Architecture News

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All 91 articles from Architecture News, newest first.

2026

Building Envelope And Insulation Fox Blocks Insulated Concrete Forms: Sizes and Wall Details Fox Blocks ICF core sizes, overall wall thickness, concrete quantities and the attachment, opening and waterproofing details to coordinate. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Cinderblock Weight: 8×8×16 Blocks and Pallet Loads Compare sourced 8×8×16 concrete block weights, calculate pallet loads, and distinguish individual block weight from finished masonry wall weight. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement What Is Portland Cement? Ingredients, Uses and Types Learn how portland cement differs from concrete and mortar, what clinker and gypsum do, and how ASTM cement types affect purchasing and specification. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement High Strength Concrete Mix: Ratios, Water and Specification Distinguish bagged mixes from engineered high-strength concrete, understand water ratios, and coordinate mixing, placement, curing and testing. Timber Framing And Trusses Fire-Rated Plywood: FRT Panels, Ratings and Specification Learn what FRT plywood labels establish, when an hourly assembly rating is needed, and how treatment affects structural capacity, exposure and installation. Building Envelope And Insulation Fire Resistance Materials in Building: Specify the Assembly Compare gypsum, concrete, masonry, steel protection and mass timber, with the assembly details, joints and penetrations needed to document fire resistance. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement What Is Concrete Made Of? Ingredients and Their Roles Concrete combines cement, water, sand and stone. Learn how aggregates, admixtures, water ratio and curing affect strength and construction. Building Envelope And Insulation Insulated Concrete Forms Homes: Benefits, Limits and Details How ICF homes affect wall thickness, structure, openings, waterproofing, services, finishes, cost and construction sequencing. Retaining Walls And Foundations Interlocking Retaining Wall Blocks: Design and Detailing How to detail interlocking retaining wall blocks, including height, setback, base, embedment, drainage, geogrid, surcharges and inspection. Structural Analysis And Connections How to Tell if a Wall Is Load Bearing Identify a possible load-bearing wall by tracing joists, roof framing and supports—then verify it before cutting, drilling or demolition. Structural Analysis And Connections How to Tell If a Wall Is Load Bearing Follow joists, roof framing and support below to assess whether a wall is load bearing, then learn which clues cannot safely authorize removal. Structural Analysis And Connections How to Find Out If a Wall Is Load Bearing Learn to trace loads above, below and along a wall, read framing clues, check other structural roles and know when professional verification is required. Building Envelope And Insulation ICF Walls: Insulating Concrete Form Anatomy and Details How ICF walls combine reinforced concrete and continuous foam—and how to detail thickness, openings, attachments, waterproofing and placement. Building Envelope And Insulation Insulated Concrete Forms Materials: What ICF Walls Contain See what an ICF wall is made of, from EPS forms and webs to concrete, rebar, bucks, membranes and finishes, plus what drawings must specify. Building Envelope And Insulation Using Insulated Concrete Forms: Design and Construction Guide How to coordinate ICF core size, reinforcement, openings, embeds, concrete placement, waterproofing, finishes and trade work. Retaining Walls And Foundations Boulder Retaining Walls: Design, Drainage and Construction How to size, drain, detail and inspect a boulder retaining wall—and when geotechnical and structural engineering should lead the process. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Concrete Lintel Types, Sizing, Bearing and Detailing Learn how to choose a concrete lintel by system, loads, span and bearing, then coordinate reinforcement, installation, drainage and thermal details at openings. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Concrete Masonry Unit Wall: Design and Detailing Guide How to lay out and detail a CMU wall for structure, movement, moisture, insulation, openings and construction coordination. Structural Analysis And Connections Window Lintel Types, Sizing, Bearing and Details Learn how to choose and detail a window lintel by wall assembly, opening, bearing, loads, deflection, drainage, corrosion and thermal continuity. Retaining Walls And Foundations Cement Blocks for a Shed Foundation: What Works How to detail a shed foundation on concrete blocks, including bearing area, support layout, drainage, frost movement, wood clearance and anchorage. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Concrete Brick: Standards, Sizes and Wall Details Learn which ASTM standard applies to concrete brick, how dimensions affect coursing, and what anchored, adhered and structural assemblies require. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Manufactured Stone Veneer: Detail the Assembly, Not Just the Finish How to detail manufactured stone veneer, from WRB and lath to mortar, flashing, clearances, movement joints and product verification. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Slab Piers for Settled Concrete Floors Learn when slab piers suit a settled concrete floor, how push and helical systems differ, and what engineers should verify before installation. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Brick Veneer: Anchored and Thin-Brick Wall Details How anchored and adhered brick veneer differ, with practical guidance on cavities, flashing, weeps, ties, support and movement joints. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Brick Wall Design: Choose the Assembly Before the Bond Choose structural brick, anchored veneer or thin brick, then coordinate support, drainage, ties, openings, movement joints and coursing. Building Envelope And Insulation Subfloor Moisture Barrier: Choose the Layer by Assembly Choose and locate subfloor moisture control for wood framing, crawl spaces, concrete slabs, floating floors, bonded finishes and wet rooms. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Stucco vs. Plaster: Specify by Exposure, Substrate and Binder Compare stucco and plaster by exposure, binder, substrate, thickness and drainage—then translate the choice into a coordinated wall specification. Structural Analysis And Connections 235 East 42nd Street Column Buckling: What We Know Evidence supports a localized structural-stability incident and a possible reinforcement discrepancy, but no final cause by the August 28 reporting cutoff. Timber Framing And Trusses 2027 IBC Salvaged Lumber: Structural Use Path and the 90% Cap Reported 2027 IBC salvaged-lumber pathway explained: who may verify, what the 90% design-value cap means, and why local adoption still decides your project. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Mortar Cement vs Masonry Cement vs Portland-Lime Frames selection and substitution around the binder route, finished-mortar requirements, governing editions, product documentation and field controls. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Polymer Modified Mortar: Which Type Fits Tile, Veneer or Masonry Tile thinset, adhered-veneer, paving and ASTM C270 unit-masonry mortars are different categories. How to match ANSI and ASTM designations to the actual job. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Stereotomic Architecture: Meaning & Examples It organizes material as compression-dominant mass; six practical checks, a tectonic comparison and the Armadillo Vault show how to identify it. Retaining Walls And Foundations Foundation Repair Long-Tail SEO: Keywords to Pages Group homeowner searches by intent, validate them by service area, assign each cluster to one useful destination, and measure inspections, jobs, and revenue. Building Envelope And Insulation Under Slab Insulation: Code, Layers, Installation Explains edge versus full-area coverage, heated-slab rules, vapor control, product documentation, load concerns, and pre-pour checks. Timber Framing And Trusses Wood vs. Metal Studs: Which Is Better for Each Wall? Wood favors field changes and attachment-heavy walls; metal suits straight, lightweight partitions. Structural or rated walls need verified assemblies. Roof Design And Waterproofing Roof Parapet Wall: How It Works Its performance depends on coordinating structure, waterproofing, coping, insulation, air control, drainage, and any safety or fire-related role. Roof Design And Waterproofing What Is a Skylight? Types, Shafts and Performance A skylight is roof-level glazing that brings daylight indoors. Learn fixed, vented and tubular types, when a light shaft is needed, and performance factors. Building Envelope And Insulation What Is a Solarium? Definition and Sunroom Differences Typically built with glass walls and a glass roof, it admits abundant sunlight and broad views; overhead glazing usually distinguishes it from a sunroom. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Brickwork Bond Types Compared: How to Choose See how running, header, English, Flemish, stack and garden-wall patterns differ, then choose by wall system, dimensions and workmanship. Retaining Walls And Foundations Concrete Foundation for a Brick Wall: Footing Size No universal size fits every wall; footing width, thickness and embedment depend on wall type, loads, soil, frost conditions and drainage. Retaining Walls And Foundations Stone Veneer Foundation: What to Verify Exterior veneer is not automatically foundation-approved. Verify substrate, grade, moisture, attachment, drainage, local rules and warranty. Retaining Walls And Foundations Foundation Brickwork: How to Evaluate It Adequacy depends on the complete load path, soil support, geometry, condition, drainage and local approval—not visible brick alone. Building Envelope And Insulation 3D Modeling Software: Choose by Workflow Tinkercad fits simple browser projects, Blender a broad creative pipeline, Shapr3D precision CAD, Revit BIM, and Maya or 3ds Max entertainment. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Cellar Dry Rot Causes: How to Trace the Damp Trace leaks, groundwater, rainwater defects, condensation and damp-masonry connections, with a table showing where to check first. Architectural Landmarks And Structural Systems Lateran Basilica: Rome’s Cathedral Explained Its Constantinian foundation, medieval fabric, Borromini’s Baroque interior and Galilei’s façade show how centuries of rebuilding shaped the church. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Precast Lintel: Types, Sizing and Installation Screen options by wall construction, clear opening, bearing, supported width, loads and form—not stock length alone. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Stone Masonry: Types, Materials and Wall Systems Compare structural, dry-stone, adhered veneer and anchored cladding, with guidance on stone tests, mortar compatibility, drainage and historic repair. Roof Design And Waterproofing Type N vs Type S Mortar: Strength, Workability & Uses Type N fits many moderate above-grade jobs; Type S is considered for heavier loads, soil pressure, below-grade work, or demanding exposure. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Unreinforced Masonry: Signs, Risks, Retrofit Options Explains how records and structural evaluation confirm suspected URM, plus how local rules, performance objectives and documentation shape retrofit decisions. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Masonry Veneer: Types, Loads and Drainage Compare anchored and adhered systems, trace gravity and lateral load paths, and understand how cavities, flashing, weeps and movement joints prevent failure. Masonry Materials And Brickwork What Is Masonry? Definition, Materials and Uses Brick, stone and concrete block are assembled as individual units into work that may be structural or veneer, with distinct roles for mortar and grout. Structural Analysis And Connections W18x35 Dimensions, Weight & Section Properties Tabulated values include 17.70 in depth, 6.00 in flange width, a 0.300 in web, 0.425 in flanges and 35 lb/ft; W460×52 is commonly listed as the metric designation. Structural Analysis And Connections Metal Floor Joists: Types, Spans, Sizing and Cost Start with the application and complete floor assembly, then evaluate loads, clear span, spacing, depth, serviceability, MEP routing and installed cost. Building Envelope And Insulation Best Way to Insulate a Metal Building by Use & Climate See how climate, humidity, occupancy, heating schedule, roof type, construction stage, access and budget determine the right assembly. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Masonry Ties: Types and Selection Match connectors to backup and cavity, then verify the exact fastener, spacing, embedment, enclosure details and locally adopted requirements. Timber Framing And Trusses Lumber Prices Dropping in 2026 Despite Tariffs Lumber fell despite 2026 tariffs as housing starts slid. Compare Madison’s $558 benchmark with futures, forecasts, and your framing package. Structural Analysis And Connections Rebar Tariffs 2026: Why Slab Costs Barely Move Commerce’s 2026 rebar duties reach 136.57%, but targeted imports are under 5% of supply. Test the slab-cost effect and check shipment caveats. Structural Analysis And Connections Steel Tariff Impact on Construction Costs in 2026 Trace steel price changes through material, fabrication, erection, and the total budget, then calculate the likely cost effect on your own project. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Subfloor Types: Plywood, OSB, Concrete & Planks See how supporting structure, spacing, loads, moisture exposure, finished flooring and installation method determine the right choice. Retaining Walls And Foundations Basement Crack Guide: Warning Signs, Causes and Repairs A basement crack is evidence, not a diagnosis. Its direction can provide an initial clue, but visual inspection cannot establish structural safety or identify… Architectural Landmarks And Structural Systems Flying Buttress vs Buttress: Key Structural Differences Every flying buttress is a buttress, but not every buttress is a flying buttress. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Expansion Joints in Brickwork: Spacing, Placement & Details Brick looks rigid, but a brick wall is not dimensionally fixed. Temperature and moisture conditions change its dimensions, clay brick develops long-term… Fiber Reinforced Polymers And Materials Can Synthetic Fiber Replace Rebar in Slab on Grade? Learn when macro-synthetic fiber can replace distributed slab steel, which bars must stay, and how to compare project quotes per square foot. Timber Framing And Trusses Can You Build Mass Timber in Florida? 2026 Code Guide Florida permits some mass-timber projects, but its 2026 code omits tall-timber Types IV-A/B/C. Check story limits and local approval routes. Timber Framing And Trusses Canadian Plywood Tariff Cost per Sheet Calculator Estimate the conditional 50% Canadian plywood duty per sheet, compare plywood and OSB project costs, and see which classifications need verification. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Standard Concrete Masonry Unit Dimensions: Nominal vs. Actual CMU Sizes The most frequently encountered full-size concrete masonry unit in U.S. construction is nominally 8 × 8 × 16 inches. That designation does not mean the block… Masonry Materials And Brickwork Masonry Construction: Materials, Wall Systems, Benefits & Uses Masonry construction is not a single material or wall type. It is a family of assemblies built from individual units such as brick, natural stone, concrete… Structural Analysis And Connections Steel Beam Span Tables: How to Read and Use Them Safely No steel beam can be selected safely from span alone. Span matters, but so do loads, tributary width or beam spacing, support arrangement, continuity, steel… Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Concrete With Rebar: How Reinforced Concrete Works Concrete containing reinforcing bars is reinforced concrete: a composite material in which concrete, steel, and the bond between them work together. Concrete… Roof Design And Waterproofing Roof Plywood Thickness by Framing Spacing and Rating Rated 1/2-inch plywood at 16-inch centers and 5/8-inch plywood at 24-inch centers are reasonable starting points, but neither is a complete specification. Fiber Reinforced Polymers And Materials What Changes With Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Rebar Cured GFRP bars generally should not be bent on site. Required hooks, stirrups, ties and other shapes should be factory-fabricated from an approved schedule. Timber Framing And Trusses Floor Trusses vs Floor Joists: Span, Services and Cost Joists split into solid-sawn and I-joist systems. Truss webs create useful service zones, but their openings and obstructions are fixed once fabricated. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Rebar Cage Anatomy, Options and Constraints It must provide the reinforcement required by the design, remain stable during handling and leave enough room for concrete to surround the steel. Fiber Reinforced Polymers And Materials Carbon Fiber Modulus Varies by Form and Direction The applicable value depends on material level: filament, ply, laminate or finished product. It must also match load direction and test basis. Structural Analysis And Connections K Truss Has Two Distinct Meanings In structures, it is a K-shaped web that creates physical load paths. In graph theory, each retained edge needs at least k−2 triangles under NetworkX. Structural Analysis And Connections Box Beams Must Be Chosen by Function and Fit First determine whether the member is structural or decorative, then document its sides, material, exterior dimensions, usable cavity and joints. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement What Is #6 Rebar? Specs for Ordering For ordering, list size, diameter and length separately, for example: #6, 3/4-inch nominal diameter, 20 feet long. Structural Analysis And Connections Check an AISC Connection Example for Gaps The legacy extract ends during flange-plate block shear, omitting its completed result and the final column-stiffening determination. Timber Framing And Trusses Rafters vs Trusses: Space, Spans and Site Constraints Scissor trusses can create a vaulted ceiling, while attic and storage trusses can preserve a defined open area for a specified use. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Masonry Sand Is a Category, Not a Specification The name alone does not establish source rock, particle-size distribution, cleanliness, moisture, color or compliance with a project requirement. Concrete Slabs And Reinforcement Concrete Slab Thickness by Use and Load A 4-inch patio assumes light use and suitable support. Driveways start thicker, while lifts, hot tubs and suspended slabs require different checks. Architectural Landmarks And Structural Systems Hearst Tower New York: Preserved but Transformed Behind the retained landmark exterior, the old interior was substantially remade as a headquarters atrium beneath a structurally expressive steel diagrid. Retaining Walls And Foundations Weigh the Trade-Offs of a Monolithic Slab Foundation Relocating a bathroom, repairing a concealed drain, or adding a floor outlet may require cutting and restoring concrete. Retaining Walls And Foundations Cantilever Retaining Walls Depend on the Whole System The wall and footing can satisfy local sliding, overturning, and bearing checks while the wider slope remains unstable. All six checks interact. Timber Framing And Trusses Cedar Thermal Conductivity in W/mK by Species and Moisture The six-species table spans 0.094-0.14 W/(m·K) at the same nominal 12% moisture condition, so species matters when selecting an input. Structural Analysis And Connections 4 Cantilever Beam Shear and Moment Diagram Examples The signed area under the shear diagram equals the bending-moment change. Apply region equations, jump rules and free-end checks to each loading case. Roof Design And Waterproofing Flat Roof Deck: Exposed vs Protected Waterproofing With an exposed system, furniture, foot traffic and dropped objects act directly on the membrane. Finish repairs are waterproofing repairs. Building Envelope And Insulation Continuous Insulation Requires Whole-Wall Design Screws, nails, clips, girts, shelf angles, masonry ties, balconies, canopies, penetrations, and service openings can conduct heat through or around it. Architectural Landmarks And Structural Systems What Defines Hagia Sophia's Architecture Over Time? The replacement dome was rebuilt higher to reduce outward thrust. Byzantine repairs, Ottoman buttresses and metal reinforcement helped the building endure. Masonry Materials And Brickwork Modular Brick Uses a 4-Inch Module Its 3⅝ × 2¼ × 7⅝-inch actual size becomes a 4 × 2⅔ × 8-inch nominal box when a ⅜-inch mortar joint is included. Fiber Reinforced Polymers And Materials Polyurethane vs Urethane: Product Names vs Chemistry Product labels often use the terms interchangeably. In chemistry or regulatory writing, urethane can mean a structural linkage or ethyl carbamate.