Window Security: 3 Benefits of Security Screens (vs. Burglar Bars)

Break-ins.  They can occur any time of day and can be executed swiftly and quietly by intruders using tools like crowbars, small hammers, pliers... even rocks and bricks.

Break-in statistics:

• The highest percentage of window break-ins/burglaries occur during the summer months.
• Over 95% of break-ins require some amount of force to break in. 
• An open window with only a locked, standard, cloth window screen (not security screen) is particularly inviting to thieves due to quick, easy and silent access.
• Two million burglaries are reported each year within the United States.

Protecting the openings around the perimeter of your facility is important.  So when it comes to glass protection, why choose security screens in lieu of burglar bars for windows and doors? Keep reading to find out.

APRIL & MAY: Architectural Events, Exhibits, Classes, Conferences & More

From New York to L.A., the architectural world is buzzing nationwide with events, conferences, classes, exhibits and more during the months of April and May.  Here are just a few upcoming activities worth experiencing this spring!

Click to view larger

APRIL

What:    Women in Architecture Series:  High Tea Social
When:    April 4, 2013
Where:  Washington, DC
Web:      About the Event

What:    Build Pittsburgh 2013
When:    April 18, 2013
Where:  Pittsburgh, PA
Web:      About the Event

What:    Around Manhattan Official NYC Architectural Boat Tour
When:    April 21, 2013
Where:  Manhattan - New York, NY
Web:     About the Event

MAY

What:    Universal Design Summit 5
When:    May 6 - May 8, 2013  
Where:  St. Louis, MO
Web:     About the Event

What:    AIA Wisconsin Convention & Building Products Expo
When:    May 8 - May 9, 2013
Where:  Madison, WI
Web:     About the Event

What:    Conquering the Demands & Challenges of Today's Building Envelope
When:    May 14, 2013
Where:  New York, NY
Web:     N/A (see image of flyer)

What:    ARE Building Systems Prep Course:  Southern California
When:    May 31 - June 2, 2013
Where:  Van Nuys, CA
Web:     About the Event

For more information on happenings in the architectural community, 

visit the AIA Event Calendar HERE.

INFOGRAPHIC: The History of the Pritzker Prize (1979-2013)

As every architecture enthusiast knows, the Pritzker Prize's is one of the most prestigious honors a building design professional can receive.  The award represents career achievements in the art of architecture and recognizes those who have demonstrated commitment to their craft, while contributing significantly to the the built environment.

This year's laureate was Toyo Ito, best known for his Sendai Mediatheque, the Sendai, Japan library, completed in 2001.  This project was intended to withstand a natural disaster - and it did in 2011.  When the seismic forces shook the ground violently during the Tohoku Earthquake, Ito's building did not collapse.  (A video of the earthquake filmed from inside the Sendai Mediatheque can be found HERE.) 

Check out the infographic below (created by ArchDaily) to learn more about the Pritzker Prize and view its timeline of honorees.

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Little-Known Facts About Aluminum

Click on the image below to view it larger, or visit THIS LINK.

To learn more about aluminum railings, CLICK HERE.

ECO-MONDAY ROUND-UP #2: Best Green Building Posts

 Happy #EcoMonday! 

Below are some recent "Eco-centric" articles and posts from around the web & Twitterverse:

SKECHERS Distribution Center Certified as Largest LEED Gold Building in the United States

Green Building Movement Gaining Momentum in New York

Steve Scauzillo: Sacrificing aesthetics, comfort for greener buildings

San Diego Awarded LEED Gold

Illinois Is National Leader In Green Initiatives, Jobs

Ohio Hospital Grows First Green Roof

Efficient Wisconsin Clinic Earns LEED

PHOTOS: Irish Architecture & the Blarney Stone

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we've put together a gallery of some of the Emerald Isle's most incredible architectural masterpieces - including Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone.  Enjoy!

Connolly's Folly - County Kildare, Ireland

VIDEO: Construction of the Ark Hotel in Changsa, China: 15 Stories in 6 Days

Talk about efficient!

This time-lapse construction video of the 15-story Ark Hotel in Changsa, China, shows its main structural components being built within a 46-hour time period.  According to the in-video captions, the entire hotel project was completed in just 6 days with no job site injuries and without the use of stationary cranes.  Pre-fabricated columns and modules were used to speed up construction time, and workers stayed on site until 10pm each evening.

The sustainable, level 9 earthquake-resistant structure was finished on June 11, 2010.

If you have to see it to believe it just like we did, check out the video below!

NOTE:  You may have to expand the embedded video to see all of the in-video captions clearly.  Please click the lower right hand corner of the video viewing pane to make full-screen.

If you're having trouble viewing the video, please visit this You Tube link.  

Criminal Justice Equipment: Holding Cells 101

Not to be confused with prison cells, which are designed to house inmates for the long-term, holding cells are most often used for temporary confinement.

Typically found in courthouses, police stations and military bases, inmates awaiting trial are placed in holding cells for a very short period of time, such as overnight or for a single day.

These types of cells are fabricated from light gauge materials and therefore, are not suited for a 24/7 permanent residence by a detainee.

INFOGRAPHIC: What's the Tallest [Building or Tower] in the World?

From the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, U.A.E., to the Empire State Building in New York City, U.S.A., the following infographic by Life's Little Mysteries shows how skyscrapers like these stack up against one another.

Having trouble viewing the image?  Click here.

Our 100th Post: Best of KaneSterling's Architectural Products Blog

Readers & Subscribers,

In celebration of today's 100th blog post, we've put together a list of links to some of our most read articles to date.

We look forward to continuing to provide you with informative, interesting, AEC-related content!

Enjoy, 

The KaneSterling Bloggers

1.  5 Architects & Spec Writers You Should Be Following Right Now
Five web and social media savvy architects and spec writers that you should be following online and on Twitter.

2.  10 Great Websites for Building Information Modeling News, Tips & Solutions: Part 1 &
10 Great Websites for Building Information Modeling News, Tips & Solutions: Part 2
A two-part series highlighting 10 of the best websites for building information modeling (BIM) news, tips and tricks.

3.  Railings & Concrete Balconies:  Deterioration Warning Signs, Solutions & Prevention Methods
Warning signs of balcony deterioration and what can be done to repair the problem(s).

4.  Greening the Globe:  Beautiful Living Walls & Vertical Gardens
Photos of beautiful living walls and vertical gardens from around the world.

5.  INFOGRAPHIC:  World's Most Expensive Buildings 
An infographic showcasing the world's most expensive buildings.

6.  Architectural Failure Photos from Around the Web
A collection of photos from around the web depicting amusing architectural failures.

7.  PHOTO:  Famous Architects Dressed as Their Buildings (1931)
A photograph from 1931 of famous architects dressed as the buildings they designed.

8.  INFOGRAPHIC:  BIM Survey 2012
How BIM has influenced the built environment industry.

9.  Architectural Railing Applications:  Part 1, Architectural Railing Applications: Part 2, Architectural Railing Applications: Part 3 & Architectural Railing Applications: Part 4
A 4-part series discussing the various types of railings for various architectural applications.

10.  12 Days of Building Product Terms:  Juliet Balcony
Juliet balconies defined.

For more info on architectural products such as security screens, architectural railings, living wall systems, detention equipment and more, CLICK HERE.

INFOGRAPHIC: The Make it Right Foundation

Subsequent to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Make it Right Foundation formed to aid in the rebuilding of New Orleans' 9th ward. Officially founded in 2007 by actor Brad Pitt, the Make it Right Foundation has helped to create affordable, sustainable, well-made homes and facilities for people everywhere, for over a half-decade. What's more, the foundation has recruited well-known architects, such as Frank Gehry, to design these brand new, LEED-certified structures.

Learn more about the Make it Right Foundation by scrolling through ArchDaily's original infographic below.

2 Big Reasons Vinyl Railings May Not Be an Ideal Choice for Your Multi-Story Application

Most would agree that vinyl railings are aesthetically pleasing and look great on a variety of applications, whether commercial or residential.

Although vinyl certainly does have its benefits, there are some points a building designer must consider prior to specifying this type of railing system on a multi-story structure.

PHOTOS: Breaking Building Codes

Although interesting, these images of daring architectural designs clearly fall into the "not up to code" category.  Keep scrolling to take a look at some awe-inspiring shots!

Source:  Lang/Baumann

Inspiration To Draw From: A Collection of Quotes About Architecture & Design

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." 
- Leonardo da Vinci


"Architecture is visual art, and the buildings speak for themselves." - Julia Morgan


"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us." - Winston Churchill


"I call architecture frozen music." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


"Architecture is the triumph of human imagination over materials, methods and men, to put man into possession of his own Earth.  It is at least the geometric pattern of things, of life, of the human and social world.  It is, at best, that magic framework of reality that we sometimes touch upon when we use the word 'order'."  - Frank Lloyd Wright


"Architecture is the plant fertilizer of our lives; it is the way to be a big, great-tasting tomato." - Robert Sullivan


"The first gesture of an architect is to draw a perimeter; in other words, to separate the microclimate from the macro space outside.  This in itself is a sacred act.  Architecture in itself conveys this idea of limiting space.  It's a limit between the finite and the infinite." - Mario Botta


"The great thing about being an architect is that you can walk into your dreams."  - Harold E. Wagoner


"Less is more." - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe


"More is more."  - Robert Venturi

Do you have a favorite quote about building and/or design?  

Feel free to share in the comments below!

To learn more about architectural products, CLICK HERE.