1. Meet the new cubicle: Elegance meets privacy
Bobrick Washroom Equipment
Designed for high-end commercial restroom applications, including hotels and corporate offices, the Privada collection from Bobrick Washroom Equipment combines the elegance and privacy of traditional European restroom cubicles with the modern design stylings and functionality for today’s market. The partitions range from six to eight feet in height and sit on cylindrical pedestals, which offer a toe clearance of either four or nine inches (with slight adjustment for floor variance). Interlocking panels eliminate sightlines and form flush surfaces, while occupancy indicators enhance privacy. Self-closing doors provide a smooth, gradual closing speed (four seconds on standard doors and up to 10 seconds on ADA compartments). The panels are available in more than 35 standard colors and wood grains, in high-pressure laminate or wood veneer. Hardware: anodized aluminum or stainless steel. All fasteners on the panel surfaces and connection points are fully concealed.
2. Structural silicone adhesive is made for next-gen point-supported glass façades
DOWSIL
To meet the growing demand for point-fixed glass façades, DOWSIL (formerly Dow Corning) offers its next-generation bonding solution: Transparent Structural Silicone Adhesive (TSSA). The adhesive eliminates the potential for gas leakage and thermal bridging and is up to 10 times stronger than conventional structural glazing silicones, according to the company. No glass drilling or gaskets are required with this 1mm-thick structural silicone crystal-clear film. A safety indicator within the silicone film turns the adhesive white when the stress level exceeds the maximum design value and returns back to crystal clear when stress is removed.
3. Convert interior glass partitions intO DIGITAL DISPLAYS
Avery Dennison
Made for the retrofit market, Avery Dennison’s Vela places a thin translucent film over indoor glass panes, creating a fully “switchable” system for privacy, whiteboard applications, even interactive digital displays. The Vela Dynamic Display System can turn the Vela glass partition into a high-definition TV screen, offering no-glare rear projection with multi-channel control. The technology is based on the use of polymer dispersed liquid crystals controlled by an electrical current.
4. Stain-blocking primer is tailor-made for property rehabs
Sherwin-Williams
Extreme Block Primer/Sealer from Sherwin-Williams is a versatile indoor-outdoor oil-based primer that reduces the need for repaints by sealing off stubborn stains such as smoke, fire, and nicotine. Designed for building owners and facility managers that need to quickly restore spaces for use, such as apartment buildings. Can be top-coated with acrylic or alkyd products in as little as two hours. Adheres well to wood, drywall, masonry, and prepared metal.
5. Porcelain veneer collection inspired by natural landscape
Oldcastle Architectural
Designed for outdoor commercial spaces (floors and accent walls), Oldcastle’s Echelon Veneers by Mirage line of porcelain veneers offers a new collection: Quarziti. Five colors, each named after a natural landscape: Glacier, Mountains, Waterfall, River, and Mantle. The cladding panels are strong—resistant up to 2,200 lbs—and durable, with time-tested performance against freeze/thaw, stains, fire, mold, moss, dirt, and chemical agents, says the maker. Size: 4x18 inches in thicknesses from 0.30 to 0.60 inches.
6. Self-cleaning toilet reduces maintenance, cleaning
Kohler
Kohler’s new ContinuousClean option is a factory-installed system housed in the toilet tank that dispenses a consistent dosage of cleaner during each flush to keep the bowl clean. Owners simply place a cleaning tablet (the system works with any brand) in the designated compartment within the system and press an activation button to indicate a new tablet. Three settings allow owners to adjust the dispensing of the cleaning solution. The system is designed to extend the life of cleansing tablets to more than a year.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
EwingCole to merge with healthcare specialist Robert D. Lynn Associates
EwingCole, a nationally recognized architectural, engineering, interior design, and planning firm with more than 320 professionals, today announced that it will combine its practice with Robert D. Lynn Associates of Philadelphia, a 40-person firm with a robust portfolio of healthcare projects. The combination will create the Delaware Valley¹s largest and most comprehensive firm with an emphasis on healthcare architecture, and a national scope and presence.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, Arup, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 75 largest international design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 International Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
See what $3,000 a month will get you at Chicago’s Aqua Tower
Magellan Development Group has opened three display models for the rental portion of Chicago’s highly anticipated Aqua Tower, designed by Jeanne Gang. Lease rates range from $1,498 for a studio to $3,111 for a two-bedroom unit with lake views.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declines in 48 states in August compared to last year
Construction employment saw significant declines in all but two states this August compared to last year according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released today by the federal government. The analysis, conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America, however did show that the number of states gaining construction jobs increased slightly in August compared to July 2009.
| Aug 11, 2010
LEED 2009 cites FloorScore Certification as indicator of indoor air quality
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has cited FloorScore® certified flooring products as eligible for credits under the new LEED 2009 Version 3 guidelines. Reflecting the inclusion of FloorScore, the new LEED IEQ Credit 4.3 for Low-Emitting Materials has been expanded from “Carpet Systems” to “Flooring Systems” to include hard surface flooring.
| Aug 11, 2010
BIM adoption rate exceeds 80% among nation’s largest AEC firms
The nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction companies are on the BIM bandwagon in a big way, according to Building Design+Construction’s premier Top 170 BIM Adopters ranking, published as part of the 2009 Giants 300 survey. Of the 320 AEC firms that participated in Giants survey, 83% report having at least one BIM seat license in house, and nearly a quarter (23%) have 100-plus seats.
| Aug 11, 2010
New air-conditioning design standard allows for increased air speed to cool building interiors
Building occupants, who may soon feel cooler from increased air movement, can thank a committee of building science specialists. The committee in charge of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 - Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy—after months of study and discussion--has voted recently to allow increased air speed as an option for cooling building interiors. In lay terms, increased air speed is the equivalent of turning up the fan.
| Aug 11, 2010
PCA partners with MIT on concrete research center
MIT today announced the creation of the Concrete Sustainability Hub, a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.