Mid-year special: Top 13 stories for 2013 (so far)

Every six months, we like to take a look back at the stories that generated the most interest from our readers. For the first half of 2013, hot topics on BDCnetwork.com included high-rise projects in the works around the world, senior housing trends, 40 Under 40 winners, a BIM-related lawsuit, and the top trends in kitchen and bath design.

Here's a roundup of the top 13 articles on BDCnetwork.com for the first six months of 2013:

1. 7 hip high-rise developments on the drawing board

We feature a collection of recently profiled high-rise projects in the works around the world. They include Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill's whimsical Dancing Dragons tower in Seoul and a 1,312-foot-tall finance and trade center under construction in Nanning, China. READ THE ARTICLE

2. 8 trends shaping today’s senior housing

The ranks of those age 65 and older are swelling by the thousands every day. Is there an opportunity for your firm in the seniors housing market? READ THE ARTICLE

3. Meet BD+C's 40 Under 40 class of 2013

We’re pleased to present our Class of 2013 “40 Under 40” honorees. Along with the 280 previous recipients of this honor, dating from 2006, they represent the next generation of leadership in the AEC industry. READ THE ARTICLE

4. Top 10 kitchen and bath design trends for 2013

Gray color schemes and transitional styles are among the top trends identified by more than 300 kitchen and bath design experts. READ THE ARTICLE

5. Lawsuit teaches valuable lesson on BIM and communication

BDCnetwork blogger Sasha Reed offers a cautionary tale about one of the first BIM-related lawsuits. The parties involved in this university building project kept their identities private, but it’s been reported that they settled out of court for millions of dollars. READ THE ARTICLE

6. Extreme LEGO: Wondrous micro city built out of 200,000 blocks

Master LEGO builder Mike Doyle unveils his latest creation, an out-of-this-world micro city that celebrates peaceful alien contact. READ THE ARTICLE

7. Will Google Glass revolutionize the construction process?

An Australian architect is exploring the benefits of augmented reality in the design and construction process. READ THE ARTICLE

8. A LEGO lover's dream: Guide to building the world's iconic structures with LEGO

A new book from LEGO master builder Warren Elsmore offers instructions for creating scale models of buildings and landmarks with LEGO. READ THE ARTICLE

9. 8 eye-popping wood building projects

WoodWorks announces the winners of the 2013 National Wood Design Awards. READ THE ARTICLE

10. Supertall 'Sky City' will house 4,400 families in Changsha, China

Up to 30,000 people could be accommodated in planned 'world's tallest building,' at 2,749 feet. READ THE ARTICLE

11. Calatrava projects encounter issues with water, structure

Alleged maintenance, safety problems with several iconic Santiago Calatrava projects give rise to financial claims. READ THE ARTICLE

12. 13 structural steel buildings that dazzle

The American Institute of Steel Construction names its 2013 IDEAS2 winners. READ THE ARTICLE

13. Walgreens to build first net-zero energy retail store

Evanston, Ill., location will utilize solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal. READ THE ARTICLE

A new K-12 STEM Center in a Houston suburb is the venue for robotics learning and competitions along with education about other STEM subjects. An unused storage building was transformed into a lively space for students to immerse themselves in STEM subjects. Located in Texas City, the ISD Marathon STEM and Robotics Center is the first of its kind in the district.

Rendering of The Phoenix affordable housing development

Affordable Housing | Aug 7, 2024

The future of affordable housing may be modular, AI-driven, and made of mushrooms

Demolished in 1989, The Phoenix Ironworks Steel Factory left a five-acre hole in West Oakland, Calif. After sitting vacant for nearly three decades, the site will soon become utilized again in the form of 316 affordable housing units.

Architects | Aug 5, 2024

Mastering the art of project schedule: Expert insights on design and construction

We sat down with two experts in the design field, Ron Dick (Founding Partner and Architect) and Mike Niezer (COO and Architect), to talk about everything you need to know about the entire process.

UC Riverside’s Student Health and Counseling Center provides an environment on par with major medical centers Photo courtesy HGA

University Buildings | Aug 1, 2024

UC Riverside’s student health center provides an environment on par with major medical centers

The University of California, Riverside's new Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC) provides a holistic approach to wellness for students throughout the UC Riverside campus. Designed by HGA and delivered through a design-build partnership with Turner Construction Company, SHCC provides healthcare offerings in an environment on par with major medical centers.

Libraries | Aug 1, 2024

How current and future trends are shaping the libraries of tomorrow

Over the last few years, public libraries have transitioned from being buildings that only store and lend books to being fully featured community centers.

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

MFPRO+ News | Aug 1, 2024

Canada tries massive incentive program to spur new multifamily housing construction

Canada has taken the unprecedented step of offering billions in infrastructure funds to communities in return for eliminating single-family housing zoning.

Multiple energy sources will power Charlotte’s new Fire Station #30, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells.

Government Buildings | Aug 1, 2024

One of the country’s first all-electric fire stations will use no outside energy sources

Charlotte, N.C.’s new Fire Station #30 will be one of the country’s first all-electric fire stations, using no outside energy sources other than diesel fuel for one or two of the fire trucks. Multiple energy sources will power the station, including solar roof panels and geothermal wells. The two-story building features three truck bays, two fire poles, dispatch area, contamination room, and gear storage.

Contractors | Aug 1, 2024

Nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in June

National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.2% in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.21 trillion. Nonresidential construction has expanded 5.3% from a year ago.

University of Michigan’s Central Campus residence hall, as seen looking west from Hill Street. Rendering © RAMSA

Student Housing | Jul 31, 2024

The University of Michigan addresses a decades-long student housing shortage with a new housing-dining facility

The University of Michigan has faced a decades-long shortage of on-campus student housing. In a couple of years, the situation should significantly improve with the addition of a new residential community on Central Campus in Ann Arbor, Mich. The University of Michigan has engaged American Campus Communities in a public-private partnership to lead the development of the environmentally sustainable living-learning student community.

MFPRO+ New Projects | Jul 31, 2024

Shipping containers converted into attractive, affordable multifamily housing in L.A.

In the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, a new affordable multifamily housing project using shipping containers resulted in 24 micro-units for formerly unhoused residents. The containers were acquired from a nearby port and converted into housing units at a factory.

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