Fox Point, an affordable and supportive housing project designed by OCV Architects, was awarded with LEED Gold, one of the first for supportive housing in New York City.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 07, 2012

Fox Point integrates green systems and materials into the buildings design and operation to ensure its long-term viability, reducing the need for future repair and prohibitive operational costs, and thereby protecting the building as an investment in affordable housing. Among the sustainability features that helped Fox Point earn LEED Gold are:

Sustainable Sites: By developing the site to include two green roofs and a vegetated yard, Fox Point maximizes open space, reduces the urban heat island effect, and decreases storm-water runoff, which has been identified as a regional priority for NYC.

OCV Architects provided Palladia with the full range of architectural services from design through construction. As LEED consultant on the project, OCV provided green design and all Design and Construction credit documentation.

At the buildings ribbon-cutting in late 2009, vice president and New York City office director for Enterprise, Abby Jo Sigal, called Fox Point a shining example of the green affordable housing Enterprise will make possible.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the nations preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In addition to achieving LEED Gold, Fox Point is an Enterprise Green Communities project and received incentives under the New York State Energy Research and Development Agencys (NYSERDAs) New Construction Program.

About OCV Architects

Oaklander, Coogan and Vitto, P.C. is a versatile, award-winning architectural firm serving the New York Metropolitan area for over 30 years. OCVs body of work ranges from affordable and special needs housing to high-end private residences, from gut rehabs and historic preservation to innovative new construction. Having produced over 1,000 units of residential housing, the firm regularly partners with urban housing authorities and development groups to create sustainable, attractive residences within restrictive budgets. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, OCV strives to bring to each design respect for a projects site, setting, history and culture, while making every effort to build responsibly and sustainably. For more on OCV please visit http://www.ocvarch.com.

For further information on this release, Fox Point or similar projects, please contact:

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OCV Architects' Supportive Housing Project Fox Point Earns LEED® Gold

Unconventional Thinking Helps Architects and Engineers 'Find the Forest Through the Trees'

VANCOUVER, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Guests at the Wood WORKS! BC Wood Design Awards last night were not only witness to an inspirational evening of innovative wood design, but also the first to hear an announcement made by Michael Giroux, President of the Canadian Wood Council (CWC), regarding the release of the highly-anticipated feasibility study, The Case for Tall Wood Buildings. Revolutionizing the way the building community designs and implements structures, the more than 200 page document delves into society's shifting thought process, recognizing that issues such as climate change and increased housing demands as part of urban intensification are no longer notions but, represent new realities that need to be addressed. The study encourages architects, engineers and designers to push the envelope of conventional thinking about wood construction and inspires them to expand this discussion so that wood is positioned as the driving force behind a systematic change for the building industry - one with environmental, economic and common sense benefits.

The Case for Tall Wood Buildings was commissioned by CWC on behalf of the Wood Enterprise Coalition (a partnership of Wood WORKS! BC, FPInnovations, and BC Wood Specialties), with support from Forestry Innovation Investment, and prepared by mgb ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN, Equilibrium Consulting, LMDG Ltd, and BTY Group. The report represents the views of the many interviewed developers/marketing groups/contractors/fire chiefs/ building authorities, and introduces a new construction model for tall buildings which utilizes mass timber panels - the concept is referred to as 'Finding the Forest Through the Trees' (FFTT). "We selected the name to acknowledge the scale of the challenge facing the world today," explains Michael Green, Principal at Michael Green Architecture, formerly Principal at mgb ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN and co-author of the report. "To slow and contain greenhouse gas emissions and find truly sustainable solutions to building, we must look at the fundamentals of the way we build - from the bones of large urban building structures to the details of energy performance. We need to search for the big picture solutions of today's vast climate, environmental, economic and world housing needs."

The FFTT model represents the first significant challenge to the predominant use of concrete and steel in tall building design since their adoption into daily use more than a century ago. Looking to refresh our current way of thinking about wood in tall building design and construction, The Case for Tall Wood Buildings is driven by the desire to find safe, carbon-neutral and sustainable alternatives to the current structural materials used in urban society.

While The Case for Tall Wood Buildings is positioned as a feasibility study, it's hoped that FFTT represents a new way of thinking that will inspire significant shifts in the way buildings and construction are approached. "In North America, and more specifically, in Canada, we harvest a small portion of our renewable forest potential each year," suggests J. Eric Karsh, Principal at Equilibrium Consulting and co-author of the report. "As architects and engineers, we have the ability to shape the future of our built environment through innovation, and it is now our joint responsibility to ensure that change is directed towards solutions with lighter climate impact. We hope that this report demonstrates that wood is a viable material for tall and large buildings alike - causing us to abandon false misconceptions surrounding its performance and embrace the realities of its many benefits."

To read a copy of the report please visit: http://wecbc.smallboxcms.com/database/rte/files/Tall%20Wood.pdf

The Canadian Wood Council CWC is the national association representing manufacturers of Canadian wood products used in construction - enabling the selling of Canadian wood products through programs and services focused on creating market access and demand. Wood WORKS! BC is a national industry-led initiative of the Canadian Wood Council, with a goal to support innovation and provide leadership on the use of wood and wood products.

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Release of the 'Case for Tall Wood Buildings'

Keegan P: I think you should look closer at the neighborhood. It is nothing like the gang infested wasteland of decades past. I live in the neighborhood and walk/bike it frequently. The number of owner occupied residences has skyrocketed and the population has become a vibrant mix of incomes and ethnicity. The promenade is already part of the redevelopment of the DHA properties (Lincoln Park South) from exclusively section 8 to mixed income and mixed use properties. The new idea would just extend it from Mariposa to Santa-Fe.

I would prefer Santa Fe and Kalamath go two-way, but I admit owning a house on Kalamath makes me a bit biased. Either way the reworking of the pedestrian domain on Santa Fe is way overdue. I know the merchants are loath to lose on street parking but I think the ideas proposed should be able to keep it. I think a parking structure in the arts district would be great but I don't know that the everyday demand would justify it.

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Comment on Architects push to make Denver's Santa Fe Arts District more pedestrian friendly

Kyle Gray busks in front of An Urban Patio on Friday night, March 2, 2012, during First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive. (THE DENVER POST | Seth A. McConnell)

A group of architects has developed a plan for the Santa Fe Arts District that it hopes will spur the city into making the neighborhood more pedestrian friendly.

Improving the walkability along Santa Fe Drive between West Sixth and West 10th avenues would make the neighborhood more appealing to developers, said Mark Raeburn, principal of Hangar 41, an architectural firm formed in 2010 and located in the arts district.

"Art districts tend to be catalysts for development," said Raeburn, who will present the plan at a private event this evening to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, various city agencies, the Denver Housing Authority and several local developers.

The plan also calls for improvements to 10th Avenue between

Heather Heick takes a moment to look at the paintings on the wall at the Galleries at 501 while exhibiting her work Friday night, March 2, 2012, during First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive. (THE DENVER POST | Seth A. McConnell)

"The connection between the light-rail station and the arts district is seen as a critical element for the neighborhood's success," said Kimball Crangle, project manager for the redevelopment of 10th between Osage and Mariposa streets, which is controlled by the DHA. "Connectivity is something that's not that far out of reach. We envisioned a promenade from 10th and Osage to Mariposa. It makes so much sense to carry it down to Santa Fe. Thoughtful design could really help solidify the effectiveness of the promenade."

NEWSED Community Development owns buildings on 10th and Mariposa. Hangar 41 worked on the vision with the help of NEWSED, which provided various master plans developed for the district dating to 1975, including one from the city in 2010 that suggested making Santa Fe a two-way street.

Though opening Santa Fe to two-way traffic is a good idea, it's not likely to happen because the Colorado Department of Transportation controls the street, Raeburn said.

What Hangar 41 envisions is removing one traffic lane, which would widen the narrow and difficult-to-maneuver sidewalks and calm traffic. If removing a traffic lane isn't possible, Raeburn said a "flex" lane could work, which would allow traffic during rush hour and parking during off-peak travel times.

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Architects push to make Denver's Santa Fe Arts District more pedestrian friendly

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG - News) announced that its Architectural Glass Binder, a fixture in architects libraries and offices for generations, is now available in a digital, downloadable format at http://www.ppgglassbinder.com.

Glenn T. Miner, PPG director of construction, flat glass, said the decision to digitize the binder, which encompasses all the printed material needed to specify or design with PPG glass, reflects the companys long-standing commitment to green building and design.

For decades, PPG has devoted a significant portion of its research and development capability to engineering products that support green building and design, Miner explained. By launching this digital glass specification binder, we are putting those principles into practice by foregoing all the energy, ink and paper use associated with printing, and by providing architects with an online tool that is always up-to-date and is available anywhere they can access the Internet through a computer or mobile device.

In addition to data sheets, product catalogs and performance data for popular PPG products such as SOLARBAN(R), STARPHIRE(R) and SUNGATE(R) glasses, the online binder contains technical documents, details for thermal stress and wind load analyses and complete product specifications.

The binder is a gateway to PPGs expanding array of electronic specification tools such as the Architectural Glass Configurator, Architectural Glass Performance Calculator and a searchable project library tool containing hundreds of product application photos. Sourcing information for PPG CFP CERTIFIED FABRICATOR PROGRAM(TM) participants, downloadable white papers and dozens of building profiles also are featured. Additionally, architects can use the binder to learn about PPG architectural coatings such as DURANAR(R), CORAFLON(R) and PPG PITTSBURGH PAINTS(R) brand products.

Visit http://www.ppgglassbinder.com to bookmark the online PPG Architectural Glass Binder.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE.(TM)

PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the worlds leading coatings and specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG - News). For more information, visit http://www.ppg.com.

Bringing innovation to the surface and PPG CFP Certified Fabricator Program are trademarks and Coraflon, Duranar, Solarban, Starphire and Sungate are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

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PPG Introduces Online Design and Specification Binder for Architectural Glass

The deal is all but done. Now it's time to sell it.

Days after they announced a multibillion-dollar settlement, BP PLC and a committee of plaintiffs' attorneys are working out details of an agreement to resolve more than 100,000 claims spawned by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

They must persuade a federal judge that the settlement is fair and equitable, but the sales job doesn't end there because the deal already has its critics.

Some attorneys who didn't participate in the settlement talks but represent thousands of plaintiffs question whether the court-supervised claims process offers a better bargain for their clients than the $20 billion compensation fund BP established in 2010. They can urge their clients not to participate in the settlement, though pursuing a claim separately in court could involve years of costly litigation.

Anthony Buzbee, a Houston-based attorney who represents about 12,000 clients with claims against BP, said he received a phone call Monday night from a Plaintiffs' Steering Committee member who briefed him on some of the terms of the deal. Buzbee had initially expressed doubt that the settlement could benefit his clients, saying it was "hard to keep an open mind when you're not getting any information" from the PSC.

His tone had softened by Tuesday, however. Buzbee said the PSC member assured him the court settlement's terms are "much more generous" than the Gulf Coast Claims Facility's claims processing formula.

"I'm going to withhold judgment on it and wait and see what the final protocols are going to be," Buzbee said.

Daniel Becnel Jr., a Reserve, La.-based attorney who represents about 1,500 clients with claims against BP, said he doesn't need to read the fine print of the deal to know he will advise his clients to opt out of the settlement. One of Becnel's concerns is that he says the settlement doesn't account for tens of thousands of people and businesses that haven't filed claims yet.

"They're starting to catch a lot of flak from a lot of people," Becnel said. "How do you settle a case without knowing what the universe is of the entire client population?"

Rig owner Transocean and cement contractor Halliburton also may challenge the deal in part because it seeks to assign certain claims BP has made against those companies to the PSC. Halliburton lead trial lawyer Donald E. Godwin said Tuesday that Halliburton is not currently in settlement discussions with BP or the PSC and that the company is preparing for trial.

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BP Settlement Architects Hope to Win Over Skeptics

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Moseley Architects, a leader in higher education facility design, is proud to announce that Richard Bland College's new science and technology building, James B. McNeer Hall, was the recipient of the Louis I. Kahn Citation as the top post-secondary entry in American School & University's 2011 Architectural Portfolio. An annual competition honoring education design excellence, the portfolio showcases projects that represent the most effective learning environments. A jury of American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on Architecture for Education members and education administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools, and universities across the country. This is the 29th year that the competition has been conducted.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120117/PH35523LOGO )

The LEED Gold facility is the first new academic building on Richard Bland's campus since the college was founded in 1960. The three-story building is home to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics classrooms and laboratories; academic computing facilities; seminar rooms; faculty and administrative offices; and faculty and student lounges.

The 2011 Jury commented that the building "helps complete the campus quad in a nice way. It's a very-well detailed buildingon the inside and outside. There is a great sense of transparency. The consistency of the interior treatments and high-quality environment provides a dignified setting."

President Dr. James McNeer, for who the facility is named, expressed his excitement with the award. "Richard Bland College is honored to be the recipient of the Louis I. Kahn citation. This state-of-the-art facility will enable our students to receive the best educational experience in their respective disciplines of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics."

In addition to meeting the college's educational needs, Moseley Architects designed the project to include green building strategies in order to earn LEED Gold certification with the U. S. Green Building Council. Noteworthy features included a second-story garden roof and highly-reflective roof surfaces to reduce the heat island effect; efficient HVAC system designed to reduce energy use by over 34 percent; and the use of regionally-manufactured and recycled materials.

About Moseley Architects

Moseley Architects is a full service architectural, engineering, and interior design firm with six offices in the Southeast. The firm specializes in higher education facility design and offers clients extensive campus planning, programming, and design experience in a broad portfolio of collegiate projects, including academic, research, recreation, athletic, arts and student life. The firm is very focused on projects featuring high performance and sustainable design, with 36 LEED certified projects (ranging from basic to platinum certification) and 48 LEED registered projects.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Lisa Demmel 804.794.7555 ldemmel@moseleyarchitects.com

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Richard Bland College Facility Earns Louis I. Kahn Citation

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire -03/05/12)- The Master Plan for the Central Delaware is a 2012 recipient of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Honor Award, the profession's highest recognition of work that demonstrates excellence in architecture and urban design. Selected from over 700 total submissions, 27 recipients from around the world will be honored at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, D.C. on May 18.

The American Institute of Architects has a long tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations for their exceptional achievements in support of the profession of architecture. The Institute Honor Awards for Regional and Urban Design highlight the renowned use of architecture in urban design, city planning, and community development and recognize projects that contribute to the quality of the urban environment. The Master Plan for the Central Delaware was one of eight awards distributed in the category of Regional and Urban Design.

This Honor Award acknowledges the vision and reality of the City of Philadelphia's plan for the future of the sweeping Delaware River waterfront. The plan strikes a strong balance between urban design and economic reality, proposing both public and private development to transform and regenerate six miles of waterfront. The plan focuses on implementing new parks, trails, and transit that will catalyze development. Projects will begin first at three priority sites: Spring Garden Street, Penn's Landing and Washington Avenue.

The AIA praised the master plan's goal of providing "a practical implementation strategy for the phasing and funding of public realm enhancements to the waterfront, including the locations of parks, a variety of waterfront trails, and connections to existing upland neighborhoods."

"The Master Plan for the Central Delaware is truly deserving of this honor," said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. "This plan lays out the necessary steps to transform Philadelphia's waterfront. Like many others, I am very excited to see new projects and development occur. I thank the AIA for this recognition."

The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation commissioned this plan which was prepared by an incredible team led by Cooper Robertson & Partners, urban designers; KieranTimberlake, architects; OLIN, landscape architects; and H&R&A, economic advisors. The Master Plan advanced the goals and objectives of an extensive civic engagement process led by PennPraxis to bring attention to the future of the Central Delaware River waterfront. Public forums and meetings continued throughout the master plan process, culminating in a public unveiling with over 500 community representatives and stakeholders in June of 2011 prior to the plan's adoption by DRWC.

"We at DRWC are delighted that the master plan is being recognized with this prestigious award, which advances our goal of regenerating the historic Delaware River waterfront as a distinctive and welcoming asset for public use and private investment," said Marilyn Jordan Taylor, Dean University of Pennsylvania School of Design and DRWC Planning Committee Chair. "The award commends not only the exceptional work of the master plan team, but also the commitment of the community members and numerous stakeholders whose participation has truly shaped this plan."

To view the final plan, please visit http://www.plancentraldelaware.com. The full list of master plan team members includes:

About The American Institute of ArchitectsFor over 150 years, members of the American Institute of Architects have worked with each other and their communities to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings and cityscapes. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct to ensure the highest standards in professional practice. Embracing their responsibility to serve society, AIA members engage civic and government leaders and the public in helping find needed solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit http://www.aia.org.

About DRWC: The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized in January 2009, exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the City.

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The Master Plan for the Central Delaware Receives Prestigious Award From the American Institute of Architects

BOSTON, March5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The Financial Architects Partners, LLC, a leading estate planning life insurance firm based in Boston, today announced the opening of its fourth regional office in Minneapolis, MN(1), headed by Jon Christie. Mr. Christie will be joining Financial Architects Partners (FAP) as Managing Director. From the Midwest location, he will provide wealth transfer life insurance planning for ultra-affluent families and their advisors. He will be a resource for estate planning attorneys, tax specialists, family offices, and wealth managers helping to integrate the life insurance asset into the families' overall estate and financial planning.

Mr. Christie has over 25 years of life insurance industry experience. Most recently, he founded Christie and Associates in 1986 where he provided diversified financial services for the planning needs of small to mid-market corporations and affluent families. During this time, Mr. Christie focused on complex life insurance planning, designing unique and innovative solutions for each of his clients' estate plans.

David J. Carroll, CEO of FAP commented, "Minneapolis is an important community to us and adding this office enhances the FAP network. Jon Christie has the experience, skills, and reputation that we look for to represent the FAP team. We are thrilled to add Jon as a key member of our national firm, and we look to add additional key personnel to our Minneapolis office in the near future."

Financial Architects Partners is a 40 person firm with offices in Boston, Providence, Minneapolis and Palo Alto consisting of individuals with backgrounds in legal, tax, investment, and life insurance.FAP actively manages over $6B of trust owned life insurance for approximately 225 families. FAP is an independent provider with access to all top US and Canadian carriers and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp. NFP, and its benefits, insurance and wealth management businesses provide diversified advisory and brokerage services to companies and high net worth individuals, partnering with them to preserve their assets and prosper over the long term. NFP advisors provide innovative and comprehensive solutions, backed by NFP's national scale and resources. The partnership affords FAP significant carrier leverage in underwriting and product procurement.

(1) Securities and Investment Advisory Services are not available at this location.

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through NFP Securities Inc.

Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Architects Partners is an affiliate of NFP Securities, Inc.

and a subsidiary of National Financial Partners Corp (NFP).

Not all individuals using these materials are registered to offer securities or

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Financial Architects Partners Announces Opening of Midwest Office

CHARLIE GATES

The life's work of two of New Zealand's most important architects has been largely destroyed in the Canterbury earthquakes.

Modernist architect Sir Miles Warren says the destruction of his built legacy is "dismal", while Peter Beaven is "shattered" by the loss.

Christchurch is renowned for developing a distinctive form of modernist architecture in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Warren and Beaven were two of the leading exponents of what became known as the Christchurch School, designing many groundbreaking buildings that have now been lost.

Beaven lost the SBS building and the Holiday Inn building in central Christchurch, among others.

Warren'smajor developments in the city included the Canterbury Savings Bank and the Crowne Plaza buildings.

Beaven lost his central-cityoffice in the February quake and has moved to Blenheim.

"I feel shattered really. It is just a huge, shattering loss," he said.

"I have moved to Blenheim. We couldn't cope with Christchurch.

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Architects 'shattered' by Christchurch's loss