February 4, 2020 - As part of the EU project "Palace of life - City of changes", the archaeological research at the Old Town Hall in Split will begin at the end of this week.

TCN has already announced that the neo-Gothic Old Town Hall building in the Split Pjaca will undergo a complete transformation.

Namely, the building will retain its current size, layout, and height. Renovations will be carried out on the floors, all floor structures, and the roof.

Architect of the project, Josip Rui, said that by removing the existing walls and modifying the inter-story structures, the intention is to achieve an open and flexible exhibition space on all three floors. This will allow the heritage facility to be used for new functions and to hold seminars, lectures, concerts, receptions, and the like.

The Old Town Hall could also serve as a place where the mayor would occasionally receive high-ranking guests, and suitable furniture for the first floor will be specially brought in for the occasion. The dropped ceiling will be removed and a wooden cassette ceiling installed, with thermal insulation required. The base of the pillars in the loggia that were cut off during the earlier interventions will be reconstructed and add the missing part of the stone base.

The existing wooden windows and doors will be replaced with new ones, but in the same style. Anti-theft foil is envisaged on the windows, with additional thermal insulation and sun protection.

On the ground floor, the reception area, souvenir shop, control room, and toilets will be located along the existing loggia and the exhibition area, and all the facilities mentioned above will occupy a quarter of the space, while the rest will be used for exhibiting. An 18th-century illustrated monograph of Diocletian's Palace, authored by Scottish architect Robert Adam, will be displayed on the touch screen.

The north side of Old Town Hall will provide access for people with disabilities, up to the ground floor level by a ramp, and access to the second floor by elevator. A stone staircase with a wrought iron fence will be retained. On the first and second floors, there will be showrooms, and the attic is intended for mechanical installations, storage, and office space.

Recall, at the end of last year, the City of Split Administration announced a competition for archaeological research and the renovation and interior decoration of the historic building located in the Split Pjaca, or Peoples Square.

These activities are an integral part of the EU project "Palace of life - City of changes", financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the ITU Mechanism of the Urban Agglomeration of Split, and the value of this part of the works is estimated at 7.2 million kuna.

Slobodna Dalmacija announced that the archaeological research at the Old Town Hall finally begins at the end of this week.

Renovation works precede these works, and their goal is to fully discover and protect the archaeological layers and structures of the building. They are expected to be completed in March 2020, when renovation and interior design work is scheduled to begin.

The interior design project is signed by Nikolina Jelavi Mitrovi, who designed and executed 12 permanent exhibitions of museums in Croatia and more than 130 exhibitions in our leading museums and galleries. For the Vukovar City Museum housed in the Eltz Castle and the Museum Alka of Sinj, she received prestigious European awards.

The designer notes that, given the importance of the building, it was approached with the utmost care and that all possible installation equipment would be kept as hidden or as noticeable as possible.

In addition to the installation of a modern ventilation system, a microclimate control system is envisaged, which will allow the exposure of the most sensitive and valuable exhibits. The first and second floors will havemicroclimatecontrol when needed, so that the most sensitive exhibits can be exposed, says Jelavi Mitrovi, adding that there will be automatic glass doors on the floors that provide stable microclimate conditions.

Unlike the existing lighting, the new lighting will be flexible, able to move around, and allow for better adjustment of light intensity depending on the purpose. There will be built-in speakers on the ceilings.

The project envisages a system of dismantling panels that will allow the window openings to be covered, thus providing more exhibition space.

No use of the walls is envisioned, but the exhibitions will be shown exclusively on the billboards. The space is a bit darker as the walls will not be white, and the use of disassembly panels will be used. The panels will be able to change color depending on the exhibition, notes the designer, pointing out that the panels will be able to be placed freely in the space, but also against the wall using a special suspension system to create a continuous exhibition surface.

The coat of arms on a glass wall in the center window is planned on the first floor, which was created when the town hall was Neo-Gothic. The coats of arms will be made of colored glass, and not painted on glass as it is now.

Incredibly, this space has not been valorized so far as a building and a site of significant events in the history of the city. It is time it is presented adequately.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCNs dedicated page.

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Archaeological Exploration at Old Town Hall in Split Begins this Week - Total Croatia News

P

ropelled by the unveiling of its new East and West concept, BetConstruct is returning to ICE Londonthis year with a host of groundbreaking new releases, a never-before-seen project, and ambitious expansion plans for the months ahead.

Last year, with a brand-new Chief Product Officer in tow to spearhead its development efforts, BetConstruct launched its latest company concept: East and West.At the start of a new decade, the leading betting and gaming supplier boasts 15 offices worldwide, and one on almost every continent of the globe. As new CPO Edgar Mkrtchyan is keen to highlight, its offering is now so diverse that it can appeal to almost any player and operator around the world, and at ICE London this week, its all-encompassing stand will be a testament to that.

As in previous years, BetConstructs new concept has been the driving force behind several new launches and fresh ideas that are set to be showcased at the expo across 4-6 February. But before these big reveals, however, a disruptive new plan which Mkrtchyan describes as a never before seen project is set to be unveiled.

Across all of its regional offices and development hubs, BetConstruct harnesses the skills and passion of around 3,000 members of staff and its next big plan involves tapping into this huge source of industry knowledge and expertise.With all the knowledge and experience collected over the years of being in business we find ourselves qualified enough to deliver industry-facing education for those who want to enter iGaming, explained Mkrtchyan. The scale of our expertise reaches from the very essentials of gaming and betting up to full-on project management.

Recognising the breadth and depth of the companys collective knowledge, BetConstruct will be shortly establishing its new Betting Academy, a training program that can train up personnel to become leaders in their fields, from traders to risk managers, in any iGaming business across the globe. Since the initial goal is to provide the opportunity of delivering professionally trained staff to our partners, their opinion will matter the most, which is why we will first share our ideas with our existing operators at ICE, added Mkrtchyan.

Meanwhile, following groundbreaking launches such as the AI-driven live tracking tool, AJNA, the sports betting side of the business looks set to be a hive of activity at this years ICE. Sports data products are as vital as water thats what our founder and CEO said three years ago at our H2O Data seminar, said Mkrtchyan. This huge domain, which includes odds feeds, is powered by FeedConstruct, our sports data provider, which is always striving for innovation and improvement. To back up our sports betting offering, the company offers live sports video streaming, statistics with 20-years historical data, and scouting data. Together, these four products provide potent fuel for any sports betting business.

This February, FeedConstruct will be showcasing a host of new releases, with an innovative spin-off associated with each of the brands four cornerstones of sports data. The first of these, DeePro, is a deep data collecting tool for basketball designed to step up a teams performance, indicating the effectiveness of decisions made by coaches and the results of players training routines.

Our tool takes into account all the intricacies of the game, all the minute details and features in order to deliver reports and game statistics including individual player data, said Mkrtchyan. Its designed to perform via automated hot keys and special functionalities which allow the scout to collect and process deep data easier and faster. As for the rest, Id like keep the intrigue for FeedConstruct and let them shine when present their ground-breaking solutions in London this February.

And what is the company planning to bring to the table on the iGaming side? Everything, says Mkrtchyan. And I mean it. With an immense library of games both created in-house and supplied by big-name developers, alongside a huge range virtual sports, fantasy sports, live casino, virtual reality, poker, and more, BetConstructs iGaming suite delivered via their flagship Spring platform seems to encapsulate almost every part of the sector, both old and new. In addition, the firm is also happy to carry out customer development projects for partners who are looking for something particularly niche or tailored to their specific audience.

At ICE this year, however, the focus will be on something a little bit different: the launch of the Spring BME app, an iGaming encyclopaedia that will deliver insights and analysis direct to the smartphones of industry professionals.We expect this solution to become a compass for the industry which can lead newcomers to ultimate success as operators and drive all other industry players forward in their goals, said Mkrtchyan.

Pushing its partners to do the best business possible is at the heart of the BetConstruct ethos, and the company has invested a large amount of time into making the process of integrating its products and tools as smooth and straightforward as possible.At the show in London, its focus will be on liaising closely with existing and future partners. The brand has a talent for creating a visual spectacle, and this February the team hopes to stimulate and educate attendees with an impressive 360-degree video installation offering a panoramic view of their products and services.

This ambitious display, says Mkrtchyan, will not only showcase what BetConstruct can bring to the table, but also aim to deepen peoples knowledge of B2C operations and the state of play in the industry.We have high expectations for 2020 in terms of deals and partnerships but as always, we expect the most from ourselves, he said. We want to focus on delivering the best quality and flexibility with any of our products, and, in line with our East and West concept, we also plan to continuously expand our operations within regulated markets.

The ambitious expansion plans for this year follow hot on the heels of a number of new market entries in 2019. In the last twelve months, BetConstruct has partnered with a number of leading MGA-licensed online casino suppliers, secured a Remote Operating Licence from the UK Gambling Commission for its Live Dealer product, achieved certification for its Sportsbook in Colombia, and licensed its land-based solutions in Romania. Now the company hopes to expand further into prominent European growth markets such as Italy, Denmark and Sweden.

Meanwhile, on the product side, every single one of BetConstructs tools will continue to be rigorously tested, revised and improved, says Mkrtchyan including the companys biggest runaway successes, such as its Live Casino product. Once weve done our best, staying up to the mark is what comes next - and any further step must be a continuous uphill journey, he explained. BetConstructs in-house live casino studio is growing in a very literal way, since we are expanding the space by adding a new floor to the building. That means new games, new halls and new revenue-stream opportunities for our partners are already on the agenda for us.

In addition to that, the overall gaming suite is expanding with new highly effective promotional tools and simple mini games which find immediate preference with players and generate revenue right away without cannibalising the existing offerings.

Its one thing to provide all necessary software and tools and entirely another to support a partner on throughout their whole way to success and stable growth, Mkrtchyan added. Here at BetConstruct we do both.

Go here to read the rest:
BetConstruct to display a 360 video installation at ICE with a panoramic view of the industry - Yogonet International

Cultural center gets much-needed renovations

The work on the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, like any historic structure, is never finished.

We are always in a process of fixing, explains Craig Wolf, the board president for the nonprofit HCC, which moved into its home on Main Street after the library moved out in 1976.

The building, which was the first in Beacon to be added to the National Register of Historic Places and has been described as Norwegian Gothic in style, was designed as a library in 1872 by Richard Morris Hunt at the bequest of his brother-in-law, Joseph Howland, a Civil War general and former state treasurer.

The Howland Cultural Center (Photo by Jeff Simms)

After the library decamped a century later, it took three years to organize an effort to convert the building into a cultural center. That work has continued during the 40 years since, including an overhaul years ago of the slate roof, which was hugely expensive were hoping it will last a very long time, Wolf says.

In earlier days, he says, HCC received a good deal of support from the Beacon Community Development Agency because it was on the historic register and also in a census tract defined as lower income. Community development is now overseen by the Dutchess County Department of Planning, and the center relies more heavily on state grants and private fundraising. (It held its first gala last year and raised about $21,000.)

Along with its fundraising, the HCC board has set aside funds over the years to take care of the building and pushed ahead with four major projects.

The floor

The buildings 147-year-old floor was restored. We had to work with a contractor called Strictly Hardwood, even though our floor is soft wood, Wolf says. In the old days, when forests were younger and harvesting was newer, theyd cut long pieces, because they were cheaper to install. The contractor replaced the floor in certain spots where it was worn down, then sanded and stained it to match the original, before finishing it with coats of polyurethane.

The heat

The gas-fired heating system was replaced with twin furnaces. Its much more efficient, Wolf says. Weve seen a drop in the bills for the past couple of years.

The geothermal

This building is quite remarkable in that we have two ways to heat it: gas and geothermal, Wolf says. Installed a decade ago, the geothermal system involved drilling five water wells in the side yard, he says. It provides not only heat but air conditioning. The building had been hard to use in the summer, he says. The geothermal needed upgrading; because the main pump had failed, and the technology has advanced, the board decided to redo the entire system.

The portico

The rehabilitation of the buildings front portico and central faade (the front doors and everything above them) remains on hold until warmer weather returns.

Some of the damage at the entrance to the Howland Cultural Center that its board hopes to have repaired. (Photo by A. Rooney)

Theres a considerable amount of deterioration in some of the wood, Wolf says. Weve done temporary repairs, but we want to do it well and right and restore some missing features. Were likely to use epoxy consolidation, a process of injecting a compound into the wood which hardens up, and you shape it. Its a cross between wood and plastic, so its solid and unlikely to rot.

Were using skilled and time-consuming techniques because we dont want to throw some 2-by-4s on it, he says. In some cases, were not sure how much deterioration exists until contractors start tearing it apart.

The HCC has scheduled its second gala for May 14 and is hoping for another fundraising success. So much [work] needs to be done, Wolf says. Were building our shopping list.

The list includes window rehabilitation, replacement of some brickwork, other woodwork around the building and minor projects hither and yon: some look like maintenance, some bigger money, Wolf says. When we get into projects its hard to talk about how much they would cost because we havent had a professional or specialist in preservation do the research. But obviously were looking at the upper six figures and beyond in the coming years.

The building will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2022, which will be linchpin for a campaign. But for now, Wolf says, people who have contributed can be pleased with how much got done for good value.

Original post:
The Process of Fixing - Highlands Current

As the official trailer/motorcoach dealer of Dragzine, Flying A Motorsports offers an extensive lineup of new and used motorhomes and toterhomes, racecar trailers, stacker trailers, car haulers, and cargo trailers. Those products will be highlighted here in a monthly feature known as the Rig Of The Month.

This specific InTech Trailers model is one of its top-of-the-line, wide-body models, explains Alan Cape, President of Flying A Motorsports. It also features triple 8,000-pound Dexter torsion axles, compared to the more typical 7,000- or 6,000- pound options.

The wide-body option measures at 97 1/2-inches at the rear door, compared to 90- or 91-inches on a standard model. Cape notes this trailer series provides 2- to 3-inches in greater width throughout the inner walls and fender well openings.

Looking down, the extruded aluminum floor has recessed e-track in multiple rows along the overall length of the trailer floor. Four 5,000-pound D-rings have been fabricated into the floor. This trailer also features a wide-body option, which adds 2- to 3-inches of extra width within the walls and ramp door opening.

This one is visually sharp to me with the grey metallic aluminum exterior and black anodized trim option, Cape says. Some trailer brands have painted or powder-coated trim on the front that unfortunately tends to chip. I have been impressed with InTechs anodized aluminum as far as durability.

The raw building blocks of this trailer include an all-aluminum tube frame with an aluminum extruded floor. The triple-axle trailer features a spread axle design with electric brakes on each of the three axles.

InTech trailers are well insulated, including the two insulated cabinets in the riser area for your own installed generator and air compressor. They also have ventilation provisions to help with sound and cooling. Alan Cape

On the exterior, walk-on durability is a feature of the one-piece aluminum roof. The screwless outer walls are constructed from .040-inch aluminum. The interior walls offer the screwless design as well and the trailer is fully insulated.

A door cabinet is located in the floor for your choice of winches to install. Another larger floor cabinet further back on the floor plan can store a wealth of items out of the way.

An additional trend that Cape sees in customer popularity is to have a unit supplied with all provisions for a generator, air compressor, and additional amenities, like roof air-conditioning. Many customers like the idea of getting the trailer plumbed for air lines, a fuel tank, and lines run through the trailer for a generator, Cape notes. The factory also adds all bracing prefabricated to install roof air when the owner wants to add it themselves.

Not only can you see much more on this specific trailer in the details list below and on the Flying A website, you can also view the daily updated inventory of other trailers and use its payment calculator included on every sale page.

This trailer is also equipped with a flip-out bench in addition to the cabinet work area. Above that shelf, the interior wall is marked where bracing for a television is installed during assembly, including all television wiring, antenna installed, and power supplies.

Attention to detail goes into InTechs aluminum cabinetry. This unit has 8-foot upper and lower cabinets, with a well lighted aluminum worktop, and a full drivers closet.

For power and lighting, this trailer has a 50-amp electrical service installed with a wealth of 110-volt receptacles, along with LED lighting on the interior, workbench area, and the outer pit area.

The Cuba, Missouri sales center for Flying A Motorsports also has an extensive service and repair center. If there is ever a customer request for an option such as generators, compressors, or air-conditioning, its shop can easily offer those needs.

Flying A Motorsports has partnered with Elite Motorsports with a cooperative effort to offer individual inventories to both groups of faithful customers. Cape finishes, Each of us has a strong clientele in different sectors of motorsports; this is a great way to provide more hauler/trailer options to each of our client bases.

Trailer Specs:

Read more here:
Rig Of The Month: Flying A Motorsports 46-foot InTech Race Trailer - Dragzine.com

Food service location inspections from January 1 to January 31.Restaurants are inspected throughout the year by state and local agents. Inspection reports are submitted to the state and can be viewed by the public at http://www.pafoodsafety.pa.gov/Web/lnspection/Publiclnspection-Search.aspx.

SQUEEZE IN & DIP IN

Date of report: 01/26/2020

Town: Sunbury

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. (Slight dust accumulation on vent on Squeeze In))

SUNBUY STEAM FIRE ENGINE CO. #1

Date of report: 01/26/2020

Town: Sunbury

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. (Cooler fan covers and shelving units for beer/sodas in cooler))

TASTECRAFT

Date of report: 01/16/2020

Town: Milton

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

ASIAN EXPRESS

Date of report: 01/10/2020

Town: Sunbury

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Observed multiple pieces of equipment, in kitchen area, with an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, debris on non-food contact surfaces. Observed cooking equipment / pans, in the kitchen area, with encrusted grease and soil accumulation. (Cold hold coolers, fridge, freezers)) 2(Non-food contact surfaces not cleaned at a frequency to preclude accumulation of dirt and soil. (under/between clean in place items))

MAMAMACS

Date of report: 01/10/2020

Town: Sunbury

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

SUNOCO - QUICK SHOP #5

Date of report: 01/10/2020

Town: Northumberland

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

INDEPENDENCE FIRE CO

Date of report: 01/09/2020

Town: Shamokin

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Refrigerated ready to eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-n kitchen cooler, is not being date marked.) 2(Single use plastic containwers being re-used multiple times for food storage and/or preparation.)

M C CONEY

Date of report: 01/09/2020

Town: Mount Carmel

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Wall over the dish sink area, is made of wooden paneling, and is no longer durable, smooth, non-porous, non-absorbent or sealed.) 2(Flooring, in the grill area, heavily worm through tiles, and is not durable, smooth, non-porous, and non-absorbent.) 3(Facility does not meet current requirement of certified foodhandler on every shift.) 4(Food employee observed in preparation area, not wearing proper hair restraint, such as net or hat.) 5(A food employee was observed touching sandwich bun, a ready-to-eat food, with bare hands.)

MOUNT CARMEL AREA JR/SR HIGH

Date of report: 01/09/2020

Town: Mount Carmel

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

MOUNT CARMEL ELEMENTARY

Date of report: 01/09/2020

Town: Mount Carmel

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

NEW CHINA WOK RESTAURANT

Date of report: 01/09/2020

Town: Mount Carmel

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

DOLLAR GENERAL #398

Date of report: 01/07/2020

Town: Shamokin

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

LINE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

Date of report: 01/07/2020

Town: Herndon

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Student self-service food was held at 48F, in the short order line area, rather than 41F or below as required.)

LINE MOUNTAIN TREVORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Date of report: 01/07/2020

Town: Trevorton

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

SUNOCO

Date of report: 01/07/2020

Town: Trevorton

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Employee making breakfast sandwiches and hoagies not foodhandler certified.) 2(Prepackaged hoagies not labeled properly with the complete ingredient statement.)

THE GREEK ISLE CAFE

Date of report: 01/03/2020

Town: Mount Carmel

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Food employee observed in preparation area, not wearing proper hair restraint, such as net or hat.) 2(Meat pan being stored in the ice machine, with no handle, as scoop.) 3(Dish sink has a hose attachment that is hanging below the flood rim of the sink and not an appropriate air gap.)

LONG JOHN SILVERS #31504

Date of report: 01/21/2020

Town: Shamokin Dam

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

AMATOS PIZZA

Date of report: 01/16/2020

Town: Selinsgrove

Compliant: Yes

Violations: None

BJS STEAK & RIB HOUSE

Date of report: 01/16/2020

Town: Selinsgrove

Compliant: Yes

Violations: 1(Souffle cup being used to scoop cole slaw and left stored in slaw with areas where fingers touched in contact with the food. REPEAT VIOLATION) 2(Accumulation of ice and dropped food on walk-in freezer floor in basement.) 3(Buildup of yeast-like residue inside soda gun nozzle at bar. REPEAT VIOLATION) 4(6 spray jets clogged on interior ceiling of mechanical dishwasher. Correct prior to opening today.)

SUBWAY #52838

Date of report: 01/16/2020

Town: Selinsgrove

Compliant: Yes

Link:
January 2020 restaurant inspections across the Valley - Sunbury Daily Item

Following Business Chief's visit to DHL'sinnovation center (Troisdorf),we speak toFaizan Sheikh, CEO of Avidbots to discuss the use of automaton in the cleaning industry and its partnership with DHL.

To introduce yourself, how would you describe Avidbots? What do you offer to your customers?

Avidbots is a fast-growing robotics company. Our first product is Neo, an autonomous floor-scrubbing robot used in hundreds of commercial or industrial spaces worldwide. Avidbots Neo robots are at work cleaning floors in sites such as warehouses, airports, manufacturing sites, hospitals, schools, train stations, and malls in over 15 countries. Unlike other floor-cleaning robots that are just retrofitted ride-on machines, Neo is a purpose-built robot designed to be fully autonomous. Incorporating AI, LiDar, 3D sensors, WiFi, 4G connectivity, and specialized software and hardware, Neo is able to autonomously navigate busy areas such as airports, adapting its route on the fly to avoid people or obstacles. With 24x7 remote monitoring, Neo is always operational.

What are your company strategy and goals for the next five years?

Avidbots is growing quickly. Were selling Neo robots in more than 15 countries and will add more countries in the near future. We have many global distribution partnerships and Neo is already cleaning hundreds of sites worldwide, including Paris CDG Airport, Singapores Changi Airport, and Shibuya Station in Tokyo. In the next five years, we will continue to grow installations rapidly.

What trends have you seen emerging within your industry?

In the cleaning industry, were witnessing a revolution toward automating the most repetitive and dull tasks, such as scrubbing floors. In almost every country where Avidbots operates, from Japan and Norway, to the UAE, Switzerland, Canada,USA and Australia, its difficult to find and keep cleaning staff. Turnover for cleaning jobs is between 300-400% per year, making it costly and complex for companies to maintain cleanliness at their facilities. Avidbots Neo makes scrubbing floors far less onerous. A cleaning staff member simply taps start on Neos touchscreen and the robot goes off to work, cleaning floors more effectively than a human. Facilities managers use a web-based app called Command Center to track Neos progress via real-time video feeds and see detailed cleaning reports. With janitorial staff freed from the time-consuming task of pushing or riding a floor-scrubber around at night, they can focus on higher-value tasks such as cleaning bathrooms, dusting, disinfecting, and tidying. In the robotics industry, were seeing a trend toward building robots that solve pressing problems. Robots are now past the test phase and are becoming part of our daily lives, and the ones we will see first solve everyday challenges that companies face, such as cleaning.

SEE ALSO:

In recent years, how have you seen customer use of technology evolve?

Companies have gone from seeing robots as a futuristic idea to truly seeing the value in automating repetitive, dull, or dirty tasks. They realize robots are actually just advanced machines that can help them solve everyday challenges. In general, society has moved from a vague worry that robots will take jobs to a place of understanding that automation helps people do their jobs more efficiently, just as computers do in all aspects of life. Robots are now part of the team at our customer sites. Cleaning staff love Neo because it does a time-consuming and repetitive task, freeing them up to focus on other tasks that only humans excel at, such as tidying, dusting, and cleaning hard-to-reach places.

In your opinion do you think industries are heading towards having more robotics, as opposed to a human workforce?

We havent seen job losses at our customer sites. Instead, cleaning staff integrate Neo into the team to do the time-consuming task of scrubbing floors. Of course, the long-term trend of automation will surely result in some lower-skilled jobs being eliminated, but most of these jobs are ones few people want to do. In the cleaning industry, turnover can top 400%, so clearly most people dont want to clean long-term. However, at the same time we will see low-level repetitive tasks done by robots, we will see new jobs emerge. There will always be cleaning staff, but theyll move into higher-value roles such as tidying waiting areas and cleaning bathrooms that make public environments more pleasant for everyone.

Over the last few years have you seen an increase in demand for cleaning robots? If so what is your strategy for demand increases?

Yes, demand for our Neo floor-scrubbing robot is surging. To keep up with demand, Avidbots has its own manufacturing facility in Kitchener, Ontario in Canada where we build Neo robots from the ground-up. We also work with manufacturing partners that can scale with rising demand. As we grow, Avidbots is hiring many robotics engineers, sales people, and business and marketing staff. Weve raised $37 million in venture capital funding to support global growth.

We recently featured your cleaning robots within Business Chief, can you talk through your partnership with DHL?

Avidbots is working closely with DHL Supply Chain to install Neo robots at warehouse sites in North America. Neo is uniquely suited to clean warehouses where there are many people, forklifts, pallets, boxes, and other robots constantly moving about. Being intelligent and autonomous, Neo can navigate these busy spaces with ease, avoiding obstacles and updating its path on the fly. DHL operates thousands of warehouses in 220 countries, so the skys the limit in terms of our partnership.

Image source: Avidbots

For more information on business topics in the United States, please take a look at the latest edition of Business Chief USA.

Follow Business Chief on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Read more here:
Avidbots: revolutionising the cleaning industry | Technology - Business Chief

New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS): A public art installation on mental health awareness 'Moving Out to Go Within by nine Ashoka University students, under the guidance of designer Sumant Jayakrishnan will be on display at STIR Gallery here from February 2 to April 15. The installation is being promoted by the India Art Fair.

Ashoka University's Ashoka Centre for Well-Being (ACWB) in collaboration with Red Balloon's Young People for Change put together a week-long residential workshop to initiate conversations around mental health among the youth.

This workshop brought together nine young Ashoka students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to mindfully connect and explore the importance of emotional expression and self-awareness, and to build a sense of well-being. The experiential workshop was facilitated by psychotherapist and founding director of ACWB Dr. Arvinder J Singh.

The students' experience culminated into this interactive public arts installation that shared the participants' personal expression and messages of awareness on mental health, well-being and self-worth.

Read more from the original source:
Art installation on mental health awareness in Delhi - Daijiworld.com

Judging by his famous photographs of seemingly transparent midcentury modern dwellings, the late Julius Shulman might have been attracted to Sid and Teresa Scotts house in Dunthorpe.

Here, natural light is artfully guided inside through glass that wraps around a south-facing, central courtyard.

One could imagine Shulman, whose influential images of a patio-centric, post-World War II way of living ricocheted around the world, setting up a tripod at the edge of the courtyards pavers here and waiting for twilight.

Had the acclaimed architecture photographer done so, he could have perhaps captured another angle of entertaining at a house open to the outdoors.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

But the Scotts Northwest contemporary house didnt always have elegant movement between spaces.

Although it was built in 1960 when Modernist architectures open concept of fewer interior walls was spreading into suburbia, this floor plan was really more traditional with a series of rooms blocked by walls and doors, says Sid Scott.

"We stripped away everything, made the structure stronger" and energy efficient, "and brought it up to code. Then we started over to create a connection to the outdoors," says Sid, an architect and principle of Portland-based S|EA, a commercial and residential architecture and interior design firm.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Teresas focus was on picturesque, water-wise landscaping. Together, they remade their home to follow the hillside topography. Glass walls, doors and windows frame garden vistas from every room.

Across a third of an acre, mature rhododendrons, azaleas and rosebushes thrive alongside new plantings of perennials showcasing seasonal colors. Irises and peonies bloom in spring and summer alongside a rocky stream that borders the property.

Its a beautiful site, says Sid Scott.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Remaking a forlorn property

The Scotts bought the property as is in March 2017 and gutted the house, which was in rough shape. There was a tarp on the leaky roof, says Sid.

They removed unnecessary, confining walls, installed larger windows and oriented the two existing sides of the main floor plus a seamless garage addition toward a new courtyard were there once was unkept grass.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Our courtyard is a wonderful activity space for dinner and events, says Sid, whose firms philosophy is People First. Design Forward.

The Scotts hosted a fundraising event at their home in 2019 to benefit the Architecture Foundation of Oregon.

Brian Libby, who writes the informative Portland Architecture blog and produces In Search of Portland podcasts, led a discussion at the event, which is part of an annual series to benefit the Architects in Schools program.

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

Later, Libby talked about how Sid and Teresa Scott have transformed a number of forlorn Portland properties.

They really have a way of breathing new life into these spaces, says Libby. As an architect, Sid has a keen eye, but he also comes from a family in the lumber business, and I think that gives his homes a sense of warmth that can only come from the texture and color and patina of wood.

[BEFORE photo of the front of the house and carport]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

The exterior has vertical rough-sawn wood siding in two different widths installed in a random pattern.

An original windowless shop is now a family room with giant glass panels and a vaulted ceiling.

Scott says, The home told us what it wanted to be.

[AFTER photo of the new courtyard]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the family room with a large picture window that once was a workshop.]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo shows no windows in the front]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Hidden from the street

Overgrown shrubs and blackberries once obscured the property. I went to the building department to get a permit and the guy at the counter pulled up a photo and it was funny that you could not even see the house, recalls Sid.

The split-level dwelling was easy to ignore for another reason: It looked like an unsurprising single story. Inside, however, original architect Daniel McGoodwin had designed five subtle elevation changes to accommodate the property, which gradually drops 20 feet from one corner to the other.

[AFTER photo of the family room more open to the kitchen]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of one of the claustrophobic rooms]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the living room and colorful landscaping]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of one of the claustrophobic rooms]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

[AFTER photo of the light-filled dining room]

BEFORE photo provided by S|EA

[BEFORE photo of the dining room and kitchen]

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

The elevation shifts start at the front door. Three steps lead to the main living level. Below, the vaulted master suite and bedrooms are linked by half flights of stairs.

The lowest level was an unfinished basement that the Scotts integrated into the remodeled home.

We put windows in and connected it to the north yard, he says.

AFTER photo by Pete Eckert

Teresa had boulders natural to the property moved to gardens bordering the sunny courtyard. Dogwoods, Mexican orange blossoms and Spiraea shrubs as well as grass-like, flowering Liriope and carex were selected for year-round color, fragrance and texture.

As a bonus, they require minimal maintenance and watering, she says.

With views now extending to the hills, this 60-year-old house, once closed up and concealed, just keeps going, says Sid.

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Architect's remodeled 60-year-old Portland home is picture perfect (before, after photos) - OregonLive

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What are some must-sees on the ISE 2020 show floor? Where should you take clients out to dinner? What Amsterdam attractions should you visit? All this and more on todays episode of AV+.

The phrase pro AV doesnt do justice to all of the integration crowd, so we atCommercial Integratorwanted to create a podcast that speaks to all of those areas (and more!) under the umbrella of commercial tech integration.

The host, web editor Adam Forziati, has a background in radio and is looking forward to providing listeners with an entertaining, informative audio forum for all topics affecting the industry.

We plan to release a shorter, single-topic episode once every week or two on Fridays (just like this episode). But at the end of each month, well also drop a longer, in-depth episode of the AV podcast with features like Editors Desk, CI Monthly News Spotlight, CIs Project of the Month, and more.

We hope youll share your thoughts on Twitter using the hashtag #AVPlusPod !

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Your ISE 2020 Guide in Audio Form: What to See On & Off the Show Floor; Where to Eat; Pro Tips - Commercial Integrator

Your home is meant to be a safe place where you and your family can live happily and healthily. An intrusion can steal away that feeling of safety and have a lasting negative impact. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to increase your homes security and reduce the likelihood of a break-in.

Here are three effective home security tips and guidelines you probably never thought of:

While it pays to have high-tech security measures installed throughout the home, such as an alarm or cameras, some of the most effective methods are the least technical. In addition to using sensors and alarms, consider adding blocks or rods to prevent them from sliding open from the outside.

By securing your windows, you reduce the incidents of crimes of opportunity, especially with windows on the ground floor. Adding a simple dowel rod can prevent the window from sliding open, even if a potential intruder manages to unlock it.

While a traditional dowel rod works wonders, you can also get adjustable implements that allow you to fit the lock to different sized doors and windows. This solution is ideal for both vertical and horizontal sliding windows, as well as sliding doors. Furthermore, as these are easy to remove from the inside, they dont present a safety risk in the event of a fire.

Optimizing your home security starts outdoors. Things like motion sensor lights and yard lights that eliminate dark corners make a huge impact when preventing intruders. As break and enters tend to be a crime of opportunity, eliminating that opportunity is key.

Believe it or not, you can improve your home security with some savvy landscaping hacks. One of the most effective ways to deter criminals from breaking into your home is to plant well-kept thorny bushes under your windows. Things like roses or juniper tend to pack a nasty surprise if someone tries to climb through a window.

When landscaping, use gravel and loose stone whenever possible, as these tend to be noisy and hard to navigate while sneaking around. Avoid trees that could be used to access second-floor windows or balconies, as well as trees that block the view of the house from the road.

Most people follow a pretty standard set-up when installing security features in the home. For example, many people install the keypad next to the front or back door. From a logistical standpoint, this makes sense; its convenient for when you enter and leave the house. However, its also convenient for intruders who want to find and disable said alarm.

Place your keypads away from doors or windows where your activity could be viewed. Consider putting it further down a hallway or in the kitchen. Its also worth having another keypad in the master bedroom so that if a situation arises in the middle of the night, you can trigger the alarm.

The same theory applies when hiding your valuables. As the master bedroom tends to be the first place burglars look for valuables, place them elsewhere. Some great hiding places include in potted plants, in canisters in the pantry, or in false bottomed books and clocks.

Conversely, avoid commonly searched areas like the freezer and bathroom. If you use a safe for your belongings, invest in one thats installed into the wall or bolted down. While you should never use a portable safe for valuables, its a perfect decoy burglars are likely to grab it and go, thinking that theyve found something valuable.

The average burglary takes place in under 15 minutes from start to finish. The more complicated you can make the process, the safer your home will be.

By trying these three unusual tips, youll protect your home, belongings, and most importantly, your family.

Read more from the original source:
3 Home Security Tips and Guidelines You Never Thought Of - TechSpective