Across the nation, construction projects large and small—from hospitals to schools to simple home improvements—are spiraling out of control. Delays and cost overruns have come to seem “normal,” even as they drain our wallets and send our blood pressure skyrocketing. In Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets, prominent construction attorney Barry B. LePatner builds a powerful case for change in America’s sole remaining “mom and pop” industry—an industry that consumes $1.23 trillion and wastes at least $120 billion each year. With three decades of experience representing clients that include eminent architects and engineers, as well as corporations, institutions, and developers, LePatner has firsthand knowledge of the bad management, ineffective supervision, and insufficient investment in technology that plagues the risk-averse construction industry. In an engaging and direct style, he here pinpoints the issues that underlie the industry’s woes while providing practical tips for anyone in the business of building, including advice on the precise language owners should use during contract negotiations. Armed with Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets, everyone involved in the purchase or renovation of a building or any structure—from homeowners seeking to remodel to civic developers embarking on large-scale projects—has the information they need to change this antiquated industry, one project at a time. “LePatner describes what is wrong with the current system and suggests ways that architects can help—by retaking their rightful place as master builders.”—Fred A. Bernstein, Architect Magazine “Every now and then, a major construction project is completed on time and on budget. Everyone is amazed. . . . Barry LePatner thinks this exception should become the rule. . . . A swift kick to the construction industry.”—James R. Hagerty, Wall Street Journal

In the past few decades, cepezed has gained renown with transparent, sustainable and technologically progressive architecture that is remarkably usable and humane. Unaffected design, sober but stylish materialization, and careful finishing are just as characteristic of Cepezed's oeuvre as the integration of spatial and construction-technical aspects. The design and building processes at cepezed are also integrated: the use of prefab components and the application of industrial building methods guarantee an optimum alignment of design and realization, in which time, quality, and costs are meticulously planned and controlled. Prototypes documents a large number of key projects and deals extensively with the various aspects of product development, building process and architecture. The layout and form of the book make it very similar to a cepezed design: celar, logical and efficient. It offers very incisive insight into the office philosophy that cepezed has drawn straight through architectural history. In addition to the timeless aesthetic pleasure that can be experienced in the designs and the craftmanship displayed at detail level, the much-discussed role of the architect in the design process today is examined in the book. A must read for every architect who wrestles with the threatened depreciation of the discipline.

“Dan Morgan is one of the best heroes to come along in ages.”—Jeffery Deaver From Black Ops veteran Leo J. Maloney comes a pulse-pounding thriller of an American agent on the run from merciless enemies—and unable to trust his allies . . . War Of Shadows Dan Morgan is a wanted man. Unknown assailants have targeted him—and his family. His home destroyed. His wife Jenny, presumed dead. His fellow Zeta operatives are missing in action, except his daughter Alex. Someone has declared war on Zeta, and the Morgans may be the only agents left alive. Pursued cross-country, Dan is driven by two things—protecting Alex and getting revenge against those responsible for killing Jenny. But he is unaware of who he’s truly up against. He suspects Zeta was infiltrated by double agents. Intelligence operatives from around the world are hunting him. And an adversary from Dan’s past is determined to destablize the world by any means necessary . . . Praise for Leo J. Maloney and His Novels ”Fine writing and real insider knowledge.”—Lee Child “Rings with authenticity.”—John Gilstrap “Everything a thriller reader wants.”—Ben Coes “The new master of the modern spy game.”—Mark Sullivan “A ripping story!”—Meg Gardiner

WHY ME? That was the question I asked God and myself over and over again. I knew there would be no quick reply, no simple answer as to why at nineteen years of age my body was being poisoned by the blood running through my veins. With each passing day I became weaker. My eyesight became blurry. The color of my skin was a sickly yellow. And when I had the courage to look, I could barely recognize myself in the mirror. Oh sure, the doctor told me the name of a long scientific medical term that described my illness, but why was this happening to me? Just a year ago, I was graduating from high school looking forward to college and the possibility of becoming a professional athlete. How could this have happened to me? I was young, healthy, and full of life. I was invincible, or so I thought. I never imagined that in pursuit of a dream, the battle against this deadly virus would come second to the battle against myself. My name is Paul and this is my story.