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May 30, 2005

Centralized or Decentralized Printing Option Addresses an Entire AEC Workflow

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Susan Smith - Managing Editor

by Susan Smith - Managing Editor
Each AEC Weekly Review delivers to its readers news concerning the latest developments in the AEC industry, AEC product and company news, featured downloads, customer wins, and coming events, along with a selection of other articles that we feel you might find interesting. Brought to you by AECCafe.com. If we miss a story or subject that you feel deserves to be included, or you just want to suggest a future topic, please contact us! Questions? Feedback? Click here. Thank-you!
About this Issue….

Welcome to AECWeekly! This week I spoke with Bob Honn, Product Manager, and Penny Holland, Director Business Development, Wide Format Printing Systems Division of Océ North America, Inc. about Océ 's role in the AEC industry and what problems customers are asking them to solve. Read what they have to say in this week's Industry News.

AECWeekly is a news magazine featuring important industry news profiles, a summary of recently published AEC product and company news, customer wins, and coming events. Brought to you by AECCafe.

AECWeekly examines select top news each week, picks out worthwhile reading from around the web, and special interest items you might not find elsewhere. This issue will feature Industry News, Acquisitions/Alliances/Agreements, Announcements, Awards, Wins, Education, New Products and Upcoming Events.

AECWeekly welcomes letters and feedback from readers, so let us know what you think. Send your comments to me here

Best wishes,
Susan Smith, Managing Editor


Industry News

Centralized or Decentralized Printing Option Addresses an Entire AEC Workflow
By Susan Smith



[ Click to Enlarge ]
In 1994, I visited Venlo, The Netherlands, Océ's headquarters, for the introduction of their Océ Image Logic® technology, a technology that automatically gives users perfect quality copies and printed originals every time. This image-processing technology was revolutionary and is to this day, a very efficient system for scanning and converting hard-copy information into digital form, “making copying and printing easier, faster and more reliable than ever before.

In 1994, Océ was expanding its presence worldwide and had opened offices all over the world. My visit was part of a building awareness tour.

Océ has made a heavy investment in R&D, keeping their products current with changing market needs. The company produces about 75% of the products it markets.

In May, Océ unveiled Version 2.0 of its Repro Desk® print submission and workflow automation software at the IRgA Annual Convention and Trade Show being held in Las Vegas. Océ highlighted three elements of Océ Repro Desk 2.0: Océ Client Tools - automates the batch conversion of multiple file types within AutoCAD to save time and maximize print fidelity for architect, engineering and construction (AEC) clients; Océ Plan Center and Océ Drop Box - leverages the security and reliability of the Internet to speed the communication and delivery of print jobs from clients to reprographers; and Océ Repro Desk Professional - centralizes print job management for improved workflow, job tracking, and job archiving.

This week I spoke with Bob Honn, Product Manager, and Penny Holland, Director Business Development, Wide Format Printing Systems division of Océ North America, Inc. about Océ's role in the AEC industry and what problems customers are asking them to solve.

PH: Fundamentally, users are looking to increase productivity, improve system reliability, and shorten cycle time, in sum, they need to do more with less.

Main requirements of AEC firms include: With the advent of the internet, have you seen any reduction in the amount of printing of documents?

BH: Printing hasn't diminished but has possibly increased. However, it is now distributed over many different users. In the past when it used to be centralized, you would have a general contractor order a large volume of prints from a reprographer and be responsible for distributing those to their subcontractors. What you now see instead are those digital files being distributed to various members of the project, and those different project members doing the printing. Rather than getting an entire bid set, a subcontractor usually only needs a certain percentage of those drawings. So now you're getting a subcontractor for a certain discipline, say an electrician, only ordering prints of the documents required for the part of the project he's responsible for.

What solutions are you recommending for your AEC customers?

BH: There is the Océ TDS printer portfolio, in which all the multifunction printers are based around a central controller platform, the Océ Power Logic® controller. Then we are able to address different volume needs based on the individual product chosen. So while the user interface and controller processing benefits are consistent across the product line, the various printers address different volume needs. Ultimately you've got a series of very integrated products being able to print, copy, and scan. Océ also offers software tools to enable users to submit and manage their jobs, track them and account for them. Then it's just a matter of choosing the piece of hardware that fits a user's volume requirement - be it a workgroup, a more centralized location or decentralized environment.

PH: On the software side it's very similar -- for low volume users who are printing very infrequently, we have software drivers that allow them to print directly from their native design application all the way up to solutions for high volumes and batch printing called Repro Desk Server. We have software that addresses almost every print requirement.

Also on the digital sharing component of the software product line, we have an online Plan Room called Océ Plan Center, which allows different people within a project to go online simply using a browser and view and order documents very easily.

There is also an ease to publishing documents to that online Plan Room so that contractors and other project members can get the latest version of a drawing very quickly, and architects and project owners are able to track who sees it.

There is a product within the Repro Desk portfolio called Océ Client Tools that has really caught fire in the AEC market for architects. From their desktop, architects are able to publish their files directly into the Océ Plan Center Plan Room so they can be ordered and viewed and, from the revision control perspective, make sure that the most current version is up and accessible to everybody on the project team. From a functionality perspective, it was one of the first tools on the market to be able to do that. It 's a key component of the Repro Desk print submission software package. It really becomes a front end tool to build a print job and to easily send it to a Repro Desk Server, which in turn drives one of our Océ TDS low or high volume machines. It becomes the glue that holds that whole workflow together, whether a small or large AEC firm.

Océ Client Tools is a free application - you can download it off our website, www.Océ usa.com , from the Repro Desk product page.

If someone downloaded Océ Client Tools without participating in an Océ Plan Center Plan Room or having Repro Desk software, it would still give them batch job creation from within native AutoCAD applications, so they could print to an 11” x 17” desktop printer in their own facility.

You mentioned that PDF was the preferred format on the web for design firms. Does your support extend to DWF as well?

BH: We actually launched support for DWF almost a year ago. The way we approach printing, we can support just about any type of raster or vector file format that's out there. We don't take a position in the marketplace that we are a strong advocate of any format. What we try to do with our partnerships is get behind the leaders, obviously Adobe and Autodesk being two prominent leaders in this market space, and make sure our customers can print those file formats easily and with the highest quality possible. I think the market is going to decide, is it PDF or is it DWF in terms of what the best format is. We have the tools in place that will allow us to print whatever format they choose to go with.

How would you describe the interface you have to be able to accept PDF and DWF and others?

That's one of the key parts of the Repro Desk product. What we've done traditionally in being able to accept just about any type of file format is that we will take that file and convert it into a print ready file that Repro Desk and our Océ print devices will recognize. What we're doing with our converters, whether it's a DWF or PDF, is actually converting that file into a TIFF that we wrap with what we call metadata. Think of it as a transport mechanism that allows that file to get from your desk to our printers in a format that our printers recognize.

Will you have compatibility for Microsoft's Longhorn, which is intended to go head to head with PDF?

We don't have compatibility for it yet. Autodesk came out initially with DWF and came head to head with PDF to really draw a lot of attention to a competitive format. But if you look at Autodesk positioning today, they're taking the approach of DWF being really a more intelligent format that is used downstream in the project cycle because of the intelligence DWF has. I would think Microsoft has got to have some similar strategy downstream. Otherwise, there is no sense coming into the market with just another easy to view, easy to transport file format. I think Adobe has already wrapped that up with PDF.

How is the seamless integration of printer/scanners achieved?

PH: I think we address that from a product perspective and also a company perspective.

If you look at Océ as a company, we have the resources to be able to go into a customer and offer these services. We've got the products but beyond that, we have sales people, account managers, and system consultants who do networking and integration support. They work with the customer to make sure everything integrates into the network. They can make sure everything works with their legacy systems. We've got a direct service organization that does the installation and also the back end service. We've also got an authorized reseller network that expands our reach. There's a process we follow when doing these customer integrations to make sure that whatever we sell into the environment works well with the user's system and solves the problem that we went in there to do.

When you look at it from a hardware perspective, we also offer integrated products that allow people to take legacy equipment, replace multiple pieces of equipment from multiple vendors with an integrated system that allows users to print, copy and scan documents.

A salesperson will evaluate and offer suggestions on all aspects of a user's document workflow: pre-production, production and post production.

BH: Production is the printing part, almost the least important part of whole process. What's more important is either how the hard copy originals or digital files get from the user, network, desktop, the remote site, etc. to the printer and what happens after the prints come out of the machine. How are those documents handled on the back end? The bulk of the time users spend getting copies or prints is tied up in the pre-production and the post-production phases. That's where all the cost is in the entire workflow, and that's where we can add real value with our products.

Printing is really becoming more decentralized. We're coming out with more tools for people in that decentralized mode to easily submit prints, to access digital files, share them, print them, - in other words enabling that decentralized workflow. On the hardware side, you will see a migration to more low end equipment that facilitates that trend of printing smaller bidsets, where the fastest, most expensive machine isn't needed. A much lower volume machine would be satisfactory. We're moving on both the hardware and software sides to facilitate all aspects of a more decentralized workflow.

One of the key features of the new Repro Desk 2.0 (available later this year) that ties into the decentralized printing trend is Océ Drop Box - think of it as a digital version of Federal Express. You can take a file from your desktop and, within a matter of minutes, be able to print that file to a printer in a different part of the country. The ability to get prints to where they are needed much faster should ultimately contribute to a reduction in the amount of time needed to complete a project.

Another trend we see is the increasing use of color - we address that color need with our Océ TCS400 color print/copy/scan system. With the increase of 3D CAD software, we see the need to not only print in color but also copy color originals and scan color documents to a digital archive.

Has Océ always been involved on the software side or is this relatively new?

We've always been involved in software, maybe as a sleeping giant. If you look at the reprographic industry, it's really tied in closely with the architectural market because - that's where the demand for printing gets created. We wholly own the Repro Desk technology. In the past we went through OEM partnerships to have that software developed. Three years ago, Océ completely acquired those OEM partners and now owns the technology and software development teams.

Digital workflows have made it possible for people to communicate in ways they couldn't before. The software tools we've developed have gone beyond architects sending drawings to reprographers, to providing tools AE firms can use to communicate with each other and with contractors and subcontractors so they can view and order prints.

In the last three years we've focused on the file sharing aspect as it enables digital file sharing across an entire project. Customers need quick, easy, seamless access to print documents. That's what our software provides for them.


Acquisitions/Alliances/Agreements

AVEVA Group plc announced a wider rollout of its VANTAGE Enterprise Net (VNET'). This represents a strategic commitment by AVEVA to exploit an important market opportunity in IT engineering information asset management solutions.

Quantapoint announced that it has a prototype interface between Intergraph SmartPlant Review(™) and Quantapoint PRISM 3D(™). The interface enables Quantapoint's interactive and photo-realistic 3D laser models(™) of actual as-built laser documentation(™) to be accessed from SmartPlant Review. By combining 3D CAD models and 3D laser models, project teams will be able to compare and validate CAD models, visualize proposed modifications for design and constructability reviews, and identify and correct potential construction interferences. The end result will be more accurate and faster design and review cycles.

Intergraph Corporation announced that Alcoa, the world's largest producer of alumina, has signed a global purchase agreement for the Intergraph Plant Design System (PDS(®)) and related software. Under terms of the five-year agreement, the Intergraph Process, Power & Marine division will supply PDS and other design software to Alcoa World Alumina for use by its engineering, construction and procurement contractors worldwide. The contract represents global standardization on PDS for all Alcoa's alumina process plant major projects.


Announcements

AVEVA has announced record growth in revenue and profits for its fiscal year ended 31 March 2005. AVEVA's gross revenue increased 51% to US $108 million*, with recurring revenues up 42% to $61.2 million. Profits before tax, exceptional restructuring and goodwill costs increased 60% to $20.1 million. Much of this growth was in AVEVA's target market sectors of oil and gas, power, and marine, with a particularly strong upswing in business from the Asia Pacific region.

AVEVA completed two acquisitions in the 2004-05 fiscal year. The addition of Tribon in May 2004 has increased AVEVA's market share in the marine business substantially, with performance, synergy and benefits ahead of expectations. In March 2005 AVEVA acquired RealityWave, a critical component of AVEVA's VANTAGE NET (VNET) web collaboration platform. This acquisition supports existing business requirements and secures a key patented technology as AVEVA invests in this important strategic opportunity.

Primavera(®) Systems, Inc., announced the Primavera 22nd Annual Conference will be held at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, November 13-16, 2005.

Companies may submit their applications at Primavera Events. The deadline for applications is September 8, 2005.

For more information about the Primavera 22nd Annual Conference, visit Primavera Events or email Email Contact.

Bentley Systems, Incorporated will showcase seven BE Award projects at the SPAR 2005 conference in Houston, May 23-24. Each benefited from the integration of design software and laser scanning technology.

A new age is dawning on public policy, one based on advanced scientifically informed decision making, with the May 23 opening of the Decision Theater at Arizona State University.

The Decision Theater is an advanced visualization environment that will enable policymakers and others to see in detailed three-dimensional representation the consequences of their actions. It will feature a 260-degree “immersive environment” where researchers will literally see the effects of public policy decisions played out before them.


Education

Bentley Systems, Incorporated announced BE Careers Network, an upgrade to its former Bentley Education Network (BEN) that focuses on increasing the number of students entering the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) field. BE Careers Network's first initiative is the BE Careers Program, which is designed to help students understand and become familiar with computer-aided design and architectural design software, and enable colleges and universities to cost-effectively incorporate AEC technology into their curriculums.

MicroStation PowerDraft can be downloaded by schools and students for free at www.becareers.org .


Wins

Wachter Corporation, provider of voice, data and electrical infrastructure services, has chosen CMiC's CMiC Enterprise, CMiC Project Management and CMiC Integration to run its business operations and client projects throughout North America and the United Kingdom. CMiC is a leading provider of enterprise and project management software for the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries.

Deltek, enterprise resource planning (ERP) vendor for project-based businesses, announced that independent nonprofit organization, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation has purchased the Deltek Enterprise(™) suite to manage its financial and project accounting, timekeeping and employee expense, business performance management (BPM) and business development needs.


Awards

Avatech Solutions, Inc. announced it has won three of Autodesk's prestigious Platinum Club Awards. Avatech received the Top Revenue award for the Atlantic Region, the Top Revenue award for the Gulf Coast Region, and the MSD Growth award for the Atlantic Region.

Equitrac announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in ISV/Software Solutions, underscoring Equitrac's expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace.


New Products

CMiC has released CMiC for Heavy Construction, a comprehensive enterprise and project management software offering tailored to the meet the needs of construction companies involved in building highways and other large capital-intensive construction projects.

TORNADO Technologies Inc., an innovator and developer of collaborative 3D visualization and communication software for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC), power, process and manufacturing industries, announced that it will be showcasing its products in the Trimble booth during SPAR 2005. Trimble will be demonstrating its data capture solutions for surveyors and engineers, including the GS Series 3D laser scanners and 3D data-editing software.

Following up on a Strategic Collaborative Alliance for developing laser scanning solutions, Leica Geosystems and AVEVA have jointly announced Leica CloudWorx for AVEVA PDMS.

This new software application integrates with AVEVA's Plant Design Management System (PDMS) to enable AVEVA's many customers to take advantage of Leica's industry-leading point cloud technology directly.

Informative Graphics Corporation (IGC) announced the version 5.2 release of its Brava!(®) Enterprise content visualization server, which now supports PDF interoperability and features enhanced markup and Visual Rights(™) security control.

Autodesk, Inc. and HP announced the availability of instant printing capabilities for HP Designjet series printers with Autodesk DWF Viewer, a free, downloadable viewer for 2D and 3D design workflows, and DWF Composer software that enables users to review, mark up and revise drawings.

Rasterex Software, provider of software for viewing, printing and mark-up, announced the release of version R7.1 of RxView and RxHighlight.

Sage Software (formerly Best Software) announced the availability of Document Management, a new Timberline Office application that offers fully integrated document control, including classification, storage, search, and retrieval. Timberline Office provides financial and operations software for construction and real estate professionals.


Upcoming Events

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buildingSMART conference 2005 - Oslo Norway
Date: May 31 - June 1, 2005
Place: Oslo, Norway
Purpose:
  • Exchange and sharing of information between different disciplines and work processes can significantly reduce cost, save time and increase quality of building projects.
  • Building Information Modeling is one example of technologies which are now being used by the Building Industry to achieve new efficiencies in design and construction.
  • The buildingSMART conference facilitates an international forum for exchange of knowledge and experience between government & industry
  • This is NOT a technical event - but highly focused on process improvements, business cases, opportunities, profits, legal issues and other challenges currently facing the building industry

 
International Civil Engineering History Symposium
Date: June 1 - 4, 2005
Place: Westin Harbour Castle Hotel
Toronto, Canada
From June 2-4, 2005, up to 1,000 civil engineers from approximately 30 countries will gather together at the largest Civil Engineering Conference ever held in Canada.

In addition to the General Conference, the program includes five specialty
conferences:

1st. Specialty Conference on Infrastructure Technologies, Management and Policy
2nd. Specialty Conference on Coastal, Estuary and Offshore Engineering
6th. Construction Specialty Conference
6th. Transportation Specialty Conference
9th. Environmental Engineering Specialty Conference

and

An International Civil Engineering History Symposium

An indication of the importance of this Conference is the attendance of many high level representatives of Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government bodies with Infrastructure Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal playing major roles.

Leading the Conference will be the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering’s first woman President, Ms. Cathy-Lynn Borbely and Honorary Conference Chair Mr. Rick Ducharme, Chief General Manager of the Toronto Transit Commission.

To be held on Toronto’s magnificent waterfront at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, this event is a must for Civil Engineers!!
 
McMat 2005 - Mechanics and Materials Conference
Date: June 1 - 3, 2005
Place: Baton Rouge, LA USA
The technical program from June 1st to the 3rd consists of 6 plenary lectures in the mornings; 15 keynote lectures in the afternoons; and 156 technical presentation sessions. The help of the technical committees of the ASME-MD, ASME-AMD, ASCE-EMD, and SES was solicited for planning and populating many of the sessions. Internationally recognized leaders in diverse fields of engineering mechanics and materials have been chosen as the plenary speakers.
 
Discover the AIA’s New Design-Build Document
Date: June 2, 2005
Place: !!! This is an online Web conference. !!!
Washington, DC USA
A live interactive Web conference that you can join from your office.

The AIA Design-Build documents apply an entirely new approach to design-build contracting that is more flexible and more owner-friendly than in the past. The new documents depart from other AIA documents in several significant ways. In addition two new documents are added to the family: an agreement between the owner and a design-build consultant, and a form for acknowledging substantial completion of the design-build project.

This live Web conference presents the important features of each new document for you to understand how to use them in your practice to perform a variety of design-build services, whether you are serving as the design-builder, the owner’s consultant, or the design-builder’s architect.

For a fraction of the cost of traditional conferences – and with no travel time or expenses – you can join from your office with the use of a computer, and monitor. Use an LCD projector and a speaker phone for an entire group to participate for the same registration cost
 
Alias' Maya API Developers
Date: June 6 - 8, 2005
Place: Santa Barbara, CA USA
The 2005 Maya API Developers Conference is learning at its best! Three full days of total submersion in the world of Maya API ( Application Programming Interface) – breathe, eat, sleep, and learn. Take advantage of a packed conference program and a unique opportunity to network with Alias software developers and your industry peers. Learn directly from Alias software developers and gain their insight into the Maya API. Attendees will also benefit from sessions offered by industry experts to gain an understanding of how others in the industry have solved their production challenges. Presenters include Alias software developers and Alias customers working in the Film, Broadcast, and Games industries. With a maximum attendance of 100, you''ll be sure to have a great opportunity to learn while you mingle.

Attendees should be familiar with the C++ programming language to make the most of the conference.
 
IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM on ENVIRONMENTAL HYDROLOGY
Date: June 7 - 9, 2005
Place: Cairo, Egypt
The conference and the symposium will be held in Cairo, Egypt to increase the attendance of foreign engineers and others in related fields. It is anticipated that those from countries will take advantage and visit Egypt to have more interaction and knowledge transfer with the local groups.
 
Color Color Everywhere!
Date: June 7 - 9, 2005
Place: Seattle, WA USA
Learning Objective: With expert guidance, participants investigate the use of color to create a sense of unity in a design project, in a practical workshop setting.

Additional Information: Betty Merken will guide exploration of how color can enhance design details and create a sense of unity within the design project. Attendees will learn how to use limited palettes from standard material selections to create a pleasing color aesthetic, with attention to how color affects people and the built environment. Develop color palettes in in-class workshops, for application to your design.
 
Eurosteel 2005 - 'European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures Research- Eurocodes- Practice'
Date: June 8 - 10, 2005
Place: Maastricht, Netherlands
 
First Annual Synergis Technology Expo.
Date: June 9, 2005
Place: 1100 Virginia Drive
Fort Washington Expo Center, Fort Washington, PA USA
The First Annual Synergis Technology Expo, hosted by Synergis Engineering Design Solutions and Autodesk, is an opportunity for design and engineering professionals to learn how the latest design automation tools can successfully impact their work efficiency. Industry experts in Manufacturing, Building Design, Government, Infrastructure (Civil/GIS), Data Management and Education will educate attendees on the latest Autodesk solutions through more than 30 breakout sessions. Attendees will increase their familiarity and skill level with the AutoCAD 2006 family of products while understanding industry trends and how to overcome technical challenges.
 
2005 NAHB/BALA Design Institute for Builders
Date: June 13 - 15, 2005
Place: Westin Tabor Center
Denver, CO USA
NAHB is proud to present the 2nd Design Institute for Builders. During this exceptional design education event, you'll learn the latest in residential housing design trends from the industry's top professionals, tour beautiful award-winning homes and communities that display the best in cutting-edge architectural design, and learn how to profitably apply these design ideas to the homes you build.
 
Introduction to Lean Construction
Date: June 14 - 15, 2005
Place: 6350 N. River Road
Hyatt - Rosemont, Rosemont, IL 60018 USA
Production System Design and Work Structuring June 14-15, 2005. This seminar provides an overview of Lean Construction and its underlying theory, principles and techniques. The seminar will focus on the design, operation and improvement of the Last Planner System™ of production control and the continuing practice of work structuring. This session is a must for people and companies considering or adopting Lean Construction.

We suggest participants read "The Goal" by E. Goldratt. Additional pre readings will be returned by email to registrants.

The seminar will be held in at the Hyatt Rosemont near the Chicao O'Hare Airport. For reservations, phone 847 518 1234 and ask for the Lean Construction Institute rate. The seminar begins at 8 am each day and closes at 4:30 on the 15th and 4:00 on the 16th. Breaks, lunches and workbooks are provided participants. Dress is casual.
 
Global Summit on R&D Strategies and their Transnational Cooperative Implementation
Date: June 15 - 16, 2005
Place: Helsinki, Finland
There have been several initiatives and road maps over the past few years by various government agencies, industry associations, and private companies throughout the world in pursuit of accelerating technological integration and automation in the construction industry. However, these initiatives and road maps have never been integrated or compared with each other, even if the potential for a more effective global cooperation in the field of construction industry is remarkable. In order better to leverage the R&D that is currently underway, we are planning a “Global Summit on Construction Industry R&D Strategies and their Transnational, Co-operative Implementation,” in conjunction with the CIB 2005 World Conference.

This first-ever summit will identify the common industry-wide challenges that can be addressed globally. The goal of the Summit is to develop transnational strategies that will accelerate the adoption and implementation of automated technology solutions, which will result in a more customer-oriented construction process with increased business value. In short, the Summit will align goals and leverage our collective resources in the field of the construction industry.


 
The 11th International Conference of the International Association of Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics (IACMAG)
Date: June 19 - July 25, 2005
Place: Turin, Italy
The Conference will cover computer methods, modelling and testing of geomaterials, applications to the solution of geomechanical problems, geo- environmental issues and geo-hazards, with emphasis on recent advances and current issues. Overview lectures, key-note lectures, issue-papers, case-histories papers, workshops, short courses, paper presentations are planned on these subjects.
 
Ecobuild America - 2005
Date: June 20 - 23, 2005
Place: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Orlando, FL USA
Ecobuild, with a long standing success in Asia, is proud to announce the the debut of its' newest event...Ecobuild America, the world's foremost green conference and exhibition. Ecobuild America 2005, the environmental systems technology conference and exhibition.

Ecobuild America will address the estimated $15 billion worth of green buildings currently in design or under construction in the US, representing 12-15% of total public construction and 2% of private sector construction. Although the $15 billion is less than 5% of the total $315 billion US annual construction for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings, this category is growing at a rate of about 75% annually.It covers the breadth of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential green building techniques, construction products, renewable energy resources, and sustainable growth design and planning processes. Ecobuild America will be accompanied by product educational sessions for design and construction professionals will feature the latest innovations in green building materials and energy and technology, with particular emphasis on sustainable growth, green building, and environmental design. This gathering promises to feature the most comprehensive congregation of green building programs and technologies ever assembled — a showcase for this rapidly expanding and dynamic industry.

Delphi Inc., a leading research, publishing company and event producer in Tokyo organizes the Japanese event which is sponsored and supported by the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport; Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry; Japan Ministry of the Environment; Tokyo Metropolitan Government; The Japan Institute of Architects; Architectural Institute of Japan; the Building Contractor's Society; The Institute for Environment and Energy Conservation; New Energy and Technology Development Organization (NEDO); and the Japan Ecology Foundation.
 
AIA Seattle Summer Solstice Procession '05
Date: June 23, 2005
Place: UW College of Architecture & Urban Planning
Seattle, WA USA
The AIA Seattle Diversity Roundtable, in partnership with colleagues at the UW Department of Achitecture, Pomegranate Center, and Fremont Public Association, have big ideas for the 2005 Summer Solstice Procession - with a series of events that commenced with a late-March visit to Marra Farm, in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood.
 
Concrete Technologies Tour
Date: June 26, 2005
Place: Kansas City, MO USA
The Concrete Home Building Councils' Plant Tour is a multi-day event featuring educational programs and behind-the-scenes tours of cement-based building materials and manufacturing facilities. Attendees have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the country while learning the inner workings of the concrete industry as a whole.

The Plant Tour gives attendees a broad view of the regional differences in production and building trends, a working knowledge of all types of cement-based materials, and an understanding of how to implement the most up-to-date industry trends into their own businesses.

This two day event will leave you with a superior understanding of the residential concrete construction market. The event will start on Sunday, June 26 with a Golf Touranment at the St. Andrews Golf Club followed by a Concrete Reception at 6:00pm at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Don't miss out on this great event and tour. Take a look at the week's activities!
 
2005 RETC Rapid Excavation & Tunneling Conference & Exhibit
Date: June 27 - 29, 2005
Place: The Westin Seattle Hotel
Seattle, WA USA
Tunneling is both an art and a highly scientific endeavor, requiring a broad range of capabilities and experience and a willingness to try state-of-the-art materials, equipment, and techniques.
 


You can find the full AECCafe event calendar here.

To read more news, click here.


-- Susan Smith, AECCafe.com Managing Editor.
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