"Where else in the United States does this exist?" asked Paul Chapel, a principal with BOKA Powell Architects, in Dallas. "A mile of granite carpet woven by hand. It's a work of art."
"Those beautiful granite pavers, set so that they look like the back of a rattlesnake, are inspired, a hallmark of a mixed transit and pedestrian mall designed by Henry Cobb, a partner of I.M. Pei, whose name was dropped liberally during the presentation."
"Honor the original design and its civic significance to Denver," ...that includes uncluttering the sidewalks; old pictures of the mall show understated planters and other accessories. "Those Teletubby planters and wastebaskets have to go," said Brown of the numerous newly (and brightly) painted planters and wastebaskets.
With the 1 year anniversary of Greensburg, Kansas being leveled by a EF5 tornado and the recent string of deaths and destruction due to tornadoes, I though I would ask the question "How do you best design for a tornado"? Better yet, how do you rebuild a community in the best sustainable way to survive a tornado and not have to rebuild, thus saving materials and energy.
In the Midwest plains, one of the main reasons that tornadoes form and continue a path of destruction, is the lack of natural features dispersing the wind forces. One idea that was raised in a recent Discovery channel program "Blown Away : Greensburg, Kansas" was to plant a forest ring of trees around the town. This was shown in models to mitigate the overall power of the tornado and as long as the correct trees and spacing are used this seems to be a good plan, however, how long until the groves of trees are tornado-protecting size?
To rebuild the homes that are more tornado resistant, what design techniques and materials should be employed? Let's start from the bottom; the foundation is an important aspect of many homes and unfortunately the trailer homes and others that rest on blocks or a concrete slab are the most at risk of destruction. In the Midwest, many new homes don't have basements anymore and storm cellars are becoming rare. So why not build a strong foundation that will act as an secure anchoring system for the house and give it's inhabitant's safe shelter? The reasons I found were flooding due to high water table, stresses and stains due to freezing in the winter, and a solid bedrock under site surface. Fair enough, if these factors are the case, then one must think about building a strong lower level that attaches firmly to the ground slab.
The latest material I am beginning to see in pre-fab construction and in the rebuilding efforts of the city of Greensburg is ECO-Block. ECO-Block is simpler and easier to install than wood-frame methods — and, even other ICF systems. It's faster, taking less time with fewer people. And it’s more sustainable, because ECO-Block buildings are vastly more energy-efficient. Stronger. Quieter. Resistant to fire, moisture, mold and the elements. Debris driven by high winds presents the greatest hazard to homeowners and their property during tornadoes and hurricanes. Recent laboratory testing at Texas Tech University (see video below) compared the impact resistance of residential concrete wall construction to conventionally framed walls. Only concrete wall systems, such as ICFs and concrete masonry, successfully demonstrated the strength and mass to resist the impact of wind-driven debris. The wood-frame walls failed to stop the penetration of airborne hazards. These insulated concrete forms can be filled with recycled fly-ash concrete to make the wall even "greener". Another advantage to ICFs is that they can be cut into radius rounded walls for greater aerodynamics if wanted.
After the walls are up, impact-resistant window systems, when properly installed, have a much better chance of surviving a major windstorm. Alternatively, impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings prevent flying debris from breaking windowpanes. Strengthen door frames, hinges, latches, and dead-bolt locks should be strong enough to resist high wind pressures. Double doors such as French doors need special attention because of the stress on the center latch. Door frames must be securely anchored to house frames. Another idea is to reduce the design of adornments on the exterior that could become damaging projectiles. Hip roofs without gables and with minimal eaves have proven to be the best roof design to combat high winds in hurricane and tornadic areas especially if the slope of the roof from horizontal is 35 degrees or greater (to reduce/eliminate the airfoil effect of extreme high winds that blow over the roof). Also, steep angled roofs seem to handle winds better than a standard gabled roof. Most importantly, the roof must be securely tied into the wall structure with metal roof tie fastener systems and the soffit and eave area should have reinforced connections. A home has to be well-connected in order to distribute the forces caused by wind pressure, which reduces the chance it will come apart or collapse.
Thursday, May 15th 4 - 5:30pm at the Oxford Hotel, Theatre Room, $10 at the door, hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served with a cash bar for the post meeting happy hour in the Cruise Room. See this link for agenda and RSVP info.
Fontius Building Detail Photo by Ken at Infill Blog
Back in January, developer Evan Makovsky received an important approval for new, energy efficient windows on the north and east side of the Fontius Building at the corner of the 16th Street Mall and Welton Street. In late April, workers began hanging large windows that will pivot just as the original ones did. Makovsky had to get permission from the Landmark Preservation Commission to replace the originals. Without the $1 million energy-efficient windows, the project would not have moved forward.
The terra-cotta exterior has also been restored on the upper floors, which from the 16th Street Mall reveals a handsome building that had been hidden for decades under dirt and disrepair. An artist has been hired to mold 9 tons of clay by hand the way craftsmen did in the 1920s to restore the terra-cotta exterior of the bottom floors for the Renaissance Revival-style building design by Merrill Hoyt, brother of famous architect Burnham Hoyt. The current restoration is being undertaken by architect Brian Klipp and the construction company Milender White Construction Co.
The exterior work is expected to be complete in time for the Democratic National Convention in August when a "Mega Tent" will soar 50 feet high behind the building. The tent, called "The Peak" is in the process of being erected and when completed (by June 1st), will lend 20,000 feet of space to host concerts, banquets, and trade shows. Should be quite a sight (site).
Photo by Greg Henshall On May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas was leveled by an EF5 tornado, one of the strongest in American history. In that storm, 11 people lost their lives as the tornado tore through the town of about 1500. Within days of the disaster, the people of Greensburg decided not only to rebuild their town, but to rebuild it "green". Today marks the 1 year anniversary of this event.
Treehugger has several different perspectives from the townspeople of Greensburg with interviews from the Mayor, a Resident, the Principle and a Student from Greensburg, KS High School. Green ArchiTEXT picks up on an Architectural Record article stating that the master planning for the town is aiming to be LEED Certified Platinum.
There are also many current and upcoming Web and TV shows devoted to the town and it's plan to become "green". Including "The Good Fight" on the Sundance Channel.com, which you can watch now on their website. The Discovery Channel had a show called "Blown Away : Greensburg, Kansas" which you can view in the video segment below. Also, be on the lookout for the Discovery Channel's Planet Green network, starting on June 4th, who will host a 13 part documentary series called "Greensburg" which "follows the rebirth of a rural town in Middle America into a model for the future. With more than 1,500 people displaced by the tornado and waiting to return to their homes, Greensburg documents the story of a community coming together and facing the enormous task of greening a small city. From climate impact to architecture, building and design, to the personal stories of those affected by the disaster, Greensburg is an inspiring look into the human spirit."
Several relief organizations such as the Greensburg Future Fund and the Greensburg GreenTown are out there to collect money for the rebuilding, so go out and support them in this noble cause if you can.
Doors Open Denver "150 Years of Denver Architecture" Saturday & Sunday, April 12th & 13th 10am-4pm
2008 is the 150th anniversary of the founding of Denver. Doors Open Denver will celebrate by opening doors representing “150 Years of Denver Architecture” in a FREE two-day event that allows you to go behind the scenes of the city’s significant architectural gems and lesser-known treasures. Spend the day on a self-guided tour of both historic and modern buildings, register for an Expert Tour or embark on an Urban Adventure, a self-guided tour based on a theme.
An Emerald Gem in Lower Downtown – US EPA Building: EPA’s new regional headquarters is an excellent example of ‘green building’, and how the built environment can reduce its environmental footprint. Come learn about this state of the art building, and the strategies used to reduce impacts to the natural environmental, better conserve energy, use less natural resources, reduce waste and create a healthier workplace environment.
Alliance Center – Green Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Building: The Alliance Center demonstrates a hub for a state-based sustainability movement with thirty non-profit tenants. Tenants, partners and community members use the building as a tool for collaboration, education and social advocacy. It is one of two buildings in the world to receive two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certifications from the US Green Building Council – LEED Gold for Existing Buildings and LEED Silver for Commercial Interiors. The Center received Energy Star Leader certification. Over 50 signs and displays highlight the collaborative, green and historic features throughout the Alliance Center. This tour will explore the Alliance Center’s “green” ingenuity, design and unique characteristics
Discover How Easy It Is To Be Green…Creatively: Architect/ Developer Cheryl Spector & Associates will lead a tour of this LEED Registered, award winning green facility – Nine10Arts. Learn how being green is affordable. Following the tour you can visit with over 18 different artists who have their studios here, drink a cup of coffee, eat lunch in Studio 6 Coffee House or hang out in the Gallery and courtyard.
Over the last week I've been thinking about New Orleans and Katrina, the Weather Channel had an overview of what happened and it got me thinking about an idea for a house that rests on a raised hollow solid foundation but can detach with a floating floor level that could rise with rushing floods. This seems like a sensible approach to areas that are prone to general rising sea rate, river delta flooding, hurricanes, and tsunamis. In a brief overview of some of my frequented sites I find several posts that show this idea in varying degrees, all within this last week, interesting coincidence, I find it interesting how anniversaries of events can focus peoples efforts and thoughts toward future solutions. I'll add to the collective with my overview of these floating structures and how they could pose a solution to these disaster-prone areas. Next step is to make them affordable and sustainable.
Local Denver Architect still uses a drafting board (shouldn't we all). Architect as artist, i like it. He helped design the Ritchie Center at DU with recently deceased Cab Childress, interesting because it's where I currently work. I wonder if the common thick black glasses and bowtie will continue with future architect generations?
At the University of Virginia they are rebuilding Ancient Rome, a daunting task, only ten years in the making. Once complete and fully accessible, will this virtual city really become the eternal city reborn? Mankind has always tried to capture the past and present in maps, models, and restoring the physicality of our cultural landmarks. Will we even be able to preserve these copies or will we continuously re-create them with virtual history itself?
This latest incarnation seems to be a growing part of our collaborative virtual "Second Life" culture which includes real life views via Geotagging, Google's Earth and Street View (when do I get my VR Google Goggles?). One day, will all major civilizations be mapped and rebuilt virtually and will we be able to visit them or maybe actually live in a Life 2.0? or would that be Life 3.0 or Death 1.0?
Can we even save our modern and ancient monuments? In places like Machu Picchu (or Europe for that matter), increased tourist popularity could end in severe degradation of the experience, not to mention how future global changes will very likely, drastically alter or submerge some sites even cities. How many of these are worth saving, what is their individual and collective worth, and for how long should they be physically preserved or restored? Do we build civilization around or on top of this past?
How well will this second version of life imitate art and will this art be our version 2.0?
"Where else in the United States does this exist?" asked Paul Chapel, a principal with BOKA Powell Architects, in Dallas. "A mile of granite carpet woven by hand. It's a work of art." 
architecture denver
green denver
