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Various glass and glazing products are sandblasted, glazed and transformed by various artistry and engineering in order to create the right design or function required by specifiers. These products are related to economic, energy-efficiency and building code issues that concern todayEs architects and designers.

A professional couple with two children approached Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects to design a home for them in Ponderosa Pine forest, Washington. The family wanted the design to correlate with their casual lifestyle and also to be closely connected to the natural landscape. Different well-designed kitchen and baths that reflect variety of clients taste are discussed.

New products in tiles, stones and concrete are presented. Improved concrete casting methods, a proposal for greener cement, and stone mosaics and ceramic tiles inspired by retro or ancient looks are described.

The article introduce various innovative tile, stone and concrete products as of April 2003. At Coverings 2003, the major U.S. tile and stone exhibition held last month in Orlando, the Pavilion of Spain showcased the latest technologies from the Spanish ceramic-tile industry designed for the U.S. market. Many of the collections offered updated textural effects created by new state-of-the-art glazing and screening techniques. In a recent kitchen project by Susan Boone Jones of Fowler Interiors in Greenville, South Carolina, the homeowners wanted to find a material to mimic the look of chiseled limestone, which would have been expensive.

Presents information on various designer accessories used for house furnishing. Products from Vitra Design Museum collection; Sliding panels manufactured by Rimadesio; Stainless-steel tiles for residential and commercial applications designed by Sistema Men.

Features the #19 chair from Allsteel. Source of the product's name; Design of the chair; Contact information.

Presents several architectural lightings. Varieties of Purity lamp holder; Design of the Chameleon lighting from the Architectural Area Lighting; Physical description of the Visor floor washlights by the Erco Lighting.

Presents several products for interior designing and planning in the United States. Use of plastic, glass and other materials for interior lighting; Introduction of translucent luminous infill panels; Versatility of Xorel Surfaces which uses xorel textile from Carnegie.

Highlights products introduced at the 2001 NeoCon Furniture Show held in Chicago, Illinois. Erector seat designed by Suzanne Lovell; Editor's Choice award won by newcomer izzydesign; Background on the MetaFloor which won the Best of NeoCon award.

Features lighting products used for architectural and decorative purposes. Alice and Lucy lamps from Cedric Sportes Design; Starburst lamp designed by George Makris; Dominique at the Beach fixture from Lumid's Photo Album series; Structural lighting from Kim Lighting.

Features various architectural products and supplies available as of July 2000. Giorno bathroom collection from Duravit USA; Furniture; Kitchen equipment; Features and functions; Contact information.

Features products for the home. Bathroom furniture; Hand-crafted metal and glass basins; Built-in bidet; Portobella America's Trinity line of tiles for bathrooms.

Interviews architect Michael Graves, on his latest line of products. Commitment to designing products; Link between product design and architecture; Favorite product; Bird-spouted Alessi tea kettle as Graves' signature product.

Looks back on advertisements featured in the magazine `Architectural Record' and the evolution of how architects have used and specified architectural products through the years. Role of linoleum in the economy of the floor-coverings industry; Drafting tables as standard 20th-century architectural tools; Drawing pencils. INSET: The Lustron home--the dream house of the future that wasn't..

NEW YORK-With some estimates indicating that as many as 47 million Americans do at least some work at home, the potential for the home office seating market is enormous. Several [...]

COMPANY REALIGNS CORPORATE STRUCTURE INTO THREE GROUPS TO GAIN MAXIMUM IMPACT NEW YORK-F. Schumacher & Co., a major resource for decorative fabrics, wallpaper, floor coverings and home furnishings here, is [...]

NEW YORK-Compared to other specialty retailing categories, linens superstores have a very small share of their market -- home textiles and housewares. There are still 207 major markets without one [...]

Reports on developments concerning the architectural lighting equipment introduced at various trade shows in the United States as of August 2001. Award won by Ledalite Architectural Products at the LightFair International Lighting Exposition & Conference; Description of AH System's downlight designed by Alfred Homann; Details of the Wave Turnbuckle system introduced by Tech Lighting.

Presents several residential products introduced during the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Miami, Florida. Styles of the Gotham porcelain tiles; Ability of the Ondine electronic shower system to deliver a preprogrammed shower experience; Usability of the Asko Mirage Series.

The article discusses issues related to a well-designed product. The aim of designers at the company Record is to feature products that are useful, timeless, and address a problem in a new way. This tireless group donates a day from their busy schedules to pore over product submissions, images, and samples, to find products that answer a well known or recently created demand in the market. Products are chosen not only for their aesthetics, but also for their sustainability, durability, ease of maintenance, and a range of other qualities that push them a step beyond the standard. The jury has a different relationship with the product manufacturers than our editors do, and while lead times, customer service, and price points are not part of the criteria for judging, the jury can't help but let these issues factor into their choices. INSET: Our 2004 Product Reports Jury.

The article presents information on several of the compelling products that featured an exciting combination of materials, such as fiber optics and concrete or LEDs and glass. Others were notable for improvements in design or advancements in technology that yielded unexpected results, such as a customizable perimeter wall or a lightweight aluminum chair. Think chair by Steelcase Inc. is designed with a three-part "brain" and 98 percent recyclable content. Metalith prefabricated steel wall perimeter security system can absorb the impact of explosives and/or speeding vehicles and be customized by an architect to enhance its aesthetic.

The article presents information on the 2004 top 10 green building products, announced at GreenBuild Conference in Portland, Oregon, BuildingGreen, publisher of the GreenSpec Directory and Environmental Building News. The products were chosen with a concern about energy. Other issues reflected in the selections are water conservation, toxin reduction, and longer product life cycles. The EcoSpace traction elevator requires no lubricating oil and consumes 60 percent less energy than conventional hydraulic elevators. EcoVell, an interior shade-screen for commercial buildings made from a thermoplastic olefin yarn called EarthTex, can be returned to the company for recycling when no longer wanted.

BuildingGreen, publishers of the GreenSpec Product Directory and Environmental Building News, announced this year's top 10 green building products at the U.S. Green Building Council's GreenBuild Conference, held last month in Pittsburgh. This second annual award recognizes outstanding products added to the GreenSpec directory during the past year. Featured here is a collection of photographs of those products.

People who don't have the time or resources to attend every trade show or product launch, rely on "Product Report" columns of the architectural magazine "Architectural Record," to present the latest, most innovative offerings available from today's building product manufacturers. "Product Reports" is a culmination of that dedication — each September, the magazine assembles a jury of product experts to review hundreds of submissions sent in for product categories ranging from software to sofas. In addition to their quarterly lighting, digital, residential, and interior product sections, this year the magazine covers new products in several supplements to the magazine. INSET: Our 2003 Product Reports Jury.

The article evaluates several educational products, including PINnacle 440 and PiNnacle FR Class A tackboards from Homasote, ABCs and 123s modular carpet tiles from Interface and SpectraLift fiberglass wheelchair lift from Inclinator Company of America.

Evaluates several building products used in green architecture. Electricity consumed by the electric water heater WatterSaver manufactured by New York-based ECR International; Environment sustainability of interior paints produced by PPG Architectural Finishes Inc.; Features of the translucent glazing system introduced by Billerica, Massachusetts-based Cabot Corp.

Introduces several household products. Solarban 80 solar control low-e glass from PPG Industries Inc.; Soul carpet line from Milliken & Co.; Dream, Wave, and Shield Italian-designed security doors from Torterolo & Re.

Describes a method for selection of products for architectural award. Selection of the product by architectural jury; Benefits of the selected product for architects.

Interviews George Beylerian, president of the Material Connexion resource center in New York City, on the state of material innovation for architectural design. Risks for material pioneers; Innovators in the use of materials; Methods that architects use to find materials and techniques; Specification of green materials; Resurgence of interest in materials.

Describes the showroom of fashion designer Naeem Khan in New York City designed by architect Tarik Currimbhoy. Display of dresses worn by celebrities; Use of lighting and space; Installation of a sandstone screen panel.

The article describes the architectural design of the Starbucks Corporate Center in Seattle, Washington. The office building was designed by NBBJ Architects. The paper provides floor plans, relevant photographs and architectural drawings of the project. A list of suppliers of different materials used in the project is also provided.

The article evaluates the architectural design of the office of advertising firm DDB Needham in Chicago, Illinois, which was designed by The Phillips Group Cos.

The article evaluates the architectural design of the Mottahedah showroom in New York City, which was designed by Andy Pressman.

The article evaluates the architectural design of the Promus Hotel Marketing Services Center in Tampa, Florida designed by the Hnedak Bobo Group Inc.

The article evaluates the architectural and interior design of the Gene Juarez Salon and Spa in Tacoma, Washington, designed by NBBJ.

The article discusses the design of the Grand Tiara Hotel in Kasugai, Japan. It is stated that the Grand Tiara is a wedding hotel which caters to a bride's need such as planning and gift selection. Wilson & Associates project designer Susan Prann relates that the lighting of the hotel was primary, with the use of lamps and cove lighting. The author shares that the hotel hold Japanese weddings in various levels for the introduction ceremony and the Shinto wedding.

A personal narrative which explores the author's experience with architecture is presented.

The article features the design and layout of Goddard House, a nursing and retirement home in Brookline, Massachusetts as it expands its services to assisted-living and Alzheimer care. Partner institution, the National Development of New England has considered community participation in planning the design and layout. Efforts to harmonize with the neighborhood have also been made by designer CBT/Childs Bertman Tseckares. Theme and color are reportedly chosen to aid perception and stimulate memory of Alzheimer residents.

This article features the interior design of the new office of Quantrell Mullins & Associates in Atlanta, Georgia. It also presents a brief history of the company and its headquarters. According to its designers, their priority was to meet the tenant build-out allownace and to be as efficient as possibly. One of the challenges for the team was to be as creative as they could with a small build-out allowance.

The article details the Carolina Inn restoration project in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The entry notes that the Carolina Inn was built in 1924 and donated to the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 1935. It cites that the Inn was renovated in 1993 by The Glave Firm and Chambers at the cost of $13.5 million. It mentions that Glave painted the Inn's interiors with bright colors of lemon yellow and lime green and redesigned the John Hill Sprunt Ballroom to support large formal social events.

The article reviews the architectural design of resorts and spas including Hualalai Resort Fitness Center and Spa in Kaupulehu, Hawaii which was designed by James Northcutt Associates, The Ritz Carlton Spa in Rancho Mirage, California with design headed by Catherine DiModugno and The Broadmoor Spa & Fitness Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado which was designed by the TAG Studio.

The article reviews the architectural design of the offices of Balis & Co. at Two Logan Square in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania designed by Daroff Design Inc.

The article describes the architectural design of Premier Health Club's facility located in Hallendale, Florida. The facility is situated in a two-story space at the base of an 11-story building, in which the existing first and second floors were gutted and connected with a communicating stairway. Before starting the construction of the health club, the company's owners and President Anthony DiCarlo were looking for a large volume to handle their circuit training equipment and membership of people using the facilities at one time.

This article informs that Canopy Designs Ltd. is a new resource for builders, designers, and architects who are interested in hard-to-source green materials. Durat, a durable solidsurface product from Finland made from 50 percent recycled plastic and that is 100 percent recyclable. Kirei, an alternative wood product made from pressed, reclaimed Sorghum stalks and a formaldehyde-free adhesive. Canopy's collection of finished goods includes the 100 percent recycled aluminum cast-metal tiles, sinks, and light fixtures from Eleek and the 100 percent recycled copper sinks from Native Trails.

This article reports that Architectural Systems Inc.'s 5,000-square-foot New York City showroom has introduced about 20 new finish options this year, including Bamboo Strand Board flooring. Satintech etched, solid aluminum sheets are ideal for vertical, light horizontal, and curved applications. The material responds dynamically to a small amount of direct accent lighting, giving the appearance of a fully illuminated, dimensional surface.

This article informs that Varia, an eco-resin panel system that encapsulates textured, colored, and natural interlayers within high-performance polymer skins, resulting in vibrant translucent panels. Designers can mix and match thousands of color and texture combinations for a range of surface applications. Varia's Kami collection showcases leaves, grasses, and natural papers.

This article reports that Agri-Panel compressed wheat-straw panels for structural walls, curtain walls, floors, and flat roofs in commercial buildings use no adhesive binders and incorporate a natural mineral to resist termites, carpenter ants, and other pests. The 7/4" thick panels have a thermal R-value of 25.4, and their agricultural fiber serves as a natural insulator to resist hot and cold fluctuations.

This article informs that the award-winning Krystal Weave Collection by Kova Textiles is made from completely clear extruded polymer yarn that looks like drawn glass yet acts like a textile. Textile designer Libby Kowalski's inspiration came from a combination of traditional cut-glass vases and chandeliers from the Czech Republic. Kova's textiles and laminates are specified for applications including room dividers, flat window panels, wall panels, and other decorative uses in both commercial and residential projects.