The world's largest retail design firm, Callison, just got larger with the acquisition of Dallas-based retail architect RYA Design Consultancy. RYA specializes in U.S. and international department store and specialty retail brands, including Printemps, Palacio de Hierro, and Shinsegae. The new Callison RYA Studio will merge staff and clients into Callison's existing retail practice at its Dallas and New York offices.Shawmut Design and Construction, Boston, has promoted 16-year Shawmut veteran Brian Stys to the newly created position of VP of marketing and business development.Riverside, Calif.-based general contractor J.D. Diffenbaugh has named Jeff Dale president.Clayco, St. Louis, has appointed Scott Higgins director of government construction and design.The Orlando office of VOA Associates has named Daryl LeBlanc, AIA, and Thomas Matzke, CSI, LEED, AP, associate principals.Geoffrey Stryker, PE, has joined STV Inc. as a senior structural engineer and project manager in the firm's Transportation and Infrastructure Division. Stryker will be based out of STV's Harrisburg, Pa., office.Nashville, Tenn.-based Gresham, Smith and Partners has named eight staff members owners: Tim Arendt, Ken Baker, Roddy L. Boggus, Jody Braswell, Lori Lange, David Stewart, Jody Vance, and Mark Warriner.Chicago-based Environmental Systems Design has named David P. Callan, PE, LEED AP, senior VP chief technical director. Callan, a BD+C 40 Under 40 winner, specializes in the design of high-performance and sustainable building projects.
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Museum design integrates Greek history and architecture
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On the heels of its highest mark since 2007, the Architecture Billings Index jumped more than two points in December. The American Institute of Architects reported the December ABI score was 54.2, up from a reading of 52.0 the previous month.
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Architect Jean Nouvel designs an island near Paris
Abandoned by carmaker Renault almost 20 years ago, Seguin Island in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, is being renewed by architect Jean Nouvel. Plans for the 300,000-square-meter project includes a mix of culture, commerce, urban parks, and gardens, which officials hope will attract both Parisians and tourists.
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Michael J. Alter, president of The Alter Group: ‘There’s a significant pent-up demand for projects’
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BIM on Target
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How Building Teams Choose Roofing Systems
A roofing survey emailed to a representative sample of BD+C’s subscriber list revealed such key findings as: Respondents named metal (56%) and EPDM (50%) as the roofing systems they (or their firms) employed most in projects. Also, new construction and retrofits were fairly evenly split among respondents’ roofing-related projects over the last couple of years.
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Total construction to rise 5.1% in 2011
Total U.S. construction spending will increase 5.1% in 2011. The gain from the end of 2010 to the end of 2011 will be 10%. The biggest annual gain in 2011 will be 10% for new residential construction, far above the 2-3% gains in all other construction sectors.
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Mixed-Use on Steroids
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