Architects of Air- Exxopolis
The Long Center, Austin, TX

By: Greg Guthrie

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3D printers have been pretty innovative of late, replicating such weird and wonderful items as dinosaur bones, iPhone cases and even meat, among other things. But now a bunch of architects have also gotten their hands on the technology, and theyre setting their sights on something bigger, much bigger.

The latest crazy idea to see what 3D printers are capable of doing is the brainchild of one Janjaap Ruijssenaars, who is planning to print what he calls the Landscape House a two-storey structure laid out in a figure-eight shape that might just give builders a reason to be concerned over their jobs.

Ruijssenaars is treating the project as something of a work of art, saying that the figure-eight form borrows from nature and will fit in seamlessly with the outside world. On his website he describes the design as one surface folded in an endless mobius band, where floors transform into ceilings, inside into outside.

The plan is to use an industrial-sized 3D printer known as the D-Shape, which was created by Italian engineer Enrico Dini. According to Dini, the D-Shape has been designed especially to print structures, and uses sand with a binding agent that ensures the buildings it prints are solid as a rock.

The construction process is explained in more detail by the Los Angeles Times, but if youre reading this and imagining a tower block-sized 3D printing monstrosity building the Landscape House bit-by-bit, youll be a little bit disappointed. Instead, Ruijssenaars plans to use D-Shape to create the building in 20 x 30 foot sections, with these bits then being assembled on site to compile the actual building.

Due to concerns over the strength of 3D printed houses, Ruijssenaarss home wont be entirely printed however. In addition to the basic blocks, he has also incorporated a few traditional concrete supports to make sure the building does fall in on itself.

The concept seems to be sound and viable, but builders probably wont need to worry about losing their jobs just yet. According to the BBC, the Landscape House is likely to cost between $5 million and $6 million to print.

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Architects Take 3D Printing To The Next Level, Two Storeys Up

FARMINGTON, Conn., Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Beazley Group (BEZ.L), a leading insurer of professional liability insurance for design firms, has launched a redesigned web portal that gives clients and brokers access to industry-leading risk management materials.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130122/NY46066 )

"Good risk management is not only protection against hugely expensive and time-consuming professional liability claims," said James Schwartz, US architects and engineers focus group leader at Beazley, "but can also be an important source of competitive advantage."

The web portal was created to heighten firm-wide awareness of risk issues and to offer insights and solutions. It includes:

"As a leading insurer for design firms of all sizes and with more than 25 years of experience, we have a unique perspective on the types of risks that are most threatening to design firms' finances and reputation," Mr Schwartz said.

"Risk management is not the responsibility of just one individual in the company, but of the entire firm. We urge risk managers to share these tools with all of their employees."

Note to editors:

Beazley plc (BEZ.L), is the parent company of specialist insurance businesses with operations in Europe, the US, Asia and Australia. Beazley manages five Lloyd's syndicates and, in 2011, underwrote gross premiums worldwide of $1,712.5 million. All Lloyd's syndicates are rated A by A.M. Best.

Beazley's underwriters in the United States focus on writing a range of specialist insurance products. In the admitted market, coverage is provided by Beazley Insurance Company, Inc., an A.M. Best A rated carrier licensed in all 50 states. In the surplus lines market, coverage is provided by the Beazley syndicates at Lloyd's.

Beazley is a market leader in many of its chosen lines, whichinclude professional indemnity, property, marine, reinsurance, accident and life, and political risks and contingency business.

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Beazley Creates Ground-breaking Risk Education Tools for Architects and Engineers

The urban development department has shown the door to 52 architects empanelled with Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) for failing to furnish information on approved building maps since 2009.

Legal action against them would also be initiated.

On Tuesday, urban development department secretary S. Siddharth told The Telegraph: "In December 2012, the department had sought details within 15 days about approved maps from the architects since the time of empanelment with the PMC. We did not receive any response, which made them liable for being categorised as defaulters."

The architects had been empanelled with the civic body in 2009.

On December 13, 2012, the department imposed a ban on approval of maps for any multi-storeyed building above 11-metre high till the proposed Bihar Municipal Building Bylaws and Building Codes come into effect.

The department, had also asked all urban local bodies to get details of approved maps from all certified architects that included height of the building, width of the road abutting the building, permissible and used floor-area ratio among others.

The department has already initiated the process of fresh empanelment of architects.

Siddharth said: "I have already moved the files for fresh empanelment and the process is expected to start within a week or two. However, the defaulting architects would not be eligible for fresh empanelment."

Developers, too, confirmed that no new building maps and plans are being approved by the municipal corporation at present, which may lead to escalation of the real estate price in the future.

"According to the norm imposed by the urban development department on December 13, 2012, no new building above 11 metres or G+4 is being approved. No building plans and maps are being sanctioned. This would create a gap in supply against demand in the realty sector. Accordingly, prices of new flats and property will witness a surge in the coming days," said Sachin Chandra, the president of Patna chapter of Builders' Association of India.

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Civic map anomalies cost architects dear

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

KMD Architects, formerly known as Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz, the San Francisco-based international design firm, announced today that Ryan Stevens has been named Chief Executive Officer. Roy Latka will continue to hold the position of President. The decision redistributes leadership of the firm as it prepares to celebrate 50 years of practice in 2013.

Ryan has made significant contributions to the architectural vision and the leadership of the firm since he returned 12 years ago, Latka said. His understanding of management and design are great pillars from which to lead the firm.

Having served as KMDs Design Director since 2000, Stevens appointment signifies KMDs commitment to continued design excellence and creative exploration. The decision to name Stevens as CEO, an individual firmly rooted in the design practice, represents a departure from typical professional service firms who tap individuals with backgrounds in management.

I am honored and excited to lead KMD, said Stevens. Our profession has great challenges ahead of it as we rethink the status quo of how to design and deliver exceptional buildings. We have a unique culture at KMD; one which questions presumptions and digs deeply into client goals. I look forward to kicking off the next 50 years.

KMD has seen other leadership changes during the past 12 months, the most notable being the retirement of founder Herbert McLaughlin this past summer.

Jim Diaz, a founding principal of KMD, said, This is an exciting time for our firm. Ryan represents a new generation of leadership for us. He has the right combination of design expertise, business acumen and marketing know-how to lead KMD into the next half century of our practice.

About KMD Architects

Founded in San Francisco in 1963, KMD Architects is a leader in architectural planning and design with projects in more than 30 US states and 15 countries. KMD has seven offices worldwide, including San Francisco, Santa Monica, Portland, Seattle and Mexico City. In the past two decades, KMD has received more than 200 design awards around the world. The companys web site is http://www.kmdarchitects.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130122005438/en/

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KMD Architects Names Ryan Stevens CEO

Dream Home Restoration Review by William!
Listen to what William has to say about his experience with Dream Home Restoration!

By: Steve D

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Dream Home Restoration Review by William! - Video

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