Welcome to AECWeekly! What would you do if you were given the task of designing a building that is to be built upon a rock protruding into the water on an island, with only five pencil drawings to go by?
Thomas Heinz, AIA, a renowned Frank Lloyd Wright scholar and authority on Frank Lloyd Wright designs, was the architect chosen by the current Owner, Joe Massaro, to model an island home that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright 50 years ago but never built by him. Read all about it in this week's Industry News.
AECWeekly is a news magazine featuring important industry news profiles, a summary of recently published AEC product and company news, customer wins, and coming events. Brought to you by AECCafe.
AECWeekly examines select top news each week, picks out worthwhile reading from around the web, and special interest items you might not find elsewhere. This issue will feature Industry News, Announcements, Awards, Education, New Products and Upcoming Events.
AECWeekly welcomes letters and feedback from readers, so let us know what you think. Send your comments to me here
Best wishes,
Susan Smith, Managing Editor
[ Click to Enlarge ] |
Frank Lloyd Wright Design Comes to Life on a Remote Island
By Susan Smith
What would you do if you were given the task of designing a building that is to be built upon a rock protruding into the water on an island, with only five pencil drawings to go by?
Thomas Heinz, AIA, a renowned Frank Lloyd Wright scholar and authority on Frank Lloyd Wright designs, was the architect chosen to model an island home that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright 50 years ago but never built by the original client.
What Heinz had to start with were five pencil sketches done in 1950: floor plans ,three elevations, a section and a perspective, with no materials, no dimensions--no indications of any kind. Unlike other Wright designs of Usonian residences which followed a rectangular/square grid, this home was triangular, had a 60-foot long rock in the middle of the site, and presented specific challenges to the architect and the contractors.
“When an architect designs his own work, he knows every aspect of it, his job is to get it down on paper so he can distribute it to others,” said Heinz. “In plan this building is based on a unit system grid of equilateral triangle which are five feet on a side. The site itself which is on an island north of New York City, probably the only privately owned island between New York City and Vermont. Lake Mahopac has two islands, the larger is about 20 acres and Mr. Massaro's island is about 11 acres. In 1950 the owner at the time, , Mr. Chahroudi Frank Lloyd Wright for a house. Frank Lloyd Wright created a wonderful design but Mr. Chahroudi said, 'it's a wonderful design but I can't afford to build it, can you make it smaller for me,' which Frank Lloyd Wright did for the same location. Mr. Chahroudi said he couldn't afford that either, and requested the guest cottage. He built the Guest Cottage in 1952. The first design Frank Lloyd Wright designed went unbuilt.
Heinz has been working with Frank Lloyd Wright buildings for about 30 years. He was the architect on the reconstruction of a house that the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City bought. They dismantled it, crated it up and moved it to New York. Ten years later, they hired Heinz to rebuild it inside the museum.
As the author of about 30 books on Frank Lloyd Wright, Heinz has also photographed every Wright-designed single building. Before starting this project, he needed to see the site. “I went out and found a boat to get me out to the island as there's no public access. I finally talked a fisherman into taking me out to the island. No one wants to go there because there are some unfriendly dogs, and word is they'll swim out and jump into your boat,” he laughed.
There were two other houses built on the island subsequent to the Frank Lloyd Wright building. “The current owner allowed me to take photographs, and he asked me if I knew of the first design. In the middle of the site was a great big rock 12 feet wide, 12 feet high and 60 feet long - Whale Rock . When I got back my Libertyville, Illinois Studio and looked at the design I saw that it formed some of the walls inside and outside the house. The roof comes over and rests on top of it and as you walk into the entry it forms part of the wall on your left as you come through the front door. And then you're squeezed down to a 6 foot entry space coming in to the building. There is a 1500 square foot skylight area above Whale Rock inside.”
[ Click to Enlarge ] |
With the rock work on this property and the house intended to cantilever off the land 78 feet out over the water, the design had to be rendered in 3D. “After the drawings were done, we interviewed six to eight contractors. I was not sure if what I had printed out was understandable and I didn't want fudge factors coming in blowing this thing up 20-30 million dollars more than budgeted for,” remarked Heinz. “We talked about design and construction and also how we were going to get materials out to this lake. We figured it was going to require 450-500 cubic yards of concrete. We found this contractor who had do a good grasp of what we were trying to do so we hired her to do this.”
The concrete, which is the floor of the house inside is also the floor of the cantilever. It is two feet thick, 78 feet out and 35 feet across. “That all had to be done in a single pour, 36 hours long,” said Heinz. “We also had walls that were a foot thick with stone on the boht sides.”
In order to understand the building, Heinz needed to use ArchiCAD to create hundreds of views so he could properly draw the building, so there wouldn't be any surprises. Approvals went very quickly as all parties saw what the building would look like, inside and out, using a virtual model. The Virtual Building Model really reflects the building design that Frank Lloyd Wright intended before it goes to construction, according to Heinz. The added bonus, far removed from those original five pencil drawings, is that the Virtual Building Model shows how the building will look and feel in its environment.
Now the home is under construction.
Announcements
Committed to recognizing top Autodesk Value Added Resellers (VAR), Autodesk, Inc., created the Premier Solutions Provider (PSP) program. PSPs comprise an elevated level of the Autodesk Value Added Reseller program, which incorporates Autodesk software solutions along with measurable technical expertise in a specific industry or unique business. PSPs provide their customers with full solutions from pre- and post-sales support, to training, implementation, and customization. They work closely with Autodesk so that the PSPs' customers maximize their return on investment in Autodesk software solutions.
Awards
Autodesk, Inc. announced the winners of its Platinum Club 2005, a prestigious group of channel partners awarded for their top sales performance and excellent customer service in fiscal year 2005. AEC CADCON was recognized as a Platinum Club winner for the second year in a row. Platinum Club winners were recognized and awarded in front of their peers and Autodesk senior management at the Platinum Club awards ceremony in Las Vegas, NV.
Avatech Solutions, Inc. announced it has won three of Autodesk's prestigious Platinum Club Awards. Avatech received the Top Revenue award for the Atlantic Region, the Top Revenue award for the Gulf Coast Region, and the MSD Growth award for the Atlantic Region.
Equitrac announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, underscoring Equitrac's expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace.
Sage Software (formerly Best Software) announced that its customer support department for the Timberline Office product suite has been named a Finalist in the Best Customer Service Organization category in the third annual American Business Awards competition. More than 20,000 businesses currently rely on Sage Software's Timberline Office, a suite of fully integrated financial and operations software created specifically for construction and real estate professionals.
Education
Bentley Systems, Incorporated announced BE Careers Network, an upgrade to its former Bentley Education Network (BEN) that focuses on increasing the number of students entering the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) field. BE Careers Network's first initiative is the BE Careers Program, which is designed to help students understand and become familiar with computer-aided design and architectural design software, and enable colleges and universities to cost-effectively incorporate AEC technology into their curriculums.
New Products
Autodesk Inc. announced that Pulte Homes, Lennar Homes, Centex Homes, Beazer Homes, Fulton Homes, Hacienda Builders and other leading U.S. homebuilders have deployed the industry-leading Autodesk Buzzsaw project collaboration service to facilitate and manage the bidding process with subcontractors and external supply chains.
Autodesk Inc. announced plans to support Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.'s (SCEI) next generation computer entertainment system, "PLAYSTATION®3", unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) last week.
Rasterex Software, a provider of software for viewing, printing and mark-up, announces the release of version R7.1 of RxView and RxHighlight.
RxView allows users to view & print more than 250 different file formats (2D & 3D CAD, plot-files, PDF files, Office documents, raster images etc.), without the need to have the expensive design software accessible to the user.
IMSI®, developer and publisher of consumer, business and precision design software solutions, announced the release of the latest version of its leading home design software program, FloorPlan 3D Design Suite.
This new version of FloorPlan is the most intuitive and efficient FloorPlan for home design and remodeling projects. Usability enhancements to the program include graphics accelerator card support, improved import and editing of 3DS objects, as well as improved landscaping and camera tools.
Upcoming Events
| International Civil Engineering History Symposium | |
| Date: | June 1 - 4, 2005 |
| Place: | Westin Harbour Castle Hotel
Toronto, Canada |
| From June 2-4, 2005, up to 1,000 civil engineers from approximately 30 countries will gather together at the largest Civil Engineering Conference ever held in Canada.
In addition to the General Conference, the program includes five specialty conferences: 1st. Specialty Conference on Infrastructure Technologies, Management and Policy 2nd. Specialty Conference on Coastal, Estuary and Offshore Engineering 6th. Construction Specialty Conference 6th. Transportation Specialty Conference 9th. Environmental Engineering Specialty Conference and An International Civil Engineering History Symposium An indication of the importance of this Conference is the attendance of many high level representatives of Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government bodies with Infrastructure Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal playing major roles. Leading the Conference will be the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering’s first woman President, Ms. Cathy-Lynn Borbely and Honorary Conference Chair Mr. Rick Ducharme, Chief General Manager of the Toronto Transit Commission. To be held on Toronto’s magnificent waterfront at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, this event is a must for Civil Engineers!!
|
|
| McMat 2005 - Mechanics and Materials Conference | |
| Date: | June 1 - 3, 2005 |
| Place: | Baton Rouge, LA USA |
| The technical program from June 1st to the 3rd consists of 6 plenary lectures in the mornings; 15 keynote lectures in the afternoons; and 156 technical presentation sessions. The help of the technical committees of the ASME-MD, ASME-AMD, ASCE-EMD, and SES was solicited for planning and populating many of the sessions. Internationally recognized leaders in diverse fields of engineering mechanics and materials have been chosen as the plenary speakers.
|
|
| Discover the AIA’s New Design-Build Document | |
| Date: | June 2, 2005 |
| Place: | !!! This is an online Web conference. !!!
Washington, DC USA |
| A live interactive Web conference that you can join from your office.
The AIA Design-Build documents apply an entirely new approach to design-build contracting that is more flexible and more owner-friendly than in the past. The new documents depart from other AIA documents in several significant ways. In addition two new documents are added to the family: an agreement between the owner and a design-build consultant, and a form for acknowledging substantial completion of the design-build project. This live Web conference presents the important features of each new document for you to understand how to use them in your practice to perform a variety of design-build services, whether you are serving as the design-builder, the owner’s consultant, or the design-builder’s architect. For a fraction of the cost of traditional conferences – and with no travel time or expenses – you can join from your office with the use of a computer, and monitor. Use an LCD projector and a speaker phone for an entire group to participate for the same registration cost
|
|
| Alias' Maya API Developers | |
| Date: | June 6 - 8, 2005 |
| Place: | Santa Barbara, CA USA |
| The 2005 Maya API Developers Conference is learning at its best! Three full days of total submersion in the world of Maya API ( Application Programming Interface) – breathe, eat, sleep, and learn. Take advantage of a packed conference program and a unique opportunity to network with Alias software developers and your industry peers. Learn directly from Alias software developers and gain their insight into the Maya API. Attendees will also benefit from sessions offered by industry experts to gain an understanding of how others in the industry have solved their production challenges. Presenters include Alias software developers and Alias customers working in the Film, Broadcast, and Games industries. With a maximum attendance of 100, you''ll be sure to have a great opportunity to learn while you mingle.
Attendees should be familiar with the C++ programming language to make the most of the conference.
|
|
| IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY | |
| Date: | June 7 - 9, 2005 |
| Place: | Cairo, Egypt |
| The conference and the symposium will be held in Cairo, Egypt to increase the attendance of foreign engineers and others in related fields. It is anticipated that those from countries will take advantage and visit Egypt to have more interaction and knowledge transfer with the local groups.
|
|
| Color Color Everywhere! | |
| Date: | June 7 - 9, 2005 |
| Place: | Seattle, WA USA |
| Learning Objective:
With expert guidance, participants investigate the use of color to create a sense of unity in a design project, in a practical workshop setting.
Additional Information: Betty Merken will guide exploration of how color can enhance design details and create a sense of unity within the design project. Attendees will learn how to use limited palettes from standard material selections to create a pleasing color aesthetic, with attention to how color affects people and the built environment. Develop color palettes in in-class workshops, for application to your design.
|
|
| Eurosteel 2005 - 'European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures Research- Eurocodes- Practice' | |
| Date: | June 8 - 10, 2005 |
| Place: | Maastricht, Netherlands |
| First Annual Synergis Technology Expo. | |
| Date: | June 9, 2005 |
| Place: | 1100 Virginia Drive
Fort Washington Expo Center, Fort Washington, PA USA |
| The First Annual Synergis Technology Expo, hosted by Synergis Engineering Design Solutions and Autodesk, is an opportunity for design and engineering professionals to learn how the latest design automation tools can successfully impact their work efficiency. Industry experts in Manufacturing, Building Design, Government, Infrastructure (Civil/GIS), Data Management and Education will educate attendees on the latest Autodesk solutions through more than 30 breakout sessions. Attendees will increase their familiarity and skill level with the AutoCAD 2006 family of products while understanding industry trends and how to overcome technical challenges.
|
|
| 2005 NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders | |
| Date: | June 13 - 15, 2005 |
| Place: | Westin Tabor Center
Denver, CO USA |
| NAHB is proud to present the 2nd Design Institute for Builders. During this exceptional design education event, you'll learn the latest in residential housing design trends from the industry's top professionals, tour beautiful award-winning homes and communities that display the best in cutting-edge architectural design, and learn how to profitably apply these design ideas to the homes you build.
|
|
| Introduction to Lean Construction | |
| Date: | June 14 - 15, 2005 |
| Place: | 6350 N. River Road
Hyatt - Rosemont, Rosemont, IL 60018 USA |
| Production System Design and Work Structuring June 14-15, 2005.
This seminar provides an overview of Lean Construction and its underlying theory, principles and techniques. The seminar will focus on the design, operation and improvement of the Last Planner System™ of production control and the continuing practice of work structuring. This session is a must for people and companies considering or adopting Lean Construction.
We suggest participants read "The Goal" by E. Goldratt. Additional pre readings will be returned by email to registrants. The seminar will be held in at the Hyatt Rosemont near the Chicao O'Hare Airport. For reservations, phone 847 518 1234 and ask for the Lean Construction Institute rate. The seminar begins at 8 am each day and closes at 4:30 on the 15th and 4:00 on the 16th. Breaks, lunches and workbooks are provided participants. Dress is casual.
|
|
| Global Summit on R&D Strategies and their Transnational Cooperative Implementation | |
| Date: | June 15 - 16, 2005 |
| Place: | Helsinki, Finland |
| There have been several initiatives and road maps over the past few years by various government agencies, industry associations, and private companies throughout the world in pursuit of accelerating technological integration and automation in the construction industry. However, these initiatives and road maps have never been integrated or compared with each other, even if the potential for a more effective global cooperation in the field of construction industry is remarkable. In order better to leverage the R&D that is currently underway, we are planning a “Global Summit on Construction Industry R&D Strategies and their Transnational, Co-operative Implementation,” in conjunction with the CIB 2005 World Conference.
This first-ever summit will identify the common industry-wide challenges that can be addressed globally. The goal of the Summit is to develop transnational strategies that will accelerate the adoption and implementation of automated technology solutions, which will result in a more customer-oriented construction process with increased business value. In short, the Summit will align goals and leverage our collective resources in the field of the construction industry.
|
|
| Ecobuild America - 2005 | |
| Date: | June 20 - 23, 2005 |
| Place: | Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Orlando, FL USA |
| Ecobuild, with a long standing success in Asia, is proud to announce the the debut of its' newest event...Ecobuild America, the world's foremost green conference and exhibition. Ecobuild America 2005, the environmental systems technology conference and exhibition.
Ecobuild America will address the estimated $15 billion worth of green buildings currently in design or under construction in the US, representing 12-15% of total public construction and 2% of private sector construction. Although the $15 billion is less than 5% of the total $315 billion US annual construction for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, this category is growing at a rate of about 75% annually.It covers the breadth of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential green building techniques, construction products, renewable energy resources, and sustainable growth design and planning processes. Ecobuild America will be accompanied by product educational sessions for design and construction professionals will feature the latest innovations in green building materials and energy and technology, with particular emphasis on sustainable growth, green building, and environmental design. This gathering promises to feature the most comprehensive congregation of green building programs and technologies ever assembled — a showcase for this rapidly expanding and dynamic industry. Delphi Inc., a leading research, publishing company and event producer in Tokyo organizes the Japanese event which is sponsored and supported by the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Japan Ministry of the Environment; Tokyo Metropolitan Government; The Japan Institute of Architects; Architectural Institute of Japan; the Building Contractor's Society; The Institute for Environment and Energy Conservation; New Energy and Technology Development Organization (NEDO); and the Japan Ecology Foundation.
|
|
| AIA Seattle Summer Solstice Procession '05 | |
| Date: | June 23, 2005 |
| Place: | UW College of Architecture & Urban Planning
Seattle, WA USA |
| The AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable, in partnership with colleagues at the UW Department of Achitecture, Pomegranate Center, and Fremont Public Association, have big ideas for the 2005 Summer Solstice Procession - with a series of events that commenced with a late-March visit to Marra Farm, in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood.
|
|
| Concrete Technologies Tour | |
| Date: | June 26, 2005 |
| Place: | Kansas City, MO USA |
| The Concrete Home Building Councils' Plant Tour is a multi-day event featuring educational programs and behind-the-scenes tours of cement-based building materials and manufacturing facilities. Attendees have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country while learning the inner workings of the concrete industry as a whole.
The Plant Tour gives attendees a broad view of the regional differences in production and building trends, a working knowledge of all types of cement-based materials, and an understanding of how to implement the most up-to-date industry trends into their own businesses. This two day event will leave you with a superior understanding of the residential concrete construction market. The event will start on Sunday, June 26 with a Golf Touranment at the St. Andrews Golf Club followed by a Concrete Reception at 6:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Don't miss out on this great event and tour. Take a look at the week's activities!
|
|
| 2005 RETC Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference & Exhibit | |
| Date: | June 27 - 29, 2005 |
| Place: | The Westin Seattle Hotel
Seattle, WA USA |
| Tunneling is both an art and a highly scientific endeavor, requiring a broad range of capabilities and experience and a willingness to try state-of-the-art materials, equipment, and techniques.
|
|