Super Boat Grand Prix “THIS IS NOT JUST A BOAT RIDE” By Ed Bertha Photography by Rodrick Cox There is nothing typical about the Super Boat International Racing Series; the racetrack is mother-nature’s water, relentlessly changing and frequently includes volatile, unpredictable environments. The level of skill required by the racers is exceedingly intense: adrenaline, dexterity, talent and a hyper focus on surroundings and conditions are just a few. It is exciting for spectators as well. There is no stadium-style seating or chain link fence dividing the fans from the racers. Depending on what watercourse is attended, fans watch from the […]
Aging Population Spurs Demand For Barrier Free Designs By William Henry PhD Lifestyle of Caregiver Impacted by a Disabled Partner or Parent As the ‘Baby Boomer’ population retires many envision a stress free life funded by their pension funds, social security and the recent proceeds from the sale of their primary residence. Perhaps purchasing a low maintenance condominium or rental of a highly ‘amenitized” apartment is on the horizon. The unanticipated factor is in that in many cases a crippling disability is experienced by one party or another in a committed relationship that was never contemplated. In some cases one […]
Furniture Follows Fashion By Ed Bertha I recently enjoyed a conversation with Jeff Bacon, who manages Bacon’s Furniture and Design of Sarasota. He said something that really provoked great interest and curiosity: “Furniture follows fashion”. Interesting indeed: all design students are taught “Form follows function”, and perhaps I didn’t give much thought to the significant impact the fashion industry has on the furniture industry. But it seemed logical. I am sure events such as Manhattan’s Fashion Week are those to which fashionistas pay great attention so they can be the first to sport the new, trendy and sometimes avant-garde whims […]
How Do You Know What The Real Estate Is Really Worth? By William Henry PhD Design and Construction Due Diligence Can Provide a More Accurate Answer. MAI Appraisals Mostly Take the Past and Project It Forward. Practice and logic over the years has established that market value is a product of both demand and availability or scarcity of a good. Without going into a treatise concerning valuations, as an architect I sometimes have become very frustrated about the practice of appraising. This stems from my belief that appraisers may not take into account intrinsic, latent, and opportunity based value in […]
Reinvent Yourself To Become A Building Doctor By William Henry PhD Solution to Economic Setbacks Suffered by Architects and Interior Designers in Current Downturn– Reinvent yourself to “Become Building Doctors” Design and Construction Industry is inherently Cyclical The construction industry economy has always been typified by cyclical ‘ups and downs’. However this latest economic downturn has not been succeeded by a robust rebound.
News From The International Shopping Center And Retail Convention By William Henry PhD “Jobless Recovery”, “Urban Food Deserts”, “Demalling” and rationales for “Political Gridlock.” Once every year retailers, shopping center owners, and their service providers come together in the Nevada desert to discuss industry performance and trends. An array of best-selling authors, media personalities, political pundits, and industry insiders are assembled at “ReCon,” the flagship event of the International Council of Shopping Centers, or ICSC, held in Las Vegas. Tone setters at this year’s conference included best-selling author of The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell; Joan Lunden of Good Morning America […]
A New Baseball Stadium For The Rays? The Team and Bay Area Communities Could Be In Lockstep Once Again By William Henry PhD Although it seems like a long time ago, some may remember that the Rays Baseball ownership group and the City of St. Petersburg seemed to be in lock step to demolish the existing Tropicana Field Dome Stadium and build a state of the art waterfront stadium in downtown St. Petersburg site several years ago.
Power Of Bureaucracy Increases As Power Of Politicians Wane In Florida By William Henry PhD Disappointed in your elected leaders? You may direct this disenchantment toward your local bureaucrats. Many shrewd lobbyists and governmental liaisons have slowly come to realize that the best avenue for exerting influence on government policy and purchasing decisions may not run through elected government officials, but instead through appointed officials, better known as government staff.
Pride Of Home Ownership By Ricky Perrone For more than 32 years my family’s passion has been building high end custom homes in the Sarasota area. I’ve grown up learning what makes a home special, the aspects and features in a home that lead to pride of ownership and when the time comes, a quicker and higher resale value next to comparables. I’d like to share some of my insights with you
A Professional Customized Approach To Roofing By William Henry PhD Over the last 20 years, we have been asked to respond to roofing failures that are the result of inappropriate re-roofing applications to many Florida area buildings. In today’s environment, with the lack of new facility construction, many commercial office and retail facility owners are rehabilitating, retrofitting, and adapting existing space to accommodate growth.
How To Stay Fit When Business Pressures Mount By William Henry PhD Beyond Competitive Athletics In today’s economic times those of us in the design/development and construction industry are facing daunting pressures. The tendency of course is to work longer hours to keep the doors open. With our New Years resolutions recently formulated, many have pledged to exercise more often. How can we honor this commitment?
How And When To Engage a Contractor By William Henry PhD History of ‘At Risk Construction Management’ aka ‘CM at Risk’ in the State of Florida In the late 1970’s a major public project went so poorly for the State University System that the two agencies responsible for major project administration for the State of Florida determined that they would try a new project delivery system for the first time.
Revised American Disabilities Act Regulations – Effecting Public Outdoor Recreational Areas By William Henry PhD Past ‘Safe Harbored Area’ No Longer Exempt Having served for many years as a forensic ‘court certified’ expert concerning design and construction litigation I am continually surprised by the on-going case law as it evolves– sometimes daily. Being in a so called ‘creative profession’ I am continually struck by the unusual issues surrounding much construction litigation.
The Art of Landscape Design By John Lay Landscaping is about relaxation. Whether you take care of your home yourself or hire a professional, taking in the sights, sounds and aromas of a picturesque healthy garden will go a long way toward relieving your stress. Sound nice? Then start thinking outside the bag of mulch. Creating your beautiful outdoor environment takes more than a trip to the home-improvement store. Landscaping is an art – a delicate balance of science and creativity.
Narrowing The Role Of Architects Contributed To The Demise Of The Profession By William Henry PhD Computer Aided Design It is apparent to many in the industry that there are several factors contributing to the diminishing role architects play in designing the built environment. One major factor that will be examined is something known as “CAD.” In the twentieth century, a ‘cad’ was an acronym for a womanizer. In today’s industry parlance, “CAD” has a much different meaning: it stands for “Computer Aided Design.” The impact of CAD on the profession is enormous. CAD enables architects to draw at the […]
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Wednesday, December 19, 2012
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