Willow House / Guz Architects

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Guz Wilkinson & Chayanit Boonma

MSE Consultants

Herizal Fitri Consultants

Nyee Phoe Flower Garden Pte Ltd

891.65 m2

2013

Text description provided by the architects. The Coral House was located on a square flat site in a quiet residential neighbourhood in Singapore. Designed for a young couple with three small children, the house aimed to create dynamic spaces that encourage play and interaction. The house embraces Singapores tropical climate by creating open, well ventilated spaces in an interlocking composition of building, garden, pool, pond and roof gardens that integrates as much as nature as possible in the in the densely urban environment of Singapore.

The building plan opens up around a central water courtyard and has been oriented to capture the most of the prevailing breezes. The two-storey building is set out as an L-shape and is counter balanced by a single storey open verandah with an accessible roof garden on the opposite end. Main living and dining areas are located on the ground floor with service areas hidden behind the main staircase. The bedrooms and study room are on the first floor; the master bedroom and childrens bedroom are located at opposite end of the buildings L-shape, separated by the main staircase.

Water and garden make up the main component of the central courtyard. From the main entrance, the focal point is a water garden comprising a large fish pond with a tree-filled island. The movement of water and fish brings life into the courtyard and draw the eye away from the building. Further down the living and kitchen area the fish pond transforms into a shallow freshwater reflective pond which then merge into a 3m deep swimming pool. The swimming pool wraps around the verandah and is encased within a long raised strip of clear acrylic panel. The acrylic panel extends into the basement level and becomes a window to the subterranean media room, bringing nature light and movement to what would otherwise be a still and dark space.

Circulation is unrestricted around the courtyard, the main stair links from the courtyard on the ground floor to an open corridor which runs along the first floor joining the bedrooms and the roof gardens. Each bedroom looks onto the main courtyard and extends out onto a roof garden. The roof gardens allow a direct relationship with the garden, break down the 2-storey massing of the house and create an illusion of a single storey building. From the street the bedrooms are seen peeping above the edge of the roof garden which is softened by an abundance of overhanging vegetation and colour.

The house makes extensive use of passive environmental principle to minimize the need for mechanical cooling. Cross ventilation is maximized by the careful placement of the building on site, large roof overhang has been designed to shade the glazed area from the strong sun. The integration of extensive landscaping on all floors helps to reduce carbon dioxide and contribute to water retention, reducing the pressure of the surface water system at heavy rain times.

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Willow House / Guz Architects | ArchDaily

Crisp Architects

Architects and Building Designers

"I worked for over a year as the Interior designer on a large new home in Litchfield Co. Connecticut with Crisp architects. I found Jimmy welcomed all input throughout the process, both from the contractor, client as well as from me. The detailed drawings and specifications contributed greatly to one of my favorite completed projects. All in all Crisp architects was a pleasure to work with."

- Rebecca C Brandon, ASID

Architects and Building Designers

"Great guys to work with. Young and enthusiastic. I hired them for a project in Corona Del Mar. The project is a little behind the timeline, but is looking good. They are on time to meetings and are very available via phone or email."

- rozlipoff

Architects and Building Designers

"Did a wonderful job on our commercial buildout in Downtown San Jose. Eugene was very easy to work with, and extremely knowledgable. Very happy client."

- Chris Fenton

Architects and Building Designers

"I just met with Wayne and Angela Visbeen to discuss a commercial project which is in dire need of a face lift. Before Wayne even sat down, he started making comments about the room. Within a minute his pens started sketching out what appears to be a Disney like rendering of how he envisions the transformation of the space. You actually see a 3D version coming to life right before your eyes. This will be the second time working with the Visbeen's. They designed the interior of our dream home in Byron Center many years ago. It was a thrilling experience back then, and I am even more excited about the project ahead. When a friend saw our home, he asked who the architect was, and proceeded to hire him to revamp his private suite at the Van Andel Arena, which turned out amazing. I highly recommend Angela and Wayne for any project you may be thinking of. You will see what I mean the moment you meet them. A dynamic duo that work together to create or transform your space into something you could only dream of.Most sincerely,Victoria S.Grand Rapids MIchigan"

- Victoria Scalici

Architects and Building Designers

"talent - creative - energetic - competentWatching Mat Cummings produce a sketch for a client is like watching an artist create a painting. It is a means for him to demonstrate his technical creativity. His clients should be framing these mini masterpieces!Working with Mat on several kitchen and bathroom renovations/additions, I have come to respect his work and the work environment he has created for his staff. Skilled in their discipline, it is a pleasure to work with Cummings Architects as well as refer them to clients."

- lmk interiors, ltd.

Architects and Building Designers

"I worked closely with Joe on developing a design for a home we were building. Throughout the entire project, Joe, along with other members of his team, brought great experience and expertise to the overall design. They are creative, thoughtful, responsive and practical. On a number of occasions Joe carefully moved the design to just the right place to avoid mistakes and maximize functionality, while making it look great. I found his team to be very responsive and easy to communicate with. I was very pleased with the exceptional plan that was produced. On top of all of that, they were just great people to work with. I fully recommend Joe and his team to anyone looking for someone to help them put together a great design for a home."

- rccbc

Architects and Building Designers

"We have worked with Bob Wetmore of Cornerstone to design two houses on adjacent lots in Greenshores on Lake Austin for our family. The first is a true Mid-Century Modern house with classic lines and room layouts. This house is a nice blend of 50's architecture while taking advantage of modern materials that weren't available 60 years ago. Our second house is a unique design that fits our needs for a Lakeside lot with steep slopes. Bob has been great to work with and has contributed so many great ideas for both homes. Bob's ability to make instant sketches while discussing options is second to none. Bob's knowledge of building materials is impressive and leads to good design outcomes."

- John Woodworth

Architects and Building Designers

"The Brickmoon team made our first time house building experience a pleasant one. They were very responsive to our needs and expert in their opinions. We are currently in the construction phase and are greatly benefitting from the time put in with Brickmoon."

- jtholany1

Architects and Building Designers

"Jeff and his team are easy to work with, have amazing skill and style, and create something unique so that you feel it is your own special design in the end. I can't say enough good things about board and vellum. I highly recommend them to any interested party looking for complete satisfaction from design to the financials."

- robinwaterman

Architects and Building Designers

"I worked with Chris Wyrick of Wyrick Residential Design recently on drawings for a custom Acadian style home. He was a pleasure to work with and always offered in great advice to really take our design to the next level (while being conscience of our budget). He was also very patient. My biggest praise to him is when we had to appeal to the ACC board in the neighborhood we are building in, Chris came to the meeting and offered up great points which really helped my case with the committee. He is passionate about his work and willing to stand behind his clients. I would recommend Wyrick Residential Design to anyone who needs an architect."

- Chelsea Carr

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Best 15 Architects and Building Designers | Houzz

Architecture, the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. The practice of architecture is employed to fulfill both practical and expressive requirements, and thus it serves both utilitarian and aesthetic ends. Although these two ends may be distinguished, they cannot be separated, and the relative weight given to each can vary widely. Because every societywhether highly developed or less so, settled or nomadichas a spatial relationship to the natural world and to other societies, the structures they produce reveal much about their environment (including climate and weather), history, ceremonies, and artistic sensibility, as well as many aspects of daily life.

The characteristics that distinguish a work of architecture from other built structures are (1) the suitability of the work to use by human beings in general and the adaptability of it to particular human activities, (2) the stability and permanence of the works construction, and (3) the communication of experience and ideas through its form. All these conditions must be met in architecture. The second is a constant, while the first and third vary in relative importance according to the social function of buildings. If the function is chiefly utilitarian, as in a factory, communication is of less importance. If the function is chiefly expressive, as in a monumental tomb, utility is a minor concern. In some buildings, such as churches and city halls, utility and communication may be of equal importance.

The present article treats primarily the forms, elements, methods, and theory of architecture. For the history of architecture in antiquity, see the sections on ancient Greece and Rome in Western architecture; as well as Anatolian art and architecture; Arabian art and architecture; Egyptian art and architecture; Iranian art and architecture; Mesopotamian art and architecture; and Syro-Palestinian art and architecture. For later historical and regional treatments of architecture, see African architecture; Chinese architecture; Japanese architecture; Korean architecture; Oceanic art and architecture; Western architecture; Central Asian arts; Islamic arts; South Asian arts; and Southeast Asian arts. For a discussion of the place of architecture and architectural theory in the realm of the arts, see aesthetics. For related forms of artistic expression, see city; interior design; and urban planning.

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South Asian arts: Sri Lankan architecture

The most impressive monuments are the great stpas, some of gigantic size and considerable antiquity but often reconstructed in the course of the centuries. They generally have a triple circular base, and as in early Indian stpas, a hemispherical dome with a miniature railing

The types of architecture are established not by architects but by society, according to the needs of its different institutions. Society sets the goals and assigns to the architect the job of finding the means of achieving them. This section of the article is concerned with architectural typology, with the role of society in determining the kinds of architecture, and with planningthe role of the architect in adapting designs to particular uses and to the general physical needs of human beings.

Architecture is created only to fulfill the specifications of an individual or group. Economic law prevents architects from emulating their fellow artists in producing works for which the demand is nonexistent or only potential. So the types of architecture depend upon social formations and may be classified according to the role of the patron in the community. The types that will be discussed heredomestic, religious, governmental, recreational, welfare and educational, and commercial and industrialrepresent the simplest classification; a scientific typology of architecture would require a more detailed analysis.

Domestic architecture is produced for the social unit: the individual, family, or clan and their dependents, human and animal. It provides shelter and security for the basic physical functions of life and at times also for commercial, industrial, or agricultural activities that involve the family unit rather than the community. The basic requirements of domestic architecture are simple: a place to sleep, prepare food, eat, and perhaps work; a place that has some light and is protected from the weather. A single room with sturdy walls and roof, a door, a window, and a hearth are the necessities; all else is luxury.

In much of the world today, even where institutions have been in a continuous process of change, dwelling types of ancient or prehistoric origin are in use. In the industrialized United States, for instance, barns are being built according to a design employed in Europe in the 1st millennium bce. The forces that produce a dynamic evolution of architectural style in communal building are usually inactive in the home and farm. The lives of average people may be unaltered by the most fundamental changes in their institutions. The people can be successively slaves, the subjects of a monarchy, and voting citizens without having the means or the desire to change their customs, techniques, or surroundings. Economic pressure is the major factor that causes average individuals to restrict their demands to a level far below that which the technology of their time is capable of maintaining. Frequently they build new structures with old techniques because experiment and innovation are more costly than repetition. But in wealthy cultures economy permits and customs encourage architecture to provide conveniences such as sanitation, lighting, and heating, as well as separate areas for distinct functions, and these may come to be regarded as necessities. The same causes tend to replace the conservatism of the home with the aspirations of institutional architecture and to emphasize the expressive as well as the utilitarian function.

As wealth and expressive functions increase, a special type of domestic building can be distinguished that may be called power architecture. In almost every civilization the pattern of society gives to a few of its members the power to utilize the resources of the community in the construction of their homes, palaces, villas, gardens, and places of recreation. These few, whose advantages usually arise from economic, religious, or class distinctions, are able to enjoy an infinite variety of domestic activities connected with the mores of their position. These can include even communal functions: the palace of the Flavian emperors in ancient Rome incorporated the activities of the state and the judicial system; the palace of Versailles, a whole city in itself, provided the necessities and luxuries of life for several thousand persons of all classes and was the centre of government for the empire of Louis XIV. Power architecture may have a complex expressive function, too, since the symbolizing of power by elegance or display is a responsibility or a necessity (and often a fault) of the powerful. Since this function usually is sought not so much to delight the patrons as to demonstrate their social position to others, power architecture becomes communal as well as domestic. In democracies such as ancient Greece and in the modern Western world, this show of power may have been more reserved, but it is still distinguishable.

A third type of domestic architecture accommodates the group rather than the unit and is therefore public as well as private. It is familiar through the widespread development of mass housing in the modern world, in which individuals or families find living space either in multiple dwellings or in single units produced in quantity. Group housing is produced by many kinds of cultures: by communal states to equalize living standards, by tyrants to assure a docile labour force, and by feudal or caste systems to bring together members of a class. The apartment house was developed independently by the imperial Romans of antiquity to suit urban conditions and by the American Indians to suit agricultural conditions. Group architecture may be power architecture as well, particularly when land values are too high to permit even the wealthy to build privately, as in the 17th-century Place des Vosges in Paris, where aristocratic mansions were designed uniformly around a square, or in the 18th-century flats in English towns and spas. Although most domestic architecture of the 20th century employed the style and techniques of the past, the exceptions are more numerous and more important for the development of architecture than ever before. This is because the distribution of wealth and power is widespread in parts of the world where architecture is vital and because the modern state has assumed responsibility for much high-quality housing.

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architecture | Definition, Techniques, & Theory | Britannica.com

Our Light Saw House represents a contemporary, design-based solution to sustainable architecture.

Built upon an existing double fronted Edwardian weatherboard, our clients sought a local architectural response to a property they had owned for some time, but not lived in for 15 years whilst overseas.

To accomplish the project requirements, the original house was retained, but retro-fit in such a way as to exceed current building standards. A compact extension to the rear addresses the need to bring light and warmth over the top of the existing house.

The volumes created allow the compact floor plan to feel generous and in proportion to the original house without overshadowing the south facing backyard. All new rooms are connected to the environment through views to the sky and adjacent landscaped gardens.

Recycled or recyclable materials have been utilised throughout. Existing external brick paving, paths and garden beds were salvaged and re-imagined internally to connect the garden to the wet areas. Key trees, retained and protected during construction, now thrive within a newly landscaped environment.

Builder: Philip Building Group

Landscape Architect: Eckersley Garden Architecture

Photographer: Derek Swalwell

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Zen Architects | Sustainable Architecture | Melbourne

Established in 1983, the firm of Garth Hayden Architect has developed a reputation for excellent design and full understanding of building alterations/renovation as well as a strong knowledge of historic preservation and building conversions.The firm has completed a variety of commissions including residential condominiums, offices, retail stores, art galleries and private residences throughout New York City including the Boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens and in Long Island. The firm's approach combines the practice of quality, timely, cost-effective architecture and interiors combined with sustainable design strategies.In addition to providing full architectural services, the firm demonstrates a special expertise in successfully maximizing a project's potential under the applicable zoning regulations and expediting approval processes. The principal's in-depth knowledge of local codes, personal experience with local jurisdiction and strong project management capability help to speed up construction starts and minimize delays. These skills, in addition to collaborating with experienced professional engineering firms, ensure the delivery of successfully completed projects.

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The 10 Best Architects in Secaucus, NJ (with Free Estimates)

Listen to the full album: http://bit.ly/1WUsquY"Gone With The Wind" by Architects from the album 'All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us,'' available nowOrder here: http://www.architectsofficial.com/

Architects Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/architectsukArchitects Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/architectsukArchitects Instagram: http://instagram.com/architects

Direction and visuals - Jeb Hardwick - http://www.jebhardwick.com

Lyrics

The weight of the world is resting on thin ice. When the surface breaks will I find paradise? As I freeze to death, left to reflect, what a waste of time I was, in retrospect. Id take a leap of faith, but Id lose my nerve. In the end, Ill get the hell that I deserve. Im always gone with the wind. Crawling in and out of my mind. God knows, I lost all my faith. A sickness with no remedy, except the ones inside of me. You ever wonder how deep you can sink into nothing at all? Disintegrate. Annihilate me. Do you remember when you said to me, My friend, hope is a prison.? Of all the patterns that I could create, I built a labyrinth with no escape. To keep my self under lock and key. I am my own worst enemy. A sickness with no remedy, except the ones inside of me. You ever wonder how deep you can sink into nothing at all? Disintegrate. Annihilate me. If I could silence all the doubt in me, accept that what is meant to be, is meant to be. You ever wonder how deep you can sink into nothing at all? Disintegrate. Annihilate me.

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Architects - "Gone With The Wind" - YouTube

Zaha Hadid Architects Wins Competition for Port of Tallinn Masterplan in Estonia

Zaha Hadid Architects has been selected as the winners of an international competition to masterplan the revitalization of the Old City Harbour in Tallinn, Estonia. Beating out an esteemed shortlist of 6 teams, including AZPML, KCAP Architects & Planners and Helsinki-based ALA Architects, ZHAs proposal was lauded by the client for its innovative and integrated approach to Tallinns maritime gateway.

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Zaha Hadid have very skilfully created a balanced connection between urban space and the port area with some carefully considered access roads and traffic solutions, said Valdo Kalm, the chairman of the management board of the Port of Tallinn. What stands out in their designs are the diagonals running through them of the pedestrian footpaths, around which a very diverse and memorable city space has been established.

Interesting details include the water features theyve designed along Reidi Street and their partial and very smooth and effective raising of the areas for pedestrians up to another level. Adding to the overall feel of integration in their designs is the urban square and greenery theyve come up with for the area around Admiralty Basin, stretching all the way from the front of Terminal A to the front of Terminal D. Their entry was also marked out by strong logistics and property development analysis and a convincing and realistic projection of the implementation of the Masterplan stage by stage.

Among other criteria, the jury evaluated each of the finalists entries based on their cohesion with the surrounding environment, the strength of connection between the port and city, the quality of innovation in the solution and the projects overall feasibility.

Aimed at realization by 2030, the masterplan competition was launched with the aim of reconnecting the city and public realm to the port, while spurring new development that will complement and enhance the existing port functions.

Zaha Hadid Architects will now work alongside Latvian architectural firm RemPro, engineering consultant Tyrens UK real estate consultants Colliers Estonia and RLB UK and VA-Render for visuals to further develop the project, with a final scheme targeted for the end of 2017. At that point, detailed architectural and economic plans will be produced to determine an exact timeline for implementation.

News via Port of Tallinn.

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Zaha Hadid Architects Wins Competition for Port of Tallinn ... - ArchDaily

Architects' Sam Carter and Dan Searle talk new music, new lyrics and playing their biggest ever UK headline show at London's Alexandra Palace.

YOU'RE PLAYING ALEXANDRA PALACE! TELL US ABOUT ITSays Sam Carter (vocals): Were going to put on the best show possible. Its one show and youve got to go all in, and were so stoked to have While She Sleeps with us as well.

Dan Searle (drums): We just want to make a massive night of it. Its a big event, a big celebration for everyone. Everyone knows what the band has been through.

Its not your average story, and theres a level of emotional investment with fans now where it really makes for a special event.

Sam: I feel like now, shows and especially big shows like Brixton have meant so much to people in the crowd as well, because its crazy that people have invested so much time in our band over these years to see us get to this level.

I think they understand how much this means to us as well, so theyre equally important to the show.

Dan: Its odd because the trajectory of our band is so unusual. We sort of pottered along for a decade at a lower level barely making ends meet. Weve persevered and to then suddenly find ourselves in this position is quite unusual.

Not many bands break through to that degree on their seventh album. Its really unusual.

AND HAVING WHILE SHE SLEEPS AND COUNTERPARTS INVOLVED MUST BE AWESOMESam: Brendon from Counterparts messaged me being like, Thank you for letting us play a 10,000 capacity show. We will never do that ever again for the rest of our career! Its so funny.

Dan: Has a hardcore band ever played at Ally Pally? Is the closest Suicidal Tendencies supporting Slipknot? I dont know, its really great that we can give a band like that the opportunity to do something like that, because its a very unique and rare thing, so thats really cool.

Sam: And for us live its like, Lets just go in. Were planning and getting carried away already, so its nice to be like, This is our one show. Focus all of the attention on that.

Its obviously a massive venue so you can do things that you couldnt normally do in smaller rooms. You can do more in that room than you can in Brixton, and Brixtons still a big venue.

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT WHAT COMES AFTER THAT? I REMEMBER AFTER BRIXTON YOU WERE SAYING, WE CAN T BELIEVE THIS...Sam: I always do this thing and I think Dans similar in that while we were playing Brixton my mind was like, Right... next! You always have these little points where youre like, Where are we going to go from here? but with Ally Pally its like... Where do we go?!

Dan: After we played Brixton.... That was the career pinnacle off my bucket list. There was nothing beyond it, and I came offstage at Brixton... I loved the show, but afterwards I felt quite a bit empty, like, Well, thats it.

Weve kind of had to set new targets and new ambitions in order to keep moving forward. Well definitely have one eye on whats beyond that but nothing really matters unless we produce a good album.

Sam: I think from here as well show-wise, its real, actual dream-come-true shit, playing a venue that big and being the band that we are

Dan: Were incredibly insecure though, so we dont get too carried away. Itll probably only do 1,000 tickets, the promoter will lose money and never work with us again-

Sam: -these are genuine conversations we have...

Dan:Genuinely, bands live and die by their songs, so its all well and good doing Ally Pally but were dead in the water without a good album, so up until we play Ally Pally our focus is on making sure we write some good songs.

Thats the most important thing and thats where our focus is, not the shows. So well see.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW NEW MUSIC IS PROGRESSING?Dan: Weve got a lot of songs.

Sam: Its going really well. When we finished the last tour we knew that was when the writing was really going to start taking shape.

Dan and Josh have been writing, Alis been writing, its been a lot of work but it seems to be flowing very naturally and its actually fun and we almost have too much stuff.

Now were going to trim it back and work on each song individually that we have and start demoing vocals. Its really coming together.

Dan: Theres just a lot of pressure. The circumstances are unique and we feel the responsibility to... I feel like the attitude should be given that weve lost Tom just to try and make something half decent, but we kind of want to keep getting better.

But the odds are stacked against us and it almost sounds arrogant or deluded to suggest that we want to keep getting better, but that is ultimately our target.

Sam: And I think people know that we have very high standards, and if we didnt truly think it was better than All Our Gods..., it wouldnt come out.

So were very hard on ourselves and we have the standards that we set and well keep working until we smash those standards out of the park.

Dan: Were trying to not settle and not make any promises about when were going to deliver the album or anything like that, because we have enough pressure on the band already without deadlines. Weve got to get our heads down and make it happen.

DO YOU WISH YOUD HAD MORE TIME OFF OVER THE PAST YEAR?Sam: I think for all of us, a way of actually helping what was happening was being all together on tour, having a routine of being together and constantly being busy. I think now were at the point where we need some time to chill and to evaluate.

Dan: We were a little bit silly in that we just said yes to everything. Its been a bit too much. [Reading & Leeds was] our last show of the year so were fine, were right at the end and its been great, but were all pretty burnt now.

Weve said in the past that we wouldnt do this any more, but after we lost Tom we just wanted to dive right back into it, and paid the price for diving in a bit too deep.

Sam: Not that we didnt feel grateful before, but I feel like we feel very honoured to be still able to be in a band and still be playing shows.

Not many bands go through this, and no one really tells you how to deal with stuff after it, so weve just been feeling it out and weve been there for each other through periods of people finding it hard and being tired, but were at our last show and all still smiling and still having a good time.

DOES IT FEEL LIKE THE WORLD NEEDS AN ARCHITECTS ALBUM RIGHT NOW?Sam: We get asked this a lot regarding the next record because obviously of our political stance and what were about.

"I feel like theres a lot of political bands out there as well now doing that, but I think yes, obviously there will be some parts of the record where we may be talking about that sort of stuff, but I think with the things weve been through as a group of people, lyrically its going to be heading in that direction.

Dan: The state of the world is obviously not good, but dealing with personal stuff has taken the spotlight off that stuff for us a little but. Lately weve become a little bit more invested in it

Sam: I feel like for us, writing lyrics about this sort of thing and writing lyrics about what weve been through can be very cathartic and very helpful.

I think were obviously never going to turn away from our beliefs and who knows, maybe therell end up being a few songs on the record that are about it because we are in a very sorry state of affairs right now and I still find it very shocking that Donald Trump is actually the president, but theres a lot of things that we need to get off our chests and our heads and as a band explain what weve been through and also as a family and as a group of best friends.

Architectsplay London's Alexandra Palace alongsideWhile She SleepsandCounterpartsin February. Tickets are on sale now.

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Architects: Writing Lyrics About What We've Been Through Can Be Very Cathartic - ROCKSOUND.TV

One issue that the right and left agreed uponin the 2016 election? Infrastructure. The countrys roads, bridges, highways, hospitals, railways, and water systems need immediate attention. President Trump promised to spend $1 trillion to improve the situation; so far, no comprehensive plan has been releasedbut the presidentis implementing policy that will impact how these projects are designed and built. Andaccording toenvironmentalistsand architects, it might make infrastructure weaker, not stronger.

On August 15, Trump signed an executive order that shortened the permitting process for federal infrastructure projects by overhauling the environmental review process, which he believes has slowed the pace of infrastructure construction and repair. Trump also revoked an Obama-era rule mandating extra flood protections for all federal infrastructure projectsdesigned to build resilience and mitigate damage from climate change. As the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Texas government assess the damage from Hurricane Harvey and its flood waters, and begin to rebuild, this policy change will impact how new infrastructure is designed and to what specifications.

Obamas 2015 executive order was all about using design to reduce the risk of catastrophic damage from flooding. For example, it mandated that all projects receivingfederal funding must use the best-available climate science and hydrological data to assess flood risk and determine what the flood elevation should be. It also went into granular detail and instituted a rule that added two feet to the base flood elevation for non-critical projects and three feet to critical projects. Trumps executive order eliminates the stricter protections Obama mandated on flooding and the effects of climate change, along withshortening the environmental review process. Environmental advocates have railedagainst the order, while the oil industry has showered itwith praise.

To get a fuller understanding of the new policys implications, we spoke to members of two groups that it will directly impact:architects and sustainability experts.

To Margaret Montgomerysustainability leader at NBBJ, an architecture firm based in Seattle that designs for Amazon and Samsungand recently rebuilt the Veterans Administration Hospital, in New Orleansthe new policy is indicative of climate denial, which puts us at risk for long-term planning.

Climate change is here, no matter what any administration does to hide the facts, she says. To blindly act as if nothing is happening sets us up for facilities that fail, people that are hurt, and communities burdened with tremendous additional costs that could have been avoided. It especially damages communities that have less power and ability to react and recover when something happens.

Montgomery, like other architects who commented for this story, believes that specific regions of the country are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of Trumps policy, like communities that are more dependent on federal funding, areas that dont accept that climate change is real, and areas that are underserved. Regionsthat already have strong local climate action planstypically major cities on the coastswill continue to champion sustainable, resilient design. The areas that are at the greatest risk of infrastructure failure in a storm are often the least likely to prioritize resiliency without federal oversight.

I wasnt surprised; we all saw this coming, Mike Cavanaughsustainability leader at CannonDesign, a firm that specializes in hospitals, university campuses, and civic buildingstells Co.Design. Were definitely concerned, but at the same time weve been through this for seven to eightmonths and we know deregulation is the theme of the day.

He points out that, paradoxically, deregulation is detrimental to areas that want it the most. These are regions that already have the worst infrastructure since their economies have not supported new construction or maintenance over they yearsso they urgently need new development, which could sparkjob creation.

[Policy makers] deregulate because they want things to happen faster, Cavanaugh says. So areas without the robust economy feel like they need to get a fast-food version of development going. Thats where planning isnt going to take place properly. Theyll build critical infrastructure below the 500-year floodplain and thats where well see regretting some of these decisions made to quickly get a short-term economic boost, maybe not in 1or 5years, but in 10 or 20 years. So its places in the south, like Louisiana still rebuilding from Katrina, [that want] to accelerate oil and gas infrastructure.

In his executive order, Trump stated that unnecessary rules and regulations cause inefficient decision-making processes, stalling infrastructure development. To spark development, he claimed, the country needs fewer rules. But fewer federal rules might not make development fasterit could actually slow construction down even more, according to Phil Harrison, CEO of Perkins+Will, one of the largest architecture firms in the country.

Right now, perhaps the biggest impact is incongruence and confusion, he tells Co.Design in an email. While a number of sustainability-focused policies are being rolled back, other pre-existing federal environmental policies and executive orders, such as the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildingswhich essentially sets requirements for federal buildings to meet the 2030 Challengeremain in effect. This lack of clarity around whats still applicable and whats not will likely lead to even greater regulatory burden, despite all promises to the contrary.

In his experience, Harrison has found his government clients to be good stewards of public funds and doesnt believe that agencies would put their multimillion dollar investments in harms way. But that might not be the case in every situation.

Since, by rolling back some of these environmental policies, the federal government is reducing its role in protecting the public interest, other groups will need to close the gap, Harrison tells Co.Design. Fortunately, communities, cities, counties, and states already have a more significant hand in public health and safety than the federal government. So for now, this rollback simply means they will need to do more.

If these municipalitiesand the stakeholders footing the billagree that climate-resilient design is a priority, changes at the federal level wont matter. However, there are dozens of climate deniers in office. While resilient design and sustainability have become part of the lingua franca for many projects today, that wasnt the case a decade ago.

In general, my biggest worry is that were just beginning to head in the right direction and gather the resources and forces and momentum to actually respond appropriately to climate change, Margaret Montgomery says. I think its unfortunate were hitting a setback. In the profession were mobilized. Well do what we can do and theres a lot we can do without being told to do it.

In many ways, architects are the first line of defense. As consultants, they are equipped to inform their clients about resilient design. The AIA Code of Ethics includes a section about how environmentally responsible design is a professional duty. CannonDesign incorporates questions about long-term resiliency at the start of its discussions with clients by plainly asking if its a priority. If not, then its architects explain why its worth considering.

Of course, this approach can only go so far when there are many stakeholders involved and many competing priorities, cost and time being two major factors. Flood-resistant design is often more expensive, since it can include things like moving mechanical systems to upper floors and significantly reinforcing structures. When it comes to staying within budget, design elements that arent necessary for day-to-day operation rarely take priority: Why spend extra money to design a structure for an event that might only happen once every 100 years?

Its really handy for us as taxpayers to say we can shave 2% or 3% off the project cost now, but at what cost in a disaster? Montgomery says about investing in resilient design. We just have the heroic sense that we can put off paying, but we cant for very long. The costs of disaster are amounting so muchand its so avoidable.

The countrys current infrastructure problem is a result of putting short-term priorities over long-term consequences. Budgets are severely limited. Building a new bridge might be put off for a few years, but funding emergency services cant be delayed, for example. The cycle repeats, and here we are. The only solution is to be aggressively proactive, and the administrations current trajectory is anything but.

Trump abandoned his plans for an infrastructure advisory councilwhich would have steered his trillion-dollar promiseafter his other councils disbanded in the wake of Charlottesville. Long-term infrastructure planning requires vision and foresight to rally taxpayers, private contractors, counties, cities, and states around projects that will take longer than a political termor annual profit reportto plan and complete. As it is now, Trumps blind need for speed policy robs tomorrow for today.

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Architects Speak Out Against Trump's Latest Executive Order - Co.Design (blog)

Renowned architect Frank Gehry was in North Adams Friday to visit what supporters hope will become the future site of the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum, an initiative being championed by Thomas Krens, former director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

Gehry, who worked with Krens on the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, signed on earlier this year to design the proposed 83,000-square-foot museum. It has spectacular potential, said Gehry. I dont know of anything quite like what [Krens] has in mind.

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The proposed $65 million museum would boast some 110 continuously operating model trains and would display architectural models by some of the worlds leading architects.

There is no real architecture museum anywhere in the world, said Krens, who accompanied Gehry on the trip. People like miniaturization, and they are drawn to motion.

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The proposed museum is part of a much larger plan Krens and others are championing for Western Gateway Heritage State Park and nearby lands that includes a distillery, a commercial art storage facility, a new park, and multiple structures designed by well-known architects.

In addition to designing the model train and architecture museum, Krens said, Gehry will plan renovations for the Mohawk Theater and design a pedestrian bridge. He added that architect Jean Nouvel has agreed to design a luxury hotel, a museum devoted to American art, and a museum devoted to motorcycles. In addition, he said, architect Richard Gluckman has signed on to design the Massachusetts Museum of Time, which would be devoted to industrial clocks.

I always thought [North Adams] could become an American Florence, Gehry said. Not a wealthy mans Florence, but a normal mans Florence.

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The city of North Adams has submitted an application for a $5.4 million grant from MassWorks to support the planned railroad and architecture museum, which would be built on publicly owned land.

But Krens said the bulk of the funding for the proposed $65 million museum would come from private investors.

This is a for-profit endeavor, said Krens. We are expecting 500,000 to 700,000 annual visitors. If I get that kind of visitor-ship, were running a fairly simple museum. We expect our investors will be very handsomely rewarded.

By contrast, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, also in North Adams, logged about 165,000 visitors last year. In nearby Williamstown, the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute drew 170,000 visitors in fiscal year 2016.

There appears to be regional support for the project. On Friday Krens and Gehry were joined at a press conference by former governor William F. Weld, Mayor Richard Alcombright of North Adams, and Mass MoCA director Joe Thompson. During the press conference, Weld said the project would totally transform the North Adams-Williamstown area. Thompson said it would inject a tremendous amount of life into North Adams.

Gehry, who is known for making splashy architectural statements, said he had no preconception of what its going to look like.

The architectural mandate is simple, since the landscape around us is so spectacular, said Gehry. I dont think Tom is given to excess in his program needs, so itll probably be a modestly budgeted building.

Krens said $2.5 million had already been raised for the project without formal fund-raising.

Connor Orlando

The proposed $65 million museum would boast some 110 continuously operating model trains and would display architectural models by some of the worlds leading architects.

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Architect Frank Gehry to design proposed museum - The Boston Globe - The Boston Globe