Ordering Architectural Railing: 3 Tips for Minimizing Change Orders

Sterling Dula Railing on Skybridge Residential Tower
Chicago, IL

It's no secret that clear communication on all sides - beginning with the building owner, followed by the architect, contractor, manufacturer and, lastly, the installer - improves the speed of a project and cuts down significantly on unnecessary costs.

Below are 3 key ways that architects and contractors can minimize change orders for architectural railing systems.

INFOGRAPHIC: World's Most Expensive Buildings

The following infographic (created circa 2009) highlights the world's most expensive buildings.

Click the image below to view a comparison of the most elaborate and costly buildings on the planet. 

World's Most Expensive Buildings infographic by Shane Snow.

Pediatric Injuries Due to Window Falls: Facts & Info

Each year in the United States, approximately 3,300 children under the age of 5 are injured due to window falls.  Eight (8) are fatally injured for the same reason.

ECO-MONDAY ROUND-UP: Best Green Building Posts

The term "EcoMonday" originated on Twitter about 4 years ago to encourage users to follow other users who were actively involved in the green community.  Since then, the EcoMonday hashtag (i.e. #EcoMonday) has been included in tweets each and every Monday, that reference environmentally friendly blogs, websites, organizations and ideas.

So, in celebration of this week's #EcoMonday, we've chosen to spotlight the best green building posts from around the web.

Check out the links below to see what's going on in green building now:

CT among worst 2012 LEED states | HartfordBusiness.com 

LEED Certified Buildings: Top 10 States in 2012 | Green-Buildings.com

USGBC Announces 2012 Best of Green Schools List 

Sustainability in the 2013 AIA Honor Awards - Award Winners

LEED Green Associate Exam: No Eligibility Requirement | Green-Buildings.com

Biological Concrete for Living Façades

Ambius' Beautiful Green Wall at Queens University of Charlotte Features a Double-Helix Design 

Bosco Verticale, The World's First Vertical Forest, Nears Completion in Milan

To learn more about living wall systems, CLICK HERE. 

Scary Stairs: If Building Codes Didn't Exist

Has the minimalist design movement gone too far?  Check out these scary staircases (sans handrails!) below, and decide for yourself.

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Green Ways to Improve Our Cities

If you're interested in improving the city in which you live, the following educational infographic from bestsociologyprograms.com is sure to provide some insight and inspiration. 

From adding green roofs and living wall systems (like this one) to overall waste-reduction and public transportation improvements, here are some enviro-friendly actions that are already being put into effect by cities all over the U.S. 

Having trouble viewing the infographic?  Click here for a larger version. 

Source: Best Sociology Programs

One-Question Architect Survey

A Note To Our Blog Subscribers

Dear Subscribers,

If you subscribe to our feed via email, you've probably already noticed that we've recently switched our primary RSS delivery service over from Feedburner to MailChimp.

Aside from receiving nicer-looking emails from us, we wanted to let you know that the option is now available to adjust your delivery settings from "Daily" to "Weekly". (NOTE:  "Weekly" blog posts are a compilation of all blog posts written throughout the week and delivered each Friday afternoon in a single email message.)

If you'd like to continue receiving daily updates, do nothing.  No changes are necessary, as "daily" emails are set as the default delivery preference for current subscribers.

If you'd like to modify these blog updates to be delivered to your inbox on a weekly basis, just click the "Update Subscription Preferences" link at the bottom of this email (as indicated in the photo below) and follow the prompts in the pop-up window.

Click "UPDATE SUBSCRIPTION" at the bottom of your blog update email
to change your delivery settings from "daily" to "weekly".

For those who haven't signed up for our blog - but would like to - registration is easy! Just locate the "Subscribe to our Blog Updates" box (as pictured below) in the upper right hand margin of www.kanesterling.blogspot.com, then type in your email address, and follow the prompts.

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As always, a sincere thanks to our readers for following our blog.  Feel free to leave comments in the space below any of our posts with your suggestions and/or questions.

Sincerely,

The KaneSterling Bloggers

Windows + Security Screens = Safety For College and University Students

Kane Security Window Screens on Jameson Hall, Rutgers University
(Douglass Campus) - New Brunswick, NJ

Accidental falls from window openings not only endanger the lives of children (see previous post Windows & Balconies: 4 Building Tips for Child Safety & Fall Protection), young adults are also at a high risk for severe injury or death.

The fear of every college or university official is experiencing a student tragedy that could have easily been prevented by utilizing the correct precautionary measures.  Unfortunately, many higher education facilities all over the country - and the world - have had this same fear realized, such as the institutions mentioned in the articles below:

University of Michigan:
Man Falls 43 Feet From University Of Michigan Dorm Window « CBS Detroit
  
Penn State University (Apartments):
State College Police Investigating Student Fall Through Window Screen

University of Central Missouri:
News:  Warrensburg, Mo.  Update: UCM Student Who Fell From 4th Floor Dorm Window Screen is Paralyzed

To learn more about falls and how to prevent them, read through the following lists.  This information could potentially save a life on your college campus.

Facts About Falls:

• Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths wordwide.
• 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention, occur each year.

To Prevent Falls From Windows:

• Move all furniture away from windows.
• Remember that typical cloth window security screens will not prevent an accidental fall. For more information on fall protection screens, CLICK HERE.
• Ladders to dormitory roofs and roofs themselves should be considered off limits for students.
• If windows are open, use window stops to prevent the window from opening more than 4".
• Install window security screens on all second story or higher windows.

To learn more about security window screens for your college or university housing facilities, CLICK HERE.

If You Live in Any of These Places, You Might Need Hurricane Window Screens

Do you need hurricane screens or hurricane barriers?  If you live in any of the cities listed below, it might not be a bad idea to invest in some window protection before the 2013 hurricane season.

Also featured below are two infographics.  The first outlines storm targets according to hurricane strikes only from 1900-2010 and the other lists the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in the US mainland from 1851-2010.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP: The Best BIM Articles

In this edition of Weekly Round-Up, we've gathered the best, recently published posts from around the web related to BIM (Building Information Modeling).

Click on any of the links below to browse the articles that made our list this week.

“BIM Is Accelerting Very Rapidly” - An Interview with Mike DeLacey, Microdesk


Use BIM to reduce costs and carbon says Hansford | News | Building Design 


BIM 2050 Group Launched to Map Digital Future


McGraw-Hill's BIM SPECIAL SECTION (Several new BIM articles can be found here)

Today's Facility Manager Question of the Week: Who Takes Responsibility For BIM Errors? 


Blogging and Architectural Communication Online Course Kicks Off the Blogs to BIM: Technology in Practice Continuing Education Series at DesignRealized.com - SFGate 


Just BIM it (Article)!

To download architectural product details in BIM format, CLICK HERE. 

Facebook for Architects: Exploring Architizer.com

Architects connecting with architects.  

Architects connecting with developers.  

Architects connecting with the world.

All of the above - and more - is happening right now on one of the most popular social sites for the architecture and design industry:  Architizer.com.

Whether you're an architect yourself, or just someone thinking about hiring one, you've probably already heard of this growing social media sensation.  

Architizer.com has been loosely defined by The New York Times as "a hybrid of Facebook, Flickr, and LinkedIn for architects."  The site features a myriad of eye-catching photos, architect bios, news and information on past, recent and current projects.  What's more, Architizer has been single-handedly responsible for transforming the way architects communicate with each other - and with the public - since 2009. 

Like most other social media sites, Architizer is completely free to use and offers a variety of user-friendly functionalities.  Each project has its own dedicated page, which means project collaborators can list the details of their involvement, allowing the user to receive a comprehensive summary of a particular design. 

Alternatively, when the "Products" tab in the main menu is selected, users are directed to a microsite filled with building product brands that they can explore. Although this area of the site is currently in Beta testing mode, architectural product manufacturers are still able to list their profile on the "Products" page by emailing Architizer directly.

From colorful images of "you have to see it to believe it" designs, to more vital posts such as architect and collaborator contact info, Architizer.com has it all.

In our opinion, Architizer.com is one of the best, one-stop-sources for all things building and design.  

Check out our building product page on Architizer by clicking HERE. 

For more information about architectural products CLICK HERE. 

Greening the Globe: Beautiful Living Walls & Vertical Gardens

One of Patrick Blanc's famous living wall creations

Most of today's vertical gardening systems can be credited to French botanist, Patrick Blanc, the pioneer of these enviro-friendly, architectural masterpieces. 

Since Blanc's living wall creations were first incorporated into modern construction in the late 1980s, many have taken his initial idea and built upon it, producing some pretty incredible works of art.

Cilck the link below to check out a compilation of some amazing green walls from around the world.

5 Signs You Might Need a New Perimeter or Pool Fence

Not only does a broken fence look unsightly, it poses significant dangers.

Spring is just around the corner...  and that means it's time to start thinking about all of your warm-weather repairs.

Whether you have a pool fence - or any type of fenced-in area on your property, for that matter - it's always a good idea to assess the condition of your fencing system sooner, rather than later.

Below are a few flaws to look for on your existing system.  These flaws also double as warning signs that there could be a fence replacement in your future.

VIDEO: What Forcible Entry Looks Like (& How to Prevent It)

In the following YouTube clip, you'll see a real, forced-entry burglary at a residence in Raleigh, NC.  (Arrests were made in connection with the burglary in early January 2013.)

You'll notice that the burglars' point-of-entry was the back door.  A security screen door featuring 2, 18-gauge, sheet-steel, quarter kick panels with heavy duty locking hardware, likely would have prevented this burglary from occurring.  

For added glass protection around the home, security screens could have been installed over the existing windows to prevent further forced entry attempts with objects such as baseball bats, rocks or crowbars.

Kane's Narrowline Security Screen Door with Stainless Steel Wire Cloth Infill
and Sheet Steel Kick Panels are Strong Enough to Withstand Repeated Blows

Security screens and security doors deter break-ins and offer top-notch protection for both commercial and residential properties.   Learn more about them both HERE.

Architectural Failure Photos from Around the World Wide Web

Here are some architectural "fail" photos we found circulating around the web. 

We hope you'll find these just as amusing as we did!

Dangers of Using Non-Laminated Glass in Architectural Railing Systems

Sterling Dula Point-Mounted, Post-Supported Glass Raiilng
w/ Tempered, Laminated Glass
Stark State College - North Canton, OH

Glass railing looks sleek and provides an unobstructed view when used on many different types of architectural applications. However, no matter how structurally sound the mounting hardware or framing members might be, the glass itself can pose serious life safety risks if an incorrect glass type is used.

Read more to learn when not to use non-laminated, tempered-only glass.

KS Q&A: Danielle Snyder: A Unique Perspective from Both Sides of Building & Design

To kick off our first installment of KS Q&A, we spoke with Danielle Snyder, a former drafter at a successful architectural firm and current estimator with KaneSterling Architectural Products.

Danielle Snyder

Danielle provided some great feedback and observations regarding her experiences thus far within the AEC industry, including the parallels and differences between architectural firms and building product manufacturers/suppliers.

What was your job title/function at the architectural firm?  What is your job title/function now?

At the architectural firm, I was a CAD/BIM drafter.  At KaneSterling, I work in Sales/Estimating.

How did your position in the architectural world prepare you for a sales position with an architectural metal product fabricator?

Due to my architectural background, it's very easy for me to understand ideas that the designers or architects are trying to convey in their building design(s). I'm able to see from both sides why something was drawn in a certain way and how they conceptualized it. 

Bizarre-chitecture: Weird & Wacky Building Designs

Click the "Read More" link to check out a collection of shockingly unorthodox architectural designs from around the globe.

It's Easy Building Green: 3 Essential, Enviro-Conscious Architecture & Design Websites

If you're involved in the architectural or construction industry in any capacity, you're already aware of how important it is to your customers - and to your community - to build green.

Below are 3 environmentally conscious websites and blogs to watch and learn from - each as informative and awe-inspiring as the next.

INFOGRAPHIC: BIM Survey 2012

Last year, results were compiled from NBS's BIM (Building Information Modeling) survey - a survey that set out to present a comprehensive picture of how BIM has influenced the built environment industry.  This survey asked 1,000 construction industry employees to share their perspective on BIM as a whole.  Below you'll find an infographic created by NBS, with help from Pauly Creative, highlighting their findings.

Although this information was compiled using data from UK-based respondents, it is still an incredibly accurate depiction of where BIM stands today, no matter where you happen to be located in the modern world.

To view the infographic in its entirety, click "Read More" below, or CLICK HERE.

5 Architects & Spec Writers You Should Be Following Right Now

Whether you're in search of an architect who knows the answers, or simply interested in learning more about the architectural world in general, we know five folks who can deliver.

From informative websites, to insightful tweets and posts, there's a reason we chose to feature these architects and spec writers in particular.

Find out more about our favorite web-and-social-media-savvy design professionals after the jump.

Architect Jody Brown

Architectural Windscreens Defined

When designing an outdoor restaurant, bar, pool, or other type of rooftop amenity or establishment, there's no question that windscreens are an architectural essential.

Sterling Dula windscreen pictured on the Cincinnati Banks pool deck.  The mixed-use
complex is an 18-acre development along the banks of the Ohio River.

Aside from the obvious function of protecting visitors from the force of high winds atop multi-story building terraces, there is much more to learn about these important building elements.

Happy New Year!

On behalf of the entire KaneSterling team, we would like to wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!