Seismic Design for Ceilings

We may not be a high risk area for earthquakes, but they do happen. In the 1980s, an earthquake centered in Albany, NY measuring 3.8 on the Richter Scale was felt by more than 12 states, including Connecticut.

Richard Ferarra, of USG (United States Gypsum Company) shared his knowledge of how to best secure ceiling tile in a quake. The goals are to avoid twisting of the steel and to keep ceilings from falling in. He stressed that, "To achieve this you hold the system together while allowing for movement."

To keep the system together it is important to use seismic clips which are rated for the risk area you are in. These clips provide:

• rigidity
• connection strength
• system tightness

It is important to include specifications in construction documents which provide a system to reduce damages that could be caused in the event of an earthquake. Appropriate systems for each risk area will include such things as weight of grid, appropriate clearances (to allow for movement), clips, wires (NY requires rods in lieu of wire), compression posts (to help with wind), etc.

Designing with Stone

Mark Volage from Consolidated Brick led a Lunch and Learn for 5 architecture firms. The Lunch and Learn was held at Putnam House in Bethel which brought back memories for Architects' Guild. The Lunch and Learn was held on the 2nd floor; one more flight up was the office where Architects' Guild began in 1994. Rich Adamski, an original partner now with SOK in Ridgefield also attended this luncheon.

The first focus of the program was Brick 101. Why choose brick?

Architecture starts

when you carefully put

two bricks together.

There it begins.

—Mies van der Rohe

• Brick is one of the oldest materials used in construction
• Brick is virtually maintenance free (won't rot, dent, need to be painted and is termite free)
• Brick is energy efficient
• Brick allows for creative detailing (bond patterns, arches, color, special shapes,etc.)
• Brick does not require a sealer

When using brick 85% of the cost is for labor and only 15% for the material. It's a better decision to go with the higher grade brick. The price of this brick may be a small percentage higher than other materials but when you factor in it's durability and the low upkeep of using brick it much more economical solution.

The second part of the presentation was on a man made sandstone.

• Arriscraft's stone is a new product simulating real stone. Calcium silicate masonry units (CMSU) are lime and silica based sand, pressed into units, then heated under high pressure, a process much like Mother Nature but a lot faster
• CMSU is virtually maintenance free (won't rot, dent, need to be painted and is termite free)
• CMSU is environmentally friendly and contributes to LEED points
• CMSU allows for creative applications, it is easily cut, shaped, chiselled, honed, etc. and uses mineral oxides to create steadfast colors
• CMSU, like brick, does not require a sealer

Building Green: The WINDOW

Will the materials we use in construction be energy efficient, sustainable, and recyclable?

Dave LoCascio, AIA Associate and sales rep of A. W. Hastings/Marvin Windows and Doors, led our 5/18/11 “Lunch and Learn” which focused on the window as a contributing factor to a better environment. How is window selection related to the ‘Green Movement”? In general, the ‘greener’ window has a 2 to 5% greater initial investment cost, but is it really more expensive? Is it really eco friendly or will it require greater maintenance and treatments which are not eco friendly? Dave compared the characteristics of wood, aluminum, vinyl and fiberglass windows as related to efficiency.

This discussion led into a look at LEED certification. Everyone seems to want that now, as being energy efficient can reduce heating/cooling costs and currently has a tax write off advantage. Will this push to be LEED certified soon become obsolete, as building code requirements will be meeting those same standards? We, at Architects’ Guild, have always implemented in our design approach elements that are energy efficient.

NATURAL STONE

Another 'Lunch & Learn', another Rosy Tomorrows' snack attack.

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day;

Yesterday was also our partner, Andy Rego's birthday.

This 'Lunch & Learn' on natural stone was presented by Tribeca Stoneworks, Inc. Stone selection is usually based on:

1. Aesthetics
2. Strength and durability
3. Exterior application (horizontal & vertical) and
4. Interior application (horizontal & vertical)

Our presenter, Caesar Sanzaro stressed the need to "be technical in your use of stone". This means in both the selection of the stone and the installation. He strongly recommends, especially in large projects, having the stone tested (not by the provider). Stone varies, even coming out of the same quarry. The minerals that become part of the stone affects its characteristics and how and when it should be used. Respect that.

Water, always a concern when building, should not be ignored when installing stone.

• In bathrooms, some considerations are: limiting joints, using a double layer of waterproof membrane and solid pans in showers.
• In exterior installation consider a pedestal system
• In using stone dust, only use a maximum of 2". Anything more won't allow water to go through

dyson airblade

Did you know that paper products are 1/3 of what is in our landfills? Certainly the paper towels we use in public areas contribute to that number. How many sheets of paper towel do you use when drying your hands (at our Lunch & Learn, the answer for everyone was 2 or 3 sheets each time)?

The cloth towel roll was created (#2) to eliminate that waste. While minimizing paper waste it requires maintenance. Rolls need to be changed and washed and all of us know that doesn't always get taken care of. Then came the first commercial electric hand dryer (#3); maintenance free, more hygenic and sustainable. Even that could be impoved upon.

Enter the Dyson Airblade which cuts drying time down from 43 seconds to 12 seconds. It uses a high velocity sheet of air to pull water from the hands. It boasts:

• 81,000 rpm motor (4x faster than a Ferrari) 
• HEPA filter (removes 99% of bacteria from the air used to dry hands)
• carbon trust label- less landfill, less carbon
• cost effective (is 80% less to run than warm air hand dryers)

Integrating Technology

The icy roads from last Tuesday and Wednesday's sleet didn't deter Audio Unlimiteds' David Goldenberg from coming up to Connecticut to present a Lunch & Learn on Integrating Technology Into Design. Technology has certainly changed in the past century. How many of you remember the reel to reel and the opaque projectors?
Now technology is part of all aspects of our lives: home, work, entertainment, retail, healthcare ... you name it. When designing there needs to be integration in every built environment to make use of current technology. Conference rooms should allow for video conferencing and presentations. Malls, stores and lobbies should provide for digital signage and touch screen information. Soon we'll be ordering from a touch screen menu in a restaurant and selecting new shoes from a screen.
It was also exciting to see that new technology doesn't require both CAT 6 and Coaxial wires to be pulled. It allows for greater compatability and less wire management!

Flooring

Robert McGill and Sheri Gorman, RD Weiss Company reps, gave us a history of the company and the services they now provide. Randy Weiss began as a carpet cleaner and later expanded his business. They are a vendor that provides flooring maintenance, products, installation and recycling.

Flooring Maintenance increases longevity

• Carpet and textile: deep cleaning
• Grout restoration: clean and seal
• Clearcoat floor finish

Products consultancy on all flooring issues

• Carpet: broadloom and tile "There is no excuse for ugly carpeting." Better quality of carpeting is available at reduced costs as a result of the recession.
• Rubber Flooring: rolled and tile
• Engineered Wood Flooring
• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
• FreeAxez: steel access floor provides wire management
• Photoluminescent emergency egress system

Product Installation Project management on flooring selection, installation and/or replacement

• Modular approach allows new carpet to be laid in occupied work settings
• Reclamation and re-use of carpet to minimize landfill

Recycling and Green Products

• Environmentally safe flooring solutions
• Re-use of carpet

Overall message- take care of your flooring!