Here at CONTENT, we spend a lot of time working to stay up to date on current design methods, building products and practices, and sustainable technologies. We've decided to share our most helpful and valuable finds with you in our handy "Journal of CONTENT!"
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 9:54AM CONTENT was the Architect for a renovation in the Heights done by Front Porch Investments and Southern Green Builders. The project was submitted for the NAHB Best in American Living Awards and took Gold in the Category for home under $250,000.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 1:23PM The other day CONTENT attended the unveiling of designs vying for Houston's new Central Station, a grand sounding name for what will essentially be a glorified light rail platform. Metro, with an esteemed advisory board invited five well known firms to compete for this commision:
SHoP Architects, Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis, Neil Denari Architects, Interloop—Architecture and Snøhetta
More impressive than the proposals to our eyes was the obvious interest in the next opportunity to bring noteworthy architecture to Houston as evidenced by the crowd that gathered. We had our differing opinions about the merits of the designs but our friend Ben Koush published his own opinions humorously and succinctly here.
Metro is soliciting public opinion so follow this link to cast your own vote before Feb 15th, 2012
...And as if this wasn't excitement enough shortly after the event the Museum of Fine Arts Houston announced that Steven Holl would be designing the new museum wing. Mr Holl will be joining a campus with buildings by Mies van der Rohe, Rafael Moneo and our own Carlos Jimenez. Move over Columbus, watch your back Chicago, Houston is on the move!
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 10:05PM 
(images from Forbo Design Inspiration)
Linoleum, first manufactured in 1863, is made from natural materials including linseed oil, resins, recycled wood flour, cork dust, limestone and mineral pigments, and is typically mounted on a jute backing. The finished product has natural bactericidal and anti-static properties that reduce the presence of dust and dirt and the subsequent growth of household mites and bacteria. It is fully biodegradable and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
Be careful to not confuse linoleum with vinyl composition tile (VCT), a widely available tile manufactured from petrochemical products. Vinyl flooring products gained popularity in the early 30s as a less expensive and relatively less flammable alternative to linoleum. Unfortunately the fire retardant chemicals used to protect VCT release toxic compounds in the event of a fire.
Another drawback to VCT is that its color or pattern is limited to the top layer of the tile. If that top layer is scuffed or damaged, the tile will most likely need to be replaced. On the other hand, Linoleum is a homogenous product with pigment that runs throughout the thickness of the tile making it much more resistant to daily wear.
Vinyl products are flexible and relatively easy to install while the rigidity of linoleum sheets and tile products make installation more difficult. Most manufacturers recommend that linoleum be installed by a trained professional, possibly increasing your cost per square foot. However, Forbo, the largest manufacturer of linoleum in the world, recently developed Marmoleum Click, a linoleum tile mounted on high density fiberboard. Click tiles are great becuase they eliminate the need for adhesives and are easy enough for a DIYer to install.
At an install cost of around $6/sf and lifespan of several decades, linoleum is one of the least expensive, longest lasting sustainable building products on the market. It is easy to clean and appropriate in wet or high traffic areas. We know you're imagining your grandma's kitchen, but we think linoleum deserves a second look!
To purchase Marmoleum in Houston, visit New Living in Rice Village. Other linoleum manufacturers to consider include Armstrong and Johnsonite.
Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 6:06PM By now, we're all used to seeing everyday materials upcycled and repurposed. But, there is something really intriguing about reconstructing waste material into innovative products that mimic their original state. In the two examples below, paper is used to create a new building material that looks and performs like wood. >>
Newspaper Wood by Vij5 is created by gluing many layers of newspaper together and rolling them into a Newspaper wood log. The finished product behaves much like real wood in that it can be cut, milled, and sanded. We love that the layered cross-section appears similar to wood grain or tree rings.
Paper-wood by Drill Design adds distinction to traditional plywood by alternating wood veneers with brightly colored paper.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 1:04PM Lately we’ve been drawn to the striking, natural beauty that back-lit translucent stone panels can bring to a space. The illuminated panels can be used in a variety of interior and exterior applications: bar skirts, desks, interior accent walls, columns, ceilings, exterior screen walls, and landscape features to name a few. Depending on the desired stone, the application, and your budget, there are several options for achieving this dramatic look.
Natural Onyx and Sardonyx: Onyx is formed from water dissolving existing limestone and re-depositing it as quartz crystals fused into thin layers of stone, sometimes called sinter. In limestone caves, onyx is formed by drip water, in the formation of stalagmites and stalactites. Onyx is inherently translucent, with many banded and contrasting colors – onyx ranges in color from warm golds and browns, white, greens, and reds (sardonyx). Most of the onyx distributed here in Houston is imported from Mexico.
Since onyx is naturally translucent, it can remain relatively thick and still transmit light. Large, solid panels can be quite costly, but we’ve found that using it in a tiled application can help reduce costs. The tiled applications are also somewhat more stable than solid slabs since they are backed with a fiberglass mesh. As a rough estimate, we've had solid onyx priced at about $70-90/sf, uninstalled.
Keep in mind that onyx is a brittle, soft stone and is prone to engraving and discoloration from acids such as ketchup, lemons, alcohol, and cleaners. It is porous and requires sealing.
Laminated Stone Veneers: In applications that are subjected to daily abuse, or when the weight of natural slabs is prohibitive, laminated stone veneers are a great alternative. Stone slabs are milled down to only a few millimeters and permanently bonded to a glass substrate. Translucent stone veneers can be created from onyx, alabaster, quartz, marble, and granite – allowing for a huge range of colors and textures. The laminated panels are stronger, more lightweight, and can be made into much larger panels than natural stone slabs. Grout lines can be eliminated. The glass face allows the panels to be exposed to the elements with little maintenance.
However, we’ve found that this option can be very expensive. Depending on the stone you choose, laminated stone veneers can cost upwards of $300/sf.
Faux translucent stone: Several companies offer manmade alternatives to natural stone. Resin and acrylic technologies can create a similar aesthetic and are often highly translucent and very lightweight. Some manufacturers utilize recycled materials to develop their products. 3-form has a cost-effective alternative to real onyx made of translucent resin (not recommended for exterior applications). In January 2012, Okite will launch a translucent countertop line inspired by onyx using quartz crystals and polyester resin.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 6:59PM 
Saturday, December 10th, Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) is teaming up with Buffalo Bayou Partnership, C2 Creative, and Houston Downtown District in Market Square Park for the 3rd Annual Gingerbread Build-off.
Click here if you'd like to register a team to participate or if you're interested in sponsoring the event!
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 12:27PM CONTENT worked as a LEED Consultant to the wonderful, local store One Green Street. Recently we were awarded our LEED Certification so a celebration is in order! Swing by the store at 5160 Buffalo Speedway to congratulate Sherry and the rest of the One Green Street team for their commitment to healthy living.
LEED and the related logo is a trademark owned by the U.S. Green Building Council and is used with permission.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 6:30PM Recently CONTENT was engaged to assist with the Schematic Design for a new Foster Home Facility here in Houston. Of paramount importance was educating the children about healthy living and helping them to understand the choices they have in monitoring and participating in their own health. Beyond teaching sustainable principles such as air quality, energy consumption, and material longevity the program encourages familiarity with the tools necessary for self-reliance, creating a family of individually confident children eager to confront challenges on their own terms.
Incorporating native gardens with rainwater collection, the design engages the environment literally and by using materials that change with time. Wood turns silver, the copper study nooks projecting from each bedroom gradually turn green, and the building as a whole ages with the children. Unfortunately the project has since been put on hold, for the time being we are left with but a few renderings to share.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at 1:59PM 
Texas Architect recently published a review of the award winning Sam Houston Tollway Plazas that was written by CONTENT's own Jesse Hager. You can read the article online if you are a TSA member by clicking on the image to your left.
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 5:58PM
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Architecture Center Houston has announced its first annual film festival slated for August 11 – 13, 2011 at 7pm
The three part series is free to members of AIA Houston and ArCH. For non-member pricing, see the facebook event page.
The films document the work and lives of Mies, Neutra, and Samuel Mockbee: "Three architects and three careers in multiple generations, whose basic design principles and sense of design responsibility are embraced in architecture today. The films selected for the 2011 ArCH Film festival speak to the broad topic of Architecture with each central character challenging any static definition."
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 2:51PM CONTENT is proud to be a sponsor of the exhibition at the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture in London showcasing the fine student work of the renowned Diploma Unit 23
Main Quadrangle and Slade Galleries of UCL, Gower St, London WC1
Monday, July 4, 2011 at 5:05PM It has been a really hot summer here in Houston. So, we've been thinking a lot about ways to reduce energy bills during these steamy months. One way to reduce cooling costs by upwards of 10% is to install a radiant barrier in your new or existing home.
A radiant barrier is a highly reflective, low-emitting material that intercepts the flow of radiant energy to and from building components. They come in a variety of forms including reflective foils and reflective laminated roof sheathing.
The way radiant barriers work:
Radiant energy from the sun heats up our roofs. It doesn't take long before the absorbed heat travels by conduction through the roofing materials to the attic side of the roof. The hot roof material then radiates its gained heat energy onto the cooler attic surfaces, including the air ducts and the attic floor. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic by reflecting the radiant heat rather than absorbing it.
Installation Options:
Radiant barriers are most effective in hot climates, reducing heat costs and possibly even allowing for a smaller cooling system. Be sure to intall the barrier with the most shiny, reflective surface facing the attic space. There are 3 typical installation locations:
1: On the underside of the roof sheathing. This can done with foil-faced osb sheathing or with rolled foil that drapes between the rafters.
2: Applied to the underside of the roof rafters. This is very effective method because it leaves an air gap for ventillation between the attic space and the hot roof.
3. On the attic floor. This is the least effective method if you have attic HVAC equipment. It also leaves the reflective surface susceptible to dust.
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Stay cool, Houston!
For more information on radiant barriers Visit the Department of Energy's website. And, for more ways to cool your roof, check out USGBC's green home guide.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 1:54PM As the mercury rises in Houston, we can't help but think about ways to cool off. We decided to compile a list of our favorite modern ceiling fans:
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:41AM 
Seth was a contributing designer at Nicholas Clark in 2010 during a major push to expand the hospital's size after the devastating earthquake in January of 2010. The straightforward design utilizes both low-tech construction processes, familiar to Haitian construction workers, and more advanced practices that will allow the building to withstand future earthquakes. We wish NicholasClark and PIH the best of luck through the construction process!
Link to article in Architectural Record.
Learn more about Partners in Health.
