NKBA student members will design a kitchen and/or bath based on the client requests and plans provided. This project is based on a real client and is anticipated to be built from the student’s winning kitchen design. The First, Second, and Third Place winners in both categories will receive complimentary hotel accommodations and registration to KBIS 2017, where they will be recognized at a special ceremony. The winning students will also receive scholarship awards and the winning designs will be featured in NKBA Magazine. The competition is sponsored by Waypoint Living Spaces®. Visit the NKBA Student Scholarship section to find more information about this competition.

Mark your calendars to visit Covertech at the upcoming tradeshows: International Builders Show - IBS Orlando, Florida Jan 10-12, 2017 Booth number - Canadian Pavilion AHR Expo Las Vegas, Nevada Jan 30- Feb 1, 2017 Booth number - N11029

Columbia, MD (June 14, 2016)—As part of its commitment to educate and empower the design community, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. announces an ongoing “New Technologies” accredited webinar series that will explore emerging advancements in the design industry. Following the delivery of “From Point Cloud to Documentation” earlier this year, and now available on demand, the next two installments of the webinar series include “Organic Prototyping with the Subdivision Tool” (1 AIA LU), airing Thursday June 23, 2016 and “Introduction to Energy Modeling using Energos” (Pending 1 AIA LU), which will broadcast on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Additionally, another industry-specific webinar titled, “Augmenting Landscape Architect's Design Workflows with Information Modeling” (1 LA CES HSW PDH) will go live on Thursday, July 21, 2016. All three upcoming webinars will begin at 2 p.m. ET. Live webinar attendees who register with their AIA or ASLA member numbers, respectively, will receive their Continuing Education credits after each webinar. Those watching on-demand following the live airing will still be able to earn credit by taking an associated quiz, which will be emailed to registrants along with the recording. Registration links and further details follow below. June 23, 2016: New Technologies Webinar: Organic Prototyping with the Subdivision Tool This webinar features Jacob Dale, BIM expert and creative director at Tangably, as he guides attendees through 3D modeling using the Subdivision tool. Dale will explore the possibilities for creating organic shapes with this tool, along with sketching flowing forms that can be modeled for output to additive or subtractive fabrication processes. The learning objectives for this webinar include: • Create an organic shape using the Subdivision tool. • Investigate the effects and uses of all sub-modes and controls. • Distinguish among the types of objects that can be modeled and know how to generate them from a Subdivide object. • Prepare a basic file for physical prototyping. Register for the “Organic Prototyping with the Subdivision Tool” webinar here. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www3.vectorworks.net/Organic_Prototyping) July 21, 2016: Augmenting Landscape Architect’s Design Workflows with Information Modeling Join Stephen Schrader, PLA, ASLA, associate landscape architect at Holcombe Norton Partners, Inc., as he instructs attendees on how to apply BIM tools to the practices of landscape architecture and site information modeling through comprehensive, innovative and intelligent workflows to make appropriate decisions throughout the creative process. The learning objectives for this webinar include: • Understand the benefits of augmenting existing design workflows with a combination of standard information modeling tools available in design technology, drawing file organization best practices, and parametric, smart objects to model site data and store information beyond the visual representation of the project. • Recognize how to apply database, reporting and spreadsheet functions in worksheets to derive site data from the geometry and smart objects in a design file, simplifying calculation tasks and producing more accurate construction documents used for project bidding. • See how using a plant database to store plant data can aid in preparing worksheets to calculate landscape water use reduction from a calculated baseline to meet water efficiency project goals or earn green building credits. • Become aware of how firms use worksheet calculations to test the effects of design decisions in real time and verify compliance with green codes, zoning/landscape ordinances and LEED/SITES credits. Sign up for “Augmenting Landscape Architect's Design Workflows with Information Modeling” here. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www3.vectorworks.net/AugmentingDesignWorkflows?utm_campaign=webinar) July 28, 2016: New Technologies Webinar: Introduction to Energy Modeling using Energos By participating in this webinar with François Lévy, AIA, principal at Lévy Kohlhaas Architecture, viewers will learn how to apply energy analysis tools to architectural design workflows. Using an energy analysis feature integrated into Vectorworks software called Energos, Lévy will demonstrate how to model for sustainability during the beginning phases of a BIM workflow on a small residential project. The learning objectives for this webinar include: • Understand the appropriate role of early energy analysis in architectural design processes. • Evaluate how thermal envelope decisions affect a building’s overall energy footprint. • Investigate the relative impact of individual building components on building performance. • Learn about the application and functions of an integrated energy analysis tool. Enroll in the “Introduction to Energy Modeling using Energos” webinar here. (http://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www3.vectorworks.net/Energy_Modeling) Catch Up With Our First New Technologies Webinar “From Point Cloud to Documentation” is now available on demand to help viewers gain more information about how Vectorworks software incorporates data captured with 3D scanning into a designer’s workflow using point cloud technology. Upon completion, viewers may earn one AIA LU by taking an associated quiz. The learning objectives for this webinar include: • Understand how point cloud information is becoming prevalent and commonly utilized in the architecture industry. • Discuss the differences between various point cloud formats. • Understand how to clean and filter data for BIM optimization. • Explain the process of using point cloud information for an architectural project. “The inspiration behind the accredited New Technologies webinar series is to provide an easy medium for designers to stay informed about emerging advancements and trends, while also furthering their application of Vectorworks software,” said Alice Lowy, marketing director of Vectorworks. “We look forward to expanding this series and providing other industry-focused webinars like the landscape architecture webinar we have planned in July, coupled with entertainment design-focused sessions we’re developing for later this year.” To stay up-to-date about all of the webinar opportunities available from Vectorworks, bookmark our events calendar.

Sumterville, Fla. (PRWEB) June 08, 2016 Eagle Roofing Products, the industry's leader in concrete roof tile manufacturing and innovation, is proud to announce their achievement of “Class 4 Impact Resistance” for all flat and Malibu (medium profile) tiles. John Campbell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Eagle Roofing Products said in a statement, “Achieving a Class 4 Impact Rating is paramount to our efforts to expand the market for concrete tile in the United States and Canada.” He added, “Hail is a phenomenon that drives a multi-billion dollar replacement market for asphalt shingles and other temporary roof coverings every year. Our goal is to expose architects, developers, builders and roofing contractors across the entire country to the performance-based superiority of concrete roof tiles.” According to Tyler Allwood, Director of Technical Services and Systems for Eagle Roofing Products, “We receive at least 10 calls per month from members of the insurance industry inquiring about wind and hail related concerns. I think it is safe to say that insurance companies are tired of constantly replacing asphalt shingle roofs. Our company and our industry have a story to tell that needs to be heard outside of the Sunbelt markets.” Achieving a “Class 4 Impact Rating” along with launching new products such as Eagle Platinum Tile™ — which utilizes a patented thermal insulated coating to reduce energy costs — are just two of the many steps Eagle Roofing Products is taking to ensure more than passive consideration of the concrete tile industry in the northern two-thirds of the U.S. from specifiers and insurance companies for years to come. Eagle Roofing Products utilized the services of PRI Construction Materials Technologies. Testing was completed as described in FM 4473: Specification Test Standard for Impact Resistance Testing of Rigid Roofing Materials by Impacting with Freezer Ice Balls.

Design and BIM software recognized in Desktop category at AIA Convention 2016 Columbia, MD (June 9, 2016)—Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. received Architosh's “BEST of SHOW” award in the Desktop category for its Vectorworks® Architect 2016 solution at last month’s American Institute of Architecture (AIA) Convention 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is the third consecutive year that Vectorworks software has received an award from Architosh, the leading website for Macintosh and iOS CAD/3D/AEC professionals and students worldwide. This year, Vectorworks Architect has won the Desktop category, an award based upon implementation quality, acceleration of quality of solution and quality of attack on addressing “pain points” in practice. “We're honored that Architosh recognized the efforts that Vectorworks' R&D team undertook to deliver a comprehensive release of Vectorworks Architect software,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “This release is full of customer-requested features and updates alongside new capabilities generated through innovative explorations and tenacious engineering that continue to enable designers to transform the world.” Vectorworks Architect software delivers a suite of robust design and BIM capabilities for a streamlined workflow that enables great design to materialize from inspiration, exploration and discovery. The software also offers a complete suite of intelligent detailing, presentation and construction documentation features needed to advance and communicate ideas in 2D or 3D. Specifically, Vectorworks Architect 2016 was recognized for the quality of its program, as well as its new feature Marionette, the cross-platform graphical scripting design tool that is integrated inside the BIM environment. “Marionette should be rewarded for the elegance it has brought to its node system with their intimate conveyance of the python code behind each node,” said Anthony Frausto-Robledo, AIA, LEED AP, publisher and editor-in-chief of Architosh. Another noted feature of Vectorworks Architect 2016 software was the addition of Energos, which offers a responsive gauge of a building’s energy performance, enabling critical sustainability decisions as a design evolves. “Vectorworks 2016 also earns recognition for its tremendous acceleration—an absolutely massive upgrade—with things like Energos, its onboard energy analysis tools,” said Pete Evans, AIA, senior associate editor of Architosh.

With multiple installation options, Farmhouse Double Bowl creates versatility in the kitchen Native Trails has introduced their first dual basin concrete kitchen sink, Farmhouse Double Bowl. Made from NativeStone®, this kitchen sink is reversible, so the smaller basin can be installed on either the left or the right, making it conducive to left-handed users. Farmhouse Double Bowl can also be installed apron-front or standard undermount, resulting in a total of four installation options for a single sink. This is great news for stocking dealers and distributors. Adding to its versatility, Farmhouse Quartet is available in three finishes: Ash (a light, yet rich gray), Slate (a darker hue) and Pearl (a glowing off white). Farmhouse Double Bowl and other new additions for the kitchen & bath are available now in showrooms. “Our new Farmhouse Double Bowl provides earthy-yet-contemporary appeal and better-than-custom options,” said Naomi Neilson Howard, Native Trails CEO and Founder. “It is made from NativeStone®, one of the least energy intensive materials one can specify as a sink. We worked long and hard to create a material that’s both beautiful and tough– NativeStone is very low maintenance and incredibly stain resistant.”

Need to keep a strong grip on your framed art and photography wall displays? We can help you hold onto those items, and keep them safe and sound, with our newest self-gripping hook, Secure Gripper Hook. Just as with all our self-gripping hooks, this picture hanging hardware product is compatible with all of our cables and cords. Simply insert our cable/cord into the top of the hook and slide it into place. The internal self-gripping mechanism will immediately hold. Then place your object upon the hook. To relocate the hook on the cable, simply depress the top cap and relocate the hook. This little gripper is so easy to manipulate, re-positioning your object can be done single-handedly.