ABA FALLS AGAIN WHILE FAILURE STILL CANNOT FIND ANY FRIENDS

The America Institute of Architects reported today that:
"Billings at U.S. architecture firms reversed sharply in May, with the AIA’s Architecture Billings Index falling to 45.8 for the month on top of a more modest decline in April. Any score below 50 indicates a decline in revenue at firms, and the May reading represents the steepest decline in almost a year. This pattern in ABI readings mimics 2011, when billings increased in the first quarter and then reversed in the second before recovering later in the year." 

For further details go to http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB095129

It is verging on the implausible to see that, after so many years of recession, the US Construction industry (and indeed the broader US economy), has not mounted a stronger, more consistent, recovery. As John F. Kennedy observed "Failure has no friends" and so while there is plenty of blame to share around for the current situation there are very few willing to accept that blame or offer truly non-partisan workable solutions to solve it. So, how about this - why don't governments offer incentives or awards for single new technical advancements that;

• Reduces the cost of construction by 5% or more.
• Improves the actual LIFE expectancy of buildings by 10% or more with no increase in capital or operating cost.
• Reduces the duration of the design/construction cycle by 10% or more with no increase in capital cost.

Just a thought……and it might harness the creative genius of some of our best and brightest when they have time to contemplate....

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posted by The QS 0 Comments

DECEPTIVE CADENCE

Music is a great haven for the soul or, as William Congreve wrote in his work The Mourning Bride, 1697:

"Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak".

Music moves us and never so much as when there is something truly special about the composer, in this case 10 year old Milo Poniewozik's who's original composition, The Globetrotter, featured on NPR as performed by the NY Philharmonic. Listen to it if you have a minute (it is short)  http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/

A great piece of work and an inspiration to everyone who doubts their ability to achieve.

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posted by The QS 0 Comments