January-February 2023

AMAZ NG BU LDINGS

GLOBAL INNOVATION

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF UKRAINE

AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

YOU NEED (OR MIGHT WANT) TO KN W

ACOUSTICS & FOCUS IN THE WORKPLACE

REAL ESTATE

F THE FU URE

ARTCH TECTURE

TR E DAT

2022’S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES

EGAL – EASEMENTS

101

THE HILARIOUS ONE-LINERS OF RODNEY DANGERFIELD

AN INSURANCE CLAIMS

ADJUSTOR’S VIEW OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN FLORIDA

THE GREENEST COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THE U.S.

ENRON

WAYS TO RECRUIT AND MAINTAIN MINORITY ARCHITECTS

THE VOICE OF REAL ESTATE

from the pages of

The Best Diversions

Give yourself the gift of smiles. J

A handsome, artbook-style volume with the best Diversions to appear in over the last decade. A compendium you will treasure for years to come.

"This collection is laugh-out-loud funny!"

Kirkland Review of Books

"Prescription: Read 3-4 pages a day for a month. It’ll brighten your day! And make it last a month."

Susan Carnegie, The Montreal Voice

From Where I Sit

The Editor’s Page in is almost totally devoted to humor and wisdom and this is a collection of some of the best of them.

Vertical Lines I and II

Compilations of Sarcasm, Word Play, and Witticisms from the pages of

"This is simply genius. I kept on laughing the whole day when I read it."

Maria Tariq

"...absolutely hilarious! I laughed so hard that it brought tears to my eyes."

Randal Maynard

also from The CREST Publications Group

My Hand Book Leading With My Heart

"Incisive yet expansive - as if the psychology of R.D. Laing encountered the self-exploration of Hugh Prather to help readers delve into their own thought, experiences and behaviours."

The Rockford Tribune

"Curiously intense and ironic. This is a work that will make you think and feel and you will revisit it over and over.

Marion Danziger, The Toronto Town Crier

S.H.I.T. from the Internet

“An often off-color (but always entertaining and almost always hilarious) collection of jokes that you will read, enjoy – and probably tell –over and over.”

Joey Cousins, The Greenwich Times

All available at Amazon, BarnesAndNoble, Alibris and in the Apple Book Store.

"It matters not who we have been, or why, with whom, or how. What matters is that we have met and who we are from now."

Original reflections on new love, its flame, intensity, and all-consuming spirit. Short, poetic expressions of heartfelt longing, passion, and desire. Intimate expressions of tenderness and adoration, accompanied by romantic pictures. A wonderful gift for someone you love.

“So simple. So eloquent and beautiful. Absolutely wonderful!”

Allison Templeton

A Book

"A perfect companion to Vertical Lineshumor in bite-sized pieces.”

Ellen Campbell, Sinclair Book

Reviews

unite! this!

"Dyslexics of the world, untie!”

Punsters of the world, read shit!"

L. Bartow. The Network Bookshelf

See a sample of each of the books at www.crestnetwork.com

11 IMPORTANT VOICES

Congressional leaders in favor of uniform recycling labels.

20 ACOUSTICS AND FOCUS IN THE WORKPLACE

Sean Cronan offers insightful guidance on how to eliminate distractions in the workplace.

24 THE WORLD‘S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES A Visual Capitalist Graphic.

30 AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

Part 6 of a series — a pictorial of #s 76-90 in an AIA survey.

16 REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport –A Sustainable Design to Elevate the Passenger Experience.

THE BLUEPRINT

40 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Part 6 of a pictorial series — the designated sites of Ukraine.

18

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET IN FLORIDA

Ron Snouffer of National Claims Negotiators gives us an insurance adjustor’s view.

46 THE GREENEST COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THE UNITED STATES

Mark Maxwell, the school’s Director of Sustainability, takes pride in the university of California—Merced.

35 SUSTAINABILITY HAS DEEP ROOTS AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

Working with the Green Building Initiative, the university attains Green Globe certifications.

36 ENRON

T.J. Edwards examines the similarities with today’s FTX collapse.

38 GLOBAL INNOVATION A Visual Capitalist Graphic.

42 AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO TRADITIONAL HOUSING

Founder and CEO Justin Draplin introduces us to Eclipse Cottages.

45 TODAY’S MARKET FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING

Lazer Sternhell of Cignature Realty is upbeat on investing in this industry segment.

48 IMPORTANT VOICES – WAYS TO RECRUIT AND MAINTAIN MINORITY ARCHITECTS

Derwin Broughton, AIA and Principal of KAI Enterprises, opines on what needs to be done.

50 EGAL VIEW – EASEMENTS 101 Atlanta attorney Christine Norstadt examines the types and ramifications of easements.

52 ARTCH TECTURE

Stephen Muldoon – the Art of Creating Art

54 I DON’T GET NO RESPECT

Some of the great one-liners from Rodney Dangerfield.

57

Contributing Editor Rose-Mary Rumbley reflects on her favorite president—FDR.

32 AMAZ NG BU LDINGS

Contributing Editor Angela O’Byrne looks at two cities’ expectations of workers returning to offices.

There’s more in our web edition at www.crestnetwork.com

ABOUT US

Now in our 31st year, reaches over 500,000+ architects, engineers, developers, brokers, construction managers, property and facility managers, bankers, lawyers, appraisers, investors, service providers, and many more throughout the U.S. via subscription and social media! We proudly serve and service any and all real estate associations bimonthly. If your group would like to be included, please let us know. Email: editor@crestnetwork.com or call the number above.

EXECUTIVE STAFF

ANDREW A. FELDER: Publisher/Managing Editor. aafelder@crestnetwork.com

XENIA MONTERO: Associate Editor and Art Director. xeniam.design@gmail.com

ANNETTE LAWLESS: Social Media Manager. annettelawless@hotmail.com

MARK ANGLE: Director of Business Development. mark@crestnetwork.com

MARIA TARIQ: Technical Director, Book Division. mariatariq070213@hotmail.com

ADVISORY BOARD

KIM GHEZ, Director of Marketing, Presidio Title.

KIM HOPKINS, Executive Director, CREW Dallas.

LINDSEY KOREN, Director of Communications, American Society of Interior Designers.

JONATHAN KRAATZ, Executive Director, USGBC Texas.

RICK LACKEY, CEO, REAL Professionals Network.

AIMÉE LEE, National Accounts Director, Recycle Across America.

LESLIE ROBINETT, Marketing and Communications Manager, International Facility Management Association.

LAURA MACDONALD STEWART, RID, FASID, IIDA, LEED AP, Editor of Plinth & Chintz.

MICHELLE THATCHER, CEO, The U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.

JESSICA WARRIOR, Director of Property Management, Granite Properties.

WHAT OUR READERS ARE saying

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ANGELA O’BYRNE, AIA: Amazing Buildings.

ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY: Herstory.

ANTHONY BARBIERI: Legal.

ROXANA TOFAN: Whatever Happened To...?

any content delivered by any third party, including, without limitation, the accuracy, subject matter, quality or timeliness of any Content. Change of address: Mail to address above or email

Rose-Mary Rumbley

Anthony Barbieri

Angela O’Byrne

Roxana Tofan

Andrew A. Felder Xenia Montero

Maria Tariq Mark Angle

Annette Lawless

Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement. (Mark Twain)

Our PDF edition is an exact replica of the printed magazine and our web edition has many more articles and features. Browse, search, and save your favorites, or check the archives for something you want to read again!

JUSTIN DRAPLIN (P. 42) has successfully created and grown several companies. He was the co-founder of and CEO of one of the top 500 fastest growing private companies in the USA according to the INC 500 and has been recognized by Crain's Communications at their annual Salute to Entrepreneurs conference. He has been on both local and national television, including NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and Bloomberg TV, and has been written about or quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Crains Detroit, INC Magazine and various other publications. His primary focus is on developing ECLIPSE Cottages to be a worldwide leader in housing technology and development.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DERWIN BROUGHTON, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP (P. 48) is a Principal for KAI Enterprises based in Dallas-Fort Worth. He is an advocate for the inclusion of minorities within the design industry. He is also a past President of the Dallas Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. In 2013 he was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) as recipient of the Young Architects Award. He served as Vice President of Advocacy for the Texas Society of Architects in 2021-2022 and currently serves as President-Elect. He will lead the organization in 2024 as the Society’s first African American President.

BRIGADIER GENERAL

THOMAS J. EDWARDS (P. 36) recently retired from the Army after 30 years of service and moved to San Antonio, Texas in May of 2022. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Military Officers’ Association of America, and the 82d Airborne Division Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and master’s degrees from Oklahoma University, the Naval War College, and the Army War College.

Along with his wife, Lisa, SEAN CRONAN (P. 20) is the co-founder of Cronan & Associates, an Independent Manufacturers Rep Firm with a 17-member team spanning Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.  Cronan reps call on dealers, A&D firms, and end-users.  With more than three decades of dealer, manufacturer, and sales experience in contract interiors, Sean represents the face of the Cronan brand and leads the C&A organization.

CHRISTINE NORSTADT (P. 50) is an attorney-shareholder in the law firm of Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Atlanta, where she focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions and litigation. Her clients include owners, managers, and users of all types of commercial real estate, including office, retail, and industrial properties. She is a member of ULI-Atlanta and was named a Georgia Super Lawyer Rising Star for five consecutive years. A native Atlantan, Christine enjoys time outdoors with her husband and three young children and cheering for the Yellow Jackets, the Falcons, and the Braves. She was also a Contributing Editor of ’s Georgia Edition from 2016-2017.

RON SNOUFFER, II (P. 19) has 20 years of experience in the construction and roofing industry, and for the last 10 years has been a licensed and bonded public insurance adjuster in Texas. His company, National Claims Negotiators, is well known in the industry for taking care of property owners through policy analysis, insurance claims expertise, and claim documentation to ensure that clients receive monies to which they are entitled under the terms of their policies. He was an expert witness in the largest first party claim settlement lawsuits in 2020 and 2021 in the states of Oklahoma and Texas.

ANGELA O’BYRNE (P. 32) is the president of national architecture, design-build, and real estate development firm Perez, APC. She champions the principles of smart growth in her home community of New Orleans and in her frequent travels across the country and abroad. Born in Cali, Colombia, Angela is a licensed architect in over a dozen states, a licensed general contractor in Louisiana, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and a member of the National CREW Network (Commercial Real Estate Women) Board of Directors. A singer, golfer, music-lover, and globetrotter, she relishes spending free time with her three grown children and large extended family. She is a Contributing Editor of and her Amazing Buildings feature appears in every issue.

MARK MAXWELL (P. 46) is the Director of Sustainability in the newly formed Office of Sustainability at the University of California, Merced. He provides support to the campus departments, staff faculty and students on sustainability initiatives and programs. He chairs the Chancellors Advisory Committee on Sustainability and is an Ex Officio member on the Faculty Advisory Committee on Sustainability. He also chairs the system-wide Green Building Working Group Committee for the University of California, manages the 2020 Triple Zero Goals for the campus (Zero Net Emissions, Zero Net Energy and Zero Waste), and ensures the campus follows the sustainability requirements of the University of California’s Policy on Sustainable Practices. He is also responsible for managing, tracking and coordinating all building documentation for LEED submittals to the US Green Building Council.

ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY (P. 48) holds a Ph.D. in communications from the University of North Texas. She is a well-known speaker in Texas and enjoys researching each and every topic. She is a Contributing Editor of and Herstory appears in every issue.

LAZER STERNHELL (P. 45) is the CEO of Cignature Realty, a commercial real estate brokerage company in New York City specializing in multifamily and mixed-use apartment building sales. He grew up in a family of commercial real estate owners and gained invaluable knowledge while cultivating his natural talent for sales. He went on to establish and run several successful businesses in other industries, which inspired him to enter the world of real estate from the brokerage standpoint. He has been awarded CoStar Power Broker status. Lazer lives in Rockland County, NY with his wife and five sons.

YOU NEED (OR MIGHT WANT) TO KNOW Editor’s note

BY ANDREW FELDER Managing Editor & Publisher aafelder@crestnetwork.com

THE BELLRINGER

After QuAsimodo’s deAth, the bishop of the Cathedral of Notre Dame sent word far and wide that a new bellringer was needed. He decided to conduct the interviews in the belfry.

Only one person applied for the job – an armless vagrant man with no name. The incredulous bishop said, “I don't think we'll be able to hire you. You have no arms with which to ring the bell. A bellringer must have arms in order to pull the rope that moves the bell into the clapper.”

"Sir, please. My father was a bellringer, and my grandfather was a bellringer. It is my destiny to ring the bells. Observe – and listen.” The man threw himself face-first at one bell, then another, then a third, and he continued for what must have been a minute or more. What emerged was the purest, most beautiful tones the bishop had ever heard. When the man stopped, he shook his head, as if to clear it, and looked at the bishop whose astonishment was obvious. He knew he had found a suitable replacement for Quasimodo.

The bishop happily awarded the bellringer position to the man, who played the bells dutifully and beautifully for two weeks. Then a terrible thing happened. After ringing the bells beautifully as he always did, while shaking his head to clear it, the man became dizzy. He stum-

bled, tripped, and plunged out the belfry window to his death. When the stunned bishop reached the street, a crowd had gathered around the fallen figure, drawn by the beautiful music they had heard only moments before. An old man sitting on a bench asked, “Bishop, who was this man?”

“I don’t know his name,” the bishop replied sadly, “but his face rings a bell.”

Once again, the bishop sent out the word – a new bellringer was needed. The very next day, another man with no arms came to the church and said, “I am the twin brother of the poor, armless wretch who fell to his death from this very belfry yesterday. I pray that you honor his life by allowing me to replace him in this duty.”

The bishop agreed to give the man an audition, and his talent proved to be just as great as that of his brother. The bishop hired him on the spot. And the added benefit was that no other interviews would be necessary. The man served the church for only six days, when, after ringing the bells with his face, one bell swung back and knocked the man out of the tower onto the cobblestone below. The same old man was sitting on the same bench below the tower, and when the bishop ran out and saw the carnage, the man asked, "Did you know him?" "Not well," said the distraught bishop, "but he's a dead ringer for his brother."

CIA ASSASSIN

A few months ago, there was an opening with the CIA for an assassin. These highly classified positions are hard to fill, and there's a lot of testing and background checks involved before you can even be considered for the position. After sending some applicants through the background checks, training, and testing, they narrowed the possible choices down to 2 men and a woman, but only one position was available.

The day came for the final test to see which person would get the extremely secretive job. The CIA men administering the test took one of the men to a large metal door and handed him a gun. We must know that you will follow your instructions no matter what the circumstances,” they explained. "Inside this room, you will find your wife sitting in a chair. Take this gun and kill her."

The man got a shocked look on his face and said, "You can't be serious! I could never shoot my own wife!"

“Well," said the CIA man, “then you're definitely not the right man for this job."

Then they brought the second man to the same door and handed him a gun. “We must know that you will follow instructions no matter what the circumstances,” they explained to him. "Inside you will find

your wife sitting in a chair. Take this gun and kill her."

The second man looked a bit shocked, but nevertheless took the gun and went in the room. All was quiet for about 5 minutes, then the door opened. The man came out of the room with tears in his eyes. "I tried to shoot her, I just couldn't pull the trigger and shoot my wife. I guess I'm not the right man for the job."

"No," the CIA man replied. “You don't have what it takes. Take your wife and go home."

Only the woman was left to test. They led her to the same door to the same room and handed her the same gun. “We must be sure that you will follow instructions no matter what the circumstances. This is your final test. Inside you will find your husband sitting in a chair. Take this gun and kill him."

The woman took the gun and opened the door. Before the door even closed all the way, the CIA men heard the gun start firing. One shot after another for 13 shots. They heard screaming, crashing, banging on the walls. This went on for several minutes, then all went quiet. The door opened slowly, and there stood the woman. She wiped the sweat from her brow and said, “You guys didn't tell me that the gun was loaded with blanks, so I had to beat him to death with the chair!” n

Everyone said to Vincent van Gogh, "You can't be a great painter, you only have one ear." And you know what he said? "I can't hear you. (Steve Carell)

ON THE COVER

The Wows Have It!

Congratulations on the very impressive array of (book) publications! Wow!

K. HANOLD, NEWPORT BEACH, CA

WOW!!! That (the Important Voices column) looks amazing!  What a great way to showcase the letter and highlight the members of Congress!

ALEX BUNKER, JUPITER, FL

The article about and the pictures of The Line in Saudi Arabia were absolutely (as you say in the article) astounding!! And a robot-citizen?? Wow! I mean, WOW!! I absolutely love that I see/learn things in the network that I would otherwise never know about.

LYNN GLADSTONE, GREAT NECK, NY

The several pieces about England and the Commonwealth in You Need (or might want) To Know were bloody really informative, even for a Brit, like me. And, for sure, the next time I visit ‘home’, I look forward to going to the smashing wonderful ABBA Arena! Cheers!

GORDON ATKINSON, HOUSTON, TX

I (enjoyed) the fun facts (TrueDat) article Juan Sebastian Elcano (Not Magellan) Was the First Person To Sail Around The World. And, as a word puzzler, I love the 2 words that contain all the vowels in order. One thing I wanted to mention though, is the reference to bottle caps not being recyclable.  The truth is, the plastic used to make bottle caps is actually valuable, and most MRFs have the infrastructure to process those as long as they are recycled on the bottles.

AIMÉE LEE, EDINA, MN

Ed: Thank you for that very helpful correction!

‘THE JOURNEY BEGINS’

by Stephen Muldoon

Being a southwest Florida native, I’ve had the opportunity a few times to witness the hatching of the sea turtles on the beach. Realizing what a sacred opportunity it was, how special these creatures are, and how we must protect their habitat to insure their future, I felt it necessary to document and bring awareness through my art. I have titled this piece The Journey Begins.

GABBY

IMPORTANT VOICES

The Honorable Michael S. Regan Administrator

september 23, 2022

United States Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20460

Dear Administrator Regan:

As work continues on the National Recycling Strategy, we request the Environmental Protection Agency begin implementing standardized recycling bin labels. Given the importance of standardized bin labeling to the success of any federal recycling strategy, we urge you to develop and implement a nationally standardized bin labeling strategy, as called for under Objective C of the National Recycling Strategy.

Our recycling system is broken, and Americans have lost faith in recycling as a waste management solution. As of 2022, 49 percent of Americans believe that the recycling system does not work well, and 30 percent are not confident that what they put into recycling bins actually gets recycled.1 This lack of faith stems from the culture of confusion surrounding recycling. In fact, 62 percent of Americans worry that a lack of knowledge causes them to recycle incorrectly.2

While startling, this number is unsurprising, considering there are millions of different labels on recycling and trash bins today. Consumer confusion surrounding proper waste sorting leads to contaminated waste streams. Contaminated recycling not only yields itself to missed recycling opportunities but also wreaks havoc on recycling centers’ operations. Recycling facilities are forced to shut down for numerous hours per day to decontaminate recycling streams, stalling operations and endangering workers who risk their safety to unclog and untangle trash from the machines.

Standardized labels for recycling and trash bins are one way to overcome these challenges. The clear, standardized visuals work like road signs to show people what can be recycled in each bin. These labels can then be customized to suit the capacity of recycling plants in each municipality, educating consumers on what can and cannot go into every individual recycling can. There are now more than 9 million standardized labels on recycling and compost bins across the country.

Implementation of these standardized labels has already been met with huge economic and environmental success. As part of the Leave No Trace program, standardized recycling labels created by Recycle Across America led to a 100 percent increase in recycling levels in several National Parks, including Yosemite and Grand Teton. Similarly, standardized labels have resulted in the Las Vegas School District saving up to $6 million in two years due to decreased trash hauling fees, with similar results seen in schools elsewhere. The State of Rhode Island has seen a 20 percent reduction in rejected truckloads after implementing standardized labels.3

Now is the time to take concerted action to coordinate our national recycling and optimize our recycling processes. Standardized labels for recycling and trash bins work, a fact that EPA has already recognized by including them in the National Recycling Strategy under Objective C. Yet, strategy execution of this objective is lacking.

We urge you to establish a clear and cohesive standardized bin labeling implementation strategy and begin executing this plan. These actions are effective and necessary to invigorate the circular economy while protecting our environment, climate, and public health.

1 Suzanne Shelton, “Americans love recycling, they have no idea how it works, and they think it might be broken,” Shelton Group, March 23, 2022, https://sheltongrp.com/americans-love-recycling-have-no-idea-how-it-works/

2 Marie Haaland, “More than half of Americans are confused about recycling,” New York Post, April 16, 2019, https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/more-than-half-of-americans-are-confused-about-recycling/

Sincerely,

If I woke up and nothing hurt, I would think I was dead.

AlanLowenthal

Steve Cohen

Diana DeGette

Sara Jacobs

Betty McCollum

Sean Casten

Earl Blumenauer

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Paul Tonko

Salud Carbajal

Emanuel Cleaver II

Mike Quigley

Haley Stevens Lisa Blunt Rochester Jared Huffman Jerry Nadler Katie Porter

THE CORIOLIS EFFECT

GAspArd-GustAve de Coriolis (1792-1843) was a French mathematician, mechanical engineer, and scientist. He is best known for his work (in 1835) on the supplementary forces that are detected in a rotating frame of reference, leading to what is now known as the Coriolis effect (or the Coriolis force). It describes the pattern of deflection taken by objects not firmly connected to the ground as they travel long distances around Earth and

is the explanation for many large-scale weather patterns.

The key to the Coriolis effect lies in Earth’s rotation. Earth is wider at the Equator and rotates faster there than at the poles. To make a rotation in one 24-hour period, equatorial regions rotate at nearly 1,000 miles per hour; near the poles, the rotation is about 0.00005 miles per hour.

The impact of the Coriolis effect is dependent on velocity—the

velocity of Earth and the velocity of the object or weather pattern being deflected by the Coriolis effect. It is most significant with high speeds or long distances.

The development of weather patterns, such as cyclones and trade winds, are examples of the impact of the Coriolis effect. It is the explanation for why, in the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes appear to rotate counterclockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere, currents are deflected to the left, and, as a result, storm systems seem to rotate clockwise.

The weather impacting fast-moving objects, such as airplanes and rockets, is influenced by the Coriolis

effect. The directions of prevailing winds are largely determined by the Coriolis effect, and pilots must take that into account when charting flight paths over long distances.

You could observe the Coriolis effect if you sat on a rotating merry-go-round and threw or rolled a ball back and forth with someone. When the merrygo-round is not rotating, rolling the ball back-and-forth is simple and straightforward. While it is rotating, however, the ball won’t make it to the other person unless you propel it with significant force. Rolled with regular effort, the ball appears to curve, or deflect, to the right. The ball is actually traveling in a straight line and you and the other person. are moving out of its path.

The Coriolis force is strongest near the poles and absent at the Equator. Cyclones need the Coriolis force in order to circulate. That is why hurricanes almost never occur in equatorial regions, and never cross the Equator itself.

Undetermined: Patient awaiting physician and assessment. Good: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious and comfortable. Indicators are excellent. Fair: Vital signs are stable and within normal limits. Patient is conscious but may be uncomfortable. Indicators are favorable. Serious: Vital signs may be unstable and not within normal limits. Patient is acutely ill. Indicators are questionable. Critical: Vital signs are unstable and not within normal limits. Patient may be unconscious. Indicators are unfavorable.

I JUST STOPPED IN… TO SEE WHAT CONDITION MY CONDITION WAS IN.

Most hospitals follow the American Hospital Association guidelines to describe a patient’s condition to the media. Those guidelines advise spokespersons to use only a one-word description of a patient’s condition. Here, excerpted from the AHA’s “General Guide for the Release of Information on the Condition of Patients,” is the short list:

“Vital signs” means indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration, and the one-word descriptions are not medical terms—rather they are based on a doctor’s best judgment of a patient’s condition. And not all hospitals strictly adhere to these guidelines, which is why you occasionally will here ‘treated and released’ (suggesting that the patient received treatment but was not admitted) or 'critical but stable' to indicate that some patients’ conditions are less dire than others.)

My friend David lost his ID. Now we just call him ‘Dav.’

YOU NEED (OR MIGHT WANT) TO KNOW YOU NEED (OR MIGHT WANT) TO KN W

I got fired from my job because I asked customers whether they would prefer ‘smoking’ or ‘non-smoking.’

I’ve since learned that the preferred terms are ‘cremation’ and ‘burial.’

WHAT THE HECK!

“Heck” is a common alternative to the swear word “hell.” It is not a bad word at its core, nor is it considered a swear word. “Heck” really isn’t spoken much because many people think it’s far too tame to convey the correct emotion. It doesn’t show true anger or disappointment compared to most swear words. Schools are often very strict with the words that can and can’t be used. Most schools would probably be fine with students using “heck” because it shows the students are actively trying to censor themselves to appear more polite. It’s even acceptable on radio and television. But if you're uncomfortable using a word like ‘heck’, try one of these replacement exclamations: Fudge! Blast! Dang! (which, of course, is a slang word for ‘damn’) What the…?! What the Dickens?!

While we’re on the topic, if you need a replacement exclamation for ‘dang’, try: Doggone! Shoot! (which itself is a replacement for another curse word) Confound it! Gosh! Golly! My, my, my.

If there is such a place “Hell” (and we’re not saying there is or isn’t), it would it be funny if there was also a place called “Heck.” In Heck, things would be bad—but not terrible like they are in Hell.

WHY IS RED FOR REPUBLICANS AND BLUE FOR DEMOCRATS?

This universally accepted color-coding arose from the 2000 presidential election. According to The Verge, it was in this year that The New York Times and USA Today published their first full-color election maps

They assigned the colors fairly arbitrarily. Apparently, it was as simple as someone in the graphics department deciding to use red for Republicans because both ‘red’ and ‘Republican’ begin begins with ‘r’. According to The History Channel, colorful electoral maps on television were used beggining in 1976, but there was no consistency between networks as to what colors were used for which party. Red often stood for Democrats, and blue for Republicans The extended vote count in the election between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000 (which was not resolved until December) precipitated the major news networks keeping the colors consistent, so that reporting contested electoral college numbers and the Florida recount would be less confusing. By the time, the winner was resolved, the color associations were set.

(Mark Twain)

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

I asked my childhood sweetheart, my best friend, and the love of my life, to marry me. All three said no.

CALLIOPE

In Greek mythology, Calliope ( 'beautiful-voiced') is the Muse who presides over eloquence and epic poetry. Hesiod and Ovid called her the "Chief of all Muses." She is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne. She had two famous sons, Orpheus and Linus, by either Apollo (her brother) or King Oeagrus of Thrace. She taught Orpheus verses for singing. According to Hesiod, she was also the wisest of the Muses, as well as the most assertive. In some accounts, Calliope is the mother of the Corybantes by her father Zeus, She was sometimes believed to be Homer's muse for the Iliad and the Odyssey, and the Roman epic poet Virgil invokes her in the Aeneid.

To connote is to suggest a connection. [Only words and symbols can connote something; people imply it.] When you act a certain way to show how you feel rather than just outright saying it, you're connoting or suggesting that emotion. Words can often connote or suggest certain meanings or ideas. (e.g., if you fold your arms and look away from someone as he speaks to you, you are connoting your discomfort.)

To denote is to draw attention to something or to show what it means. A word's denotation is its literal meaning or exact definition. [e.g., A blue wheelchair painted on a parking spot denotes handicapped parking.]

Dear Ms.Teacher -

Johnny was too ill to come to school today, so we took him to the doctor and had him shot.

Johnny,s Mother

To Who I Want It Should Concern

Johnny can’t take part in PE today. Please execute him.

{Johnny's’ Mother

REAL ESTATE F THE FU URE

A SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TO ELEVATE THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AT SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

sustAinAbility is one of the most often used words in the world of commercial real estate. In fact, it’s no longer just important, it has become imperative. Beginning with the building’s architectural design, the building materials, all the way through construction, occupancy and management, professionals from all walks are adding sustainability considerations into their projects, And, besides saving money and protecting the environment, there is the added advantage that most of the end-users of a property are attracted to sustainable buildings. Airports are no exception. They use timber, solar panels, modular construction—all to try to limit their impact on the Earth.

Los Angeles-based Woods Bagot spans design, research, data, and performance to create ‘People Architecture,’ putting human experience at the center of its design process to deliver engaging, futureoriented projects that respond to the way people actually use space. The Miller Hull Partnership, based in Seattle, is an internationally recognized

architecture, planning, urban and interior design firm that designs dynamic and ecologically responsible buildings, working to create a regenerative and inclusive future through the built environment.

Together they recently revealed the vision for the C Concourse Expansion (CCE) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) where a celebration of the Pacific Northwest, sustainable design, and a rethought approach to traditional terminal offerings will enhance passengers’ experience. Working closely with the Port of Seattle, the collaborative design team reimagined the major concourse through a distinct sense of place, performance, and partnership.

“We have a clear vision for how the airport will look, feel, and function in the coming years,” said SEA Managing Director Lance Lyttle. “Making your experience less stressful and more predictable is at the center of our vision. You can feel the difference now at the newly modernized N Concourse and soon to open International Arrivals

Facility. The C Concourse Expansion (scheduled to be completed in 2027) is what’s next in how SEA serves travelers, and we canʼt wait.”

Foregrounding the concept of “Bringing in, seeing out,” the expansion welcomes in the surrounding context and connects back to the regional landscape.

"The C Concourse Expansion will bring much-needed light, air, and passenger amenities to one of the busiest crossroads in the terminal. The new building was designed to bring back the excitement of flight with soaring interior volumes of space and multiple outdoor observation decks that reconnect us to the magic of travel and the iconic mountain and sound views that define the Pacific Northwest," says Brian Court, Lead Designer and Partner at Miller Hull.

In order to do that, the building's first key feature will be a performative exterior envelope inspired by the forest and the frame. Just as in nature, where the forest

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protects from the sun, the building’s shell modulate will light and collect energy.

“The new C Concourse Expansion for SEA will be an inspiring gathering place that is a destination in and of itself. This ambitious project will intertwine the very best aspects of placemaking, sustainability, and signature architecture. The expansion for SEA has many distinct attributes, but its grand stairs and focal pillar clad in locally sourced Pacific Northwest Hemlock–from which sculptural geometries like curves and fractals emanate–are two emblematic features that succinctly convey the project's

leading-edge take on contextual design,” says Matt Ducharme, Woods Bagot's Principal and West Coast Design Leader.

Inspired by the Pacific Northwest, the concourse's interior will be an interplay of environments that is defined by both the local energy and a connection to the natural landscape. The more active public spaces are designed to reflect the textures and activities of the famous markets in Seattle and the region. A marketplace will sit at the center of the concourse with a bar and retail kiosks that frame an open seating

area that is also defined by a busker stage for local musicians. This stage will face the Grand Stairs and provide an activated connection to the restaurants at the mezzanine level.

The Port of Seattle, which owns and operates SEA, is working to be the greenest and most energy efficient port in North America, prioritizing the health and well-being of travelers and the environment. CCE is the first project to apply the Port of Seattle’s new Sustainable Project Framework and sets the precedent for all future capital projects. Sustainable features include rooftop photovoltaics, fossil fuel free systems for heating and hot water, electrochromatic glazing for windows, dishwashing capabilities for vendors reducing the need for disposal dishware, embodied carbon reduction strategies, lowflow water fixtures, and biophilic design principles.

The Pacific Northwest is defined by the varied natural landscapes of the Cascades. Inspired by the concept of “Bringing in, seeing out,” Woods Bagot and Miller Hull’s SEA C Concourse Expansion brings an authentic, sustainable, and deeply memorable passenger experience to the Pacific Northwest’s largest and fastest-growing airport.

Renderings courtesy of Woods Bagot and The Miller Hull Partnership. n

BY RON SNOUFFER

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE

COMMERCIAL REAL

ESTATE

MARKET

IN FLORIDA AN INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTOR’S VIEW

floridA is no strAnGer to natural disasters. Every year the state deals with at least one type of disaster, whether it’s a tropical storm, flooding, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane—and they all bring insurance claims. While all natural disasters create destruction, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricanes have accounted for over $216 billion in damages and economic loss in the past five years for Floridians from hurricanes Irma, Michael, Ian, and now Nicole. Residents know that part of their cost of living in paradise is dealing with these devasting hurricanes. There is no shortage of demand for new assets in Florida, but an increase in insurance interest rates and building supply chains are making it less profitable.

Hurricane Ian landed in Florida on September 28, 2022, with average wind speeds of 155 mph, making it a category-four hurricane. Fort Myers beach and Naples were ground zero for the hurricane's landfall and the storm surges hit Sanibel Island and Pine Island hardest. The bridge and the causeway to the two islands are no longer standing, leaving only limited access to both islands. The two islands were devastated by a storm surge of 12 to 15 feet. As this goes to press, it has been three months since the hurricane hit land, and most residents of the area are no closer to returning to normal. According to local contractors, it will take commercial property owners two to three years to rebuild.

the repairs, but all-too-often impatient property owners will rush to go with the next available contractor. Doing so leads to an old saying, “if you think it's expensive to hire a good contractor, wait until you hire a bad one.” Poor construction will lead to poor finish out, impacting the overall quality of assets.

Originating from a tropical storm, Hurricane Ian was a large and destructive Category 4 hurricane that was the deadliest hurricane to strike the state of Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. It was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season and caused widespread damage across western Cuba and the southeast United States, especially the states of Florida and South Carolina.

The sheer volume of damage is certain to bring in unqualified contractors. Even those who are qualified will undoubtedly try to handle the build-back far beyond their ability. Everyone wants to believe they can take on a large loss insurance claim, but in the end, the proof is in the execution of the claim. Commercial claims are more difficult to manage and oversee.

Staffing shortages across Florida will lead to inexperienced people handling construction and building back, and the long-term effects will reverberate in the commercial market long after repairs are complete. Some property owners will be patient and wait for an experienced contractor to do

In real estate, as in many other businesses, the supply rises when the demand is high to offset the shortages. Once your supply outpaces demand, prices will fall again. The scarcity for the next several years will cause an increase in market rates across the board, especially in areas close to the storm’s most devastated areas. Already, over the last several years, Florida has seen an increase in businesses relocating there. The politics don’t lie. Florida was one of the first states to ‘re-open’ after Covid. With the shutdowns across the country, many companies fled to Florida for an open workforce. Florida was open for business and ready for companies to move to the state. The economics are simple. When demand is high, more supply is needed. We will continue to see increases in demand as businesses and consumers move to Florida, which, in turn, will impact insurance and rental rates, as well as construction costs.

Other factors that affect the supply side are the labor shortages in other parts of the country. Materials available to build will factor into the supply side. The govern-

By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere. (Billy Crystal)

é Fort Myers Beach

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ment's policies are to release permits quickly and ensure properties fit current building codes. Florida has one of the strictest building codes in the country; these building codes have reduced the damage that buildings sustain during hurricanes.

Supply will be an issue for the next 12-24 months while the state rebuilds after the 2022 hurricanes. Market rates will look different; insurance, interest, and property taxes will significantly impact future rental rates, starting with interest rates at a 40-year high for new construction and bridge loans. Insurance premiums had already gone up 33% in 2022 before Hurricane Ian, and many insurance carriers are fleeing the state due to large insurance claim losses. Fewer carriers for coverage will create supply issues, increasing property owners' costs. These costs

are later reflective in tenant rental rates. According to Core Logic, the estimated cost to rebuild is between 41-70 billion dollars in property value, which means tax value will increase because of all the new construction and building updates.

Insurance carriers continue to struggle to keep up with claims from prior hurricanes. There have been multiple insurance companies that have left the state due to the risk. Commercial property owners will have fewer options on who to get coverage from in the next couple of years. According to The Wall Street Journal, Builders' Risk Insurance premiums accounted for 2% of new construction projects costs in 2019. Now, the same insurance coverage accounts for an average of 8%. As prices skyrocket for materials, labor, taxes, and insurance, many commercial projects will no longer make sense to build or re-build.

Many insurance carriers have been downgraded from their A rating status. One such carrier was United Property and Casualty which is now likely insolvent with over a billion dollars in claims that it cannot pay. Earlier this year UPC already had plans to leave Louisiana in 2023 after several years of losses. Many property owners will need to turn to the state fund for payment of their claims. Unfortunately, the state doesn’t move quickly when it comes to paying off the claims from insolvent carriers. This will create additional strain on the already short supply of available properties in Florida. A smaller number of carriers means less options to shop prices which will create higher insurance rates for Floridians.

We have a perfect storm of all the factors that would make for a considerable increase in the market rate in Southwest Florida. The assets with little or no damage will reap the rewards in the next couple of years. Several institutional buyers already had their eyes on Florida because of the workforce in place and the state’s being pro-business. Florida's commercial real estate market is looking hot for the next several years. Demand for new properties will continue to bring new projects and new construction to Florida. n

Ron Snouffer is the Owner and CEO of National Claims Negotiators LLC ron@ncnmail.com

é Destroyed homes and inundated businesses on Pine Island as seen from a US Army National Guard helicopter

BY SEAN CRONAN

ACOUSTICS AND FOCUS IN THE WORKPLACE

one of the GreAtest struggles that most of us have in our work environment is the lack of focus. This is usually due to distractions all around us. IPSOS/Steelcase researchers found that on average, 86 minutes of an employee’s workday is lost due to distractions, and worse, once we lose focus, it takes 23 minutes on average to regain that focus. Multiply that by all the distractions that we have throughout the day, and it is no wonder that we often reach the end of the workday and feel like we haven’t accomplished anything. Distractions come in all forms, but one that employees consistently complain about is noise. Loud conversations, noise from computers, printers and devices, phones, as well as other annoying sounds in the workplace, lead to a complete lack of focus. Better acoustics can lead to less distraction and more focus. Sometimes there are simple solutions to addressing poor acoustics, but often it can be a complex issue. We can address poor acoustics with the ABC approach–Absorb, Block and Cover. Depending on the situation, one of these, or a combination of these solutions, can be extremely effective at addressing workplace acoustics.

Sound Absorption, the first component of the ABC approach to improving acoustics, can come in a lot of forms. Aside from the noise itself, it is often compounded by reflective materials (concrete, drywall, tile, etc.) inside the space, the height of ceilings, construction of walls and other factors. These materials can cause a very annoying reverberation of the sound. The Noise Reduction Coefficient (or NRC) describes the average sound absorption performance of a material. NRC is a single number value ranging from 0.0 to 1.0. Depending on the acoustic material and the way it is applied, that acoustic material can achieve anywhere from a .3 to a 1.0. These materials can be wall mounted, ceiling mounted/suspended or freestanding. They can also be attached to fixtures or furniture.

Sound Blocking, the second component of the ABC approach to improving acoustics, generally comes in the form of walls or panels that separate offices or workstations. With that, you again run into the issue of the material with which they are constructed, how tall they are, etc. If a wall or panel is constructed of glass, drywall, or laminate, you then may create a reverberation issue, which could create a further need for sound absorption. Demountable wall and panel system manufacturers often tout their high STC (sound transmission class) rating. An STC rating is a score given to a surface (wall, ceiling, window, etc.) based on its ability to reduce sound coming through it. STC ratings range from 25 – 65. The higher the rating, the less the noise penetration. But, if that great STC rating is created by building the product with a highly reflective surface, it may have created a greater acoustic issue.

Sound Covering is the third component of the ABC approach to improving acoustics. Pre-Covid, the open office concept was all the rage. Lining people up to work in a “benching” style application was touted as a great way to get people to work together and encourage collaboration. Not to mention, it made for very efficient space planning. In some situations it worked very well, and in other situations, it didn’t. The greatest complaint that employees have when working in a benching application is that there is too much noise and distraction. The employee’s solution? —Put on headphones or Air Pods. But that begs the question, how much collaboration occurs when everyone has their ears covered? Covering sound is accomplished with sound masking.

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Sound masking is essentially background sound that covers, or “masks” unwanted sound. A sound masking system consists of a series of loudspeakers installed in a grid-like pattern in the ceiling, as well as a method of controlling those speakers’ output. The loudspeakers distribute an engineered background sound, raising the facility’s ambient level in a highly controlled fashion. This ambient sound, not only masks unwanted sound, and also prevents confidential conversations from easily be overheard, which makes employees and visitors less nervous about talking.

Lastly, another solution that has come into play is one that disregards the acoustics of the rest of the current workspace altogeth-

er. That solution is the acoustic booth. These booths can be a great solution when you need complete privacy, complete focus, or when the ABCs of Acoustics have not been addressed throughout the rest of the office space. A good quality acoustic booth offers a controlled acoustical environment and can address everything from making a simple phone call, to having meetings with groups of people. Some acoustic booths offer a true work area complete with enough room for a task chair and height adjustable worksurface, which allows for sitting and standing. And some acoustic booths are even designed specifically for web meetings. These “hybrid” booths offer seating, face lighting, VESA mounts for monitors/camera setups, and other options, all built into the booth.

A good acoustic booth will not only provide great acoustics, but it should also allow for consistent and frequent air flow in and out of the booth, good lighting (some even dimmable), as well as power/data options. In general, acoustic booths can vary greatly in quality, so buyer beware. Low-cost acoustical booths sold online tend to be on the lower end of the quality spectrum. They generally are shipped knocked down, and can take several hours to install. Higher quality acoustical booths are generally purchased through contract office furniture dealers, who can bundle in professional installation services.

Solving acoustical issues in the work environment is different for each office space. With a combination of the ABC approach to acoustics and/or acoustic booths, you can provide your employees the optimal acoustical solution. n

Sean Cronan is the President of Cronan & Associates, an independent manufacturers rep firm based in Dallas, TX which offers a complete package of furniture for corporate, healthcare and education environments, as well as ergonomic, acoustic and signage solutions.

scronan@cronanassoc.com

TRANSFORM YOUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE INTO ACTION FOR TODAY.

What can seem like routine day-to-day decisions in the FM world are critical drivers in the world’s shift to sustainability.

IFMA’s Sustainability Facility Professional® (SFP®) can show you how to strategically operate sustainable facilities and create lasting impact for your organization and the world.

� Learn to maximize facility efficiency + develop strategy for sustainable use of water, energy and other resources.

� Measure + report the effects of sustainability on your organization’s strategic plan while engaging stakeholders in your initiatives.

� Study emerging trends like circular economy.

The construction and building sectors are responsible for 33 percent of global resource consumption and 40 percent of global waste.1

The SFP is more than a credential. It is a commitment:

TO SETTING TARGETS THAT MATTER

TO CLOSING THE SAY-DO GAP

TO REDUCING YOUR FOOTPRINT

TO MAKING A MEASURABLE, MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN YOUR FACILITIES AND YOUR CAREER.

BECOME A SUSTAINABILITY EXPERT

� Learn online with courses available 24/7

� Optional virtual Learning Labs available in early 2023

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Get started now: OR ifma.org/sfp

The SFP is a means to create value and change the perception that facility management is just a cost center.

[1] Ellen MacArthur (2019) From Principles to Practices: Realising the value of circular economy in real estate. Acharya, D., Boyd, R. and Finch, O. A Report of Ellen MacArthur Foundation and ARUP. Ness, D.A. and Xing, K. (2017) Toward a ResourceEfficient Built Environment, A Literature Review and Conceptual Model, Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 572-592, DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12586.

I gained a lot of [sustainability] vocabulary and vernacular from the SFP. This credential helped me translate ethereal concepts into practical application.

DIRECTOR

RON ALLAN GO-ACO, ENG., MA/MBA, LEED AP, CEM, CMVP, SFP, CRE ENERGY PROGRAM MANAGER | SACRAMENTO COUNTY

LYNN BAEZ, CFM, FMP, SFP, CBCP, IFMA

FELLOW

OF FACILITY OPERATIONS FOR THE BAY AREA | GOOGLE

THE TOP 10 MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES

THE WORLD’S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES (1973–2023)

humAnkind is now double the size it was in 1973. Of course, that growth has been far from uniform, and the ranking of the world’s most populous countries continues to evolve. Using the latest data available from the United Nations, we’ve looked at which countries have the largest share of the planet’s eight billion people.

THE TOP 20 MOST POPULOUS COUNTRIES

Things get even more interesting when we examine the top 20 most populous countries over the same time period.

Looking back 50 years ago, Nigeria was the lone African nation in the top 20. Today, it is joined by Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – all of which have experienced staggering population growth. African nations are expected to lead population growth over the next few decades. By 2100, one quarter of the world’s people are expected to be African

Europe is the flip side of this equation. Back in 1973, there were six European countries in this top list. Today, only Russia and Germany remain, with the latter country soon to fall out of the top 20 ranking. Ukraine, which was shrinking, is expected to fall to at least 41st place due to the turmoil surrounding the Russian invasion of the country. Since the invasion began in February 2022, nearly 14 million border crossings have been recorded from Ukraine to other countries.

HOW BIG WILL POPULATIONS GET?

Once India becomes the world’s largest country, it will likely remain so for many decades in the future, peaking in the 2060s (unless there are substantial changes in projected growth rates). India’s peak population will stand at around 1.7 billion people.

The world’s population is expected to peak later, around the 2080s. Humanity’s peak population is expected to be about 10.5 billon. n

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Time wounds all heels

IF YOU DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE

We repair what your husband fixed

WE WILL HEEL YOU

WE WILL SAVE YOUR SOLE

WE WILL EVEN DYE FOR YOU

We ran out of room, so you’ll have to imagine a picture for each of these. AT A PROPANE FILLING STATION: "Thank Heaven for little grills."

OUTSIDE A MUFFLER SHOP: "No appointment necessary.We hear you coming."

IF WE SEE SMOKE, WE WILL ASSUME YOU ARE ON FIRE AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION

IN A VETERINARIAN’S WAITING ROOM: "Be back in 5 minutes. Sit! Stay!"

AT THE ELECTRIC COMPANY: " We would be delighted if you send in your payment on time. However, if you don't,YOU will be de-lighted.

IN A RESTAURANT WINDOW: "Don't stand there and be hungry; come on in and get fed up."

ON THE BACK OF ANOTHER SEPTIC TANK TRUCK: "Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"

Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you. (Winston Churchill)

AUSTRALIA'S PURPOSE-BUILT

PRIDE CENTRE

loCAted in melbourne, the Victorian Pride Centre is Australia's first purposebuilt center for LGBTQ+ communities. Designed by Brearley Architects and Urbanists and Grant Amon Architects, the five-story building resembles a collection of tubes in a stacked formation that grow taller as it moves further from the street. Circular cutouts punctuate the façade revealing layers of concrete beneath.

Street-facing terraces at the front provide the Victorian Pride Centre a prime location for events as well as viewing areas for relevant street parades and marches. The building houses several organizations that will use it as their workspace base while there are also spaces for external group meetings, events, and projects. There are also health and welfare centers, a book shop, a gallery, and a theatre; a cafe, rooftop event space and a community garden are planned to be added as the next stage of development. n

THE FACTOR

Photography courtesy of John Gollings

A Multi-Discipline Network

for Real Estate Professionals REAL

is right for you….

AMERICA’S FAVORITE RCHITECTURE

As pArt of the commemoration of the organization's 150th anniversary in 2007, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the list of the 150 highest-ranked structures as "America's Favorite Architecture". It was based upon a study by Harris Interactive over the course of two years polling a sample of the AIA membership and later polling a sample of the public. The public's preferences were ranked using a "like-

ability" scale developed for the study. AIA president R.K. Stewart acknowledged that the rankings did not represent architects' professional judgments, but instead reflected people's "emotional connections" to buildings. As a result, many buildings that architects consider highly significant did not make the list.

In our last five issues, we presented the top seventy-five. This is Part 6 of our 10-part series and here are 76-90. n

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AMAZ NG BU LDINGS

BY ANGELA O’BYRNE

BACK TO THE FACTORY: CITIES BET BIG ON THE RETURN OF THE OFFICE

fACinG An unCertAin eConomy and a cracked-open labor market, employers are reaching for whatever competitive edge they can find in the battle for talent. And, while pay and perks remain the most obvious tactics for winning the hearts of prospective employees, there’s a third p-word that can tip the balance amongst the most discerning candidates: PLACE.

Investing in flashy work environments might seem counter-intuitive while many organizations’ back-to-the-office strategies are still being met with grumbling resistance. However, some companies are doubling down on a new class of statement office. Forget corporate complexes, conventional office towers, or even custombuilt headquarters. The next era of development may be remembered for workplaces that feel more like leisure destinations than office parks. After all, if you can’t mandate attendance, you might as well inspire it.

Plenty of cities have seen the emergence of buzzy neighborhoods anchored around crowd-pleasing historic reclamation

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sed until, upon further inquiry, I learned that he was washing dishes with hot water under his wife’s supervision.

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projects. But two massive projects in development—one in Brooklyn, one in London—may yet define the genre. Both reimagine iconic, monumental brick buildings as trendy mixed-use destinations. Both take advantage of incredible riverside sites. And both, in their sheer scope and ambition, are sure to become textbook examples of post-pandemic prestige planning.

Perched over the East River, the Domino Sugar factory has long felt like a relic in thoroughly-gentrified Williamsburg.

Surrounded by high-rises, the red brick building is squat by comparison—more in conversation with the Williamsburg Bridge than its hyper-contemporary neighbors. However, a long-gestating attempt to salvage the site is now well underway. In fact, this past December the building got its signature yellow rooftop sign back—or at least a completely refurbished LED version.

SHoP Architects’ plans for the Domino site will ultimately offer 600,000 square feet of office space, 2,800 apartments, and

six acres of parkland along the river—all coming in at a price tag approximately $3 billion. The complex is targeting high-end retail tenants, buzzy restaurants, and the kind of companies that would usually office in the heart of Manhattan.

Central to the site is the refinery, a cluster of interconnected brick buildings that were once some of the tallest in the borough. As dedicated landmarks, their facades have been encased in glass, while a brand-new building-within-a-building will offer up generous slabs of Class-A office space. Atop the refinery will sit a breathtaking barrel-shaped vaulted rooftop, which will create 27,000 square feet of desirable penthouse office space. Boasting uninterrupted views over the river, the dramatic space is sure to become a new crown jewel of status New York real estate.

However, the Domino Sugar factory has significant competition across the pond. Britain’s Battersea Power Station boasts an even more iconic silhouette. Dominated by four enormous smokestacks, the imposing art deco giant is album-cover famous thanks to Pink Floyd. Encompassing 42 acres, the rehabilitation of Battersea power plant and the construction of adjoining buildings will ultimately be an $11 billion endeavor, stewarded by a group of Malaysian investors.

Re-opening in 2022, the monumental, tenyear redevelopment effort has transformed the long-dormant coal power plant into a giant leisure complex. In all, the renovation required the creation of 1.75 million replacement bricks, a new roof, and a total replacement of the factory’s famous chimneys.

The resulting development feels like something a team of imagineers might conjure up. Luxury brands sell their wares in former turbine halls. In Control Room B, a kitschy (and thoroughly themed) cocktail bar, mixologists toil alongside 1950’s-era

control modules and synchroscopes. And tourists can pay 15 dollars to take an elevator (marketed as the Lift 109 experience) to an observation deck that atop one of the smokestacks.

By repurposing and reimagining massive industrial environments, both Battersea and the Domino Sugar Factory imagine a vision of work that dispenses with drudgery. They are art-directed environments that propose productivity and leisure aren’t opposites but instead two sides of a well-balanced lifestyle.

Will replacing the smells of burnt sugar and fired coal with designer scents convince pandemic-weary workers to come back to the office? Only time will tell. This year Apple is set to open their Foster + Partners-designed corporate office at Battersea, encompassing nearly 500,000 square feet of airy retro-futurist workspace clad in warm brickwork. If Apple’s hunch is right, more and more of us might find ourselves working in a factory. Who could have predicted that? n

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Angela O’Byrne, FAIA, is President of Perez, APC, a 70+ year-old architecture, planning, interior design, and construction firm. She is also a Contributing Editor of aobyrne@e-perez.com

Do you know why British people say bri ish? Because they drank the tea.

for over 130 yeArs, Clemson University has been committed to sustainability—challenging students, faculty, and staff to think deeply about and engage in social, scientific, economic, and professional issues. And Clemson is growing. Keeping up with its increasing student population means that Clemson’s campus is always expanding—but they’re not just building run-of-the-mill campus facilities. Construction teams are using Green Globes assessment and certification to ensure they’re thinking about sustainability, resilience, and occupant health and wellness for occupants from start to finish, and they’re involving up-and-coming civil engineering students in the process.

BUILDING A MORE SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

In 2004, Clemson’s facilities maintenance and operations team recognized the need to reduce environmental impact and deliver high-performing facilities and therefore adopted a sustainable building policy that required third-party green building certification. Clemson redoubled its efforts and added a sustainable energy policy in 2008. Since then, Clemson has achieved a green building certification of Two Green Globes or LEED Silver on 30+ new construction projects.

Clemson achieved a goal of 20% energy efficiency in 2020 and is well on the way to being carbon neutral by 2030.

“The Green Globes building certification has become an integrated part of large capital projects at Clemson,” said Tommi Jones, University Facilities Capital Projects. “Having a Green Globes Assessor evaluate our projects onsite has helped us understand how to document more complicated aspects like our campus-wide wastewater system.”

Green Globes has also been conducive to Clemson’s ambitious construction goals. The process has been economical in terms of both time and budget. After the Green Globes Assessor completes a final inspection and walkthrough, Clemson receives certification confirmation within four weeks.

DESIGNING A MORE SUSTAINABLE WORLD

Sustainability is a way of life at Clemson, and students in the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering are receiving a well-rounded, hands-on education that includes how to design and build deliberately and collaboratively for a more sustainable future.

It’s not just coursework, research symposiums, workshops and lectures. It’s learning how to design real projects with a sustainable mindset from the start and factoring in sustainable practices every step of the way. Clemson civil engineering students gain real-world experience as part of their programs. “Living Learning” puts students elbow to elbow with construction professionals.

SUSTAINABILITY HAS DEEP ROOTS AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY

As seniors, civil engineering students complete a Keystone course, which includes opportunities to attend construction meetings for buildings currently in construction on campus. This teaches students how to manage projects effectively to meet the needs and requirements of varying stakeholders. They also work with professionals from many disciplines and apply the theories, methods, and ideas learned in the classroom to real projects. Long before they’ve graduated, Clemson engineering students have a leg up in the industry, and many land jobs before they’ve received their diplomas.

The Keystone course also includes designing sustainable buildings and evaluating efficiency factors through the Green Globes certification process. Dr. Zoraya Rockow, a Clemson civil engineering graduate (1995, 2000, 2020), leads the Keystone course. She also holds a Green Globes Professional credential and guides her students through the Green Globes for New Construction online questionnaire during the design process.

“Our students work through the Green Globes online questionnaire exactly as they would if they were building a real project,” explained Rockow. “They log into the platform and assess their projects to figure out what sustainability factors are appropriate. They access GBI’s technical manual, and they can see, in real-time, what they can do to implement and improve sustainability. This experience truly jumpstarts their careers and advances building practices for the future.”

FULL-CIRCLE SUSTAINABILITY AT CLEMSON

While the built environment is key to a more sustainable future for all, so many more factors come into play. Clemson’s Sustainability Action Plan provides a thorough look into how the university plans to meet its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

Clemson students have gladly taken up the mantle of sustainability, forming specific sustainability-focused organizations dedicated to upholding the principles and values of the next generation. From sustainable agriculture to Engineers Without Borders, the Student Government Sustainability Committee, and Solid Green, a club focused on minimizing waste on campus, Clemson students have covered a lot of ground. They understand that sustainability touches every aspect of life, from what we eat, the products we buy, how we move and the way we build.

“Clemson provides an education that is next-level,” Rockow said. “It was excellent when I earned my B.S. in civil engineering back in 1995, and today it’s truly exceptional. From coursework to student life, Clemson students are leaders who are dedicated to creating a better future for us all.” n

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...?

BY T. J. EDWARDS

It is December 2022, and much of the financial world is watching the colossal collapse of a multibillion-dollar corporate company called FTX. Stories of investors losing billions of dollars as the result of corporate mismanagement and greed reminds me, “Wait…we’ve seen this movie before” right? It was a different December. It was December 2001. And it was the collapse of the Enron Corporation. Enron was a U.S. energy, services and commodities company headquartered in Houston, Texas. With a workforce of approximately 20,000 workers, Enron was the seventh largest corporation in the U.S.. With revenues close to $101 billion, the company was named by Fortune as “America’s Most Innovative Company” for six successive years.

…ENRON

“HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM”

for auditors, accountants and senior executives, huge requirements for record keeping, and criminal penalties for securities laws violations. The collapse of Enron gave many average Americans pause about investing. After all, if a giant like Enron could collapse, what investments could they trust?

The same parallels are making headlines about the FTX corporate collapse. The results are a loss of confidence and significant turbulence in the world’s bitcoin and financial markets. Ramifications from FTX’s collapse are not yet even fully known. They are still playing out in real-time. So, using Enron’s bankruptcy experience as a guide, we can expect FTX’s collapse will lead to increased government regulations, possible criminal charges, and a number of longer-term financial repercussions. So, “yes”. The collapse of Enron, and now FTX, does matter because people are flat-out tired of getting screwed over and deceived. Adding insult to injury, like Enron, we again see the all-too-familiar pattern of top FTX corporate executives living lavish and gluttonous lifestyles.

ENRON’S ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE LESSON

its followers. This lack of regard for ethics showed that the company’s top leaders had no shared vision with its employees that went beyond making profits. At Enron, greed was good. And that is the funny thing about culture. It always tells the truth.

LEADERSHIP AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Two main leaders emerged from Enron’s historical collapse. Jeffrey Skilling and Andrew Fastow.

Jeffrey Skilling served as Enron’s President and Chief Operating Officer and later CEO. He was given the task of building a staff of executives. Reportedly, he had a big ego, which prevented him from seeing his faults and taking corrective actions, inevitably leading the company to one of the largest business failures in history. Mr. Skilling was sentenced to more than 24 years in jail, but he ultimately served only 12.

ENRON’S COLLAPSE

In early December 2001 the Enron Corporation was a darling of Wall Street investors, with $63.4 billion in assets. By the end of December, Enron went bust. It was the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. Remark-ably, the circumstances that led to Enron’s complete corporate collapse and meltdown are abnormally similar to the current FTX meltdown and bankruptcy. As Mark Twain (1835-1910) once cautioned us, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Even if Enron’s implosion isn’t an historical copy, it is at least a collective "déjà vu" moment as the world watches the unfolding FTX drama.

WHY IT MATTERS?

Enron’s collapse sent ripples through the financial system in 2001. The government introduced a set of stringent regulations

Culture is the unabashed, unveiled, purest representation of the atmosphere that drives an organization. For any large company to thrive and be productive, it requires a healthy corporate culture among its workers and employers. One of the more important lessons from Enron was that not all organizational cultures lead to success.

Enron reportedly had a toxic corporate culture. There was no trust or openness between top executives and employees. The result was a workplace filled with secrecy and suspicion. It also spurned internal competition and negativity. Top Enron executives fashioned a toxic corporate culture by means of corruption, greed, and deception. And by failing to sustain an open relationship and trust with its employees, Enron’s executives inevitably drove the company to an unhappy ending. Whenever employees questioned some of the practices and decisions of the company’s leaders, they were either ignored or fired. Leaders at Enron cared more about enriching themselves than the demands of

Andrew Fastow served as Enron’s Chief Financial Officer. He and other top Enron executives put pressure on the Arthur Andersen accounting firm to ignore some of Enron’s high-risk accounting practices thereby misleading both the board of directors and audit committee. Mr. Fastow was a major contributor to Enron’s downfall because he manipulated financial statements while also pressuring the auditing team to ignore ethical business practices. This allowed Fastow and other top executives to enrich themselves. He pled guilty in 2006 and was sentenced to six years in prison; he was released in 2011.

The FTX collapse continues to unfold. So far, the focus is on the company’s 35-yearold founder, Sam Bankman-Fried (also known by his initials, SBF). Until recently, SBF was the institutional face of the cryptocurrency industry. He was a regulator-

é Sam Bankman-Fried

whisperer and a big donor to the Democratic Party. His meteoric rise made him one of the richest men in the world with a fortune that exceeded $21 billion. His fortune apparently evaporated in just a few days between Nov. 8th and Nov. 11th.

LAVISH SPENDING AND LIFESTYLES

Enron’s executives lived large and spent lavishly. Everything Enron did had to be better and flashier -- from new business ventures it unveiled nearly every year, to the way it celebrated Secretaries' Day with gifts of Waterford crystal. No gesture seemed too over-the-top. Extravagance, in and of itself, did not bring the company down. But the company's spending reflected a profligate corporate culture according to many former Enron employees.

Top executives were said to cast traditional business controls by the wayside. Enron’s leaders insisted they were unaware of financial details. They had relaxed attitudes about conflicts of interest, and they let executives sit on both sides of multimillion-dollar deals – all of which figured heavily in the company's collapse. At employee meetings for one division, Enron International, a live elephant made a cameo appearance — twice. For one family picnic, Enron rented the 85-acre Six-Flags AstroWorld amusement park. Employees flew first-class or business-class and stayed exclusively at luxury hotels. The company's parking garage was filled with Porsches, Ferraris and BMWs—all emblematic of the sizable bonuses many employees “earned.”

From what we know so far, the disgraced head of FTX (SBF) moved to the Bahamas in 2021. He lives in a $30 million dollar penthouse in the compound’s seaside Orchid residence. He and nine FTX confidants ran an “Enron-like” crypto-currency exchange empire from his Bahama’s estate. According to reports, the tycoon’s island life remains rife with hypocrisy and dark secrets. As of this writing, SBF is still in the Bahamas as investigators and others are picking through the debris of what is left of FTX and the millions of dollars that are missing.

AMOUNT LOST & COLLATERAL DAMAGE

One notable effect of the Enron scandal on the corporate world was the dissolution of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm. It had been one of the five largest audit and accountancy partnerships in the world. Talk about collateral damage! Enron’s collapse resulted in the loss of more than $60 billion in assets.

Venture capital firm Sequoia, a major FTX investor, has just written off its entire FTX platform investment. In a letter, Sequoia stated that it valued its $210 million investment in FTX at $0 and considered it a total loss. $32 billion in losses are reported so far from FTX’s bankruptcy. FTX claims it owes another $1 billion to its 50 largest creditors, and FTX still owes more money to over 1 million total creditors. Again, so much collateral damage!

LESSONS?

What happened with ENRON in 2001 remains a powerful leadership lesson and reminder. It is everyone’s job in an organization to exemplify and live a company's vision and ensure everyone is positively contributing to it C-Suite and senior executives, however, are most responsible for setting and establishing their organization’s operating environment and culture. Bottom-line: It starts at the top.

Enron and FTX provide us two laserfocused examples of what happens when a company’s senior leaders are only committed to themselves, and not committed to the expressed company’s values, customers, and employees. Enron’s executives displayed how a powerful organizational culture of greed and mismanagement eventually catches up, and ultimately destroys. Unfortunately for FTX, we’ve “seen this movie before” and the "déjà vu" feeling is reminiscent of the Enron v company collapse in 2021. n

[Ed. As we go to press, Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) has been extradited to the United States, arrested, and released on $250 million bail.]

T. J. Edwards recently retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service.

tjedwardsjr23@gmail.com

A good slogan for the World Health Organization would be WHO Cares.

The Most INNOVATIVE COUNTRIES In The World

sinCe 2000, GlobAl investment in research and development (R&D) has tripled to $2.4 trillion. In 1960, the U.S. made up nearly 70% of global R&D spending, and by 2020 this had fallen to 30%. From job creation and public health to national security and industrial competitiveness, R&D plays a vital

role in a country’s economic growth and innovation, impacting nearly every corner of society—either directly or indirectly.

The infographic on the opposite page ranks the world’s most innovative economies using data from the UN’s WIPO Global Innovation Index The framework used for the index was designed to create a more complete analysis, comprised of 81 indicators across seven categories to calculate a country’s score. Those categories were: Business Sophistication, Market Sophistication, Infrastructure, Human Capital & Research, Institutions, Creative Outputs, and Knowledge & Technology Outputs. Research specifications and additional graphics are available <HERE>. Below you can view enlargements by region of the graphic on the opposite page. n

UKRAINE

the united nAtions eduCAtionAl, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal value to cultural or natural heritage which have been nominated by countries that are signatories to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. Cultural heritage consists of monuments (such as architectural works, monumental sculptures, or inscriptions), groups of buildings, and sites (including archaeological sites). Natural heritage is defined as natural features (consisting of physical and biological formations), geological and physiographical formations (including habitats of threatened species of animals and plants), and natural sites which are important from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty. Ukraine officially adopted the UNESCO Convention and became an independent member in 1988, while still officially being a part of the Soviet Union (prior to its dissolution in 1991).

As of 2022, there are seven World Heritage Sites listed in Ukraine, six of which are cultural sites and one of which, the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, is a natural site. The first site listed was "Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra", in 1990. The most recent sites listed were the Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region in Poland and Ukraine and the Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora, in 2013. Three sites are transnational: the Wooden Tserkvas are shared with Poland, the Struve Geodetic Arc is shared with nine countries, and the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests are shared with 17 countries. In addition, Ukraine has 17 sites on its tentative list.

As of November 28 2022, UNESCO has verified damage to 221 sites since February

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION

WORLD HERITAGE LIST

24th – 98 religious sites, 17 museums, 78 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 18 monuments, and 10 libraries. Today, there are certain to be more. (See a regularly updated report at www.unesco.org) UNESCO is conducting a preliminary damage assessment for cultural properties by cross-checking the reported incidents with multiple credible sources. UNESCO, with its partner organizations, is also developing a mechanism for independent coordinated assessment of data in Ukraine, including satellite image analysis, in line with provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

01/ The Saint-Sophia Cathedral was constructed in the 11th century, soon after the Christianization of Kievan Rus'. Mosaics and frescos from that period have been preserved in the interior. Monastic buildings around the cathedral were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries in Ukrainian Baroque

style. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is a monastic ensemble which was developing from the 11th to the 19th centuries. It is comprised of churches, monasteries, and caves where saints were buried. It was an important center of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

02/ The city of Lviv was founded in the late Middle Ages and still preserves its medieval topography. The city has been shaped by the interactions of the different communities that have lived there through centuries, including various Christian groups, Muslims, and Jews. The architecture of the city represents a fusion of styles from Eastern Europe with the influences coming from Italy and Germany. Several buildings from the Renaissance and Baroque periods have been preserved.

03/ The Struve Geodetic Arc is a series of triangulation points, stretching over a distance of 1,750 miles from Hammerfest in Norway to the Black Sea. The points were set up in a survey by the astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm von Struve who first carried out an accurate measurement of a long segment of a meridian, which helped to establish the size and shape of Earth. Originally, there were 265 station points. The World Heritage Site includes 34 points in 10 countries (North to South: Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine), four of which are in Ukraine. (Pictured is a site marker in Felshtyn.)

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Umnervtisv. it deosnet mttaer in waht oredr the Itteers in wrod are, the olny ipromotnt thing is taht the frist and Isat Itteer be in the rghit pclae. The rest can be a toatl mses and you can sill raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervev letter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe.

Photo credit: Paweł "pbm" Szubert. Wikipedia, CC-BY-SA-3.0

A priest was checking into a hotel. He asked the clerk: “I presume that the pornography channel is disabled?” “No,” replied the clerk, “it's just regular porn, you pervert!”

04/ The Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe is a transnational site encompassing 94 component parts (forests of European beech trees in 18 European countries. In many of these stands (especially those in the Carpathians), these forests were allowed to proceed without interruption or interference since the last ice age. They document the undisturbed postglacial repopulation of the species.

05/ The Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans was built for the Eastern Orthodox metropolitan bishop in the late 19th century, when the region was under the rule of Austria-Hungary. It was designed by the Czech architect Josef Hlávka and built

in the historicist style—combining the features of Byzantine, Gothic, and Baroque architecture. The complex served as the bishop's residence until World War II. In 1955, the property was transferred to Chernivtsi University.

06/ The Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese and its Chora was founded by Dorian Greeks in the 5th century BCE on the coast of the Black Sea in the southwestern part of the Crimean Peninsula.. In the following centuries, the city saw the interactions of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine communities in the region. It was ultimately abandoned in the 15th century. The area around the city was important due to its wine production, and the remains of ancient vineyards have been well preserved.

07/ This property comprises 16 wooden churches (tserkvas) in the Carpathian Mountains, eight of which are in Ukraine. (The others are in Poland.) The churches were built between the 16th and 19th centuries by the communities of Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic faiths. The designs are based on the Orthodox ecclesiastical traditions with local influences. They feature wooden bell towers, iconostasis screens, and interior polychrome decorations, as well as churchyards, gatehouses, and graveyards. (The Holy Trinity Church in Zhovkva is pictured.)

The 17 sites that are on the tentative list can be viewed <HERE>. n

BY JUSTIN DRAPLIN

AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO TRADITIONAL HOUSING

Florida Product Approval with HVHZ. They “are built to last, even in extreme circumstances,” Draplin asserts.

Another important feature that allows them to be livable off-the-grid is advanced water filtration. Water and sewage can be among the costliest utilities a homeowner has and are, unfortunately, also the most difficult utilities to forego. After all, clean running water is a necessity to lead a healthy lifestyle, but thanks to the technology built into these cottages, owners no longer have to hook up to municipal water services for washing or drinking water.

in the Current housinG market, rent is becoming more expensive, and availability is dwindling. Many looking to buy their first home right now have found themselves unable to do so due to a market that won’t — or can’t — accommodate their needs. The same goes for empty nesters trying to find a good downsizing solution; appropriately sized housing at an affordable price is missing.

However, some have found exciting alternative solutions, such as tiny homes like those offered by ECLIPSE cottages. The main factor that distinguishes these cottages, and the one that makes them such an eco-friendly and sustainable living option, is that they can be powered entirely by solar panels They “include up to 8kw of high-tech solar power technologies in every cottage we build,” explains Justin Draplin, Founder and CEO “Customers also have the option of adding on a lithiumion battery backup.”

Indeed, these cottages produce more energy than they consume, allowing them to live off the grid for the average homeowner. With the optional battery backup in place, most cottage owners can comfortably live entirely off-the-grid with some on-site modifications, as the homes generally produce and store enough energy to power themselves in temporarily overcast

conditions less conducive to solar power generation.

One of the biggest concerns about many tiny homes is whether they are durable enough to withstand unfavorable conditions. ECLIPSE cottages have steel SIP construction recognized by the ICC-ES and approved by the FBC, as well as having

ECLIPSE cottages also stand out from the competition by offering up to four times the level of insulation required of homes of this type and size by residential building codes. In addition to the benefits this offers concerning sustainability and energy efficiency, the insulation also prevents pest/insect and water intrusion and eliminates mold, mildew, smoke, pollen, and other potential health contaminants.

I tried sniffing coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck up my nose.

These cottages are also move-in ready; purchasers are only responsible for furniture and some appliances in certain models. ECLIPSE will deliver and level the cottage. At that point, the buyer only has to furnish their home, and have it hooked up to local utilities should they opt to not include the off-the-grid upgrades for their unit. If the customer purchases the base model, there is no need for extra permitting, running utilities, or hiring additional contractors. Although some added features may require extra work — such as an optional porch add-on — the base model cottages are quite simple to install wherever a customer chooses to call their home.

Much of the reason tiny homes have gained such popularity and interest in the market is their affordability. “With prices beginning at $25,000 for the base model, ECLIPSE cottages are significantly more cost-effective than many housing alternatives,” says Draplin. “And unlike most traditional low-income housing options, your ongoing maintenance and utilities are less because of the quality construction.”

In addition to the low price point, these cottages have greater efficiency and lower maintenance costs. “Many forms of housing considered ‘low-income’ or ‘affordable’ housing may have lower rent or mortgage payments, but there are hidden costs that can be expensive in the long run,” explains Draplin. “Because many ‘affordable housing’ buildings are older, they cost more to upkeep and typically have higher energy costs. This isn’t an issue with (our) cottages.”

They are also eligible for financing through their partners, with no down payment in some cases for qualified applicants. ECLIPSE cottage customers could pay as little as $99 per month on the company’s latest model home, in addition to any fees they may have for the land or community in which they are located.

Although customers can choose to have their cottage delivered to wherever they live in the United States, some decide to live in one of ECLIPSE’s communities in South Carolina, which they call villages. The three communities are designed for like-minded individuals who wish to live sustainably and within a community. With plenty of amenities, tight-knit neighborhoods, and

low community fees,these villages are an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to invest in a sustainable lifestyle.

ECLIPSE’s newest cottage model, the Comet, is now available. This beautiful and sleek 128-square-foot compact cottage offers all of the ultramodern technology and amenities and meets all ANSI standards. Ideal for those who are looking for a super affordable place to live or wish to go off-grid and be completely sustainable, the Comet is the next evolution of ECLIPSE’s cottage offerings. It can be delivered directly to the customer’s property or purchased within one of the villages. Should a customer host the cottage on their property, it can serve as a wonderful accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in lieu of a traditional “mother-in-law suite,” or even be rented as an Airbnb to create a revenue stream and help pay your mortgage and bills.

ECLIPSE cottages are not only an affordable and viable way to live; they also offer significant environmental benefits. “Our customers have said time and time again that they love the sustainable lifestyle that our cottages offer them,” asserts Draplin. “They have the ability to live independently and affordably while helping the environment at the same time.” n

Justin Draplin is the Founder and CEO of Eclipse Cottages sales@eclipsecottages.com

February 2nd is Groundhog Day. On that day, if a groundhog emerges from its burrow, sees its shadow, and scurries back to its den, it is said that we can expect six more weeks of winter. If not, then spring will come early. Thanks to the eponymous 1993 movie starring Bill Murray, festivities celebrating the day have become quite popular. The biggest one takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, home of the legendary Punxsutawney Phil. (This is also the place where the tradition originated back in the 1880s.) However, the initial celebration, called “the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club,” involved large groups of visitors prowling the hillsides, hunting the groundhogs for dinner.

The club was the brainchild of a local newspaper editor named Clymer Freas. Back then, the train from Pittsburgh passed through Punxsutawney to reach a nearby coal plant, and locals wanted a way to make people stop, instead of just passing through. Freas began using flashy descriptions for the groundhog hunts, hoping to draw larger crowds. The tradition morphed into an over-the-top weather forecast soon, and in 1886, Punxsutawney Phil became the Weather Prophet.

Isaac Newton (who was born in 1642—the same year Galileo died) believed he was potentially part of a line of great men to receive great and ancient wisdom. He even created a special name for himself — "Jehovah Sanctus Unus," or "to Jehovah, the Holy One".

The "O" before an Irish name, such as "O'Reilly," means "descendant of."

The Salto del Colacho (Jump of the Colacho), celebrated each year in the small town of Castrillo de Murcia in Spain, is a week-long celebration dating back to the early 1600s which culminates with a man dressed as a devil scaring locals and jumping over babies. Controversial as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the celebration is believed to cleanse the newborn of their original sin. After the Colacho has jumped over the babies, they are showered in rose petals and often blessed by the local priest before being collected by their parents. See a video of this bizarre and controversial celebration here: youtu.be/zheUrV2Bn-Y

A group of penguins in the water is called a “raft;” on land, that same group is called a “waddle.” Penguins have a very fast metabolism; they poop about every 20 minutes.

Most perfume is made from sperm whale puke. The waxy secretion belched out by Sperm Whales (known ‘ambergris’) is a component to making perfumes because of its pleasant smell.

The word ‘almost’ is the longest word in English with all of its letters in alphabetical order.

A grasshopper's ears are on its belly, not its head.

The word ‘quarantine’

comes from the Venetian dialect of Italian and the words ‘quaranta giorni’, meaning ‘forty days’. This derives from the fact that when it was discovered that ships were infested with plague-carrying rats, they had to sit at anchor outside Venice’s city walls for forty days before coming ashore.

In 1717, John Law (the highly respected head of France’s private central bank) obtained a 25-year monopoly on trade and the development of Louisiana around the Mississippi River. In 1761, he came up with the idea of offering freedom to prisoners in Paris on the condition that they would marry a prostitute and move to Louisiana. The prisons of Paris were overflowing, and his company (the Mississippi Company) needed laborers.

Dad: “Hey, Son, what are you drinking?”

Son: “Soy milk.”

Dad: “Hola, milk. Soy padre.”

Q: What do you call an indecisive B? A may-be.

FAMILY HOUSING

Even with the interest rates rising, the prices for homes are still priced high. Renters are putting their dreams of home ownership on the back burner until the bubble bursts or until interest rates come down. Yearly 20% increases for singlefamily homes mean ownership is not financially wise, and many have chosen to wait out the economy.

BY LAZER STERNHELL

As An investor, why would you choose to purchase multifamily properties such as apartment buildings, duplexes, or triplexes? The answer is simple: as an investment vehicle, multifamily properties offer you the trifecta of cash flow from monthly rentals, appreciation, and tax benefits on your investment.

Multifamily investing has enjoyed a proven track record of success during the last several decades and has recently been trending upward in popularity.

THE PROS AND CONS OF MULTIFAMILY INVESTMENTS IN 2022

During 2022, real estate and rental rates appreciated much more rapidly than over the past decade, and that appreciation put multifamily properties in demand. In fact, we saw rent climb 10% in 65 of 150 major cities. What’s more, these rent increases kept many renters from breaking their leases. Accord-ing to the National Apartment Association, US occupancy rates rose to 96.5% in 2021, surpassing the previous record high set in 2000. Renters are staying in their apartments longer even though they are paying more.

Increasing the number of renters means decreasing vacancy rates. Multifamily units are being snapped up by renters as soon as they open up, and this leads to stable income streams for investors. Never before have investors filled multifamily units so easily, and the shortage of multifamily housing, coupled with population growth, indicates that these trends are not likely to change soon.

High occupancy and high rents are good news for investors holding multifamily properties. In the short term, investments will be excellent sources of passive monthly income, and over the long haul, they will maintain a strong potential for appreciation, as rising rent prices mean a property's value only goes up in the eyes of other investors.

There are still downsides to watch out for as you invest in multifamily properties in today's uncertain economy. Inflation is partially responsible for increasing rent and home values, but it also drives up operating expenses and the cost of repairs. However, if the cost of materials and labor begins eating into your profits, you can always adjust rents to compensate.

Increasing interest rates may be driving renters to your door, but they have disadvantages, too. For example, climbing rates might lead to anxiety if you purchased a property with a variable mortgage. Also, as interest rates rise, it becomes more difficult to find bargains in the multifamily market. Great deals are still out there, but you have to hunt for them.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN MULTIFAMILY INVESTING

Investing through a real estate syndication allows you to contribute capital toward multi-family properties and earn returns passively, even if you have no prior experience. Real estate syndication companies handle all the downsides of multifamily investing, such as ‘needy’ tenants, leaky pipes, and six-legged invaders. Jumping into the deep end of multifamily investing is risky if you are unprepared but investing

with a syndication lets you get your feet wet without any of the stress.

Real estate syndication companies also minimize your upfront investment. Prepare to encounter a high barrier of entry when invest-ing in multifamily properties. Large apartment buildings can cost millions, and you'll need approximately 20% of that cost on hand as a down payment. If you want to get started but don’t have that kind of funding, apartment syndications require far less capital.

Of course, if you have the time and experience, you can earn more of a return by owning your own multifamily property. But remember to treat that investment as a full-time commitment.

Even with 2022's volatile real estate market, we still tally up more pros than cons for multifamily investments. The supply of affordable rental properties is limited, so demand for them increases as soaring prices and interest rates squeeze renters out of home ownership and occupancy rates remain strong. This historic demand for rental properties and insufficient supply offers economic advantages to both you and your renters. In short, there has never been a better time to be a landlord of a multifamily property. n

Lazer Sternhell is the CEO of Cignature Realty, a commercial real estate brokerage in New York City. Lazer@CignatureRealty.com

BY MARK MAXWELL

THE GREENEST COLLEGE CAMPUS

IN THE UNITED STATES UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - MERCED

nestled between the sAn Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the University of California’s newest campus is a showcase of sustainability being named “The Greenest College Campus” by EcoWatch. UC Merced is the 10th campus in the University of California system and the first American research university of the 21st century. It opened in the fall of 2005 to 900 hundred students and now, almost 20 years later, home to almost 10,000.

Being “The Greenest College Campus” began from inception. Sustainability was

embedded into the University of California’s newest campus by the first and late Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey who required all newly constructed buildings to be LEED Silver certified under the USGBC’s green building program. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most prominent green building rating and certification system used

throughout the world. This system rates buildings on their overall environmental performance in a checklist of sustainable design criteria.

After opening, the first 5 buildings were LEED certified, but it was no easy task, especially since LEED was a new program to the design and construction world for new construction. Certifying a building, means sustainable criteria needs to be embedded into programing and design. A LEED consultant and campus LEED coordinator were identified early in the design of these first buildings to insure they achieved LEED certification. Contracts with design teams and consultants had to incorporate LEED requirements along with contract and specifications with LEED requirements for the contractors as well. At the time, there were additional costs to incorporate LEED. This was a new program for building construction, so design teams and contractors were hiring their own LEED consultants to help support them.

The word ‘queue’ is just a ‘Q’ followed by four silent letters.

Your fingers have fingertips, but your toes don't have toetips. Yet, you can tiptoe but not tipfinger.

Because there was uncertainty amongst the contractors as well, with time requirements to manage LEED credits they also included money in their bids for LEED. Today we see little costs, since the buildings codes incorporate much of LEED’s requirements. Today building owners and constructors consider LEED as a design issue, not a cost issue

Since LEED was going to be a campuswide effort for all buildings, we started pursuing a new program within LEED that allowed you to use certain site credits that applied to all campus buildings and call them master site credits. With master site credits, once they are first approved, all campus buildings that pursue LEED certification on the campus would automatically achieve these credits. Some of these master site credits that our campus pursued included alternative transportation for public transportation access, low emitting fuel efficient vehicles, parking capacity, site development for protect and restore habitat and maximize open space, stormwater design for quality and quantity control, environmental tobacco smoke control, innovation design for building as a teaching tool, green cleaning and an assigned LEED Accredited professional on the campus. These were all approved under lead version 2.1, 2.2 and LEED 2009 for building design and construction.

LEED has created a living laboratory for a campus, giving students the opportunity to learn more about sustainable and environmental design which has created interest among students to certify the existing campus buildings under LEED operation and maintenance. In 2015, a LEED lab

class was developed which allowed students to take an existing building, turn it into a project, and certify it under LEED operation and maintenance. Students were able to get real project experience on managing and implementing sustainable operations and features within the building and finding more energy efficient measures that could be implemented. Students were also able to work with multiple campus stakeholders on the operations of these buildings, including procurement, custodial, facilities, and landscaping, and learn from each other about potential sustainable operations, some of which were implemented into other buildings on our campus.

In addition to students, researchers on campus have been able to learn a lot from our sustainable built environment community on campus. Researchers have done a deep dive into energy-related and economic outcomes for LEED buildings in comparison to non-LEED buildings, and the results have shown that highperforming buildings are not just energy and water efficient and they create less carbon, but also that they are healthier, and their building occupants are much happier, which results in less absences and a better working environment.

We now have a new class on campus that prepares students to take the LEED GA exam, which is the first of two steps to become an Accredited LEED Professional.

Our campus LEED buildings have been a major contributor to multiple awards and achieving carbon neutrality. In 2020, our campus was the first public research university in the nation and the first institution in the University of California system to achieve carbon neutrality. n

Mark Maxwell, LEED AP is the Director of Sustainability at the University of California, Merced. mmaxwell@ucmerced.edu

BY DERWIN BROUGHTON

in 2008, A Group of architects and emerging professionals converged upon Boston, Massachusetts to attend the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference. That year marked 40 years since American Civil Right Leader Whitney M. Young, Jr. called out the institute and the profession for lacking diversity.

IMPORTANT VOICES

CLOSE THE GAP – WAYS TO RECRUIT, RETAIN MINORITY ARCHITECTS

In his 1968 keynote address, Young looked over an audience of almost entirely white male faces and boldly stated, “One need only take a casual look at this audience to see that we have a long way to go in this field.” Young proceeded to issue a call to action. “If you don’t as architects stand up and endorse Model Cities and appropriations…if you don’t speak out for some kind of scholarship program that will enable you to consciously and deliberately seek to bring in minority people who have been discriminated against in many cases, either kept out because of your indifference or couldn’t make it—it takes seven to ten years to become an architect—

then you will have done a disservice to the memory of John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Bob Kennedy and most of all, to yourselves.”

Young’s remarks were timely, in the wake of the assassinations of State Senator and Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy just a few days preceding the conference; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1968; Malcolm X in 1965; and President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Each had a unique voice and approach to advancing equality for all. In response to Young’s challenge, the AIA partnered with the precursor to AmeriCorps to improve opportunities for minority architects. Through a grant from the Ford Foundation, a diversity scholarship was also established and many architecture schools serving minority populations were accredited through finan-

cial assistance and support of the grant.

Much like the social unrest of the ‘60s, the unfortunate events of 2020 created a resurgence and acute focus on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in society and more specifically within the profession. Firms nationwide and abroad created leadership positions centered around cultivating a more equitable practice, representing a wider breadth of voices and experiences from different walks of life.

Looking back at the 2008 AIA conference, we examined the numbers. At that time, a report conducted by the University of Cincinnati of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) revealed that 35% of all architecture candidates were products of HBCUs. And

in more recent years based upon the research of Kendall Nicholson of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, HBCUs enrolled onethird of the Black architecture students. Presidents of both the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and AIA in 2022 made joint visits to the seven HBCUs with accredited architecture programs. This unified outreach illustrates a commitment from both organizations to diversifying the profession. Minorities and women at the other 130 institutions of higher learning providing architecture degrees, however, should not be forgotten and require support, mentoring and coaching towards graduation and licensure.

Also of note is the number of women interested in architecture. In 2021, as documented by the National Architectural

The ability to speak several languages is a great asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

é President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Civil Rights leaders Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young Jr, and James Farmer.

She: “Every time I get in the shower, I think of you.”

He: “Is that because you wish I were there with you?”

She: “No. It's because the French word for shower is douche.”

Accrediting Board (NAAB), women represented 51% of graduates from accredited schools of architecture. The 2022 National Council of Architectural Registration Boards’ (NCARB) “By the Numbers” report identified some shifts from Young’s visual survey in 1968 to the state of the profession today. Per the NCARB report, women represented 19% of the profession in 2021. This same report revealed that African Americans comprise merely 2% of the architect population with African American women representing barely .5%. These numbers in large have remained unchanged over the years whereas other underrepresented groups have seen incremental growth in licensure and representation in the profession.

How do we address and attack these disparities in attrition and retention? In 2006, former Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Record, Stephen A. Kliment, FAIA, published an article titled 25 Steps to Diversity. Some of Kliment’s principles, while nearly two decades in practice, are still applicable today. First and foremost, firms must hire, mentor and coach interns and professionals from diverse backgrounds and different walks of life. Mentorship is key in cultivating and developing talent. And as Kliment points out, mentorship should never be coddling. It does however mean providing opportunities for employees that have the ambition, drive, and talent to have access to professional development and leadership development opportunities. Also of importance is promoting these individuals worthy of advancement. Key to all of this is having and keeping a pulse on the diverse talents of your staff and enabling growth.

Exposure to the profession at a young age is also crucial in recruiting a diverse workforce. Programs such as NOMA’s

“Project Pipeline” provides this exposure to underrepresented youth nationwide. In Texas, local chapters in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Central Texas host Project Pipeline summer camps on an annual basis. ACE Mentoring is another great organization that provides outreach and exposure specifically to students in high school in the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. The state component of AIA and the local components each have education outreach programs that seek to educate the youth on architecture as a career of choice. The success of these programs: Project Pipeline, ACE Mentoring, and others can be amplified through the involvement of a diverse mix of mentors and facilitators. There is power in a young person seeing someone who looks like them modeling and representing success in the profession.

While there has been a renewed interest across the industry in closing the crack in recruiting and retaining architects from underrepresented groups, there also is the vulnerability to fall back into the gap of having short memories of the “why.” The cyclical impacts of tragedy and adversity have unfortunately, but fortunately yielded a revived focus upon Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. As an aspiration, firms should work towards this integration as part of the culture in lieu of a program or position that has a time and a season. One must hope that it doesn’t take another tragedy to spur focus back towards the challenge of closing the gap in recruiting and retaining talent that represents the broad spectrum of our society. n

THE FACTOR

THE MASDAR INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

dbroughton@kai-db.com

the mAsdAr institute of Science and Technology (MI) was established in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, UAE in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as an independent non-profit graduate level research university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technology. In February 2017 it merged with the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR), and the Petroleum Institute (PI), to produce one world-class, research-intensive institution, to develop world leaders and critical thinkers in applied science and engineering, called the Khalifa University of Science and Technology (KU).

At KU, Masdar Institute continues to play a critical role in the research structure and culture of the university, serving as an interdisciplinary research unit focused on long-term strategic priorities, which engages a critical mass of faculty. KU’s

sustainability-focused research centers are primarily grouped under the Masdar Institute. As a research institute, MI also connects fundamental research with practical application through its partnership with local and international organizations, like the major renewable energy and sustainable urban development leader Masdar.

The UAE is developing into an icon for innovation and knowledge-based economic development in an environment where public and private sectors form effective partnerships. Masdar Institute is well positioned to support these UAE efforts in the areas of sustainable energy and the environment. As the UAE’s premier cross-disciplinary institution for clean energy, water and the environment, Masdar Institute continues to seek the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for the UAE. n

Derwin Broughton, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP is a Principal for KAI Enterprises based in Dallas-Fort Worth.

BY CHRISTINE NORSTADT

EGAL VIEW EASEMENTS 101

An eAsement desCribes the right of one person to use the land of another person for a specific purpose. Because easements affect the manner in which an owner can use her property, it is important for that owner to understand: the nature of any easement affecting her property and her rights and obligations with respect to such easement.

TYPES OF EASEMENTS

There are two main categories of easements: appurtenant easements and easements in gross.

An appurtenant easement involves at least two properties and describes the rights of one property, which may be legally referred to as the “dominant estate,” over another property, referred to as the “servient estate.” Appurtenant easements will generally “run with the land” meaning that subsequent owners of the properties affected by the easement will be benefited and burdened by it, respectively.

An Access Easement is an appurtenant easement. To illustrate, consider a “Parcel A” commercial property, which is located on the corner of a busy highway and side street, and “Parcel B”, a second commercial property located off the busy highway. Parcel B wants access for its customers off of both the main highway and the side street, so Parcel B may negotiate an access easement with Parcel A, under the terms of which Parcel B may use a certain portion of Parcel A’s property (depicted below with arrows) and Parcel A’s curb cut to the side street, all for the limited purpose of accessing the Parcel B property. In this scenario, Parcel A is the servient estate, and Parcel B is the dominant estate. Future owners of Parcel B will continue to have the rights over Parcel A’s property because the easement runs with the land.

A subset of appurtenant easements are reciprocal easements, which means that each parcel has rights in the other. In a reciprocal easement agreement, a parcel is both servient as to some easement rights and dominant as to others. Returning to the example above, if we add another side street #2 adjacent to Parcel B, and Parcel A has rights to access to side street #2 by crossing over a certain portion of Parcel B, then the parties have a reciprocal easement.

scribes the relationship of the parties, the type of easement and any terms or conditions for the use of the easement. The easement may be temporary in nature, for example, like a construction easement. The easement may impose restrictions on the parties, such as maintenance obligations for the easement area or cost sharing arrangements. The easement may prevent an owner from building or making other changes to the area of his property affected by the easement. The agreement will ideally clearly describe the specific portion of the property which is being burdened by the easement. I always recommend that parties attach not only a written legal description, but also a visual depiction of the easement area.

While an appurtenant easement involves two or more properties, an easement in gross involves only one property and grants certain rights with regard to that property to a particular person or entity. Easements in gross also run with the land, meaning that any subsequent owner will be affected by the easement (so long as the person holding the easement rights exists). Common examples of easements in gross are right of way easements and utility easements.

CREATING AN EASEMENT

There are four ways to create an easement in Georgia:

1. Creation by Deed: The easement is created by an express agreement between the applicable property owners which de-

2.Creation by Prescription: With no express agreement, the party seeking to establish an easement by prescription must prove that he has continuously used the property of another for 20 years (7 years if under “color of title” which means that there is some evidence of the existence of the easement, such as the mention of the easement in a deed). Example: If the owners of Parcel A have used a path across Parcel B for more than 20 years for the purpose of reaching the road, then assuming the Parcel B owner has made no objection to such use, an easement by prescription may have arisen in favor of Parcel A with regard to the path on Parcel B.

3. Creation by law: Upon a petition from an owner of landlocked property and if the petitioner can show that such an ease-

If you buy a bigger bed, you’ll have more bid but less bedroom.

Money can't buy you happiness .... but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery. (Spike Milligan)

ment is necessary to access said property, Georgia courts may order that an access easement to said property be created as a matter of law. In such case, the party seeking the easement will likely be required to compensate the burdened property for the value of the easement so created.

4. Creation by implication: Easements can also be implied, and the fact patterns for implied easements vary. An example of an implied easement arises when a property owner sells the rear portion of his property, but that property has no direct access to a road and the seller does not state in the deed that the new owner has an easement for access. The law will imply an easement for this purpose.

Easements can be terminated by an express agreement of the applicable parties, and they may be legally abandoned, which requires more than just a showing of non-use of the easement.

HOW TO KNOW IF AN EASEMENT AFFECTS YOUR PROPERTY

Generally speaking, easements created by deed or law will be recorded in the public record in the form of an easement agreement, part of a deed or depicted on a recorded survey or plat of the property. An easement of any type may be apparent from a physical inspection of the property (and therefore depicted on a survey of the property, even if that survey is not recorded) or uncovered in an affidavit from the owner given at closing or a representation made in a purchase and sale agreement. Surveys are essential to understanding how easements affected property - a surveyor can plot easements on a survey of the property to provide a visual depiction of an easement for the property owner. If it is unclear if an easement affects a certain property, the surveyor can advise as to what property is described by the easement. n

Christine Norstadt was a Contributing Editor for the Georgia edition of when/where this article originally appeared in September of 2017.

Christine Norstadt is a shareholder in the law firm of Chamberlain Hrdlicka in Atlanta where she focuses on commercial real estate transactions and litigation in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. christine.norstadt@chamberlainlaw.com

THE FACTOR KŌ'ULA

studio GAnG (JeAnne GAnG’s Chicagobased architectural firm) has completed a 41-story residential tower in Honolulu, Hawaii called Kō'ula. Kō'ula means "red sugar cane" in native Hawaiian, and refers to a plant with a twisting structure, hence the façade of the tower which looks out at the nearby Pacific Ocean. To create the rippled form, Studio Gang used a structural system composed of ‘wallumns’, which provide shade for the terraces and allow the interior walls to serve as columns.

As you would expect, the tower was oriented to maximize the number and scope of the ocean views, and it also includes a fitness center on the eighth floor.

"We also designed a series of social spaces and strong links to the adjacent park to help residents meet, come together, and feel part of the larger Ward Village community," said Gang. Studio Gang was founded in 1997 and has designed many noteworthy buildings including Aqua Tower in Chicago and Mira Tower in San Francisco. In 2019, Time Magazine named Jeanne Gang the world’s most influential architect and she recently was awarded the 2023 Le Prix Charlotte Perriand prize for her trailblazing achievements in architecture. n

ç Jeanne Gang

ARTCH TECTURE

STEPHEN MULDOON THE ART

OF CREATING

ART

stephen muldoon is A completely self-taught artist with over 40 years of painting experience. After an extensive career in painting show motorcycles, cars and boats as well as creating frescoes, murals, landscapes, and portraits. He was studying the sunset one evening and the sky looked like copper to him. The lightbulb went off in his head to paint on metal.

After years-long progression of developing his own techniques, mediums and processes the magic of metal art was born,

creating a whole new level of interaction with the viewer. Being able to do things with trick paint and multiple layering that you cannot do on canvas brings a whole new life to his art.

After burying the art under 16 coats of clear, wet sanding in between each coat, and polishing and buffing to a near mirror finish, the final product is what he calls his " Ferrari Finish". Unique paints on metal, brings an archival quality to a whole new standard. You don't have to worry

Nostalgia

To see more of the artist’s work, find galleries and exhibits where it is on display, learn how you can purchase available work, and even how to contact the artist, go to www.muldoonart.com.

WHY ARTCH TECTURE ?

Great art is among the most sublime, meaningful, and redeeming creations of all civilization. Few endeavors can equal the power of great artwork to capture aesthetic beauty, to move and inspire, to change perceptions, and to communicate the nature of human experience. Great art is also complex, mysterious, and challenging. Filled with symbolism, cultural and historical references, and often visionary imagery, great artworks oblige us to reckon with their many meanings.

Architects and designers (many of our readers) have a lot of influence on the way we perceive the world. A structure often plays a significant part in how we experience a place. (Think of a restaurant, a museum, an arena, a stadium... even an office building - virtually anywhere!) The interior design impacts our sensory perception, our comfort, and our physical connection and there is also artistry in the exterior design. (That’s why we call it artchitecture.)

With a watchful eye of the old masters and a hand in contemporary mediums, this is what Muldoon calls ‘The Art of Creating Art’.

rodney dAnGerfield (1921-2004) was an actor, screenwriter, and stand-up comedian, knownfor his roles in 1980s movies like Back to School, Easy Money and Caddyshack. He also performed on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ and ‘The Dean Martin Show’

My wife has to be the worst cook. In my house, we pray after we eat.

I have good looking kids. Thank goodness my wife cheats on me.

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is ugliness.

With girls I get no respect. A belly dancer told me I turned her stomach.

Look out for number one and try not to step in number two.

I’m not a hypochondriac, but my gynecologist firmly believes I am.

ONE NIGHT I ASKED A CABBIE TO TAKE ME WHERE THE ACTION IS. HE TOOK ME TO MY HOUSE.

On Halloween, the parents sent their kids out looking like me.

I haven’t spoken to my wife in years. I didn’t want to interrupt her.

My wife wants sex in the back of the car, and she wants me to drive.

Better to keep quiet and let people think you’re an idiot than speak up and confirm it.

Group sex? Are you kidding? I had group sex – my wife screwed me in front of the jury.

You take care and I hope I’ll run into you – when I’m driving.

I HAD A DATE WITH AN INFLATABLE GIRL. NOW I GOT AN INFLATABLE GUY LOOKING FOR ME.

I was so ugly my parents had to hang a pork chop around my neck to get the dog to play with me.

along with his own – ‘The Rodney Dangerfield Show’. He also played a key role in many comedians’ rise to stardom, including Jim Carrey and Jerry Seinfeld. Here are some of the most hilarious quotes and one-liners from this legendary comedian.

My problem is that I appeal to everyone that can do me absolutely no good.

My father gave me a bat for Christmas. The first time I tried to play with it, it flew away.

I say ‘no’ to drugs. Whenever someone asks me for some of my drugs I say, ‘No”.

I come from a stupid family. During the civil war my great uncle fought for the west.

When I played in the sandbox, the cat kept covering me up.

I came from a real tough neighborhood. Once a guy pulled a knife on me. I knew he wasn’t a professional—the knife had butter on it.

Boy what a hotel that was! They stole my towel!

I went to look for a used car and found my wife’s dress in the back seat.

My sex life is like shooting pool with a rope!

MY EX-WIFE IS A WATER SIGN AND I’M AN EARTH SIGN. TOGETHER WE MADE MUD.

My wife and I have Olympic sex—once every four years.

I’m at the age where food has taken the place of sex in my life. In fact, I’ve just had a mirror put over my kitchen table.

My wife only has sex with me for a purpose. Last night it was to time an egg.

I’m not a sexy guy. I went to a hooker. When I dropped my pants, she dropped her price.

I have nothing but troubles with my car. Every Sunday I take my family out for a push.

I FOUND THERE WAS ONLY ONE WAY TO LOOK THIN: HANG OUT WITH FAT PEOPLE.

I figured out I’m bisexual. I have sex twice a year.

I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample it had an olive in it.

I was making love to my wife the other night. When I looked up, she was on the phone.

The shape I’m in, I could donate my body to science fiction.

My sex life is terrible; my wife put a mirror over our bed. She says she likes to watch herself laugh.

I went to a fight the other night, and a hockey game broke out.

My wife is so fat that when she lays on the beach the people feel sorry for her and try to roll her back into the water.

MY GOLF GAME IS GETTING REALLY GOOD. LAST WEEK, I GOT THROUGH THE WINDMILL.

I DON’T GET NO RESPECT

at the police station, and they have nothing to go on.

Never tell your wife she’s bad in bed. She’ll go out and get a second opinion.

We were so poor; in my neighborhood the rainbow was in black-and-white.

When my old man wanted sex, my mother would show him a picture of me.

I got myself good this morning too. I did my pushups in the nude; I didn’t see the mouse trap.

If sex is a pain in the ass, then you’re doing it wrong.

I TOLD MY WIFE A MAN IS LIKE WINE; HE GETS BETTER WITH AGE. SHE LOCKED ME IN THE CELLAR.

Once I pulled a job, I was so stupid. I picked a guy’s pocket on an airplane and made a run for it.

My mom took me to a dog show and I won!

I’m taking Viagra and drinking prune juice – I don’t know if I’m coming or going.

Last year my birthday cake looked like a prairie fire.

I’M A BAD LOVER. ONCE I CAUGHT A PEEPING TOM BOOING ME.

Never guess your wife’s size. Just buy anything marked petite and hold on to the receipt.

I looked up my family tree and found out I was the sap.

One night I came home. I figured, let my wife come on. I’ll play it cool. Let her make the first move. She went to Florida.

My wife says 90% of sex occurs between the ears. But I need a girl who can blow more just my mind.

My wife has cut our lovemaking down to once a month, but I know two guys she’s cut out entirely.

I had plenty of pimples as a kid. One day I fell asleep in the library. When I woke up, a blind man was reading my face.

I STUCK MY HEAD OUT THE WINDOW AND GOT ARRESTED FOR MOONING.

My wife is so fat that the last time I saw something that big it was grazing.

My uncle’s dying wish – he wanted me on his lap. He was in the electric chair.

During sex, my girlfriend always wants to talk to me. Just the other night she called me from a hotel.

FOR TWO HOURS, SOME GUY FOLLOWED ME AROUND WITH A POOPER SCOOPER.

When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them.

Steak and sex, my favorite pair. I get them both very rare.

What a kid I got, I told him about the birds and the bees, and he told me about the butcher and my wife.

My wife and I were happy for 20 years. Then we met.

My wife is such a bad cook, if we leave dental floss in the kitchen the roaches hang themselves.

I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous – everyone hasn’t met me yet.

WITH MY DOG I DON’T GET NO RESPECT. HE KEEPS BARKING AT THE FRONT DOOR. HE DOESN’T WANT TO GO OUT. HE WANTS ME TO LEAVE.

For Christmas one year I bought my son a BB gun. He bought me a t-shirt with a bullís eye on the back.

When we got married my wife told me I was one in a million. I found out she was right.

My cousin is gay, I always tell him that in our family tree, he’s in the fruit section.

I can’t figure women out. They put on makeup for three hours. They wear things that make them smaller. Things that make them bigger. Then they meet a man, and they want truth.

At my age I’m envious of a stiff wind.

A hooker once told me she had a headache.

My wife and I keep fighting about sex and money. I think she charges me too much.

When it comes to sex, at my age I like threesomes—in case one of us dies.

I could tell my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.

Life is full of temporary situations, ultimately ending in a permanent solution.

I’m sitting on top of the world, and I’ve got hemorrhoids.

Someone stole the toilet seat

In the school I went to, they asked a kid to prove the law of gravity and he threw the teacher out of the window .

I think my wife is cheating on me, the only thing the parrot knows how to say is, “Quick—out the window.”

My wife met me at the door the other night in a sexy negligee. Unfortunately, she was just coming home.

When I was a kid, we were so poor that if I hadn’t been a boy I wouldn’t have had anything to play with.

I saved a girl from being attacked last night. I controlled myself.

If it wasn’t for pickpockets, I’d have no sex life at all.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME YOU HAD SEX? I DO, AND BOY, WAS I SCARED! I WAS ALONE!

I feel sorry for short people, you know. When it rains, they’re the last to know.

My doctor told me to watch my drinking. Now I drink in front of a mirror.

It’s lonely on the top when there’s no one on the bottom.

Last Halloween a kid tried to rip my face off. He thought it was a mask. Now it’s different. When I open the door, the kids hand me candy.

My psychiatrist told me I was crazy, and I said I want a second opinion. He said, “Okay, you’re ugly too.”

I walked in on my wife and the milkman, the first thing she says is “Don’t tell the butcher,”

My kids scotch tape worms to the sidewalk and watch the birds get hernias.

What a childhood I had, why, when I took my first step, my old man tripped me!

With my wife I get no respect. I fell asleep with a cigarette in my hand, and she lit it.

I knew a girl so ugly that she was known as a two-bagger. That’s when you put a bag over your head in case the bag over her head breaks.

I came from a real tough neighborhood. Why, every time I shut the window, I hurt somebody’s fingers.

I don’t get no respect. I called Suicide Prevention. They tried to talk me into it.

When I was born, I was so ugly the doctor slapped my mother.

WHEN I WAS A KID, I GOT NO RESPECT. I PLAYED HIDEAND-SEEK. THEY WOULDN’T EVEN LOOK FOR ME.

My wife is always trying to get rid of me. The other day she told me to put the garbage out. I said to her I already did. She told me to go and keep an eye on it.

I’ve never been lucky. The day my ship came in, I was at the airport.

I told my dentist my teeth are going yellow. He told me to wear a brown tie.

I remember the time I was kidnapped, and they sent a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.

I told my wife the truth. I told her I was seeing a psychiatrist. Then she told me the truth: that she was seeing a psychiatrist, two plumbers, and a bartender.

A girl phoned me the other day and said, 'Come on over. There's nobody home.' I went over. Nobody was home.

LAST TIME I SAW A MOUTH LIKE THAT, IT HAD A HOOK IN IT.

My wife’s cooking is so bad the flies fix our screens.

What a doctor I’ve got—he’s really mixed up. Last week, he grabbed my knee and told me to cough. Then he hit me in the balls with a hammer.

With me, nothing goes right. My psychiatrist said my wife and I should have sex every night. Now, we'll never see each other!

My wife's jealousy is getting ridiculous. The other day she looked at my calendar and wanted to know who May was.

My mother never breast fed me. She told me she only liked me as a friend.

I was so ugly my mother used to feed me with a sling shot. My cousin's gay. He went to London only to find out that Big Ben was a clock.

MY MOTHER

HAD MORNING SICKNESS AFTER I WAS BORN.

We sleep in separate rooms. We have dinner apart. We take separate vacations. We're doing everything we can to keep our marriage together.

My father carries around the picture of the kid who came with his wallet.

MY WIFE GIVES GOOD HEADACHE.

Justice is a dish best served cold. If it were served warm, it would be justwater.

my fAvorite president of the United States of America is Franklin Delano Roosevelt for a number of reasons. First, I was born the year he took office for his first term in 1932. He was elected 4 times! I grew up thinking there is never a change in the presidency. The president stays in office until he dies. Period!

By the way, Thomas Jefferson wanted the president to serve until death, because he loved George Washington so much; however, the writers of the constitution disagreed.

I was in high school when FDR died, 1945. He was known by those very familiar initials. I remember coming home and asking my mother if the world was coming to an end. She answered, "Oh, no! You’ll love Harry Truman." Then she began to sing, I'm Just Wild About Harry. Yes, my mother was a funny lady—but she was right. As time went on, we loved Harry.

FDR

He was a young man, handsome, rich, smart, and married to the proper woman. All was going his way, when in 1921 he was struck down with poliomyelitis. He was unable to walk without large, heavy braces on his legs. This didn’t stop him. He ran for governor of New York and won. Then, in 1932, he ran for president, and won!

For some relief from the pain and agony of polio, Franklin would go to Warm Springs, Georgia, to bathe in the healing waters. It was here where he saw children suffering like he was. That prompted his creation of the March of Dimes, a way of getting donations for these kids!

The book tells of the many children who were cured of the dreaded disease at Warm Springs. Yes, they were helped, but the waters never seemed to aid Franklin. He continued to need the heavy braces and crutches to move at all. In spite of all, he served our county as a fine president.

One of the first actions he took as president was to repeal prohibition, bringing back the sale of alcohol. No more bootleggers. One could purchase a drink! Many, with smiles, said, "This really got the country rolling."

Then he created all sorts of programs to get the economy going. There was the Civilian Conservation Corp. Young men were put to work building bridges, roads, and parks. In Dallas, we had a large CCC camp filled with guys who built White Rock Park, to mention one of their projects. All those beautiful Millsap Rock picnic pavilions we enjoy today were built during the 30s by the CCC boys.

reunion was held, and many attended. They wanted to see how their creations were doing, and they discovered that all are still being used. I remember my mother saying, "When Roosevelt was elected, your father got a raise." Yes, FDR was definitely what the economy needed.

President Roosevelt came to Dallas in 1936 to open the Texas Centennial Celebration and to dedicate the statue of Robert E. Lee. I remember going to Oak Lawn Park where the statue was placed to see the President. We didn’t go to see the statue of Lee, which was created by the most prominent sculptor at the time, Alexander Proctor. We went to see the President. A ramp was built so that his car could drive up to the monument. Robert E. Lee's grandson was present.

The statue of Lee was removed a couple of years ago. It was purchased by Kelsey Warren and now sits on the 18th hole of Warren's golf course in a small town on the southern border of Texas—Lajitas. Robert E. Lee stands proudly looking out over the Rio Grande.

BY ROSE-MARY RUMBLEY

But Roosevelt was a very special person, and this is aptly brought out in a new book, Becoming FDR, The Personal Crisis That Made A President by Jonathan Darman. What was this crisis? What did FDR endure? A lot!

When my daughter was working for the Dallas Park Department, she staged a reunion for the CCC boys. I warned her that these ‘boys’ were elderly men now. Nevertheless, the

In 1941 the nation and Roosevelt were surprised by the bombing of Pearl Harbor! "December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy!" were the unforgettable words of the President.

Rose-Mary Rumbley has written three books about her native city – Dallas. She has also written “WHAT! NO CHILI!” and a book about the 300th anniversary of the invention of the piano. She has appeared on the stage at the Dallas Summer Musicals and at Casa Mañana and was head of the drama department at Dallas Baptist University for 12 years. Today she is on the speaking circuit and teaches drama classes at Providence Christian School. Her loving views of Texas history appear in every issue of rosetalksdallas@aol.com

It was a Sunday morning. We were coming out of church, turned on the radio, and heard the news. Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor! World War II was upon us! Men went to war and we, the American people, began serving on what was called, ‘The Home Front.’ We saved scrap iron, tin foil, everything. All went to the war effort. We endured rationing—no chocolate, coffee, meat! My father planted in the back yard what was called a ‘Victory Garden.’ We raised what we could. Women gave up their nylon hose for the nylon parachutes that were so essential.

I remember I wanted a new bicycle. No such thing. My father found a used one and did the best he could to make it look new. In our class at school, we had an English girl who was sent to America for safe keeping. They had a ‘Save the Children’ campaign in London. If you had a sponsor, you could come to the US. This girl came and we loved her. She was a part of us for 5 years. I remember so well. When the war was over, she had to go home. What mixed feelings we had. She wanted to see her parents, of course, but she had been with us for 5 formative years. We cried a lot.

The war raged on for four years, and in 1945, Roosevelt died. He didn't see the war end, but the nation did. Harry Truman became President and ended WWII by dropping two atomic bombs on Japan. Horrible, yes! But invading the main island of Japan would have caused more casualties.

Two thoughts to end this story: War is evil! And thank God for peace and that we live in this great country n

A NON-TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS COLLECTIONS

Business-to-business debts require special, focused expertise and finesse... and the selection of your commercial collection service is an important decision. It revolves around Service, Trust and Recovery. Rates are important, and recovery is the objective (the bottom line)... but there is more to it.

The company you choose will be handling your money, talking to your customers, and representing you in the marketplace. You want your money as soon as possible – but you don’t want to lose clients.

At Arsenal Business Collections (ABC), you’re never out-of-pocket for our services. We collect (at prearranged terms) and when – and only when –we succeed (i.e., once we collect money owed to you), do we get paid. There is no fee UNLESS and UNTIL we collect!

Our payment is contingent upon your recovery – so our success is integrally tied to yours.

As a privately-owned company, we make decisions based on what is best for clients, not shareholders or outside investors. Our focus is exclusively on improving your bottom line, and we have the knowledge and experience to deliver exceptional results.

THE RES URCE PAGE

Medtech Builds Momentum

Measuring Market Momentum Where Population Growth is Accelerating Office Conversions – A Second Chance for Underutilized Space

Research Papers Here

Chickens are the only animals you eat before they're born and after they're dead.

TOP 20 CITIES FOR STEM JOB GROWTH ANNOUNCED IN RCLCO’S 2022 ANNUAL STEMDEX

Austin, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Denver, and Seattle top the list of cities with the most momentum for

STEM job growth

Real estate advisory firm RCLCO Real Estate Consulting (headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with offices in Los Angeles, CA, Orlando, FL, Austin, TX, and Denver, CO) published the results of its 2022 STEM Job Growth Index, which projects which metropolitan areas will have the strongest outlook for growth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) jobs. Published annually since 2016, with the support of light industrial and office investment management firm CapRidge Partners, the STEMdex tracks and projects STEM job growth trends across the country by analyzing the economies of

U.S. Healthcare Services Report | Q4 2022 Colliers 2023 Global Investor Outlook

Research Papers Here

The Most Disruptive Decade in Supply Chain History: Six Key Trends to Watch

Research Papers Here

Premium Office Rent Tracker 2022

Workforce Preference Barometer 2022

Research Papers Here

the largest metropolitan areas to understand which regions are attracting the jobs and employees of the future.

Read the full report <HERE>

A combination of high inflation, a steep rise in interest rates and slowdowns in Europe and China will curb growth prospects across North America next year.

The Economist Intelligence Report’s regional guide examines the following topics:

Whether the US economy will enter recession

How much higher the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates

Whether the US Republican party will present a united front in Congress

Foreign policy approaches to Russia and China

Download the report <HERE>

With the year-over-year inflation rate at 7.1% in November, to determine where inflation is rising the most, the personal finance website WalletHub looked at 23 major metropolitan statistical areas, comparing the consumer price index for the latest month for which BLS data is available to two months prior and one year prior. They found that it was rising the most in 1] Phoenix, 2] Miami, 3] Tampa, 4] Atlanta, and 5 Seattle; And it was rising the least in 19] Los Angeles, 20] Chicago, 21] San Diego, 22] Honolulu, and 23 Minneapolis.

See the whole report <HERE>.

17

18

19

20

FL

PA

TN

Building Security reports that there have been four suspected terrorist working in the building. Three of the four have been apprehended. Bin Sleepin, Bin Loafin and Bin Drinkin have been taken into custody. Best efforts have failed to locate anyone matching the description of the fourth cell member – Bin Workin. Police are confident that anyone who look like he’s Bin Workin will be very easy to spot.

THE BACK PAGE

ANSWERS FROM THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CONTEST: AND THE WINNER IS………….

DIVERSI NS THE GIFT

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CONTEST WINNERS!

Rob Patterson of Poughkeepsie, NY

Amanda Blackman of Tucson, AZ

Gayle Tannenbaum of Nashville, TN

Samantha Carlsson of Raleigh, NC

Travis Varnell of Eugene, OR

Jade Daniels of Houston, TX

Eve Corrado of Philadelphia, PA

Each won a copy of Vertical Lines II, the newly released compilation of the one-liners that appear on most pages (like this one) of (See page 3 for how to get your own copy.)

DIVERSI NS CONE FLAKES

BOLO

Sadly, Contributing Editor Angela O’Byrne will be stepping aside after the next issue, but happily her expanded 4-page Amazing Buildings article for our next issue will recap and highlight some of the best features over the last decade. Yes –10 years! We wish her all and only the best. It has been an honor to have her feature stories and superb writing grace these pages.

We will bring you pictures of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Greece in the seventh installment of our series, and, as you can imagine, some

FOR WHAT'S COMING NEXT

of these are well-known structures from the ancient world Likewise, we will continue our series on America’s Favorite Architecture according to the AIA. In Herstory, Contributing Editor Rose-Mary Rumbley takes on Andrew Jackson and the Miracle at New Orleans

Sarah King-Cohen will begin a multi-issue series of profiles of highly specialized real estate organizations that cater to the needs of the disabled population, and we will delve into the ageless wisdom of Socrates

Want more? Of course, there will be other specially contributed articles from various segments of the real estate industry as well as our affiliates, You Need (or might want) to Know, Wow Factors, Real Estate of the Future, Diversions, Tru Dat, Vertical Lines, The Resource Page, Whatever Happened To...? and much MUCH more. We get a lot into 64 pages! And there’s even more information on the web edition of

C NTEST: CATCHPHRASES

These indelible and infinitely quotable words spoken by popular characters and personalities on TV and in movies are forever etched in our brains—not that there's anything wrong with that. Can you match the phrase to the picture? Just put the correct number from the pictures and fill it in on the lines below.

Scan or copy this page and send your entry to editor@crestnetwork.com or fax it to 817.924.7116 on or before January 31st for a chance to win a valuable prize.

“Stupid is as stupid does.” (Tom Hanks as Forrest Gum in Forrest Gump)

“I pity the fool.” (Mr. T in The A-Team)

“Did I say that?” (Jaleel White as Steve Urkel in Family Matters)

” You talkin’ to me?” (Robert DeNiro as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver)

“Show me the money.” (Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire in Jerry Maguire)

” I'll have what she's having.” (Dani Minnick in When Harry Met Sally)

"Go ahead, make my day." (Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry)

“Would you believe…?” (Don Adams as Maxwell Smart [Agent 86] in Get Smart)

“” What’s Up, Doc?” (Bugs Bunny)

“Book ‘em, Danno.” (Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O)

"Here's looking at you, kid.” (Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca)

“What you talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?” (Cary Coleman as Arnold Drummond on Different Strokes)

“You can’t handle the truth.” (Jack Nicholson as Colonel Nathan Jessup in A Few Good Men)

“Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" (Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind)

Oh My God! They killed Kenny! You bastards! (Stan Marsh and Kyle Broflovski in South Park)

“Where's the beef?” (Clara Peller for Wendy’s)

“Shazam!” (Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle on Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.)

“I’ll be back.) (Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in The Terminator)

"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" (Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather)

“Eat my shorts!” (Bart Simpson on The Simpsons)

...BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT'S WHAT YOU KNOW

We Speak Real Estate

The Arsenal Companies are a diversified consulting, educational and publishing group, dedicated to service in the real estate industry. With national reach, regional strength and local sensibilities, we serve and service large and small companies as well as governmental entities in acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, licensing, contracting, procurement, insurance certificate tracking, educational program development, mediation services and collections.

Our Contracts and Procurement Services Division provides solutions and services that help real estate owners and companies effectively manage their contractual needs and commitments. We provide industry knowledge and we practice deal facilitation rather than obstruction. Whether you are a property, facility or asset manager, your functions are integrally related to real estate contracts. Quality management is all about contracts.

Leasing

Acquisitions, dispositions, renewals, surrenders, amendments, abstracting, administration, interpretation – our professionals are experienced in residential, commercial, industrial, professional and retail leasing issues of all kinds.

Highly specialized.

Highly respected.

Don’t assume that problems won’t occur. Plan what you can do to avoid them. A small reduction in costs can be the equivalent of a substantial increase in value. We suggest ‘refinements’ to improve language and reduce direct and indirect costs. Our attorneys have successfully resolved leasing issues for both small and Fortune 100 corporations – effectuating $millions in savings.

Procurement

Supply Chain Management

Procurement Administration

Supplier Recognition Programs

RFI, RFP, RFQ Administration

Vendor/Supplier Resourcing

Vendor Reduction Programs

Customized Purchase Orders

Are the contracts for services and supplies which your organization uses prepared for your organization – or are they the vendor’s or contractor’s agreement forms? Wouldn’t you be better off if those agreements and purchase orders were revisited from your perspective? Isn’t it time you fortified your real estate related contracts?

Contract Negotiation and Drafting Services

Do you have contract issues that call out for review, interpretation and the advice of a specialist? Do you have a service contract which is about to expire and will need to be renewed or replaced? Do you have oversight of a real estate or facilities function which has been given savings targets? Have you considered ‘outsourcing’ this part of your real estate function but fear a loss of control?

We analyze the details of your proposed service contracts before they begin - while you still have leverage. Or, we can review your existing service contracts, help reveal cost efficiencies and/or savings opportunities. We look for pragmatic solutions that are sensitive to your business interests, anticipating issues that may arise, and we assist in minimizing those risks that cannot be avoided.

Leases are highly specialized documents. A few words can make a world of difference. Anyone with experience.