Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

ITHACA, N.Y.The Ithaca Voice is continuing this months construction gallery series with a look at downtown projects, just in time to supplant any awkward Thanksgiving dinner table chatter.

Last week featured galleries of ongoing projects at Cornell and the Collegetown area. Next up is downtown and Ithacas inner neighborhoods, followed Wednesday by a gallery of projects elsewhere around the city.

Use the below table to navigate the gallery if youre interested in a specific project.

The 12-story Asteri Ithaca building adjacent to the Ithaca Commons is topped out and sheathed. Work continues with the installation of exterior cladding, a combination of fiber cement and aluminum metal panels. The blue material is likely a water-resistive barrier, to protect the sheathing from any water the fiber cement (basically, wood fiber mixed with concrete) absorbs. Notably, as seen in the second photo, the concrete stairwells are not being coated with the water-resistive barrier.

Utility rough-ins (electrical, mechanical, and plumbing installations) are ongoing in the upper floors, while the lower floors show that drywall is being hung but flooring and major fixtures have yet to be placed. Most windows, but not all, have been fitted into the structure. Concrete planters have been poured and set in the alleyway connecting the site to the Commons.

As designed, the $108 million Asteri project consists of a pair of components. The first was the renovation and expansion of the newer middle section of the Green Street Garage to host 350 parking spaces, which has been completed. The second component is the highrise, which will host the 49,000 square-foot Downtown Ithaca Conference Center on its lower levels, and 181 apartments on the upper floors. The unit mix will be 78 studio, 87 one-bedroom, eight two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom apartments.

The conference center will contain a 12,300 square-foot ballroom, a junior ballroom and breakout rooms, 6,300 square feet of pre-function and trade show space, and a full production kitchen with all-electric units. With the help of grants, the facility is going to be the first fossil fuel-free mid-size conference center in the country.

ASM Global will manage the conference center, and Suzanne Smith Jablonski, who has a history of managing local non-profits, was named the director of the Downtown Ithaca Local Development Corporation, which is the non-profit owner of the conference center on the city and countys behalf. Current plans are for a late winter 2024 opening, and the Conference Center is now taking bookings for business meetings and events such as weddings.

As for the apartments, those will be set aside for households making 30-80 percent of area median income. Similarly to Arthaus on Cherry Street, Vecino is partnering with Tompkins Community Action on its Asteri project to set aside 40 units for supportive housing for households at risk of homelessness, though unlike Arthaus this does not appear to be limited to younger individuals. Supportive services for these residents will be included as part of overall property management, with offices and staff onsite.

All development residents will be provided free internet service, with each unit hard-wired for 5G access, including routers for WiFi. Amenities will include a 12th-floor sky terrace, a fourth-floor fitness center and a community room. Residents will also have access to a common laundry room on every other floor, and indoor bike storage on the ground floor.

While Arthaus has seen its share of crime issues, for what its worth, Asteri is more centrally located to social services and support organizations than its Arthaus counterpart. With the Downtown Ithaca Conference Center on the lower levels, there will likely be a regular security presence around the building.

Welliver is the firm in charge of the buildout, and partial occupancy (the lower apartment levels) is expected to begin in April 2024, with the scaffolding coming down before the end of the calendar year.

Now, on to a renovation or conversion, to describe it more accurately. The five-story, 47,285 square-foot Gateway Center was built as a warehouse in 1925.It was partially converted into meeting and office space by Don Dickinson in the 1990s, and then fully renovated into Gateway Centerby developer Mack Travis in the early 2000s.

As reported last fall, both locally and across the nation, the market for office space has taken quite the beating from COVID and the rapid rise of remote work. Given that Ithaca had a lukewarm market to begin with, the local office market is in rough shape with elevated vacancy rates compared to pre-pandemic. However, the local housing market remains quite strong. As a result, if the existing structure is physically suitable, then theres an opportunity for a residential conversion by those with the money and know-how.

Plans detailed by Macks son and current Travis Hyde Properties President Frost Travis call for a $19.6 million conversion of the now-vacant office floors into 46 market-rate apartment units.The original working name was the Gateway Lofts, but now they are calling it The Deanfor Harold W. Dean, the Ithaca businessman who built the warehouse a century ago.

The ground floor would still offer commercial retail space for two restaurant tenants and a fitness center. It would also include a 1,800-square-foot community room to be leased at below-market rates to Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity (the nations first Black fraternity,which will have its birthplace monument next door), and available to the general Ithaca community at standard room rental rates. (Correction: The initial version of this story included senior citizen organization Lifelong in the community room, but that was taken from an inaccurate initial announcement).

The upper floors are fairly routine as conversions go. The second-through-fifth floors will host the apartments, with a community room for tenants on the fifth floor, and there will be a rooftop garden terrace and outdoor seating area. The units will be all-electric and comply with the Ithaca Green Building Policy.STREAM Collaborativeis the architect andTaitem Engineeringis providing the engineering work, whilePurcell Constructionwould be the general contractor in charge of build-out. Tompkins Trust is providing a $15,801,452 loan to finance construction.

The upper floors have been vacated, and renovation of the upper floors into apartment space is ongoing. There are plans filed to renovate the exterior of the building with new railings, Art Deco-themed signage and a coat of Benjamin-Moore Kendall Charcoal paint, but those features have yet to be approved by the city Planning Board.

As noted by 14850.com, Angelhearts Diner will be closing for two months to accommodate the renovations, namely the installation of all-electric HVAC equipment for the ground-floor commercial units. Travis Hyde Properties will be covering all of Angelhearts expenses during the closure, so staff will continue to be paid while the space is being updated.

While Angelhearts should be open once again in January, the timeline for the apartments is rather uncertain, withnothing listed on Travis Hyde Properties website yet. Stay tuned for updates and rental prices.

After almost a decade of planning and construction, Library Place is nearing the finish line. The 66-unit market-rate senior housing project with ground-level amenity space and retail was the subject of much anxious debate from 2020 to 2022, and way too many emails in my inbox. From the outside, apart from some minor metal panel facade work, landscaping and trim finishes, the project is largely complete and leasing is underway. Meanwhile, HOLT Architects, the firm that designed the project, has pictures of the model unit and finished interior and exterior common areas on its social media.

Floor plans on the website indicate no fewer than 26 apartment plans spread across the building, with the smallest unit being a 1-bed, 1-bath, 527 square-foot unit at $2,545/month, and the largest unit being a 3-bedroom, 2-bath 1,187 square-foot at a whopping $5,935/month (full listing here). Most of the one-bedrooms have a posted monthly rent in the low $3,000s, and the two-bedrooms in the low-to-mid $4,000s. According to the leasing documents, yes, there are seniors willing to pay that much, with a number of units already spoken for.

Amenities will include a restaurant, la carte home health services from an on-site agency, community room, courtyard gardens, workout facilities, warming pool, and parking. Library Place will also be working with their neighbors at LifeLong to provide on-site activities and programs. It was announced earlier this month that The Rook, currently located at 404 West State Street, would be the restaurant tenant, opening on the ground floor next summer.

Ithacas Travis Hyde Propertiesis the developer of this project as well, with upscale senior housing providerBridges Cornell Heights as its project partner.Alongside HOLT as architect,LeChase Constructionis the general contractor.Taitem Engineeringprovided design consulting services as the project seeks to achieve high-level state environmental sustainability standards (NYSERDA Multi-Family New Construction Program Tier 3).

This is a bit outside the scope of downtown, but its being included here for balance.

The Northside Townhomes redevelopment plan calls for a complete teardown and replacement of what was a 70-unit complex dating from the 1950s and 1960s. The new project includes an additional 12 units (for a total of 82) with an anticipated townhouse-style unit mix of 20 one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units, 20 three-bedroom units and 22 four-bedroom units.

Technically, this is a lower population density than what was here before (225 bedrooms now, 208 bedrooms proposed), because the original townhouses had a number of three-bedroom, four-bedroom and five-bedroom units that are being replaced with smaller one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, which are in higher demand. A community building, as well as two playgrounds, will be provided for all residents to utilize. Other site improvements include landscaping, lighting, walkways, 82 parking spaces and other siteamenities.

The original plan was to be finished in phases, with the entire project completed in mid-2025. However, the first townhomes should be finished much sooner than that, perhaps by spring.

Townhouse strings are in every stage of construction from foundation slab and footer pours, to framing and sheathing (wood frame, Huber ZIP plywood panels), to roofing and the application ofAtlas EnergyShield polyiso foam wall insulation, to window fittings and stone/vinyl siding faade materials. Exterior details like porch columns will be completed closer to the end of construction, after trim pieces and siding are attached. Those utilitarian wood rails will be encased by the column trim.

Celia Construction Inc.is the general contractor, and architectural plans are being drafted up byZausmer-Frisch, Scruton and AggrawalDesigners/Builders of Syracuse.

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Excerpt from:
Gallery: See what's under construction in downtown Ithaca this fall - The Ithaca Voice

First, installing suspended seats on your kitchen island or eat-in dining table will make cleaning easier because you can simply sweep or vacuum without having to move chairs around. If spills and crumbs are common in your kitchen, this can go a long way to maintaining cleanliness without uneccessary effort. As noted in the TikTok video posted by Seating Innovations, suspended seats also help keep your floors protected from scuffs. When there are no chair legs to mark the floor, you won't have to worry about adding caps to the tips of the legs and fixing scratched wood flooringover and over.

Another pro of suspended seats is that they don't fall over, which removes a common safety risk that comes with using bar stools. They also save space. Because they don't have legs to take up that area from the seat to the floor, suspended seats can make the kitchen feel a bit roomier. This makes them an excellent option for smaller kitchens where you need to maximize space.

Seating Innovations shares that one of the main pros of the swing bar stools from the TikTok video is the chairs always staying in place. As a permanent fixture, they are a one-and-done solution that makes it easier to focus on other things in the kitchen. They also provide the option to add footrests if that's needed for more comfort.

Original post:
TikTok Highlights The Pros Of Suspended Seating In Your Kitchen - House Digest

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Thanksgiving Day, 2023. Thank you for turning to WORLD Radio to help start your holiday. Good morning. Im Myrna Brown.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And Im Mary Reichard. Coming next on The World and Everything in It: Giving thanks. First off, let me say that each of us at WORLD Radio is thankful to you, the listeners and supporters of this program. Brothers and sisters in Christ who come alongside to create biblically sound news, features, and commentary. It takes a team!

BROWN: Thats right. So thankful. Mary, lets go around the table, so to speak, and hear what our radio colleagues are thankful for this year. And why dont you start us off?

MARY REICHARD: Id be happy to do that! Here's a quote I read: The world is full of wonders and miracles. But man takes his little hand and covers his eyes and sees nothing. That's attributed to the Jewish mystic, the Baal Shem Tov who lived in the 18th century.

So this year I have made a real effort to remove my hand from my eyes. Every morning, I write down in a journal what I'm grateful for and what would make today great. And then every night I write down three amazing things that happened that day and how I might have made it even better. It doesn't have to be a mountain top experience kind of amazing thing. I mean, one of my entries was, I got out of bed and took a good deep breath. That's it. But amazing. And over time this practice has changed my old hard wiring that seemed to just catastrophize the trivial and minimize the lavishness of my life. I recommend that you try it just like it says in the Psalms: Give thanks to the Lord for he is good.

MYRNA BROWN: Thats a good idea! Well, first, I'm thankful for your prayers and your kind words during my dad's brief illness and subsequent passing at the end of April. I want you to know my family and I felt loved. I'm also thankful for our heavenly father who is all knowing and, oh, so gracious. You see, my husband Stanley and I relocated from Georgia to Alabama in 2021. A move that had many people scratching their heads. But, you know, God paved the way, and we got to spend nearly two years, sweet, sweet years, with my daddy before he passed. So that's what I'm thankful for.

NICK EICHER: Myrna, I'm thinking of second Corinthians, the first chapter, the third and fourth verses: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

The comfort you received going through that difficulty, you were so kind to share with me. Same with Mary, though she lost her dad many years before. But how were we to know that when your dad died, that my own father would live just four more months, and that he would die this August? It was the prayers of so many, and especially my colleagues here at WORLD, my dear friends who helped me through. So I am deeply thankful.

And as a practical matter, I'm thankful for technology: to be able to set up a temporary recording booth close to my mom and dad in his last months, that time was so valuable. Thankful for that! And finally, thankful for my Dad, his strength, his love, and his example. And thankful to Jesus for dying for his sins and purchasing him a place in heaven.

ANNA JOHANSEN BROWN: Im Anna Johansen Brown. Similar to Mary, this year Im grateful for the ordinary. The ordinary and the sacred, which always seem to be wrapped up together.

Right now Im in a sleep deprived sort of haze, with Beckett on his 87th time asking

BECKETT: Wassis? Wassis

And his little sister is due at the end of December. Breathing is kinda hard sometimes.

All of it is hard sometimes. But its the ordinary kind of hard. The mundane, normal life stuff. And its that ordinary that Im thankful for this year. The everyday ordinary where so much of Gods work, so much spiritual formation, actually happens.

AUDIO: [Beckett talking, Wesley singing while doing dishes]

Making dinner with Wesley. Beckett begging to do the dishes with Dada. Feeling my tiny daughter inside me get the hiccups and then get mad about it.

I want to be awake to what God is doing in this ordinary season. Because whatever it is, hes building a foundation for whatever extraordinary seasons lie ahead.

TRAVIS KIRCHER: Hi, I'm Travis Kircher, and I work on the breaking news team here at World News Group.

I'm thankful for Hebrews 12:2, which calls Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.

Think about that. He endured the cross. He didn't come to it stoically. It wasn't just a mere irritation for him. He hated it. He despised it.

So why did he go through with it? For the joy set before him. The joy of redeeming us, of adopting us into his family, of spending eternity with us. With me, even though I don't deserve it. Happy Thanksgiving you all. God bless.

KRISTEN FLAVIN: Hi there, Im Kristen Flavin.

Every year my response to the question of what am I thankful for tends to revolve around family in some way or another. This year is no different, but the theme is the joy of children.

My son is two and a half, my daughter is nine months. I dont know that Ive ever felt so tired or so totally in love. Its not that I wasnt warned, but its really something you just have to experience.

And of course, theres something special about watching them grow and develop and learn how to love each other. And theres so much thats difficult about being a parent, wanting to make sure Im bringing up my children with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord, as Ive read in Ephesians.

I have to say, though, my favorite part is just how much they make me laugh.

KRISTEN: But did Pete cry?

OLIVER: Doodness, no.

If its not Olivers tiny little voice reading parts from his books

AUDIO: [Phoebe giggles]

Then its Phoebe giggling at her mermaid toy or trying out new expressions.

Its truly no wonder that the Psalmist describes children as a reward. They really are. And Im thankful for them every day.

JENNY ROUGH: Happy Thanksgiving. This is Jennifer Rough. Im using my proper name today instead of my nickname, Jenny, because my dad gave me my name. And this year, I want to thank my heavenly father for my earthly father. My dad is generous, kindhearted, and lights up a room. Hes the reason I became a lawyer, which eventually led to my job here at WORLD, so Im grateful for that, too! A couple years ago, I was so touched to watch him take such good care of my mom in her final months. Ive noticed that no matter what challenges my dad faces, health scares or otherwise, hes an upbeat person. I love and admire his optimism and hope.

PAUL BUTLER: This is Paul Butler, Executive Producer of WORLD Radio. A year ago my wife and I bought a starter home in our small town with my son and his wife. We knew it needed some deep cleaning, and refreshing, but as we worked from room to room it became clear that a fresh coat of paint wasnt going to be enough.

SOUND: [DEMOLITION AND WORK]

Gutting, rebuilding, reinforcing, updating, weve done most of the work ourselves, but friends and family have come alongside us and helped us hang drywall, insulate, and install a few new windows. Slowly, a tired, dark old house is being transformed into a strong little house full of light and love.

We really hoped to be done by now, but Im grateful for the object lesson in sanctification. A year ago, the house was paid for, it was set apart for a purpose, but then the hard work began. Some things had to be addressed right away, while others were set aside until we had more time. Along the way the work was sometimes slowed down by cuts, bruises, smashed thumbs, fat lips, and other demands on our time. And isnt that like our lives? Thankfully, the creator of the universe is the contractor on that project, and Hes working all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Each year, for His glory, another room is cleaned up and made right. Thats what Im thankful for this year.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.

Link:
Children of a generous heavenly Father | WORLD - WORLD News Group

The current cell the third created over the years is due to be full around next October, so preparatory work is underway on a fourth cell, says the CRD.

The Hartland landfill is getting $10.8-million in funding to prepare the next area of the site where the regions waste will be deposited.

A contract for work on the new space was approved this month by the Capital Regional District board.

Waste goes into specially prepared locations in the landfill called cells, which are replaced as they fill up, said Stephen May, the CRDs senior manager of facilities and engineering services.

He said the current cell the third, created about seven years ago is due to be full around next October, so preparatory work is underway on a fourth cell that has a base area covering the equivalent of about five Canadian football fields.

Cell number 3 is reaching the end of its design capacity, he said, adding: This is all within the approved operating boundary this is not an expansion in any way.

Two more cells, which include roads and access points for vehicles, will be created in adjacent spots as they are needed, May said.

Combined with cell 4, they will have the capacity to accept waste until about 2048.

May said there will be a bit of overlap with the use of the current cell and cell 4 as the transition is made next year.

Shaping of the bottom of the new cell with removal of rock is already underway.

The recently approved $10.8 million will go to installation of a synthetic liner that goes across the bottom and sides of the cell to collect leachate generated by the waste, May said.

Other elements of the cell include aggregate material and clay to form layers at various key depths and grades.

May said every effort is made to compact and shred materials going into the landfill so we can to squeeze as much into the area as possible.

To reduce the flow of waste, recyclables like mixed paper and kitchen scraps, concrete and drywall are banned from the landfill, which receives about 180,000 tonnes of solid waste each year.

The current design is expected to be able to accept waste until 2100.

The CRD environment committee has endorsed a staff report to increase the general tipping fee for waste to $150/tonne from $110/tonne on Jan. 1, along with measures intended to further reduce the waste flow, such as banning clean wood from the landfill.

Also proposed is a ban, set to come into effect July 1, on treated wood, carpet and underlay, and asphalt shingles although they could still be accepted at $110/tonne for reuse or recycling.

Other steps proposed for Jan. 1 include increasing the fine for improper disposal of banned materials to $500, while bringing in a procedure in which bylaw staff would issue warning tickets for the first two offences.

The report now goes to the CRD board for final consideration.

jbell@timescolonist.com.

Read more from the original source:
$11M approved to prepare new cell to dump waste at Hartland landfill - Times Colonist

Screen Mom is a a small business creating gentle, streak-free cleaning solutions for all your screens that are odorless and free of abrasive chemicals.

The set includes the spray and an extra-large, scratch-free microfiber cloth. The formula has no alcohol, ammonia, or harmful phosphates and will gently clean HDTVs, PC monitors, Kindle Fire, tablet, laptops, smartphones, Apple Mac products, iPhones, and more!

Promising review: "A miracle! I've been looking for this product all my life! I have a nice 42-inch smart TV that I hate cleaning. Every product I used left streaks everywhere so I'd use more and rub and rub... Make sure your screen is cool and spray an ample amount on the cloth provided and smear it everywhere. Then flip the cloth and rub it off. I think this is truly one of the greatest breakthroughs in modern history. They give you a huge can of this stuff and a quality cloth." Paul Wedero

Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

See original here:
32 Things To Help Make Your Home Look "Better Than Move-In Day ... - BuzzFeed

ELIOT (WGME)-- In southern York County, money is being raised to buy a Vietnam veteran a new mobile home after his old one had to be demolished.

Tom Barr is a Vietnam vet and former Eliot police chief. Right now, people are donating their time, items and money to help him.

Barr's friend, Wayne Avery, says on a recent visit to Barr's mobile home, he found it was beyond repair.

"I could smell the mold outside. And then I went inside the house and I just saw the black mold everywhere. He's already got breathing problems, and he shouldn't be living in it," Avery said.

Avery started getting the word out, first to fellow veterans, then to people and businesses in York and Eliot.

"They stepped up and started donating stuff, and then they asked if they could help, and probably close to 30 people showed up. And we did a bunch of yard work. Got the place cleaned up," Avery said.

Another veteran, who owns an excavation company, donated his time to demolish Barr's old mobile home. It had deteriorated past the point where it could be rebuilt.

"There's just so much mold. There's nothing that we can salvage at all," Avery said. "I thought it was going to be an episode like 'Hoarders,' where people don't want to get rid of things. And much to my surprise, he pretty much let me do anything I wanted."

Right now, a local hotel is temporarily putting Barr up at no cost.

Barr will soon temporarily move into a donated trailer until enough money is raised to buy him a new home.

"The smallest, basic mobile home that we can get our hands on," Avery said.

Barr told Avery he's overwhelmed by all the support.

"I think he's just amazed that times have changed so much. That we're here to help all our vets," Avery said.

Right now, they're still raising money to try to buy a mobile home for Barr. While there's no definite timeline, there is a deadline they'd love to meet.

"The community just opened up and it's just amazing. It almost brings tears to my eyes," Avery said.

If you'd like to help, you can send a check to "Post 188," with "Tom Barr" in the memo, to Kennebunk Savings Bank, 7 Levesque Drive, Eliot, ME, 03903.

You can also donate online here.

Read more here:

Community comes together to raise money for new mobile home for ... - WGME

Indian architecture practice Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS has built a brick family house with perforated and angled triangular faade in Kerala, India.

The project, named The Kenz House, was designed for a four-member family, whose owner was a doctor.

Built on a 40-cent land set beside the National Highway 66, the project was commissioned with a simple yet demanding brief; "the client wanted something special, something new!.

Due to the sites close proximity to the highway, and the familys requirement for a peaceful nature-filled abode formed the overall architecture language of project and its interiors.

Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS stated that the project addresses the requirements for privacy and the need for open free-flowing interiors entwined with nature.

To meet the brief, the studio decided to tread the unconventional route with the architecture of the building by designing an iconic structure.

The programme of the house is scattered in two floors, highlighting the juxtaposition of two simple platonic form. On one side, an angled triangular portion appears to be added adjacent to a skewed rectangular form.

"This unusual futuristic building was given a traditional twist by realising it entirely in a versatile material, burnt bricks," said the studio.

"The exposed bricks were laid painstakingly on top of each with lattice-like perforations at intervals to ventilate and light up the interiors, and to create a beautiful play of light and shadow within."

"The slanting roof emphasises the climate-friendly architecture further, as it reduces heat and drains water swiftly during the heavy monsoon months," the studio added.

The 8,000 square-foot (743-square-metre) house is spread across the ground and first floors. The aim of the project is to bring nature - read air, light and greenery - inside with the use of two architectural features.

The first key features are a detailed skylights and latticework which define breezeways to facilitate natural cooling of the interiors. The second element is a clever distribution of internal courtyards, filled with greenery, and pools.

The dining area forms the heart of the house on the ground floor which opens out to a landscaped pool courtyard and connects this area with the outdoors.

Another element is the staircase, which connects the two floors seems to float, and has a concrete handrail which acts as an accent point for the house.

The functional circulation is decided to flows to the family room on the ground floor and the living rooms - arranged on the ground and first floors and the bedroom suites one each on both these floors.

The bedroom suites enjoy their private landscaped courts which are enveloped by brick louvers that usher cool breezes, whilst forming a privacy screen from the surroundings.

On the first floor, a spa is also designed with an internal courtyard alongside, to take the bright skylight adding to its comforting and natural charm. A touch of green also wraps the bathing area in the sons bathroom, which fits a trough filled with plants.

"We also built an outhouse - for the staff - behind The Kenz; a service entry from the rear end; and a special route which connects this house to the clients parents residence," said Srijit Srinivas, founder of Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS.

"Even the visually engaging terrace is carefully planned to support the services of the house."

"The landscape design, which forms the nucleus of the project, was carefully curated for its texture, foliage and to offer a rich uncluttered look, both inside and outside; and to complement the warmth and rusticity of the brick facade."

"From an energy consumption perspective, this climate-friendly home is a net zero entity," Srinivas added.

Inside, the studio used bold and brave material palette that complements the exterior of the building harmoniously.

While the rustic brick converses beautifully with the warm teak wood - used on the doors, windows, wardrobes, shelves and bespoke furniture pieces, the elegant Italian marble floors, the plush hand-picked rugs and upholstery fabrics, and the raw cement-finished ceilings add to the sensory dynamism of the space.

The walls of the house are dressed with the artworks which were meticulously sourced. The landscaped courtyards with lush greenery further impart colour and freshness into the comfortable and balmy interiors.

"The Kenz is an Arabic word, which means translates to The Treasure, in English - is a wonderful example of a luxury house done in exposed brick," said the studio.

"The house addresses the aspirational requirements of its clients to deliver a restrained architectural result which is visually arresting, functionally efficient, and an organic addition to the local milieu."

Perhaps the finest affirmation comes from the client himself, "The rumbling of the water in the pond, the greenery we see all around, the sounds of rain when it hits the pool in the courtyard, the simulation of walking through a park while moving from one area of the house to another, or the silences and utmost security we feel inside the master bedroom are most satisfying experiences of our lives, thanks to The Kenz House."

"We can only concede that The Kenz House, as named by the client, is their prized treasure!."

Ground floor plan

First floor plan

Sections

Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS completed a resort with dispersed villas in the hills of Panchalimedu in Idukki district in India. The firm also designed Narrow Brick House, a two-storey house was designed for a couple in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala.

Project facts

Project name:The Kenz House

Architects:Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS

Location:Kerala, India

Size: 745m2

Completion year:2023

Lead architect: Srijit Srinivas

Design team: Srijit Srinivas, Remya Raveendran, Sriya S., Deepika

Clients: Dr. Biji Basheer, Mrs. Meenu Biji, Muhammed Zahin, Muhammed Farzeen

Design coordinator:Remya Raveendran

Civil contractor:Kumaraswami A.

Interior Execution Team:Fairview Decors

Site Support:Sreelakshmi, Rahul A., Suchithra O.S. & Sreeja V.S.

Text: Deepa Nair

Landscape Execution:Jacob Klavara

Air Conditioning:Glacier Systems India Pvt. Ltd.

All images Justin Sebastian.

All drawings Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS.

> via Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS

brick house Kerala residential Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS

Excerpt from:
Srijit Srinivas - ARCHITECTS built brick family house with angled ... - World Architecture Community

Its exam time again on the Part 3 course and, given the state of things, Im surprised at how blas the tutors seem. By contrast, the students sorry, candidates have endured yet another gruelling nine months of post-Brexit downturn, fluctuating immigration statuses and now the cancellation of HS2. There are longer hours, shorter contracts, pay freezes and straightup restructuring which notably protects the Revit-illiterate seniors while sending tremors through early career foundations.

Were briefed by the watery-eyed head of course that we should be kind but not too kind! It is an exam, and they need to understand the gravity of the situation. And we should be rigorous in our questions but dont make it weird! Stressed people dont give good answers. Make sure to ask them about the Building Safety Act, but dont get too specific, in case they ask the question back to us and, crikey, we have no idea, am I right! Mirthless chuckling. Oh, and make sure you ask them about their personal ethical stance, which they must have, and live by. Even though we can see theyre swimming in the same toxic swamp as the rest of us and it is, technically, just a job.

Our first candidate is a shoo-in. Solid work, solid answers to clarification questions, lovely. NEXT! Oh my, you are sweaty, sir. No, no, have a seat, no rush, deep breath, its just a conversation. Haha, sort of. So, how are you ? Oh Im sorry to hear your practice is making redundancies, thats always a stressful process. Are you part of that? Yes, you are, OK. Whats your, um, ethical position on that? No, go ahead, you can swear if you want to.

The next three candidates are similar, although perspiring less. Turns out for every B-Corp practice with dubious working hours and below-benchmark pay (its a local authority client, what are we supposed to doooooo?!) theres an equally cynical Employee Owned Trust trying to back-fill a resource gap by kicking the can down the road and hiding it all in an over-elaborate InDesign template. Either way, theyre cutting staff, theres no budget for a pay rise (soz!) and, no, you cant have time off in lieu. Be grateful for the golden handcuffs. Smile, youll be wearing them for two years.

Im getting a bit bleary-eyed with the onslaught of ennui, when Candidate 6 sits down. Hes calm, his answers are concise but specific and he elaborates when asked. Were done; hes cleared the RIBA/ARB hurdles what to do with the remaining 15 minutes? I go for a broad-spectrum question what are your reflections on working in architecture now that youve completed your Part 3? What are your takeaways? He pauses and sighs.

Honestly, the vibes are just off, you know? he says, eyeballing my silver haired co-examiner, as if daring her to question the colloquialism. Yes, she replies, yes, I am aware that the vibe has been off for some time. There is a pause. So how is your practice handling the economic uncertainty around your case study project? [Hint: its one of the HS2 casualties]. Well they announced this morning that theyd be making redundancies.

Ah, did they know you had your Part 3 exam today? Oh yeah, they said itd be a good talking point for the interview.

Nice. Ok, so what are your immediate thoughts then, given the surprise? Well you know, Im kind of fine with it? I took this job because they offered to pay for the Part 3, and if they make me redundant, it gets me out of the pay-back clause. Theres no projects anyway, and framework bids are soul-destroying.

I could go be a design manager, especially as the ARB are talking about abolishing the Part 3 system anyway. So really, Im kind of hoping they cut me. A severance pack and gardening leave sounds pretty good right now.

My turn to be stunned. Everything hes said is reasonable, accurate and honest. I really wish he was wrong, but hes not. Times up, so we shake hands and wish him the best of luck getting made redundant. I ponder my own ethical position on the train home.

The vibe really is off.

The rest is here:
The Secret Architect: The soul-destroying experiences of a Part 3 ... - Architect's Journal

Finish sequences continue throughout the building, with ceiling framing, equipment & accessory install, and MEPF trim making up the bulk of the work on Level 2, while taping, painting, and ceiling framing are wrapping up on Level 1. Rough cleans will begin next week on Level 2, and floor protection will be removed to make ready for flooring install.

At the main entry, preparation for storefront install is taking place this week while the team waits for the remainder of the storefront parts and pieces to arrive. Upon arrival, the storefront will be put in place, access control wiring will be run, and doors and hardware will be installed, fully enclosing the building.

Around the buildings exterior, exterior joint replacement and brick washing is complete, the final windows have been set, and exterior painting is underway. Once painting is complete on a given elevation, the brick will be sealed, wrapping up the waterproofing and visual refresh of the exterior.

Spaces will begin to come ready for final cleaning, AV install, and furniture moving in mid-December. We are currently working with Walsh Construction to determine when spaces will begin to become available to begin these activities.

As a whole, the building will remain closed for full move-in until substantial completion and temporary occupancy on Jan.10, 2024. The construction fence comes down the following week on Jan.17. The project remains on schedule for substantial completion by Jan. 10, and reopening of the building for spring semester on Jan.29, 2024.

Please see below for the full update.

Site & Exterior Work

Interior Finishes, Level 2

Interior Finishes, Level 1

Entry & Lobby

New Restrooms

Existing L1 Restrooms

Upcoming Events, Holidays, and Campus Coordination

Thanksgiving Holiday. Campus closed. No construction activities scheduled forThursday, Nov.23orFriday, Nov.24.

Questions may be emailed toconstruction@groups.pacificu.edu.

Excerpt from:
Pacific Hall Update | Week of Nov. 6 - Pacific University

In recent years, weve witnessed a rise in the popularity of solar in both the residential and commercial roofing industries. A 2023 study by Allied Market Research found the global solar sector on track to generate nearly $241 billion by 2031, a dramatic increase over the $59 billion recorded globally in 2021.

Specifically in the U.S., growth percentages are trending similarly, with estimates of the market valuing more than $900 million by 2025. What does this mean for those of us in the industry?

Its clear the demand for solar is trending upward, so its crucial to remain knowledgeable on all facets of the ever-changing equipment. As the solar market evolves, we expect positive advances in panel and system technology, installation processes and more substantial benefits offered by state and federal governments in the form of tax credits, to name a few.

With a rising demand for solar panels, installation processes are becoming routine for roofers and have progressed with modern technology.

Increased interest in solar continues to spur development in solar technology, specifically in designing the solar system's photovoltaic sheets. With modern advancements, we better understand how solar cells capture light, allowing improved development in the materials used alongside the cells to transmit the captured light to its final destination, such as lighting fixtures within a home or business.

Today, the most common material used in solar systems is silicon, reportedly found in 95% of models sold in the U.S. The lattice design of silicon atoms promotes increased efficiency as the solar cells and panels capture light, and the sheer abundance of silicon contributes to an overall reduced cost.

These attributes have contributed to greater accessibility of solar systems for homeowners and business owners, and we anticipate this trend of increased efficiency and decreased costs to continue in the future.

Another rising trend is the concept of flexible panels, an emerging technology allowing system installation on various surfaces, including cars and windows. Research is still largely underway, but recent developments have shown that flexible panels are inherently lighter, giving way to more diverse install locations.

These flexible panels are also designed with thinner materials that can perform in high-heat environments. We expect continued development into increased efficiency and lowered costs of flexible solar panels to promote even greater accessibility.

As the solar market evolves, (roofers) expect positive advances in panel and system technology, installation processes and more substantial benefits offered by state and federal governments in the form of tax credits, to name a few.

As panel technology improves, so do the system design and installation processes. With lighter-weight systems and faster technologies requiring less wiring and hardware installation, the turnaround time for homeowners and business owners has decreased significantly in recent years.

Before installation can begin, though, we know system design is a critical step in the process. Design tools such as Helioscope, Aurora or OpenSolar allow us to simulate different production scenarios for panel locations. With this technology, we, as professionals, are best equipped to ensure accurate placement and maximized panel efficiency for homeowners and business owners.

With a rising demand for solar panels nationwide, installation processes have become somewhat routine for roofers and have progressed with modern technology. As trends in the roofing industry change, such as introducing new shingle materials, it will be critical for solar experts to note and identify necessary changes to solar system installation processes and requirements. Most recently, weve seen trends in impact-resistant shingles and metal roofs compatible with solar panels.

As system development progresses, we anticipate a reciprocated advancement in design and installation to keep solar at the cutting edge of roofing technology for years.

We know a significant incentive for homeowners and business owners when deciding on solar panels is the variety of available tax credits. For residential owners, the federal residential solar energy tax credit can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar system, with solar systems installed from 2022-2032 eligible to receive a 30% tax credit.

Additionally, if a homeowner or business chooses to use domestically sourced goods for their roofing project, they may be eligible to receive additional credits. Many states and local municipalities also offer solar incentives that can be combined with federal tax credits.

For commercial properties, the investment tax credit, or ITC, reduces the federal income tax liability for a percentage of the cost of a solar system installed during the tax year. The production tax credit, or PTC, is a per kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity generated by solar and other qualifying technologies for the first 10 years of a systems operation. The PTC reduces a businesss federal income tax liability and is adjusted annually for inflation.

With recently renewed legislation extending the federal tax credit into 2034, this will remain an important trend in the solar industry looking into the following year.

Our responsibility as field experts is to remain informed on new technologies and trends to ensure satisfaction and peace of mind for our customers. Solar will remain a dominant force as we look ahead in the roofing industry and will continue to develop and change over time as efficiencies are improved.

Go here to see the original:
Solar and Roofing: Current Trends and Looking Ahead - Roofing Contractor