here are some interesting things to read

wow, i just realised that i have been recieving articles and emails from both Architecture week and BBC architecture.

i thought id post a few of the article links and a little summery of what i thought.

CHARGING UP THE STAIRS.

The link below is a great article about research being undertaken about the potential to generate energy from the footsteps and the vibrations in various high traffic area. It seems like a great concept for a sustainable energy form, especially in areas like a train station, sports stadium.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5009358.stm

LIQUID STONE

this isnt an article but is a great website about the potentials of concrete in design, be it as basic structural members to even the potential to have TRANSLUCENT concretes.

Have a browse

http://nbm.org/liquid_stone/home.html

WALLS STILL GROWING

this article goes through the development of wall types from solid masonry, to steel to curtain walls. it gives some good information about the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0510/building_1-1.html

METAL STUD PRE-CAST

This article is about the development and application of a new lighter weight composite concrete construction.

http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0712/building_1-1.html

PRIMARY PREFAB

Nowadays when we speak about construction and design systems we have to look at the cost be that in terms of money or in terms of time. this semester we have looked at a few pre-fabricated systems using concrete, however this article is a case study about a primary school in england, where a prefabricated timber system was used, allowing the building to be built in a matter of weeks.

The system is called the FinnForest Merk system, which works with a layered laminated softwood which can be cut into various wall profiles like pre cast concrete panels and erected, speeding up the construction process dramatically.

http://www.archweek.com/2006/0906/building_1-1.html

SoCAL CONCRETE

This article is interesting, it goes into detail about the home of Ed Rice. He is an engineer (i think) who has been developing the potential of conrete in ALL elements of a building, adn making the structural concrete a real feature of the house.

http://www.archweek.com/2006/0906/building_1-1.html