It has been a fairly slow week for professional practice news for the AEC industry. But it has been a pretty busy week as elections in the United States have dominated the news cycle.
To be sure, a change in administration will lead to change in our profession. However, our industry has been through plenty of changes before and we will continue to drive the profession and industry forward.
Over the coming months, I will keep an eye on how we may be affected. In the meantime: Onward!
Federal Reserve Cuts Rates by Quarter Point
The US Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% rate cut last week. They also indicated that more cuts are planned for the coming months. These lower rates will theoretically lead to rate cuts for commercial and consumer loans, although I am skeptical since the cuts have been telegraphed for months - I think these cuts are already baked into loan rates. Hopefully, I am wrong.
Construction Dive says that they expect these cuts to start moving on-hold projects back into the in-progress category. Regardless, things will likely be slow to ramp up, especially as people observe how the market reacts to the US Presidential election.
Fed’s second rate cut this year raises hopes for commercial construction
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Infrastructure Funding Clawbacks Unlikely
A lot of people are concerned that the Trump administration will attempt to cancel some of the infrastructure funding put in place by the current Biden administration. ENR spoke to a number of experts who agree that it is unlikely for much, if any, of the funds to be pulled back.
Clawbacks of Infrastructure Funding Seen as Unlikely in New Trump Term (alt link)
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Nubian Vaults
Nubian vaults have been used for hundreds of years and are the perfect form for bricks made from earth. The catenary shape allows the bricks to remain in pure compression. This is a quick read and a great history lesson that can apply to efficient form-making in the modern world.
The Nubian Vault: Applying Old Construction Techniques to Modern Building Problems
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People don't want to live in Machines
I had never heard of "sod you architecture," a term the British used to define the type of Modern architecture espoused by Le Corbusier. Of course, he was a hero to many of our professors (and a lot of us) in architecture school. However, the people rebelled against Modernist Machines for Living. I'm glad we design more for people than for form, but the historical lesson helps keep us grounded.
The ransacking of Britain: why the people finally rose up against ‘sod you architecture’
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2024 Cocktail Napkin Sketch Winners
You've heard me talk about how much I love looking at architecture sketches. I don't know if it is because I never had a great "hand" for these types of sketches or not, but it doesn't matter - sketches just bring a smile to my face and I hope it will for you too.
