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SKETCH_PAD © Press Release |
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CATALYST
Launches MasterPlanning
Division- AZUR-Ecotecture, llc
 PRESCOTT, AZ-
Blue is beyond green. Viewed from space, the
Earth is a brilliant azure sphere. Move past green on the color
spectrum and
you will find the same deep, compelling blue. Similarly, CATALYST
ARCHITECTURE’s new MasterPlanning division, AZUR-Ecotecture, takes the
philosophy and actions of the green building movement beyond its
current expression.Design Beyond Green AZUR-Ecotecture shifts the focus of sustainability from simple methods like the use of low-embodied energy materials to complex practices that promote ongoing participation with local ecology through such techniques as Biomimicry, Permaculture and Less-Than-Zero energy design. Formed in response to international solicitations for large-scale, masterplanning and high-rise design work, CATALYST ARCHITECTURE’s principals Matthew Ackerman, LEED-AP, AIA and Jeffrey Zucker, LEED-AP, AIA have joined forces with Mr. Yves Rathle, AIA, ASAI of StudioYVESinc to co-found AZUR-Ecotecture. Mr. Rathle, a long-time associate of Mr. Ackerman, has been involved on numerous large-scale, mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented masterplans all over the world; including Paris, Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Moscow, Cairo, Bangkok, and Shanghai.  Visionary
Sustainable
Design TeamAs a special consultant to AZUR, Dr. Paolo Soleri will team up with Ackerman, Zucker and Rathle for specific large-scale project assignments. Dr. Soleri is president of the Cosanti Foundation and is best known for his 'Arcology' concept, which marries architecture with ecology. The Cosanti Foundation’s flagship project is Arcosanti, a proto-typical community intended for 5,000 residents which has been under construction as an urban laboratory since 1970, with the help of over 6,000 volunteers. Dr. Soleri first came to the United States in 1947 to apprentice directly under Frank Lloyd Wright, at Taliesin West in Arizona. Like CATALYST, AZUR-Ecotecture will be devoted to the creation of enduring and inspiring (masterplan) design solutions that model the functionality and adaptability of the more-than-human world. AZUR-Ecotecture is committed to an impassioned, socially responsible architecture, which draws inspiration from, and recognizes our intrinsic connection to, the living systems found all around us. At the heart of AZUR is drive to celebrate the dynamic interplay and conviction– that we as humans can participate as beneficial members of our ecosystems, and our planet. Recent Success AZUR-Ecotecture was recently shortlisted along with four other finalists, for the 700-acre Yavapai-Apache Community Charrette and Masterplan project in Camp Verde, Arizona, from an initial field of over two dozen competing firms, from all across the US. With their newly combined resources, AZUR-Ecotecture now has offices in Prescott, Flagstaff, Jacksonville Florida, and San Francisco California.  Links: Arcosanti AZUR-Ecotecture (temporary web site) ~ Arcology ~ Biomimicry ~ Permaculture ~ Less-Than-Zero Energy ~ Eco-logical Placemaking ~ Waste As A Resource ~ Water As Gold  Mr.
Yves Rathle, AIA ASAI, is the founding principal of studioYVESinc, an
internationally recognized design firm, with offices on both the east
and west coasts of the United States. Mr. Rathle has been involved on
numerous large-scale, resource-efficient masterplans all over the
world; including Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Moscow, Cairo, Bangkok, and
Shanghai. Mr. Rathle and Mr. Ackerman worked together in the Boston
based offices of the internationally acclaimed urban designer Benjamin
Thompson & Associates, 1987 Firm of the Year. |
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