Minneapolis building gets much-needed makeover

A proprietary extruded aluminum curtain wall is at the heart of the renovation of an office building in Minneapolis. The two-story commercial-industrial space houses DC Group, a firm that provides equipment and maintains uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems for corporate customers, including AT&T, Kaiser Permanente, Verizon, Microsoft, and Oracle.
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A lesson in creating the right ambience for a Utah school

Natural lighting, 1200 solar panels, and the use of sustainable materials are some of the design features of a new school in Farmington, Utah. Located in Davis School District, Odyssey Elementary School was also designed to obtain Gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
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Get a grip on stainless steel railing finishes

Stainless steel is often used as a railing material, especially where corrosion resistance is a major concern. However, many design/construction professionals may be unaware of the finer nuances of selecting the right type of material. Having a better understanding of finishes is critical.
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Cool new home for Polk’s penguins

The Detroit Zoo is home to 83 penguins, so it’s only fitting its Polk Penguin Conservation Center resemble Antarctic’s icy landscape. Now open to the public, the facility—which holds more than 1,234,044 L (326,000 gal) of water—welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
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Many shades of green with Portland’s One North

Efficient mechanical systems and a highly insulated and airtight shell are two of the features incorporated into the design of One North in Portland, Oregon. The project is the product of a multi-year collaborative process that looked to contribute to Stumptown’s reputation as a green city.
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