Buying A Home With Friends – What To Watch Out For

 

 

 

Don’t have money to buy Vancouver real estate on your home?

Is it possible to buy homes with others?

Is it beneficial to enter into real estate joint ventures?

 

Are you finding the Vancouver real estate market too expensive?  You’ve probably heard of others getting into the market by partnering up with others, haven’t you?  Is it risky?  What’s involved?  How does it work?

The first thing when considering that option is that everything MUST BE IN WRITING!  I can’t stress it enough.  When I say writing, I don’t mean an email.  I mean, using a real estate lawyer that knows how to draft up real estate joint venture agreements.

 

But it’s my family, surely I can trust them?

 

Get It In Writing

Regardless of the other part(ies) are, the contract is there for when things go sideways.  Everyone’s smiling when there’s agreement, but when there’s a disagreement, in order to be fair and just, the contract is what’s guaranteed and promised.  No need to say “he said that” or “she said this” or rely on someone’s memory.  Having a proper Joint Venture agreement in place also prevents disagreements when 1 of the parties wants out of the deal.  

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Architecture for the Present: Peter Zumthor | News | Architonic

There is this video on YouTube of the cellist Isang Enders playing Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 inside Zumthor’s Bruder-Klaus-Feldkapelle in Wachendorf, Germany. The suite’s melody is instantly recognizable. It is one of those works in the cannon of classical music that will have a staying presence as long as time remains immortal. However, the specific performance that Enders delivers is different. It is not “different” in the sense of how he approaches the technically demanding octave jumps or the phrasing of each stanza, but rather in the ephemerality of its delivery. While the notes on the music’s score will more or less stay the same for generations to come, the space in which it is presented is constantly in flux. And as I watch this video again and again, I cannot help but focus on the acoustics of this small, concrete chapel in the middle of a farmer’s field. The warm sound of Enders’s cello are absorbed by the chamfered and crenelated walls; the notes do not linge… continue

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Uncharted Waters: Falper maps the future of bathroom design | News | Architonic

They say a good conversation is a two-way street. For premium Italian bathroom brand Falper, the lifestyle of the end user has, on the one hand, consistently been a driving factor behind its product development, encouraging the firm to continuously evolve its products in response to societal shifts. Yet, at the same time, Falper has proven itself to be a key agent for change in the way that that we behave within the domestic sphere. As bathrooms become increasingly integrated into living areas, and as smaller spaces demand more flexible solutions, the company’s catalogue offers an innovative take on the future of bathroom design. The task of ensuring that Falper’s products remain ahead of the curve rests with MD and art director, Luca Fallavena, whose father Guido founded the company in 1962. Originally a manufacturer of plastic fittings for furniture, the firm moved into the production of items for the bathroom in the 1980s. The family-run company now operates from a 12,000-square… continue

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50 Shades: Linea Light Group | News | Architonic

Light can elicit emotion or calm us, clarify or embellish, give us perspective or a delirious lack thereof. It can even determine in what light we view the rest of the world. And yet few of us appreciate the fact that the impalpable stuff that illuminates our lives is actually designed with great care. With the launch of its revitalised website, Italy’s Linea Light Group (LLG) remedies this by shedding light on the great breadth and variety of spaces, indoors and out, that its products enlighten. More compelling than the technical details and product specs, the site’s Case Histories serve not just as tools for architects, electricians and lighting designers, but as switches that turn the imagination on. LLG’s offerings have a richness that stems from the diversity of the three brands – Minulamp, Eva Stampaggi and Linea Light – who banded together in 1985, bringing all aspects of production in-house and keeping it in Italy, while augmenting each others’ strengths to form a catalogue tha… continue

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Where the hell did poetry go?: Hind Rabii | News | Architonic

Fashion, art and nature all inspire Belgium-based industrial designer Hind Rabii. These might be unlikely influences on industrial design, but then Rabii is no ordinary lighting designer. She might have studied industrial engineering at the Institut Supérieur Industriel in Verviers in eastern Belgium, but she doesn’t put technology on a pedestal. ‘Technology is always integrated into our creations, but it’s a means of creating our designs, never an end in itself,’ she asserts. ‘Lighting designers have traditionally relied heavily on technology, resulting in a technological exhibitionism that has distanced products from human beings,’ continues this maverick designer, who expresses her views passionately and forcefully. She believes this fetishisation of technology and functionalism has suppressed the poetic, emotional elements of design. ‘Our engineer friends brought us solutions that lack any element of fantasy. And we’ve readily adopted them. My question is: where the hell did poetry… continue

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5 Tips on Maintaining Your Steam Shower

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Steam showers are pricier than your average shower, but considering all the benefits, we’re sure you’ll agree that it’s worth the investment. Bearing in mind how much the cost is, as much as possible we would want to maintain the state of our newly installed steam shower as it is. The trick is to be on top of things and not wait until the damage becomes hard to fix, and to do that, follow the tips below:

Weak Steam Output
After about 20 showers its good practice to clean the steam generator
Fill the tank with between 5 to 10 grams of citric acid diluted with about 1.5 liters of warm water.
Let it set for 12 hours before turning it on to heat the water. This will vaporize the citric acid.
The steam generator will have a manual drain valve. This valve should be drained approximately every 2 months. You may have to remove any large clumps by hand. Source: Bathroomz

Inspecting for Tightness of Seals and Joints
Silicone seals, water supply joints, valves, and nozzles should be checked at least once a year. If the silicone seals are loose, replace them. Sealing the doors and walls is quite easy. Nozzles, joints, and drainage systems can be tightened or repaired using the most basic plumbing skills. Source: DoItYourself

It’s Worth It to Squeegee
Water can leave behind minerals that create a whitish haze over glass doors and tile. The longer the minerals sit, the harder they are to remove. So a quick squeegee after the last shower of the day will make cleaning easier in the long run. Source: HGTV

A Natural Alternative
A mixture of baking soda and water makes a scum-fighting scrub that many experts swear by. Measurements for the mixture will vary depending on how much you need. To get started, try using a half-cup of baking soda, and then add water as needed to make a thick paste. Using a nonabrasive sponge, scrub the glass and rinse it with vinegar. Source: Houzz

Maintaining Steam
Hot, damp areas are perfect incubators for mold and mildew. After using your steam shower, open the door to dry out your bathroom, and run the exhaust fan to suck out the steam.
Every few months, flush the unit to get rid of calcium deposits. Source: Houselogic

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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ACOUSTIC ROOM BY FANTONI. MAKE ROOM FOR PRIVACY | Industry News | Architonic

Acoustic Room creates an acoustically-protected haven inside an open-space office or collective environment, for meetings and other situations requiring particular privacy and focus. A box within a box, comprising two modules of different dimensions (D254 x L254 x H254 cm - D254 x L134 x H254 cm), creating islands within high-traffic spaces. The module consists of 4akustik sound-absorbent panels, which are a high-performance acoustic product from Fantoni's Acoustic Panelling division. The box is supplied with different levels of customization, from a very simple solution to one with melamine flooring and glass walls. continue

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Architektonische Entdeckungsreise | Industry News | Architonic

<b>Tailor-made approach</b> ‘At UAU we never start to work immediately. First we listen to the clients. We genuinely make time for that, because we want to provide the right answer and in each case offer them more than they actually ask for. Even if we do so unconsciously, we always pursue something new, something different. That attitude is precisely what I experience from Mosa. They listen to their customers and share ideas. They win them over with their approach and feeling for design. They develop a tailor-made solution for each customer and go the extra mile in delivering their service. That’s where we see eye to eye with them; we apply the same fundamentals in our approach to clients.’ <b>Italian homeliness</b> ‘Peppe’s concept is distinctive and based on Italian homeliness. It’s a bistro, where you enter and are welcomed into a kind of living room. It’s a place where you can also buy the products which Peppe himself uses in his kitchen and which you can therefore also eat… continue

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3 Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Grout

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Do you need to clean the grout in your bathroom? It doesn’t have to be complicated with these helpful cleaning tips!

Image Source: Flickr

Below are 3 tips for cleaning bathroom grout:

Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaners can be an effective and environmentally-friendly method of cleaning grout—or for that matter, many other surfaces around the house. Bissell, Oreck, Ladybug and Hoover all make steam cleaners for residential use. To keep your grout clean and stain-free, it’s a good idea to spray it with vinegar and wipe it down once a week. You can also wipe grout with alcohol to keep mold and mildew at bay. In any case, just a few spritzes and wipes a week can save you a lot of time and effort cleaning, preserving the attractive appearance of your home in the process. Source:  BobVila

Vinegar and Baking Soda
Fill your spray bottle with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water and spray the work area generously. Let the solution sit for about five minutes, then follow up with a grout brush or a scrub brush. If you don’t have one of these, a toothbrush works in a pinch. Rinse with warm water.
In a small bowl, make a paste with baking soda and water. Dip your toothbrush or grout brush in the paste and work it into the grout. Spray the area with your vinegar + water solution. The vinegar will cause the baking soda to bubble up and will start to work away that nasty soap scum. Use your brush and get all the way into the grout lines to remove buildup. Rinse with warm water. Source: ApartmentTherapy

Commercial Grout Cleaner
Try oxygen bleach products. This is another name for sodium percarbonate, which is a compound made of hydrogen peroxide and soda crystals. Brand-name products include Clorox, OxiClean, Oxi Magic, and Bio Kleen. Mix the product with water as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Apply to the affected area and let it sit for up to an hour before scrubbing and rinsing.

• Be sure to use these products in a well-ventilated area, and avoid contact with your skin. Always wear gloves to use these products.
• Always spot test commercial products in a small area on your grout to make sure the product won’t discolor, erode, or damage your grout. Don’t use any sort of bleach product on colored grout.

Use a commercial grout cleaner and whitener. There are many cleaners out there that are designed specifically for grout, and most of them can be purchased at hardware stores. Be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, and follow all the safety precautions. Commercial grout cleaners include:

• Zep
• Goo Gone Grout
• Outrageous
• Tilex Tile and Grout

Beware of chemical combinations. In case you find one chemical hasn’t worked and you want to try another, be sure to wash the area and wait a couple days before trying something new. Just like hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can combine to form peracetic acid, so too can commercial cleansers mix to form poisonous gasses, caustic liquids, and noxious fumes. Source: wikiHow

Cleaning grout isn’t just about the type of tile cleaner you use – it’s also about the methods you employ for getting the stains out.  We hope these tips will help you out with your grout cleaning needs!

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Bosc - Contemporary furniture made in les Landes | Industry News | Architonic

In the north, there are thousands of hectares of forest, mainly pines. All along the Adour is bordered by oaks, and the wood is used for furniture and wine casks. A chair factory sprang up in Hagetmau in 1893. It was the first in a long line... The workshops gradually became businesses. The 1930s were good times for them. The factories modernised their equipment and acquired a know-how that was the envy of everyone. The decade from 1950 to 1960 marked the arrival of comfort in homes. The chair industry employed no fewer than 3000 people in the 1990s alone. This was when, after two generations, the Bastiat family engaged in the manufacture of chairs and furniture. The business was founded on 1st April 1964 by Marcelle and Joseph Bastiat. They had met each other and learnt their trade in the Capdevielle factory. One was in the carpentry workshop, and the other in finishing. Their children, Alain and Michel grew up surrounded by wood shavings, the smell of wood, tools, textiles and varnis… continue

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Christian Wassmann: Cosmic Modernist | News | Architonic

Swiss-born Christian Wassmann has gained recognition in different echelons of the creative community. Since founding his practice ten years ago, he has garnered multiple accolades, including a 2010 Swiss Art Award and a 2012 AIA New York New Practices Award. Mentored by powerhouse architect Steven Holl and seminal avant-garde theatre artist Robert Wilson, the cross-disciplinarian has shaped his own ‘form performs function’ approach on the basis of collaboration, experimentation and happy accidents. His affinity for the minimalism of the cosmic sublime can be seen in wide-ranging projects: furniture for galleries such as R & Company, ephemeral fashion shows for the equally experimental label threeASFOUR, scenographies for the Independent Art Fair and permanent buildings like the recently constructed Sun Path House in Miami or the Lisson Gallery in New York, designed in collaboration with studioMDA. TLmag spoke to Wassmann this past February. He and his team were in the midst of finalisi… continue

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Call for Entries: Lamborghini Road Monument | Industry News | Architonic

An international legend with an Italian heart. A legend that, starting from 2018, will be enriched by a further exciting chapter. Made in Italy and known as the “Urus” project, the third model of the House of the Bull will soon be leading the market as the new Made in Italy luxury icon: a supersport car among the SUVs. In order to celebrate this event, along with a new enlargement of its base, Automobili Lamborghini intends to innovate the places of the legend inviting all the designers to imagine two monumental landmarks at the entrance of its historic plants. How to reflect the character and the values of one of the most renowned and valued brand of the international scenario in an architectonic installation? How to architecturally interpret the DNA of one of the most representative brands of the automotive history? This is the challenge of Lamborghini Road Monument, the competition of Automobili Lamborghini to build two architectonic landmarks aimed at marking the entr… continue

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3 Inexpensive Ways to Transform Your Bathroom

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

You can easily pour a ton of money into a bathroom remodel, but there are also some more cost-effective options. Check out these simple and inexpensive ways to make your bathroom look and function better.

Image Source: Flickr

Below are 3 inexpensive ways to transform your bathroom:

Repurposed Storage
Add stylish storage using flea market finds. If your bathroom is too small for a freestanding piece of furniture, consider adding a vintage shelf or old drawer backed with pretty paper that hangs on the wall and stores bath essentials. Clean and give it a fresh coat of paint. To hang a drawer-turned-shelf, drill through the back and into studs in the wall. Source: BHG

Updated Fixtures
Next, look at the little details. You can update light fixtures, sink faucets, towel racks, and drawer pulls for a relatively small investment. These items may seem insignificant, but updating them can make a big difference in your bathroom’s look. Check out sites like ModernBathroom.com for ideas. The items may be out of your price range but you can find ways to replicate the look for less.
Keep in mind that you don’t always have to buy towel racks at a home improvement store or IKEA. One of my friends used old plumbing for her towel racks and it gave her bathroom a very cool, industrial feel. Plus, since she rescued them out of an old house that was about to be torn down, they were free! Source: MoneyCrashers

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
A new color on the walls can completely change the look of your bathroom. Many cabinets can be painted — think about switching yours (this is my next project). Oh yeah, and you can use your soap-scummy old shower curtain liner that you replaced as a dropcloth. Source: Houzz

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

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Where Do I Go To Find A Good Realtor?

 

 

 

How would you know if you found a good realtor?

What are the qualities of a good realtor?

Why do we need a realtor?

 

A right realtor can help you purchase your fantasy house or sell your current home rapidly. The wrong agent can mess up the exchange, abandoning you with egg all over and no place to call home.

Regardless of the high stakes, numerous purchasers and dealers give little thought to picking an realtor, whether they’re purchasing or offering.

When you’re looking for a realtor, you clearly need the best. In any case, with realtors introducing themselves through yard signs, online advertisements, standard mail postcards etc., how would you slice through the offers?

So it is really critical to whom you will entrust your lovely homes.

If you want more information on how to prepare, feel free to email or call me.

 

 

 

 

The post Where Do I Go To Find A Good Realtor? appeared first on Gary Wong Realty Vancouver, BC.

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Sweet and Lowdown: Flexform's timeless Groundpiece sofa | News | Architonic

Consider what constitutes a modern design classic and certain elements spring to mind: simplicity, clarity, harmony, a sense of geometry and, more often than not, a refined and restrained style. The design needs to be so supremely functional that it proves superlative in comparison to the competition. It may prove so good that it invites imitation and will of course, most importantly, stand the test of time, enjoying popularity years and decades on from the day it was conceived. Flexform’s Groundpiece sofa meets all of the above criteria. Launched 15 years ago, it remains the luxury Italian furniture brand’s best-selling sofa of all time, and, what’s more, its sales continue to rise. The talent behind this timeless creation is none other than Milan-based architect Antonio Citterio. Widely recognised as a virtuoso of clean, minimal lines, his relationship with Flexform dates back to 1970, when he was in his twenties. He has designed more than 50 products for the family-run firm over the… continue

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Good Vibrations: new concert halls | News | Architonic

Light is often cited as the ultimate intangible architectural element, with its ability to create form, volume and texture. But the way we perceive the built environment isn’t limited to the gaze. It’s a multisensory experience. The aural as much as the visual shapes the way we encounter, navigate and draw pleasure (or displeasure) from the spaces we continually move through. Against the backdrop of a, somewhat belated, increase in the awareness and practice of acoustic planning in architecture, the non plus ultra of building types where sound takes centre stage has been given fresh creative expression by a number of architects internationally. The concert hall, whose very raison d’etre is the optimised conveyance and consumption of sound, is undergoing a renaissance, with recently completed projects – from the landmark to the limited-budget – marrying performance space with high-performance acoustics. A decade under construction due to a series of setbacks, Herzog & de Meuron’s long-a… continue

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Zilla Leutenegger – Kunst als Fragezeichen | News | Architonic

<b>Wie gehst Du bei Kunst & Architektur Projekten vor?</b> Wenn Kunst in den öffentlichen Raum tritt, begegnet sie Menschen, die ungefragt mit Kunst konfrontiert werden. Dies gilt es mitzudenken bei der Konzipierung von Kunst im architektonischen Kontext. Zweck eines Gebäudes, dessen Nutzung und Unterhalt sind andere Rahmenbedingungen. Sie sollen aber nicht dazu führen, dass sich ein Künstler wegen eines Auftrags total verbiegt. Künstler sollen ihrer Arbeitsweise treu bleiben. Auch Auftragsarbeiten sollen sich organisch in ein Gesamtwerk einreihen können. Für die Pädiatrie im Triemli z.B. fand ich es wichtig, dass die Kunst die Kinder in ihrer Situation abholt. Die „kleine Enzyklopädie des Alltags“ sollte von den Gründen, warum sie im Krankenhaus sind, ablenken. Aufgrund der vielen Auflagen, die es in einem Krankenhaus gibt, war es eine sehr anspruchsvolle Aufgabe, etwas zu finden, das eine kleine Aktivität erlaubt, für die Abläufe innerhalb eines Spitals aber nicht störend ist. <b… continue

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VIENNA DESIGN WEEK #10: 30.9. – 9.10.2016 | Fairs | Architonic

50 Years Met Chandeliers + UFOs – At the opening of the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1966, the first burst of applause already erupted before the performance to acclaim twelve ascending chandeliers from Vienna. And in the foyer, too, there was a cascade of “exploding stars”, visible from afar. For Hans Harald Rath, the source of inspiration for the chandeliers – which have a symbolic character today – came from a little book by the architect Wallace K. Harrison showing photos from outer space. Acting as his first model were potatoes spiked with toothpicks hanging up in the hotel kitchen. Fifty years after the Met opening, J. & L. Lobmeyr are putting the largest chandelier group on display ever constructed since then. Also on show: refulgent UFOs with reverberating names like Stanley, Jill, Sigourney and Orson by the design duo Kim+Heep. Moreover, within the festival format Passionswege J. & L. Lobmeyr cooperates with designer Martino Gamper. It is almost 200 years since Josef Lobm… continue

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Alfredo Häberli: The Spheres of Life | Design | Architonic

<b>TLmag: The presence of the Alps creates both a connection and a disconnection between Italy and Switzerland. In the Spheres book, you look at the concepts of mobility and our relationship to landscape. For you, creating is non-static and a matter of mobility. It seems like you always look at objects as though they were moving; in terms of materials, colours, textures and real life application. You put your heart, soul and expertise into all of your projects. How would you define your creative approach?</b> Alfredo Häberli: When I received the “precision and poetry” brief from BMW, I found that it corresponded perfectly to my freestyle handwriting that adapts to all types of designs. I could have been a cartoonist! I don’t claim or want to have a signature. I learn from each project, try to be different and discover new facets. I’ve adopted this unconstraint way of thinking in order to create different shapes. I hope that I’ve found a balance between accuracy and expression in my

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Jori: redefining comfort | News | Architonic

Experimental and liberating; the Sixties was an exciting decade of disruption and change. Formal conventions and conservative values were challenged and tossed aside; not just socially, or politically, but in design terms too. New materials, such as moulded plastics and vacuum-packed foam, led to progressive futuristic forms in furniture, curvaceous and sculptural pieces that were often multi-purpose in function. Modular and often low-slung, these designs reflecting the laid-back mood of the times. Designers embraced a whole new way of living where the rigid compartmentalisation of separate rooms for dining, cooking and relaxing were broken down and home interiors became more free-flowing and open-plan. It was during this fluid and fertile era, that the Belgian design furniture company Jori was born. Established by Juan Jorion in Wervik, his ambition to produce exceptional contemporary leather furniture that put comfort at the heart of the design, was very much in tune with the spirit

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Nothing to fear for an engineer | News | Architonic

We have to thank the Italian architect Adolfo Natalini for the lamentable insight that when 100 children enter the school system all 100 of them draw and paint with enthusiasm, whereas when they leave school perhaps only one of them is able to draw or paint at all. We could probably come to the same sad conclusion in terms of handicraft work, especially as children – both boys and girls – stopped playing with modelling kits which stimulate creativity and the imagination a long time ago and now prefer to make copies of the spaceship from the 'Star Trek' movies in the way that is specified for them by a Danish toy company. It is accordingly all the more surprising that in his "Inside Out" exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2013 London architect Richard Rogers made a point of providing a model of London for the benefit of kids in one room of the exhibition, together with the possibility of making playful additions in the form of imaginary buildings. In the process it was not the past but

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ARCHITONIC SPECIAL CERSAIE 2016 | News | Architonic

As the world’s leading and most reliable research instrument for premium-quality architecture and design products, Architonic offers its users valuable insights into the latest developments in the architecture and design markets. The ranking results are based on the number of page views on architonic.com from the last six months (March to August 2016). As part of our Architonic Trend Analysis series, we are pleased to be able to present to you the Architonic Top 10 Tile Brands of our members who are exhibiting at the Cersaie. <b>Methodology</b> The rankings are based on the number of called-up pages belonging to the brand-microsite on architonic.com, which depends on different traffic sources linking to the respective product sheets, such as product-group navigation on architonic.com, Google relevance and advertising campaigns linking to the brand among others.

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Maximum effect from a minimalist lighting solution | Industry News | Architonic

Dornbirn, June 2016 – The comprehensive renovation of the Dornbirn Stadtstrasse (city street) from the Kronenkreuzung (crown junction) to the Sägerstrasse (sawyer street) and the new construction of the Sägerbrücke bridge represent a pioneering engineering project. The new Sägerbrücke bridge not only caters for different needs and interests, but also represents an architectural highlight by helping art become an integral part of the public space. The lighting solution for the bridge was developed and realised by Zumtobel in close cooperation with the architect Hugo Dworzak, the city planner Stefan Burtscher and the artist Hubert Lampert, who has crafted a truly eye-catching element in the middle of the bridge with the “Do.Helix” installation. In terms of pure functionally the Sägerbrücke bridge offers a crossing over the Dornbirner Ach river, but it is also a key point for cars and lorries accessing the downtown area and a busy hub for public transport. For this reason it was necessary

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De Castelli: Metal at its finest | News | Architonic

People have been processing, forming, cutting and joining metal for millennia to produce functional and decorative items that have played a key role in our cultural evolution. Mastering this malleable material requires great skill and a thorough understanding of its physical properties. Fortunately for Italian brand De Castelli, its founder Albino Celato is the fourth generation of a blacksmithing bloodline, and his passion for metal is translated into the company’s innovative products and surface materials. Celato founded De Castelli in 2003 in the small town of Crocetta del Montello near Treviso. Rather than focusing solely on the traditional metal processing skills developed by his forebears, he wanted to make metal a material for the modern era by foregrounding progressive design and technologies. The result is a catalogue of products, furniture and surfaces that combine traditional craftsmanship with advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques. One of De Castelli’s stated ai

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W Beijing Chang´an | Industry News | Architonic

All the W Hotels in Starwood‘s international hotel chain have a strong design orientation, futuristic architecture, and stylishly combine art and lifestyle, comfort and luxury. This is also true for the five-star hotel W Beijing Chang‘an, which with its colourful media facade - which can display an oversized „W“- draws attention to itself from afar in Beijing‘s downtown area. The international chain‘s hotel is centrally located in China‘s capital city - close to world-famous landmarks such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The inner-city diplomatic and business district Chaoyang is characterised by a very urban mix of glass skyscrapers and ancient attractions, modern shopping centres and traditional markets, and vibrant city life and quiet temples. The district, just like the city of Beijing itself, is enormously multi-layered. Here tradition meets modernity, luxury meets simplicity, locals meet tourists, and modern culture meets ancient rites. All these contrasts and tension

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Kitchens in future offices | Industry News | Architonic

Two things had a significant impact on the design of the high-rise building in the new ‘Zuidas’ business district in the south of the city: the offices of Google and Microsoft, and the hotel-lobby atmosphere. Together they result in a new kind of work environment, where work and life are interwoven. As sustainability is an important criterion when choosing a workplace, it was ensured that every detail met these requirements. Since employees only spend 30-40 % of their time at a desk, only 1,000 workplaces were created rather than 2,500. In line with the ‘hot desking’ principle, each morning employees choose, using the company’s internal app, their desk for the day according to whether they want to work in a team or alone. They can also use the app to adjust heating and lighting according to their preferences. The building uses geothermal energy and a 65,000 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof to generate energy. This generates enough electricity for all the employees’ laptops, smartphon

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USM: The world is a (steel) sphere | News | Architonic

What comes to mind when you hear the word trend? Is it the latest colour directions at Paris fashion week? Or the latest innovations that leverage big data? The term trend can conjure up a multitude of mental reference points, from short-term fashion fads to long-term technological drivers of change that can disrupt sectors and affect businesses globally. Whatever your reference point, one thing is for sure: we are bombarded by 'new trend’ information on a regular basis and it is hard to make sense of what is meaningful. So how can we cut through the noise and identify what’s really relevant? <b>Trend one: Simplification</b> Let's start by looking back. Minimalism and the corresponding simplification of features and functions have been around for decades. Dieter Rams much-celebrated ‘10 principles for good design’ from the 1970s states, ‘Good design is as little design as possible.’ In the digital age, the unbundling of an app’s features into a suite of mono-function products is a

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Material Tendencies: Giulio Iacchetti | News | Architonic

<b>Architonic caught up with the Italian designer to find out which material he would chose if asked to work with just one for the next three years.</b> <b>Giulio Iacchetti:</b> At this moment I think wood is the material with the most possibilities. Wood is the world’s most ancient material. It is highly versatile and therefore offers maximum freedom during the design process. <b>Is there any material that you could immediately reject?</b> Yes, those types of materials that are defined as innovative and futuristic. They disappear in a relatively short space of time. It seems that designers are supposed always to be keen on these new materials that have just emerged out of some research process. But normally they are very expensive and we cannot prove their performance over the years. I think that materials need to be verifiable, because we are making projects that should last for several epochs – or at least this should be our target. <b>At what point within the design process d

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Discover the textile possibilities | Industry News | Architonic

<b>Techtextil has a very heterogeneous programme. How as an architect do I find the exhibition areas of relevance to me?</b> Our range of visitors extends from doctors, through construction engineers, to rocket engineers, as technical textiles are now used in almost all areas. 'Buildtech and Hometech are the focal points for the architecture/interior design areas, and have corresponding logos to highlight the exhibitors relating to them.' <b>What is exhibited under the name Buildtech?</b> Of particular importance is the topic of textile reinforced concrete. Using textile fibres concrete can not only be made lighter and more durable, but also flexible and translucent. In recent years there have been a great many research breakthroughs. Exhibitors also include numerous research institutes wanting to present fantastic projects relating to textile construction. One particular highlight is our student competition 'Textile Structures for New Architecture', organised by us and the Universit

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