Passive systems create a comfortable environment for the residents of a home in Durham, N.C. More
When the city of Raleigh, N.C., envisioned its new 500,000-square-foot convention center, displaying the building's massive air-conditioning system was not part of the design strategy. But given the building's prominent downtown location with all four elevations in public view, there was no “back of house” space to conceal the HVAC equipment. Left with the mechanical infrastructure sitting on the south façade along McDowell Street where upward of 80,000 cars drive by daily, the team had to figure out a way to hide the equipment with a visually pleasing treatment. The City of Raleigh, with its rich tradition of public art, called on local design firm, Clearscapes, to explore an artistic solution that would screen the unsightly equipment and create a dynamic art feature for the convention center. More
Sometimes it's better for the tail to wag the dog. More
Put 10 really smart college students into a combination dorm and laboratory, give them complex projects to work on, and monitor everything they do. The Home Depot Smart Home at Duke University in Durham, N.C., may sound like the premise for a reality show (that question is even addressed in the project's online FAQ), but it's far more exciting and meaningful than anything Hollywood has dreamed up. More
Once you've challenged yourself to be the greenest remodeler you can be, the next challenge is: How do you sell efficient, sustainable projects to customers? To remodelers making a foray into this niche, we advise leaving the green-wash mentality at the door. More
