Feng Shui For Architecture – Book Review

Feng Shui for Architecture: How to Design, Build and Remodel to Create a Healthy and Serene Home

By Simona F. Mainini, Dr. Arch.

Founder and President of Feng Shui Architecture, Inc. Beverly Hills, CA

Feng Shui for Architecture by Simona Mainini is a handbook for builders, homeowners, professional designers, and architects. There is valuable advice for each group to be found within its covers, not the least of which is her desires to “assist homeowners and professionals in designing houses with ‘good’ Feng Shui from the start instead of trying to put a bandage on problems or make patchwork corrections after the fact.”

Ms. Mainini is a graduate of Milan, Italy’s Polytechnic School of Architecture and interned with Eric Lloyd Wright in Los Angeles, CA. She studied with Master Larry Sang founder of the American Feng Shui Institute, where she also became a teacher. This book can be used as a reference for home/office design and furniture or as a check list for those of you who are planning to build or buy.

After an interesting discussion on the history and development of feng shui the subject turns to what feng shui can and cannot do, how to choose a consultant and a short discussion on western styles of feng shui that have become popular of late. The relationship between architect and feng shui practitioner can be fraught with misunderstanding. The author provides some valuable insights on this relationship. After all, both professionals want the same result, a beautiful building that functions well and provides an environment conducive to productivity and health.

In the following chapters the applications of feng shui to architecture are outlined. From the beginning step of selecting the site through designing the interiors, the building energy, customizing the building, to construction and timing are covered. Qi, the basic life force practitioners work with, is often difficult to explain. Here it discussed in terms that are easy to understand and connections are made to other culture and even modern physics. Yin and Yang, the forces that we balance in the environment, and the 5 element transformations, one of the ways we accomplish this balancing and the 8 trigrams/lo shu are also covered.

Concepts presented in the book are illustrated with photos and real case studies. This format makes it easier for the reader to relate to the information. You are not just told to do this or not to do that, but what might happen if you do. After covering topics such as land elevations, soils, plantings, water features, the different types of shas (negative energy), building shapes, doors, square footage, various rooms in the house, and more, Ms. Mainini gives a quick peak into more advanced theories such a 8 mansions, which matches occupants with specific buildings and flying stars, which take into consideration the element of time.

This is a handy and well written book for anyone interested in traditional feng shui and its application. If I had to make a criticism it would be that the black and white photos were not as sharp as I wished for. But that is indeed a very small thing. Go find this book and read it today.

Make Use of Green Housing Architecture Service Providers and Fight Against Global Warming

We have to accept the fact that all of us either directly or indirectly contribute to the global warming which is becoming the major threat to human existence. We have not realized the effects of our actions till this alarming truth has been revealed by so many researches. Now we are in a situation that we need to think about the environment before doing anything including, building our own houses.

With the improvement in technology we could get easily visualize the interior and exterior designs of our dream home with the help of many of the architectural service providing firms. Many of these firms are specialists in designing Green Housing architectures which is very much harmonious with the environment. With the alarming effects of global warming we should prefer to go with Green Housing designs in order to fight against this effectively.

You could very well insist on the architectural designers to plan a green housing model for your house. This is not a very difficult task and you just need to make few alterations to the normal architectural designs you could very well built an environmental friendly house. The main things related with home that could contribute to global warming is the amount of electricity we consume, amount of pollutant gases that we let out of our home and more importantly the garbage collection mechanism that we adopt.

These are the main focus areas you need to concentrate mainly while you are designing your house design. If you can plan in such a way that you consume electricity and other items effectively you are helping yourself and the environment to fight against global warming.

It is very important that we take responsibility of our actions and do make use of the architectural services providing firms to design a green housing model for your dream home. By this way we could effectively fight against global warming.

Architectural Rendering, Benefits of Outsourcing 3D Rendering

Architectural rendering is a technique that used to create 2D and 3D views for rough and handmade architectural designs. It is also known as architectural illustration or photo real rendering. In this method proposed architectural designs are converted in to digitized formats using rendering software. It is basically used to represent future plan of buildings as well as marketing and design analysis. Builders and contractors are making photo realistic views using 3d rendering to attract more and more customers. For outsourcing purpose it also become an outstanding term. One can easily get better growth in business by outsourcing.

In this method architects create 3D models that give you right proportion and scale to arrange your designs, textures and colors. it provides virtual tour for your imagination and it plays important role in real estate industry for selling and leasing properties. Using it you can easily make changes in designs and concepts before the actual building is built. It provides accurate and complete solutions with each and every minute detail. Software that used for it is easy to access, so it is very much easy to change your design.

It is used for various purposes to build accurate buildings that explained below:

• one can create customized interior models for better interior design using interior 3D Rendering

• Landscaping, shades and parking arrangement using Exterior 3D Rendering

• Furniture arrangements like scales, spacing and calculation of required material

• Cross – Section views 3D rendering

• Floor plan designs rendering

After getting lot importance in architectural industry, architectural rendering is become most advantageous term for outsourcing. One can get maximum benefits by outsourcing. India is a massive hub to get outsourcing services as lowest cost. Many of the organizations offer great outputs and excellent services as per your requirements.

Let us get some advantages that you can get by outsourcing:

• Vast infrastructure and technical resources at low cost

• Superior Quality and massive outputs within turn around time

• Security and confidentiality of data

• Transparent and flexible pricing system

• Unique project management systems

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Digital Architectural Rendering

Digital architectural rendering involves using computer techniques in creating and presenting architectural designs. It is almost like making a 3D film of your house, office, a hotel or some other commercial building. With the advent of computer-aided designs, and the associated technologies, architectural rendering has captured the imagination of all architects and the clients can also give reality to their dream houses.

Digital architectural designing is fascinating, dynamic and extremely flexible. You can use it to incorporate subtle changes in color patterns and designs through various permutations and combinations. This is especially true when you have a particular shade in mind but could not find any other way to express.

Digital architectural rendering involves the skilled work of many technicians, graphic designers, animators and other multimedia experts. Take the case of creating a scene of a swimming pool in your hotel. First the scene is created, say, on the drawing board, photographed and then a movement is infused into it or it is animated. It requires a great amount of computing acumen to create this virtual swimming pool for you. Thereafter, the numerous apparently similar frames with slightly different movements in them are stitched together and made to move fast in seconds to give a convincing virtual movement. These video photographs, taken from different angles, can be manipulated in different ways.

Digital rendering is making great headway by incorporating 3D animated virtual reality. New techniques have been developed to infuse life into the video presentations of the building by integrating them with sound effects and a photo finish. And with 3D glasses, the visual experience can be in a class apart from the rest.

Function Meets Design Using Iron Bollards As Architectural Elements

Incorporating iron bollards into architectural design enhances the building’s overall presence and appeal.

Architectural design has changed dramatically throughout history. The curved buildings of the Baroque period, English-inspired colonial architecture, Gothic style, Modern/Post-Modern architecture, and other era-specific designs have their own unique elements of beauty and style. However, beginning with the Industrial Revolution, one thing that has been consistent is the use of iron in decorative and design elements of many buildings.

There has been tremendous interest in the preservation of historic architecture over the past two to three decades, coupled with a resurgence of interest in early iron and metal work…it’s preservation, it’s restoration, and it’s reproduction as an art form worth sharing with future generations. This appreciation generated early ironwork restorations, and today it stimulates new works that incorporate the quality in design and workmanship typical of the craftsmanship of the past. Both domestic and offshore foundries with production experience in custom iron castings can reproduce architectural iron castings from drawings or as re-productions salvaged from original pieces. Today, a wide range of architectural metalwork is available from small iron details and features to large architectural works of steel, ductile iron or aluminum. Bollards, tree grates, lamp standards, bike racks, and even park benches are all examples of architectural ironwork and metalwork that is widely seen throughout the architecture of most towns and cities today.

Since the 17th century, iron bollards have been used within towns and cities for a variety of purposes. These approximately 3-foot-high posts provide barriers, define boundaries, increase safety and direct traffic flow. Iron bollards are not simply functional, but they can actually improve the overall architectural appeal of a building.

Here are three examples of how iron bollards can work in your architectural project:

Provide Authenticity:

When restoring or giving a facelift to a building with historical significance, iron bollards can be constructed to reflect the time period in which the building was originally designed. The bollards will support the overall look and feel of the restoration project, whether they are situated close to the actual builidng, or as a surrounding landscape element.

Give Visual Appeal:

There are many bollard colors, sizes and decorative options to choose from in the market, so architects can select bollards that are cohesive to the design qualities of the building. Bollards don’t have to appear as an after-thought to the architecture, instead they can provide enhancement.

Define the Landscape:

The land surrounding the building is as critical to design as the building itself. Iron bollards can play a critical role in defining the landscape and the flow of traffic around it. Gardens, common areas, and pathways can easily be identified and protected, without seeming intrusive, using decorative iron bollards.

Whether your building is contemporary, traditional or period-specific, bollards allow you to make selections that boost the overall impression of the architecture. Bollards can provide functional opportunities as well; whether they are removable, retractable, flexible or permanent – the variety of bollard options available today provide a limitless array of decorative and functional property enhancements.

Architectural Review Boards and How to Work With Them

If you’re planning on building a custom home in a new development or remodeling a home in an older neighborhood, you’ll likely to find your plans subject to design review. Design review boards go by different names; ARB (Architectural Review Board), DRC (Design Review Committee), ARC (Architectural Review Committee) and others. They’ve been called less flattering names, too, by homeowners whose proposals don’t get favorable treatment from the board.

But design review serves an important function in maintaining character, consistency, and property values in neighborhoods where it is used and should be seen as something that works in every homeowner’s favor.

Why Architectural Review Boards Exist When you live in an architecturally restricted area, you are not the only “owner” of your house. The look of your house, and the role that it occupies in the fabric of your neighborhood are “owned”, in part, by the community. For some homeowners it’s a hard concept to swallow. But if you keep in mind that it is probably the character of the neighborhood that attracted you to it in the first place, you’ll begin to understand why the whole community has a stake in the appearance of your home. You have to share that character and protect it for your neighbors, as they protect theirs for you. Organized design review exists to help protect your investment, and to help you to develop your property in a way that protects the investments of your neighbors.

What ARBs do Review boards come in two varieties, public and private, and they vary in what aspects of design and building they control. Some are informal and relaxed in what they review while others are very restrictive. In historic neighborhoods for example, design review may be organized around guidelines published by the National Park Service that detail how to preserve and restore properties with historic significance.

In older but less historic areas, preserving history isn’t a much a concern as maintaining the unique character of the area. Often these areas are near the center of cities and have been through several cycles of redevelopment, each time losing valuable buildings forever. “Losing” a building doesn’t necessary mean demolishing it; poorly conceived additions and remodeling projects can also obscure important parts of the neighborhood’s architectural fabric.

In new residential developments, the developers may start with a concept for the homes that includes a certain level of architectural design and detail, a palette of exterior materials, even a restriction on the architectural style of the homes in the development.

Types of ARBs Public boards are almost always made up of appointed citizens who preside over scheduled public meetings. These are usually municipal boards that oversee older, established neighborhoods. Proposed projects are submitted for inclusion on an agenda and the public is invited to comment. The meetings are forums for give and take between the board and the homeowner and allow for projects to be reworked before a final vote is taken.

Newer developments engage in private design review. It is often done by a subcontracted architectural firm and is almost never in public view. Drawings are submitted whenever they’re ready, and they’re returned with or without comment at a later date. This type of review can be more difficult to navigate and shouldn’t be done without a clear idea of what is likely to be approved.

What to expect from a Design Review As a veteran of countless design review meetings for my own projects I’ve learned a lot about how to and how not to present a project for review. And as a member of an ARB, I’ve seen it from the other side of the table. Here’s some of what I’ve learned.

Read and understand the design guidelines. Board members love projects that are easy to approve. If the project you want to build doesn’t address the guidelines or the character of the community it’ll be difficult to get it through. Remember that it’s the community that wants the guidelines enforced.

Ask for a concept review. Many projects benefit from a preliminary concept review. It’s an informal and non-binding once-over by the review board, and can highlight issues of concern. This is the time to find out what the board likes and what they object to, and to negotiate solutions before the project is committed to final drawings. It isn’t unusual in concept review for new solutions to arise, and they’re often more efficient than the original idea.

Be flexible. There are almost always other possible solutions, and the board may want to explore them with you. You might find that a small change to your design gets you the votes you need.

Be patient. You’ve been working on this project for a long time but it’s the first time the board has seen it. Give them time to study it, ask questions, and consider its impact on the community. And since your project probably isn’t the only one on the agenda, bring along a cup of coffee and a magazine. You may be there a while!

Present complete documents. Public review boards, in particular, require voluminous applications. Prepare detailed drawings that don’t leave unanswered questions. Bring material samples and paint colors. The clearer your submittal, the fewer things the board will find to question.

Prepare to Negotiate. Go into the meeting knowing what you’re willing to give up, and what you must keep. Design review boards will often happily trade something you want in return for the elimination of an undesirable feature.

And finally, keep in mind that the ARB that reviews your project is the same one that keeps your next-door neighbor from painting his house purple.

Architectural Rendering 3D’s Role in Architectural Rendering Industry

Architectural rendering industry is well served by some of the most promising architectural engineering services. One of them is architectural 3D rendering. It is mainly used to enhance architectural design of a building – to make it look better and effective.

What is Architectural 3D Rendering?

Before proceeding, let’s have a look at what is architectural 3-D rendering. It can be defined as a visual 3D representation of an architectural design. It is used by architects, builders and contractors for a wide variety of purposes. One can utilize it in 3D landscape projects, buildings, urban planning etc.

Architectural 3-D rendering enhances design value of any proposed building design and communication. In this concern, communication means demonstrating your design concepts to respective users as per their criteria. It also helps clients, builders and other professionals involved in the design and execution process to effectively understand the objective and beauty of the design. Perhaps that’s why it is a better option than traditional drawings.

What Architectural 3D Rendering Can Offer to Industry?

As an efficient part of architectural rendering industry, architectural 3-D rendering has a lot to offer to industry. A wide range of applications are available in the industry such as:

• 3D architectural rendering design

• 3D architectural models of various building types such as residential, commercial and industrial buildings

• Detailed architectural plan for construction

• 3D architectural visualization

• 3D interiors, 3D interior architectural rendering

• Architectural 3-D rendering models

• Architectural design and 3D modeling

• Architectural 3D illustration of building’s technical specifications

For any professional, whether he belongs to a smaller firm or a larger company can be highly benefited by the wonderful range of services mentioned above. Moreover a modern range of tools and technologies are available these days in order to implement architectural 3D rendering more effectively. Also it takes a little time to perform it in your core construction activities – definitely a useful alternative.

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Is There Any Future in Architectural Technologist – Technician Programs?

Architectural technologist and technicians are organized and accomplished persons who are involved with the technical side of what goes into the making of the building. They are the main links between the designs of an architect and the finished project, having the advanced knowledge and skill level in the interior and exterior of any construction, modular planning, ceiling systems and partition systems. Architectural technicians make sure that the correct materials and proper structural designs are used that comply with the building regulations.

Architectural edifices have been a vital historical component in the United Kingdom for thousands of years. Modern architectural designs are different to the historic structures as they are dependent on technology and functioning of the modern machinery. The future prospects of well qualified architectural technicians and technologists look good as they are the key members in designing the models of the modern artefacts.

Professional training and certification of an architect is necessary in order to keep the project running smoothly because it requires a strong knowledge of design techniques and various businesses involved in the construction. The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists is a UK based and internationally recognised qualifying body which has been representing and qualifying over 9,500 technicians who have been working and studying in the field of architectural technology. They do extensive researching looking up materials and sites and prepare architectural drawings using special drafting software before the start of the building projects.

Constructions done by technicians in the present times, require the use of computer-aided drafting and building information modelling programs in order to produce a detailed draft and a 3-dimensional plan for the architectural assignment. An architectural 3D computer stimulated model, though a bit expensive than construction hand drawings, are becoming increasingly important selling concepts in the world of architectural design.

By using 3D computer generated architectural renderings, an architect is able to offer the client a suitable idea for how the structure will look in reality once it is constructed. Therefore computer aided design (CAD) qualifications are essential as they help the architectural technologists and technicians in the understanding of how to put a set of digital building drawings together. SearchMe4 is a local information and online business directory that contains the contact details of the UK architectural technologists.

For more information on Architectural Technologists, visit our business directory.

Architectural Modeling – Unique Identification of Architects

In the modern time all the small and giant architectural firms are using architectural modeling. To provide the better output by using this technique all experts are using 3D modeling. Architectural 3D modeling is used to develop the mathematical and wire frame representation of any object. 3D rendering is used to display images on computer or TV. One can exact idea about the future design by using the 3D models.

Architectural modeling has unique identification in architectural world and that used to make 3D models. Architectural models are used to show the complete detail of any object in term of point to point. 3D models are also becoming helpful to identify the volume of building components and parts. 3D modeling enables architects to add or modify such details as doors, windows, textures, shading, railing, lighting and other required specifications.

Modeling services consist wide range of applications and greater accuracy that enable it the better option rather than others. It helps to visualize whole the building on computer and allows you to make change according to your requirement. It makes virtual environment and shows you how your building will look in future. It is also used for interior purpose like furniture modeling. You can use furniture modeling to make proper design for your interior.

The technique is not only limited in making of commercial and residential buildings but it is also used in industry development and landscape designing. Architectural modeling is used for following purposes like:

o 3D Visualization of Building

o 3D Architectural Rendering

o 3D Architectural Animation

o 3D Architectural Paper Models

o 3D Architectural Designs

o Interior Models for Office view, Home View

o Exterior Models for all type of buildings

For making the architectural models on computers the AutoCAD software used. For the flexibility and maximum accuracy purpose professional architects have developed various software which enables to modify any architect model at quick response. By having these kind of functionality architectural modeling is become root of any architectural project.

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Great Architectural Designs of Australia

Whether you are fitting wire partitions to your home or looking at the structure of a bridge, the effects of architecture are everywhere. Great architecture is not just functional, with devices such as pillars, facades and cantilever racking; these creations can become considered real works of art. Australia is a country not usually known for great architecture, as this is usually a compliment reserved for countries that have existed for thousands of years and have a lengthy history of art, but there are a number of famous works of architecture in this country. This article will discuss a few of these buildings and the cultural effects they have had.

The Sydney Opera house is located in Sydney, Australia and was built at the behest of Queen Elizabeth the Second. A Hungarian man, who never felt his efforts were properly acknowledged, designed it. At the time of his death a couple of years ago, however, he was acknowledged by the Australian public, with news programs carrying the story of his death and the effect his creation has had.

The Opera House is located in Sydney Harbor, and going over the harbor is the Sydney Harbor Bridge. This bridge took decades to create and is one of Australia’s most famous landmarks, along with the Opera House. It opened in the 1950′s to considerable controversy. At the time the ribbon was about to be cut to symbolize the opening of the bridge, a man rode in on horseback and shouted, “I declare the bridge open!”, bringing the sword he was carrying down and cutting the ribbon. This wasn’t a rehearsed stunt but the act of a brazen man breaking the law, and he was promptly arrested. The ribbon was put back together and the bridge “officially” opened. Despite this, many Australians like to think of this lone figure as the man who really opened the bridge, and admire his zaniness and courage at such an act.

While these are the two most popular of Australia’s designs, there are many others. Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria, and has the area known as Federation Square. Some think this to be a rather bizarrely shaped design, with the large SBS Television building being designed in a seemingly random fashion, somewhat similar to the new London Olympics logo.

Australia is also the home of a rather strange design practice. While no one is really sure why, there are a number of tourist traps situated around Australia that boast sculptures of items that are created on a very large scale. These are known as The Big Prawn, The Big Banana, The Big Marino, The Big Pineapple and a couple of others. It is not really clear why these structures have become a hallmark of Australia, but it seems to reflect something about the strange Australian sense of humor.

While there is nothing to compare Australia with countries like Italy and Greece in terms of feats of engineering, there are a number of structures that regularly attract tourists looking to see unique designs in a beautiful setting.