesignedfornaturalcross-ventilation,canaccommodaterainwaterhar-vestingaswellasbothphotovoltaicandthermalsolarsystems.SAVMSstandsforSistemaAbiertodeViviendasModularesSostenibles,whichroughlytranslatesasOpenSustainableModularHousingSystem.

CSOsaysthatthecostofSAVMShousestartsat€700/m2(aboutR8000/m2),andispresumablydeterminedbychoicesoffinishandotherextras.Exteriorfacadefinishes(whichcanbemixedandmatched)includeporcelain,corrugatedgalvanizedsteel,woodandVI-ROC.However,oncethespecislocked,CSOclaimsthepriceisfixed.

http://www.gizmag.com/cso-arquitectura-savms/25118/

Page 5 |

SPECIAL FEATURE

Landscape and Garden Design Implications of

Water ConservationWater may well end up as the “new Oil”, in terms of resource value. Understanding this will matter as time goes on, especially Out West in the United States, as well as in countless other climates and continents.

Withthethoughtofconservingwaterborneforemostinmind,whatdoesanunrepentantgardenloverdotoadjusttothenewrealities?Howdowechangethewaywedesigngardensandlandscapes?Whatfundamentalchangesarere-quiredinustodevelopgardensinstill-beautifulwayswhenwefacesomanyharddecisionsaboutsocialresponsibilityandinsuchapublicway?Let’sfaceit–asIhavesaidbefore,landscapingisthe“UltimateCosmetic”.Noonedealswithalargerpalette.

Whatdowedowhenwefindoutwehaveanactualbudg-etedamountofwateruse?Asabsurdasthisquestionmaysound,itistheheightofdesignwisdom.Waterauditingforexistinglandscapesandgardenshavebeenandshouldtakeplacepriortotheirinstallationorfurtherdevelopment.Asenseofhowmuchwaterwehaveusedinthepastshouldreflectfavorablyonmakingchangestolessentheminsomeveryspecificways.Themethodsareoutthereandtheresults

forredevelopingexistinglawnsandgardensaswellasforinstallingfutureonescanbeandshouldbemorethanexcit-ing,actually.Thereismuchtolearnbutitdoesnothavetobeanywhereclosetodisastrous.Thefactis,doneright,wecanliterallymakethingsbetterasopposedtomerelysettlingforsomedireend.

Inthefirstplace,theprimaryspongeforwaterintypicallandscapesremainslawns.Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatcuttingdownlawnspaceactuallycangiveacompletelynewandfresherlooktoanexistinghomelandscape.Whilelawnsserveavarietyoffunctions,includingaplaceforchildrentoplay(perhapsitsmostimportantrole,IMO),theydonothavetobeamonolithicpresence.Brokenupappropriately,overtime,alawncanchangeintomanythings,amongthemanadjunctandcontrasttonewcolorandnewfea-tures.Lawnsdonothavetobegiganticatall.Inasmuchastheircoolcharacteristicsmakethemsosimilartowaterinalandscapedesign’seffects,leavingapoolor“lake”ofgreeniswiseandrefreshing.

Cuttingthesizedowntoresembleafeatureintheirownrightcanincludeshapingthemtoreflecttheir“semi-aque-ous”nature.Itcansetalawnapart,actuallyandthereby

| Page 6

SPECIAL FEATURE

takeadvantageofhowgloriouscolorslookasabackdroptoswathsofgreen.

Lawngrasseshavebeendevelopednowwhichsendtheirrootsaninsanedepth,whichrequirefarlesswateringsandarevirtuallygearedtoamoreresponsiblewaterusage.TheystayjustasgreenforlongerduringSummers-infact,moresothanBluegrass–owingtotheirdroughttolerantnatures.

Mybottomlineisthis:sofar,Ihavenotcutoutthenotionofgrasslawns,simplybecauseIhappentolovethem.Ad-mittedly,theyshouldbeusedfar,farlessindesertclimates–amongothers–andthereisabodyofthoughtthathasnoneedwhatsoeverforalawntomakeagardenbeautiful.Infact,let’svisitsomeofthemnow.

Landscapeswhosebe-allandend-allinthepastwasawideexpanseoflawnstuddedwithtreeshavenowbecomefarmorecomplexandinteresting.Inplaceoftheexpensivewater-thirstylawn,wenowhave“features”,likethiswaterfeatureandtheprettypatioandwalkwaypicturedabove.Fullofcolorandshape,thecarnivalatmospherelightensthemoodyetstillprovidesaconsistencyofformandfunction.Theultimateironyofalandscapesuchasthisisthat,after

figuringthewateringcostsforalawnsetionthesameplaceovertime,thisplacewillhavecomparativelypaidforitselfinthreeyears.Afterthatitisjustbeautyandmoney.

Adifferentmindsetingeneralaccompaniesallthisincreas-inglycomplexdesigning,nowthatthemonolithiclawnisoutofconsideration.Suddenly,thingslikemorepatiospaceareentertained.Thenotionofsculptingtheactuallandbycreatinghillsandmoundsstuddedwithrocksandplantsbecomesafascinatingalternative,makingtheentiretyofanylandscapesuddenlymorerivetinganevent.Morepark-like,lessboring,moreinterestingandlivelierbyfar,suddenlyweareactuallyreleasedtoplayaroundalittlebit.Artseepsintotheequationataboutthistimeandalldesigners,Ibet,cantracethemomentofthisdiscovery.Itactuallygetsabitintimidating,thetruthis,becausedesignersbecomefarfreertoexperimentandtoentertainalternativesfortheregularfolks–insteadofjustforthewealthy.Infact,itbecomesanimperative.

http://www.stevesnedeker.com/1874/landscape-and-garden-de-sign-implications-of-water-conservation.html

Page 7 |

SPECIAL FEATURE

DIY Wall Dressings: Polka dot designs that add sophisticationRevamp your interior and give your room five options towards a refreshing outtake on walls as we borrow designs from our very own home.

| Page 8

SPECIAL FEATURE

Skirts,shirts,shoes,neckties!I’mdehydratedfromthisintensecoldwave;myvisionisimpactedandnowI’mseeingspots!Orcanitbethatpolkadotsmadeacomebackandwormedtheirwaynotintotheheartsandwardrobeofchildrenbutadultsaswell?I’msurethisnewsisawesomeandwelcomedtomanyofusasthisfashionablelifesizedfrecklepatterncanbeeasilydressedupordown,madeyoungoroldandalwaysencouragesspontaneityandcarefreeskippingthroughtheparkinglot.

Welltherearesomanymorereasonsforyoutoclickyourheelsuptogetheringleeasweaddressthepolkadotscomingoutoftheclosetandfindingthemselveslovingplastereduponourwalls.Thenursery,livingroom,familyroom,thepolkadotcanbeimplantedintoyourdécorandbringthefollowingaspects:

Dimension

Byhavingdifferentsizeddotsandevenhollowpaintedcirclesyoucanaddaneasyandaccessiblewayofenhancingyourlivingquarterswithshape,sizeandtheillusionofdepthanddimensiononyourwalls.

Recklessness

Foramodernandmoreeclecticvibeapplythedimension,colorandcontrastthepolkadothasthepowertolend.Overlapthem,createpat-ternswithinyourpolkadotsgivethemlibertytobeanysizeorcolortheywantandyourworkandlivingroomjustshavedofftenyearsandistrulya2012baby.

Page 9 |

SPECIAL FEATURE

NowthatyouhaveanappreciationforthenewwallaccessoryyoucangiveashotatityourselfwithsomeDIYwalldress-ing.Cuttingaportionofalaundrybasketthatfeaturescircularventilationholes.Usingthisasyourstenciltapeinplaceonyourwallandpaintovertheplasticbasket.Asyoumovealongyourwallmoveyourstencilsothatatleastonerowofpainteddotsiscenteredintheendofyourstenciltokeepappropriatespacing.Althoughyouhavesomanyoptionsonhowyoucanaddthesecharmingpolkadotstoyourwalltheydon’thavetobesymmetrical,thesamesizeorevenfilled.

http://www.decoist.com/2012-11-21/diy-polka-dot-designs-backgrounds/

Color Coordination

Mostroomshaveonlyfourwallsandoneceiling,andsinceCandyLandisjustagamewetrynottopainteachpaneladifferentcolorfromopposingsidesofthecolorwheel.Butyoucanliveoutyourwildestcolorfantasieswithmultiplecolorsofpolkadots.Thisisyourchancetosubtlymixinanewcolorintroduc-ingtoyourdécorpalettesomeflavorwithnooverbearingconsequences.

Refinement

Thesmallerandmorespacedoutthemorerefinedyourpolkadotwallwillseem.Keepingthesesmallspacedoutpolkadotsinauniformandtamepatternthemorerefinedaswell.ThisapproachisgreatforaVictorianthemeasthebackdroptoyourscrolled,velvettuftedfurniture.

Contrast and Accent

Lightenadarkwallwithsomewhitepolkadotsordarkenawallwithboldhues.Makeitthebackdropononewalloreventheceiling.Thiscanbeafunandmoreaffordablewaytogivingyourroomanaccentcolortoyoursoli-tarytonewithcirclesthatwillpresentcontrastandapointofinterest.

| Page 10

Green Man Lane - design aimed at making life difficult for the street criminals and

drug dealers.

ARCHITECTURE

Designing out crime: how good architecture can save money Built in the 1970s, the Green Man Lane estate in Ealing was plagued with problems, including antisocial behaviour and drugs. Something had to change.

Adamning2007study,commissionedbytheboroughofEalingtolookattheoptionsavailableforitsfuture,con-cludedthecrumblingestate,atightlypackedcommunityof1,000people,wasplaguedbyseriousproblemsthatwereeitherexacerbatedorcausedbythearchitecture.Theauthorsspokeoffragmentedstreetpatternsandalackofclearandsaferoutesthroughtheestate,poorpublicspacesandder-eliction.

Thechallengewastocreateaneighbourhoodfarremovedfromitspredecessor,withoutthefeeloratmosphereofatra-ditionalcityhousingestate.Thenewfive-hectare(12.4acre)GreenManLanedevelopmentwasbuiltanddesigningoutcrimehasplayedanimportantroleinitsdesignprinciples.

Theresultwasdesignaimedatmakinglifedifficultforthestreetcriminalsanddrugdealers.

Muchofwhatwasdoneisgettingbacktothebasicsthatmakeforstrongcommunityliving.ToprotectGreenManLane,itwasnotjusttheenvironment,butalsothepercep-tionofthoselivingtherethathadtochange.That’swheretheprincipleof“securedbydesign”comesintoitsown.Thatprincipleisasimpleoneandhasbeenfoundtoreducecrimeriskbyasmuchas75%.

Designingourcrimedoesn’tjustrelyoncameras;people’seyes,earsandconfidenceintheircommunitycanbejustasimportantasweaponagainstantisocialbehaviour.Thebuildingplansincludedesignedoutmultipleescaperoutes,aerialwalkwaysandopenaccessundercroftswhichcausedsomanyoftheproblemsontheexistingestate,andreplacedthemwithmoretraditionalstreetsandpavements.Thesehavenaturalsurveillancefrompassingtraffic,pedestriansandnearbyhomesandoverlookedstreetswithtraditionalfrontdoorshavebeenreintroducedtothedelightofresi-dents.

Reargardensarenolongeraccessiblefromcarparksorotherpublicspaces,andinsteadbackontoadjacentgardensorthesecurecommunitygardenswithinthenewsquares.On-streetparkingbenefitsfromnaturalsurveillancetodetercarcrime.

Housesandgroundfloormaisonetteshavefrontgardenswithrailingstocreatedefensiblespaceanddeternuisanceattacks.Pathwaysthroughtheseareahavebeendesignedtobeobviousthoroughfares;we’vesignpostedthewaytomakeiteasilynavigableforbothresidentsandvisitors.

ResearcharoundtheUKshowsthatpropertiesbuiltinareasdesignedforsafetysuffers50%fewerburglaries.Justupgradingthedoorsinsocialhousinghasbeenproventoreduceburglarybyasmuchas20%.Car-relatedcrimecanfallbyaround25%andresidentsreportfeelingsaferintheirhomesandcommunity.Simplybuildingcul-de-sacsintocommunitiesinsteadofpermeableroadlayoutsalsoreducestheriskofburglaryby11%,risingto28%wheremajorroadsalsofeature.

Fightingantisocialbehaviourisanexpensiveandlengthyprocessforsociallandlords,whospendanestimated£212mperyearinstafftimeandlegalcosts.Damagetopropertiescausedbyburglariesaddstothistotalthroughrepairsandmaintenance.Designingoutcrimeisadrasticbutproac-tivemovethatwehopewillreducetheamountofmoneyneededtocombatantisocialbehaviourandcrimeintheGreenManLaneestateforthefuture.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/housing-network/2012/nov/23/designing-out-crime-antisocial-behaviour

Page 11 |

ARCHITECTURE

What You Need to Know About Bathroom Floor Pans for New HomesYou and I both know, as well as everybody else, that buying new objects are cool. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your old belongings, especially those with sentimental value, but new possessions, whether they be gadgets, applications you buy from online stores, or even just simple flip-flops just have that special value that make you treat it differently, at least for the time being. Dropping a phone when you just bought it would seem like the end of the world, but doing so a few years later would just illicit a ‘meh’, at the very least.

Newhomesarealsolikethis,andyou’dknowthathav-ingyournewhomeisthebestopportunitytogetthebestcomponentsforit.Anoftentakenforgrantedaspectisthebathroom,specificallytheshowerbasethatmostpeoplejustshrugoffasjustanothertypeoffloor.Inreality,however,thebathroomfloorpanisoneofthemoreproblematiccomponentsofthemoderndayhome.Alittleeffortgoesalongway,andinthiscasepayingattentiontoyourfloorpanwouldsaveyoualotoftroublelateron.

Therearetwobasictypesoffloorpansavailabletohome-owners:prefabricatedfloorpansandcustomfloorpans.Theformerkindcanbeavailedofinhardwareanddepartmentstoresandwouldbereadyforinstallationbyalmostanyonewithbasicknowledgeoftoolsandcommonsense.Thelatterrequiresthedeftskillandexperienceofacontractorbecauseitwouldrequireknowledgeofplumbingandcarpentry,amongotherdisciplines.

Sinceyou’redealingwithanewlyconstructedbathroomfromanewlypurchasedorlikewiseconstructedhome,itwouldbebesttogoforcustomfloorpans.Inthefirstplace,you’dalreadybeincontactwithcontractors,andyoucaneasilyaskthemtoconstructacustomfloorplanforyourbathroom’sshowerarea.Also,unlikewithprefabricatedfloorplans,you’dmerelyjustwaitforyourfloorpantobeinstalled,byprofessionalsnonetheless,andprioritizeothermatterlikeyourbuddingcareerperhapsorevenjustspend-ingtimeforyourfamily.

Yes,savingmoneyisanimportantactnowadayswhatwiththeeconomicturmoilthathasbeenplaguingtheworld.However,thereisahugedifferencebetweenbeingsmartandbeingstingy.Ifyouhavetheresourcestopulloffanimpor-tantandusefulfloorpancustomizationjob,you’dbeafoolnottotakeadvantageofwhatyouhave.Youknowwhattheysay:“Ifyouhaveit,flauntit.”Ifyouhaveanewhomeandyoustillhavetheresourcestoproceedwithyourplans,goforacustomfloorpanforyourbathroom’sshowerspace.

http://www.everythingsimple.com/6647/what-you-need-to-know-about-floor-pans-for-new-homes/

| Page 12

ARCHITECTURE

Gardens by the Bay // Grant AssociatesGardens by the Bay is one of the largest garden projects of its kind in the world. Ultimately, the site will total 101 hectares comprising three distinct gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central. Located on reclaimed land in Singapore’s new downtown at Marina Bay, the site will provide a unique leisure destination for local and international visitors.

Page 13 |

ARCHITECTURE

TheprojectisanintegralpartofSingapore’s“CityinaGarden”vision,designedtoraisetheprofileofthecityglo-ballywhilstshowcasingthebestofhorticultureandgardenartistry.

Followinganinternationaldesigncompetition,ateamledbylandscapearchitecturefirmGrantAssociateswasap-pointedin2006bytheNationalParksBoardofSingaporetomasterplanBaySouthGarden,thefirstandlargestofthethreeplannedgardensatGardensbytheBay.

AlongsideleaddesignersGrantAssociates,theBritishdesignteamforBaySouthincludesWilkinsonEyre(architects);AtelierTen(environmentaldesignconsultants);AtelierOne(structuralengineers);LandDesignStudio(museumandvisitorcenterdesigners)andThomasMatthews(communi-cationdesigners).

Takinginspirationfromtheformoftheorchid,GrantAs-sociates’masterplanisarichfusionofnature,technologyandenvironmentalmanagement.Stunningarchitecturalstructuresarecombinedwithawidevarietyofhorticulturaldisplays,dailylightandsoundshows,lakes,forests,eventspacesandahostofdiningandretailofferings.Thewholeplanhasanintelligentenvironmentalinfrastructure,allow-ingendangeredplants,whichcouldnotnormallygrowinSingaporetoflourish,providingbothleisureandeducationtothenation.

TwogiantbiomesdesignedbyWilkinsonEyreArchitects–theFlowerDome(1.2hectare)andtheCloudForestDome(0.8hectare)–displayplantsandflowersfromtheMediter-ranean-typeclimaticregionsandTropicalMontane(CloudForest)environmentsandprovideanall-weather“edutain-ment”spacewithintheGardens.

Between25and50metresinheight,the18SupertreesdesignedbyGrantAssociatesareiconicverticalgardens,withemphasisplacedoncreatinga“wow”factorthroughtheverticaldisplayoftropicalfloweringclimbers,epiphytesandferns.Atnight,thesecanopiescomealivewithlightingandprojectedmedia.AnaerialwalkwaysuspendedfromtheSupertreesoffersvisitorsauniqueperspectiveonthegar-dens.TheSupertreesareembeddedwithsustainableenergyandwatertechnologiesintegraltothecoolingoftheCooledConservatories.

TwocollectionsTheHeritageGardensandTheWorldofPlantscentreon‘PlantsandPeople’and‘PlantsandPlanet’.Togetherwithmassfloweringandcolouredfoli-agelandscape,theyformaspectacleofcolourandtextureandfragrancewithintheGardens,providingamesmerisingexperienceforvisitors.

http://www.archdaily.com/254471/gardens-by-the-bay-grant-associates/

Gardens by the Bay // Grant Associates

| Page 14

ARCHITECTURE

Architects:GrantAssociatesLocation:SingaporeProjectYear:2012Photographs:CourtesyofGrantAssociatesCooledConservatoriesDesign:WilkinsonEyreArchitects

Gardens by the Bay // Grant Associates

Page 15 |

ARCHITECTURE

Media Architecture ‘Oscars’ Awards AnnouncedThe Media Architecture ‘Oscars’ were recently awarded for the first time at an internationally well attended ceremony in Aarhus, Denmark on November 16. Common features of the six awarded projects, which are very different winning projects, are their ability to integrate media and architecture – and the profound impact on their urban surroundings.

AKoreanshoppingmallfaçadeusingopticalillusions.Asparkling,Austrianartmuseumwithbeautiful‘responsiveskin’.AGermanofficebuildingactinglikeatelephone-con-trolledcomputergame.AFinnishsilowiththousandsoflit-tlelightsthatchangepatternandappearance,whenweatherchanges.Attheceremony,AwardsChairDr.GernotTscher-teuunderscoredthathavingthesenewawardsisnotonlyimportanttothenominatedprojects,buttotheentirefieldofarchitecture:“Whenyouhavetorankprojects,likewehavedoneinthejury,yousuddenlyneedtooutlineasetofqualitystandards.Thisisactuallyaveryimportantprocessforanewfieldlikethis;forthefirsttimewehavereachedsomecommonconclusionsregardingwhatisgoodqualitymediaarchitecture,”hesaid.

Goodqualitymediaarchitecture,Dr.Tscherteuexplains,iswhenthemediasurfacesuccessfullycorrespondswiththebuildingitselftoformaunity;whenmediaandarchitecturemergeintoone.Thiswase.g.thecasewiththewinnerinthecategoryspatialmediaarts,theFinnishprojectSILO468:“TheFinnishwinnerprojectSILO468wasaverypleasantsurprise.Itisanartprojectbuiltwhereanewcityareaisconstructed,andassuchhasaveryimportantroleincitydevelopment.”NotonlytheFinnishwinnersbutalsothepeoplebehindtheimpressivewinningprojectsfromGer-many,theNetherlands,Austria,andKoreahadtraveledthelongwaytoDenmark’ssecondlargestcitytoreceivetheirawards.

Winner Animated Architecture: Kunsthaus Graz – BIX, Graz Austria (shown above)

“TheGrazbuildingasaresponsiveskinofsomesortwasalwaysinourmind–the‘realities’boysmadeitreality–withsparkle.Whatmorecouldyouaskfor?”PeterCook;Architect,London,GB

| Page 16

Winner Business and Money Ar-chitecture: Galleria Centercity, Seoul, South Korea

GalleriaCentercitymarkstheentrancetoanewdevelopmentareainCheonan,SouthKoreaandwillplayamajorroleinthenewurbandevelopment.Thestrategyforthebuildingenclosureconsistsofcreatinganopticalillusion.Whenseenfromadistancethevisualsonthelargecanvasaresharpandrecognizable,whereasfromwithinthedirectvicinitytheseappeardissolvedandcausethebuildingtoglow.

Winner Participatory Architecture: Blinkenlights, Berlin, Germany

Celebratingits20thanniversarytheChaosComputerClubhasmadeaspecialpresenttoitselfandthecityofBerlin.FromSep-tember12th,2001toFebruary23rd,2002,thefamous“HausdesLehrers”(teacher’shouse)officebuildingatBerlinAlexan-derplatzhasbeenenhancedtobecometheworld’sbiggestinteractivecomputerdisplay.

Winner Spatial Media Art: Silo 468 Kruunuvuorenranta, Helsinki, Finland

Theartpiececonvertsadisusedoilsilointoawondrouslightdisplayandacivicspace.Publicwillgainaccesstothevastinteriorofthe35mdiameter16metertallsteelsilowhichwillbedarkredinside.Sunlightwillfillthespacewithdappledshadowscreatingaspectaculardaytimespace.Atnight1280whiteLED´sflickerandswayonthesurfaceofthesilocontrolledbyabespokesoftwaremimickingswarmsofbirdsinflight–areferencetosilo´sseasidelocation.

http://www.archdaily.com/296275/media-archi-tecture-oscars-awards-announced/

ARCHITECTURE

Page 17 |

ARCHITECTURE

A series of Certified Energy Manager (CEM) training programmes has been implemented to keep up with the demand for CEMs to support the energy efficiency programmes where building owners and managers are trying to reduce overall energy consumption.

ACEMisexperiencedinalltheaspectsofenergymanage-ment.TheapprovedtrainingproviderfortheAssociationofEnergyEngineers(AEE),theEnergyTrainingFoundation(EnTF),hasaCEMprogrammethathasresultedin1375CEMsbeingtrainedinSouthAfricaoverthelastdecade.

ACEMisrequiredtoattendanintensivetrainingcourseandawrittenfour-hourexaminationneedstobepassedwith70%.Theprerequisitestoqualifyforthecertificationprocesshavebeendesignedtotakethepossiblediversityofeducationandpracticalexperienceanindividualmayhaveintoaccount.

Candidatesmustmeetthecriteriaofhavingobtainedanengineeringorarchitecturaldegreeorberegisteredasanengineerorarchitect,withatleastthreeyears’experienceinenergyengineeringorenergymanagement.

Alternatively,candidatesmusthaveobtainedabusinessorbusiness-relateddegree,withatleastfiveyears’experienceinenergyengineeringorenergymanagement;oratechnicaldegree,witheightyears’experienceinenergyengineeringorenergymanagement;ortenormoreyearsofverifiedexperi-enceinenergyengineeringorenergymanagement.

Candidateswhopasstheexamination,butdonotqualifyintermsofanyotheraspectsatthetimeofapplication,receivethedesignation‘energymanagerintraining’andaregiventheopportunitytogainworkexperiencesothatthehighlevelofskillrequiredcanbeattainedforCEMcertification.

ACEMclosesthegaptoensuretheoptimaloperationalperformanceofaplant,facility,orbuildingandpropelsengineersandmanagersintheindustryintoacategoryofdistinguishedprofessionalswhereAEEcertificationisrecog-nisedin89countries.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/training-helps-professionals-gain-top-recognition-in-the-energy-efficiency-sec-tor-2012-11-23

Energy efficiency drive creating demand for energy manager training programmes

| Page 18

ARCHITECTURE

Contemporary Lighting Home // Houghton Residence, South Africa by SAOTA

Page 19 |

ARCHITECTURE

The 6th 1448 Houghton Residence was completed in 2012 by SAOTA – Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects.

ThiscontemporarypropertywasbuiltforanextendedJohannesburgfamily.TheU-shapedhousehasbeensplitintotwoseparatesites,builtaroundaninternalcourtyard,bothsharingacommonentrance.Thisbeautifulprojectconsistsof:livingspaces,kitchenandprivategarden,gamesroom,apoolandagym,allconnectedtothecourtyard.Mod-ern,elegant,spacious,luxurious,intimateit’sjustperfectforahappyfamily.Thedecorandfurnitureselectedaremodernandhavestronglinestocomplementthelineararchi-tecture.OKHAInteriorsdesignedanumberofbespokefurniturepieces.Neutralpaletteswithaccentcolorshavebeenusedthrough-out.Stronggraphicrugsadddramaandtexturetotherooms,whichoffsetagainstthesolidarchitecturalsurfaces.

http://www.designrulz.com/architec-ture/2012/11/contemporary-lighting-home-houghton-residence-south-africa-by-saota/

| Page 20

ARCHITECTURE

Endesa Pavilion in Barcelona, Spain,

by IaaC

Page 21 |

ARCHITECTURE

Endesa Pavilion is a self-sufficient solar prototype installed at the Marina Dock, within the framework of the International BCN Smart City Congress. Over a period of one year it will be used as control room for monitoring and testing several projects related to intelligent power management.

Thepavilionisactuallytheprototypeofamulti-scalecon-structionsystem—afaçadecomposedbymodularcompo-nents,likesolarbrick,thatrespondtophotovoltaicgaining,solarprotection,insulation,ventilation,lighting...Thesameparametriclogicadaptsfaçadegeometriestothespecificenvironmentalrequirementsforeachpointofthebuilding.Itisisasinglecomponentthatintegratesalllevelsofintel-ligencethatthebuildingneeds.

From“formfollowsfunction”(classic20thcenturystate-ment)to“formfollowsenergy”:Thefaçadeopensinreac-

tiontothesolarpath—activeandpermeabletothesouth,closedandprotectivetothenorth.Thebehaviorofthisskinmakesvisibletheenvironmentalandclimaticprocessesthatsurroundstheprototype.Higheroverhangsallowmoreenergycollectionandgreaterprotectionagainsttheincidentradiationduringsummer.

Solarhousesshouldbebuiltwithsolarmaterials.Thewood,grownwithsolarpower,isusednowtobuildaself-sufficientphotovoltaicpavilion.Thecurrentdigitalfabricationtech-niques,andthelastadvancesinenergymanagementanddistributedproduction,maketechnologyclosertotheuser,openandparticipatory.TheEndesapavilionisanaccessibledevice,technologicallysoftandeasilyunderstandable.Itsconstruction,materialsandenergy,anditsclimaticbehavioraretransparenttotheinhabitant.

http://archidose.org/wp/2012/11/19/endesa-pavilion/

| Page 22

With the North American green building sector moving into the mainstream, conventional design and construction practices are quickly becoming synonymous with green ideals.

AccordingtotherecentGreenBuildingMarketBarometerreportbyUSconstructioncompanyTurnerConstructionCo.,whilegreenbuildingisontherise,particularlyamongbusinesses,interestintheUSGreenBuildingCouncil’sformalLeadershipinEnergyandEnergyDesign(LEED)isdown.

Thereportsurveyedapproximately700industryprofes-sionalsontheirgreenbuildingviewsandfoundthat,whilemotivationssuchasdoing‘therightthing’andcuttingcostsofferedincentivestofollowgreendesign,developmentandrunningpractices,theywerenotenoughtoincitethemtogarnerLEEDcertification.

Accordingtotherecordedstatistics,thepercentageofexecutiveslookingtogainLEEDcertificationfortheirbusi-nesshasfallenfromthe61percentsayingtheywere‘verylikely’or‘extremelylikely’todosoin2008to48percentmakingthesameclaimsnow.

TurnerConstructionvicepresidentandchiefsustainabilityofficerMichaelDeanesaidtheshiftawayfromLEEDcer-tificationcentresonanewfoundconfidenceinthesector,withbusinessesrelyingontheirownstandardsandcateringtotheirownuniquecriteriafirst.

“We’veseenfromourownworkandthecontinuinggrowth

ofthegreenbuildingmarketthatinspiteofthisreduc-tioninenthusiasmforLEEDcertification,respondentsarestillbuildinggreen,”hesaid.“Whilesomerespondentsarerelyingontheirownstandardsorareconsideringanotherratingsystem,LEEDcertificationremainsthemostwidelyusedthirdpartyverificationofachievementthatisrecog-nizedbyconsumersandthatcanbeusedtomarketandpromoteaproperty.”

Thoughmanyexecutivesunderstandthatgreenbuildingistherightthingtodo,theyaremoremotivatedinpracticebyeconomicratherthanenvironmentalfactors,asexempli-fiedbyafocusonenergyreductionmeasuresratherthanwaterconservation.

“Energyefficiencyfiguresprominentlyinthedecision-mak-ingprocessofgreenbuildingprimarilybecauseofitslargeeconomicimpact,”Deanesaid.“WaterefficiencyinGreenconstructionwasseenaslessimportant.Thisisinspiteofagrowingawarenessthatwaterisafiniteresource,bothinitsoperationaluseanditsroleintheproductionofgoodsandmaterials.Whilethedirecteconomicimpactofwateref-ficiencyislessthanthesavingsonenergy,itsenvironmentalimpactisquitesignificant.”

Itstandstoreasonalso,thatthecostsassociatedwithLEEDcertificationtodetractfromtheUSgreenbuildingauthor-ityrating.Sowhilegreenbuildingcontinuestoboom,theswayoftheLEEDtitlefailstoimpressasitoncedid,withbusinessesmovingbeyondrecognitionasamotivator,totrulyfindingvalueinthesegreenbuildingpractices.

http://designbuildsource.ca/2012/11/green-builders-moving-leed

BUILDING

Are Green Builders Moving Beyond LEED?

Page 23 |

BUILDING

Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a solar energy storage system that stores the thermal energy (heat) absorbed by solar panels at a lower cost than conventional energy storage methods.

Themostcommonconventionalmethodsforsuchasysteminvolvesstoringtheheatabsorbedbysolarthermalpowerplantsintanksofmoltensaltorinbedsofpackedrockoroils.Thisis,ingeneral,thermalenergystorage.

Bedsofpackedrockarecurrentlythecheapestandmostefficienttypeofthermalenergystorage,andtheydowork,but,asisthecasewitheverything,thereisroomforim-provement.

Bedsofpackedrockexpandandcontractastheirtempera-turerisesandfalls,respectively.Thiswascalled“thermalratcheting,”whichstressesthewallsofstoragetanksbecausetherocksexpandbeyondtheirnormalsize(thesizetheywerewhentheywerefittedintothetank)—similartohowiceexpandsandcanbreakglassinyourfreezerorpipesinwinter.

“Themostefficient,conventionalmethodofstoringenergyfromsolarcollectorssatisfiestheU.S.DepartmentofEner-gy’sgoalforsystemefficiency,”saidPanneerSelvam,profes-sorofcivilengineering.“Butthereareproblemsassociatedwiththismethod.Fillermaterialusedintheconventionalmethodstressesanddegradesthewallsofstoragetanks.

Thiscreatesinefficienciesthataren’tcalculatedand,moreimportantly,couldleadtocatastrophicruptureofatank.”

ThenewmethodfromtheUniversityofArkansasresearch-ersisastructuredthermoclinesysteminwhichthereareparallelplatesofconcretewithsteelpipesrunningthroughthem.Thesteelpipestransferheatabsorbedbysolarpanelsintotheconcrete,whichstoresituntilitisneededtoboilwaterandproducesteam(whichisusuallythecase),orsup-plyheattootherheat-poweredgeneratorssuchasStirlingenginesorthermoelectricmodules.

Thisthermoclineconceptsurvivedtemperaturesupto600degreesCelsiusandabsorbedheatatanefficiencyof93.9%.Ithasanimpressivelylowcostof$0.78perkWh,farlessthantheU.SDepartmentofEnergy’sgoalof$15perkWh.InSouthAfricathistranslatestoaroundR7perkWh.

Togiveyouabetterideaofhowthiscomparestobatteries:Lead-acidbatteriescostupwardsofR220perkWh,

So,thisshouldleadtofurthergrowthofthesolarindustry,whichthoroughlybenefitsfromreducedenergystoragecosts.Solarmarketpenetrationcanbeveryhighwhenusingenergystorage.

http://www.simplygreen.co.za/international-news/science-and-technology/effective-solar-energy-storage-system-developed.html

Effective Solar Energy Storage System Developed

| Page 24

BUILDING

World’s tallest building will be constructed in 90 days Construction is set to begin next month on the world’s tallest building in Changsha, China, which will be completed in just 90 days.

ConstructionfirmBroadSustainableBuilding(BSB),asub-sidiaryofChina’sBroadGroup,hascorrectedearlierreportsthatits220-storeySkyCitytowerwouldtakesevenmonthstocomplete,theskyscraperwillbefinishedattheendofMarchnextyear.

FollowingfoundationworkthatwillcontinueuntiltheendofDecember,thecompanysaiditsscheduletoconstructthe838-metretower“willgoonasplannedwiththecompletionoffivestoreysaday.”“Wehavenotissuedanypressstatementonthisanditwillgoonasplanned…wehavenotsaidanythingabout210days,”saidBroadGroupseniorVPJulietJiang,add-ingthattheprojectisstillawaitingapprovalfromthegovern-ment.

AspreviouslyreportedonDezeen,BSBplanstobuildthetowerusingpre-fabricatedcomponentsthatslottogetherlikeaMeccanotoy.Oncompletion,theskyscraperwouldbetallerthanDubai’sBurjKhalifaandincludeschools,ahospital,17helipadsandapartmentsforover30,000people.Thecompanyhasalreadysuccessfullydemonstrateditsapproachonasmallerscalebyconstructinga30-storeytowerin15days.

Broad’sCEOZhangYeclaimshispre-fabricatedtowersaredesignedwithadifferentload-bearingstructuretoconven-tionaltowerssothattheyuselessconcreteandsteelandcanbeproducedinfactoriesratherthanon-site.

However,someconstructionexpertsbelievethetowerissimplytootalltobebuiltwithready-madeparts.BartLeclercq,headofstructuresintheMiddleEastatWSP,theengineeringfirmbehindTheShardinLondon,warnedthatdocumentsforSkyCityonBSB’swebsitemakenomentionofwindload.“Thereareforcesworkingonabuildingthattall,includingthewind.Itisnotaminorthingatthatheight,”.“Byjustusingthesesimpleunitsallputtogether,youarenotgoingtogetenoughstiffness;thisbuildingwillhaveanenormousstoreydrift,anditwillsway.”

http://www.dezeen.com/2012/11/22/worlds-tallest-tower-will-be-built-in-90-days-says-chinese-construction-firm/

Page 25 |

Landlords advised to refurbish their properties ahead of upswingLandlords should refurbish their properties in periods of slower economic growth to take advantage of the inevitable uptick in rentals in the medium term.

Withascarcityofworkhavingmadecontractorscompeti-tiveonprice,propertyownersarewelladvisedtotakeadvantageoftheenvironmentbyupgradingtheirpropertieswherepossible.

SpirePropertyManagementMDMarcEdwardssaysitisinevitablethatitwillbecomealandlords’marketagain,anduntilsuchtimelandlordsmustbeproactiveandhaveareasoftheirbuildingsrefurbishedtomakepropertiesmoreat-tractivetofuturetenants.

MrEdwardssayslandlordsmustassessbuildingsinternallyandexternallyand,crucially,theymustrelookthetargetmarkettheyaretryingtoappealtoandensuretheirbuild-ingsarecompetitivewithinthemarketandwithinthegeographicnodethatthebuildingsexist.

“Withrisingelectricitytariffs,oneofthemostsignificantrefurbishmentsthatalandlordscanundertakearethosethatreduceelectricityconsumptionandthereforeareduc-tioninthecostofoccupancy,”hesays.

MrEdwardssaystheobviousplacetostartisenergyman-agement,wheresimplechangessuchasconvertingtoLEDlightingorusingotherenergy-efficientlightbulbscanhaveaneffectonoperatingcosts.

“TherearenumerousconsultingfirmswhocanassistlandlordsinplanningastrategicutilitycostreductionandEskomitselfisverywillingtoengagewithlandlordstoedu-catethemonhowtoreducetheirexpensesandtheirimpactonthemainpowergrid.

“However,the‘greenness’ofyourpropertyisreliantonthebuy-inoftenantsandlandlordswouldbewelladvisedtoimplementgreenleaseswiththeirtenants,”MrEdwardssays.

Itprovidesaplatformforsharingthebenefitsofthe

enhancedperformanceofthebuildingandbalancingtherespectivecostsbetweeneachparty.

Agreenleaseensuresthatabuildingisoperatedinasus-tainableway.“Therearemanythingsthatcanbedonetomakeabuildingmoreappealingandcompetitivewithinthemarket,“MrEdwardssays.

“Itmeansthatwhenthemarketdoesturn,landlordswillbeintheperfectpositiontonotonlyattractandsecuretenantsbuttoalsodemandhigherrentals.”

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/494/85884.html

Construction group increasingly looking at foreign opportunitiesSouth African construction company Stefanutti Stocks is seeking to grow its activities outside the country owing to inadequate growth opportunities in the local market.

“Therearenotmanylargeprojectsonthe[SouthAfrican]market.“Thoseprojectsjustaren’taroundanymore,”as-sertscompanyCEOWillieMeyburgh.“Thatiswhywearelookingatopportunitiesoutsideourcountry.Wehavenooption.”InthesixmonthsendingAugust31thisyear,workoutsideSouthAfricaaccountedfor23%ofthegroup’sturnoverandfor26%ofitsoperatingprofit.

StefanuttiStockscurrentlycomprisesfourmainbusinessunits–structures;roads,pipelinesandminingservices(RPM);mechanical,electricalandpower(MEP)and

PROPERTY

| Page 26

PROPERTY

building.(ThereisalsoasmallMiddleEastunit.)While,atoneextreme,theMEPunitgainednoneofitsturnoverfromoutsideSouthAfrica,attheotherextreme,theRPMunitgained36%ofitsturnoverfromabroad.Almostalltheworkdoneoutsidethiscountryisfortheprivatesector.

Withinthecountry,31%ofthegroup’sturnovercomesfromthepublicsector,withmostofthiscomingfromState-ownedcompanies.“Public-sector(nationalgovernment)workcurrentlyisn’tavailable,”hereports.“Wedon’tdoworkformunicipalities–theydon’tpay.“Provincespay,butalwayslate.State-ownedenterprisesarewellmanagedandpay[promptly].”

Thecompanyislookingforwardtonationalelectricityutil-ityEskom’sroll-outoftransmissionanddistributionlines,whichshouldstartinMarchnextyear.“That’squiteabigmarket,”affirmsMeyburgh.“Webelievewe’rewellposi-tionedtobenefitfromthiswork.”

ThegroupsetupanoilandgasdivisioninJuneandthishasalreadywonitsfirstcontract–fromSasol.Thenewdivisionwillbeclosetobreak-evenattheendofitsfirstyear.TheplanisthattheoilandgasdivisionwillenablethegrouptogainworkintheexpandinghydrocarbonssectorinMo-zambique.“We’reputtingalotofhopeontheproposedgasexpansioninMozambique,”hesays.“Thisislong-term.”

“Thedisappointmentforuswasthebuildingdivision,”heexplains,“predominantlyinMozambique,wheretherewereprojectstakenonwithverycompetitivemargins,wheretherewerecostoverruns.”Itispossiblethatsomeofthesecostsmightberecovered.Inaddition,andalsoinMozam-bique,adebtofalittlemorethanR10-millionhadtobewrittenoff.However,thegroupbelievesthatthebuildingdivisionwillreturntoprofitduringthenextsixmonths.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/construction-group-increasingly-looking-at-foreign-opportunities-2012-11-23

Investec Property Fund’s distribution up 7.1%Investec Property Fund (IPF) on Thursday reported a 7.1% hike in its distribution per linked united for the six months ended September to 46.83 cents from the previous corresponding period’s 43.73 cents.

“Thishasbeenachieved‚despiteatougheconomicandoperatingenvironment‚throughstrongfocusontenantretention‚renewalsofleaseexpiries‚marketingofvacantspaceandtheadditionofyield-enhancingpropertiestotheportfolio‚“thecompanysaid.

Headlineearningspersharefortheperiodwas0.03cents-unchangedfromthepreviousperiod.

“Thefinancialresultsincludetheimpactofacashdragresultingfromdelaysinthetimingofpropertytransfers‚causedprimarilybydelaysinobtainingmunicipalclear-ancesandotherstatutoryrequirements‚whichareoutofthecontrolofthefund‚“itsaid.

RevenuegrewtoR142mfromtheR106mreportedinthepreviousperiod‚withan11.8%increaseinitspropertyportfolio.

AttheendofSeptemberitreporteda3.3%vacancylevelatits34propertiesaroundthecountry‚aslightincreasefromthe2.7%recordedattheendofMarch.

“ThedeclinerelatesmainlytooneofficetenantvacatingtheBusinessConnexionbuilding‚“itsaid.

IPFbelievesitsfinancialperformanceintheremainderofthefinancialyearwillbeinlinewithitsperformanceinthefirsthalfandthatitsacquisitionsduringthefirstpartoftheyearwouldstarttoreapbenefits.

http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/515/85502.html

Page 27 |

PROPERTY

Growthpoint Properties is set to release about R350 million in lease deposits it currently holds over the next five years in what it claims is a groundbreaking move in the global commercial property market.

Thisfollowsthelistedpropertycompanyintroducinganewdeposit-freelease,whichmeansbusinesseswouldnolongerfacetheburdenoflargesecuritydepositswhenrenewingorsigningnewcommercialpropertyleases.

NorbertSasse,Growthpoint’schiefexecutive,saidthatthenew“undeposit”wasdevelopedoverathree-yearperiodandcreateda“win-win”forGrowthpoint’sclientsanditsinvestors.

SassesaidGrowthpointwasthefirstpubliclytradedprop-ertycompanyinSouthAfrica,possiblytheworld,toofferthisdeposit-freelease,whichwasbasedontheexcellentcreditworthinessofitsclients.

Headdedthatthetraditionaldepositforcommercialprop-ertyworldwideequalledthreemonthsrentalforpremisesandassociatedspace,suchasparking.

Buthesaidthefirmwasofferingtenantstheoptiontowaivethissecuritydepositinfavourofanon-refundablefeeofbetween10percentand25percentofthedepositamountcharged,basedontheriskprofileofeachbusiness.

Growthpointwouldpoolthefeestocreateapropertyrein-statementfundandassumethetotalriskforthissecurity.

Asleaseswererenewedandnewleasessigned,Growth-point’spropertyreinstatementfundwouldgrow,offsettinganyrisksintroduced,hesaid.

HesaidmostofGrowthpoint’sleaseswereforfiveyears,whichmeantthefundwouldbewellestablishedby2018.Hesaiditwouldmakemovingintonewpremisesattrac-tivelycheaperforfirmsleasingwithGrowthpointforthefirsttimewhileitmeantacashflowinjectionforbusinessesoccupyingGrowthpoint’sbuildingsforqualifyingclientsatleaserenewal.

http://www.iol.co.za/business/business-news/growthpoint-set-to-drop-deposits-1.1426604#.UK9RGePZ-dg

Growthpoint set to drop deposits

| Page 28

Soothing Bedroom Paint Ideas

DECOR

Nowadays everything seems to be changing rather quickly, but it is quite reassuring that house interior décor trends move perhaps slightly more leisurely. Choosing the most appropriate paint colours for your home interior isn’t an easy task and certainly something that after all it’s a matter of personal taste. A new colour scheme with some accessories can really transform your bedroom into a personal heaven, giving it a totally different look.

Colourhasthepowertoevokemood–thesecrettomakingagorgeousroomistomakereliablecolourchoiceswiththelatestbedroompaintideasthatcomplementperfectlyeachother.Luckily,thesedayswhenitcomestopaintingideasforbedrooms,prettymuchanythinggoesincaseyoudon’twanttogoforacertainscheme.

Ifyouwanttoachieveaspecificstyle,thenyouneedtothinkcarefullyaboutyourcolourselectionandindeedthebrandofpaint.Here,wesharewithyoutwoawesomecolourschemestogetinspiredfromandmakeordinarybedroomsmoreexciting.Beconfidentandpickthefollow-ingmodernbedroomcolourstocreateaninvitingretreat.

Youdon’thavetolivebytheseatoobtainacoastallookforyourbedroomthatwhispers“summer”allyearround.Ifyouwantabedroomthatiscolourful,butinthesametimeremainingcalmandsoothing,thanacoastalschemewouldbeaperfectchoicetoachievesucharelaxingretreat.Fresh,

contemporaryandgroundwithnaturalmaterialsacoastallookhassomethingthatappealstoallofus.Therightcombinationsoftranquilseashore-inspiredcolours,organictextures,mixoffurniturestylesandplayfulaccentswilladdinterestaswellasacasualfeeltotheroom.

Marineblue-greentones,cheerfulsunnyyellow,sandytones,coral,crispwhiteandwarmgreyscomposethecol-ourschemeforthislightandbreezystyle.Purewhiteisthehallmarkcolourofcoastalinteriorsbecauseitspreadsandamplifieslight,whichisanothernotablestylesecret,butmostoverlooked.Abundantlightisnecessarytogetthatairyspace.Forinstance,thisrefreshingsoftcolourpaletteofsandandtheseaisperfectforsmallbedroomsbecausetheyvisuallyenlargethem.Moreover,thefeelingofalargerspaceifyouhavealowceilingcanbecreatedbypaintingitwithasoftblue.

Toachieveatropicallookforyourbedroominteriormeansgoingbacktonature–suchasthejungleorislands.IfyoulovetheinvitingfeelofescapingrealityforawarmandrestfulvisittotheBahamasortheCaribbean,atropical-stylebedroomisforyou.Itfeelslikeapermanentvacation,andit’sallabouteaseandcomfort,andjustlikethecoastal

“...the secret to making a gorgeous room is to make reliable colour choices with the latest bedroom paint ideas that complement perfectly each other.”

Page 29 |

DECOR

style,itcreatesarelaxingandsereneambiance,similartowhatyoumightfindatyourfavouriteislandresort.

Theemphasisonnaturaltextures,darkandexoticwoods,basket-inspiredaccessories,gauzyfabrics,tropicalplants,boldpatternswithlotsofcontrast,punchyfloralsandlotsoffreshgreenhuesexudewarmandgraciousness.Forwalls,thecolourpalettecanstartfromshadesofcream,beige,warmneutralstobrightsoothingblueandamazongreen

tones,flamingo,pineappleyellowthatpaytributetothehome’sstunningsurroundings.Paintthreewallswithjustoneofthecoloursandmakethefourthwallanaccentwallwithabrighthue.Thisissuretomakeastatementandyourroomwillrivalanyluxurytropicalretreat.

http://designlike.com/2012/11/14/soothing-bedroom-paint-ideas-2/

| Page 30

We feature photos of the bibliofiend’s fantasy palace, along with other amazing houses that take bookcases to the extreme. The designers of these abodes honored the owners’ love of literature by making each home’s central concept and prominent architectural component a huge, built-in library. Several of these bookcases take over the entire house. Are you swooning yet?

http://www.flavorwire.com/346427/dream-houses-built-for-books-and-the-nerds-who-love-them?all=1

Dream Homes Built for Books and the Nerds Who Love Them

DECOR

Above: Most apartment dwellers dream ofhaving built-in bookcases to save space. Thiscontemporarypad inBrazildesignedbyTrip-tyqueStudiofeaturesanincredible,large-scale,wraparoundbookcaseas theapartment’s focalpoint. It can be accessed from all sides, withshelvingtoptobottom,andtheinteriorhidesotherrooms.

TravisPriceArchitects created this “hovering”bookcase,builtintoadomeoverawritingstu-dio.Thehomeownerwanted a space that en-compassedhisinterests(he’sananthropologist,ethnobotanist,author,andphotographer)andwould provide an atmospheric experience forguests.Thebooks are accessedby ladder.Thearchitectsdubbedthistheirversionoftheora-cle’stempleatDelphi,butthehomeownercallsithis“Navajokivaofknowledge.”

Page 31 |

DECOR

This“verticalloft”waspartofahistori-cal restoration project in Rotterdam,designed by Dutch architectural firm,Shift. A three-story bookcase replacedoneofthemainstructuralwallsinthehome,stretchingtoeveryfloor.Thead-jacent staircase provides easy access tothe large collection. It’s a good thingwedon’t livehere,sincewe’dprobablyneverleavethehouse.

Part of this Australian home was de-signed around its pitched bookcase,whichfollowstheroofline.

| Page 32

DECOR

The home pictured on the left was designed by DutchfirmEventArchitectuur.Thecompanytakesanartisticap-proachtotheircreativebookcasesbyinventingelaboratespacesthatcoverinteriorwallsfromroomtoroom.Vari-ousshapesandsizesareintermingledforuniquearchitec-turalinterest.

Above: The creators of this enormous, book-lined stair-case from Levitate Architects had this to say about thestunningloft-libraryapartmentdesign:“Ourproposalex-tendedtheflatintotheunusedloftspaceabove,creatinganewbedroomlevelandincreasingthefloorareaoftheflatbyapproximatelyonethird.Wecreateda‘secret’staircase,hiddenfromthemainreceptionroom,toaccessanewloftbedroomlitbyrooflights.Limitedbyspace,wemeldedtheideaofastaircasewithourclient’sdesireforalibrarytoforma‘librarystaircase’inwhichEnglishoakstairtreadsandshelvesarebothcompletelylinedwithbooks.Withaskylightabovelightingthestaircase,itbecomestheperfectplacetostopandbrowseatome.Thestairstructurewasdesignedasanupsidedown‘sedanchair’structure(withRodriguesAssociates,StructuralEngineers,London)thatcarriesthewholeweightofthestairandbooksbacktothemainstructuralwallsofthebuilding.Itdanglesfromtheupperfloortherebyavoidinganycomplicatedneighbourissueswiththefloorsbelow.”

Page 33 |