Since the announcement of the results of the 1st Cycle of WA Community 20+10+X Architecture Awards, submissions for 2nd cycle have been accelerated. This is a reminder to attract your attention to the deadline: last two weeks Please apply to get selected as one of the awarded WA Community architects and let your work be appreciated by the whole world!

Whether you are an international firm or a student with unrealized projects; it is the ideas; intentions and courage to shape the future of architecture that is awarded. Be aware that time is getting shorter to present how you contribute to the world architecture. WA invites any format. Build, not realized, graduation project or any conceptual statement. Recent projects will have more chances to be shortlisted for the WA Awards, since WA is trying to present most recent statements that architects all around the world offer. Please submit your building to refresh our faith and foster conversations in Architecture.

ARCHITECT AFRICA COLLECTIVE'S CHOICE OF FREE SOFTWARE FOR ARCHITECTS

and other affordable options...

The AAC highly recommends the following software for the architectural practice in Africa (and the world!)

Desktop/Laptop Operating System : Ubuntu GNU/Linux

(Dual booted with Microsoft Vista when required for software compatibility - e.g. CAD)

Office Suite: Open Office  (Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, NT, XP & Vista or GNU/Linux)

(Word processor, Web editor, spreadsheet, graphics, database manager and more. Reads Microsoft files.)

CAD: IntelliCAD's ProgeCAD 2008. (Microsoft Windows XP & Vista and GNU/Linux)

(Autodesk's AutoCAD users will feel at home with IntelliCAD.)

ProgeCAD SMART! - Free version for personal use. Download here. (98M) (Windows)

ProgeCAD Standard 2008 - Cost efficient option for commercial or business use.  (About US$250) Get it here: progeCAD 2008 Standard (30 Day free trial period with full functionality) (Windows)

ProgeCAD Professional 3D 2008 - The Professional's Choice at an affordable price. (About US$350) Try it! progeCAD 2008 Professional (30 Day free trial period with full functionality) (Windows)

ProgeARCH Add-on for Architects - For power users! Click progeARCH to try or buy. (About US$275) (30 Day free trial period with full functionality) (Windows)

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About the IntelliCAD Technology Consortium

The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium is an organization of CAD software developers, who develop applications for IntelliCAD, a Computer-aided design engine. The IntelliCAD engine, which is based on the DWGdirect library from the Open Design Alliance reads and writes the “.dwg” data format – a widely used file format for storing both graphic and textual information of CAD-related software applications.

The IntelliCAD engine not only provides native industry-standard compatibility with .dwg, but also has a set of commands similar to AutoCAD by AutoDesk, Inc. Similarly, IntelliCAD provides several calling convention routines, or APIs, such as LISP, COM, Visual Basic, and SDS (IntelliCAD's C/C++ Programming API) that allow users the ability to create complex custom CAD applications.

Although IntelliCAD consists of a generic CAD engine with full abilities to display, modify and create 2D drawings or 3D models, consortium members use its extensive APIs to program powerful specialty applications. IntelliCAD consortium members pay an annual license fee to use IntelliCAD, and in return can resell IntelliCAD royalty-free and have full access to the IntelliCAD source code.

Products that utilize IntelliCAD technology include CADopia, AcceliCAD, BitCAD, CADian, GStarICAD, IntelliDesk, IntelliPlus, MicroSurvey CAD, progeCAD, ZwCAD.

The IntelliCAD Technology Consortium is a Founding Member of the Open Design Alliance.

Features and Benefits
 
DWG file compatibility
IntelliCAD's native file format is DWG. IntelliCAD opens, edits, and saves any existing DWG files saved in numerous versions, including DWG Version 2.5 through 2007, without conversion or data loss. IntelliCAD provides industry-standard compatibility with the Autodesk® AutoCAD® command set, as well as programming APIs, such as LISP and SDS (IntelliCAD's C programming API). That means you can get to work immediately using the DWG files, commands, and applications you rely on. 

Drawing productivity
IntelliCAD offers many productivity features to help you get the most from the time you spend creating drawings. You can organize items on layers, snap to items for precise positioning, work in model space and paper space depending on whether you're drawing or printing, and create 2D or 3D models. Additionally, the IntelliCAD Explorer provides the unique ability to review and exchange layers, blocks, linetypes, dimension styles, and text styles between drawings with drag-and-drop ease. And thanks to IntelliCAD's ActiveX integration, you can insert IntelliCAD drawings (or just parts of them) into Microsoft® Office application files for many cross-application uses. 

Building applications
If you have existing applications that were built using the ADS or AutoLISP libraries, you can quickly use them in IntelliCAD using the same languages and functions you are used to. IntelliCAD also includes a VBA object model to implement quick solutions or to create prototypes for SDS applications within your organization. 

Affordability
For the first time ever you can buy a heavy-duty CAD program that's compatible with the DWG file format and industry-standard applications without the high price of other industry-standard applications. IntelliCAD's low price makes it affordable to anyone who creates and uses DWG files.

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Disclaimer: The above information was correct at the time of posting. External links and offers may change from time to time and are subject to third party alteration and/or cancellation.

 

 

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Contribute in the making of the Future of Architectural Thought

World Architecture Community, launched on March 1, with 200 honorary members including Hans Hollein, Mario Botta, and Fumihiko Maki, is probably the first interactive database created to provide an opportunity for all local practices to become internationally recognized. Unique features of this portal enable all members to contribute in the making of the future of architectural thought by submitting, discussing, editing, rating, sharing their work.

While there are many channels that promote architecture, WA will probably be the first interactive database created to provide an opportunity for all local practices to present their work to the international audience and become internationally recognized.

It is evident that content capacity in printed media is very limited that only a few can access. Appearing in international or even local media is highly competitive and requires grand projects; therefore local practices rarely have the chance to be criticized and the agenda of architecture concentrates on a few names. On the other hand, there are many young, talented architects, passionately designing buildings in the different parts of the world. Unfortunately, as they cannot appear on the media, they are solely criticized by their customers. Impetus for creativity, however, is criticism. WA realizes the dream of local practices to be discussed by prominent scholars and academicians from different countries via the platform offered by the internet. Architects and scholars from ALL countries of the world are invited to submit their buildings and writings freely. The aim of WA is to highlight the different quests of local practices in the global agenda and initiate a new definition for architectural media. WA Community Portal also aims to present the work of all contemporary masters of architecture in a concise form eventually with their support of the educational premises of the project.

Another unique feature of the portal is that Issue Pages can be created by all members as a collaborative effort to create connections across the individual resources on the internet. For instance, an architect being inspired from local culture, can create an issue page to define his theoretical discourse that has guided his design, and relate his buildings to this issue page so that theory and practice in architecture can come together within the same context. This independent global forum and extensive database will be also a big occasion for theorists. They will be able to access examples, works, and efforts from most diverse regions and cultures of the world and will have the chance to get in touch with practice at a global scale.

All members will be able to submit links, articles, projects (even unrealized or projects under construction can be submitted) to this completely free international portal. Contributions from all members will have equitable chances to be represented, promoted, reviewed and criticized at this international arena.

The Architect - Vantage Point

An international collaborating trio builds protective facades for skyscrapers and overcomes such daunting challenges as tight schedules and intricate building designs.

When Enclos, a US design, engineering and installation firm, secured the deal to build the curtain walls, or protective facades (see sidebar), of two high-profile skyscrapers in 2006, it knew exactly who to turn to for help.

“Our manufacturer in Thailand, Envelex, was looking for a highquality supplier of gaskets,” recalls Dan Green, Enclos’s US West Coast General Manager. Gaskets are elastomer seals wedged between a curtain wall’s frame and its glass panels, which prevent air and water from leaking into the building. “We recommended Envelex to contact Mike Scanlon and Trelleborg EPG since it is one of our preferred gasket suppliers. The US-based Trelleborg company has consistently provided quality materials, prompt response and proactive design input.”

SOUTH AFRICAN ARCHITECTS DESIGN WORLD-CLASS MALL IN INDIA IN LANDMARK MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

South Africa, Johannesburg - May 2008: South African architects Bentel Associates International (BAI), pioneers in commercial architecture, have been making their mark on the Indian architectural landscape for the last few years. Currently, they have about 50 projects underway in the country with one of their recently completed projects, South City Mall in Kolkata, creating substantial international interest.

The one million square feet (93 000m2) South City Mall on Prince Anwar Shah Road is part of a mixed-use development project across 31 acres in south Kolkata. The development includes four residential towers with 1 600 flats, a 75 000 square feet (7 000m2) art club and 125 000 square feet (11 650m2) dedicated to school and car parking facilities for more than 1 600 cars.

"The planning for the one million square feet (93 000m2) South City Mall is based on symbiosis between large and small retailers to create a micro environment that encourages visitors to shop," says architect and senior director at BAI Nicolas Kyriacos, who coordinates the development of new business in India for the company and oversees concept, development and design direction.

Kyriacos says that ten years ago India did not have a single shopping mall. "Now, nearly 50 million sq ft (4.7 million m2) of mall space is in various stages of completion, across seven major cities. Calcutta and its fringes alone will have about 40 new retail centres in the next three years."