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Architecture
Many people have a great passion for architecture and home design. It is can be very creative, fun, and has a great sense of accomplishment. It doesn`t matter if you want to pursue architecture as a profession or as a hobby, here you can learn about architecture and start experimenting yourself. Below is a terrific introductory article where you can learn the basics and how to get started. You can help grow our learning community by contributing your knowledge to the article. Just click on the edit tab in the wiki article below. Use the white subtabs above to navigate the other Architecture resources. We have a Architecture forum where you can get your questions & doubts answered, a page with Architecture how-to videos, a page with the best handpicked links to other sites, and a page with the best Architecture books and computer software. Good luck and have fun! Duncan Davis Intro To a great extent, architectural discipline is an effective outlet for an individual’s creative instincts. If you have always explored your creative side as a hobby, then why not try architecture? Read on to find more about getting started with architecture as a hobby. Your interest in buildings, construction plans, creation of models and interior designing can be of great help in taking up this hobby even at home. Architecture, one of the oldest arts by mankind has been a very interesting hobby for many people. This is a delightful means of recreation for anyone who wants to channelize his or her creativity of designing homes and model creation, for fun and creative satisfaction. One of the most important advantages associated with architecture is that it is not an expensive hobby as compared to photography or teapot making. It is considered as a hobby because of the passion required in this vocation. If you are not thinking about the moneymaking aspect of architecture then try it out as a hobby. Studying architecture can also be pursued as a hobby, but when it comes to creation of something related to the welfare and safety of public, it is better if a professional does it. So, what are you waiting for? If you feel that you have what it takes to carry your architectural skills to the next level, then it can be practiced as a very exciting hobby. Getting started: The roots of this interesting art can be seen in your room, house and town and surrounding landscape. If you have the passion for creating beautiful architectural designs then the outcome will depend on how well you are able to perceive the world and your surroundings with reason as well as emotion. A good design should be sensuous and intelligent. Architecture is not abstract, but concrete matter. Even though drawing a plan on paper at times is not considered an adequate architecture representation, designing something of your own can give you tremendous creative satisfaction. And who knows, once mastered, you can even get a chance to execute it! There are a number of architecture-software products available in the market with the help of which you can give a shape to your imagination and passion for home designs and plans. To see the design of your dreams on the computer screen or paper will not only be fun, but it will also give you a sense of accomplishment. Such software packages consist of tools that can help you create walkthroughs and 3D models. You can start with initial sketches and then turn them into polished presentations. The media and tools for communication and creation of real 3D homes or building designs consist of powerful accessories and related products. You don’t just create a model, but design a whole layout. You can provide a live 3D perspective to your spatial idea sketches, easily and creatively. Once the ideas are ready you can use the accurate tools for editing, to refine and develop the sketches. CAD drawings can be turned into architectural renderings and you can see your project come to life with built in texture and lights. Architecture software is available within every budget. Home design software can also be used by anyone who has a computer, to draw house elevations, floor plans and real 3D pictures. This software cannot take the place of a professional architect, but it can surely help you in visualizing your house the way you want it to be, helping you plan your door and window designs, customize trims and plumbing systems. Google offers a free `sketch up` program for making 3D images of building projects and can be downloaded easily. Once the image is created, it can either be printed or uploaded in a 3D warehouse so that others get to see your designs. If you don’t like the color of the walls or a particular design then one click of the mouse is enough to make the necessary changes. There are many people who feel that only those designs should be created that can be built in the real world. But there are no such limitations for your creativity and imagination if you pursuing architecture as a hobby at home. You are free to build a sensible design out of your imagination and share it with others online. Who knows! Professionals might appreciate it! Besides software, several books on architecture are also available in the market. They can be of great help to the beginners or anyone willing to take it up as a hobby. With the help of information and pictures, you can learn a lot about the details. If you want to take your hobby and passion one step ahead, then join online architecture classes. All you require is little time and dedication. Although there are very few complete online degree programs for drafting and architecture, you can learn a lot from continuing education courses as well. You will get to learn skills required for creation or designing of buildings, dams, bridges and homes. Instructions related to the use of computer-aided designs will also be given to you so that you create beautiful designs. Points to remember: Architecture can be a very exciting hobby, provided you avail of the useful information about this art. When you plan on purchasing architecture software, make sure that you conduct some research in order to get the best deal. Don’t spend too much on software without finding about the tools and features provided. Look for something that offers more features at a lower price. Complicated programs or software could be difficult to understand and use. Trial versions of such software are also available. Test and create some designs to see whether the software is worth buying or not. Since you will be experimenting with architecture as a hobby, make sure that you go slowly about doing things. Unfortunately, there are not many online resources that could help you learn architecture. Look for good websites or online courses that can be of some help to you. It helps to purchase good books on architecture to get a basic idea about it before starting with the software. Creation of an architectural design is all about imagination, perception and creativity. So get started for an exciting experience where you can create your own designs. There will be nothing as rewarding as ending up a professional in what you started as a hobby. |
Permission granted for Britain's first amphibious house on banks of ThamesArchitects have been granted permission to build Britain’s first amphibious house on the banks of the River Thames.The stepped garden will help to manage run-off from the house as the water begins to subside and also reduce siltation of the dock Photo: Baca Architects
By Murray Wardrop
8:53AM GMT 14 Feb 2012
The property is designed to be flood-proof as its pioneering design allows it to float on the surface when water levels rise.
Created by London-based Baca Architects, the project could provide a solution for communities built on flood plains to avoid the devastation inflicted on thousands of homes beside the Thames during the 2007 floods.
The timber-framed three-bedroom property, due for completion this year, rests on a concrete hull to create a free-floating pontoon set in a dock made of four guideposts to keep it in place.
In the event of the river bursting its banks, the water pressure will unlock the home from the dock and allow it to float up to the water level.
The garden will also act as a natural early warning flood system, with terraces set at different levels designed to flood incrementally and alert the occupants well before the water reaches a threatening level.
The lowest terrace will be planted with reeds, the next with shrubs and plants, another will be lawn and the highest step will be a patio with access into the dining room.
The stepped garden will help to manage run-off from the house as the water begins to subside and also reduce siltation of the dock.
With an estimated value of £1.5 million, it will cost around 25 per cent more to build than a conventional similar-sized home, but there should be major savings on insurance costs.
Baca Architects, who have worked on projects in New Orleans and Holland, have drawn up designs for the eco-friendly property which will sit just 30ft from the river's edge on the site of a dilapidated bungalow.
It will be located on an island in the stretch of the Thames that passes through Marlow, Bucks, and has been designed to blend in with other properties in the area, featuring pitched roofs and a chimney.
Planning permission has been granted by the Environment Agency as a replacement dwelling, as a new home would not be allowed so close to the river.
“People have always enjoyed living near water, because of the soothing sounds and wildlife and for fishing and sailing – but the downside is it is vulnerable to flooding,” said Richard Coutts, director of Baca Architects.
“We created an amphibious home which works like a marina.
“The residents can live safely without the risk of losing their possessions and adapt to the challenges of climate change. When the water subsides all they will have to do is tidy up the garden.”'
He added: “The planning process obviously took a bit more time than some applications, involving our team in extensive consultations and co-operation with the local authority.
“From the outset of the design process we sought expert advice from the Environment Agency to determine the most appropriate construction model to mitigate flood risk on the site and provide a safe dwelling, sympathetic to its setting, and fit for the challenges of the 21st century.”
USA - Home sales at 11-month high
WASHINGTON | Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:35am EST
(Reuters) - Sales of previously owned homes rose to an 11-month high in December and the supply of properties on the market tumbled to a near 7-year low, pointing to a nascent recovery in the housing market.
The National Association of Realtors said on Friday existing home sales increased 5 percent month over month to an annual rate of 4.61 million units.
November's sales pace was revised down to a 4.39 million-unit pace, previously reported as a 4.42 million-unit rate.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected sales to rise to a 4.65 million-unit sales pace. Sales in December were up 3.6 percent from a year ago. A total of 4.26 million homes were sold in 2011, up 1.7 percent from the prior year.
"A sector of the economy that has been a large weight on growth has started to stabilize over the last few months and we will continue to look for momentum in 2012," said John Doyle, currency strategist at Tempus Consulting in Washington.
The third straight month of gains in sales added to hopes that a tentative recovery in the housing market was starting to take shape, but progress will be painfully slow given a glut of unsold properties that is weighing down on prices.
Data this week showed single-family home starts rose for a third straight month in December and optimism among builders this month was the highest in four-and-a-half years.
But the sector, responsible for the 2007-09 recession, remains challenged by an oversupply of homes amid an 8.5 percent unemployment rate. In addition, declining prices have left many Americans with homes that are worth less than their mortgages.
But there are tentative signs of improvement. There were 2.38 million unsold homes on the market last month, the fewest since March 2005. That represented a 6.2 months' supply at December's sales pace, the lowest since April 2006, and compared to 7.2 months' supply in November.
However, the inventory of unsold homes tends to decline in winter. A supply of 6 months is generally considered as ideal and anything above indicates further declines in house prices. The median sales price fell 2.5 percent to $164,500 from a year ago.
Sales last month rose across all four regions, with gains in both the multifamily home and single-family home segments.
Single family home sales rose 4.6 percent, while multi-family dwellings advanced 8.7 percent.
But the road to recovery will be bumpy. Distressed properties, foreclosures and short sales which typically occur at deep discounts, accounted for 32 percent of overall sales last month, little changed from November.
A third of pending existing home sales contracts were canceled, the NAR said.
(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani)
(Reuters) - Sales of previously owned homes rose to an 11-month high in December and the supply of properties on the market tumbled to a near 7-year low, pointing to a nascent recovery in the housing market.
The National Association of Realtors said on Friday existing home sales increased 5 percent month over month to an annual rate of 4.61 million units.
November's sales pace was revised down to a 4.39 million-unit pace, previously reported as a 4.42 million-unit rate.
Economists polled by Reuters had expected sales to rise to a 4.65 million-unit sales pace. Sales in December were up 3.6 percent from a year ago. A total of 4.26 million homes were sold in 2011, up 1.7 percent from the prior year.
"A sector of the economy that has been a large weight on growth has started to stabilize over the last few months and we will continue to look for momentum in 2012," said John Doyle, currency strategist at Tempus Consulting in Washington.
The third straight month of gains in sales added to hopes that a tentative recovery in the housing market was starting to take shape, but progress will be painfully slow given a glut of unsold properties that is weighing down on prices.
Data this week showed single-family home starts rose for a third straight month in December and optimism among builders this month was the highest in four-and-a-half years.
But the sector, responsible for the 2007-09 recession, remains challenged by an oversupply of homes amid an 8.5 percent unemployment rate. In addition, declining prices have left many Americans with homes that are worth less than their mortgages.
But there are tentative signs of improvement. There were 2.38 million unsold homes on the market last month, the fewest since March 2005. That represented a 6.2 months' supply at December's sales pace, the lowest since April 2006, and compared to 7.2 months' supply in November.
However, the inventory of unsold homes tends to decline in winter. A supply of 6 months is generally considered as ideal and anything above indicates further declines in house prices. The median sales price fell 2.5 percent to $164,500 from a year ago.
Sales last month rose across all four regions, with gains in both the multifamily home and single-family home segments.
Single family home sales rose 4.6 percent, while multi-family dwellings advanced 8.7 percent.
But the road to recovery will be bumpy. Distressed properties, foreclosures and short sales which typically occur at deep discounts, accounted for 32 percent of overall sales last month, little changed from November.
A third of pending existing home sales contracts were canceled, the NAR said.
(Reporting by Lucia Mutikani)
UK construction industry flat as economic uncertainty bites
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Market House Price Sentiment Index (HPSI)
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Super-prime development market
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