IAHA Maintenance Management Clinic
This Year, Ron and Alisha from our office went to the annual IAHA Maintenance Management Clinic. This clinic is held in Decatur, Illinois at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel.
The IAHA Maintenance Management Clinic creates an opportunity to meet over 400 housing professionals from both the public and private sector who attend the Clinic each year to see what is for sale and what is new to make their jobs easier. At our Clinic, main functions such as breaks, evening receptions are held in the Exhibit Hall to insure maximum access to the participants of the Clinic.
Housing professionals from the public and private sector come together once a year to attend this specialtraining seminar which includes Housing Authority Executive Directors, maintenance and management purchasing agents, staff, not-for-profit sponsors of housing projects, private developers, property managers of subsidized housing developments and HUD officials. This wide variety of prospective clients insures you an opportunity to sell your product to those who attend the clinic and also opens the door to other possible clients through word of mouth. You have the opportunity to see more people in two days and get more positive exposure of your product than you can in three months using conventional methods.
Stop by booth 67 and say Hi to Ron and Alisha!
AIA Grassroots – Springfield, Illinois
This week Ron had the opportunity to go to Springfield to lobby for issues that affect architects.
We all appreciate the time and effort of the AIA Illinois Architects who went to lobby for some important issues that affect specifically Architects, but ultimately everyone. Thanks again!
~Carl
Above: Ron with Sen. Dave Syverson
Below: A group pic from the AIA Illinois website. I haven't found Ron in this one yet, but I have found at least one other Rockford area Architect!
The following are a Brief synopsis of 3 Bills discussed with legislature.
Accessibility Standards Update (HB 1462/ Rep. Sente)
With the adoption of the 2010 ADA Standards it has become
increasingly difficult to decipher what is necessary under the
Illinois Accessibility Code. Under HB 1462 the state must begin
aligning the Illinois Accessibility Code with the 2010 ADA
Standards. Professionals will be able to refer to one code when
making necessary designs. It is time to encourage Illinois to
update the Illinois Accessibility Code for easy, one stop
reference.
Status: This bill has passed the House State Government
Committee without opposition.
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Testing Blackout (SB 1792/Sen. Martinez, HB 1344/Rep.
Schmitz)
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
(NCARB) testing service will be down for 8 to 12 weeks this
summer. Interns with a bachelor’s degree only have till January
1, 2014 to complete their testing requirements.
SB1792/HB1344 extends the time in which architectural interns
may complete the exam. Providing for our future architects is
an important role in keeping the profession competitive.
Status: These bills have passed House and Senate
Committees unanimously.
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Historic Building Credit (SB 336/ Sen. Manar,
HB122/ Rep. Harris)
This credit will encourage private investment in historic
properties. Urban, suburban, rural communities and the State
of Illinois will benefit from the jobs and economic development.
The bill allows credit up to $3 million per project on state
income taxes equal to 20% of the qualified cost of the project.
The state is expected to return $7 for every $1 invested, in
income and sales tax dollars.
Status: These bills are assigned to Revenue Committee.
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While Ron was at the Capital, he took some time to appreciate some great architecture. Below are some pictures he took while there. Enjoy!
What the White House Looks Like Completely Gutted
Found this awesome article on Archinect. It shows the White House being renovated in the late 1940's. You can read the original article here. Enjoy!
~Carl
Harry S Truman inherited a White House that was in horrendous shape. After the British nearly burnt it to the ground in 1814, the construction of 20th-century innovations—indoor plumbing, electricity, and heating ducts—had also taken its toll on the structure. The building was nearly 150 years old, and it showed its age. In November 1948, the building was in a near-condemnable state, as The New York Times reported:
The ceiling of the East Room, elaborately done in the frescoes of fruits and reclining women and weighing seventy pounds to the square foot, was found to be sagging six inches on Oct. 26, and now is being held in place by scaffolding and supports.... But it took the $50,000 survey authorized by Congress to disclose the fact that the marble grand staircase is in imminent danger. Supporting bricks, bought second hand in 1880, are disintegrating.
The social events of the 1948 holiday season had to be canceled. And with good reason: Experts called the third floor of the White House “an outstanding example of a firetrap.” The result of a federally commissioned report found the mansion’s plumbing “makeshift and unsanitary,” while “the structural deterioration [was] in ‘appalling degree,’ and threatening complete collapse.” The congressional commission on the matter was considering the option of abandoning the structure altogether in favor of a built-from-scratch mansion, but President Truman lobbied for the restoration.
“It perhaps would be more economical from a purely financial standpoint to raze the building and to rebuild completely,” he testified to Congress in February 1949. “In doing so, however, there would be destroyed a building of tremendous historical significance in the growth of the nation.”
So it had to be gutted. Completely. Every piece of the interior, including the walls, had to be removed and put in storage. The outside of the structure—reinforced by new concrete columns—was all that remained. See images of the reconstruction below. (Photos and captions are from the National Archives.)
The inside of the White House, after being gutted in 1950. (National Archives)
Window openings provide bursts of light into the cavernous interior of the White House, supported only by a web of temporary steel supports. The exterior walls rest on new concrete underpinnings, which allow earth-moving equipment to dig a new basement. (National Archives)
This photograph was taken from the east entrance of the lower corridor of the White House, looking west with the East Room above. The workmen are demolishing the walls of the lower corridor. (National Archives)
A view from the Servant's Dining Room to the bottom of an underpinning pit approximately 30 feet below. The concrete underpinning here will support a steel girder reaching to the roof of the White House. (National Archives)
A bulldozer removing debris from the inside of the White House, during the renovation of the building. The bulldozer had to be taken apart and moved into the White House in pieces, as President Truman would not allow a hole large enough to fit the bulldozer to be cut into the walls of the White House. (National Archives)
View of the north wall of the second-floor corridor of the White House during the renovation. The truss work in the walls of the North Hall have been removed. (National Archives)
View from the first floor landing to the basement during the removal of the Joliet stone steps from the main stairway of the White House. (National Archives)
Two unidentified men stand in what remains of the second-floor Oval Study above the Blue Room. The north wall and part of the floor have been removed for the installation of steel shoring columns. (National Archives)
Detail of the north wall of the Blue Room after the removal of the plaster from the walls. The jambs of the doorways to the Red Room (left) and Green Room (right) have also been removed. (National Archives)
View from the Lincoln Room northeast into Rose Room. (National Archives)
View of the northeast corner of the White House during renovation. Workmen are installing reinforced steel for laying of the concrete roofs of the Fan Room and other rooms in this area. (National Archives)
To underscore the size of the massive new ventilation system being installed above the tunnel in the new White House basement, the photographer placed workmen inside the illuminated ductwork. (National Archives)
Valentines Recipe
Zuccotto Cupcakes
These cupcakes are labor intensive, but SOOOOO worth the end result. I have made them before and they are the perfect sweet treat for your SWEETHEART.
I have garnished them with a small strawberry with the greens left on and sliced in half OR with the hull removed and then sliced in half to look like a heart.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
~Lori
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/zuccotto-cupcakes/detail.aspx
Directions
- Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line muffin tins with 24 cupcake liners.
- Combine the cake mix, oil, egg whites, and water in a mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Stir in the chopped bittersweet chocolate and scoop the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them two-thirds full.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake should come out clean. Remove the cupcakes from the pans and cool completely on wire racks.
- Beat 1 cup cold whipping cream on medium-high speed until the cream has thickened, about 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir in the frozen raspberries, toffee bits, and chopped toasted hazelnuts.
- Remove the centers of the cupcakes using an apple corer or paring knife, cutting out the middles in a funnel shape by holding the knife at a 45-degree angle. Spoon or pipe the filling into the cupcakes. Refrigerate the cupcakes while you prepare the ganache.
- Place the semisweet chocolate pieces in a heat-safe bowl. Bring 1/2 cup heavy cream to a boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate; cover the bowl and set aside for 5 minutes. Whisk the chocolate and cream until well combined; allow the ganache to cool until it reaches a spreadable consistency, about 1 hour. Spread a spoonful of ganache evenly over each cupcake. Refrigerate the cupcakes while you prepare the frosting.
- Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl by heating for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds. Allow the white chocolate to cool until almost room temperature but still fluid. Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Blend in the melted white chocolate, vanilla extract, and food coloring (if using). Spread the frosting on the cupcakes. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.
Why Hire An Architect, 10 Things We Do & 5 We Don’t
Found this blog post on Linked in this week and thought I would share with you all for a good laugh; Enjoy!
~Carl
10 Things We Do:
5 Things Architects Can’t Do:
Cradle to Cradle: one book you NEED to read!!!
My last blog entry left you with a teaser about one of my favorite books, It’s called Cradle to Cradle and it was written by Architect William McDonough and Chemist Michael Braungart. Right away when you open the book you realize something is a little off about the book itself.. Its not made of paper at all, it’s a plastic material that is infinitely recyclable as a book, the ink is non-toxic and also recyclable. Not to mention its waterproof so you can read in the pool! The physical format of the book lends itself to the books message. We need to rethink the way we make things!
Reduce, reuse, recycle," urge environmentalists; in other words, do more with less in order to minimize damage. But as William McDonough and Michael Braungart argue in their book, this approach only perpetuates a one-way, "cradle to grave" manufacturing model that dates to the Industrial Revolution and casts off as much as 90 percent of the materials it uses as waste, much of it toxic.
Why not challenge the notion that human industry must inevitably damage the natural world? they ask. In fact, why not take nature itself as our model? A tree produces thousands of blossoms in order to create another tree, yet we do not consider its abundance wasteful but safe, beautiful, and highly effective; hence, "waste equals food" is the first principle the book sets forth.
In the cradle to cradle model, all materials used in industrial or commercial processes—such as metals, fibers, dyes—fall into one of two categories: "technical" or "biological" nutrients. Technical nutrients are strictly limited to non-toxic, non-harmful synthetic materials that have no negative effects on the natural environment; they can be used in continuous cycles as the same product without losing their integrity or quality. In this manner these materials can be used over and over again instead of being "downcycled" into lesser products, ultimately becoming waste.
Biological Nutrients are organic materials that, once used, can be disposed of in any natural environment and decompose into the soil, providing food for small life forms without affecting the natural environment. This is dependent on the ecology of the region; for example, organic material from one country or landmass may be harmful to the ecology of another country or landmass.
Follow the link below to a great synopsis of the book (though I highly recommend finding it at the library or ordering it on amazon)
Hope you enjoyed learning about one of my absolute favorite books, I hope you get the opportunity to pick it up and read what it is all about.
-Carl
Paisano Green Community is the First Net-Zero Senior Housing Project in the US
I thought this was an interesting article so I decided to share it with you all.
I am a big advocate of environmentally conscious and efficient architecture, so I love seeing development in this area. By utilizing highly efficient design these buildings are able to generate more power than they use from sunlight and wind. I am excited to see these technologies applied and hope that developments like this one spark environmental interest in other developers. As the technologies become more efficient, smaller and cost-effective we can hope to see more and more buildings incorporate "green" technologies.
For my next post I'll write a short bit on my most recent favorite book that relates to this subject "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we make things" by William McDonough and Michael Braungart.
So keep checking back to the Tyson and Billy Blog for more exciting posts!
~Carl
The article and photographs comes from inhabitat.com
Located near the border of Mexico in El Paso, TX, the Paisano Green Community is the first net-zero housing project for seniors in the nation. Designed by Boulder-based Workshop8, the senior housing project was funded through an ARRA Capital Fund Recovery Competition grant from HUD. In addition to the project's zero energy status, the green community is seeking LEED Platinum certification and is a certified Enterprise Green Community.
Paisano Green Community is a new typology for public housing and generates more energy than it uses. Solar photovoltaics on the roof and two wind turbines work to power the 73-unit facility and any excess is sold back onto the grid. Energy efficiency was a high priority in order to make the most of the on-site renewable energy generation. Each unit also features an air-source heat-pump water heaters. The buildings were partially prefabricated off-site as panelized sections and then assembled on site to ensure quality construction and minimize waste.
This infill development is located on the corner of Paisano and Boone and is bordered by the County Coliseum, the El Paso Zoo and the US Customs truck depot. In order to create a safe haven for the residents, Workshop8 arranged the buildings around a the edge of the site to create a strong perimeter and a safe central garden space. Residents enjoy views of the garden rather than views of the customs. All the buildings were optimized for solar passive deign with large overhangs to protect from overheating but still provide lots of natural daylighting. The project also provides space for a community building and commercial spaces like a grocery store, barber shop and office space. Residents have easy access to bus lines and surrounding shopping.
A Wonderful Chicken Recipe & Accompaniment
I feel compelled to share a wonderful chicken recipe and a terrific accompaniment. I hosted a gathering last night and these two dishes paired with a potato dish were absolutely delicious.
The chicken was so flavorful, moist, and tender it melted in your mouth. It was so easy to make too, you friends will think you slaved over this meal. I would give both recipes 5 out of 5 stars!
Happy Holidays,
Lori.
Chicken Lazone
- Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup butter, divided
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
- Combine the seasonings and coat chicken breasts.
- In large saute pan melt half of the butter and cook chicken over medium heat for about 7 to 8 minutes, turning once.
- Pour the cream into the skillet and lower the heat.
- Simmer for several minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens then add the remaining butter.
- When butter is melted place chicken breasts on four plates and top with the sauce. Yield: 4 servings.
http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-lazone-65768
Green Beans Amandine
- Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
- Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh or frozen green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt, optional
Directions
- Place beans in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook almonds in butter over low heat. Stir in lemon juice and seasoned salt if desired. Add beans and heat through. Yield: 6 servings.
Nutritional Analysis:One 1/2-cup serving (prepared with margarine and without seasoned salt) equals 92calories, 7 g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 50 mg sodium, 7 g carbohydrate, 0 fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Green-Beans-Amandine
Leek Potato Soup Recipe
For a not so heavy meal around the holidays, try this Leek and Potato Soup.
I made this last night for dinner and it was super simple and very tasty. Paired with some crusty bread or garlic biscuits and a salad, it hit the spot.
I garnished it with fresh chives for color.
My only modification to cut a few calories was that I used fat free half and half instead of the heavy cream.
(1 cup of heavy cream = 821 calories,1 cup of fat free half and half = 143 calories)
(Saved 678 calories!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound leeks, cleaned and dark green sections removed, approximately 4 to 5 medium
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Heavy pinch kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
- 14 ounces, approximately 3 small, Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced small
- 1 quart vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon snipped chives
Directions
Chop the leeks into small pieces.
In a 6-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks and a heavy pinch of salt and sweat for 5 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium-low and cook until the leeks are tender, approximately 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the potatoes and the vegetable broth, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and gently simmer until the potatoes are soft, approximately 45 minutes.
Turn off the heat and puree the mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Stir in the heavy cream, buttermilk, and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Sprinkle with chives and serve immediately, or chill and serve cold.
Bon Appétit!
~ Lori
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/leek-potato-soup-recipe/index.html
PARK INN HOTEL AND CITY NATIONAL BANK
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE PARK IN HOTEL AND CITY NATIONAL BANK
Ron recently had the chance to stay at a Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel while overseeing a project in Mason City,Iowa; I thought it a great opportunity to explore a little bit of the history of the historic building!
"In the early 1900s, Mason City, Iowa, was booming. Successful attorneys James Blythe and J.E.E. Markley were among those spearheading growth. Serving on the board of directors of the City National Bank, which contemplated expanding, they saw the opportunity to meet multiple needs with one plan. A new building could provide a home for the bank, new offices for their firm, a much-needed hotel, and a replacement for the old eye-sores on the corner of State Street and Federal Avenue, the hub of downtown.
At the time, Markley’s two daughters attended Hillside Home School in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The school boasted a beautiful building designed for the sisters who ran it by their nephew, Frank Lloyd Wright. Impressed with the design, Markley suggested the Chicago architect for the Mason City project. With his innovative Prairie School designs drawing considerable attention, Wright was well-established in Oak Park, Illinois, where other like-minded architects also worked in his studio.
Wright came to Mason City and the project took on life. With its unique three-part design, the City National Bank and Park Inn Hotel began to take shape. In 1909, however, Wright’s scandalous elopement to Europe with the wife of a former client left the rest of the construction management to his Oak Park associate William Drummond. Fortunately, Drummond was able to see the building completed according to Wright’s original design and it opened to the public in 1910."
-Excerpt from www.wrightonthepark.org/
Over the years the building was remodeled to serve a variety of purposes and eventually fell into disrepair.
"At this point, concern mounted over whether or not the historic property could be salvaged. The bank, under separate ownership, housed retail shops and offices but the interior of the hotel continued to deteriorate. Still, many local residents firmly believed the building deserved to be rescued for historic and artistic reasons, as a memorial to one of the country’s greatest architects, and for its potential value as both a tourist attraction and in revitalizing the city’s downtown.
In 2005, Wright on the Park, Inc.(WOTP), a local citizens’ organization, formed and achieved IRS recognition as a non-profit organization in order to undertake The Historic Park Inn Hotel project. Starting with grants obtained in previous efforts, WOTP began fundraising. Memberships, private donations, grants, a Vision Mason City drive, a Vision Iowa grant, and tax credits made it possible for construction to begin in 2010.
Renovation began with the hotel while the bank was under private ownership. Repairs to the roof took priority, followed by cleaning the exterior brick and restoring the terra cotta and polychrome tile columns. In 2007, this group of volunteers also purchased the bank, enabling it to plan renovation of the entire structure, returning it to its original exterior design. "
-Excerpt from www.stoneycreekinn.com/
The Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built hotel in the world. So, next time you are in Mason City Iowa checking out Legacy Manor make sure you take some time to explore The Park Inn hotel and City National Bank!
-Carl
-Images from Google