Monthly Archives: March 2011

A New Earthquake-Preparedness Strategy: Cross Your Fingers!

Posted on March 29, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

The Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland, California collapsed in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and killed 42 people.  The Viaduct’s lack of earthquake resistance was well-known within the structural engineering community.  There is no doubt that this was also known to … Continue reading →

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Value of Remodeling Projects

Posted on March 22, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

In earlier posts I talked about the values of energy efficiency and earthquake resistance of your home.  But, how about the values of remodeling projects that do not involve structural or energy-efficiency upgrades? Hanley Wood LLC has published national and … Continue reading →

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My Newsletter

Posted on March 17, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

I am developing a monthly newsletter on current real estate trends and related information.  I would like my friends, clients, and followers to take a look at the current issue and send me their feedback.  I would be very much interested in knowing … Continue reading →

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Can We Design for Tsunamis?

Posted on March 12, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

After writing my last blog, I was expecting someone to ask, “How can you design for a tsunami?”  In California we have been designing buildings to resist earthquakes since 1930’s.  Over the years our building codes have evolved and improved, … Continue reading →

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Seeing, Believing, and Earthquake Preparedness

Posted on March 11, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

Since I started this blog about three weeks ago and began writing about earthquakes, value of earthquake resistance, and “buying, selling, and building safe & sound homes in the San Francisco Bay Area” we had two major earthquakes.  The Magnitude … Continue reading →

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You can get $1,000-$4,000 rebate for improving energy efficiency of your home!

Posted on March 9, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

A new “Energy Upgrade California” program now offers rebates to home owners who improve energy efficiency of their homes.  For basic improvements, the rebate is $1,000.  For more extensive improvements, the rebate can be as high as $4,000.  The program … Continue reading →

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Facebook Design Charrette

Posted on March 6, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

I was lucky enough to be in the same picture with Mark Zuckerberg yesterday, while participating in the Facebook Design Charrette and he dropped-by.  The Charrette was organized by San Mateo Chapter of American Institute of Architects and the City of Menlo Park.  Four … Continue reading →

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Value of Earthquake Resistance

Posted on March 3, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

Foundations, walls, columns, floor and roof joists, trusses, and beams are elements that form the structural system of a building.   Structural systems carry the building’s weight, as well as the weight of its contents and occupants.  They also enable the … Continue reading →

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FACEBOOK is moving to Menlo Park

Posted on March 3, 2011 by S. Onder Kustu, MBA

Facebook Inc. is moving its headquarters to Menlo Park, to old Sun Microsystems campus.  San Mateo Chapter of AIA is holding a “design charette” on March 5 to brainstorm about the future development around the new Facebook campus.  I am … Continue reading →

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