Archinect - News

Fire fears for Gulf's high-rise blocks

2013-05-02T11:28:00-04:00

One expert in the UAE has estimated that 70% of the high-rise buildings there have panel facade cladding made of a combustible thermoplastic core held between two sheets of aluminium.

Bill Law, a BBC Gulf news analyst, writes about how fears of a "towering inferno" disaster in the Gulf are growing after fires left residential buildings heavily damaged in the United Arab Emirates cities of Sharjah and Dubai. The panels have been prohibited in the UK and USA for some time and the f flammable facades, and the UAE has passed recent legislation banning their use. However, "at least 500 buildings" in UAE cities are already sheathed in the flammable panels.

Architect accused in firefighter's death to face trial

2012-11-30T12:29:00-05:00

A German architect charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a veteran firefighter last year will next appear in court Dec. 12, authorities say. A judge ruled Wednesday that Gerhard Becker will face trial in the case. Prosecutors allege he negligently installed outdoor fireplaces at his Hollywood Hills home, a decision they say ultimately led to the death of firefighter Glenn Allen.

Previously:
Architect charged for the death of a firefighter
AIA|LA Statement on Tragic Death of LA Firefighter

Cladding core holds the key to Dubai tower inferno

2012-11-20T16:30:00-05:00

It is believed 70 per cent of the buildings in the UAE have some form of facade cladding that has a combustible thermo-plastic core between two sheets of aluminium.

250m skyscraper in flames: Europe's tallest-to-be tower burns in Moscow

2012-04-02T17:33:00-04:00

The fire engulfing Moscow’s Federation Tower has been extinguished. About 300 square meters of the yet-to-be-completed skyscraper were set ablaze, but the centrally located building has been evacuated and no victims have been reported. The fire broke on the building's 67th floor (250 meters above the ground) and spread to several sections on the 66th and 65th floors. Fourteen people working at the floors hit by the firestorm were evacuated.

via the forum

AIA|LA Statement on Tragic Death of LA Firefighter

2012-02-28T17:35:00-05:00

Last week's LA Times article, "Architect of Hollywood Hills mansion damaged in fire, is charged in firefighter's death," stirred discussion, particularly among architects, as the individual who designed the home was not a licensed architect. Aside from requesting that the LA Times retract the word "architect" from the article, the [AIA|LA], in conjunction with [AIACC] Executive Vice President, Paul Welch, Hon. AIA, have released the following statement...

Previously: Architect charged for the death of a firefighter

Statement from AIA|LA...

Editor,

The recent Los Angeles Times article concerning the negligent activities of an individual purporting to be an architect, and how those activities resulted in the tragic death of Los Angeles Firefighter Glenn Allen, serve to remind us all that the profession of architecture is about much more than aesthetics.

The profession of architecture is carefully regulated in the state of California by the California Architects Board (CAB). While the title of "architect" is easily understood by the public, unfortunately, we find many examples of misuse of the term. Despite the Los Angeles Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department, and District Attorney's Office identifying Gehard Albert Becker as an architect, and Mr. Becker identifying himself an architect, a query of the California Architects Board's (CAB) records confirms that Mr. Becker is not, nor was he ever, licensed to p...

Architect charged for the death of a firefighter

2012-02-15T16:23:00-05:00

[Gerhard Albert] Becker... built an 18-foot "fire trough" through the home despite being warned of the dangers it may cause. It was described as an oversize indoor fire pit. They said the attic was equipped with plastic pipes for fire sprinklers. The fire melted the pipes, flooding the attic and filling the insulation with water. The weight of the insulation appears to have caused a large section of the ceiling to collapse, injuring Allen and five other firefighters,

This seems to be a case of incompetence and stupidity tied to trying to save a few pennies. PVC pipe for fire sprinklers - might as well revoke his license already. But how can an architect afford a 12,500 sf house in the Hollywood Hills?

oh, 'The home was intended for use in a reality show for German TV starring Heidi Klum in a knockoff of "America's Next Top Model."'

Even better, Becker was arrested at LAX on Feb 11th...

Corbu's Marseille's Cité Radieuse damaged by fire

2012-02-10T11:22:00-05:00

One of France's most important landmarks of modernist architecture, La Cité Radieuse housing estate in Marseille, built by the architect Le Corbusier, has been damaged by fire. Fire services fought for over 12 hours to put out a blaze that began on Thursday afternoon in a first floor flat in the nine-storey concrete complex which is protected by special heritage status in France.

Fire destroys buildings at Stockholm's School of Architecture

2011-05-04T14:58:10-04:00

The fire broke out early Wednesday morning in the institute's architecture school on Östermalmsgatan in central Stockholm with the roof of the main lecture hall quickly filling with smoke. Firefighters battled throughout the day to bring the blaze under control and prevent it spreading to other parts of the university's buildings and there are fears that there is a risk of a building collapse.

Sagrada Familia reopens after 'arson attack' (BBC)

2011-04-21T12:02:49-04:00

One of Spain's most famous landmarks, the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, has been reopened after a suspected arson attack on Tuesday.