The triple-glazed facade of Christian Kerez's Leutschenbach School in Zurich is emblamatic of the transparency that's currently popular in new school design. It is unknown how, if at all, the elementary school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, will affect school design going forward.

The Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school shootings on December 14 that killed 20 students and six staff members have prompted many to call for a ban on semi-automatic rifles, or assault weapons.

In the week since the shootings, others have said video games should no longer contain such violent content. And some are urging that access to mental health care be expanded. But schools themselves shouldnt be radically redesigned to fortify against future attacks, according to some architects.

While fortress-like buildings with thick concrete walls, windows with bars, and special security vestibules may be more defensible than what is currently in vogue, they are hardly the kind of places that are optimal for learning. Edmund Einy, a principal at GKKWorks, says that whats been done so far in many urban schools in the name of safetysuch as slapping bars on the windowshas had a pernicious effect on students morale and performance. Einys new Blair International Baccalaureate Middle School, in Pasadena, foregoes bars. But administrators must greet students before they are allowed to go inside, which led GKKWorks to create an entry plaza. Theres not much more we can do, he says. What are we going to do, put kids in prisons?

Mark Simon, a founding partner of Centerbrook Architects and Planners, agrees. I think [bars and other fortifying techniques] send the wrong message to both kids and teachers, he says. Based in Centerbrook, Connecticut, Simon has designed 20 school buildings, including five public elementary schools, though none in Newtown. Buildings tell stories, and when a building is designed that way, it tells you that it doesnt trust you. And kids intuit that theyre not trusted, he says. In fact, Simon adds, improved security can be achieved through a more open layout, like with his King & Low-Heywood Thomas School in Stamford, Connecticut. Its focal point is a large rotunda encircled by offices, so administrators have clear views of the hallways and the comings and goings of students. Simon admitted, though, that the school was more concerned with divorced parents snatching kids, say, than an intruder with rifles.

In recent years, glass has become the material of choice for the walls of many schools, which have cottoned to the idea that students will be more stimulated in rooms bathed in natural light. An exampleaccording to Thomas Mellins, an architectural curatoris Ennead Architects Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens, N.Y., where a transparent faade allows close-up views of ballet and other classes. (Mellins exhibition, The Edgeless School: Design for Learning, is on view at New Yorks Center for Architecture through January 19, 2013.)

For his part, Mellins doesnt rule out that the shootings may result in design changes; he just hopes law enforcement talks to architects early in the design process. But, Mellins says, I dont think safety concerns translate into a simple and direct agenda, like build this way, dont build that way.

In a sense, school design has baked-in security concerns ever since the mass school shooting in Columbine, Colorado, in 1999. Doors now routinely lock after the first bell. Metal detectors are also common. Possibly, more steel could be used in doors, but that seems to be sort of in the opposite direction of where schools have been headed, says architect Jerry Waters, of Portland, Oregons Dull Olson Weekes Architects. School buildings make up 70 percent of the firms portfolio. Waters adds, When someone has the intent to kill, Im not sure if architecture can solve that problem.

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After Newtown, Architects Weigh School Design Changes

The street entry of the U.S. consolate in Guangzhou, China, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. It is scheduled to open in May.

The U.S. Department of State has named the architects selected to compete for commissions in its new Design Excellence program. The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), under the direction of Lydia Muniz, chose 11 very different firms from among 88 applicants to design new embassies, consulates, and diplomatic buildings. Nine others were chosen for renovation and rehabilitation projects. Two firms, BNIM and Weiss/Manfredi, made both lists.

Aside from those two, others being considered for new buildings are Ennead Architects; SHoP Architects; Steven Holl Architects; the Miller Hull Partnership; Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects; Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners; Richrd+Bauer; Skidmore, Owings & Merrills San Francisco office; and Studio Gang Architects. The other firms selected to compete for rehabilitation and renovation projects are Architecture Research Office; Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners; CO Architects; Clive Wilkinson Architects; Goody Clancy; Krueck+Sexton Architects; and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.

For nearly three decades after the Iran hostage crisis of 197981 and a series of embassy bombings in Africa and the Middle East, the State Department constructed one-size-fits-all buildings in fortified exurban areas. Security, economy, and speed trumped design. But a new era was signaled by such choices as Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to design the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The ambitious Design Excellence program, similar to the one at the General Services Administration and, like it, under the directorship of Casey Jones, was launched to symbolize the American values that prevailed after World War II, when embassies were designed by Eero Saarinen, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, and Edward Durell Stone.

We are honored to have the potential of extending this legacy, says Marion Weiss, cofounder of Weiss/Manfredi. Our ambition is to amplify the identity of a site that already has a life of its own. The State Departments priorities are evident in the embassy under construction in London by KieranTimberlake. Davis Brody Bond is working on an embassy in Jakarta and is designing another in Mexico City with Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.

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State Department Names Architects for Design Excellence Program

Oleg Noga - Architects - These Colours Don #39;t Run (drum cover)
Oleg Noga, 19 years old! I #39;m from Ukraine, Poltava! this is my new drum cover on my favourite band Architects. I #39;m recording this cover, because when I start listen this band I will have get a great drum experience thanks to Dan Searle! Check it out, subscribe and don #39;t forget about LIKES on my facebook music page and repost to your friends! Thanks for watching! My facebook - facebook.com/olegnogamusicianchannel My twitter - twitter.com/OlegNoga My vk - vk.com/olegnoga.drums

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Honolulu Architects Share Insights
Two of Hawaii #39;s top architects talk about what it takes to make it in that profession, and what some of their favorite buildings in Honolulu are -- and why.

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SHADOW CLANS - Official Trailer 2013
SHADOW CLANS Produksyon Manila, Philippines Eddie Lee Erwin Saguinsin Bianka Bernabe This is the world you know. Average people go about their average lives. They are the faceless masses; the ignorant droves of humanity who see no further than what is placed in front of them. This... is not their story... There is a war... Unknown to the rest of the world, age old clans fight for supremacy. Battle lines are drawn between warring factions for control of the world #39;s resources. Arranged along militaristic lines... factions are assembled in strict hierarchies... the roles of its members are sharply defined. ARCHITECTS - Ruthless like their counterparts (Executioners) in business and commerce Control the global economy, technologies, infrastructure . For example Asia is dominated by the Chinese Shadow Clans and all other clans, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, etc. represent smaller, organized sub-clans. CLANDESTINES - Specialize in manipulating people and bending them to their will. Their approach is deeply psychological whether they are manipulating highly influential individual or the masses by globally propagating skewed information by way of the media. They get into your thoughts and with the power of suggestion they ultimately control the deepest levels our subconscious mind. EXECUTIONERS - Masters of dispatching rivals to their graves. For thousands of years they have lived and died by the sword. Living breathing weapons that cannot be unarmed. With the advent of global ...From:ShadowClansMovieViews:10 2ratingsTime:04:37More inFilm Animation

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Mom #39;s Song by Lucien Spelman
This video was Conceived and created as a gift for my son Lucien for Christmas 2012. Conception by Dad Spelman and created by Mr. Brent Crawford. I love you son, -Merry Christmas -Dah. This song was written for Janeanna Pritchard Spelman (d.) born August 4th 1928 died July 15th 1994 Wife of Stanton Kyle Pritchard (d.) from 1949 to 1962 Wife of Edward Arthur Spelman from 1963 to 1989 She was the beloved mother of Daughter Ramona Camille Vanderark ne Pritchard and Son Lucien Eduard Gurdjieff Spelman who wrote the music and lyrics and sings this wonderful song with his group Architects and Madmen- recorded approximately August 1995 a year after his mother -this beautiful person and loving woman died of metastatic cervical cancer. MOM #39;S SONG. Music and lyrics sung and composed- - By our son Lucien EG SpelmanFrom:Brent CrawfordViews:0 0ratingsTime:05:28More inMusic

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Mom's Song by Lucien Spelman - Video

#39;Blueprint with Chantal Westerman #39;: Architect Jim McLaughlin @ Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church
ConciergeQ Host Chantal Westerman interviews Jim McLaughlin, award-winning architect, as well as a tours Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Sun Valley, Idaho. Recently, McLaughlin and Associates was honored with a prestigious Citation Award from the Idaho Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for recognition in professional excellence of a private residence.From:ConciergeQViews:3 0ratingsTime:12:38More inTravel Events

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Saint Francis University Science Center
Science Building, Design by CFB ArchitectsFrom:drewweinheimerViews:5 0ratingsTime:00:56More inFilm Animation

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The Wolrd #39;s Top 10 Best International City Skylines
The Wolrd #39;s Top 10 Best International City Skylines To Subscribe Our Channel Please Click Below Link: http://www.youtube.com There is something quite magical about a city skyline. A beauty that is all man-made in an effort to reach the sky, the stars and and may say the heavens itself. While this may seem folly to many it has produced some of the most striking visuals on the face of the planet. So many cities have a skyline pictures worthy of mention, there can only be ten pictures in any top 10 list and whether you agree with our city skyline choices across the board, you must admit that these urban images are truly works of art by the architects and engineers that designed them and the construction workers that built these masterpieces. Behold the works of man and marvel at these wondrous city skylines. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City Skyline Seattle City Skyline Toronto, Canada City Skyline Tokyo, Japan City Skyline Singapore City Skyline Shanghai, China City Skyline Shenzhen, China City Skyline Chicago City Skyline Hong Kong City Skyline New York City SkylineFrom:pastimersViews:1 1ratingsTime:01:07More inEntertainment

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Caisa drum (handpan) Mobvdick by seungsu YU
Caisa drum (handpan) Mobvdick by seungsu YU Hi, im Korea landscape architects (gardener) and caisa drummer. music title is Mobvdick. have a nice day~ Blog : blog.naver.com Facebook : http://www.facebook.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- #52992; #51060; #49380; #46300; #47100;( #54648; #46300; #54060;) : #47784; #48708; #46357; by #50976; #49849; #49688; #50504; #45397; #54616; #49464; #50836;. #52992; #51060; #49380; #46300; #47084; #47672; #51312; #44221; #44032; " #50976; #49849; #49688;" #51077; #45768; #45796;. #51060; #48264; #44257; #51008; " #47784; #48708; #46357;" #51077; #45768; #45796;. #48660; #47196; #44536;: blog.naver.com #54168; #51060; #49828; #48513; : http://www.facebook.com #50836; #49808; #46972; #54665; #46300; #47100;.From:SEUNG SU YuViews:3 0ratingsTime:02:32More inMusic

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Caisa drum (handpan) Mobvdick by seungsu YU - Video