This is the place to rant, rave, brag, belly-ache, crack a joke, procrastinate, and delve into the metaphysical aspects of the DIY mindset. We’re off the map, on a tangent, and frequently off topic. This is the stuff we don’t show on TV.
This topic includes information related to seismic instrumentation. Seismic instrumentation are used to evaluate, measure and record the effects of earthquake occurrences that effect a building.
Ceramic tile murals are artistic ornaments used to enhance a space. Art or decoration can be applied to the surface of ceramic tiles, or colored tiles can be used to form a mosaic. Ceramic tile can be installed horizontally or vertically on either the interior or exterior surfaces of a building. Ceramic tile murals have been used by man to decorate spaces for over 4000 years. Invented in the Middle East and developed by several cultures over time, ceramic tile murals can be found in ancient pyramids and ruins, or seen today in our homes, commercial spaces and places of congregation.
Casework is a manufactured, box-shaped assembly used for display or storage. There are many different types of casework; common types include base, wall, tall, counter, shelving, and storage, any of which can modular or floor- or wall-mounted. Modular casework is composed of freestanding units that are not attached to the building structure; examples include floor- and wall-mounted casework. Modular casework units can be moved or reconfigured with relative ease. Casework is commonly installed in banks, hotels, residences, schools, libraries, laboratories, hospitals, churches, and offices.
Manufactured wood casework includes casework and cabinet products that are made from solid wood or have a substrate core material faced with wood veneer or plastic laminate. Manufactured wood casework is readily available from home improvement centers and material suppliers in semi-custom and stock grades, and comes assembled or ready to assemble. This type of casework is commonly installed in residential and commercial facilities, where storage or display is needed.
Plastic laminate clad countertops are horizontal work surfaces made from a substrate material and high pressure decorative laminate. The substrate material used in plastic laminate clad countertops is typically 3/4 or 1 1/2 inches thick and may include: particle board, medium density fiberboard or plywood. Originally invented in 1913, by Formica, high pressure decorative laminate (HPDL), or what is commonly called plastic laminate (PLAM), is a manufactured, composite product. It consists of laminations of papers and plastic resins which are bonded together with heat and pressure. HPDL is a versatile product that is readily available today from several manufacturers in many colors, textures, patterns, sheens and grades. Popular in residential and commercial interiors, plastic laminate clad countertops are durable and attractive. They are inexpensive and easy to install, clean and maintain.
Solid surfacing countertops are horizontal work surfaces that are fabricated from a manmade synthetic product. Developed in 1967 by DuPont, solid surface countertops have many applications in both residential and commercial facilities. They are available in many solid or marbleized colors and with visible textures, including veining that can mimic marble, granite or wood. Solid surface countertops offer resistance to scratches, stains, chemicals and bacteria, and are non-porous, seamless, and durable, with solid color throughout.
Case goods are interior office furniture made from hard materials that are not upholstered. Furniture has been a functional part of people's daily lives since sedentism; the development of communities led to defining furniture as a decorative art based upon local cultural influence. Furniture, over time, transformed from stacked stones in a shelter to ergonomically designed, manufactured furniture made out of metal, wood and plastic. Present-day interior office furniture comes in many different styles, which have been influenced over time by various cultures. There are also a variety of furniture types, developed for varying end-uses. This has resulted in an endless number of options when selecting interior office furniture.
Fixed audience seating refers to the raised indoor chairs that we use in theaters, auditoriums, lecture halls and churches. Their most basic function is to provide a location for individuals to be seated at a venue or facility where many people are present. Fixed audience seating is commonly organized in rows on flat or pitched floors with level terraces. The seating layout should allow an audience to clearly see and hear a speaker, show or performance. Depending on the use or application, in both new and existing facilities, fixed audience seating may be of a basic design, meeting the minimal functional requirements of a space, or they may be of a fashionable design, not only meeting the functional requirements of a space but also enhancing the architectural motif by employing aesthetically pleasing fabrics, finishes and details.
Site furnishings include items such as outdoor furniture, bicycle racks, landscape planters, and trash receptacles. They are commonly installed in and around municipal, commercial, and institutional buildings, in accordance with ADA requirements, to facilitate the utilitarian needs of pedestrians. Aside from being functional, site furnishings can make a positive contribution to the overall appearance of a building if they are well designed and incorporated into the plan from an early stage.
Brick murals are three-dimensional artistic expressions, most generally carved or sculpted, that utilize clay masonry as the primary material. Brick murals can be almost any size, are typically custom designed and are carefully constructed for indoor or outdoor applications.
