#061 - WHO GET TOO MUCH AND WHO GET TOO LITTLE

http://ift.tt/1IOUDI7

Another sacrosanct true, at least in London. Some of us decide to spend their life working to build a better tomorrow, others to widen their portfolio of properties.

Mr D. Tail believes that owning a house should be a fundamental human right.

A first step would be the government starts to monitor the market and takes action against those who own multiple properties. The trick is to reduce the demand by increasing the offer. Indirectly with taxes and restrictions, those who own 3 or more properties should be forced to sell some of them helping to reduce the demand. Building thousands of new luxury houses or flats won't certainly resolve the issue, on the contrary, it would help to worsen it because the prices would keep rise.

The second step would be starting to say no to overpriced rents fees, and property prices. Too many people intentionally pay more that the property's true value, starting from foreign investors. That creates a domino effect. 

#060 - LIVE NIGHT SKY SOFFIT

#058 – TIPS ON HOW TO BE A CREATIVE DESIGNER

http://ift.tt/1KnTkzz

We all are creative individuals. No matter our profession or cultural background, we are all involved in using our imagination to create something. We do not need to produce materially something to be creative, we need to be capable of visualising it, and we all are.

However, we have to recognise that sometimes we become rusted, and, unfortunately, we do not use the imagination to generate original ideas but to dig problems. 

If you need to get back on track, then follow these Mr D. Tail’s bits of advice below on how to be a creative one:

NETWORK WITH ENTHUSIASM: 
Talk and spent quality time with stimulating people, possibly with interests different from ours.

LISTEN PEOPLE’S OPINION:
Do not talk too much during a conversation, instead listen to other idea, ask questions and try to understand others’ point of view.

ACCEPT AND LEARN FROM MISTAKES:
Making a mistake is normal, not be worry too much about it. Learn from it and keep doing what you have to do. 

CHANGE YOUR MIND:
Be flexible in changing your mind, do not hold at any cost your point of view. Accept the fact that other ideas might work better.

SHARE YOUR IDEAS CONSTRUCTIVELY:
Share with other your ideas. Accept different opinions and try to understand them. 

RELAX
Do not take life too seriously. Enjoy the process and have a lot of fun.

#057 – WHAT IS ART

http://ift.tt/1V4RD1A

What is art? Surely it is not an easy answer. Cultural background, historical time, time of life, geographical location, etc.. all of this factors are influencing the meaning of art.

Mr D. Tail believe there is not a universal meaning that will make everyone happy, but saying that art is the expression of our inner state is hurt no one. 

NEW WEB SITE

Mr D. Tail has been relocated to a new home

www.matteogerbi.com/mr-d-tail

#051 – RELIABLE NEWS

Today on any smartphone you can download and sign up to applications that bring together several magazines.

Through the merge of several magazines in a single product, we have the opportunity to compare news from different sources and realise how contradictory these media sometimes are (click on the image to read the news on the display).

#050 - RELIEVE YOURSELF FROM A BURDEN

As human being often we are caught in a whirl of negative thoughts. Of course, we want to get rid of them because they do not make us feel any good.

Here a contemplative exercise that will hopefully help to get rid of them.

It is an emotional issue, so we have work on our awareness. First try to visualize a plurality of anvils. The anvil is heavy and tough to lift, like our burdens. Think that each anvil represents one of your burdens.

Now visualizes one of the anvil lifted and taken away from your eyesight by a small helium balloon. It is important that you take your time to see the balloon slowly disappear. Repeat the exercise for all of the other anvils or burdens.

Mr. D. Tail tried the exercise and can happily confirmed that it worked.

#049 - CONSTELLATIONS: GEMINI

This month we are under the sign of Gemini, the third sign in the zodiac. It represents those born between May 21th and June 20th.

Gemini is energetic, persuasive and enthusiastic for this reasons he does not like to be a member of the audience. He detests routine and boredom and need excitement and variety.

Gemini is intelligent and imaginative. They can persuade and manipulate very well, and this make them excellent managers able to motivate a team.

Notwithstanding Gemini has interesting things to say he is superficial. They often give an opinion without exploring them thoroughly.

Despite thinking clearly, they are impulsive and indecisive and has conflicting emotions. It may be the reason Gemini is said to have a dual nature and symbolized by twins. Geminis are a mix of the yin and the yang, and they are represented perfectly by the Twins.

Above all Gemini enjoy communicating, are a master of communication and love to talk a lot. Said so you should not be surprised to see Mr. D. Tail and his twin brother are chatting a lot in this post.

#048 - BIM MATURITY LEVELS

This post just wants to illustrate the different levels, from 0 to 3, that broadly define the progressive BIM (Building Information Model) process. There is a certain level of uncertainty surrounding BIM and its meaning but we believe we made the point down here:

Level 0
No coordination across disciplines. Only 2D CAD tools are used to produce documentation.

Level 1
There is still no collaboration between different disciplines. 3D CAD tools used for concept works and 2D CAD tools for production. Standards data structure throughout the project is adopted. Common data environment created to share information electronically.

Level 2
All disciplines are coordinated, design information is shared through a common environment. Each discipline is working on its own 3D CAD project model, information is exchange between different parties in a combined model. Common file format is used (basically same software).

Level 3
There is full collaboration between all disciplines. A unique shared project model is used and all parties can access and modify it. There are advantages because it removes the risk for conflicting information, on the other hand this level of coordination requires a huge efforts from all disciplines that unwillingly have to disclose too many information at earlier stages.

But it is not finish yet, we also have these still vague levels that worth to mention:

Level 4
Analyse time

Level 5
Cost management

Level 6
Facilities management

For the post we have been inspired by “The Bew-Richards BIM Maturity Model”, instead Mr D. Tail has had his controversial view, as usual.

Also more info about BIM in our previous post

#047 - BIM – BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING

BIM is an acronym describing digital design, construction and facilities management in the construction industry. "B" stands for building of course, "I" for information and "M" is not clear yet but it may be interpreted as Modelling or Management depending if you are designing or managing the project.

However the National Institute of Building Sciences in the United States put some light on this subject stating that BIM is:

“A digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility… and a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.”

As the above definition didn't help us at all, we decided to look through some RIBA publications. That was even more confusioning, we found out that anybody can say what they want about BIM.

On our side we put a lot of effort in pursuing the perfect BIM definition and now we are pretty confident in saying that BIM is a multidisciplinary approach to the design, construction e management of a building (or infrastructure). Various disciplines are involved in the design of a building, such as architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers. All of them are working on the same digital model. In this way everyone involved must work and collaborate together with the same standards. If one discipline fail to deliver his package the team fail in delivering the project to the client.

All seem pretty amazing but, as Mr D. Tail is trying to explain us, the theory may be different from the practice. 

#046 - POLITICIAN’S RESPONSIBILITIES

Politician’s job is undoubtedly tough, especially when they are running for a political position.

In fact the party leaders are visible exhausted while the UK general election campaign enters its final days.

However, we should not be worry too much about them. According to huffingtonpost.co.uk the parliamentary officials bought in increasingly larger numbers of champagne bottles each year to refill the House of Commons' stock. Once MPs will get the legitimate mandate to serve the nation, they will have plenty of time to get back on one's feet again in one of the parliament's bars and restaurants.

By the way, at the end Mr D. Tail has enjoyed the acting.

#045 - CONSTELLATIONS: TAURUS

This month we are under the sign of Taurus, the second sign in the zodiac. It represents those born between April 21th and May 21st.

Taurus loves comfort and likes being surrounded by pleasing and relaxing things. They simply want to get things done and for this they are tenacious, obstinate and determinate, for this reason it is not a case if the Taurus is associated with the bull.

They aren't interested in living without beauty in their lives, they love art and do not deny themselves many good things like good food and wine. Taurus are somewhat possessive and get pretty argumentative but they also quickly calm down.

They love stable relationship and values harmony in their personal lives. In fact they are loyal, romantic and sentimentalist like the bull that is showing devotion to MDT.

#044 - ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING

The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be. This score is found on an Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), a mandatory document, in England and Wells, which states the energy efficiency of the building when rent or sold.

This is a result of European Union Directive 2002/91/EC relating to the energy performance of buildings. The principle of this directive is to make energy use in buildings transparent by the issuing of a certificate showing the energy rating of a property, along with recommendations on how to improve efficiency.

As Mr D. Tail demonstrates, a Passive house has a high rating because it has an excellent level of insulation and airtightness (see post #031 for more info about passive houses). On the contrary an old Victorian house, non-insulated with uncontrolled draughts that let air come in and out, show a low rating.

However we should not lose hope if we own an old house. Today the construction market offer plenty of products that help us to improve the building performance of a house to an acceptable level, even a Victorian house.

#043 - ARCHITECTURAL PROCUREMENT

In the construction environment the procurement is a mechanism which provides all the activities undertaken by a client to get a project built.

On this post we are looking on how the architectural services are procured. There are many procurement methods but all of them redirect to the following main activities:

1. Briefing and Assessment

2. Concept Design

3. Design Development

4. Constriction

5. Inspection and Evaluation

Mr D. Tail is helping us to understand this process.

Odd to say, but today this historical main client/architect relationship is infrequent. Unfortunately architecture is not any longer considered the core discipline of the construction process, on the contrary, for many it has become a superfluous ornament. More posts will follow about this subject.

#042 - FLYING

Today no words can explain Mr D. Tail’s reflection while flying away from the world.

#041 - CONSTELLATIONS: ARIES

This month we are under the sign of Aries, the first sign in the zodiac. It represents those born between March 21st and April 19th.

Aries is a bundle of energy and dynamism and like to see themselves as leaders. The symbol of Aries is the Ram, impulsive and short-tempered. The element associated with Aries is Fire, burning desire to be the winner.

The strength of the Aries is in their initiative, courage and determination. They are fearless and their dynamism and competitive spirit add considerably to any of their actions.

Poor Mr D. Tail, a moody Ram is about to introduce itself in a devastating way.

#040 - LUX (lx)

Lux is an unit of measurement of the light intensity. It is also called illuminance which is the amount of luminous flux per unit area. Wikipedia may be of some help for you if you need further explanation.

However, just to give you an idea of what is like, 1 lux is equal to the illumination of a surface one metre away from a single candle. Some further examples is shown in Mr D Tail's post; the light levels are 200 lux in a bright living room, instead outdoor is about 100,000 lux in a direct sunlight. 

Pretty astonishing this comparison, inevitably it makes you reflect.

#039 - COMMUTING

Trains get millions of people to work every morning. But before that, these millions of people have to fight to each another to get inside the trains.

If you are one of these millions of people remember that commuting is a lifestyle choice, you have to enjoy the challenges and opportunities it brings.

How wonderful would be for one day give up and go to the opposite platform for a journey to the unknown. Mr D. Tail just actually did that, the perfect day off.

#038 - CONSTELLATIONS: PISCES

This month we are under the sign of Pisces, the twelfth sign in the zodiac and it is also the final sign in the zodiacal cycle. It represents those born between February 19th and March 20th.

Pisces are selfless, devoted, spiritually oriented and happy in their imaginative world. Pisces like adventure, new situation and social events.

Pisces’s primary goal is to help others, in particular those with severe problems who desperately need help. In fact they are compassionate, charitable and easily feeling another's pain. Making others feel good in turn makes them feel good, this feeling sensibility wins people over.

On the negative side they are oversensitive, indecisive, self-pitying and sometime lazy.

Pisces is represented by a pair of Fish, a symbol that prompts others to suggest that they are fluid and easy-going. Two fishes represent their duality, their yin and yang sensibility. They alternate between reality and non-reality.

Of course the Element associated with Pisces is Water.

#037 - 3D PRINTING IN CONSTRUCTION

3D Printing is an additive manufacturing process to make three-dimensional objects from a digital CAD (Computer Aided Design) file previously created with a 3D modeling program or with the use of a 3D scanner. The device used in this process is called 3D printer, a kind of robot that create objects by adding a multitude of horizontal layers on top of each other.

More Info: http://3dprinting.com/what-is-3d-printing/

A variety of materials can be used. Companies are now able to print silicone, latex, ceramic, clay, and a metals. 3D printing brings the ability to print anything you wish, from small objects like a jewellery to big things like houses.

Though this technology is extraordinary, it is also disruptive. The 3D printers’ prices are becoming increasingly affordable and surely everybody one day will own one. Knowing the humankind’s behaviours the risk would be a huge waste of energy to create useless objects that will end up to sit in landfill if not lost and forgot in the environment. This is just one of the numerous reason why the use of 3D printing technology should be regulated now before is too late.

3D printing in the construction sector is less worrying as it is already regulated. Still, there is a threat. The risk that people one day will desire to build ego feeding structures to please themselves and their ambitions without even thinking about the visual impact on surrounding environment. A debate should be opened or, like Mr D. Tail, one day on our way back from work, we will find a Smurfs’s home next to ours.

#036 - TRADITIONAL TOWN CENTRE’S FRONTSHOPS

This post wants to denounce the heavy presence of multinational companies in the historical centres of British towns.

Mr D. Tail’s feeling is that these towns lost their soul, their identity, the impression is that they all look the same. On the contrary they should emphasized their glorious and vibrant past highlighting their architecture. 

These town centres should be given back to local independent businesses, craftsmen and artists while multinational companies can be easily accommodated inside big modern shopping centre.

#035 - BLUE

Blue is the colour of the sky and sea, of nostalgia, devotion and contemplation.

Blue is the helper and the rescuer, it is the giver and not the taker. As superheroes, often illustrated with blue costumes.

The darker the colour blue, the more authority it has. It is not a coincidence that it is widely used by Police departments around the world.

Blue is a colour that pursues peace and tranquillity and reveals an inner security and confidence. This is why MDT is comfortably seating on a sunbed certain to score any basket he likes with its special balls.

This is colour relates to trust, honesty, fidelity and loyalty, this is the reason why this colour is used by banks, insurance companies where trust and reliability are important factors. Also Hi-tech and computer technology businesses can benefit for this colour (see MDT balls).

#034 - CONSTELLATIONS: AQUARIUS

This month we are under the sign of Aquarius, the eleventh sign in the zodiac that represents those born between January 20th and February 18th.

Aquarius is benevolent and strongly interested in making the world a better place. He is visionary and progressive mind and like show the world his remarkable thoughts and new ideas.

Yet, Aquarius is intolerant and unpredictable with those who disagree and his general approach is often impersonal and at times cold.

However, thanks to his mix of genius/madness, those born under this sign may have the ability to present ideas that will revolutionize the world.

Aquarius is symbolized by the Water Bearer this is way Mr D. Tail is pictured in pouring water with a amphora.

#033 - HE WILL HE WILL NOT

Nick Clegg announces working group to make empty buildings available to charities, community groups, artists and entrepreneurs.

Would you like to join Mr D. Tail and guess if he will or he will not?

Of course Mr D. Tail is pleased about the proposal and he hope soon to take advantage of it.

If you are interested you can read the Press Release below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/deputy-pm-brings-buildings-back-to-life-with-high-street-names-in-the-north

#032 - U-VALUE

The U-value is a measure of heat loss in a building element such as a wall, floor or roof. The higher the U-value the worse the thermal performance of the building envelope is. According to Passive House Design standards all elements of the external envelope of the building should combine to provide a U-value of not more than 0.15 W/(m2K).

In order to calculate the U-value we should know the build-up materials of the building element, their conductivity properties and thickness.

For instance, a 200mm brick wall have high conductivity and facilitate the passage of heat/cold, on the contrary a 100mm insulation panel, usually installed within the cavity of the external walls, has low conductivity and slowly release the heat/cold .

This is why a contemporary insulated house is more energy efficient of a Victorian house. Mr D. Tail is definitely feeling more comfortable in a well-insulated house with a low U-value building envelop.

#031 - SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Please help Mr D. Tail to spot the differences within a Passive House and Passive Solar House.

Passive House and Passive Solar House are design standards for energy use in all building type. The design process it helps to reduce the buildings ecological footprint which is sometime we should be worry about:

“In 2012, direct buildings emissions (mainly from the use of gas for heating) accounted for 37% of UK greenhouse gas emissions (91 MtCO2). Buildings also were responsible for 67% of electricity consumption and related (i.e. indirect) emissions.” From www.theccc.org.uk

The Passive House relay on energy conservation through super-insulation, the heat losses of the building are reduced so much that it hardly needs any heating at all. However it involves the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

The Passive Solar House instead relay to the sum. It distributes solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer, this system virtually does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

Both design standards are effective. The Passive Solar House design is performing better in sunnier climates white the Passive House design is performing better on colder climate.

The systems in reality are not perfect and without problem but they are a huge step forward the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Useful links:

Passive Solar House Design
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/passive-solar-home-design

Passive House
http://www.passivhaus.org.uk/standard.jsp?id=122

PS:
Please note how beautiful is RayShelf

#030 - CONSTELLATIONS: CAPRICORN

This month we are under the sign of Capricorn, the tenth sign in the zodiac that represents those born between December 22nd and January 19th.

Capricorns are independent, responsible and self-disciplined. They are well organized and want to be the best in what they do. They are extremely dedicated to their goals and always want to climb the corporate ladder. 

It is not a coincidence that the Goat symbolized the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Goats love to climb to the top of the mountain in the same way Capricorns want to get to the top of their chosen field. 

As a respectable Capricorn would do, Mr D. Tail is working hard and he is determined to succeed in climbing up to the top of the mountain where a friend is waiting for him.

#029 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Mr D. Tail is wishing to all of his readers a happy 2015 in his own way.

#028 - MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just in time to wish merry Christmas everyone

#027 - CLIMBING UP TO THE UNKNOWN

Changes in the natural world are occurring faster than ever. Our actions undoubtedly have an immense impact on the environments, we are the only ones responsible for interrupting a carefully balanced ecosystem lasted for hundreds of thousands of year. All lands are effected from these changes even the wild mountains where the time is supposed to stand still.

Do not be surprised if one day, like Mr. D. Tail, after an hard sweaty climb up to the peak of the mountain you will discover that you could easily reach the pick by car via a smooth and safe road perhaps built to reach a resort.