New Vision for Thames Airport Revealed

The world's largest floating airport would be faster and cheaper to build; London Britannia Airport could provide the UK with its first 24/7 airport within the next decade.

[London], September 5, 2012 - Today global design firm Gensler reveals its concept for a new London aviation hub. 

London Britannia Airport (LBA) would position the capital as the global gateway for Europe in what would be the world's most innovative infrastructure development this century - whilst reducing environmental impact, cost and disruption to London.

Providing a further endorsement to the Thames Estuary as the preferred location for London's new airport, Gensler have designed a unique solution creating an entirely new approach to modern airport design and construction with a clear focus on convenience and accessibility.

The proposals also envisage a new future for Heathrow as the largest urban expansion project in Europe with the development of an eco city - Heathrow Gardens - on the former airfield that can utilise the existing infrastructure to provide additional homes for 300,000 people and employment for over 200,000.

Chris Johnson, Gensler managing principal and the creative director for the airport said "This is a once in a century project that will build on the capital's reputation for innovation and creativity and provide a new symbol of national pride. This is a fantastic opportunity to rethink the problems created by a redundant 20th century airport model and provide a genuine 21st century airport that creates a new standard for the world, minimising nuisance and maximising environmental benefits."

Ian Mulcahey, Project Director "This will be a 'national' infrastructure project that can inject new pace and dynamism into our economy. The airport can be quickly manufactured in the ship yards and steel works across the UK and can be floated by sea and positioned in the Estuary. This isn't a London Airport it is a Global Airport, designed, manufactured and built in the UK."


Environmental Benefits

The relocation of a UK hub airport to the Thames Estuary will provide a state of the art facility that will transform the quality of life for millions of Londoners and will provide London with the space and infrastructure to grow and thrive over the next century. The marine location not only minimises noise disruption to existing communities whilst enabling 24hour passenger arrival and departure, but it also avoids any demolition of homes.

Building upon the UK's capability as a world leader in marine construction, London Britannia Airport includes four, five kilometre, floating runways. To minimise environmental disruption the runways are tethered to the sea bed and to the final departure concourse which provides access to the marine rail tunnels that connect directly to central London and the European High Speed Rail Networks.

The design's inherent flexibility creates a platform whereby runways can be floated in as required and taken away for maintenance in the future. The concept allows for future expansion to accommodate 6 runways when required.

By floating the runway and its associated hard standing it is possible to avoid the negative effects of land reclamation in the sensitive estuarine waters of the Thames. The location of the airport can then be optimised to avoid the key feeding and migration areas between high and low water.

London Britannia will have a sustainable access strategy with unparalleled accessibility to the UK and Europe through a combination of rail, ferry and jetfoil connections. Vehicular access will be dispersed to three new land based Departure/Arrival terminals, two located north and south of the estuary, and a third Central London terminal proposed between Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park.

The airport has also been designed to generate much of its own power from marine turbines situated within, and adjacent to the floating runways.


About Gensler
Gensler is a global design firm networked across 42 locations on five continents. Consistently ranked by international industry surveys as the leading architecture and interior design firm, Gensler leverages its deep resources and diverse expertise to develop design solutions for industries across the globe.

For more information, please visit www.gensler.com

Great Reads: Restoration Hardware Source Books

[New York], August 19, 2012 - Restoration Hardware is one of the fastest growing and most innovative luxury brands in the home furnishings marketplace.

The brand stands alone and is redefining this highly fragmented and growing market. Restoration Hardware is positioned as a lifestyle brand and design authority, offering dominant assortments across a growing number of categories, including furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, outdoor and garden, as well as baby and child products.

Trendsetter Interiors recently visited this great site - RestorationHardware.com and their exact digital replicas of the Restoration Hardware catalogs and wanted to tell you all about it.

It's very easy to use and can be accessed whenever you are surfing the net.

We suggest you to explore these great Source Books:

Home Source Book - Spring 2012 Catalog
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/spring

Big Style, Small Spaces Source Book
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/smallspaces

Outdoor Source Book
http://catalogs.restorationhardware.com/outdoor

Kitchen Designs by KitchenAid® Architect® Series

Exclusive Kitchen Design solutions with KitchenAid® Architect® Series. Surround yourself with bold, commercial-style appliances and elevate the heart of your home. For more information please visit http://www.kitchenaid.com/~kitchen-gallery/

All photos courtesy of KitchenAid®

Superb Coffee, with Flair!

Voluptuous coffee flavour and gorgeous design are a barista-beating duo in new bean-to-cup coffee centres from Siemens.

[New York], August 14, 2012 - The fully-automatic machines - the EQ5 Macchiato (TE503201RW) and EQ5 Macchiato Plus (TE506209RW) - are beautiful on the outside, and marvels of engineering on the inside.

Both models have a 1.7litre water, 300g bean hopper and 15 bar pressure, plus an impressive range of features including adjustable coffee strength and double-shot setting; grind-setting, nozzle-height and drink-size adjustment; a two-cup function, and they will even make a perfect brew from ready-ground coffee rather than beans. The Macchiato Plus offers an extra one touch setting for perfect latte or cappuccino style.

Both models use Siemens' unique Aroma Pressure system, which has a specially-shaped tamper to ensure consistent compression of the ground coffee and perfectly reproducible flavour with every cup. Water is forced through this at 15 times atmospheric pressure - enough to produce a cup within 30 seconds. Siemens' special Senso-Flow heating element keeps the water at the ideal temperature during the brewing process, for great taste without over-brewing.

The EQ5 Macchiato ­- in super-cool silver - has a graphical display for easy use, digital controls, a timer, an independent milk system with a separate nozzle, a removable drip tray with a mechanical sensor to warn when it is full (the Plus model has an electric sensor), as well as cleaning and de-scaling programmes, including a separate milk-cleaning programme. The tray, drip plate, milk nozzle and bean container lid are all dishwasher safe.

The EQ5 Macchiato Plus ­- in a gorgeous, deep-lacquered piano black - offers all these facilities, plus lighting.

Both machines offer an optional separate milk container and Brita's Intenza cartridge for consistently perfect water - a major ingredient in the making of any truly delicious cup of coffee.

With the EQ5s, Siemens' briliant technology and beautiful design combine to offer the headiest coffee aroma, the perfect crema, the frothiest milk and the finest bean-to-cup experience you can buy.

For more information please visit www.siemens-home.co.uk

HBA Designs the Living Room – a Bar & Lounge Exclusively for Grand Hyatt Dubai

Reflecting the Energy and Vibrancy of Dubai, the Newly Designed Lounge Provides Guests with Living Rooms of Unique Culture and Ambiance

[New York], August 14, 2012 - HBA / Hirsch Bedner Associates, the global leader in interior design, announces the completion of their renovation of Grand Hyatt Dubai including the Living Room Lounge & Bar.

Dubai, known as the "City of Life,' has become one of the most vibrant, young and dynamic cities today. The harmonious mix of diverse cultures spanning the Middle East, Europe and Asia living and working together in Dubai inspired the Living Room concept. HBA, using their expertise in restaurant and bar design, drew from Dubai's local tradition of luxury to create the Living Room Lounge & Bar which plays off the city's rich, local culture.

Majestically towering over Dubai's historic creek, Grand Hyatt Dubai sets the standard for excellence in a city known for extravagance. The Living Room Lounge & Bar combines cultural interplay, artistry and unique spatial planning creating an energetic and alive environment that could only exist in a city such as Dubai.

"Dubai is such a vibrant and culturally rich city that we did not have to look far for inspiration for the Living Room," says HBA Dubai Managing Associate, Michelle Evans. "In order to design a bar and lounge that offers the ultimate guest experience, we took cues from Arabic rhythms and patterns and fused them with luxurious materials while always maintaining the high quality standards of the Grand Hyatt brand."

With lounge, chill-out, soul and funk music evoking a sensation of relaxation, the Living Room Lounge & Bar is a trendy and stylish venue offering an eclectic and original cocktails and drinks list with an accompanying menu of light bites. The space incorporates elements from local cultures and unites them in a melting pot of styles creating a soothing and exotic atmosphere. The space is made up of four distinct lounges linked together by a series of portals that play into Dubai's see-and-be-seen tradition by offering glimpses between rooms. Each lounge has a different color scheme, although all are bold and harmonious through the use of luxe velvets and leathers to finish the space. The "live kitchen" is a stand out feature, showcasing chefs in their working environment, turning food into art.

Each Living Room has a unique concept and cultural identity, while blending together seamlessly. The Sunken Lounge is the heart of the space. Each of the rooms emanate from this central entry point. The Velvet Lounge takes inspiration from the Middle East's love of color. The space incorporates vivid hues of purples and magenta with a hint of gold along with velvets and richly patterned fabrics. Every detail is thought through, down to the junction from floor to walls - the transition is curved in order to emphasize softness.

The European Lounge has Louis VX chairs upholstered in modern day fabrics and pearlized leathers with black lacquer frames. The architectural colors are white on white, which is carried through in the large oil paintings on aluminum metal by Julia Brooker. The room is punctuated by tones of grey and vivid orange. As guests enter the room through a glowing burnt orange portal constructed in high gloss lacquer, it creates a grand sense of entry. In line with the Louis XIV chair, an entire wall is clad in antiqued mirror and through the wall is the portal that glimpses into the Velvet Lounge.

The Chinese Lounge is bold and strong with vibrant reds and blacks that create a real sense of drama. The space is punctuated with oversized heavily adorned chandeliers in crystal and velvet. The chandeliers were sourced from a local supplier, Petals, known for their flamboyant designs. One wall is attributed to a photographic scene from a Chinese nightclub where the dress of the central figure was colored to match the silk fabrics and panels around the room. The well-choreographed art and interior design program provide a focal point seen from all around the room and create a unique atmosphere unlike anything found in Dubai.

In addition to the The Living Room Lounge & Bar, HBA also renovated two other spaces in Grand Hyatt Dubai - the Ahasees Spa & Club and Al Manzil Residence. All three brand-new lifestyle experiences are set to enhance and complement the luxurious facilities the hotel is synonymous with.

For more information, please visit www.dubai.grand.hyatt.com.

About Grand Hyatt Dubai

Located in the heart of the city, Grand Hyatt Dubai is a perfect blend of a city conference and resort set within a lush oasis of 37 acres of landscaped gardens. Featuring a combination of resort facilities, luxury hotel guestrooms and suites, residential apartments, 14 food and beverage outlets and one of the largest and advanced conference facilities in the Middle East, the hotel is just minutes away from Dubai's shopping, entertainment and business districts and within easy access of the international airport. The hotel also welcomes a new way to meet, mingle and motivate at Al Manzil, a brand-new residential style multi-event venue. This intimately designed space embraces the style elements of Arabic hospitality and architecture, inviting guests into "The Home" for an event of exciting possibilities. Relax and enjoy world-class leisure facilities at Ahasees Spa and Club and connect with the spirit of Dubai through our Trade, Flourish and Evolve treatment programs.

AIA Consensus Construction Forecast

AIA

Nonresidential Construction Spending Expected to Increase through 2012 with Stronger Growth Projected for 2013

[New York], August 14, 2012 - The American Institute of Architects (AIA) semi-annual Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation's leading construction forecasters, projects a 6.2% increase of spending in 2013.

Even with the myriad of obstacles preventing a full scale recovery for the overall U.S. economy, the design and construction industry appears to have reasons to be at least modestly optimistic in the coming months and into next year.

A sharp spike in demand for industrial facilities so far this year, along with sustained demand for hotels and retail projects factors into what projects to be a 4.4% rise in spending this year for nonresidential construction projects - up from a projection of a 2.1% increase in the January Consensus Forecast.

"With companies looking to bring back manufacturing jobs from overseas, there has been a sharp rise in demand for industrial facilities, which is leading to an upward revision in projections for future construction spending," commented AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. "Continued budget shortfalls at the state and local level, along with a depressed municipal bond market are holding the institutional market back from seeing similar upticks in spending.

Federal tax and spending changes - the so-called fiscal cliff - that may come into play in early 2013 could upset the economic applecart and prove detrimental to recovery possibilities. We will likely have a better sense after the presidential election what will happen with regards to the Bush-era tax cuts, Social Security payroll tax, extended unemployment, and deficit reduction plans that will have a ripple effect that will extend to the construction industry."

About AIA
Since 1857, the AIA has represented the professional interests of America's architects. As AIA members, over 74,000 licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation's buildings and communities.

For more information please visit AIA - http://www.aia.org/

Phone: 202.626.7300 | Fax:202.626.7547
Address: 1735 New York Ave., NW Washington DC 20006-5292 United States

Westin Hotels & Resorts Unveils New Nature-Inspired Public Space Concept

(Photo: Business Wire)
Westin Brings the Outdoors In with Innovative Vertical Gardens

New Sensory Arrival, Re-Imagined Zoning and Activating Elements Create Haven for Travelers


[Stamford, Conn.], August 14, 2012 - Today, Westin Hotels & Resorts announces that it is applying its industry leading, design-driven approach to the new public space design, allowing travelers to stay balanced, refreshed and connected on the road.

Designed with guests' well-being in mind, the new lobby concept serves as a modern-day oasis for today's demanding travelers by incorporating natural design elements, flexible and functional zoning and conveniently-located retail and grab & go areas. Westin's new public space concept is currently on display at Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego and will continue to roll out at participating properties worldwide throughout 2013. Five additional hotels are slated to feature the new concept this year including Westin Indianapolis, Westin Boston Waterfront, Westin Birmingham, Westin Georgetown and Westin Bethesda.

Vertical Gardens Offer a Breath of Fresh Air

The Vertical Garden is a unique focal element of the new Westin lobby concept and was designed not only to improve indoor air quality, but also to create a calming, more natural environment. Although vertical gardens exist in other boutique hotel properties, Westin is the first global brand to incorporate these structures in the lobby space throughout its global portfolio. The brand's in-house design team, led by Erin Hoover, Vice President of Design, was inspired by research conducted by NASA scientists who discovered that growing plants indoors relieves stress while also helping to clean the air. The design team was also motivated by multiple studies of biophilia which indicate that the integration of nature into design results in a range of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, enhanced mental stamina and elevated moods. As the first international hotel brand to go smoke-free in 2006, Westin decided to partner with Ambius, the premier global interior landscaping provider, to create these "living walls" that function operationally in the hospitality environment and further the brand's commitment to ensuring that guests leave feeling better than when they arrived.

Ranging from 100 to 300 square feet, each Vertical Garden is custom-designed and integrates wall-mounted plant modules with infill panels of unique textured materials inspired by the interior architecture and the location's regional identity. Experts from Ambius work with Westin's Brand Design Team and the individual properties to determine which plants are best suited for their lobby space, depending on the amount of natural and artificial light, as well as the location's natural climate. These range from low- and mid-light plants including Variegated Philodendron, Golden Pothos and Dallas Ferns, to high-light plants such as English Ivy and the Purple Waffle Plant, all selected by the design team for their detoxifying, high-oxygen producing properties that improve overall air quality. Some of the systems are also designed with a UV filter, allowing for the use of grey water and therefore providing an even further positive impact to the environment over the life-span of the Vertical Garden.

Sensory Welcome = Energizing Haven

Upon arrival in the new lobbies, guests are transported from the everyday and are greeted with a unique balance of calm and energy, beginning with a more customized experience at the new Westin check-in pods. These free-standing structures replace the outdated hotel check-in desk and are ergonomically designed with work surfaces at optimum heights and a more spacious, personal guest interaction area. Westin's signature white tea scent, combined with custom music, calming tonal colors and soft, atmospheric lighting creates a fresh and soothing ambiance. A new back-lit feature wall, on display behind the check-in pods, was created by transferring one of Westin's 28 X-ray nature images onto a solid core material, creating soft visual texture and subtle movement. This new relaxing arrival zone allows travelers to let go of their stress and enter an inviting, uplifting space that helps them stay balanced, refreshed and ready to achieve.

Re-Imagined Zoning Creates Opportunities for Working and Playing Well

Whether enjoying downtime with friends and family or conducting an impromptu meeting with colleagues, Westin's new lobby concept provides guests opportunities to both work and play well through new zoning. The Dock is an active, adaptive space ideal for meetings, browsing the internet or engaging in conversation. Consisting of meeting tables designed with connectivity in mind, The Dock features conveniently located power outlets, integrated lighting and easy access to computers and printers. Thoughtfully designed seating zones have also been created to meet the needs of modern travelers, with power panels built into side tables for easy accessibility. Flexible spaces can easily transform in order to accommodate varying levels of interaction and intimacy, from semi-private meetings to casual gatherings with friends. New acoustic and architectural screens have also been added to improve sound control and help create a more intimate setting.

Grab & Go Café and Westin Retail Store Create Natural Flow of Activity

Conveniently located in the Westin lobby adjacent to the new seating zones, the Westin Grab & Go Café and the signature Westin retail store make it easy for guests to grab a quick bite or finish up their last-minute shopping. The Westin Grab & Go Café will vary at each property, ranging from an enclosed café space with a heavenly sky light and a central communal table to a transitional café/bar experience that adjusts to a lively, engaging lobby bar experience in the evening. Taking a page from its sister brand W Hotels & Resorts, credited for innovating the hotel retail experience, Westin will also debut a signature retail store, offering a curated selection of Westin innovations, including Heavenly bedding, bath products and white tea scented products for the home.

Westin Continues to Innovate

The brand's innovative new public space concept joins a host of initiatives recently introduced by Westin Hotels & Resorts that have been designed with the guests' well-being in mind. Most recently, Westin announced its revolutionary new workspace concept, Project Hive, to meet the changing needs of today's mobile business travelers. In early 2012, Westin refreshed its WestinWORKOUT program to match the evolving fitness trends among guests and further enhance the brand's goal of promoting well-being in travel. In September 2011, Westin launched a brand-wide Associate Enrichment program, introducing the brand's "Elements of Well Being Platform" to more than 25,000 associates around the world through key touch points. In May 2011, the brand unveiled its groundbreaking "For a Better You" ad campaign that uses artistic imagery to depict the "Elements of Well Being" that help Westin guests leave feeling better than when they arrived. In December 2010, Westin announced an exclusive partnership with New Balance, helping hotel guests overcome the hurdles of exercising on the road by providing New Balance footwear, apparel and fitness program content to its guests to borrow.

About Westin Hotels & Resorts

Westin Hotels & Resorts offers innovative programs that transform every aspect of a stay into a revitalizing experience. All Westin signature services - like the Heavenly Bed, delicious SuperFoods and WestinWorkout studio - have been designed with the guests' well-being in mind. Westin hotels, with more than 186 hotels and resorts in nearly 40 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,112 properties in nearly 100 countries and 154,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft, and ElementSM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information on Westin Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.westin.com or www.facebook.com/westin. Follow Westin on Twitter, @Westin.