Caroline Bozzi, RA CPHD

Alexander Loyer Hughes, AIA believes in holistic energy-saving solutions. Experiments in Brooklyn have shown that turning townhouses into passive houses can maintain a perfect indoor temperature of 72-73 degrees for five days without electricity, even in February. Fresh air circulates constantly, proving the effectiveness of this approach. 🔷 Holistic Approach: Energy savings should not be viewed myopically. Combining strategies, like upgrading HVAC systems and improving insulation, is crucial. 🔷 Cost Efficiency: Many spend millions on new HVAC systems only to lose efficiency due to poor insulation. A balanced approach can reduce system size and stress, saving money and energy. 🔷 Collaboration: Engineers and architects must work together to size systems correctly, ensuring the project's goals are met without oversizing. By looking at the big picture you get the most out of your investments. Ready to make your building more efficient?

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Please show your support! Many people, even peers in the AEC community, don’t know that Interior Designers are not recognized as licensed professionals in the state of Massachusetts. Ten years ago, Interior Design wasn't even recognized as a profession in the Commonwealth. Let that sink in for a minute... My hope is that this shocks you into action. Last week Sarah Sopelak - NCIDQ, WELL AP, LEED AP BD-C, Marie Fitzgerald, and I joined roughly 100 other interior designers from across the Commonwealth at the State House to meet with legislators regarding active legislation that would recognize commercial interior designers as licensed professionals. This 2023-2024 legislative session in Massachusetts marks the 6th year the interior design community has had a bill before the Legislature, although the push for recognition began over three decades ago. Bill S.2408 was written by corporate interior designers and members of IIDA New England in conjunction with ASID, CIDQ and other industry professionals. It is a bill that has been used as a model to gain recognition in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Utah since its first introduction in Massachusetts. Currently, 29 states acknowledge Interior Designers as licensed professionals. The Commonwealth has a thriving and talented Interior Design community, full of qualified designers who have the education and experience that should allow them to be recognized as licensed professionals. After passing our NCIDQ examinations, we should be able to stamp the non-structural interior drawings we create every day. We should also be able to hold majority ownership in a company and take on State and Federal work (something we are not afforded under current legislation). Additionally, as officers of a company, we should be able to sign contracts (something else we are currently not allowed to do without a co-signature by an Architect or Engineer). The passing of this legislation has been long overdue. Please help us elevate the design and construction industry as a whole by supporting it. You can do so by writing to your legislators to share your support of S.2408 and to ask them to urge the Senate Ways and Means Committee advance the bill. (This goes for Everyone. You do not have to be a Designer, Architect, or Engineer to reach out). If you're unsure who your Legislators are, check out the link below. If you're not sure what to say, have follow-up questions, or want to discuss this further, please reach out. https://lnkd.in/egRMCYuV

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The concept of a "livable city" must include all its residents, regardless of race or ethnicity. 😉 This is a very interesting take considering Pittsburgh is known to be arguably the most unlivable city for black women. With a greater understanding that black women are more likely to die during pregnancy than their peers in 97 percent of U.S. cities. It seems odd to mention healthcare, stability, education, environment, and culture when those factors are not comparable to a majority of the ethnic community. "Black people in just about every other comparable city in the U.S. are doing far better in terms of health, income, employment, and educational outcomes than black people living in Pittsburgh."- Brentin Mock Efforts to improve healthcare access, economic opportunities, educational outcomes, and overall community support are essential in addressing these disparities and working towards equity and justice for all residents, regardless of race or ethnicity. Understanding and acknowledging these issues is a crucial step towards advocating for systemic change and creating more inclusive and supportive communities. When certain demographic groups face systemic barriers to healthcare, education, employment, and overall quality of life, it undermines the livability of the city for everyone. https://lnkd.in/gwUCCJDa #equity #pittsburgh #diversityandinclusion #livablecity

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To wrap-up #EMSWeek, H2M architects + engineers is spotlighting how #InteriorDesign can protect first responders. According to Senior Project Interior Designer Megan Ballato, CID, NCIDQ, NYSCEO, “We are spending a third of our day at work. There needs to be more thought regarding design that can positively impact the mental and physical well-being of the building occupants. This is important for anyone with a stressful job such as first responders.” Design elements, such as daylight and lighting controls, cool-toned colors, and flexible options for decompression spaces, can influence mental health and rejuvenate first responders with the energy to continue serving their community.

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Michael Anderson, AIA-NOMA walks the walk n talks the talk while also manning a solid architectural practice. The entrepreneurs road is NOT for the faint of heart. What can we collectively or individually do to assist these businesses that are the catalyst for job creation? Pay on time! Cut out the red tape that slows the flow! Stop misinformation from flowing; be transparent about process! Allocate funds based on needs not cookie cutter processes that are antiquated! Hold the bigger pockets feet to the fire as you do entrepreneurs…yeah, I can go on n on cause I’m at the table. I see unnecessary duress because the order takers are not decision makers or influencers so progress is impeded. We can do better in working with our entrepreneurs so they can be leaders in their sector n the community they serve. #inclusiveleadership #entreprenuers #businessinBlack

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I know it is improper to speak publically about many works of architecture, but if the form is to follow function, then I need an explanation of the function of this odd building.

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If you design and build within 1 mile of the coast anywhere in the eastern US from Texas to New England, you should be using hurricane impact tested and approved windows and doors. Not just the 2x4 impact test but the cyclic wind pressure testing by an independent laboratory 3,500 cycles at pressures from a 170 mph wind. Some manufacturers may use laminated glass in their assembly and say it is impact resistant but if they have not been independently tested and approved they will likely fail under real hurricane conditions. I help architects, builders, and owners select, specify, and detail luxury residential hurricane glazing systems without manufacturer or dealer biases. From just one hour to as many hours as you need a glazing expert for your project. I also give classes in all aspects of hurricane windows and doors on glass aesthetics and energy performance, manufacturer product overviews, detailed installation planning and best practices, and understanding hurricane product approvals. #construction #architecture #design #luxurymiamirealestate #caribbeanrealestate #miamirealestate #luxurydesign #luxuryarchitecture #windowsanddoors #architecturedesign #coastalhomes #builders #beachhomes #coastalliving #designers #luxuryhomes #architectureanddesign #contemporarydesign #architecturelovers

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Latest Completed front view rendering of Buena Vista Avenue, Yonkers, New York. #rendering #scantoBIM #sketchup #autoCAD #Revit #3Drendering #modeling #drafting #walkthrough

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Excited to share the 3151 Market Street design journey between Gensler Boston (Erik Karl Lustgarten, AIA, LEED, Todd A. Dundon, AIA) and Gensler Philadelphia (Alexander Chan, AIA, LEED AP, Sean Carlin, LEED GA) and in collaboration with INTECH Construction LERA Consulting Structural Engineers, Buro Happold, Pennoni, SWA, The Lighting Practice, and New Hudson Facades. Challenge: Design a 495,000-SF life science building at a pivotal crossroads in West Philadelphia, a key corner of Brandywine Realty Trust Schuylkill Yards Development along Market Street. Approach: For the interview, we harnessed Gensler’s next-gen design talent to create three visionary concepts. One idea stood out to the clients and was further developed through the design and a community engagement process. Opportunity: Our big idea features rational floor plates and a series of eco-porches on the south façade, facing Drexel University campus, that offer tenants fresh air, daylight, and views of downtown Philadelphia. These stacked modern porches tie back to West Philly’s tradition of front porches. Design Elements: To navigate the diverse urban context and mitigate the tower’s scale, we incorporated a robust retail and amenity podium with an entry portico and a corner plaza. For optimal comfort and energy efficiency, the building features a unitized façade system with SageGlass UI electrochromic glass to minimize glare and improve internal comfort. Impact: 3151 Market Street is set to become a gateway to Philadelphia’s flourishing life science ecosystem and model for the next generation of sciences buildings. The project seeks LEED Silver V.4 and WELL Certification.

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🏗️ Understanding Zoning Bylaws in Greater Boston: A Must for Developers! 🌆 Navigating the complex zoning regulations of Greater Boston is crucial for any successful development, particularly in multifamily and mixed-use sectors. At O'Sullivan Architects, we specialize in guiding developers through these intricate processes to ensure compliance and project success. 📚 Our latest blog provides a comprehensive overview of zoning bylaws and highlights the importance of professional guidance in this challenging landscape. 🔗 Dive deeper into our insights and discover how we can support your next project by reading the full article: https://wix.to/8Xt7nnb #ZoningBylaws #RealEstateDevelopment #UrbanPlanning #Architecture #OSullivanArchitects #BostonBusiness

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🏢 Here's one for the Massachusetts Multi-Family Gurus! 🏢 🚿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲: 𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 A seemingly straightforward detail can make or break a project. One such detail that often gets overlooked is the slope of a shower floor in Group 2 units which are intended to be wheelchair accessible. 🔍 The Rule: The slope of a 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝟮% (521 CMR 44.6.2). This balance between water drainage and accessibility is critical. Too shallow, and water won’t drain efficiently; too steep, and it becomes difficult to maneuver. 📏 Precision Matters: When designing or constructing bathrooms, there’s not much room for error. Ensuring that the shower floor slope adheres to the max 2% limit is essential for both functionality and compliance. Also need to make sure the curb into the shower does not have a lip of more than 1/2 inch. So many little details... 🚽 And don't get me started on toilet placement from a side wall. 🤯 Any other accessibility tips we should add? Let me know.

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Art Of Form ARCHITECTS' ... "Wetson's" ... a reboot of an old concept specific to Long Island. #artofform #planning #architecture #interiordesign #realestate  #adaptivereuse #repurposing #NOUPFRONTCOSTTENANTFITOUTSTUDIES #esg #permitexpediting #proptech #architects #art #commercialrealestate #facilities #ghostkitchen #artofformarchitects #notforprofit #fastfood

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As specifier, one of the initial steps I take when specifying a product, especially if there's a basis of design, is to visit the manufacturer's website to check for a guide spec. These documents, along with detailed cutsheets, are incredibly useful. While I may not use the guide spec verbatim in a project, it serves as a crucial resource in developing the project specification. However, less experienced specifiers or Project Architects might incorporate a guide spec into a project "as is." Do you have a reliable guide spec? Does your guide spec need to be reviewed or updated?

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Some insightful perspectives on 485x.

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Today, I had the privilege of attending an enlightening panel featured at this year's Boston Design Week hosted at the Boston Design Center titled: “Getting Published: How to Style and Shoot Projects for Editorial Impact”. The panel was beautifully moderated by Jaci Conry, Editor in Chief at Boston Home, and featured the following esteemed panelists: Benjamin Reynaert of Domino, Photographer Michael J Lee, and both Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller of Carrier and Company. Below please find 1 key takeaway inspired by each of the amazing panelists: 1. Patience is crucial. If your aim is to get published, refrain from posting the project on Instagram while pitching to editors to maintain exclusivity. - Jaci Conry 2. Just as an Interior Designer interprets and translates the architecture for the client, a Stylist interprets and translates the photography for the Designer, ensuring that the visual narrative aligns seamlessly with the intended design vision. - Michael J. Lee 3. Strive to convey the narrative of how your designs transform the spatial experience; photograph beyond just the room. With most publications utilizing around 14 photos from a single project, it’s imperative to vividly capture the story and essence of your project meaningfully using those 14 shots. - Jesse Carrier 4. Tailor your design projects for the client first. As the project evolves, you can then assess which publications would be most suitable to pitch and style it accordingly from there. - Mara Miller 5. Negative space in a photo becomes a positive element when used effectively. For those aspiring to have their work featured on covers, it's crucial to consider negative space. Make sure there's ample room for the magazine title and barcode. A cover-worthy photo achieves a balance between striking design and the necessary space for cover elements. - Benjamin Reynaert Thank you to everyone who contributed to this informative panel!

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My team asked me how I feel after 3 years of The Anti-Architect Podcast. “Strange” is one word I used to describe it! #TheAntiArchitect #AntiArchitect #Podcast

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Did you know outdated drawings could be costing you thousands in lost revenue? Dimensions LAB delivers laser-precise as-builts to maximize your property value. Looking for a new partner who can help you update your drawings? Send me a DM and let's chat.

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