AEC News You Can Use Blog

Any fan of Frank Lloyd Wright knows his architecture is centered around harmony between indoors and out. On a recent, crisp summer evening, as I stood barefoot, in a towel, lost in the courtyard of what was once Wright’s personal home in Spring Green, Wisconsin, this principle had never been more apparent. I felt the judgmental gaze of his tall, cast-concrete garden sculptures of mythological female figures, called Sprites, their arms crossed, eyes gazed downward, but still seeming to wonder, what was *I* doing *there*? I hoped the guided tour in the living room couldn’t see me as I emerged from a dark, skinny hallway, where I’d showered in a yellow-lit bathroom next to a handful of bedrooms once used by Wright’s apprentices. But after a 6 a.m. flight and a corridor of identical doors, I couldn’t find my way back to mine.

I’m probably not the first person who has ended up lost at Taliesen, but I’m likely one of the first journalists. While there are many options for guided day tours of the 800-acre rural estate where Wright lived and worked for nearly five decades, staying overnight is a rare privilege. In 2021, Taliesin Preservation added weekend workshops with classes in crafts like baking, photography, and painting, which, for $1,500, grant everyday Wright fans the chance to stay on the grounds. In early June, though, for the first time in the property’s 113-year history, journalists were invited to spend two nights there for the reopening of its Hillside Theater after a five-year $1.1 million restoration.

Since the start of fellowships at Taliesen in 1932, the Hillside Theater served as a multiuse entertainment space for Wright’s apprentice program, which hosted movie screenings and concerts for the public on Sundays. (The theater is housed in the same building as the drafting studio used by Wright’s protégés.) In the mid-’50s, Taliesin fellows made a few structural updates to the theater following a fire. But since then, it remained unchanged. Though Wright is arguably the most famous American architect, and one of the most influential of our time, his buildings have..Read More

Jonathon Yu is not a professional developer, but he is interested in building new housing.

In 2023, the 29-year-old product manager submitted plans to Sunnyvale to raze the modest 1,000-square-foot bungalow he bought a year earlier and replace it with a three-story, five-unit multifamily building.

He paid a few thousand dollars for an architect to draw up plans, then a few thousand more to the city for application fees. His parents called him insane for spending so much, but Yu had the money, and he wanted to build housing.

He didn’t have the funds for what Sunnyvale demanded next: To get the permit for the $3 million project, he would need to pay $300,000 in impact fees, one-time charges imposed by local governments to fund improvements to infrastructure like roads, parks and schools.

“What stopped me were the impact fees,” Yu said. “If I would have completed the structure, it would’ve been the most affordable new housing in the area.”

Across the Bay Area, impact fees like those Yu encountered often surpass six figures per unit — and developers have had little leeway to challenge them.

But a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court could limit the impact fees that California can levy, which some say could lower the barriers to building new housing.

The case involved California landowner George Sheetz, who challenged the $23,420 fee El Dorado County required to fund road expansions the county said were necessitated by the small home he wanted to build. Sheetz sued, arguing the Constitution’s taking clause limits what the government can take without fair compensation.

Previous cases have required such fees to be “roughly proportional” to a development’s impact. But California courts have held local governments to a lower standard

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court found that was incorrect, and remanded the case to the state court for reconsideration. It’s unclear what new standards the California court will.. Read More

$700 million redevelopment in Milwaukee could be set to result in the tallest mass timber building in the world and the tallest building in Wisconsin.

The project, led by green developers The Neutral Project and designed by Michael Green Architecture (MGA), is set to transform the Marcus Performing Arts Center parking garage into a mixed-use development featuring up to 750 residential units, 190,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space, 300 hotel rooms, 1,100 structured parking spaces, and public plazas and walkways.

"As mayor, I have not been shy about my goal to grow our city's population to one million Milwaukeeans," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

"To do that, we need to be aggressive and reach for new heights. This project will help us do just that, literally aiming to set local and global records, but just as importantly add density and activity to an underutilized City-controlled parcel in downtown Milwaukee. It also represents a forward-thinking Milwaukee, open to outside investment and ideas, and I thank The Neutral Project for their confidence in Milwaukee's future."

The Marcus Center seeks to build on Milwaukee's record – the city is already home to the world's tallest mass timber tower – the 25-story Ascent MKE.

A press release shared with Newsweek suggested that The Marcus Center could be up to 55 stories. The Neutral Project is also developing The Edison, which is set to be 32 stories tall.

A mass timber tower is a type of high-rise building constructed primarily using engineered wood products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam (glued laminated timber), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL).

These materials are engineered for strength and stability, allowing for the construction of tall structures that were traditionally built using concrete and steel.

Mass timber towers are considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional construction methods. Wood.. Read More & See Videos

A construction worker died after a portion of a crane fell onto the Southeast 3rd Avenue bridge Thursday in downtown Fort Lauderdale, crushing a car and injuring three more people.

The incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. on the bridge over the New River, near Southeast 4th Street.

Fort Lauderdale fire officials said in a news conference said a construction crew was in the process of "stepping the crane" by adding sections to a crane to make it taller when a platform fell from the building, along with pieces of the crane.

The construction worker fell with the crane section, causing fatal injuries, officials said. The crane itself remained secured to the building.

The crane section landed on the nearby bridge, damaging at least two vehicles. At least two other people who were in vehicles were transported to the hospital, one in stable condition and the other with minor injuries. A third person was also treated for their injuries at the scene.

Footage from Chopper 6 showed the crushed vehicle as well as another damaged car nearby. Several police units and paramedics responded to the scene.

Mark Cerezin's Tesla was damaged by the falling crane piece. He said it bounced off his car and landed on the vehicle next to him.

"I was driving and I felt a compression, and I looked up and I saw the blue structure coming down, and I slammed on my brakes. It sheared off the front of my Tesla and all the airbags went off — and I’m very lucky to be alive," Cerezin said.

One woman who lives in an apartment across from where the collapse happened said she saw the crane falling from the sky and hit the corner of a building. She described the screams she heard from construction workers as "unsettling."

"It was really shocking," said the woman.. Read More & See Videos

The jury trial for a lawsuit filed by a Northwest Arkansas couple against HGTV stars Dave and Jenny Marrs has been pushed back to 2025, according to court documents.

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for January 14, 2025, and the trial is set to begin on January 27, 2025.

Matthew and Sarah McGrath sued Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction in February 2023, companies owned by Dave Marrs, who co-stars in HGTV’s “Rock the Block” and “Fixer to Fabulous” with his wife Jenny.

The couple’s lawsuit claims the Marrs’ companies worked on a house for them, only to realize later it had multiple problems, including a “critical safety issue” with the home’s deck.

The Marrs claimed the couple would not allow the companies to repair the home, but made an effort to do so.

A settlement in the lawsuit was not reached after multiple failed attempts at court-ordered mediation. A filing in October 2023 by the plaintiffs said one attempt “failed utterly.”

In June, it was revealed in court documents that the lawsuit could face delays after the McGraths claimed in a filing that due to the tornadoes that ripped through Benton County on Memorial Day weekend, which left numerous businesses and homes affected, contractors “will be unusually busy for the next few weeks to come.”

A motion for extension was filed on June 4 by the plaintiffs asking that the discovery deadline set for June 24 be pushed back.

The judge granted that extension and the deadline was moved to July 8.

After the extension was granted, the plaintiffs asked for the trial to be pushed back.

Despite disagreement from the defendants, the trial was pushed back from the original September 23 start date.. Read More

Increased government infrastructure spending is bolstering companies in the Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry. Although potential challenges like macroeconomic uncertainties, high rates, low consumer confidence, new product investments, and rising raw material costs could squeeze margins, firms such as Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. WMS, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. AWI, Frontdoor, Inc. FTDR, Construction Partners, Inc. ROAD and Latham Group, Inc. SWIM stand to gain from operational excellence, geographic and product diversification strategies, strategic acquisitions, and higher infrastructure investments.

Industry Description

The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry primarily comprises manufacturers, designers and distributors of home improvement and building products like ceiling systems, doors, windows, flooring and metal products. Some industry players provide solutions to rehabilitate the aging infrastructure, primarily pipelines in the wastewater, water, energy, mining and refining industries. The companies also manufacture expansion joints and structural bearings, ventilation products, ground-mounted solar racking and commercial greenhouses, as well as mail storage (solutions including mailboxes along with package delivery products). Companies in this industrial cohort also rent out equipment to a diverse customer base, including construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and government entities.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Building Products Industry

U.S. Administration’s Infrastructural Spending: The industry players are expected to benefit from strong global trends in infrastructure modernization, energy transition, national security and a potential super-cycle in global supply-chain investments. The U.S. administration’s endeavor to rebuild the nation’s deteriorating roads and bridges and fund new climate-resilient and broadband initiatives is expected to aid the companies. Meanwhile, as the industry players’ business prospects are highly correlated with U.S. housing market conditions, improving residential construction markets are expected to drive growth. Builders are now cautiously optimistic for 2024 as the lack of existing inventory is shifting demand to the new home market, thereby driving the demand for companies’ products in the industry.. Read More

There’s nothing else like this architect-designed octagonal home, which dates from 1972 and is on the market for the second time ever.

The three-bedroom home is located just north of Milwaukee and was designed by local architect James G. Plunkett for his family. It’s said to be inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and features a vast open-plan great room housing the living room, kitchen, and dining room. This space has soaring 20-foot-high ceilings with an oculus skylight, timber beams, and a huge brick fireplace.

The seller bought the 4,440 sq ft River Hills home in 2021 and has updated it to keep with its 1970s design. The kitchen has new porcelain counters, an infinity-edge island contrasting the exposed brick walls, and all new appliances. New bookcases have been installed, and the entire space is ringed by windows and sliding glass doors that offer views of the woodland.

Holly Swezey and Aly Swezey of Coldwell Banker Realty/B Real Co Team hold the listing for the Wisconsin property, with an asking price of $1.777m.. See More Photos Here

Frank Lloyd Wright often gets all the credit for being an architect with Wisconsin ties.

But that’s only because he’s the most famous architect from Wisconsin. Wright (1867-1959) was very prolific, designing more than 1,000 structures — of which 449 were realized, according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. In Wisconsin, they include several public sites you can visit, including Taliesin, Monona Terrace, Burnham Block, Wingspread, SC Johnson, and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

However, plenty of other architects were born in Wisconsin and designed projects within the state. For example, Erhard Brielmaier designed more churches and hospitals than any other architect, and dreamy Mediterranean-inspired estates designed by David Adler appear to be plucked out of Europe. Alexander C. Eschweiler’s innovation stretched from a Japanese pagoda-style gas station to a mansion built for Allis-Chalmers’ first president, which is now a Milwaukee art museum. Lastly, Alex Jordan Jr.’s House on the Rock has become one of Wisconsin’s top tourist attractions. 

Thanks to preservation advocates, you can see these architects’ works across Wisconsin.

Erhard Brielmaier (1841-1917)
This emigrant from Germany has an esteemed label: He’s designed more churches and hospitals than any other architect. Notably, he designed the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Erhard Brielmaier moved to Milwaukee with his wife and 13 children in 1873, getting his feet wet by working as a carpenter and sculptor. He also built quite a few altars. Creating an architectural firm with three of his sons, the team designed more than 1,000 Catholic churches across the country, as well as in Canada.

His most well-known project in Wisconsin is the Basilica of St. Josaphat on Milwaukee’s South Side, which was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy.

For another church project, he designed a Gothic-style chapel for the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in St. Francis, Wis.. Read More and See Photos Here

Nine projects were recognised in the 2024 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Nelson and Marlborough Awards on 7 June at Nelson’s Trafalgar Centre.

An epic house more than 10 years in the making, a utilitarian boat shed, and a public building that revitalises Blenheim’s town centre are among the 2024 winners.

“Projects in this year’s awards have weathered unprecedented conditions including extreme weather events, supply chain issues, spiralling costs and COVID,” says Euan MacKellar, convenor of the jury. “Despite the unforeseen challenges, architects managed to hold onto key concepts, maintain good design and foster strong relationships with their clients and builders — a credit to the profession.”

The Lookout, a home that stands out in the Tasman landscape like a piece of contemporary sculpture, thanks to its rusty red exterior and Brutalist form, is a fine example of the region’s award-worthy projects. Designed by Parsonson Architects, the building is bold, dramatic and meticulously detailed. Similarly, Longbeach Bay Boatshed by Arthouse Architects, a winner in the Small Project Architecture category, is striking in its modernity. A “very strong and well-proportioned form with a minimal material palette takes inspiration from the existing home and its triple gable,” said the jury. “While its primary function is boatshed, multi-use is its mantra. It’s a kitchen, bar, dining hall and wind break.”

In the Public Architecture category, Marlborough District Library and Art Gallery | Te Kahu o Waipuna is the sole winner. Designed by Warren and Mahoney, the civic building is reinvigorating Blenheim’s High Street with its bronzed exterior and flexible interior layout. It also received a Resene Colour Award. 

A jury of four judges — Matt Gutsell of Sheppard & Rout Architects, Magdalena Garbarczyk of Fineline Architecture, architect Helena Alexander from Alexander Romagnoli, and lay juror landscape architect, Heidi Stewart — assessed this year’s projects, along with convenor Euan MacKellar.. Read More and See Photos Here

Recent court filings have revealed new details in a lawsuit against Northwest Arkansas-based HGTV stars Dave and Jenny Marrs.

The details suggest that companies related to the couple are responsible for a safety concern and nearly two dozen code violations for a house built in 2022.

Bentonville couple Matthew and Sarah McGrath filed the lawsuit in February 2023, claiming the house had multiple defects and the companies who built the home – Jupiter Rentals and Marrs Construction, both owned by Dave Marrs – had breached a contract, according to KNWA/KFTA.

Dave and Jenny Marrs are the stars of HGTV shows “Rock the Block” and “Fixer to Fabulous.”

After months of back and forth and failed attempts at court-ordered mediation, a settlement still hasn’t been reached.

The two parties are headed toward a five-day trial scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sept. 23 at the Benton County Courthouse.

Now, evidence shared in the 45-page filing reveals what led up to the lawsuit.

Filed on March 29, 2024, it says that a local contractor found nearly two dozen code issues and violations, as well as a “critical safety issue” on the property.

The filing included a letter from the McGraths’ legal counsel to Dave Marrs and a report of findings for a structural investigation carried out by an Arkansas-based contractor.

In the letter, dated Jan. 3, 2023, professional estimates put the costs at $38,740 for repair and proper construction of drive and walkways, and $47,862 for landscaping and grading, including installation of a French drain.

But the estimates didn’t include the nearly $1,900 expended by the McGraths “in attempts to discover the extent of the flaws in the construction of the home,” according to the letter.

“Please understand, these reports do not completely detail the remedial work that needs to be performed to rectify the many failures in workmanship but only represent my clients’ current understanding of.. Read More Here