Technology Increases Collaboration in Lean Design

Lean is the buzzword for 2009. Faced with expenditures that are 17.6 percent of the current GDP (and which are expected to rise to 20.8 percent by 2019), the healthcare industry is leading the Lean movement. The economic crisis, however, has forced many architects, facility managers, developers, and business owners outside the healthcare arena to examine things more closely. Because Lean inspires a collaborative spirit, knowledge-sharing technologies are vital to the design process. Read the full article » INDUSTRY NEWS LEED-Certified Retail Spaces for U.S. Cellular Numerous sustainable elements and energy-efficient features, including lighting power reduction, low-emitting materials, and reduction in water usage, are present in two new U.S. Cellular stores. Read more » The Future of Work Anticipating change is the art of looking over horizons and making educated guesses. For the designer or architect, it means spotting trends and understanding shifting dynamics. In designing for the office environment, it means recognizing how the nature of work continues to change. Read more » Architecture Billings Index Indicates Continued Struggles for Construction Industry Indicating another stall in the recovery for the construction industry, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading economic indicator of construction activity, fell to its lowest level since June. Read more » Last Week's News: TCF Bank Stadium is First Football Stadium to Achieve LEED Certification New Report Will Help VA Transform Healthcare Facilities in the New Millennium New Series To Help A&D Professionals ‘Re:work’ Their Resumes RELATED STORIES Using Project-Specific Websites to Manage Construction Project Delivery Managing information continues to be a critical success factor for construction operations. Given the highly complex, fast-paced, and dynamic nature of the construction process, it has become evident that, in order to complete a project, all correspondence must be maintained in a fashion to support effective utilization and communication. Read more » Future Tech The technology we use in the design and construction of buildings is changing, even as these words are written. Each day brings new demands from building stakeholders – not to mention from the earth itself – and new developments intended to meet these demands. Read more » The Future is Integrated Project Delivery Integrated project delivery, or IPD, is the philosophical underpinning of the future of the architectural industry. Based on trust and mutual respect, mutual benefit and reward, collaborative decision-making, early involvement of key project participants, early goal definition and intensified planning, and open communications, new models for project delivery are emerging. Read more » PRODUCT SHOWCASE Convia-enabled Wiremold system by Wiremold/Legrand A new energy management and control system from Wiremold/Legrand combines modular power delivery with an intelligent system to monitor, manage, and control energy use. Read more » Ceiling Series speaker by Martin Audio Martin Audio’s Ceiling Series speakers are smooth and natural sounding on their own without EQ. Read more » Cambridge Parkade by Cambridge Architectural A metal fabric system from Cambridge Architectural employs stunning, expansive panels of architectural mesh to add style and function to parking garages. Read more » PAST ISSUES Law Practice Perfects the Craft of Video Art Technology Transforms Architectural Drawings into Aural Renderings Lights Illuminate the Night at Harrah's Lighting the Way to Good Healthcare Design Comcast Experience Opens a Window to the World New Options for Insulated Glass Interactive Technology Makes Eaton's Space Memorable A Tale of Three Cities High-Tech California Academy of Sciences Wows Visitors The Latest in Sign Technology September 30, 2009 This Month's AT Poll Do you document the lessons learned from building projects to apply them to your next project? Submit your answer online » Featured Case Studies What do you get when you combine three industry-leading Daktronics LED video products into one marquee display? Answer: River Spirit Casino. Read more »