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Reshoring hits rough domestic waters
Delany Martinez ManufacturingSome call the moves bold, others brash, but no matter which way you perceive the recent trade-related moves of the current administration, they're making some large, potentially negative waves for manufacturing. One of President Trump's key talking points in the run-up to the 2016 election was an optimistic promise of reshoring the large amounts of manufacturing jobs that had set sail in search of more favorable foreign waters. For a time, it looked like it might have been a self-fulfilling prophecy, but in June, simmering trade tensions with China seemed to explode virtually overnight.
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How intellectual property rights fit in the Chinese trade war puzzle
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentDo you think that U.S. firms doing business in China back the White House’s tariffs on trade to settle disputes? Consider this. "A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Shanghai found that most U.S. businesses operating in China oppose the use of tariffs in retaliation for the challenges they face, from an uneven playing field to poor protection of intellectual property rights," Reuters reports. AmCham represents 3,300 members from 900 companies in China.
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Singapore’s Seletar Airport gets ready for passengers
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotivePressure will soon be relieved on Singapore’s Changi Airport, as plans to open a new passenger terminal at the smaller Seletar Airport in the north of the city-state are on track. The structure is due to open later this year. Seletar is 19 miles north of Changi. Built as a Royal Air Force station in 1928, it saw action during World War II and can claim to be Singapore’s first international airport. Today, the airport is a busy general aviation facility, with flight training establishments and a number of maintenance operators providing heavy engineering services from the single-runway site.
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Gateway Arch National Park gets a makeover
Dave G. Houser Recreation & LeisureA revitalized Gateway Arch National Park was dedicated during a festive ceremony July 3 in St. Louis, the culmination of a five-year, $380 million renovation project. The park was established in 1935 as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to honor President Thomas Jefferson, who turned St. Louis into the Gateway to the West by doubling the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. It was renamed Gateway Arch National Park through federal legislation in February to better reflect the nature of the park's main attraction.
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Millennials do more renovating, but boomers hire more pros
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesMore than half of current homeowners plan to undertake one or more renovation, remodeling or repair projects this year. Most of those say they will spend as much or more than they did last year on home improvements. Those are among the top findings of two recent homeowner surveys, which indicate that remodeling activity will remain strong throughout the remainder of the year.
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Understanding your design process, one step at a time
Susan Mulholland Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesThere are novice interior designers — ones who are just starting out in the field — and then there are novice clients — ones who have never worked with a professional interior designer until now. As with novice interior designers, novice interior design clients don’t usually understand how the design process works. These types of clients are not just limited to residential design. Commercial design has its share of novice clients as well. So, what are you supposed to do with these newbies? Educate them.
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Cathedrals to consumption: The mall as public space
Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building MaterialsMalls have been around for centuries, from Trajan’s Market in ancient Rome through to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. But the mall in its massive, "out-of-town" reincarnation came into its own in the late 20th century, as cars allowed more of us the mobility to make the weekend pilgrimage to these new temples of the capitalist age. The U.S., with more mall space per person than any other country in the world, has been at the epicenter of this love affair.
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Designing lighting for biology
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesDecisions about how best to light an interior space tend to be based on the types of activities for which the space is being designed. While that may aid occupants as they go about their tasks, depending on the space that lighting may be inappropriate to maintain the body’s internal clock. That, in turn, can lead to a number of health problems. Some recent studies suggest that it is possible to better balance lighting to benefit occupants’ tasks and biological needs.
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Tariff torment: China’s retaliation on US trade
Delany Martinez ManufacturingThe escalation of tariff tension between the United States and its allies is reaching a fever pitch, with a growing tit-for-tat list on both the Chinese and American sides of a very public disagreement. The Trump administration’s steel tariff mandate — a hefty 25 percent on imported steel — earlier this year appears to be the proverbial spark that landed on a powder keg of inter-country trade issues. Canada became one of the first allies to make its displeasure known, but China wasn't far behind.
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A seller’s market with few sellers
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsHistorically, the second quarter is one of the busiest times of the year for home sales. Currently, however, high demand and prices have created a seller’s market, but few sellers. That has been a boon for builders, but it also means many would-be buyers are shut out of the market at present. Construction of new homes (in units) rose 5 percent in May, compared to April, the industry’s biggest increase since January, and is up more than 20 percent for the year.
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