Joanna Turpin is a senior editor with the ACHR NEWS. She can be contacted at 248-786-1707 or joannaturpin@achrnews.com. Turpin has been with BNP Media since 1991, first heading up the company’s technical book division. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Washington and worked on her master’s degree in technical communication at Eastern Michigan University.
When it came time for a bas retrofit at one of Las Vegas' famous casinos, Harrah's wagered on increased system versatility and control. The bet is looking like a win-win for the house and its guests. By Joanna R. Turpin
It's been the best of times and the worst of times for those involved with revising ASHRAE Standards 62-89 and 90.1. Controversy, frustration, and politics have helped keep the standards from being completed - but a breakthrough may soon be near for at least one of the standards. By Joanna R. Turpin
Does the hospitality industry need its own IAQ standard? It's under discussion, and even that much is enough to fuel heated discussion about the science, wisdom, and motivations behind such a possible move. By Joanna R. Turpin
For the Granite School District, the move to multiple-boiler systems led to solid, more consistent performance for schools of various ages. The district's energy manager discusses the move to cast iron boilers as well as other sequencing and upkeep issues. By Joanna R. Turpin
For several years, manufacturers have been telling customers that interoperability is possible. Engineers, however, are still waiting for the industry to prove that it can deliver on these promises. And
they may have to wait a little longer. By Joanna R. Turpin
Renewed concern about a building's response to a potential biological threat hasn't led to any "quick fix." ASHRAE and the industry in general continue to look for ways to identify both problems and options for owners and engineers.
The September 11 damage in Manhattan has created an unforeseen ripple effect, causing hesitation that has influenced the hvac industry in New Jersey's gaming capital. By Joanna Turpin
A difficult project is one thing, but entering a project in medias res can prove even trickier. See how one consulting firm helped steer a major federal facility overhaul toward greater efficiency and a new degree of controls interoperability, all on a tight schedule. By Joanna Turpin
Weekly meetings, a project-wide lack of ego, a creative consulting firm, and a hands-on owner's rep are some of the elements that added up to an Engineering Team Award. By Joanna Turpin
Hollywood and Highland is no longer just an intersection - it's 2 million square feet of multiuse commercial space where visitors can do everything from grab lunch to attend the Academy Awards. Designers faced the usual space challenges, but other special concerns ranged from adjusting to the facility's late classification as a high-rise building to supporting Wolfgang Puck's kitchen. By Joanna R. Turpin