Why I Love Orlando - Facebook

This project originally started by a series of workshops with Peter Kageyama, was funded by the city. I attended a follow-up workshop hosted by Urban Re-Think On Central, near Summerlin. Since the visioning efforts by the city, Stephanie Darden the CEO of FDG Creative has taken up the helm for the 'Why I Love Orlando' project that really needs to be championed by the public. Visit 'Why I Love Orlando' on facebook, to keep track of the movement. https://www.facebook.com/WhyILoveOrlando?fref=ts
Peter Kageyama shared the success stories of some other cities via web-conference to discuss his book and project 'For the Love of Cities'. Grass roots efforts like 'Why I Love Orlando' can get noticed by industry or capital looking to invest, relocate and expand. While we are a tourist destination, attracting other businesses to Orlando is key to a diverse economic structure, able to withstand economic shifts, like the recession we are living through. So please join the cause.

Local Architect Pens Tome

One of our own local architects, Guy Butler, whose architecture and design firm specializes in the design and master planning of resorts, hotels, multifamily residential and anything golf, has penned a novel which I have just stumbled across: BALLS of Leather and Steel. go to the link below and try the sample chapter to see if it is your kind of read. The press release:

“Famous soccer Player and RAF Flying Officer Malcolm McClain and Polish Resistance fighter Chez Orlowski – the Spider – are from different worlds. But their paths cross during World War II in a daring operation to spring McClain from Stalag 306, and their lives are forever altered.
But the story doesn’t stop there…”

Available now from the PolkaJig Press, paperback $11.99, ebook $4.99, visit http://www.polkajig.com

ReThinking the City: Loving the City

Attend this discussion in downtown Orlando, it promises to be thought provoking.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 6:25 pm
625 E. Central Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801

Join the Event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/132401350279400/?suggestsessionid=a7874893ba1067c9529987c7daee1815

What makes a city lovable? How can loving our city make it more successful and livable? Stephanie Darden the CEO of FDG Creative will discuss her role with Why I Love Orlando. Peter Kageyama will join via web-conference to discuss his book and project For the Love of Cities.

Shou Sugi Ban

A traditional Japanese way of preserving wood by charring its exterior, shou sugi ban creates a crackled black surface that is both elegant and rugged.“Burn master” Caleb Coy charred Spanish cedar, which was installed in a few places such as the bedrooms and the outdoor foyer between the bedrooms in David and Karen Francis's Tucson Mountain Retreat. Although the clients at first worried that the black wood wouldn’t fit in with the rest of the house, the clients now say they love it.

Follow My Architecture Blog for the AIA

Orlando Regional Center for Architecture and Design just started a community blog, check it out, and start following: http://orcadblog.wordpress.com 

It is an exciting time for Central Florida, so much is under construction here and will dramatically change the area. 

This is the initial home of the Orlando Regional Center for Architecture and Design (ORCAD) a joint effort of the Orlando Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Orlando Foundation for Architecture.

A regional Center was a request of the community, through the workshops held to develop a 10 year plan for the Orlando AIA chapter back in 2010. With 3 years of groundwork, this vision is starting to show results. Their mission, as outlined in the Legacy2020 plan, is to provide the public with the tools and resources to improve homes and community through Design by offering intelligent dialogue, education, scholarships, exhibits and programs, in a central location for the community to utilize. While they plan for the physical Center, follow their blog and help them grow.

Acrylic Block Windows

Because of their lighter weight these acrylic blocks can be utilized in a host of situations not feasible for heavier glass blocks. The operable window above comes pre-glazed, ready to install. Hy-Lite offers a comprehensive line of acrylic block windows for new construction and custom replacement applications. These eye-catching privacy windows feature energy-efficient all-vinyl or thermally-broken aluminum frames, and may be ordered in fixed, operable, and special-shaped styles.

Besides their website www.hy-lite.com   they have an app for Android and I-Phones. 

These blocks are also friendlier for do-it-yourselves projects as they can be sealed with caulk, instead of mortar. 

Polar Umbrella

An amazing visionary for the future of our planet, I ran across Derek Pirozzi's design to recover our arctic ice cap. A 2012 graduate of the University of South Florida's School of Architecture in Tampa, he received first place in the 2013 Evolo International Skyscraper Competition for his entry "Polar Umbrella."

Pirozzi describes his design as a "buoyant skyscraper that rebuilds the arctic ice caps by reducing the surface's heat gain and freezing ocean water. In addition, the super-structure is equipped with a desalinization plant and solar powered research facilities as well as eco-tourist attractions."

eVolo Magazine received 625 projects submitted from all continents and 83 different countries. The jury selected 3 winners and 24 honorable mentions based on creativity, ingenuity and understanding of dynamic and adaptive vertical communities.

You can read more about the competition and Pirozzi's concept:
http://www.archdaily.com/343351/evolo-2013-skyscraper-competition-winners/