Purdue university analysts demonstrate to us one great solution to reduce 50% of winter heating expenses

In a lecture given in January 2007 at the the DLD (Digital Life Design) Conference, in Munich, Germany, Norman Foster talks about Sustainable Design and how the principle of sustainability were applied in some of his projects.

Recently published at TED, the lecture is quite insightful . It is  interesting to see how the embryonic ideas about sustainability were emerging in the 70s and how the architect  implemented in his earlier projects. He also describes how current computer technologies are being utilized for the enhancement of design in more recent projects.

The Virtual Model or BIM has definitely its advantages against the typical CAD as practiced today. Why Architects should be looking at adopting these new technologies and how Contractors could benefit from their use.

[[Building Information Model]] or BIM is a 3D approach to CAD that uses, as building blocks, virtual objects that emulate the real life construction components. Rather than using vector elements such as lines and shapes to draft the drawings of the project, the designer builds his project on the computer using virtual objects such as walls, floors beams, columns, doors, windows, fixtures etc. More and more people in the construction industry are looking at adopting the BIM. A recent survey showed the majority of the Architects in North America think that BIM will eventually overtake traditional CAD as the as the standard computer tool. Some developers and real-estate owners are pushing for the adoption of the BIM, when they understood how efficient the integration of building Management Systems into the Virtual Model could be in helping them manage their properties.

Charlie Rose conducted this interview with Frank Gehry within the fabulous setting of the New York Guggenheim Museum. The extensive discussion with the Architect gives special insights about his approach to the design process and his view on Architecture, and what is considered his interpretation of the architecture language.