5 reasons architects are worth the money to redo your home

If you're like most homeowners, you probably dream of one day completing a major home-remodeling project. And I'm not talking about retiling a tub here. This is the once-in-a-lifetime renovation—the kind that dramatically changes how you live, energizes the entire household, and makes all the neighbors really jealous.

Perhaps your dream is to build a two-story addition with a family room below and a master bedroom and bath above. Or maybe you've always wanted to expand the kitchen and install French doors leading to a wraparound deck. Regardless of what your dream entails, all major remodeling projects can benefit from the expert design help of an experienced, licensed architect.

I know what you're thinking: Architects are way too expensive and only necessary when building multimillion-dollar homes—and last week's economic roller coaster isn't helping any. The truth is, architects are well worth the extra cost on large remodeling jobs because with thoughtful evaluation and design, they can meet—and often exceed—your expectations. In fact, depending on the size or complexity of the remodeling, calling in an architect might be the only way to get the project off the ground, and to ensure your dream comes true. Here's why you consider taking the plunge if you're gung ho about a large-scale redux on the house.

1. To See the Big Picture

An architect has the training and skill to produce a detailed design based on your particular needs and desires—a design that's sensitive to the architecture of your existing home, and scaled to the proper proportions. However, what truly makes an architect valuable is the ability to develop and refine a vision of the completed project that you can see and understand. And architects are experts at seeing not only the big picture, but also the hundreds of tiny steps between concept and completion.

After the initial consultation, and once you and the architect have defined the scope, features, purpose and functionality of the project, the architect will develop a set of preliminary drawings, sometimes called schematics. These drawings are just the first of many that you should expect to see.

"It's important for the architect to spell out in advance what each set of drawings will include," says Richard Hayes, architect and managing director of the American Institute of Architects. And don't be concerned if the preliminary drawings seem lacking, because each subsequent set will contain more and more detail, including written specifications. In fact, Hayes recommends asking the architect to show you a final set of drawings from a recently completed job, just to give you an idea of what to expect at the end of the design phase.

But before you settle on a candidate, carefully consider the firm's past designs and gauge whether its vision for your house meshes with your own. If you want to incorporate salvaged stained glass windows and antique brass doorknobs, for instance, don't choose the architect whose past work features floating drywall over recessed fluorescents.

2. To Handle the Paperwork

When most of us think of an architect-designed project, we envision the aesthetics of the building: its size, shape and finished surfaces. But behind the pretty face are the skeletal bones of the building. It's the architect's job to design the project to satisfy building codes and meet specific structural demands. And striking that balance between aesthetic beauty and structural safety is no easy feat—it requires a vast knowledge of various building materials and construction techniques. Hiring a pro makes sure your renovation plays by the rules.

"A good architect knows the building code, and alternative ways to solving structural problems," explains Marc Olivieri, a Connecticut construction manager. "Architects also prepare most of the documentation necessary to acquire all the various building permits." And those services can ultimately save you time and money.

3. To Hire the Muscle

No one understands the design of your project better than the architect, which is why he or she is the perfect person to coordinate the various construction professionals before the work starts in earnest. For example, an architect will meet with structural engineers or HVAC mechanics prior to construction to discuss the design, answer questions and ensure everyone knows their job.

The architects' plans make all the difference in translating your dreams to the details a contractor needs. If a problem should arise—which often happens—the plans will act as a record of what should have been done, and the architect will find a solution without compromising the design, your needs or your wallet.

4. To Oversee the Job

Once the design phase is completed, you can decide how involved the architect is in the actual day-to-day construction of the project—if at all. You can hire an architect just to design the project and create all the necessary drawings, and that's it. He or she then has no further involvement. However, for an additional fee, some architects will manage the project by hiring subcontractors, establishing the work schedule and confirming that all work is done properly and according to the final plan.

Another common practice is called Contract Administration, or "CA" for short. "When you sign a CA," explains Hayes, "the architect will check in on the construction from time to time to answer questions and ascertain if work is adhering to the intent of the design."

A third level of supervision is available through design-build firms. These one-stop shops will design and build your project, providing supervision throughout every phase of construction, including hiring subcontractors. This option also saves you the trouble of negotiating and signing two contracts—one with an architect and another with the contractor. But be aware that some design-build firms employ home designers, not certified architects.

It's also important that you be involved during the construction process, even if it's just to consult with the architect from time to time. That way, you'll be able to express your concerns as the project takes shape. "Working with an architect is a bit of a balancing act," says Olivieri. "You want to make sure your needs and desires are satisfied, but without surrendering all control to the architect when changes or refinements to the design are necessary."

5. To Go Green

More and more architects are starting to design buildings that are environmentally sensitive to both the planet and the homeowner. Considering sustainability in concept and construction will ensure your investment lasts a long time, limits its consumption and saves you money through efficient design.

The options available vary widely depending on the experience of the architectural firm and the circumstances of your project. Even if you're not plunging into a photovoltaic array or a backyard wind farm, smart choices can make significant, smaller gains. Consider using recycled and nontoxic materials, solar or passive water heaters, efficient insulation and a trustworthy thermostat. Because many of these measures involve whole-house systems, it's critical to plan them in advance.

For more information about green architecture, visit the American Institute of Architects' Sustainability Resource Center and the U.S. Green Building Council.

(Via Popular Mechanics)

Al Gore debates global warming

Al Gore debates expert climatologists on whether carbon dioxide causes global warming.

Top 10 skyscarper movies

1. The Fountainhead

Adapted from Ayn Rand's bestselling potboiler, The Fountainhead combines architecture with drama, romance, and sex. Gary Cooper plays Howard Roark, an idealistic architect who refuses to create buildings that violate his aesthetic values. Patricia Neal is his passionate lover, Dominique. 1949

2. The Towering Inferno

An architect (Paul Newman) and a fire chief ( Steve McQueen) race to rescue the occupants of a burning San Francisco skyscraper, which is touted as the "world's tallest building." 1974

3. Die Hard

When a dozen international terrorists take over a Los Angeles highrise, a tough New York cop (Bruce Willis) saves the day. 1988.

5. Metropolis

Directed by Fritz Lang, this silent film classic interprets Le Corbusier's plans for the future, imagining a mile-high city built by slaves. For this DVD version, producer Giorgio Moroder speeded up the pacing, restored the tints, and added a rock and disco soundtrack. 1926

6. Entrapment

An aging thief (Sean Connery) becomes enmeshed with a beautiful insurance agent (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The real stars of this film are the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 1999

7. Jungle Fever

A rising black architect (Wesley Snipes) has an adulterous affair with a working class Italian American (Annabella Sciorra) in present day New York. Directed by Spike Lee. 1991

9. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

OK, you won't see skyscrapers, but The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a must-have for anyone who is serious about studying the relationship between film and architecture. In this German Expressionist masterpiece, the evil Dr. Caligari (Werner Krauss) hypnotizes an innocent villager to commit murder. Director Robert Wiene set the eerie tale in a surreal world of twisted angles and contorted buildings. Silent, with music track, 1919

10. Skyscraper

Former Playboy Playmate Anna Nicole Smith is a helicopter pilot who becomes a hostage after flying a terrorist to the top of a skyscraper. Sex and skyscrapers -- what more could you want? 1996

Tick

Fight global warming. Time is running out.

Slideshow: Frank Gehry

Australian hot rocks offer 26,000 years of power

Barely one percent of Australia's untapped geothermal energy could produce 26,000 years worth of clean electricity, scientists said, as the government announced a A$50 million (US$43 million) project to help develop the technology.

Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter with coal used to generate about 77 percent of its electricity. Its reliance on coal for generating electricity makes it the world's biggest per-person polluter, with five times more emissions per head than China.

"Geothermal energy which is sometimes known as hot rocks has got a huge potential for Australia, both as a solution to climate change and in terms of national energy security," said Resource Minister Martin Ferguson.

To produce power from geothermal energy, water is pumped below ground where it is heated and the heat energy used to generate power.

Geoscience Australia has mapped the nation's geothermal energy, using temperature recordings from decades of drilling by energy and exploration firms, sometimes to a depth of five kms (three miles).

A total of 5,722 petroleum and mineral boreholes across Australia were used to generate the map.

"One percent of reserves would produce 26,000 years of energy supplies," Geoscience's Anthony Budd told Reuters on Wednesday.

Budd said "hot rocks" needed to be 150 degrees Celsius to produce electricity, which was achievable at a depth of one to five kms, noting temperature rose deeper into the earth's crust.

An Australian Geothermal Energy Association report this week forecast it could potentially produce 2,200 megawatts of baseload power by 2020, adding that represented up to 40 percent of Australia's 2020 renewable energy target.

The association estimated A$12 billion would need to be invested to develop the 2,200 megawatts of power, but added the cost of generating electricity would fall to acceptable levels by the time commercial projects were up and running.

It estimated it would cost A$120 per megawatt hour from a small pilot plant producing 10 to 50 megawatts of power, and A$80 per megawatt hour for a large scale plant of 300 megawatts or greater.

Read more.

12 great examples of modern architecture

The Guardian newspaper has put together a special series that showcases the best modern architecture around the globe.

Empire State Building - “the architectural pivot around which Manhattan appears to turn”

Sydney Opera House - “redefined the way we saw and thought about its host city”

Guggenheim Museum - “a glorious exhibition of itself, an architectural gesture, and urban eye-catcher”

Pompidou Centre - “it made Paris seem instantly modern”

Le Corbusier

Jewish Museum - “a building that was most effective when newly complete and emptya building that was most effective when newly complete and empty”

Fallingwater - “what Modern house is more compelling?”

30 St Mary Axe - “the “Gherkin”, is one of the most charismatic of contemporary city of London’s towers”

Casa Mila - “a magnificent example of seemingly willful organic design”

Eden Project - “a sea of bubbles from old Cornish chalk pits”

Phaeno Science Centre - “a wonderfully confident structure in which floors become walls, walls become floors”

Arnos Grove - “a utilitarian construction that is, nevertheless a Roman civic temple brought up-to-date”

OK, ok - so the list is full of the classics but read this article to understand why.

[via Archinect]

Painting tips

Many choices of painting material are available and the trend is to look for best-looking and durable paintwork, irrespective of the cost involved. However, simply buying the best and most expensive paints doesn't bring the desired results. Certain workmanship points too need to be kept in mind. Renaissance is the idea at the back of the mind when a house owner decides to repaint his house. The old paint needs to be removed and surfaces prepared. And, painting a newly-built house demands equal attention, as the first paintwork lays the foundation for all future works. So, a few guidelines given here and in next six episodes must be followed.

First check

Before doing internal and external finishing work, ensure that all doors and windows have been installed in position, all electrical conduits, their boxes and fixtures embedded in walls and walls finished smooth. There should be no plaster finishing marks along the conduits. All plumbing and sanitary pipeline chases must have been filled and finished. Take some more precautions. Tape all the edges of switchboards and window frames. Put jute bags or waste clothes on the floor to save it from paint droppings. When painting external walls, remove your vehicles from the site and cover the plants and shrubs, if you can't move them. Cover all door and window fittings with polythene and tape to avoid messy blotches.

Colour Magic

Decide the colours you are going to in your home very carefully. Pastel shades of pink, green and blue bring a soothing effect to a room while yellow and red are very attractive and make the room look warm. In India, pastel colors are preferred as these look cool and soothing. Decide colour scheme as per your personal liking and comfort. Take a look at the effect of each colour and take your pick.

Generally, a colour palette displaying hundreds of colours is available with paint dealers. Check it to choose shades of your choice. The present trend is to use a dark colour on one wall of a room to highlight it and project it as the feature wall while lighter colour is applied on the other walls.

If the walls and floor are light-coloured, a room will look bigger. So, choose light colours if you want your room to look bigger. If the ceiling is low, again choose light colours as these will enhance visibility in the room. If the ceiling is too high, apply a dark colour to it and see the room height decrease instantly. Shining and reflecting wall surfaces will also make the room look bigger. If you run a strip or band of colour all round a room, it will give a compact look.

Light and shade

While deciding the colour scheme, you must see how they look in artificial light. Generally, dark colours look brighter in artificial light while light ones appear suppressed. Shade cards don't give you the exact idea. Choose by visiting a friend's house or showrooms where you could see the colours on a wall. Before buying your total requirement, buy samplers (easily available now in most leading brands). Paint a small area of wall, allow it to dry and then decide. You just cannot go wrong this way.

Sequence it Right

Paint a room in the following sequence: Always paint the ceiling first. That way, any drops trickling on to the walls will not be a problem. Next, do the walls and finally, the doors and windows. The most important part of painting, white washing and colouring your house is to find a really good painter. Take extra pain here -- a good painter can put an end to more than half your worries instantly.

Brand Matters

Always buy good quality paint from a reputed company. Never go for cheap and low quality paint even if the painter suggests so. Look for reputed names. Even if you choose a lower grade -- i.e. first, second or third quality -- let it be of a reputed brand. This will help in getting a well-finished surface. Buy the paint in one lot. Different manufacturing lots may have slight difference in appearance. So, to avoid a variation in shade and to have a uniform look, buying full quantity of paint in one lot is important.

Options Aplenty

A large variety of wall and woodwork paints is available and it is difficult for the house builder to decide which paint to choose for each surface. For internal surfaces, the choice is between whitewash, colourwash, dry distemper, oil bound (oil emulsion) distempers, plastic (acrylic) emulsion paints and premium emulsion paints. For exterior surfaces, choice is between cement paints such as Snowcem Paints red paints, semi acrylic emulsion paints, 100% acrylic emulsion paints, heritage finish, spectrum finish and cladding. For woodwork, choice is between synthetic enamel paint, French polish, polyurethane polish and melamine polish.

Calculation Time

Work out the required quantity of each type of paint to be used by measuring the areas of the walls and the ceiling. Deduct the area of doors, windows, ventilators, openings, cupboards etc from the wall area. Work out the area of ceilings. If you can't work this out, as a thumb rule, multiply your floor area by 5 and this is the approximate total area to be painted. Different type of paints have different covering capacities. Wall emulsions such as acrylic, plastic and lustre cover about 80 to 150 sq ft. area a litre when applied in two coats. Acrylic and oil bound distempers cover 60 to 100 sqft per kg per two coats. Wood enamels cover 80 to 90 sqft per litre per two coats while transparent finishes cover just 40 sq ft per litre per two coats. Exterior acrylic or textured can cover 50 to 75 sq ft area per litre per two coats and cement paints cover about 30 sqft area per litre per two coats. Coverage capacity differs from company to company.

Cost Factor

For least cost of finishing work, the combination of paints is cement paint for external walls, dry or oil bound distemper for internal walls, French polish or synthetic enamel of second quality for woodwork and third quality synthetic emulsion for metals. For best quality work and no cost consideration, use a combination of dirt proof and weather proof 100 per cent acrylic exterior emulsion paint or heritage finish or spectrum finish for external walls, premium emulsion paint for internal walls, melamine or polyurethane finish for woodwork and first quality synthetic enamel for metallic surfaces. For medium cost and quality, use textured exterior emulsion paint or semi acrylic emulsion paint or cladding for external walls, low range plastic emulsion for internal walls, low range melamine or polyurethane polish for woodwork and second quality synthetic enamel for metallic surfaces.

(via Tribune India)

Protect, preen, paint

Exteriors of a house are constantly exposed to severely acting elements of weather. In India, the weather effect is quite variable -- sometimes, it is harsh sunlight and at others, severe and unkind winter. Rain, fog, high and low temperatures also tend to fade the exteriors. As the appearance of cracks and infestation of algae ruin the first impression of a house, owners seek an exterior paint finish that is able to resist all these weathering effects.

You have many choices for the exterior surfaces and the elevation. You can have exposed brickwork or plastered surfaces or a combination of both or cladding of walls with various types of stones or textured finish. While choosing exterior finish, our main purpose is to make the elevation look beautiful and appealing, to have a durable finish that survives for a few years, at least, to choose a finish that resists dust and weathering effects and the one that breathes -- allows moisture of walls to escape without hurting their beauty.

All these aspects can be well fulfilled through right choice of finish and proper workmanship. Here are a few guidelines for durable painting of exterior surfaces, but first choose what you want.

Exposed Brick

Many homeowners prefer exposed brickwork on the elevation. Since ages, man has been seeing exposed brickwork in buildings, monuments and forts and an inbuilt desire to have part elevation with it remains. However, the decision to have exposed brick in the elevation should be made early and one should keep sorting out good bricks while doing the brickwork of foundations and internal walls of the house and use these bricks in exposed brickwork for a uniform look. Otherwise, use mechanised bricks. When the exposed brickwork of external walls is in progress, do raking of joints to a depth of 10 mm at least while it is still green. Before applying paint, make sure to do pointing.

Pointing: Prefer deep pointing to flush. Flush pointing doesn’t look good on brickwork and mars its very character. Always begin deep pointing work from top downwards. See that all extra mortar is cleaned off and not smeared over the bricks. Do pointing work with 1:2 cement sand mortar. Take care that the vertical joints are truly at right angles to horizontal lines and any minor errors in brickwork are hidden by the pointing work. A very important point to see is that the vertical lines should not end away from horizontal lines nor should these extend into them creating ridges there. Cure the pointing work well for at least seven days.

Cement Paint

If you choose cement paints, commonly known by the trade name Snowcem, on external surfaces, choose a reputed brand like Super Snowcem by Killick Nixon or the one by Asian Paints. Always choose from a fresh lot and see that the bags are IS 5410 marked. Open a bag, feel the Snowcem in your hand and see that it is free of lumps. In general, cement paint bags or sealed drums showing date of manufacture as within one year of purchase are considered fit but try to get a lot as fresh as possible. Reason for this is that cement paints are just a mixture of cement and pigments and cement attracts moisture from air and loses strength with time. So, don’t go by the expiry date on the bags or drums but get a lot as fresh as possible.

Preparation: While preparing cement paint for exterior walls, take care that dry powder is added to water and not water to powder. First take 50 per cent quantity of water to make a paste and then add balance 50 per cent to make a workable mix. Always mix thoroughly. At one time, mix only a quantity that will get used up within an hour of mixing with water. Otherwise, the paint mixture will start setting, will lose strength and brush marks will appear on surfaces.

The coats method: Clean exterior walls of dirt, dust, loose material and efflorescence with wire brush and then by washing, before applying the first coat of Snowcem. Thoroughly wet the surface before applying paint. Apply second coat after 24 hours of first. However, you need not wet the surface before applying second coat. After second coat, keep the surface fully wet for next two days by spraying water on the paint and not by throwing water with a pipe or container. I recommend a fog spray. It is a tried method and yields best results.

Texture Paint

In case you don’t want to paint the exterior plastered walls with Snowcem, consider Birla White Textura. Textura is also a cement-based paint but gives a textured wall finish — as the name suggests — instead of a plain surface. It comes in a variety of textures and designs. Unlike acrylic paint, no primer coat is required and is an economical textured finish. Above all, Textura needs no curing, has extra adhesive strength and resists water and weather. It is mixed with water and applied with trowel or roller or spray. Roller or spray finish textura is termed as RF while trowel finish textura is called TF.

The method: Prefer to use RF textura on interior surfaces and TF textura on the exterior. Textura contains Birla white cement, some minerals, polymers, quartz sand and additives. You can apply it even on damp walls. Textura TF and RF are sold in 25 kg bags. A bag costs around Rs 700. Generally, a bag cover gives 100 sq ft. area. Though the textura shade card may show many colours, it is applied only in white colour and then paints like Apex are applied over it. Its overall cost, including labour, should be about Rs 16 to 18 a sq ft. While applying, take care that at one time, only that much quantity is prepared that can be used up in 1.5-2 hours. To prepare its solution, add about 45-50 per cent water to it. If you want to use the spray method, some more water may be added to make it sprayable with a gun.

Acrylic Emulsion

Cement paints used for painting external surfaces of walls are not fully resistant to algae and fungus. Other paints available are semi acrylic and 100 per cent acrylic exterior emulsion paints. These paints give extremely good performance and also provide protection against fungus and algae. However, these are many times costlier than Cement paints. Therefore, you must make your cost calculations and buy paints your budget allows. All inclusive cost of semi-acrylic paints is around Rs 6- 8 per sq ft. This includes labour component. Good semi-acrylic paint costs around Rs 100-125 a litre. One litre should cover about 50 sq ft. area in two coats. No water curing of this paint is required.

Cost factor: For really good results, choose a 100 per cent acrylic exterior emulsion paint. It costs around Rs 180-220 a litre and covers around 50 sq ft area in two coats. All-inclusive cost of its application shall be about Rs 10-12 per sq ft. Today, labour component is very high and tends to equal material cost if you engage skilled painters. Do no water curing for this type of paint as well.

More tips on paintwork shall follow. Till then, happy painting!

(via Tribune India)

Feng Shui bedroom tips

Creating a balanced, comfortable bedroom is one of the most important things you can do in your home. Use these feng shui tips to arrange a safe haven in your bedroom.

Tips for cement paint

Cement paint is water based paint and is applied on external walls/surfaces of the house. It is made from cement with different pigments and gives the best results on newly concrete surface. It can also be applied on bricks. It gives the best results on newly concrete surface but it should not be applied on white wash, color wash and dry distemper.

According to Indian standard cement paint should confirm IS: 5410 of approved brand and manufacturer. ‘Snowcem’ and its variants are a popular brand. They contain white or colored Portland cement with water proofing agent accelerator and extender.

Characteristics

• Highly water resistant
• No primer is required
• Most suitable for worse environments
• No chance of drying up due to its solid form

Guidelines for Surface Preparation

• The surface should be cleaned of all mortar dropping, dirt, dust, grease and other foreign matter by brushing and washing.
• Patches in plaster should be repaired and a coat of waterproof cement paint should be applied over patches after wetting the surface completely.
• The surface should be cleaned thoroughly by scrapping of all whitewash; color wash if water proof cements paint is required to apply on existing surfaces previously treated with white wash and color wash.

Mixing Procedure

First Stage: The first stage consists of 2 parts of cement paint and one part of water stirred thoroughly and stands for 5 minutes. Care should be taken to add cement paint gradually to the water and not vice versa.

Second Stage: The second stage comprises of adding remaining one part of water to the mixture and stirring it thoroughly to obtain uniform stability.

Guidelines for Application

• Painting work should be started after preparation of the surface.
• Cement paint should be used within an hour after mixing otherwise the mixture would be set and thicken which affect the flow and finishing.
• Before applying cement paint, the cement or concrete surface should be wet thoroughly to provide moisture to aid in proper curing of the paint.
• The surface should be moist not wet when the paint is applied.
• The solution should be applied on the clean and wet surface with brushes or spraying machine.
• The solution should be stirred well during the period of application.
• The solution should be applied on shady surface of the buildings so that direct heat of the sun may be avoided on the surface.
• The completed surface should be watered after days work.
• The second coat should be applied after first coat is set at least for 24 hours.
• Water proof cement paint should not be applied on the surface treated already with white wash, color wash; distemper dry or oil bound distemper, varnishes, paints etc.
• It should not be applied on gypsums, wood and metal surfaces.
• In special cases a coat of cement primer should be applied followed by two or more coats of water proof cement paint.

(via Gharexpert.com)

The world's largest building

The psychological effects of color

Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions. - Pablo Picasso

What Is Color?

In 1666, English scientist Sir Isaac Newton discovered that when pure white light is passed through a prism, it separates into all of the visible colors. Newton also found that each color is comprised of a single wavelength and cannot be separated any further into other colors. Further experiments demonstrated that light could be combined to form other colors. For example, red light mixed with yellow light creates an orange color. A color resulting from a mix of two other colors is known as a metamer. Some colors, such as yellow and purple, cancel each other out when mixed and result in a white light. These competing colors are known as complements.

Color Psychology - The Psychological Effects of Color

While perceptions of color are somewhat subjective, there are some color effects that have universal meaning. Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange, and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple, and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

Color Psychology as Therapy

Several ancient cultures, including the Egyptians and Chinese, practiced chromotherapy, or using colors to heal. Chromotherapy is sometimes referred to as light therapy or colourology and is still used today as a holistic or alternative treatment. In this treatment:

• Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.


• Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.


• Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.


• Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.


• Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.

Most psychologists view color therapy with skepticism and point out that the supposed effects of color have been exaggerated. Colors also have have different meanings in different cultures. Research has demonstrated in many cases that the mood-altering effects of color may only be temporary. A blue room may initially cause feelings of calm, but the effect will be dissipate after a short period of time.

The observation of color in nature to improve our design

To unleash the creativity of a designer, simply start observing your surroundings. Take a stroll through the park, what do you see? Trees, grass, water, ducks, leaves, flowers. That is what everyone sees but look a little closer, look with a designer mind. Look at the way the bark covers the tree trunk, observe the myriad of colors within one small piece, retrace the form, feel the texture and see how it contrasts to the smoothness of the leaves. Look how the sunlight can make the bark look different from when it is in the shade, observe the effect of shadow. You can use these observations to learn how color, light and texture work in the interior. Another example is a flower, look closely, there is often more that one color in a single flower, and it frequently goes by unnoticed. This simple use of juxtaposition means that the secondary color intensifies the main Another example - a pond of water, the shadows created by the clouds in the sky, the different depths of water, and once again the juxtaposition of other items in the pond combine to create a fantastic monochromatic scheme of blue/green. We need to slow down our hectic pace and deadlines that drive us to create without thinking and take the time to appreciate what is around us, this acts as our catalyst to design. How many times have you had a mental block and no matter which way you look, there seems no solution? Many! A simple stroll in the park can be all that is required to clear you head, get the blood moving around the body and gives you time to observe where design begins, at nature. Carry around a note book and jot down your observations, what colors look great together, how the different textures of similar items create a subtle design, how the light can highlight or obscure, how much of a different color do you need to make a statement, how a mass of wild flowers with hundreds of different colours can work together to form a subtle single entity, how the curved flowing lines of a Willow tree are softer than the brutal severe lines of a Pine tree. With these observations think how you would relate them back to your work, and how they can work in with people; after all we are the main reason for design, to create environments in which we can perform specific tasks comfortably.

(via Designerhelper)

The Louvre

Catherine de Medici, J. A. du Cerceau II, Claude Perrault, and many others contributed to the design of the massive Louvre in Paris, France.

Constructed of cut stone, the Louvre is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance. Architect Pierre Lescot was one of the first to apply pure classical ideas in France, and his design for a new wing at the Louvre defined its future development.

With each new addition, under each new ruler, the Palace-turned-museum continued to make history. Its distinctive double-pitched mansard roof inspired the design of many eighteenth century buildings in Paris and throughout Europe and the United States.

Sino-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei stirred great controversy when he designed a stark glass pyramid to serve as an entrance to the museum. Pei's glass pyramid was completed in 1989.

Read more

Global warming 101

Global warming could do more than just melt polar ice. It could change our maps, and displace people from cities and tropical islands.

Wake up, freak out then get a grip

Wake Up, Freak Out - then Get a Grip from Leo Murray on Vimeo.

Please take a moment to look at this great short animation from Leo Murray. Just click to play.

It starts out with a polar bear floating on a chunk of ice, playing a violin. Then the narrator hops out and grabs the violin, saying "Give me that. This really isn't about polar bears anymore!" And you're off and running, for a compact, very clever, and scientifically sound run-through of some major climate tipping points — all left out of the current IPCC projections — and what these might mean to us.

Toward the end, there's even a rewind of the worst effects scenario, and a chance for a happy ending!

A chance which is particularly happy this week, as news is released on the latest worldwide carbon emissions report card (details here) from the Global Carbon Project. To quote Olive Heffernan, writing in the climate blog at Nature, one of the world's top scientific journals:

"Most striking is that, despite years of effort, carbon dioxide emissions are increasing at an alarming rate of 3.5% a year — faster than the 2.7% predicted by the IPCC in their worst case scenario, and miles ahead of the 0.9% annual rise in the 1990s. Worst still, current measures have been based on a middle-ground IPCC scenario. Pep Candell from the Global Carbon Budget told me that this was 'astonishing'."

Please don't be distracted by some news coverage that will trumpet minor changes in the ranking of the leading greenhouse-gas-emitting countries. Even setting aside real accounting complications due to economic globalization, the United States still emits about 20% of the world's greenhouse gases, some five times more than its per-capita share (with 4.6% of the world's population).

The animation and the latest annual carbon report both highlight this essential truth: climate change is now everyone's problem.

It can be solved. There's overwhelming evidence for optimism if we get a collective grip, and make real change now.

N85 residence

Looking at the work of New Delhi and Pune, India-based architecture firm Morphogenesis, it’s clear that its principals appreciate Modern architecture. But for Manit and Sonali Rastogi, partners in life and in the firm, Modern doesn’t mean Minimal. “After living life as Minimalists in an all-white loft in Delhi where even our toothbrush holders were white, we went to the other end of the spectrum,” says Sonali. “We’re ‘Maximalists’ now.

We wanted to create a space that conformed to our needs as a multi-generational family, instead of conforming our family to our living space. Our house continues to evolve, with input from visitors—many of them artists and designers, and it contributes to our participatory way of living.”

The Rastogis share the home, which is in the upscale neighborhood of Panchsheel Park, just minutes from one of the busiest arteries that rings the city of New Delhi, with their two children,

Manit’s parents, a constant stream of visitors and guests, and a whole host of house plants from all over the world. “The plants need to be nurtured like babies,” says Sonali, who is an avid gardener and (with some outside help) tends to the veritable ecosystem inside the house. Sonali calls her home “an oasis.” She says you navigate its complex program—which also includes the Rastogis’s architecture studio—through a series of spatial episodes that are expressed via volumes, a technique Adolf Loos termed “raumplan.” Stone, wood, concrete, glass, water (a lap pool fed by harvested rain water runs the length of the terrace on the second floor), lighting, and nature are all part of the interlocking patterns that make up the whole.

It took careful planning and programming to create such a comfortable house, beginning with orientation on the site and materials for efficient use of thermal mass. The house is largely built with conventional Indian building methods: a concrete frame with brick infill on the south and west. To exploit views and light on the north and east, the architects used slender steel columns with floor-to-ceiling glass fenestration. Exterior surfaces are finished with handcrafted limestone and Ipe wood. Low-e glass, high thermal mass on the west side, a double barrel vaulted roof that lets light in and also insulates the house, and thermal buffers such as trees in front of windows for shade add up to drastically lower than usual air-conditioning loads. Sonali says only 10 tons of A/C are operational at any given time, while a comparable 6,500-square-foot house in that region would normally require 65 tons of air conditioning.

A house for three generations and many friends and visitors required fluid interior spaces. Summed up the home is essentially three overlapping levels: the private domain of the family (bedrooms and breakfast room), the shared spaces (family room, kitchen, and dining spaces), and the public domain (lobby and interior courtyard). A fourth level is the basement studio, which also has a separate entrance.

“Our central living and dining areas are our favorite spaces,” says Sonali, “the piano nobile is where we spend most of our time as family. An outdoor-indoor living pattern translates into us dining almost daily on our second floor terrace, which is shaded due to its northeast facing orientation, but since it’s set in from the road, it’s private and green. The living spaces are where we spend our time with our children; we do not encourage them to be stuck to their computers in their rooms!”

That kind of interactive lifestyle extends beyond the Rastogis themselves, when the family opens up their home once a month for a cultural event called Manthan, or “the churning.” “We invite artists, musicians, and designers to come to our home and present their work,” says Sonali. “For entertaining and living, the house really is the fulcrum of our lives.”

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(via Architecture Week)

Neighbors upset over house's hot pink paint

Residents of Dennisville, New Jersey are seeing red because of a hot pink house.

The owners of the Nathaniel Holmes, Jr. House located in Dennisville's historic district have painted the building and neighboring gift shop "forward fuschia".

The house was built 208 years ago, and up until this week was white, much like the other historical buildings that surround it.

Some residents are upset over the color choice, but there may be nothing they can do.

According to the town council, the community doesn't have any rules about house color.

A global history of architecture

Listen in on a fascinating discussion with professor and author Francis D.K. Ching about his latest book, "A Global History of Architecture"—a work lauded as “unabashedly huge” in proportion and refreshingly unique in perspective. The work spans the globe from 3500 BCE to the present day, discussing certain styles and historical periods but dwelling primarily on specific architectural works.

How to choose exterior paints

Choosing exterior paints can be complicated because of the wide range of surfaces. These surfaces include clapboard and aluminum siding, wood shingles, tar shingles, cedar shakes, brick, concrete block, stucco, and, of course, old paint. On many older homes, you’ll find a combination of these surfaces. Fortunately, there is an exterior paint for every type of surface, and some paints are suitable for more than one surface.

Like interior paints, exterior paints are available in either water-thinned or solvent-thinned formulas and in three lusters: flat, semigloss, and gloss. There are, however, several characteristics that distinguish exterior paints from those used inside the house. For one thing, exterior paints are more expensive. They also contain more resin (for moisture resistance and durability) and more pigment (for color).

You may want to choose your exterior paint based on what was used before. As with interior paints, latex works best over latex and alkyd works best over alkyd. If you can’t tell or are unsure about what type of paint is on the house, use an alkyd-base paint.

Latex exterior paints are easier to apply, dry quickly, and can help minimize moisture problems because they “breathe.” Cleaning up is a matter of soap and water. These paints do not adhere as well to oilbase or alkyd-base paints or to poorly prepared surfaces, however. Alkyds, on the other hand, are extremely durable, but they are more difficult to work with and they dry slowly. Also, solvents must be used with alkyds to clean brushes, rollers, paint trays, and drips.

One of the alkyd types of exterior paint may be especially appealing because of its regulated, self-cleaning property. It’s called “chalking,” and that’s exactly what it does. Over a period of years, the paint surface slowly oxidizes. Each rainfall washes off a minute quantity of the paint — along with dirt. As a result of this shedding, the paint surface is constantly renewing itself. The price of this convenience used to be chalky residue on foundations and shrubs, but the newest formulas control the shedding so it doesn’t stain adjacent surfaces.

Chalking paint is not recommended for every house. In areas with little rainfall, for example, the powder tends to remain on the surface, dulling the paint. In wet regions, chalking paint may not be worth the extra expense because frequent rainfalls will keep the outside of the house clean no matter what kind of paint is used. If you live in or near either of these climatic extremes, ask your paint dealer if the chalking type is suitable for your area.