For the second time in a week, we find ourselves staring at color-coded maps that attempt to quantify the relationship between humans and the earth. First it was the earthquakes (which are continuing, by the way). Then came hurricane Irene which left most of Richmond (and the rest of the East) soaking wet, in the dark and wondering where our chainsaws were for all those trees which had gone from vertical to horizontal. This time around, the maps come from Dominion Power and include an interactive real-time map of outages complete with estimated repair times. For all the technology on display, we are reminded that it only takes an errant piece of wood hitting a wire to grind one's day (or in this case week) to a screeching halt.
This got us thinking architect-y thoughts…
So the strongest earthquake in over 100 years shook Virginia (and most of the eastern seaboard, it would seem) yesterday afternoon. Not knowing what else to do, we went and stood outside on the sidewalk for a few minutes and offered suggestions for what just happened - a large truck, a train, the rooftop HVAC unit broke. Who knew that the BAM headquarters is located in the "Central Virginia Seismic Zone" which none of us can recall ever seeing on a road sign. The US Geological Survey provides a wealth of real-time information when the Earth feels the need to shake. Our favorites include the appropriately named "ShakeMap" and the "Community Internet Intensity Map". For a more detailed explanation with awesome-sounding terms like liquifaction, seismicity, and reverse faulting mechanism, check out this early analysis.
So what does this have to do with architecture?
Itching to learn more about one of our projects? Feel the urge to unwind before the holiday by whacking plastic balls around? Well, do we have just the event for you! We're staging the latest edition of Pin Pong Friday afternoon, July 1st at 4pm. Come by and celebrate the birth of America, the return of Bill and Ben from the land of High School design and whatever other randomness catches our fancy. Food and drink is likely, fun is guaranteed and the table tennis competition will be fierce. But wait, there is more...
A part of the Blacksburg landscape is disappearing. The old Blacksburg Middle School demolition has begun, and will be conducted piece-by-piece over the next few months, Montgomery County spokeswoman Ruth Richey said...
Welcome to the new home of BAM Architects on the world wide web - there is a raft of new content to check out and we hope you enjoy. Like something in particular? It's easy to share via Twitter and Facebook. Don't like it? Well, too bad for you. We will continue to use Facebook for works in progress and other dispatches, and be sure to follow us on Twitter to get your daily dose of BAM wackiness. Click here for the full version of the official launch poster and we want to thank Gabriel, Robbie and everyone else at Serious&Ly for working their voodoo web magic.
