Resiliency

Advances
Structural Wood

Outperforming Steel Walls  

Simpson Strong-Tie’s Strong-Wall high-strength wood shearwall (WSWH), is a versatile, high-performance solution for lateral-force resistance in light-frame residential and commercial construction. The code-listed, prefabricated WSWH has a patented design that provides the highest allowable loads for a wide variety of applications. And unlike other shear walls, the high-strength WSWH is fabricated from a wood-based material that is field trimmable for the ultimate in fit and flexibility at the jobsite. Ideal for providing additional structural strength and lateral-force resistance in areas subject to earthquakes and high winds, the WSWH is code listed to the 2018 IRC/IBC, conforms

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Advances
Concrete

Rock Solid

The Biomimicry Institute and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation have announced this year’s Ray of Hope Prize has been awarded to ECOncrete Tech., a science-based company that develops environmentally sensitive concrete products for coastal and marine infrastructure projects. Inspired by beach rock formations, coral polyps, oyster shells, mangrove roots, and other marine habitats and life forms, the proprietary technology is based on three science-based elements that work in synergy: Bioenhancing concrete admix, rough surface texture, and locally attuned 3D design that fosters the growth of native plants and facilitate the growth and regeneration of local marine species, while strengthening

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Advances
Stair & Railing Systems

Flexible in Movement

Construction Specialties (CS) has engineered DriftReady Stairs, a solution for occupants’ and first responders’ egress and ingress during and after a seismic event. Architects can now confidently specify a tested, safe and resilient stairs solution that can reduce building repair cost and recovery time after a seismic event. In trying to develop a safe and resilient stair system, CS thought of the human backbone—it provides strong support, but also flexes with the movement of the body. Patent-pending technology keeps stairs stable at rest, yet flexible when a building moves. Stairs have a positive connection system that prevents the stairs from locking up in rotation or tra

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UC Davis West Village Neighborhood
Case Study
Solar & Renewable Power

Live/Work Lifestyle

UC Davis West Village, the nation’s largest planned zero net energy community, continues to work toward its goal of producing 100 percent of the energy it uses.A 2015 report released by UC Davis and the West Village Community Partnership LLC said the community is 82 percent of its way toward reaching zero net energy, or ZNE. The analysis covers the time period between September 2013 and August 2014. “The neighborhood is close to where we want it to be, but we still are not at the finish line,” said Sid England, assistant vice chancellor of the UC Davis Office of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. “I think we’re on track to get to 100 percent in t

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Edison Eastlake Apartments, Phoenix, Az.
Case Study
Multifamily

Beating the Heat

On top of that, the neighborhood has lower vehicle ownership than other areas of Phoenix, so residents rely on walking, biking or taking public transportation and are out in the heat for extended durations.As part of the plan to incorporate 1,161 units of mixed-income housing (including a one-for-one replacement of existing public housing units) Mithun developed new housing prototypes that maximize shade and ventilation and incorporate cool building materials to mitigate extreme heat. Now in the first phase of implementation (an affordable apartment building), the project’s housing design strategies include courtyard housing to maximize shade, single-loaded apartments with open breezew

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Johnson Controls Asia-Pacific Headquarters, Shanghai, China
Case Study
Office

Monsoon Proof

Gensler recently completed the Johnson Controls Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Shanghai, China. Building in a mega-city that is vulnerable to rising sea levels, intense tropical cyclones with high-wind speeds and an extremely wet Asian monsoon season required the design to incorporate passive, redundant and low-maintenance building envelope solutions. Careful attention was paid to the detailing of façade border conditions where different systems meet. Façade laboratory and on-site testing was performed as a means of understanding the building enclosure’s ability to withstand extreme weather events.The building has two emergency generators, but in the event of a power failure the building

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Louisiana Children’s Museum, New Orleans, La.
Case Study
Water Management

Retaining Water

Following Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Children’s Museum (LCM) adapted its mission to respond to the changing needs of its recovering community. By integrating indoor and outdoor interactive experiences in a park setting, LCM presents a unique model for children’s museums.The museum’s new home, designed by Mithun, is distributed into two linked buildings that are carefully sited to protect a significant grove of live oaks, part of a World Heritage Site. The design builds resilience into the lagoon edge with native plantings that will absorb rain and flood water and creates open space that reinforces environmental education. The choreography of the visitor experience con

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Advances
Louvers & Vents

Impact Ready

The 5-in. eme5626md vertical stationary louver meets Miami-Dade hurricane requirements for critical/essential facilities and safe rooms. It has been tested for wind speeds up to 110 mph and Missile Level E impacts. The louver also is available in round and triangular configurations for greater design flexibility. 

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Advances
Roofing Systems

Get Fleeced

EPDM roofing systems can be specified with a 55-mil fleece layer adhered as a backing for long-term protection against high winds, hail and punctures. These FleeceBack membranes are also well-suited for roof gardens and solar applications and can be installed with Flexible FAST adhesive, which reinforces the fleece for increased protection.

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Austin Hall, Sam Houston University, Huntsville, Texas.
Advances
Roofing Systems

Metal Makeover

The stainless-steel roof topping historic Austin Hall on the campus of Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas, was only 10 years old when it began to fail, due to a seaming plan not appropriate to its low-slope design. So, though it was less than a decade old, it was recently replaced with a more appropriately engineered standing seam copper roof. The 238T and 138T symmetrical standing seam panels enable watertight performance because there is now interruption of sealant in the seam at clip locations.

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