Second biggest housing project of Türkiye

Arkon Building brings a unique housing comprehension to Istanbul

Arkon Building, which has been the statement of trust for years, is bringing a unique housing comprehension to Istanbul. Arkon Park Residence with its 538 apartments is the second largest housing project in Türkiye. Arkon Park Residence is comprised of two towers, at 29 and 34 floors, elegantly rising up through the clouds in Halkal; which is the new center of the circulation web of the city and allowing the 538 houses to open out into the sky. Arkon Park Residence which has clear views owing to both its location and its characteristic of being one of the highest housing structures, offers an incomparable vista opportunity to its owners with the biggest city park area on one side and magnificent lake section on the other. Various apartments in the Arkon Park Residence were designed bespoke for people in any character and size but the majority of apartments consist of 1+1houses. Arkon Park Residence project can provide a home for any family size and would appeal to anyone who is looking for a secure investment and wanting to live aloft.

by: wordarchitecturenews.com

Spectacular stadium for South Africa

Cape Town warms up for World Cup stadium
Cape Town is to play host to the FIFA Football World Cup in 2010 and central to the preparations and the event is the spectacular Green Point Stadium, designed to seat 68,000 spectators on three tiers.

This architecturally outstanding structure has been created by GMP Architects in cooperation with Louis Karol, Point Architects and Urban Designers, Cape Town. The image of Cape Town is uniquely characterised by the interaction of Table Mountain and Signal Hill - a soft, hilly landscape, and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. Green Point Stadium will sit at the foot of Signal Hill. The exterior shell of the stadium was designed as an abstract, linearly arranged membrane construction. Its unique undulating silhouette, which is the result of the geometry of the stadium body, transforms the stadium into a sculptural object and intensifies its integration into the existing landscape.

The light membrane is composed of expansive concave elements that form a cohesive flowing facade, which follows the stadium's undulating shape. The light coloured glass-fibre tissue emphasizes this effect with its colour creating a sense of depth and animation, and the translucent surface absorbing and reflecting the effect of the existing daylight. At sunset, the stadium possesses a reddish glow, a blue one on a bright summer day and has a grey appearance on a stormy day in winter. The interior of the stadium is designed in such a way that its entire focus is directed on the playing field, creating an intense and exciting atmosphere.

The stadium, with its respectful reserve, is destined to become one of the city's landmark features.

by : wordachitecturenews.com

Go Green With Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances

Using environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling and using biodegradable bin liners are just a few ways families are going green in the kitchen. However one of the most important, and significant changes many households are making is buying and using energy efficient kitchen appliances.
For many families, the kitchen is the room in the house where the most energy is consumed. Refrigerators, cookers, ovens, dishwashers and other kitchen appliances can account for nearly 40% of the total energy consumed in some homes. Buying energy efficient appliances, and changing the way kitchen appliances are used on a daily basis can easily make the kitchen a greener place.
Once you make the decision to buy appliances, for your new eco-friendly kitchen, it's important that you consider the size of the kitchen appliances. Many families buy oversized kitchen appliances that they don't need and end up wasting energy in the process. Larger kitchen appliances with lots of features can be very tempting. However if you have a small family, it's best to buy energy efficient kitchen appliances that will fit your family's needs, rather than opting for larger models. You'll save space, money and you'll be helping to save the environment too.
Dishwashers are great for convenience, but it's important that you use them wisely. Did you know that many of the newer, more energy efficient dishwashers use less water than old models? Additionally, many of them are engineered so that you don't have to waste additional water rinsing your dishes before you place them into the dishwasher. When buying an energy efficient dishwasher, choose a compact model, and remember to run it only when it's full to help save both energy and water.
It's imperative for families that cook often to use energy efficient appliances. Using kitchen appliances such as cookers and ovens can require a great deal of energy. When possible, use microwaves or other smaller kitchen appliances to prepare or heat food. And if you need to boil water, try using more practical smaller kitchen appliances such as a cordless kettle, rather than utilizing the cooker.
Do you still use an oven that requires preheating? Most newer models have made preheating a thing of the past, thus just one of the ways energy efficient ovens can help you reduce energy consumption. And remember, when it's time to use the oven, always try to cook more than one dish.
Another great kitchen appliance to consider when going green is a range hood. A range hood can help with the ventilation in your home, and keep the air in your kitchen cleaner. Clean air is essential in any eco-friendly environment.
When considering buying new kitchen appliances, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the price tag. While purchasing energy efficient appliances can be a significant investment initially, you'll see the savings instantly on your energy bill and save even more in the long run. Energy efficient appliances can save you between 10 - 50% in monthly energy costs. So in reality, by purchasing energy efficient appliances you're not only doing your part to help protect the environment, you're also saving a substantial sum on energy costs too.
Internet Kitchen Appliances is a leading online retailer of branded, quality kitchen appliances. The company offers nationwide delivery, a dedicated aftersales team for peace of mind, and a comprehensive online buying guide for buy kitchen appliances. Internet Kitchen Appliances also has a trade division that sells appliances and fitted kitchens for new builds.
CompareBase. For more information and free, impartial advice on buying energy efficient appliances, visit Internet Kitchen Appliances (IKA) online.

By Braeg Heneffe

Green Building - New Ways To Beat High Energy Costs

Green building is becoming increasingly more popular with architects, builders and homeowners each year. Consumers' environmental awareness is growing and they have come to demand more naturally sustainable and recycled materials incorporated in the construction and renovation of their homes and favor homes that utilize construction and design techniques that improve energy efficiency and reduce indoor air pollution. These green building techniques not only let homeowners feel good about leaving a smaller environmental footprint, but can provide long-term savings in utility bills.
Does a greener house have to look like a yurt or geodesic dome like so many of the first-generation eco-houses of the 1970s? On the contrary, green-built homes are often indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts. Green buildings will, however, function much differently. Their heating and cooling costs will be lower if they are sited to maximize wind-sheltering trees and incorporate passive solar design principles.
Green building is a growing segment of the new home and home renovation market. Go to any Homebuilders Expo these days and you'll find plenty of vendors exhibiting green building products and services, from energy-efficient appliances to roof shingles made of recycled plastic to architecture firms that specialize in sustainable design. The hit television series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has incorporated green building in many of its episodes, in part to help out its financially struggling families with lower energy and maintenance bills for the future, but also in recognition of this progressive trend in the building industry.
Realtors are finding that green architecture components are a good selling point for their listings. Homebuyers in this relaxed housing market can be more selective about their many housing options and the long-term economies of green homes make for an attractive real estate package. Banks and financial lenders are also recognizing the investment value inherent in green construction and are responding by offering more favorable terms for these loan customers.
There is also the social trend of environmentalism as a way of life. Just as consumers are veering away from sport-utility vehicles and snapping up hybrid and more fuel-efficient cars, so too are prospective home buyers thinking twice about the status of traditionally-designed houses and thinking more about building green.
If you are interested in learning more about green design, check out your next home builders fair in your area or contact a local architect to discuss this exciting home building and renovation option. You'll be happy you did.
Al blogs at http://www.bigblogmonkey.com/blog.
Also go here for more info on Green Building.

By Al Zan

Alternative Commercial Mortgage Lenders - Hedge Funds & Private Equity

Hedge funds and private equity firms are investment companies set up by Wall Street investment banks and funded by wealthy individuals and cash rich corporate entities. Unlike standard, publicly traded mutual funds, hedge funds are largely unregulated and have much more leeway in their investment choices. Many of these funds have recognized the opportunity that's emerged in commercial real estate lending, and have stepped in to fill the funding gap. The money managers in charge of these massive pools of capital are savvy investing pros, they know a good deal when they see it and can be very nimble. Hedge funds and private equity funds are not afraid of risk; in fact they thrive on it. If they like a deal, they make decisions quickly and can close loan or equity financing in just days.
There are many private funds that specialize in commercial real estate investing or have a commercial mortgage lending division. They are cash rich and actively seeking quality deals to fund. They can be an excellent alternative to banks and other traditional lenders. But, be aware, they are very professional and highly sophisticated. Do not approach hedge funds with shoddy or incomplete packages. They're pros and work exclusively with other pros.
Hedge fund and private equity people have a Wall Street mentality; they are traders art heart. When they look at a deal they want to be able to make decisions quickly.
When approaching a fund you'll want to have a complete, well documented package ready to show them at a moments notice, but don't give it to them all at once. Having worked for Wall Street firms for more than 20 years, I've determined that the best way to approach money mangers is with a concise, well written 1 page deal summary.
Sum-up the selling points of your deal on a single sheet of paper, stressing the profit potential, the investors level of experience, the strength of the location and some of the other strong points of the project. They'll appreciate the fact that you respected their time by being brief. If they like what they see they will ask for more. Give them precisely what they ask for; don't bog them down with documentation until they tell you they want to see it. Sell them the big story before you try to sell them the details.
If you want to secure funding from a big private equity shop or a hedge fund, I'd strongly suggest you utilize the services of a professional intermediary with Wall Street experience. They can speak the language of fund managers and know exactly what's important to highlight about a particular deal. These funds tend to operate like private clubs, it helps a-lot if you have an "in". If you are fortunate enough to develop a relationship with this unique type of lender, you will enjoy a seemingly endless source of capital.
MasterPlan Capital - Commercial Real Estate Investment Banking - Commercial Mortgage Loans - Equity Financing - Asset Management - Online at: http://www.masterplancapital.com Prompt, Professional Service - Quick Closings Available
The author, Glenn Fydenkevez, has more than 20 years experience working with Wall Street Investment brokerages firms. He is currently the President of MasterPlan Capital LLC. Contact him at: glenn.fydenkevez@masterplancapital.com

By Glenn Fydenkevez

Civil Construction and Engineering

Civil engineering is a concept that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. The act of civil construction and engineering includes bridges, roads, canals, airports, dams and buildings. These are merely just a few examples of what civil construction and engineering is about.

Civil engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines after military engineering. It has been an aspect of life since the beginning of human existence. Until modern times there was no clear distinction between civil engineering and architecture.

One of the main aspects of civil construction and engineering is structural engineering. With structural engineering a structure needs to be able to successfully support itself as well as being able to resist loads. It is the job of a structural engineer to ensure that the design and construction of aspects such as bridges, roads and airports etc are safe and successful for their function. Some of the design considerations that need to be kept in mind are the strength, stiffness and stability of the civil construction. All of these need to commit to safety checks so that the structure can hold itself. Other considerations that need to be kept in mind when it comes to the civil construction and engineering includes the cost, constructability, safety, aesthetics and sustainability of the proposed structure.
In the society that we live in today it is safe to say that society wouldn't work without civil construction and engineering. This is because the infrastructures that we use in our daily lives, the infrastructures that support our daily lives wouldn't be in existence if it wasn't for civil construction and engineering. We use aspects such as roads and harbours, railways and airports, hospitals, sports stadiums and schools, access to drinking water and shelter from the weather in our daily lives without a second thought to the construction and engineering that is behind them. We rely more than ever on building contractor teams and inventive people who design and build as well as maintain the sophisticated environment that surrounds our everyday life.
The job of a civil construction team/engineer is more than merely the building side of these infrastructures. They have many activities that they must do every day, including drafting, decision making, computer interaction, communication, documentation, creative thinking, organising, information collecting, estimating and analysing. It is the job of a construction engineer to draft and design structures and show others how to build them. A construction engineer has to analyse information and make the right decision to solve the problems.
If you are a business owner or the owner of property who wishes to expend and build civil structures such as a road to provide easier access or an extension is needed at an airport, it is essential that you enlist the help of a building contractor team who are highly skilled and experienced in undertaking all aspects of civil building and construction. The building contractor team should have structural engineers who are able to undertake the planning and safety aspects of the design to ensure that the finished product is up to standards.
Helen is the web master of ARCH Building Solutions, specialists in all aspects of the Civil Building Trade.
Please feel free to republish this article provided a working hyperlink remains to our site
By Helen Cox

Eco-hotel in a quarry

The Songjiang district, near the Chinese city Shangai, is a popular zone for recreation. Firm

Atkins, famous for their grandiose projects, proposed a set of hotels called Songjiang. The key factor of the design is the water, that is all around the building. The hotel is created in the deep quarry and this point reflexes on a simple look. The building has also underwater parts. The roof is grassy and whole complex will use geothermal energy for an electrical supply and heating, so the interference with the nature will be smaller. more

Posted by Modern Architecture Design news