Architectural Drawing + Glitter = Potential $500

If you have a drawing of architecture that incorporates glitter, you can enter this contest.  First place is $500, Second is $50 and Third is $5.

The deadline is March 15.

Check it out at AllThat GlittersIsGood

Search Engine for 3D Models and Textures

In my internet ramblings, I ran across a search engine for 3D models and textures at 3dfilter.com. They seem to have a fair selection of 3D Models in a useful variety of categories.

They take a page from Google's book with their simple and basic homepage.

If you click on ther options button, the 'popular searches' section goes away...

...


and you get to see the source websites.

An example search of 'trees' gave a nice selection of models and most or all were noted as free so this is a cost effective search which is great in these current times. Always make sure to confirm the uses allowed in the license when you download.

 

This looks like a potential useful resource for architecture offices, landscape architects and other 3D model users out there.

LEEDVisual, a resource

LEEDVisual.com is a sustainability resource. Their Who, How and What are as follows:

Their visual format starts with a nice, uncluttered home page.

Click the "Green Associate" button on the charcoal toolbar at the top of the page and you get a page-turning sneak peek of several pages from their LeedVisual guide.

 

  

 

The "web resources" button on the right side of the screen brings you to an access point for variouse LEED information.

Click on the yellow Research bar and you get another well laid out and simply design page.

This looks like it can be an easy to navigate resource for sustainability research.

Different Kind of Gas Station

I saw a different kind of gas station architecture driving out around Olympic and Robertson in LA.  Check out the silver crumpled tin foil building...

Sciarc.edu lists a lecture by Monica Ponce de Leon of Office dA on 02/24/2010 at 7PM in the W.M. Keck Lecture Hall.   According to the website

Office dA is best known in Los Angeles for its leading green design of the ARCO sustainable gas station at the south east corner of Olympic and Robertson Boulevards. 

You can see a night photo on flicker at http://www.flickr.com/photos/larrygerbrandt/2777603854.


The site also made weburbanist.com list of 10 Offbeat Gas Station Designs list.

Get Advice on Credit Requirements

LEEDuser.com is a monthly membership site that helps navigate the LEED rating systems.   According to thier website "Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to a rating system, LEEDuser can save you time and money by providing frank advice on how to accomplish each credit requirement with templates and examples and an action checklist for each credit."

Architecture Employment Opportunities

It's troubled times for the Architecture and Development industries.  I ran across what could turn out to be a very useful resource.  EngineerYourNetwork.com describes themselves as a one stop source for the engineering, planning and architectural communities.

What is EngineerYourNetwork.com?

Engineer Your Network is your one stop source for daily employment networking within the engineering, planning and architectural communities
Engineer Your Network is an interactive employment networking site that simplifies your professional networking and employment challenges by providing you with a combination source for online interaction among your peers, colleagues, future employers and co-workers. Members of Engineer Your Network include professionals from all walks of life within the engineering, planning and architecture communities.
Who can benefit from this opportunity:

• Engineering, planning and architectural professionals from career beginning to retirement, including professors, students and graduates
• Engineering, planning, architectural professionals from consulting firms to government agencies
• Support teams such as administrative staff, marketing, accounting and business development who have worked throughout these fields gaining knowledge and experience along the way.
• Professionals that have been laid-off or away from the field
• All disciplines related to engineering, planning and architecture throughout the United States

Maintaining your network can be a challenge unless you're working on a hot project, attend a variety of meetings or are well known throughout the community and/or industry. Daily meetings, organizational lunches and rare social activities are necessities in distributing your name, face and reputation. However, there are many professionals within the Engineering industry that do not have opportunity on a daily basis to continually work on beefing up their network.

Check them out at http://engineeryournetwork.com

An assessment tool for reducing carbon emissions

Greenfootstep.org is an assessment tool for reducing carbon emissions from building construction projects.

According to thier website "this calculator reveals the design targets required to achieve carbon neutrality, net zero site energy and other goals... Architects, engineers, developers and others can use this tool on commercial and residential projects.  The tool will report your building project's greenhouse gas emmisions from site development, construction, and operation."

Blog about LA Architecture.: The History of Los Angeles Architecture Study Blog

Chapman University's Emily Bills, Ph.D and her class visited many sites as part of thier course, The History of Los Angeles Architecture.  This class kept a 'travel log' which turned into the following blog regarding the History of Los Angeles Architecture.    Check it out at the link below.

Looking at L.A.: The History of Los Angeles Architecture Study Blog

CarbonCalculator: Site for Calculating a Carbon Footprint of Your House

MakeUseOf.com has a great article on a carbon calculator for calculating your home's carbon footprint.  Check it out:  CarbonCalculator: Site for Calculating a Carbon Footprint of Your House

Vertical Farming - Architecture and Aesthetics

A Daily Does of Architecture has a great post about vertical farming incorporating articles, competition award winners and newspaper references.  There are some great conceptual artwork shown as well.  Check it out now at the link below.

A Daily Dose of Architecture: Some Lettuce Grows in Manhattan

FREE Unlocked LEED 2009 Checklists

RealLifeLeed.com has unlocked LEED checklists.  Check it out by clicking here.

Inventables: Find Unusual Materials For Your Project

Makeuseof.com has an article about the website Inventables where you can find unusual materials for your project.

     "Here you’ll find an index of unusual components for a project—anything from paper-thin wood to steel-like plastic to rubber glass—and be given a way to contact the vendor of the product in question."

Check out the article or go to the Inventables website.
 

101 Dizzying Spiral Staircases & Twisted Architectural Art Photos

Weburbanist.com has a great post showing 101 Dizzying Spiral Staircases & Twisted Architectural Art Photos.

Check it out here.

Thanks to Inspire Me Now for the link to the site.