PHOTO: Famous Architects Dressed as Their Buildings (1931)

Roughly two dozen famous architects came dressed as the buildings they designed to 1931's Beaux-Arts Ball in Manhattan.  Below are just seven of them. 

In a 2006 article about the event (A New Age of Architecture Ushered in Financial Gloom) published by New York Times writer Christopher Gray, William Van Alen's ornate "Chrysler Building" costume is described in vivid detail:

Indeed, his cloak was designed to emulate the design of the doors, and two shoulder ornaments replicated the eagle heads at the 61st-floor setbacks. On his head rose a strikingly dangerous-looking crown, the graduated layers of the Chrysler tower itself rising to a spire, the ensemble at least four feet above his scalp.

Can you guess the other buildings (and their designers)?  Answers are listed under the photo.

Photo: Ely Jacques Kahn, Architect by Jewel Stern and John A. Stewart

Best of Jody Brown: 5 Favorites from Coffee With an Architect

Although we've featured Jody previously (5 Architects & Spec Writers You Should Be Following Right Now), we just couldn't resist compiling a "Best-Of" edition highlighting some of his most entertaining posts.

Check out these 5 links from the incomparable Jody Brown, architect & owner of Jody Brown Architecture, LLC, author of Coffee With an Architect and regular contributor to Houzz.



Screen shot of Jody Brown's Blog, Coffee With an Architect

Sublimation Powder Coating: Decorative "Tattoos" for Metal Products

A leopard-print, dye sublimated, aluminum top rail

"A leopard print handrail?!" 

As wild as it sounds, this pattern and many others are easy to achieve thanks to a finishing technique called "dye sublimation".

Dye sublimation is a coating process that transfers printed, high-resolution images or wood grain designs to metals such as aluminum and steel, using heat and pressure.  This process allows inks to be permanently embedded, resulting in the display of an eye-catching image on the final product.

Some popular metal products that typically undergo this finishing process are aluminum railings, window frames, appliances, patio furniture, bathroom fixtures and doors.

The Dye Sublimation Process:

1.  The metal is cleaned to be sure there is no dirt or oil present.
2.  A base powder coat is applied to the metal in a light color.
3.  The non-porous sublimation film transfer is wrapped around the metal.
4.  Air is removed; heat and pressure are applied to create a perfect print.
5.  The film is removed once cooled.

To learn more, search the web for dye sublimation companies near you, or CLICK HERE for additional info on metal building products with solid-color powder coat finishes. 

INFOGRAPHIC: 100 Years of Iconic Stainless Steel Structures

In this infographic provided by Castle Metals, we'll take a look back at notable stainless steel structures constructed within the last century.  

The Importance of Engineering Calculations for Architectural Railing

What are engineering calculations?

Guardrail calculations should always be stamped
by a licensed, professional engineer.

Engineering calculations (or "calcs") are a series of advanced calculations used to determine worst case scenario(s) and possible risk factors for a particular railing system.  By working out the calculations, engineers can determine what will and won't work in the way of loading requirements.


What is the purpose of engineering calculations?
Below are four of the top reasons engineering calcs for architectural railings are beneficial for everyone involved in a construction project.

Engineering calculations ensure:

1. The safety of the railing
2. Code and spec compliance and that loading requirements are met
3. That the correct fasteners and structural members (top rails/posts/infill) are being used 
4. Peace of mind for the customer

VIDEO: Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day - February 21, 2013

The fantastic video below, produced by Eweek.com, discusses the 12th Annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day event and why it is so important to empower female youth with knowledge about opportunities within the engineering profession. The piece features highlights of previous years and an inspiring overview of Girl Day activities.

This year's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Sally Ride, the first woman in space.  Dr. Ride was an early participant in Girl Day and an inspiration for girls and women around the world.  Her work continues through Sally Ride Science.

Although the national event takes place today in Washington, DC, Eweek.com wants you to know that there are ways you can start your own "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" movement within your community or company using these idea starters:

Idea Starters 
- Do hands-on activities with a Girl Scout troop.
- Talk to a class of high school girls about engineering careers.
- Invite a group of girls to your company or lab for a tour.
- Set up a job shadow programming for middle and high school girls.
- Host an engineering event at your office, local museum or school.
- Look at what other groups have done in the Girl Day archives.

Having trouble seeing the embedded video below?  CLICK HERE to view it on You Tube.

For more information on metal building products, CLICK HERE. 

INFOGRAPHIC: Top 5 Most Amazing Feats of Ancient Engineering

Our "National Engineering Week"- focused content continues with this infographic from Engineering-Management.net. As you read about these 5 ancient engineering feats, keep in mind that structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza and The Great Wall of China took years to build and were constructed without today's advanced construction equipment!

If you're having trouble viewing the image, Click Here.

Source: Engineering Management

For more information on architectural metal building products - suited for modern-day construction projects -  CLICK HERE.

National Engineers Week: Articles, Events & Activities (Links)

Image courtesy of National Engineers Week Foundation

Browse through the links below to learn more about events and activities going on right now in celebration of "E-Week", also known as "National Engineers Week":

Yale celebrates National Engineers Week - Connecticut

Engineers to gather for national week - Oregon

National Engineering Week: It's up to all of us to foster love of science, engineering (Op-ed)
- Alabama

Watertown Daily Times | Clarkson celebrates National Engineers Week  - New York

Four AECOM Young Professionals Honored in the “New Faces of Engineering” Competition by the U.S. National Engineers Week Foundation - California

Engineers Week under way - Pennsylvania

Event celebrates National Engineers Week | Penn State University  - Pennsylvania

Salute to Engineers During National Engineers Week  - Illinois

To learn more about National Engineers Week, CLICK HERE.

If you're an engineer looking for information about architectural metal products, CLICK HERE. 

The Bloomframe Balcony

The Bloomframe Balcony by Hurks Geveltechniek

Have you been introduced to the Bloomframe balcony?

Engineered by Dutch manufacturer, Hurks Geveltechniek and created by Amsterdam-based Hofman Dujardin Architects, the Bloomframe adds much needed space to residential high-rise units.  Touted as "safe and affordable", the Bloomframe balcony is made of steel, glass and aluminum and can be customized to blend with existing building colors. This retractable balcony is currently available for use in The Netherlands.

When we saw this photo of the Bloomframe balcony, we decided to ask some product designers what they thought of this unique creation.  Here's what they had to say*:

"Great idea in theory. The clean lines and 'wow'-factor are definitely selling points. Although, I wonder if it's more costly than a standard balcony (including all structural components, guardrail and doors).  Seems inconvenient to have to move your furniture every time you want to sit outside."  -D.S.

"A product like this would probably have to be fabricated by a window company and not a railing manufacturer." - D.S.

"Very innovative and unique design.  I'm curious as to where the access panel is located for the electrical components.  That would be good to know in case of a mechanical failure." - M.M.

"You wouldn't catch me out there - not with a glass floor, anyway! I also noticed that it has a motor.  Imagine if the motor failed while it was in the down position. Then you're without a window - and have to worry about insects and birds, too."  - D.W.

"I know I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to stand on a glass-bottom balcony... but if I were, I would insist on long pants as a clothing requirement for myself and others." - L.F.

For information on stationary glass balcony railings, CLICK HERE. 

*Views and opinions expressed by all contributors in this post belong to them and not Architectural Products Blog, KaneSterling, Kane Manufacturing, its clients and/or any of its brands or affiliates. 

INFOGRAPHIC: The Importance and Benefits of Being a Licensed Contractor

Thinking of becoming a licensed contractor?  Check out the importance and benefits of this title below in an infographic created by the Arizona Contractor License Center. 

Having trouble viewing the image? CLICK HERE.

Are you a contractor interested in learning more about metal building products? CLICK HERE.

Take a Look, It's in a Book: Amazon.com's Best Sellers in the Architectural History Genre

Architectural history buffs (and students of architecture) - this post is for you.  We've compiled a list of the top 10, best selling, architectural history books currently featured on Amazon.com.

If you find that you've read any of the books on our list, please feel free to leave your "book report" in the comments below and let us know what you thought!




1.  Brunelleschi's Dome:  How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented 
Architecture
by Ross King
4.3 out of 5 stars
A narrative about the life and times of Filippo Brunelleschi, designer and builder of the dome over the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy.  This book tells the story of the 28-year-long construction of the dome and the man behind the marvel.




2.  Ezra Stoller, Photographer
by Nina Rappaport
5.0 out of 5 stars
A collection of images from architectural photographer Ezra Stoller taken in the 1950s and 1960s. 







3.  A Field Guide to American Houses
by Virginia McAlester
4.8 out of 5 stars
Provides information on the style and history of homes built in the US from the 17th century to the present. 

INFOGRAPHIC: Where the Largest Architecture Firms in the World Are Located (& How Much $ They Make)

ArchDaily recently published the following infographic which shows us where the largest architecture firms are located in the world.  This map was plotted based on information acquired from Building Design Magazine's WA100 list.  BD magazine discovered that the largest architecture firms are located within the United States (Aecom coming in first).

To view the top ten largest firms, scroll beyond the graphic.

Having trouble viewing the infographic?  CLICK HERE. 

Top 10 of the World's 100 Largest Firms, Ranked by Size 
Compiled by Building Design Magazine

To view the complete list of all 100 firms, visit ArchDaily.

1. Aecom (USA. 1,370 architects employed. Over $400m Fee Income)

2. Gensler (USA. 1,346. Over $400m)

3. IBI Group (Canada. 1,129. $160-169m)

4. Nikken Sekkei (Japan. 1,109. Over $400m)

5. Aedas (China/UK. 1, 078. $200-209m)

6. Perkins & Will (USA. 771. $220-229m)

7. DP Architects (Singapore. 736. $70-79m)

8. HOK (USA. 715. $240-249m)

9. Samoo Architects & Engineers (South Korea. 712. $250-259m)

10. Foster & Partners (UK. 646. $200-209m)

To learn more about architectural products, CLICK HERE.

Architectural Product Manufacturing Jargon 101

In the building products world, there's a specific type of terminology that factory personnel and customers frequently use while communicating with each other.

Below are some definitions of a few of these terms for those unfamiliar with this type of industry "slang":

Cut Sheets -  Cut sheets are sales drawings.  Cut sheets provide a way for the customer to visualize what a manufacturer is quoting and what exactly they intend to provide.

Submittals - Submittals are anything that needs to be submitted to the customer for approval in advance, such as drawings, specs, finish selection, tabletop samples, etc.  These are also commonly referred to as "pre-engineering documents".

Approvals - Documents that have been signed by the customer, confirming what the manufacturer is designing/manufacturing.

Shop Drawings (a.k.a. "Shops") - Shop drawings are prepared by the engineering department and provide the shop employees with detailed instructions on how to build the product.

Fabrication -  The process of product manufacturing and assembly.

As-Builts -  Subsequent to the completion of project (i.e. after it's turned over to the customer and the punch list items for the entire building are finalized), the manufacturer outlines in drawings and/or specs what product was delivered to the job site and how the product was installed (if applicable). As-built drawings are typically considered to be an additional service, and may not be required on all jobs.  As-builts can be hand-written or drawn in a CAD program, and are provided to the architect and/or building owner for future use.

To learn more about architectural railing systems, CLICK HERE.

Flashback Friday: Kane Detention in 1988

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our company history, Kane Manufacturing - the parent company of all KaneSterling brands - was founded 123 years ago in 1890.   

Although our marketing collateral from the 19th century is nowhere to be found, we were overjoyed to uncover this retro gem from the late-1980s.  (Be sure to note the line about "floppy disks" on the back cover!)  

We pioneered and patented the Vantage Wall woven-rod barrier system in 1978, and are proud to report that it still remains the #1 best-selling Kane Detention product to this day.  

We hope you enjoy this blast from the past!

INFOGRAPHIC: Top 10 States for LEED in 2012

At the end of January 2013, the USGBC published their annual list of the top 10 states for LEED in 2012.  Rankings were determined by the number of square feet of LEED space certified per resident during last year. The District of Columbia topped the list, while the worst state for LEED was West Virginia who came in dead last at 0.08 square feet per person.  

The following infographic provides a visual description of LEED stats for 2012.  

Having trouble viewing it? CLICK HERE. 

For more information on a living wall product that can contribute to your facility's LEED certification, CLICK HERE.

Window Protection & Hurricanes: Popular Myths Debunked

Whether you live in a coastal region, or in an area where you might be affected by strong, gale-force winds, it's always a good idea to plan ahead before tropical storm season begins.

According to NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.  The Eastern Pacific hurricane season ends on the same date, but begins a month earlier on May 15.  Now is the time to educate yourself about hurricane preparedness - especially when it comes to window safety.

Below are some popular myths about windows & hurricanes - and why not a single one of them is accurate.

10 Great Websites For Building Information Modeling News, Tips & Solutions (PART 2 of 2)

Image Courtesy of BluEnt

Welcome to the second half our two-part Architectural Products Blog series.  To view part one, please visit our previous post, 10 Great Websites for Building Information Modeling News, Tips & Solutions (PART 1 of 2)

Browse the links below for 5 more helpful and informative BIM websites:

10 Great Websites For Building Information Modeling News, Tips & Solutions (PART 1 of 2)

Image Courtesy of Consortech

In this short, 2-part series, we'll highlight 10 of the best websites for Building Information Modeling, otherwise known as BIM.

From tips and tricks, to news and solutions, we believe the following to be the best example(s) of thorough and accurate information pertaining to BIM and BIM technology.

Browse the first batch of links below for an in-depth look at the world of BIM.

Vote For Our Blog!

Dear Readers, 

We at KaneSterling are proud to announce our inclusion in Construction Marketing Ideas' Best Construction Blog 2013 competition. 

You can cast your vote now by clicking HERE, selecting the check-box on the ballot next to "KaneSterling Architectural Products", and scrolling to the bottom of the page to submit your selection.  Voting ends April 1, 2013 at 5pm. 

We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for your vote!

Sincerely,

The KaneSterling Bloggers