By every measure its astounding that the Circuit of the Americas race track in southeast Travis County the first purpose-build Formula One facility in the United States was built at all, let alone in just 30 months.

That a small forward-thinking Austin architecture firm, Mir Rivera Architects, was tapped to create the facilitys signature buildings is even more unusual. And that the architectural aesthetics of a massive motor sports and entertainment venue was even considered at all even more surprising.

To be sure, in the past decade, Olympic stadiums have emerged as headline-grabbing architectural moments. Think of the elliptical, latticework Birds Nest, the Beijing National Stadium designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron and artist Ai Weiwei.

But within the realm of sports facility architecture, race car tracks seldom rank high.

I think its not an exaggeration to say its a miracle, what with all the regulations and permitting processes involved, that the (complex) even got built, said Juan Mir, a principal, along with Miguel Rivera, of the Austin firm which is known for its sophisticated modern aesthetics. Its just about as fast you can possibly build anything in the United States.

Mir credits circuit co-owner Bobby Epstein with being able to make quick decisions about the design, something that kept the project moving forward.

Given the accelerated schedule, the architects had no time to make a real design study of other sports facilities or fair parks.

We knew we wanted to create a sense of place and create something iconic, said Mir. Thats important for a complex as large as this is.

Indeed, the enormous scale of the 600-acre site is daunting. The 3.4 mile track is just but one feature. Theres the 9,000-seat grandstand replete with 29 private suites and a 6,000-square-foot lounge. Theres a 6,500-seat amphitheater and multiple concession and ticketing buildings scattered around.

The architects took the speed and lightness of the performance-driven F1 cars as essential inspiration, creating an architectural language that celebrates function and form. Instead of covering faades, the architects articulated the structural elements like white steel supports and beams, using them as design elements to reflect the mechanically-fixated nature of the motorsport culture.

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Seeing Things: Austin’s Miró Rivera Architects create a sense of place with their design for the Circuit of the ...

The Clifton Arts Center presents "Architects As Artists," an art exhibit and sale of artwork by various members of AIA Newark and Suburban Architects, a Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and will show the ability of these architects as talented artists.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CLIFTON ARTS CENTER

Artist and architect Steven Safary created the work above which will be on display at the Clifton Arts Center fromNov. 17 to Dec. 14. A reception is scheduled for Nov. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission for non-members is $3.

The exhibit opens on Saturday, Nov. 17, and continues through Dec. 14. There will be a reception open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission fee is $3 for non-members.

The Arts Center will be open to the public Nov. 17, 21, 28, 30, Dec. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, and 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. In case of inclement weather, call to confirm opening. Note on Nov. 22, 23 and 24, the gallery will be closed for holiday set up. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information, log onto the website at http://www.cliftonnj.org or like us on Facebook.

There are more than 50 various artworks, submitted by 15 architects. The artworks are not related to their professional work, yet indeed are works of fine art. The exhibition was open to all regular and associate members of AIA Newark and Suburban Architects, plus architectural students of the Architectural School of NJIT. It was a juried competition judged by the following distinguished members of the jury: Dr. George Saj, retired surgeon and artist; Hugh Boyd, FAIA, architect, and Arthur Paxton, photographer.

The following artists are participating in the show: Philip-Kennedy Grant, FAIA; Yogish Mistry, AIA; Robert Almodovar, AIA; Anusha Leyden, Assoc. AIA; Carin Caselli, Assoc. AIA; Stephen Rooney, AIA; Stephen Michael, student; Bogdan Seredyak, student; Esthi Zipori, AIA; Katrina Kisza, AIA; Jason Peist, AIA; Ray Nadaskay, AIA; Donald Rubin, AIA; Steven A. Safary, AIA; Julia Buteaux, AIA.

The Gallery first opened to the public in January of 2000 and more than 30,000 visitors have enjoyed art exhibits and cultural events. The Clifton Arts Center is located on the grounds of the Clifton Municipal Complex near the Well Water. For more information, call 973-472-5499 or visit http://www.cliftonnj.org.

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Architects display art at Clifton Art Center

Building Blocks / Master Builder of Egypt
What #39;s Building Blocks ? Building Blocks is a physics-based game of a special kind. Be a master-builder in Ancient Egypt! Building Blocks captivates the player with its clever gameplay, its accessibility and exciting challenges for both children and adults. Join the halls of the most famous architects with skill and quick actions and receive special awards! Are you ready to be one of the greatest master-builders of Egypt?From:GuniaStudiosViews:1 0ratingsTime:09:51More inGaming

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Building Blocks / Master Builder of Egypt - Video

Architects;The Garage;Glasgow; 14/11/12; these colours don #39;t run
Architects The Garage, Glasgow Wednesday 14th November 2012 "You had it all You F@CKING pigs"From:janekpawelViews:1 0ratingsTime:04:20More inMusic

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Crowd Simulation using MassMotion
MassMotion is the next generation pedestrian modelling system: it uses intelligent agents to test your designs not your assumptions, whether it is a station, airport, shopping centre, or stadium. MassMotion is fully BIM compatible or you can create your 3D models in any of the leading CAD platforms. Leading architects, transport planners, and fire engineers around the world use MassMotion to ensure that people can get in, through, and out of buildings in safety and comfortFrom:TheOasysSoftwareViews:0 0ratingsTime:39:41More inScience Technology

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Architects ;The Garage; Glasgow; 14/11/12; these colours don #39;t run
Architects; The Garage;Glasgow; 14/11/12; these colours don #39;t runFrom:janekpawelViews:0 0ratingsTime:04:35More inPeople Blogs

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Architects ;The Garage; Glasgow; 14/11/12; these colours don't run - Video

Choose Wisely - Milly Cort with Patterson Pope
Milly Cort discusses several ways Patterson Pope can help Architects and Designers make wise storage system decisions. Find out more about how Patterson Pope helps Architects and Designers: http://www.pattersonpope.comFrom:PattersonPopeViews:2 0ratingsTime:01:20More inPeople Blogs

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Architect.mov
Gabrielle Bell and Andrew Stephenson are architects working in Motueka, Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay.From:Bell StephensonViews:1 0ratingsTime:05:29More inPeople Blogs

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Save Time - Milly Cort with Patterson Pope
Milly Cort, an Architect and Design Representative with Patterson Pope, discusses ways we help architects and designers save time on their projects. Find out more about how Patterson Pope helps Architects and Designers: http://www.pattersonpope.comFrom:PattersonPopeViews:16 0ratingsTime:01:31More inPeople Blogs

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Save Time - Milly Cort with Patterson Pope - Video

Choose Wisely - Jaren Wells with C Design, Inc.
Jaren Wells, Director of Interiors at C. Design, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, discusses working with Patterson Pope on a recent commercial business headquarters re-location project. Find out more about how Patterson Pope helps Architects and Designers: http://www.pattersonpope.comFrom:PattersonPopeViews:15 0ratingsTime:01:50More inPeople Blogs

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