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Author: PRISM

Transformation of Portland Playhouse

Portland Playhouse involved the transformation of a late 19th-century church into a home for a non-profit theater company in Portland, Oregon. SERA partnered with the Playhouse on a multi-phased project that identified programmatic requirements, functional needs, aesthetic preferences, and growth strategies for the organization. The results of that planning included a substantial renovation of the former church building, the addition of a 1,500-square-foot dedicated rehearsal and community space, and concept design for an outdoor component to be added at a later date.

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Studios435 named a finalist for “People’s Choice Orchid Award”

Studios435, San Diego’s first micro-apartment community, has been named a finalist for the People’s Choice Orchid Award in the Orchids & Onions program.  Sponsored by the San Diego Architectural Foundation, Orchids & Onions recognizes environments that make our city better (or worse).  A final vote from the community will determine the People’s Choice Orchid winner, to be honored at this year’s ceremony on October 3 at the US Grant Hotel.

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Studio One Eleven completes human-scaled, neighborhood plan

Studio One Eleven has completed the third and final phase of its unique, two-block, intimately scaled development, Fourth + Linden. Studio One Eleven was both designer and co-developer of the masterplan, ensuring that it achieves peak walkability and urban vitality while expanding the Long Beach East Village Arts District. “In our experience, economic health evolves on a human scale. So, rather than impose a monolithic form on these two facing blocks, we allowed for organic growth. This means architectural variety, smaller-scale buildings – including reused older structures – and eye-level amenities that form gathering spots, such as a parklet, street furniture and curb extensions. The blocks are further broken-up by paseos and courtyards” said Studio One Eleven Senior Principal Michael Bohn, AIA.

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New IntercityHotel in Hanover: Hollow core ceiling system lowers building weight and reduces costs for drilled pile foundations

By 2020, the new 55 m high IntercityHotel Hannover Ost will be built at Andreas-Hermes-Platz near the main railway station. In order to meet the demands of hotel guests for elegance and comfort, the pentagonal building, that features only one right angle in its floor plan, will include flat ceilings with spans of up to 8 m as single-span systems. To make the construction even more economical and effective, the slabs are constructed using the patented hollow core technology of Heinze Cobiax Deutschland GmbH instead of solid concrete.

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Metsä Wood: Green construction and living in Norway

Verksbyen, a new green neighborhood in Fredrikstad in Norway, showcases the future of sustainable living. As part of the project, construction company Arca Nova Bolig is building five five-story apartment buildings situated in Capjon Park area in Verksbyen. The buildings are being constructed using Metsä Wood’s Kerto® LVL – making the construction fast, light and green.

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New PLAZA Large-Format Acoustic Panels launched by Hunter Douglas Ceiling & Wall Products, exclusively from CertainTeed

The latest addition to a line of metal ceilings from Hunter Douglas Ceiling & Wall Products, the company says PLAZA allows designers and installers to go big, go flat, go quiet and go easy. “Installers are always looking for products that make their jobs more efficient, while providing design stakeholders with visually appealing options,” explained Steven Udolph, national sales manager, Hunter Douglas Ceiling & Wall Products. “PLAZA delivers the metal look designers want, and is easy and efficient for contractors to install.”

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Facility manager’s annual fall roof to foundation inspection checklist

“Maintenance of buildings or structures, whether it be the interior or exterior, horizontal or vertical construction, or a hi-rise or single-story, is a necessity across the country,” said Bob Gender, Branch Manager, Western Specialty Contractors. “Many times a quick check today on your properties can help save building owners and managers headaches during the harsh winter months ahead when getting repairs done can be complicated by low temperatures.”

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Cradle to Cradle Certified products

The Cradle to Cradle program certifies products based on five quality categories—material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness. Click here to see a list of building supply & materials, as well as other products, that are Cradle to Cradle certified.

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