Events

David Sachs is the 2008 RTKL Professor in Residence in the Shanghai office. He will share his impressions of Shanghai in an illustrated lecture entitled Photographic Ethnography (or) Why I Love Shanghai. David has been with RTKL in Shanghai for the past six months while on sabbatical from Kansas State University. When he has not been helping on projects, he has been prowling the streets of Shanghai gathering provocative images and ideas.

In the hospitality industry, how does one define "cool"? Is it comfort? Technology? Amenities? Style? Sustainability? And how can designers, developers and hotel owners respond to these trends while maintaining budgets, brands and standards? These are just some of the hot-topic issues facing the industry. RTKL’s Vanessa Edden will participate in a roundtable discussion to review “cool.”

By curving and pinching the rectangular race-track design of the patient unit, a similar elliptical, organic patient floor plan has been developed as the most appropriate solution for two new RTKL hospitals, resulting in cost-effective and efficient adjacencies, reduced walking distances, enhanced visibility and connectivity, and wide windows to enhance daylighting. RTKL speakers, Alan Wilson, Georgeann Burns and Steve Blye, will discuss the benefits of elliptical shaped patient floor plans.

Patrick McCurdy has been invited by the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Design to serve on a panel to advise and critique the students’ work in progress.

As digital technology radically influences how clinical healthcare systems operate, proper data-center planning can go a long way. Using Johns Hopkins Hospital as a case study, Robert Romero and Stephen Spinazzola will discuss how JHH used long range planning and related data center planning helped JHH prepare for explosive growth in the deployment of digital clinical systems expansion. Formula calculations enabled the planning team to determine optimum solutions for hardware, software, space, power, cooling, maintenance, and money.

Whether motivated by ideology or the bottom line, individuals, businesses, and whole cities are examining ways to become more energy efficient and environmentally sensitive. The Downtown Partnership has convened a panel of experts to address the opportunities and challenges in implementing environmentally-friendly business practices from day-to-day operations to city development. Panelists include: Doug McCoach, Peter Garver, Ruth Otte, and Brad Rogers.

Recently data centers have become the target for concerned about their high consumption of energy. This has encouraged the industry to push energy savings, which results in more environmentally as well as fiscally responsible solutions. But how can we encourage energy savings with traditional data centers? RTKL’s Steve Spinazzola and Rajan Battish will provide sensible solutions to the problems of inefficiencies in conventional data centers.

A growing realization among hotel designers and operators is that green hospitality does not require extreme sustainable innovations, practices or capital. “Greening” the hospitality industry is as a much a cultural process as it is a design initiative. ISHC has recruited a panel of industry experts to discuss how sustainability affects the guest experience.

Join RTKL’s Steve Spinazzola in a half-day learning workshop to understand how a Corporate user's sustainability goals can be achieved when leasing an existing building. The program provides insightful and practical information useful to real estate lawyers, landlords and corporate users (tenants) in negotiating and enforcing commercial green lease dealing with corporate sustainability initiatives. Register at www.corenetglobal.org/chapters/chicago/events_list.html

Slated for completion in 2009, the Roosevelt Collection is one of the most ambitious ongoing residential developments in Chicago’s rapidly-developing South Loop. It features condos, retail spaces, a multiplex theater and a two-acre public park just steps form the Chicago River, ultimately blurring the distinction between commercial enterprise and public space.

RTKL’s Daun St. Amand and Kelly Farrell will explore case studies from Koreatown to the San Fernando Valley.  The discussion will highlight new construction and adaptive reuse projects along transit corridors with transportation leaders and developers sharing their perspectives.

In the modern hospital, virtually all clinical functions are supported in the data center. Convergence of technology and tighter integrations have forced today’s hospital data centers to support non-typical application and data servers for systems such as nurse call, infant protection, security, and clinical messaging engines. RTKL's Steve Spinazzola will lead a webinar session discussing the planning and support requirements of a data center as well as the correct infrastructure for delivery and access to critical information.

Nate Cherry provides an insightful look at public spaces throughout North American and determines common elements that make them successful. A district's legibility, for example, has to do with a sense of entry, community "heart," and an implied or defined boundary; generally the most workable urban mix of uses includes office, retail, restaurants, residential, and civic/institutional; block sizes and street widths need to stay wide enough to flexibly integrate transit systems while small enough to be walked around and across easily. From Rockefeller Center to Rodeo Drive, from Coral Gables to the Venice Boardwalk, come and see what works and why.

Take a thought-provoking journey, with Alan Mays, Michael Czap and Grant Simpson, through the complex dynamics of construction document preparation & delivery. This fast paced program drawn from the popular Focus on Construction Documents series shows how flexible processes coupled with innovative delivery methods can produce documents with greater accuracy and increased productivity, for diverse project types.

RTKL's Tony Warner will be speaking at this week's annual AIA convention in San Francisco. Principal in charge of the firm's AV and acoustics practices, Warner will be giving presentations on "The Value of Working with an AV Professional" and "Green AV". The presentations will be part of a new program offering show attendees the ability to attain CEC credits by attending various short seminars throughout the day on the exhibit floor. Warner will be presenting on behalf of InfoComm International. InfoComm, for whom Warner serves on the Board of Directors, is the premier trade organization to the 75 billion dollar AV industry. Both presentations will be offered twice daily throughout the show.

Through the AIA Retail Knowledge Community (REKC) Jeff Gunning AIA, LEED AP facilitates a developer and architectural led panel at the AIA 2009 National Convention on the discussion of San Francisco’s Market Street retail renaissance – an ongoing gentrification of existing historic buildings as well as new urban landfill. Recent and proposed retail projects in the downtown San Francisco area included in this in-depth presentation are Westfield San Francisco Centre, The Flood Building and One Powell. Panelists include Norman Garden AIA, LEED AP (RTKL); Brian Jones (Forest City); Chris Meany (Wilson Meany Sullivan); and Maureen Boyer AIA (Gensler). The panel will also lead walking site tours on the Market Street Retail projects on April 29th and April 30th. See the AIA website for details www.aiaconvention.com

Modern architecture represents a complex mix of systems and services. Join RTKL’s Paxson Laird as he discusses how architects and engineers work together to ensure a seamless integration of design solutions from the earliest stages of the process. Find out how they work, how they think, and ultimately, how they add value to your projects and business.

Expected growth over the next three decades will transform North Texas high density clusters as alternatives to continued sprawl will be even more important options. What are the issues to be confronted from both a viable development view and from a public policy perspective? How can the benefits of Density be measured and promoted? RTKL’s Tom Brink has been invited to join a panel to discuss the long-term viability of high-density development.

RTKL's Steve Spinazzola and Rajan Battish will provide a high level analysis of utilizing 600/480/400V system to the critical loads with pros and cons of each system. A holistic approach - from the input to UPS to the distribution racks with the most typical reliability configurations - will be presented. Investigation of part load efficiencies of major components and impact of system efficiencies will be presented. Means of maximizing the efficiencies will be discussed to provide the user best approach to their data center facility.

Scott Kilbourn, Vice President at RTKL will participate on a panel to discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing an architectural practice in an economic downturn. Scott has decades of experience in the design and planning of communities, buildings and interior design projects in Asia, Europe and the United States. He is currently involved in the design and management of architectural, interior design, environmental graphics and urban design projects in both China and Japan. Keeping on top of changing client requirements, focus on adaption and growth opportunities and development of new strategies for survival are some of the topics that will be discussed.  For more information visit www.thearchitectureconference.com

Have you ever wanted a better understanding of audiovisual system design but just didn’t know where to begin? RTKL’s Paxson Laird and Gonzalo Rodriquez will introduce you to the basic concepts required to understand AV systems and apply that knowledge with a real world design exercise.

Join this panel discussion as they explore the impact of medical technology on building design with leaders in the industry. Speakers: Stan Krok, Chief Information Officer, Children’s Memorial Hospital; Al Manshum, vice president for Facilities and Construction, Advocate Healthcare; Patrick Walsh, principal and CEO, Walsh Consulting Group, Inc.; and Peter O’Connor, principal, RTKL Healthcare Technology Design. You can register for the event at www.aiachicago.org.

Nate Cherry provides an insightful look at public spaces throughout North American and determines common elements that make them successful. A district's legibility, for example, has to do with a sense of entry, community "heart," and an implied or defined boundary; generally the most workable urban mix of uses includes office, retail, restaurants, residential, and civic/institutional; block sizes and street widths need to stay wide enough to flexibly integrate transit systems while small enough to be walked around and across easily. From Rockefeller Center to Rodeo Drive, from Coral Gables to the Venice Boardwalk, come and see what works and why.

Modern architecture represents a complex mix of systems and services. Join RTKL’s Paxson Laird as he discusses how architects and engineers work together to ensure a seamless integration of design solutions from the earliest stages of the process. Find out how they work, how they think, and ultimately, how they add value to your projects and business.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) software is the future of architectural design and delivery. Join RTKL’s David McNell as he provides an overview of BIM, emphasizing audiovisual systems design. Learn how BIM software differs from traditional drafting programs.  Explore benefits and drawbacks of using current BIM software for audiovisual systems design.

The data centers of eBay must seamlessly integrate the IT typologies of the many customers within its global enterprise, and therefore, the design of eBay’s new Mega Data Center places equal emphasis on IT flexibility as on reliability and energy efficiency. Presented by RTKL’s Steve Spinazzola and eBay's Olivier Sanche, the case study will outline eBay’s broad assessment of both new and established technology in the search of the perfect blend of "white floor" flexibility, reliability and energy efficiency.

A master’s-level seminar focusing on the planning and operations of this emerging technology. The class will focus on the technology itself, its uses, and ways in which it will change the face of imaging technologies. The panel, including RTKL’s Stephen Courtney, will discuss the space programming and planning implications of the space, lessons learned from past installations, and possible future changes to the modality.

Jeff Gunning will lead a panel discussion with leading developers and architects experienced in the region.

The convergence of medical equipment, communication systems, and technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Discussion will include methods for prioritizing technology-based strategic decisions for new projects that must integrate with hospital or camp-wide technologies, as well as order of magnitude costs for project budgeting.

Jeff Gunning of RTKL will present the design process and unusual historical circumstances surrounding the redevelopment of Palladium the mixed-use project in the center of Prague, Czech Republic.  Included in the discussion will be highlights of the architectural and construction processes as well as details on the lighting design of this historic and equally modern project.

The Roosevelt Collection, opening in fall 2009, is Chicago’s first new open-air mixed-use retail driven development. This presentation will explore the challenges of redeveloping this brownfield site in the city’s ‘South Loop’ district from both the architect’s and developer’s perspective.

A learning session for developers on the changing trends of the marketplace and how to effectively navigate the architecture and development process of hotel and resort design.

RTKL’s David Morgareidge will guide presentation attendees through technology changes at all levels, from the design of the IT infrastructure, to leading business process re-engineering teams, developing custom training solutions and managing the physical relocation of assets. He will also share knowledge about his experience in the use of simulation technology to provide objective operational metrics and thereby enable more informed client decisions.

Many cities are retooling to accommodate growth in a more flexible and sustainable manner. This trend represents a more diverse, vibrant, and responsible way of living as an alternative to suburban and semi-urban sprawl. GRID STREET PLACE (published by APA’s Planning Books), studies over 100 successful urban districts across North America, and includes unique approaches to the research and analysis of planning and urban design precedent.

The ICSC Future Image Architecture competition this year invites participants around the world to contemplate the big box and its impact on economies, and asks contestants to imagine innovative new uses for some of these facilities which today may be under-used.  The goal is to inspire and entertain industry professionals with out-of-the-box ideas to enhance our understanding of the shopping experience.  Ideas are not limited to design and architecture: they may include any aspect – specific or general – of the retail continuum.  Jeff Gunning, RTKL Vice President and head of the company’s retail group, is the ICSC Future Image Architecture Competition Committee Chair and will lead the jury panel in a discussion about the entries and present the awards in the following areas:  The Mall Environment: The Shopping Experience, Dining and Entertainment; Parking and Transit; ‘Green’ and General Brilliance and Innovation.

Whether you’re an owner, vendor, interior designer, architect, purchaser, or consultant, you need a roadmap to navigate recession-related pitfalls affecting your projects. Covering the gamut of performance, product, and payment issues, this seminar will address how to limit risk in dozens of areas that affect project success. Topics include development financing set-backs; postponed projects; lost deposits; contract terms; receivables management; bankruptcies in the supply and logistics chain; lessons learned from project failures; ensuring vendor performance; staffing issues; custom orders; missed deadlines; cash-flow crunches; avoiding opening delays; and client satisfaction.

Project managers just want a few simple questions answered: e.g., “Is my project profitable?” “Who is charging time on my job?” Discover how to create and implement tools for using frequently-asked questions (FAQs) to provide guidance to project managers on reports. Take home ideas for setting up Deltek reports based on your FAQs, establishing FAQ-based help desk tools focused on project managers, and embedding FAQ-based tips into report favorites.

Learn how to use custom revenue methods and custom grids to capture the trends in project plans, percentages of completion and other key data on a project record. Such data can aid project managers in assessing their plans, financial managers in reviewing changes in revenue, and can provide auditors assurance of controls over the revenue recognition process.

Getting the most out of project planning and resource utilization requires some basic training, regular monitoring and adjustments that facilitate better participation from project managers. Join RTKL’s Michael Woods as he shares his own day to day experiences with implementation.

-How to detect public procurement situations that trigger a request/offer for a bribe or facilitating payment

-Assessing the role of your company's government relations strategy in the procurement context – does it increase or lessen the risk of corruption?

-What your compliance team can do in the procurement process to lessen risks of corruption in fulfilling contracts

-What not to do when dealing with requests for bribes at the bidding stage

-Forced marriages: Reducing risks when facing political pressure to use a specific design institute, intermediary or third party

John Hart, RTKL Principal, will present a case study on the University of District of Columbia’s plans to create a community college within its campus system at the 45th Annual Society of College and University Planning (SCUP) Conference. The presentation will include issues related to the reuse of vacated schools for two-year college programs and the physical, social, and programmatic concerns that accompany the conversion of closed school sites to new campus environments.

Sponsored by the Beijing UnionFriendship Exchange Center for Architecture, the 3rd Annual International Symposium on Development and Management of Contemporary Retail & Mixed-Use Properties is an expert symposium on worldwide sustainable commercial development.

Today’s shoppers are embracing green sensibilities through the products they buy, and in choosing the environments where they shop. Enlightened retailers are finding new ways to embody sustainability beyond bricks and mortar stores, distinguishing themselves from those who are merely ‘greenwashing’. How will retail developers respond to the heightened expectations of increasingly savvy consumers? How are shopping environments of today and tomorrow evolving to accommodate the changes?

David Morgareidge will be speaking at the Team Army Facility Planning Conference in Falls Church, VA.

Michael Woods will be speaking at the KA Connect 2011, a knowledge and information management conference for the AEC industry, in San Francisco later this month. 

David Morgareidge will be speaking in a panel discussion of this title at the Voluntary Hospitals of America Annual Leadership Conference.

Todd Lundgren, AIA, LEED AP will serve as chair for a panel on how luxury hotel and resort development projects can successfully interact with global sustainability objectives.  This dynamic discussion will focus on the following objectives including: sustainability as corporate strategy and ethos; operations; design and construction.  The prestigious panel includes Rebecca Whittington from Red Hotels, Owner/ Operator of the Scarlet Hotel, an eco-luxury boutique in Cornwall, England, along with two other related properties, and Steve Williamson from Buro Happold.  The discussion will challenge conventional wisdom, explore the notion of luxury hotels, and take the broadest possible view on what it means to be sustainable.

Marcus Fairbrother AIA, along with other notable architects, will lead a tour and discussion of their award-winning new and adaptive use of projects surrounding the previously rundown 14th Street NW corridor. Following the 1968 death of Martin Luther King, Jr., riots left the residential community in a devastating ruin, and the surrounding historic Logan Circle neighborhood declined as concerned residents fled the area. Unique 1920s automotive-era showrooms were abandoned, neglected and lay dormant for over 30 years. Not until 1999 did this residential community begin to recover and experience unprecedented rejuvenation and redevelopment. This 10-block walking tour will highlight the explosive emergence of a contemporary mixed use of retail, theater, and housing—creating a dynamic, active in-town community that is now one of the best real estate markets in the city.