What Is a Retractable Seating System?

The use of a retractable seating system has become commonplace in areas where space is at a premium.

Retractable seating is composed of multi-tiered platforms and it uses limited space for multipurpose usage. The retractable seating demonstrates a maximum seating capacity in a limited area when fully extended. One can also make use of the free space in various usages when it is fully retracted.

There are several different options which are commonly used and they all have their own unique benefits. The key to choosing a retractable seating system that best matches the intended use is by understanding what each option has to offer. When digging deeper into the details, there are a number of differences that can be spotted, however they all rely on the same basic principles.

In general, most of these seating alternatives will rely on either bench or chair seating. Depending on where you search, a retractable seating system will also be referred to as a telescopic seating system. They tend to feature multi-tiered platforms to ensure that anyone sitting in the seats will have a good view of whatever is going on.

Additionally, the seating may be operated manually or automatically depending on the size of seating.

In most cases, retracting the seats can be done on a row by row basis which makes it easy to seat a large crowd or only a few rows. This can be an incredibly important feature if you need additional floor space and don't require all of the seating.

A seating system that utilizes bleachers is most often best suited in situations where designated seating is not needed. As an added bonus, bleachers will often allow you to seat more people than when individual chairs are used. Bleachers also tend to be easier to clean which is helpful if they will be reused multiple times within a short time period.

On the other hand, a retractable seating system with chairs also has its advantages. Chairs, even plastic ones, tend to be more comfortable than bleachers. Not only the seat itself, but also the additional back support is provided. This is helpful when people will be seated for extended periods of time without doing a lot of moving, such as during speeches and lectures.

If the situation arises where the retractable seating system won't provide enough seats, then using supplemental seating or mobile seating is normally a good solution. It doesn't matter whether you choose to use bleachers or individual chairs, the primary benefit of a retractable seating system remains the same. It allows you to provide as much seating as necessary while still allow you to as much free floor space as possible. This is particularly useful in multi-purpose areas such as gymnasiums and arenas.

Jeffrey Adams invites you to take a look at Unitech System. Retractable seating system is composed of multi-tiered platforms and it uses limited space for multipurpose usage.

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Commercial Lights and RLM Lights to Spotlight Business

The commercial industry focuses on spending more on its advertisements and marketing. For larger companies, they invest on billboards, TV commercials, and newspaper ads. Not all companies have the budget to get on with those though, so a simple signage for the store a block away or some neon lights at night usually makes up for it. Then come to think of it, how are those signs going to be seen at night. It's not like they can just put a bulb over the signage. Proper sign lighting is designed to make those signs enticing and attract attention.

The investment put up for sign lighting is as much as putting up the sign in the first place. There are different types and styles in putting up signs whether to make a restaurant entrance attractive or billboards to look well-designed.

Architectural lighting is simply the art of lighting structures such as signage, billboards, or monuments. There are many factors to consider before a lighting design can actually be completed. Some of the factors are the quantity of light required, energy efficiency, and cost.

Proper lighting of signage for establishments makes them easy for customers to locate. The lighting designer is the one that calculates the appropriate amount of light to be applied to a certain structure or sign to make it stand out. The light should not be too much and not too little and has to blend with the structure and building aesthetics. These sign lights provide just the right amount of light to emphasize the sign and make the establishment attractive.

Decorative lighting fixtures make the design more elegant that blends with the building aesthetics. These fixtures also make it easy for designers to manipulate and project light that would be enough to illuminate the lettering and color on the sign in entirety. RLM lights are one of the most commonly used in commercial lighting. Sign lights vary in size, design, lamp type, and lamp wattage.

Gooseneck lights are commonly used for lighting painted signs, which give great commercial lighting effects. This is the widely used fixture in the lighting industry. They can work with any bulb and are sure to make the sign more elegant looking and enticing. These design fixtures comes in different types, designs and color that would fit any need for proper lighting. Moreover, it would allow precise distribution of lights as not make the sign too bright or too dim. Having the most appropriate lamp type with the best promising fixture would definitely do the job.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is the senior online promotions director and market researcher of architect design lighting and focuses on creative architectural lighting. He believes that rlm lights can provide distinction.

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Benefits of Having an Office Refurbishment

If you work in an office, you know that how your space is organized is a key component to success in the business. Being able to be comfortable while at work means more productivity, as well as a more efficient work environment. But even if you feel that you already have your work space laid out how you want, there may be something that is missing that could make your office space even better; office partitions.

Office partitions offer many benefits that you may not have considered. Firstly they offer privacy. When working, it is very important to be able to keep client information private and confidential. They allow you to work at your desk without your coworkers or office visitors being able to watch your every move. This is very important if you deal with sensitive client information. Obtaining a client's trust is very important in any business, so being able to ensure their information's safety is critical in being successful in business, as well as maintaining a client's trust.

Furthermore, office partitions help to keep office noise down. We all know that, when working, it is very important to be able to concentrate and remain focused. Installing office partitions will allow you to focus more on your work and less on what is going on around the office. Distractions come in many forms and it is easy to get off track when faced with an office full of coworkers. Office partitions allow you to mark off your work space and cut down on the amount of distractions in your office, meaning you can focus more on your work.

If you work in an office and find yourself being distracted, or find that your coworkers are impeding upon your work area, consider installing office partitions. With many options to choose from, from size and color, you are sure to find the perfect fit for your office and your work space. You can also choose from various materials that can further assist in eliminating noise. By installing office partitions, you can help yourself and your coworkers or employees to work much more efficiently by eliminating annoying distractions, allowing you to focus more on your customers and your business.

There are many companies that specialize in designing an office partition and undertake full office refurbishments. There is something special about seeing a dull wide open space turned into luxurious office quarters that you will be delighted to show off to your clients.

Visit Newbury Interiors who are the UK leaders in the design of commercial interiors and office fit out. They have extensive experience in the planning of such projects including partitioning and office refurbishment. Contact them for further details.

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Making Use of Some Suggestions For Painting and Decorating a New Office Space

In a new office space, you would normally feel confused as to what you should do, how to make it look good, how to decorate it well and what paint color should you choose. A lot of things will be on your mind and this makes it more difficult for you to end up with an appropriate decision. A lot of people are actually in the same scenario hence, you are definitely not alone. This is not really a very difficult to accomplish because you make use of some tips and suggestions. Here are some of the things that you can do when it comes to both painting and decorating your new office space.

Let's talk about the painting part first. If your new office space is small, you have to do everything possible to maximize the space provided. Before anything else, you have to take out everything that can be found inside the area and place it somewhere else, temporarily. By doing this, you would have a clear picture on what should be done. One the things that you should do is to paint the area and you should know what paint color your should opt for. For a small office space, it is better if you choose a paint with a light or neutral color because this can make the space look wider or bigger compared when you are going to use a dark-colored paint. And to make the painting job easier, you can make use of the painting tools like a paint roller, a paint brush and a paint pan. These are basically the tools that would help you finish the job faster without creating too much mess.

Once you are done painting the office space, you have to move on to the decorating part. Just like when you are decorating your home, decorations, furniture and other things should compliment with each other. This is for the purpose of making the office space look pleasant to the eyes which important when you are going to entertain customers or guests. You have to carefully decide on what furniture is suitable in the area. Remember that it is better if you choose something that does not consume a lot of the floor space. This idea also applies when you are going to get tables and chairs. If you are planning of getting a printer, you might want to consider a printer that is also a scanner, a photocopier and a shredder. In this way, you won't have to get a separate equipment which will consume space. After dealing with the furniture and other necessary equipments, you can consider the lighting. You can install some lighting fixtures that provide light when necessary and can also make the area more attractive. You can also get some flower pots which you can place inside the area.

By making use of these tips and suggestions, you will surely make your new office space look pleasant and attractive. People would not be annoyed when they visit your office and at the same time you can work properly.

Mark M Allen is a business writer who provides information on rent office space Philadelphia and temporary office PA among others.

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Washrooms - Interior Design's Final Frontier

For schools, gyms and offices the washrooms and toilets need to be well designed, functional and above all robust. In larger offices the washrooms may be in use 24 hours a day - and in schools, offices and gyms, these rooms are subject to constant daily use year in, year out. Hygiene is crucial in any commercial or public washroom and finding the right materials, supplier and designer to construct the room is important. Whether it is for a new build or a re-fit, washrooms can be overlooked - but they should be well thought out - as first impressions count.

Functional concerns

In the past washrooms tended to be bleak places, poorly constructed and often just about the last part of many buildings that you would want to visit. Schools in particular face challenges when designing or re-fitting washrooms. The need for toilets, washbasins and cubicles to be robust and as vandal proof as possible is essential. Today washrooms are generally constructed in a more robust way. Perhaps because of the functional nature of a washroom, public and commercial buildings have not always taken design particularly seriously. In our homes we treat the bathroom as we would any other room, when it comes to decor and design. Hotels, bars and restaurants take a similar view - and there is no reason why schools and offices shouldn't join them. Indeed many office buildings do now sport highly designed and attractive washrooms.

Vandalism deterrents

Privacy is important in any washroom and many modern schools are now being designed and built with this in mind. Cubicle doors and partitions can be built as full length to add privacy. Design is also beginning to feature in the plans for even school washrooms. Well designed and attractive rooms can actually deter vandalism. Some older school toilets and washrooms are so ugly, that vandals could be forgiven for rising to the challenge to make them visually worse - and in some cases it can be a real challenge. Attractive, well maintained rooms are actually less likely to be vandalised.

Specialist suppliers

In addition to design, functionality should play a significant part in your choices. Environmental concerns are often part of the design, which include water efficiency fixtures and fittings. Hygiene also needs to be considered in the early stages of the design, ensuring that washrooms can be cleaned effectively to a high standard is crucial in any building, though perhaps most important in schools and nurseries. Whatever the building, it is worth investing in quality and hard wearing washrooms. Specialist designers and builders are ideal for the job, with experience of creating individual solutions for all types of premises. Schools and nurseries will normally have slightly different requirements to commercial buildings, so a supplier who has experience of these types of building should be employed.

Washrooms for schools and commercial premises are an important functional room; however, this does not mean that design should not feature as part of their construction. Robust materials in attractive settings can have numerous benefits - and can even deter vandalism. Talk to Amwell Systems ( http://www.amwell-systems.com/ ) the UK experts in Washrooms and Toilets.

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Why House Design Software Is Better Than an Architect

Why go to an architect if in the era of Internet and uncountable numbers of websites we have many house design software and some of which are absolutely free. Yes, now house plans designs are much easier with the help of such interior design software.

If you are thinking of remodeling your house, then do read this. It will help you save money, time and effort along with to get the best design of your dream home ideas.

Do a small Google search for free house design software. There will be thousands and thousands of websites fetched on the result pages of it. Click a few from the first few pages and you will land on several good websites that is ready to help you find out the best home designs in just few mouse clicks by you.

The using of the software is very easy. Even a layman with little computer knowledge can use it. Few websites are dedicated to only interior designing, where as many other deals with all - interior home designing, exterior home designing, garden designing etc. Also, the designs created by these software are in three dimensional (3D), which helps you to perfectly put your imagination into design.

What to look for when you are searching for free home design software:

It is easy to use.It has good user interface to put your ideas in design.Either it is absolutely free or it comes at a negligible amount.The graphics of the software should be appealing and useful.

What are you waiting for:

The concept of house design software is clear to you and how to search for one is also easy. Now it is the time for you to stop dreaming and start designing your house that you usually dream for. Renew your entire home from bath to kitchen and from basement to kids room. Have the feel of brand-new home, and with this new designed home, be the envy of the neighborhood.

Advantages of house design software over an architect:

You save lots of money if you are using home remodeling software. Architect professionals usually charge handsome amount of fees for redesigning work for your house. The software is either free or comes a a very low price.
You save time. You can do the needful for your house from your bedroom. No more wasting time in meeting or searching for good architect.
Sometimes it is tough to communicate your house design ideas with architect. With software you can bring down all your ideas into design easily.
Architect takes time in showing you the outcome of your house redesign ideas. With software the result is instant.
With software you can have as many design as possible, but with architect it is restricted to just few of designs.
Not to forget, software is always far better and more perfect than human.
Finding best software is much easier than finding a good architect.

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Importance Of Office Renovation

Some view office renovation work as a dreadful chore, some find it a financial burden. But the plain fact is that, for a business to grow, constant office renovation is essential and necessary to maintain such growth. Rather than treating it as a burden, office renovation work should be viewed as a sign of things to come. Actually, office renovations are worth celebrating because the need for refurbishing means your business has made enough progress to make the current style and layout obsolete. Once you have made the decision to start refurbishing your office space, you can start thinking about designs and layouts. Even with a tight budget, professional advice can go a long way to create a whole new office space.

The floor of your office represents the most used commodity of the entire vicinity, so naturally it suffers to most wear and tear. Even the best and most expensive carpeting and tiling would disintegrate over certain periods. When it comes to renovation works, it is definitely wise to replace the carpets and tiles to ensure a fresher and livelier atmosphere. Although it might cost a significant outlay, replacing the carpets is definitely worth it in the long run.

A fresh spray of paint or a wall sticker change can liven up your workplace. The surrounding walls can play a huge part in determining the ambience of your office. A change of color is essential to follow changes in color trends. Different parts of the office can be painted with different themes depending on the relevance of the work. Adorning the walls with art and decor can also make a huge impact on overall ambience.

Furniture can get outdated easily and office furniture is not exception. Daily use can result in typical wear and tear of office furniture. Fabrics can get ripped and stained. Should your renovation budget allow you to refurbish and replace all the furniture with a new set, then you should not hesitate in getting a new look for your office. However if you are on a tight budget, then a simple reupholstering of the fabric or mending of the furniture can come a long way in making a noticeable impact.

Your interior designer should also provide you with sound recommendations on your new office layout should any changes be necessary. There are countless ways to rearrange office furniture and appliances to create a cozier working environment. Partitions can also be put in place to divide different areas for separate purposes. By arranging cubicles and furniture economically, you can potentially save up on lots of unused space. Less space means less coverage, which would indirectly mean less maintenance costs. Unused spaces can be closed off as storage or partitioned off temporarily should the need to use it arise in the future.

Good interior design is recommended to create a harmonic and cohesive working environment. It is important to take note that it does not hurt to pay more for a more reputable renovation company with a respectable portfolio. Such companies usually have international recognition as they comply with ISO standards. These companies are reliable and responsible in the sense that they use quality materials for renovation at a reasonable price. They could also provide you with useful advice on how to refurbish your office for the benefit of your business. Good office renovation companies know what their customers want and they set their priorities into satisfying their customer's demands. Maintaining good customer relations is important because you might never know when you need another renovation for your office.

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Banners Brackets Are More Practical Way To Advertise

With today's economy, everyone seems to be looking for practical and efficient ways to entice more customers and create greater traffic to their business establishments. This is where signs are good at. Signs are no longer used in pedestrian lanes to direct directions, but they could now be used to provide vital information for business purposes.

There are different types of signage that any business establishment can use. Some are simple and some are bold. One great example of signage is a billboard. This is one type of signage that has wide scope of influence. They are normally placed in major highways. They normally average in as much as 10 feet to 20 feet high, which gives a better opportunity for business owners to establish, advertise, and market their products and services. These are unique advertising strategy that targets consumers on the go.

Another popular signage is poster signage. These are made of paper materials that are normally placed in walls. Now, these posters could be seen almost everywhere, from comfort rooms, to panel glass windows, doors, and more. These are simple yet very practical way to convey promotions, new products, and business events for any business establishments. One drawback to these posters; however, is that it is only best or advisable for indoor purposes. Nonetheless, they are cost effective way to market your business.

For those who are looking for more practical way to advertise, the use of banners is another great idea. Banners have been used for centuries now and they have never failed to catch anyone's attention. In fact, they founded the signage industry as they have been used back in ancient times where knights were still popular and back in roman days where they were used to convey a brand or logo, or used as flags. Back then though they were only made up of cloth like materials that unfortunately could easily be damaged. In these recent times, these banners are now made out of durable materials. One example of sturdy banners is banner brackets. These banner brackets are now fabricated to be used as union banners, as banners for clubs and schools, and for commercial purposes. Banner brackets also normally come in different sizes, materials, and colors. These banner brackets are now used in plastered window, skyscrapers, and more.

Businesses are now finding ways to find cheaper and effective way to advertise and increase business revenue.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is an author for Sign Bracket Store. He gives information on unique signage ideas for your store or business with an emphasis on lighting products such as, Gooseneck lighting, Banner Brackets and and sign blanks. Banner Brackets is the best fixture for mounting signs for him. He conducts continued exploration for different types of Banner Brackets available online.

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How Can Good Office Storage Make Your Business More Efficient?

There are four main reasons that office storage should be in the mind of any business owner or manager. Most offices generate lots of paperwork of one sort or another and how you look after that paperwork can affect your business in many different ways. Firstly, with space at a premium the last thing that you want to do is to waste space in your office with inefficient storage systems. A growing business really can save themselves the massive cost and upheaval of a move of premises simply by using the space that they have more creatively. Two or three more employees will almost always be more productive than an untidy pile of boxes!

The second major consideration is the effect that a bad working environment will have on your team. How can you expect your employees to get any work done if they are in an untidy and unprofessional environment? If you aren't storing paperwork properly and it is spread around your office then you will find that your staff wont be able to find the things the need when they need them. They also will not enjoy working in a messy and chaotic environment.

Think also about your clients, what about when they visit your office? If you wanted to do business with someone and you went to visit their office and found paperwork spread everywhere, what would you think? If someone cant keep their office tidy and look after their paperwork, how are they going to look after my business?

This isn't relevant to all businesses, but many firms have to look after confidential information among their files. Solicitors offices, doctors and any financial services companies are among the many in this position. If this applies to you, then safe storage of important documentation should be at the forefront of your mind. There are many potential consequences of losing sensitive information due to improper storage. Best case scenario you will end up with some very unhappy customers or clients (if you dont lose their business). Depending on the sort of information you lose though, you could find yourself breaking the law by failing to comply with the data protection act. This could mean big fines or even worse. You may also find that your business is sued by clients whose information you lost. Storing this paperwork properly and safely is by far the best option.

So, in conclusion good office storage can save you money, makes your employees more productive, and helps you win business by giving potential clients a good impression of your business It can even stop you from falling foul of the law in some cases.

Sarah Haines enjoys writing articles on a variety of topics effecting UK business. Office storage isn't glamorous but getting it right can have a very positive effect on your business.

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The Ecology of Sustainable Design

Everyone loves sustainable design- in theory. However, many sustainable design projects never get off the ground due to one popularly held misperception: the mistaken belief that sustainable design increases project costs.

True sustainable design will always reduce costs over the life of the project and for the community at large. That's always, as in always.

So why does sustainable design get a bad rap?

There was a time when upfront costs put off owners who didn't consider operational costs. That shortsighted view is a very expensive one, especially when you consider future energy costs. At one time some energy saving construction materials or processes did cost more than their energy inefficient counterparts. But those specialized materials saved energy costs throughout the building's life.

The good news is that the cost of those energy saving materials and processes are coming down even as their energy saving efficiencies are on the rise. They saved you money when they were more expensive, they will save you even more now that they are less expensive and more effective.

Responsible building owners aren't foolish; they will recognize genuine value when it is presented to them. Why then, don't more owners take advantage of the savings sustainable design projects offer? The simple truth is, genuine sustainable design projects are seldom proposed.

There are four hallmarks to true sustainable design:

1. The Community

2. The Local Economy

3. Energy Costs, and

4. The Environment

Omit any one of these considerations from a project and you do not have a true sustainable design project.

So while everyone supports sustainability, the fact is that community initiatives, strategies, plans and assessments often fail to include all four components of a sustainable design project.

Often one or even two of these considerations drive a project--the economy, or the environment or energy costs and the community. The overlap of interests common among the economy, the community, the environment, and energy is where the project's sustainability exists. Leave out any of those four components and you miss the opportunity to incorporate the savings that would result if they were included.

Many communities take on the laudable task of infilling and working to strengthen the community and support economic development. But how many of our communities design these projects with low-impact development design standards? How many strive to:

• Use clean energy to build and operate them?

• Use pervious pavement in order to minimize stormwater runoff?

• Construct green buildings and sites?

• Create jobs for local residents during construction and upon completion?

• Require low maintenance materials, particularly for those items the community will maintain?

• Explore what can be done to ensure the project is not a financial drain on the public or private owner?

It isn't complicated. We have to condition ourselves to think sustainability by evaluating the proposed project's effect upon the community, the economy, the environment, and energy usage. A holistic approach to sustainability strengthens communities by ensuring all four criteria for a sustainable project are satisfied.

If it's not sustainable, should it be built?

Anthony Crocamo is the Manager of Corporate Marketing for Buchart Horn, Inc. ( http://bh-ba.com/ ) a full-service international engineering and architectural firm specializing in Transportation, Facilities, and Environmental design services.

Mr. Crocamo has more than 25 years experience in providing marketing services for architectural and engineering firms. You may contact him at acrocamo@bh-ba.com.

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Things to Look For in a Company Providing School Carpets

When you are choosing a company to provide you with your school carpets, it's important to make the right decision. Carpets are an investment for your school, so choosing a company which can provide you with the best-quality carpets will increase the chances that your carpets will last you for many years without the need for replacements.

So what are the main things to consider when choosing a carpet company?

Bespoke Design

Not all floor spaces are the same, and you may have very individual requirements for your school carpets. It's important to ensure that you find a company which doesn't just provide a one-size-fits-all solution.

You may have a specific colour scheme to stick to, and a company offering a wide range of styles, designs, colours and materials is essential to meet your requirements. Also try to find a company which will discuss your needs in detail to create the exact product you are after.

Full Installation

The installation of school carpets is one of the most important parts of the process. This involves a range of stages such as preparing the surface, inspecting the carpet, acclimatisation of the carpet and choosing the right type of installation such as the direct stick or double-stick contract installation system. A company which provides this service as well will save you a lot of trouble and can lead to a longer-lasting carpet by avoiding any early problems.

Commitment to Recycling

A company which has a good commitment to recycling is beneficial because you know that the company you choose is committed to minimising its impact on the environment. This can involve reusing old flexi-tiles, and the company may even come to collect these when the carpet needs to be replaced.

Good Customer Service

It is important that you can get hold of and talk to representatives of the company whenever you need to. For that reason, a company providing representatives in different regions of the country will be important. This will make it easier to talk to the company about your requirements or other issues and is key to ensuring a smooth process.

Get the Right Carpets for Your Schools

Choosing the right company for your school carpets is an important decision for your school. Not only do you want quality carpets that can put up with a lot of use over many years, but you want to deal with a company with experience which knows what it is doing. Choose your company wisely based on the above factors and you will stand a better chance of finding the right carpets for your school.

Joseph, Hamilton and Seaton (JHS) have been a leading supplier of commercial carpet and floorcoverings in the UK for over 50 years. JHS is based in Tamworth in a purpose built facility offering a next day delivery service to most areas in the UK.

JHS supplies a large range of carpets, carpet tiles and other specialist floorcoverings. Our range offers the widest choice of products available to flooring contractors, architects and other specifiers.

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5 Stunning Architectural Entrances

First impressions really do count. When approaching a building, whether it be your first day at a new school, an evening out at the opera, or your wedding day, you're sure to remember that moment. That split second when it literally feels like time is standing still.

Some stunning architectural entrances are:

Gert Wingardh Shopping Center, Malmo, Sweden:

In 2007, Swedish architect, Gert Wingardh, started designing a spectacular new shopping center in the southern part of Malmo, Sweden, which was completed in 2009. It has a beautiful, organic glass entrance that gives the area of Hyllie a strong and unique identity.

EME Fusion Hotel, Seville, Spain:

EME Fusion Hotel has renovated the concept of hostelry. Located in the financial and commercial heart of Seville, it is open to the traveller as well as the city. The hotel is complete with 54 rooms, 6 Estancia collection rooms, 10 panoramic terraces, swimming pools, a spa, 4 restaurants, a roofclub and more. Its architecture combines Andalusian iconographic elements with cutting-edge design, both inside and out. Architect, Juan Pedro Donaire built a circular, inner ring which joins the entrances to the bedrooms of 14 Sevillian houses and opens up to a large central patio.

Shipping Pallet Pavillion, Germany:

In 2005, Matthias Loebermann built a temporary but beautiful pavilion for the Nordic Alpine Skiing World Championship out of shipping pallets. The pavilion was built from 1300 shipping pallets held together by tie rods and pull straps. It measured 6 metres high, 18 metres long and 8 metres wide. It had a unique shape and the interior was lit up by a lamp whose glare shone beautifully through the spaces of the pallets.

Museum of Middle Eastern Modern Art, Dubai:

Dutch architects, UNStudio, set out to build an absolutely massive and modern complex in Dubai. The project is 25,000 square metres and houses a number of museums, including the Museum of Middle Eastern Art, as well as performance areas, a hotel and a shopping centre. The complex will also be a part of Dubai's 'Cultural Village'.

Japanese Nursing Association, Tokyo, Japan:

The Japanese Nursing Association Building has a giant glass entrance and cannot be missed. Architect Kisho Kurokawa designed the building to balance the dignity of the Japanese Nursing Association with the theme of receptivity within the area of Omotesando. The Crystal Cone at the front of the building is 8 stories high.

Entrances, facades, and materials used on a building can add so much depth and originality to a piece of architecture. What will visitors think when they approach your building?

Fabric Architecture Ltd has been specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and installation of tensile fabric structures since 1984. Learn more about entrances or iron mountain at http://www.fabricarchitecture.com/signature-structures/iron-mountain

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I Want to to Impress Potential Customers, Therefore I Went With a Big Change to Office Interiors

I was recently interested in focusing on new methods to try to impress the customers that might happen to come at my company head office. The wish to tie-up some significant new work in the forthcoming fiscal year was the powering pressure supporting the program. The year prior had been a touch rough for me, and I did not want a recurrence of that. If I was going to be capable to avoid it, then that is exactly what I was intending to do. I believed one factor that could assist would be to have a brand-new office fit out.

I wanted to improve the office interiors immediately, but that was really only half the contest. I was actually considering obtaining a complete office fit out. Anything less than that would not really be worth my time in any way. I realized that clients would only be amazed if it genuinely did emerge that I had gone the extra mile on their behalf. I made the choice that I was going to want to look for an office fit out London company to help me out without delay. If there was one offered at a great cost, that would be all the better. I leaped onto the internet to see things I would be able to locate.

I was actually rather pleased by the various options I had when it came to picking out a company to employ. It didn't seem that I was likely to have any difficulty finding an appropriate company at the right price. It had been just a matter of reading through some customer reviews to get the entire report on these different organizations. I have done this work and advanced to selecting the company that I wanted to work with.

We have just began on the changes to the office interiors, but I really feel wonderful about the progress produced. The perspective my customers will get when they visit my company property will be very favourably impacted. To have such an impact on how a business performs then a simple office fit out should be thought of every time. Every moment I experience in work teaches me something new, and very often it is simple solutions that can be most effective. Rebelling is one possibility but following simple tried and tested practises is likely to have higher profit to your business. It really does make good sense.

What word would you use to describe your office? Not 'inspiring'? Well, it should be. Because an inspirational, sustainable office not only lowers absenteeism and raises productivity, it even lowers energy costs. Morgan Lovell is the UK's leading office design, fit out, refurbishment and relocation specialist, that's our mission - to transform your whole business, not just your office. And we've been doing it for over 34 years now, so we're getting pretty good at it. You can contact us at http://www.morganlovell.co.uk/.

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The Advantages of 3D Layout Previews When Planning Commercial Refurbishment Projects

For any commercial refurbishment project, there is a vast array of options in design, style and decor to be chosen from. In fact, while business owners tend to have a general idea of what they want, a final decision can actually take a while. Ideas are not always easily settled on particularly when it comes to concepts and designs.

Generally speaking, office space planning deals in making full use of the space that is available to the designer, and ensuring that all of the necessary facilities fit within it. That can be a difficult task in itself, but the added need to arrange and view an office fit out only increases the complexity of the project, with some colour schemes, furniture styles and carpeting, tiling and wall papering options all needing to come together to form an overall finished design.

This is where 3D preview capabilities are of particular value. It works expertly well for both client and designer, with the client wishing to see how the new office could actually look and the designer able to show a range of proposed designs. It is also a very convenient method, with laptop presentations able to be made simply, quickly and at any venue. From the point of view of the client, there are three main areas where viewing a 3D presentation of a proposed design, or even the desired design, can help in the decision making process. Firstly, it serves to give a visual reassurance regarding the project, with the client able to see clearly what the new office will look like before any physical work is done.

This method also results in costs staying low, and savings being made, because no construction work is actually done, no fixtures or fittings are installed and no furniture is purchased. Any changes of mind, additions or alterations can also be accommodated easily and without extra expense, making viewing a 3D presentation the most financially viable method available.

From the point of view of the designer, having the ability to see their own work clearly on screen makes it easier to place and replace aspects of the overall project. For example, a colour scheme may be agreed upon but suitably applying the scheme can be a difficult task, requiring a certain amount of trial and error. Typically, the designer is faced with a multitude of requests and challenges, with the type of office requiring differing approaches.

General offices can have differing needs depending on the actual work being done there. For example, a decision on the size of the work stations or individual work desks in the office, can be influenced heavily by the needs of the worker. If the worker is generally involved in paper orientated tasks, such as an accountant would be, then desks need to have plenty of room.

If, however, the office is populated by professionals that are only at their desks two or three hours per day, and make full use of their own laptops, there is no need for large desks. Typically, media journalists, for example, do much of their work in the field, and return to the office for a limited time. Therefore, a narrow workstation stretching along an office wall, with a number of stools under it, is a practical solution in terms of professional and spacial needs.

In executive offices, meanwhile, similar issues exist with the frequency that the occupant would be in the office playing at part in deciding on the office fit out. A smaller desk for executives with low attendance hours daily is all that is needed, with a larger one necessary for those who are to more frequently present.

Other considerations with carrying out office space planning for the executive is the use of sofas and coffee tables for a casual meeting area in the office, and whether there is a need to accommodate extra people for larger meetings that might be held there.

Even a personal touch, where the ideas can be endorsed by the clients, who can add or take away features according to their personal preferences. Since a commercial refurbishment project is a try and test process, seeing and changing through a 3D screen presentation is clearly invaluable. Decisions made faster speed up the planning stage, and ultimately shortens the duration of the project.

Sarah Shore writes articles for Interaction, who are an experienced company providing commercial refurbishment and office design services to businesses of any size throughout the UK. Interaction have provided office fit out services to many offices of companies in the UK including Admiral insurance, the Forestry Commission and BBC Audiobooks. Utilising office space planning, Interaction are able to refurbish company offices of any size and type.

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Shop Fittings and Displays Are a Science in Their Own Way

The retail trade is far more complex than what many people think. Customer behaviour, seasonal trends and the online threat are just a few issues retailers have to deal with. Another area that is extremely important and sometimes is not given the required attention by retailers is shop fittings and displays.

Just like analysing customer behaviour and trying to understand how prospects think are sciences that retailers spend thousands, maybe millions, of pounds each year to master them. The way products are displayed on a given shop is a science in its own way.

It is not just about organizing products in alphabetical order or by colour or even by brand. Products need to be displayed in a way that customers are enticed to buy them and that is when the science of shop fittings and displays come into play.

"We Shop with our eyes"

When it comes down to shop fixtures and display units in each case there is one rule that suits them all. Fittings and displays need to be gentle on the eye to draw customer's attention without shading the product.

A common mistake made my shop owners is spending thousands of pounds in state-of-the-art fittings that instead of displaying their commodities in an appealing and inciting way it ends up drawing more attention than the product itself. Store fixtures and displays need to be chosen accordingly to theme and style of the shop.

In order to get this right you need to put yourself in the shoes of your customers and ask yourself the following questions. What would incite you to buy in a shop just like yours? How would you display products so customers can find them in the glance of an eye? What would incite you to walk into a shop like yours?

Sometimes to find the answers to these questions you will need to seek professional help from shop fitters or interior decorators.

Trained retail fitters not only realise how to put together shelving, displays, slatwalls, they also know the locations to put them in order to attract more attention.

Speaking of detail did you know the colour of your shop and fittings influences in your prospects decision?

It is not new that colours have their influence in people's moods, actions and behaviour. Studies revealed that certain colours can influence costumers in their final decision. For instance an office space needs to use white an bright colours so workers don't fell sleep and the other hand red and yellow are known to incite hunger, McDonald's anyone?

So choose the colours of your fixtures and displays based on the theme of you shop and the products you are or will be selling. Not sure what colours will work best? Ask your shop decorator he or she will certainly be able to help you.

Finally but no least important is the your shop layout, again the best way to get this right is to sit down with your shop fitter or decorator to workout a layout that will pull costumers straight from the side-walk into your shop.

Shop Fittings and Displays are a complex science that must be mastered and well worth the money invested to get it right.

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Disco Balls - The All Time Favourite!

Starting your own night club is undoubtedly among the hardest things in the world to do. Not only is the night club business among the hardest businesses to break into but you additionally have to encounter all of the competition and the simple fact that there exist a lot of other upscale or even regular scale clubs on the market, all using excellent night club decor! So if you are looking to break into the night club business area, you undoubtedly need some snappy and cool looking decor and what could possibly be much more fun, cool, awesome looking and all around amazing compared to a disco ball?

Now, you may be thinking that disco balls have been out of fashion forever, but let's honest, that statement is absolutely not true! There are a lot of factors why you must pick a disco ball as a part of your night club decor. Among the major factors is simply because it can undoubtedly attract a crowd! There are basically not enough night clubs that have a disco ball in their interior and who doesn't enjoy a disco ball? Think about it, when the lights are straight down low and all of the little disco ball mirrors are lighting up the dance floor and the space around it? Oh, people can fall in love with your night club and you can basically be the hottest thing!

Now that you have it in your thoughts that a disco ball will make your night club decor truly pop, the only question that you may have is how do you get one? Although there exist a lot of different companies that make these fantastic disco balls, you simply need to ensure that you are not going to buy a product that will disintegrate. Ensuring that the top quality exists is undoubtedly a thing that you should be doing in any aspect of your night club decor, but in particular when you are investing in the disco ball!

Not only do you want to find a company that produces top quality items, you additionally need to discover a company that will save you some money. There are a lot of different companies out there as detailed above, but you simply need to ensure that you are not only going to be staying inside your budget, but the product is still going to be top quality, even if you are receiving it at a big sale price.

For a wide variety of custom made disco balls for your venue take a glimpse into our product line at http://www.disco-designer.com/, where you will find LED lighting,club furniture, sound systems, light control software and information how to build your dream club. Complete design with 3D preview!

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Industrial Model Making Explained

For many businesses, staying up with their competition and offering new and exciting products and services is a constant challenge. Every business has to work hard to develop the next best product if they want their business to be successful. This system is the best way to visualise your product before you launch the actual one.

Industrial Model Making Process

The system involves creating prototypes of new products. These prototypes are intended to serve as a model for creating the final product. The process starts by creating a design with a CAD system. The model that is created in the computer is then carefully turned into a tangible object that can be examined and tested. The models created using the CAD system are given names so that as the development process proceeds, experts will know which model was the first designed and which is closest to the final approved product.

This process is very useful when a company is interested in creating a small number of prototypes. When a company has a need for a large scale of the product they will probably switch to a cheaper alternative. Cheaper materials can be used to make industrial models.

Use of industrial Models

Industrial models can be used for many purposes. They are ideal for marketing. Using the models companies can access the public response and consumer approval ratings long before the final product comes into existence. Based on the consumer feedback, companies can also make small changes to ensure that it will be received well by consumers.

Use of this technology can become much more useful for large scale production of certain products in the future. The system is very effective for creating a replica of a product so that companies can ensure that the final version will be flawless. In addition to saving costs, a company can benefit greatly from the technology. The technological development in the field could revolutionise the way industrial products are produced and marketed.

Finding an Industrial Model Making Company

Finding the right model making company is important. They can help you sort out design, prototyping and manufacturing issues. If your models are not accurate, there is the chance that you will lose prospective clients, so when looking for a firm, make sure that they have a proven record in industrial model making. By hiring a well reputed company to carry out the job, you can get a convincing prototype that will hopefully generate positive customer feedback. By running an internet search or through references, you can find a company that offers professional yet cost effective industrial model making services.

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Create Classical Ambiance With Rustic Lights

Light has been one of the significant elements of man's daily existence. In fact, without it life would be a little meaningless. In many instances, the presence of light has made every task less complicated and less tedious as well. Likewise, it has played a crucial part even in the old civilizations. In the past, numerous individuals were contented with simple lighting ideas, which typically vary from candles to fire woods. However, in this modern era series of developments in technological aspects has brought changes in light making industries. Perhaps, this is the reason behind the development of barn lights, one of the finest innovations in the lighting industry.

For long years now, various manufacturers have come up with a wide variety of barnlight shades, to cater the varying needs of potential customers around the world. The decorative shades could certainly bring a touch of elegance and vintage appeal into existing commercial landscaping plans. On top of that, the 12 inches Barn Light Shades are among the widely used types of barn lights in this modern time, for its flexibility and functionality as well. Likewise, this has been made by high quality materials that look with any types of industrial designs.

In addition, each of the 12 inches barn light shade reproduces authentic rustic lights that add glamour to a particular place, where it is usually displayed. Moreover, they are generally mounted on numerous gooseneck arms, which are made available in a wide range of designs and dimensions. Each of these light fixtures with rustic appeal has been created with a normal configuration of incandescent 120 volts sockets.

Furthermore, in order to cope up with the demand of numerous customers, barn lights are also made available in custom gooseneck arm with bending or swivel coupling designs. It has also been created with optional four-pin solid fluorescent openings and essentials ballast system. Some are basically built with metal halide sockets and durable MH ballast. Moreover, the frameworks are generally coated with 25 powdered colored finishes. Indeed, countless number of individuals would surely experience satisfaction through time.

Through the years, barnlights have been known for its versatility that would exceptionally complement the various architectural or structural design plans. Nowadays, these types of lighting technology could create a beautiful accent to every home or commercial centers. Most prominent business establishments and other retail centers have utilized the concept of displaying barn lights within their premises.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is the senior online promotions director and market researcher of architect design lighting and focuses on creative barnlights. He believes that rustic lights can provide distinction. He conducts continued exploration for different types of outdoor gooseneck lights available online.

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Factors to Consider When Choosing Hospital Carpets

Carpets can prevent slips and falls from occurring, they feel better under foot and they can help to provide insulation during colder weather, making them a popular choice in hospitals. But what factors should you consider when choosing your hospital carpets?

Areas to Cover

Not all floor areas of the hospital are going to be suitable. For example, operating rooms, emergency rooms and other areas where spills may be common are better kept carpet free but there are other specialist floor coverings available for these areas. Instead, carpets are best suited to areas such as staff rooms, offices and waiting rooms, so it may be best to stick to these areas.

Ease of Cleaning

Wherever hospital carpets are installed they should be easy to clean. Spillages are very common in hospitals, and can include blood, bodily fluids, food and medicines. The carpets will need to be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis, and you will want to choose a professional floor covering which can stand up to the rigours of such cleaning so that you can get more life out of them.

Carpet Designs

In areas such as offices, the design of the carpet may not be particularly important. However, in patients' rooms you will probably want carpet designs which are soothing and calming to add to the overall ambiance of the room and make the experience better for the patients.

Low Resistance

When you are choosing a solution for hospitals a thick plush is not really ideal. Hospital carpet need to be thin enough to enable trolleys and wheelchairs to be moved around on them with ease, and thick carpets will only hinder this.

Tiles or Rolled

When choosing your carpet, you might want to opt for tiles instead of standard rolled carpets. There are a number of reasons for this as they are easier to install, far easier to replace small sections and don't require as much maintenance as rolled carpets. On top of that, if one area of the carpet becomes heavily stained then you can simply replace the single tile instead of the whole carpet, making it a more cost-effective solution.

Consider These Factors with Hospital Carpets

Choosing carpets for your hospital involves careful consideration of all the above factors. If you choose the wrong carpets then you can end up wasting money and finding out that they do not last as long as you had hoped. Always go with quality carpets from a reliable manufacturer, and consider the above points when choosing your carpets to ensure that they are the most suitable for your hospital.

Joseph, Hamilton and Seaton (JHS) have been a leading supplier of commercial carpet and floor coverings in the UK for over 50 years. JHS is based in Tamworth in the West Midlands and operates from a purpose built facility offering a next day delivery service to most areas in the UK.

JHS can supply a wide range of carpets, carpet tiles, and floor coverings including hospital carpets. The JHS product range offers the widest selection of carpets and flooring solutions available to architects, flooring companies and other specifiers.

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Shop Fittings Colours

Do the colours of shop fittings influence customers? If you have never thought of it, I recommend you spare 10 minutes of your time to read this article. Just like the layout of store fixture and shop displays can entice customers to take that final action, the colours are important too.

In my past articles I wrote about how the layout of store fixtures and displays can attract more customers and increase sales. Choosing the right shop fittings can determine the success or failure of a high street shop.

Just like the layout of shop fittings, the colours can have their effect on customers. I'll use a classic example here, the colours red, yellow and green are known to entice hunger, McDonald's, BK or a subway anyone.

Colours influence the mind and perception, their strength and influence in the human mind have been subject of studies and researches by the marketers around the globe for years. More and more companies are becoming aware of that power and investing big in this element as part of their marketing strategy to increase conversions.

Colour strategy as defined by many authors has a huge psychological value for marketers. Mastering the associations and reactions produced by each colour in the human mind is of vital importance for the success of a marketing campaign.

Below are some examples of the significance and impact we normally associate to a given colour:

· Blue: Loyalty, Authority

· Pink: Love, Softness and sweetness as well as inertia and childishness

· White: Purity, nature, coldness and in some parts of the word like in Asia it is associated with morning

· Grey: Technology, efficiency, high tech colour. But if used in excess can be associated with sadness and boringness.

· Red: Warning, Danger, Energy, Speed, Hunger. It is also the colour our eyes perceives the quickest

· Black: Death, but it is also associated with Luxury and Chic

· Yellow: Plenitude, Action, Warmth, Stimulation and sometimes associated with betrayal

One might ask: What does all that have to do with my shop fittings colours?

The answer is very simple, a lot. Choosing the right colours for your shop fittings can give you the edge against your competition and entice prospects to take the hardest action of them all, walk into your shop. Shop owners will agree the hardest part of owning a high street shop is to grab the attention of prospect and make them walk in. Once they are in it is down to the salesmen.

Choosing the correct colour for your store fixtures and displays is what will drag the attention of prospects passing by your store.

Shop fittings are a complex science that must be mastered in order to achieve success with a high street shop.

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Architectural Light Shade - Promote a Unique Appeal to Every Sign and Awning

Technological advancement has made life easier and much simpler at the same time. In fact, every task could now be finally done at an instance without even wasting much of your time and effort. In some instances, it likewise enhances business productivity and profitability in many ways. Indeed, such innovation could be one of the possible reasons for the existence of different types of sophisticated products in the current market, which is particularly intended o satisfy the varying specifications of every individual. Some of these major or key developments could be observed in some industries such as light making business. Currently, some of its manufacturers have creatively come up with angle-shade lighting technology, which becomes on demand in the market these days.

With the significance of angle shade lighting, countless number of suppliers and manufacturers has made it in a wide range of sizes and arm extensions lengths. In fact, some of them have even manufactured architectural light shade that seems to go well with nay types of landscaping projects and structural design plans. In addition, it has been made available in multi-hued finishes, which make it more prominent wherever they will be displayed. Moreover, the exterior surfaces of each of its frameworks are coated with commercial grade aluminum powder that ensures protection for years to come. Likewise, the coating features ultimate durability and versatility in any way. Indeed, these lighting fixtures would be able to maintain its elegance and beauty amidst harsh climatic elements such as wind, heat and moisture.

Furthermore, the angle shade has been built with well-designed architectural lighting reflector, which brightens up both interior and exterior spaces. Moreover, it brings glamorous effects that would exceptionally highlight various graphical signs and banners. Such case, would promote your business in a very effective and affordable way. Likewise, the house casing for every light reflector are made of solid aluminum materials that would certainly allow you to enjoy its presence for a long period of time. More than that, its light reflectors are available in standard sizes that typically range from 7 inches to 12 inches. However, such type of lighting technology could likewise be availed in well detailed customized forms to eventually cater the varying needs of different customers worldwide.

Likewise, architectural light shade creates a simple yet elegant silhouette that produces perfect balance and harmony as it blends with various environmental themes. More importantly, it has been built with energy-efficient metal halide that would help save you from costly electrical expenses.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is the senior online promotions director and market researcher of architect design lighting and focuses on creative architectural light shade. He believes that architectural lighting reflector can provide distinction.

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The Importance of Getting Professional Advice From a Shop Designer

The heart of any business is the shop or store. It is the place where you conduct your trade, process your products or render your services. This is the reason why you need to make it as attractive, pleasing and convenient as possible. So if you are planning to put up your own retail shop, then you must realize that there are several things you need to take into consideration.

Let us take for instance you have already figured out what product or services you want to render. In addition, you have also decided the location where to put your business. By the way, you must ascertain that the location you have chosen is an area that could provide your business with the highest amount of traffic, but at a price within your means. The next thing you need to figure out is how you will properly showcase your products or services in such a way that could easily attract the attention of your niche and other potential customers.

While you may choose to do it yourself and decide to search for the different tools needed in your shop, you must take into consideration that it could be a great risk for you. It is because it could actually cost you a considerable amount of money, time and effort. For this reason, it would be better if you will just hire a certified shop design expert to help you get this job done fast, easy and effectively.

Always remember that a good retail shop design could help you brand your product or service effectively; thus, making it easier for you to gain potential customers as well. In choosing the most effective shop designers, on the other hand, there are also few things you need to take into consideration before hiring their service. The first one is their designer's portfolio. Take into consideration the previous projects that they have handled.

Could they provide the design you need for your shop or perhaps could they give you fresh ideas about this matter? Take into account that time is money. Therefore, you must consider working with a designer whose portfolio and technical abilities fits or above the needs of your retail store. The next thing you need to consider is their professionalism. Take into consideration the satisfaction of their previous clients or avid consumers when checking for this factor.

Can they give you the design you need in time? Could they answer your inquiries promptly and effectively? Choose the designer who could understand your needs. You should realize that they are likely to have some ideas that could improve your shop based on insider's perspective, which is often difficult to find. Lastly, which is probably the most important thing you should never forget is your budget. If their price range is not within the scope of your budget, then you won't be able to use them.

In case you are looking for a local Shop Design Australia, why don't you visit Shop Design by Mark Retail? It is one of the best retail shop designers that you can find and afford at a very reasonable price.

Mark Retail Design are the experts when it comes to shop design with 20 years experience. For more information you can visit shop design http://www.shopdesign.net.au/

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Angle Light Shade - Promote Commercial Branding

Gooseneck lights come in numerous styles that would certainly highlight the beauty and elegance of the entire panorama. In a particular quest to meet the high level of competition, Angle Shade Gooseneck Lighting has been finally manufactured, which has been made from durable materials that are great for any outdoor applications. Most of these lighting fixtures have been manufactured with solid frameworks that could strongly withstand elemental weather or other harmful elements that could badly damage the entire structures.

Moreover, the Angle Shade have been built with angle reflector, which offers a perfect illumination for every existing graphical signage, banner or other types of awnings. It features a more versatile and sophisticated styles that create distinctive appeal for numerous passersby. It becomes even more functional as it adds visibility to your business signage. More than that, these have been creatively made in a wide array of arm sizes and designs. In fact, these could likewise be availed in various gooseneck lights industry that would complement any types of environmental schemes.

In addition, the Angle Shade is one of the exceptional lighting ornaments, which could likewise great for outdoor purposes. In fact, it has been lined up as one of the finest outdoor gooseneck lights, which is in demand in the market. It is likewise creatively made with flexible feature such as swivel coupling that could be mounted on either part of the signage or banners, which makes it to be more versatile, elegant and appealing as well. It likewise, provides correct placement of light that serves its own purposes as a whole.

Furthermore, the angle light shade of Angle has been made available in a wide range of colors that adds life to every surface where these are being displayed. The colors vary from anodized bronze or bolder shades such as red and green. Indeed, with its versatility it could go well with various themes of the surrounding that typically range from classical to bold and modern design plans. On top of that, its angle reflector creates illuminated vision that would definitely attract countless number of potential customers.

In addition, most gooseneck lights feature sleek angle light shade with arms sizes that typically vary from 18 inches to 48 inches in length with shades sizes of 7 inches to 12 inches in diameter. With this variety of configurations, customers would certainly have enough choices on the combination of dimensions as well as curves that go well with their own specific needs.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is an author for Sign Bracket Store. He gives tips and information on unique signage ideas for your store or business with an emphasis on lighting products such as, gooseneck lights, outdoor gooseneck lights, angle light shade and sign blanks. He has also written many interesting and informative articles on popular styles and techniques about gardening.

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Outfitting Your Cubicle With Proper Decor

Working in a cubicle is what takes the life off of some folks in the United States, but it really does not have to be. Rather if our workers took the time to decorate their work spaces and organized them accordingly it would certainly brighten up the days of all of those who are currently working for the man, and enable them to get through their day a bit easier. With that in mind its important to understand the different themes and ideas that can be implemented in cubicle decoration.

The first major theme is that of sports (pro or otherwise). Essentially the goal here is to spruce up your space by adding images, banners etc. to your cubicle. The message is that what is posted is simply an allegiance to one (or more particular teams) and everyone should be advised that these are your teams. This theme is reserved mainly for the diehards but the casuals can implement it as well.

The next big theme that I have seen folks implement in their cubicles is that of family and pets. Many folks prefer to post pictures of their loved ones around their area to always remind them of what they have waiting for them when five o' clock rolls around. If this is your plan I would recommend that you purchase some stellar frames, perhaps even a digital one to really make them pop.

The last major theme that has been utilized for years (and with good reason) is a stress free/tranquil theme. This is where you outfit your area with stress relieving devices such as stress balls, emWave stress relievers, and/or sand/water pits. Doing this is going to enable you to stay stress free while you are working your forty hours, which is vital to success in the work place. No one wants to work with a cranky co-worker, and cranky co-workers rarely get the job done properly.

So there you have it, a small, non-exhaustive list of some of the cubicle decoration themes that folks have been implementing for some time now. If nothing above does anything for you then chart your own path and decorate in a way that is going to make you happy. At the end of the day its your sanctuary which means its up to you to make it your own, and with the aforementioned tips you should be able to do it in style.

Cubicle decoration is a great way to reduce your stress and help brighten your day while at work. Taken seriously cubicle decoration can make the difference between having fun at work as opposed to just getting it done.

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A Guide to Green Office Design

Environmental sustainability is becoming an even more pressing issue in all areas of life, particularly in architecture and design. Most contemporary designers are looking to create products with as little environmental impact as possible, including products made from recycled materials and products that are highly energy efficient.

With the enthusiasm architects and engineers have for creating multiple solutions for critical problems, looking through the wide range of green products available for your office design can be a little overwhelming. Determining which green practices are the most effective, which will save you money rather than create additional costs and which you can work seamlessly into your current work practices can be a very difficult task, especially when you come to working a number of different sustainability practices into one strategy for your office design.

The office design is the best part to start when building a comprehensive environmentally friendly strategy for your business. Old office buildings with outdated office structure often consume a disproportionate amount of energy and addressing this issue can be the most significant step in making your workplace more sustainable. Here are some further basic tips on improving the green status of your office.

Reuse Materials: Recycled materials can be used to great effect throughout your office design. Many highly polished pieces of office furniture made from recycled metals, plastic and wood are available to suit the style of any office. Reusing materials in your office design prevents old products going to waste in landfill and avoids damaging the environment further for the procurement of new materials.
Reduce Waste: By developing a clever office design, one that specifically serves your company's needs, you are also on your way to developing a green workplace or office. Custom-made designs that conserve space where needed and place resources appropriately are significantly more environmentally friendly than designs that take a "one size fits all" approach to workstations and layouts.
Green Technology: The most obvious step to reducing a building's energy consumption is to turn off the lights and heating at the end of each day, but sometimes this is hard to enforce or not effective enough. As an alternative, there are smart lighting and temperature control systems available which manage the electricity usage of an office design automatically. To additionally improve your green office, choose appliances, such as heaters, light fittings and water heaters and more Eco green products which conserve energy.

Read this article to get some ideas for your green office design. Cooper Group is a Australia based, commercial office fitouts company. Cooper Group provides the creative office fitout, commercial refurbishments, suspended ceilings and office partitions in Melbourne.

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Do You Create Realistic Looking Computer Aided Design? Architectural Rendering Makes It Look Real

An ages old problem is with people looking at an architectural drawing and being able to use their mind to visualize what is drawn. A typical architectural drawing is nothing more than a square, or rectangle, drawn on a piece of paper. Connect several of these of differing sizes and you can have an actual drawing of a house or building. But having people see what that building or house is actually going to look like is where the problem lies. Many people just don't have the ability to visualize something from a flat, two-dimensional drawing.

Another issue is that it is difficult to depict materials that are used. For instance there may be a brick or stone wall which is really difficult to show in a drawing that is basically an overhead view looking down at the floor. You really can't show any true design elements in these basic drawings. The time it takes to create traditional mechanical drawings is also a hinderance. Nothing happens quickly when it comes to manually drawing a house or other architectural plan.

These are all issues that are overcome with rendering. Computer Aided Design (CAD) allows for every detail to be visualized and easily understood. The renderings can show lighting and reflections and allows for minute details that were never possible with basic mechanical drawings. Today an architect who is equipped with the tools to create architectural renderings can fulfill any request for detail and imagery that is desired.

But the name architectural rendering is a bit of a misnomer, or maybe it is better to say, there is a lot more available through this computer aided drawing than simply for architects alone. Today it is a valuable tool in many walks of life. From courtrooms where it can be used to visualize a crime scene to automobile manufacturers where you can see what the latest model is going to look like in exact detail, color and dimensions.

The uses are truly endless. Computer animations have entered into the world of cartoons where cartoon artists can now animate cartoon books like they never could before. Cartoon creators and storyboard artists can now make a cartoon figure that is realistic to human proportions and have the image actually look lifelike as a portrait or photograph would. The future awaits us to see what other changes will come from the technology but it is certain today that the value of CAD goes far beyond its original use in architectural drawing and design.

Robert D Kelsey writes about architecture and how it is being advanced today through CAD and expanding from it's original intention in architectural rendering to its use in political cartoons and by storyboard artists worldwide.

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Commercial Window Tinting: The Solution You've Been Looking For

People consider commercial window tinting for a variety of reasons. From reducing solar heat to protecting furniture and art, tinting can offer solutions to many problems. Before contacting a professional, ask yourself why you want your windows tinted. Answering this question is the first step in making an informed decision and worthwhile investment for your home or business.

One of the most common reasons people seek out this kind of solution is to cut down on solar heat coming through the windows. A low-emissivity or Silvered film can help to reduce up to 80% of the sun's heat. This type of film is the most energy efficient and can help reduce both your cooling and heating bills throughout the year, regardless of the season.

Another problem many people face is fading of artwork, furnishings and even carpet. Commercial window tinting can help reduce this fading and prolong the life for each of these items. The sun's rays contain not only heat, but UV light. Window tinting can reduce these Ultra-violet rays by up to 99% which saves you money in the long run as you won't have to replace faded items.

Sun and light glare is another common problem. Office window tinting is also a good way to reduce glare in the workplace, especially as the sun moves across the sky. Selecting the right kind of film can result in a 93% reduction in this troublesome glare which not only makes for a more pleasant work environment but also promotes good vision health for your employees.

Privacy and security are good motivators for making this kind of investment. With regards to security, window tinting can protect windows from breakage and scratches. The film keeps glass from shattering and posing health and safety hazards posed by broken glass. It also reduces the amount of visibility into your office from prying eyes outside. While people may be able to make out rough outlines they will be unable to see specific details - be it pieces of equipment or sensitive work and business documents.

The costs of running a business can be formidable. Office window tinting is a relatively easy and cost-effective way of reducing energy costs. In the winter, it helps keep heat inside your building and prevents it from escaping through unprotected windows. In the summer, it does the same job by keeping the cool air in while protecting your office and workers from solar heat. This not only helps your business save money but also promotes a green and environmentally conscious workplace.

Selecting the right kind of film requires some work on your part. Independent research is a great place to start and once you have a general idea of what you want your office window tint to accomplish you can get in touch with a local professional to discuss your needs in greater detail. Most commercial window tinting professionals offer free estimates and consultations to go over the benefits of each kind of film. These professionals are trained to address the problems outlined here as well as to answer any questions and tackle other concerns you may have.

Mitchell Baines specializes in writing on various topics. He is writing on behalf of a service specializing in office window tinting. He enjoys hiking and camping in his spare time.

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Commercial Window Tinting: Increases Comfort and Saves Money

There are many reasons that managers and owners of commercial properties, stores, restaurants, and office buildings choose to tint the windows of their facility. Often, these buildings have large and/or multiple windows that allow the sun's UV rays to enter. A high-quality window tint film can block up to 85% of the sun's heat, making your facility more comfortable and saving you money in energy costs over time.

If you have ever sat in a restaurant of office with the sun shining on your face, you know how uncomfortable it can be. You may not only start to feel overheated, but the glare can make it difficult to see or concentrate. Even with the blinds pulled, you can often feel the heat of the sun or still be bothered by the glare as the sun peeks through the slats of the blinds.

Window tinting not only blocks the heat of the sun, it can reduce the glare by up to 95%. It blocks a significant amount of UV rays, heat, and glare to make the environment of your commercial property more comfortable and appealing to your visitors, customers, and employees. With tinted windows, the sunlight is filtered and appears much softer and the temperature of your facility stays more regulated.

By keeping the temperature of your commercial property balanced, you are able to maintain a constant temperature in your building. This helps to reduce energy and operating costs, especially with the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. With the rising energy costs that we have seen the past few years, your investment in window tint should pay off in no time.

Prolonged exposure to the sun's UV rays is not only damaging to our skin, it can fade or discolor furniture, flooring, merchandise, equipment and other important items inside of your building. Damaged merchandise cannot be sold, resulting in a loss of sales for your business. Protect your investments with window tinting that can block the sun's harmful rays while preventing your important items from being damaged or ruined.

Window tinting can also provide privacy and security for your workers. Your windows can be tinted so that people passing by cannot see into your building. This helps your workers feel more protected and less like they are working in a fishbowl or on display. While your employees can see out, nobody else will be able to see in.

Another benefit to window tinting is that if your window should happen to break or shatter due to a robbery attempt or an accident, the tinting film helps to hold the glass together so that it does not explode all over. In the event of a window break, your visitors and employees will be much safer than with a window that has no tint.

There is a science to applying window tint properly. You should enlist the help of a qualified window tint specialist to ensure that the film is applied correctly. It needs to be precisely cut and installed so that it looks seamless and appears to be part of the original window. If you notice air bubbles or uneven lines, you know that it has been applied incorrectly.

Bruce DeDona is the owner of DeDona Tint and Sound, a proud supplier and installer of window tinting for vehicles and commercial properties in the Piedmont Triad area of NC.

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Emblem Reflectors - Provide Luminosity to the Entire Area

Through the years various businesses have existed for one basic reason that is to generate income to sustain their daily existence. However, business men need to come up sophisticated products and services in order for it to be more appealing to numerous potential customers. More than that, effective marketing strategies would also play an important role in promoting any types of business. In such case, many of them have thought of some drastic ways to remain at the competitive edge and beat their competitors in any possible ways. A complacent approach might put your business at a great risk of failure. One of the efficient yet affordable methods to enhance the overall appeal of your business is to utilize sign lighting technology. Indeed, the luminosity of light would surely brighten up every graphical sign, banner or awning, which could boost its visibility and functionality overtime. For long years now, sign lighting is considered one of the best and cost efficient way to attract vast number of customers that would lead to a steady increase of profit or revenue.

The emblem shades are among the finest innovations in sign lighting system, which would certainly create unique variance to every exterior space. Nowadays, emblem shades lighting has been widely utilized as decorative elements to highlight numerous commercial establishments such as restaurants, spas, hotels, barns and other offices. Moreover, it also emphasized any well designed signage, furniture as well as other existing fixtures. In some cases, these types of lights provide illuminating effects that could definitely enhance the appearance of both interior and exterior spaces. In fact, these concepts would create amazement and awe to everyone as it creates elegance to the entire place.

In addition, the emblem shades have been built with emblem reflectors, which could exceptionally blend with any environmental or structural themes. Likewise, it brings any existing area to life as it provides colorful lighting hues to the place that surrounds it. More than that, it has been created with a wide range of sizes and designs that could bring perfect harmony and balance to the environment. These lighting fixtures exude amazing effects would surely have great impact to the subconscious of various individuals, which could be an excellent way to let your business be remembered from time to time.

Furthermore, emblem shades are made available in a wide array of customize arm extensions to suit everyone's specific requirements. More than that, it has been manufactured with energy efficient metal halide as well as solid fluorescent sockets, which help you save from incurring excessive electrical costs.

Jose Emmanuel Almirante is the senior online promotions director and market researcher of Planters Unlimited and focuses on creative emblem reflectors. He believes that emblem shades can provide distinction.

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How to Go About a Coffee Shop Design

"Black as the devil, Hot as hell,
Pure as an angel, Sweet as love."

These are the words of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord, a famous French diplomat, expressing his love for coffee. In fact, there are hundreds of well-known people who have expressed their love for the beverage in an extremely interesting manner. Consumption of coffee has increased tremendously over the last few decades making it one of the most preferred beverages in the world. Its consumption in the United Kingdom is very high and the country features in the list of the highest international coffee consuming countries in the world. From this we can analyze that people in the country love to drink coffee and owning a shop would be a great business here. However, today it is not just the taste of the coffee that attracts customers to a shop but also its setting. So, make sure to have your coffee shop design created by a professional if you are planning to open one. Even those who are already in the business can remodel their shops to attract more customers.

A badly designed coffee shop is bound to put off the customers at first sight. So, the importance of an aesthetically pleasant design cannot be undermined by any means. This is where you will need the help of a professional. However, make sure that the service provider you choose has successfully completed a considerable number of coffee shops at different places. A reliable coffee shop design consultant will provide the most effective design that meets your space and budgetary requirements.

It pays to contact a national level catering equipment provider who offers all-inclusive services to a variety of catering businesses, including a shop. Such a provider will have an in-house team of designers and technical experts who will work in coordination to produce an impressive coffee shop design for you. Such a provider will also proficiently handle supply and installation of equipment and furniture of your shop. That is not all, a company that is a member of prestigious organizations, such as Catering Equipment Distributors Association and the National Association of Care Catering, will provide you design in-compliance with the governing legislation. This means that the design will be environmentally friendly.

Equipment is an important part of a coffee shop. An authorized and experienced food service equipment provider will not only provide you an efficient coffee shop design but also the most suitable equipment as per your business goals. You can also have your equipment, such as survey counters, glass and dishwasher, commercial sink, and storage racks designed as per your requirements. You can even choose from granite, stainless steel or marble top for your survey counter. Your coffee shop design will also include mood lighting to create a charming ambience inside the shop to ensure that customers fall in love with the delightful setting and enjoy every sip of their coffee. In addition to that, a professional catering equipment and design provider can also arrange the best crockery that will convey the theme of your coffee shop.

To get the best and legally sound coffee shop design, visit http://www.garnersfoodserviceequipment.co.uk/. Garners Food Service Equipment has been providing equipment and design services to catering businesses since 1983.

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The HOW of Networking and Interior Design Success

The number one complaint I hear from designers is the lack of quality clients. Most designers I talk to have tried everything to find them from, fancy websites, postcard mailings, and of course networking. I can tell you personally that every fantastic client I have ever met, was through some form of networking. You've probably tried networking yourself, and depending on your successes, I have a few new ideas and tips for how to make networking even more productive.

1. Who are you networking with? Don't forget, networking can mean many things from a friend of a friend, a fellow business owner, or an organized networking group.

2. What are you offering them in exchange? The best way to ensure quality, top notch referrals is from someone who respects and values you already. That means you need to give as much as you receive whether it's reciprocating with a lead for them, or a complimentary consultation.

3. Where one finds great clients takes a knowledge of who you're looking for, and a little strategy. Think about it; design clients are people who not only care about where they live, they're willing to ask for help (and pay for), from a quality professional.

It came to me when I learned where Helen, (my coaching client I was boasting about earlier) had found one of her new dream clients. She was networking on Linked-in with a professional organizer. Brilliant! People who are willing to pay a professional to help them organize their home, will probably need help making their home beautiful. So start brainstorming! Who else can you think of who offers services with the same criteria?

4. When should you be networking? (When shouldn't you be networking, is a better question.) One of the most profitable relationships I've ever made was from a store owner I met at a friend's birthday party. You really never know where your next great customer will come from. You never know where your next great customer will come from, so pay attention, or a great opportunity might pass you by.

5. How you network is a critical piece of this profitable puzzle. I know how much success I've had in my own design business through networking, so I know that it works. I've listened to other designers who think they're mining for great clients, and what I actually witness them doing is scaring away prospects by coming off as pushy or overbearing.

The "How" of networking is simply a form of sales, and we know how much designers love to sell... It may not be your strongest skill, but it's critical to your success. I recommend you start doing a little research and work on honing the art of sales. You'll be amazed how simple and fun it can be. Just by knowing a few simple phrases, adjusting your body language (while learning to read others), and understanding client psychology, can fill your design business faster than anything else you'll try.

Whether you are just starting out in the design world, or have years of experience, Chelsea Coryell can help you discover the confidence and tools for success in building the design business of your dreams. Drawing from over 20 years of experience as a professional designer and a, "failing business" consultant, she can help you today by visiting http://www.designforaliving.com/ where you can download a free video series now.

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LED Under Cabinet Lighting Is the Prime Choice of Interior Decorators

The growth of technology and necessity of better light sources gave us LED lights. The sources have evolved from the traditional incandescent or fluorescent lights to LED. Compared to incandescent lights, LED lights have the lighting consume 60% less energy and provide similar brightness. The architects and interiors designers are now having much better options with LED under cabinet lighting. They can now experiment a lot of new looks because the LED under cabinet flexible strip can be operated on ultra narrow platforms. The LED strip lights can be installed anywhere without much of a trouble and produces warm or pure white light. They are extremely low profile and highly flexible to be bent in any degree. The LED under cabinet lighting can be installed in many ways with the help of fixtures and give a much better glowing effect in the surroundings.

The LED kitchen cabinet lights are widely used to enhance the look of the kitchen cabinets. It is luxury form of LED lighting because they give a whole new outlook to the kitchen cabinets. The contractors and architects today use variations in the lighting to give attractive look. It is available in vivid colors; hence they can be used to suit the mood better according to the environment and color theme of the surroundings. They also give the facility to be modulated; hence the brightness can be controlled. This complements the area which is illuminated and hence has gone a step ahead as compared to xenon or incandescent lighting. The interior decorators always use new & better options to decorate the home, office or hotels. Be it a book shelf, garden patio, kitchen cabinets or ceilings, LED has become their prime choice because of brilliant color combination, less heat generation and low consumption. The LED flexible strip lighting can be accommodated anywhere without much of an effort.

The LED kitchen cabinet lights has become the first choice for kitchen cabinets and also to highlight other sophisticated furniture. The dug in LED under cabinet lights are placed directly into the cabinet or shelf making them non noticeable. The LEDs are primarily installed in living room area for maintaining more artistic interiors. These recessed LED under cabinet lights can be installed via dug in process hence the area should be chosen extremely wisely during installation.

LED lights are also available in flexible strip and aluminium tube format that can be used in kitchen interiors for highlighting purposes. These LED aluminium tube lights operate on a remarkably less power and give 2,700-7,000K of warm to cool bright light. The LED tube lighting offers a variety of colors and can have their brightness modulated with dimmer as required. LED under cabinet lighting can be used in extremely narrow spaces and still give the required luminance. The under cabinet lights come as a bar or disk and can be chosen according to the requirement and the space available. The decorators also utilize the accent lighting to enhance the look and highlight the counter tops with LED lights. The LED under cabinet lighting is also used as jewelry display lights because of their flicker free nature and no maintenance.

Tired of traditional incandescent or fluorescent lamps that do not bring you eco-friendly lights, and consume so much energy in your home as well? LED-Mate has ideal energy conservation eco solutions. Kim Zheng is the company's senior author of lighting articles, an experienced expert of super bright SMD based LED lighting fixtures for under cabinet, under shelf, under counter, and interior design lighting applications. He reveals latest technology aiming to improve the quality of your home or business illuminations by installing environmentally friendly high brightness led cabinet lighting or other Led based fixtures. Find out more about under cabinet lighting from other articles and releases written by Kim Zheng, where he offers valuable advises and tips for eco-friendly, energy efficient LED lighting products.

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The Exterior Construction of Business Premises

Given the low demand for construction work from the worldwide economic recession, now is a great time to take advantage of the lower prices in construction services. In addition, there is more room for negotiations with these services desperate for the custom. Obviously the outlay will still be significant but this is a great financial opportunity for any large organisation looking to move premises or to establish their own building.

The first point to consider when deciding to construct a new building is the location. Regarding this point, the most significant factor is the transport links as these are vital in ensuring that your employees are able to reach their new workplace. Therefore there must be main roads to your location with different access points. Another thing to consider is the cost of the land, time should be spent assessing several areas for these factors to decide on which provides the most value and will be most beneficial for the company and the employees.

Another important factor is the size of the premises, which will largely depend on the size of your company and the future growth of your company. Time should be spent analysing the number of rooms that will be needed and how many floors the building should have to assess the dimensions of the building. If the company is likely to expand in the coming years, it may be beneficial to take this into consideration when planning how many offices to have and rooms for specific departments. If this is ignored it may be more costly to have an extension added to the building later on. However this will depend on the budget that is available for this construction with unoccupied rooms being low on the priority list.

Another option is the possibility of having more than one building but this is less practical for most companies. The main reason behind doing this is to create separation for security reasons. For some companies they may wish to separate specific departments in order to keep one area secure, which would be the case for companies such as pharmaceuticals.

Car parking is an area that should not be overlooked in the exterior construction. Depending on the amount of land available you may choose to go for either an outdoor parking area or with modern buildings, there is the option of having an underground car park where space is more of a factor. Additionally, if possible it is beneficial to have an outdoor garden space for employees to take breaks or have their lunch. Regarding office jobs it has been known that time outside during lunch breaks gives employees the opportunity to rest their eyes and to return to work refreshed.

With construction, a lot of time will go into the style and design of the building. This is for the reason of brand image and reputation, where some companies go for buildings that are made largely from glass. Height is also seen as an important part of a building although this can make it more costly to construct. Buildings should be stylish but functionality should never be forsaken as it is the most important part of a building.

Paula is a freelance architect and has been part of the field for the past ten years. Paula is very passionate about her job and has been involved with several different projects including the likes of Architect Melton Mowbray. For further information on any of the topics raised in the article please visit John Fowkes Architects.

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