Members and guests have enjoyed viewing a wide range of products at the opening of Expo 2003. Here are some of their impressions of the exciting innovations offered by the design and construction industry vendors and Cornerstone Partners.

Suman Sorg, FAIA, Sorg and Associates, Washington, D.C., with husband Scott

I especially liked the castle glass because I’m working on a building in Washington, D.C., that has a lot of glass in it—they do it in Europe but haven’t been able to do it in America. And I looked at a German window system that I liked, and another window system that tilts open, with a raw but finished look to it. I also saw a strobe light that can be controlled through a special release system and a European radiator system that I liked a lot, which they make here now. I also saw a fabulous light fixture that I can use in a laboratory environment that I’m doing in D.C. I haven’t even been through all the aisles. I’ve just been around the perimeter—It will take me hours! I’m also seeing my friends from all over the country.

Al Salgado (left) and Daniel No, California State University, San Bernadino

We’re both with California State University, so we build a lot of large structures there. We’re trying to find new products and, at the same time, build our resource library. [Al Salgado, project manager]
We’re just walking though here looking for new products we haven’t seen before, new technologies, new applications, and updates, for example, energy-efficient glazing. We just came from an exhibit on interlocking floor systems. There’s just so much to look at, you probably have to spend a few days here. [Daniel No, designer]

Joe Alcala, AIA, Port Authority of Portland, Ore.

We’ve had some problems with buckling of tile, so I’ve been looking at some ceramic tile, borders, and adhesives. I work for the airport—that’s one of the reasons why I’m here—so I’m looking for new security applications and technologies, such as metals, windows, glazing, and new applications to deal with guarding and bomb threats.

Cynthia Kracauer, AIA, Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, New York City

There’s so much to see, it’s a challenge carrying everything! I’m looking for green materials and materials that we can use to deal with mold issues. It’s always fun to look at the latest and greatest technology innovations and the actual building materials themselves. One of the most interesting and clear presentations was the Italian Marble Institute, where you can learn something concrete. They talked about tile, how you clean it, and what works with what stains. I found that useful because we use a lot of ceramic tile and we have to produce maintenance manuals for our clients.

Wayne Estopinal, AIA, The Estopinal Group Inc., Jeffersonville, Ind.

I’ve been looking for products for theater projects and so far I’ve seen lighting programs and stage rigging. Some of the lighting concepts are always evolving.

David Emig, AIA, Emig and Associates Architects, Emporium, Kans.

My mind was a blank canvas before I came into the Expo, and I just wanted to get it colored up with new products and ideas that improve the way we do things. I’m not sure how new it is, but, for example, I’m interested in products such as the vented exterior wall, because it offers a solution to the age-old problem of mold and mildew, which, although it’s been around forever, has a heightened awareness about it, and it could be the next asbestos-like issue that we deal with. With public awareness about safety and health concerns, it’s going to be a thing that people cry out for: buildings that don’t put people at risk.

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